# Statistics

> A general program that focuses on the relationships between groups of measurements, and similarities and differences, using probability theory and techniques derived from it. Includes instruction in the principles in probability theory, binomial distribution, regression analysis, standard deviation, stochastic processes, Monte Carlo method, Bayesian statistics, non-parametric statistics, sampling theory, and statistical techniques.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/statistics
- CIP code: 27.05 (Mathematics and Statistics)
- Colleges offering it: 217 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 23 | $98,740 | $87,034 | $10,488 |
| Associate's | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Bachelor's | 217 | $68,458 | $90,778 | $16,327 |
| Master's | 167 | $98,839 | $130,283 | $31,361 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Doctoral | 85 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| First professional | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 60 | not reported | not reported | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [Harvard University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/harvard-university-1157) | Cambridge, MA | $230,876 | not reported |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Pittsburgh, PA | $156,743 | $19,500 |
| [Duke University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/duke-university-837) | Durham, NC | $152,782 | $13,500 |
| [University of California-Berkeley](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Berkeley, CA | $133,986 | $15,533 |
| [University of Chicago](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-chicago-2895) | Chicago, IL | $130,189 | not reported |
| [University of Iowa](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-iowa-2929) | Iowa City, IA | $123,676 | not reported |
| [Northwestern University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northwestern-university-illinois-1966) | Evanston, IL | $122,682 | $18,277 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Ithaca, NY | $111,090 | $15,572 |
| [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-main-campus-2956) | Ann Arbor, MI | $109,466 | $20,000 |
| [University of California-Los Angeles](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-los-angeles-ucla-2884) | Los Angeles, CA | $109,017 | $12,924 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Clinical Research Coordinators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/clinical-research-coordinators): $167,220 median pay
- [Natural Sciences Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/natural-sciences-managers): $167,220 median pay
- [Water Resource Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/water-resource-specialists): $167,220 median pay
- [Actuaries](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/actuaries): $130,000 median pay
- [Mathematicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mathematicians): $126,710 median pay
- [Business Intelligence Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/business-intelligence-analysts): $120,230 median pay
- [Clinical Data Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/clinical-data-managers): $120,230 median pay
- [Data Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists): $120,230 median pay
- [Biostatisticians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biostatisticians): $105,650 median pay
- [Statisticians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/statisticians): $105,650 median pay
- [Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mathematical-science-teachers-postsecondary): $79,940 median pay
- [Survey Researchers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/survey-researchers): $69,460 median pay

## More in Mathematics and Statistics

- [Mathematics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/mathematics): 1,187 colleges
- [Applied Mathematics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/applied-mathematics): 301 colleges
- [Mathematics and Statistics, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/mathematics-and-statistics-other): 38 colleges
- Applied Statistics: 24 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/