Best institutions to study Mathematical Statistics and Probability
A program that focuses on the mathematical theory underlying statistical methods and their use.
15 U.S. institutions graduated 476 Mathematical Statistics and Probability students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 27.0502, a specialization of Statistics (CIP 27.05), and leads most directly to the Statisticians occupation (BLS SOC 15-2041).
About Mathematical Statistics and Probability programs
A program that focuses on the mathematical theory underlying statistical methods and their use. Includes instruction in probability theory parametric and non-parametric inference, sequential analysis, multivariate analysis, Bayesian analysis, experimental design, time series analysis, resampling, robust statistics, limit theory, infinite particle systems, stochastic processes, martingales, Markov processes, and Banach spaces.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Mathematical Statistics and Probability program focuses on the mathematical theories that underpin statistical methods and their applications. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring advanced statistical techniques and their practical uses in various fields, including research and data analysis. Students will engage with concepts such as probability theory, multivariate analysis, and Bayesian analysis, preparing them for a robust understanding of statistics.
Core skills and knowledge gained in this program include mathematics, critical thinking, and data analysis techniques. Coursework typically covers probability theory, parametric and non-parametric inference, experimental design, and stochastic processes, equipping students with the tools needed to analyze and interpret complex data.
Credentials awarded
What Mathematical Statistics and Probability graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree274 graduates / yr · 7 institutions58%
- Master's degree170 graduates / yr · 7 institutions36%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship32 graduates / yr · 5 institutions6.7%
Graduates over time
Mathematical Statistics and Probability completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 253 |
| 2013 | 262 |
| 2014 | 304 |
| 2015 | 343 |
| 2016 | 356 |
| 2017 | 389 |
| 2018 | 398 |
| 2019 | 392 |
| 2020 | 420 |
| 2021 | 467 |
| 2022 | 419 |
| 2023 | 456 |
| 2024 | 452 |
| 2025 | 476 |
Top 15 institutions for Mathematical Statistics and Probability, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 242 | 83% | — | $72,579 |
| 2 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 103 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 3 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 40 | 93% | — | $64,371 |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 27 | 91% | — | — |
| 5 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 94% | $23,803 | $93,111 |
| 6 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 7 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Harrisburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 8 | 34% | $14,140 | — |
| 8 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 75% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 61% | — | — |
| 10 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicBachelor's | 6 | 58% | — | — |
| 11 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicMaster's | 4 | 80% | — | — |
| 12 | High Point University High Point, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 74% | $37,072 | — |
| 13 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 14 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 89% | $20,914 | — |
| 15 | Calvin University Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 74% | $22,391 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Statistics field (CIP 27.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 9 states
Where Mathematical Statistics and Probability graduates come from. Each state links to all Statistics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 2 | 246 | Purdue University - Main Campus242 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 103 | Columbia University in the City of New York103 / yr |
| Michigan | 3 | 47 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor40 / yr |
| North Carolina | 3 | 33 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill27 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 20 | Carnegie Mellon University12 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 10 | University of Miami10 / yr |
| California | 1 | 7 | University of California - Santa Cruz7 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 7 | University of Nevada - Reno7 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 3 | George Mason University3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-2041, Statisticians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Mathematical Statistics and Probability program can pursue careers as statisticians, data scientists, and actuaries, among others. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 8.5% and around 2,000 annual openings. The median wage for statisticians is approximately $103,300, with a typical education requirement of a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 27.0502
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Statisticiansprimary SOC 15-2041 | $105,650 | +8.5% Much faster than average | ~2,000 | Master's degree |
Data Scientists SOC 15-2051 | $120,230 | +33.5% Much faster than average | ~23,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1022 | $79,940 | +2.3% About as fast as average | ~4,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Actuaries SOC 15-2011 | $130,000 | +21.8% Much faster than average | ~2,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Mathematicians SOC 15-2021 | $126,710 | -0.7% Little or no change | ~100 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Mathematical Statistics and Probability programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
- Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
- Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
- Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.
- Prepare data for processing by organizing information, checking for inaccuracies, and adjusting and weighting the raw data.
- Develop and test experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods.
Tools and technology used
Other Statistics specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Statistics (CIP 27.05).
Common questions
What degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Mathematical Statistics and Probability.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a statistician, data scientist, or actuary, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for statisticians?+
The job outlook for statisticians is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.5%.
What is the CIP code for Mathematical Statistics and Probability?+
Mathematical Statistics and Probability is CIP 27.0502 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Statistics (CIP 27.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the mathematical theory underlying statistical methods and their use. Includes instruction in probability theory parametric and non-parametric inference, sequential analysis, multivariate analysis, Bayesian analysis, experimental design, time series analysis, resampling, robust statistics, limit theory, infinite particle systems, stochastic processes, martingales, Markov processes, and Banach spaces.
How many institutions offer Mathematical Statistics and Probability programs?+
15 U.S. institutions reported Mathematical Statistics and Probability graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 476 credentials in the year. That is 5.2% of all Statistics graduates.
How much do Mathematical Statistics and Probability graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Statisticians occupation, which Mathematical Statistics and Probability most directly leads to, pays a median of $105,650 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Statistics field report median earnings of $72,579 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card