by our College Data Analytics TeamStatistics 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. Continue reading for the important information every statistics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering statistics programs.
Across the country, statistics draws strong interest, with 9,603 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Statistics Schools ranking analyzes these 258 schools to determine the best overall colleges for statistics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of statistics programs later in this article.
Programs in Statistics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations statistics graduates commonly enter.
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.
The skill set developed in a statistics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a statistics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several statistics degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5,130 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,974 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 486 |
People currently working in careers related to statistics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in statistics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
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.
A degree in statistics opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to statistics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to statistics.
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of statistics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $70,565 |
| 4 years | $87,729 |
| 5 years | $105,293 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for statistics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers statistics grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 258 different statistics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased statistics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in statistics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Statistics, General | 7,709 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | 871 |
| Statistics, Other | 565 |
| Mathematical Statistics and Probability | 458 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25,518 |
| Applied Mathematics | 11,002 |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other | 575 |
| Applied Statistics | 572 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
