by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 254 U.S. colleges awarded 10,174 degrees and certificates in Statistics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 55% of graduates. College Factual ranks 122 schools in its 2027 Best Statistics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $70,983 one year after completing, rising to $104,178 after four years.
Statistics is an interesting and revealing field where numbers can be applied to solve real-world problems. By majoring in Statistics, you will learn about the science and theories behind data. Your classes will teach you to explore and analyze data in order to reach conclusions about probability. Statisticians interpret data, and analyze trends in order to hypothesize about probable and possible developments in the future. Crunching numbers and performing tests based around your hypothesis will be a huge part of your studies.
Classes that you will take as a statistics major will include calculus, experimental design, probably theory, technical writing, statistical theory, statistical methods, statistical computing, regression analysis, linear regression, analysis of data, statistics for the social sciences, history of statistics, and probability models.
A major in Statistics explores Statistics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, statistics draws strong interest, with 10,174 degrees awarded annually. 254 colleges award statistics degrees, an average of 40 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 512.
By level, the 10,174 awards include 5,573 bachelor’s degrees, 4,040 master’s degrees and 535 doctorates.
Women earned 40% of statistics degrees and certificates in the latest year (4,025 of 10,174). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,825) and Asian (1,947), and international students earned 4,028.
College Factual ranks 122 schools in its 2027 Best Statistics Schools ranking, including 83 for bachelor’s degrees, 73 for master’s degrees and 21 for doctorates. It also ranks statistics schools within 34 states. In all, 254 colleges offer statistics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Statistics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common statistics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 5,573 of the 10,174 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to statistics call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Mathematics, English Language and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
This major requires a student who can think critically and logically. You will be making conclusions based upon your data. You should be a curious person who is ready to solve intricate and detailed problems. Coursework will involve advanced math classes; students should stay organized in order to keep up with assignments. Much of your work will be done on the computer.
Your classes will involve a combination of lectures and labs. Work in the labs will give you practice collaborating with your peers and learning corporately, an important skill to have as you make your transition into the workforce.
Although much of your work will be done independently, be ready to learn from your peers and professors. You may also have to undertake group projects and presentations. Work on your speaking skills in order to communicate in a professional manner, articulating complex ideas and information. Being able to write accurate and concise reports is also necessary. You will have to share and present results of studies that you have designed, collected, and analyzed.
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How long a statistics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5,573 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,040 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 535 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to statistics, at 52.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 52.9% |
| Master’s degree | 23.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.0% |
| Some college courses | 2.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
12 occupations are related to Statistics, with an average median salary of $109,072; the strongest outlook belongs to Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Data Analyst, Statistical Analyst, Data Specialist and Applied Scientist.
You will need a master's degree in order to become a statistician. Businesses will invest a lot of money in a statistician in order to organize, analyst, and sort through the data.
Graduates who want to go straight into a career should find opportunities working as advisors, researchers and analysts for businesses, financial industries or government programs.
The occupation related to statistics with the most projected jobs is Business Intelligence Analysts, at 585,851.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Data Scientists | 507,848 | 8.1% |
| Statisticians | 307,132 | 6.6% |
| Clinical Data Managers | 300,656 | -0.9% |
| Actuaries | 216,689 | -3.6% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Mathematicians | 109,873 | 8.5% |
Statistics graduates earn a median $70,983 one year after completing their program, $104,178 after four years and $106,427 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $70,983 |
| 4 years | $104,178 |
| 5 years | $106,427 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to statistics is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Statisticians | $130,349 |
| Biostatisticians | $121,594 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Survey Researchers | $108,538 |
| Data Scientists | $106,295 |
Statistics includes 4 concentrations that together award 10,174 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Statistics, General (8,128), Mathematics and Statistics (980) and Statistics, Other (571). It has 4 similar majors in the Mathematics & Statistics field, which together award 39,803 degrees a year; the largest are Mathematics (26,979), Applied Mathematics (11,612) and Mathematics and Statistics, Other (638). Browse all Mathematics & Statistics majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Statistics, General | 8,128 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | 980 |
| Statistics, Other | 571 |
| Mathematical Statistics and Probability | 495 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 26,979 |
| Applied Mathematics | 11,612 |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other | 638 |
| Applied Statistics | 574 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
