Best institutions to study 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.
200 U.S. institutions graduated 7,215 Statistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 27.0501, a specialization of Statistics (CIP 27.05), and leads most directly to the Statisticians occupation (BLS SOC 15-2041).
About Statistics programs
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.
See also: 26.1102 - Biostatistics., 13.0603 - Educational Statistics and Research Methods., 45.0102 - Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods., 30.7102 - Business Analytics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Statistics program offers a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between various measurements and the application of probability theory. This program is designed for students interested in analyzing data, identifying trends, and making informed decisions based on statistical evidence. It is suitable for those who enjoy mathematics and wish to apply their skills in real-world scenarios.
Students in the Statistics program will gain core skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and data analysis. Coursework typically covers probability theory, regression analysis, and statistical techniques, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to evaluate and interpret data effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Statistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree3,715 graduates / yr · 143 institutions52%
- Master's degree2,641 graduates / yr · 133 institutions37%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship493 graduates / yr · 70 institutions6.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year205 graduates / yr · 11 institutions2.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate125 graduates / yr · 20 institutions1.7%
- Award of less than 12 weeks26 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
- Post-master's certificate10 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.1%
Graduates over time
Statistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,128 |
| 2013 | 3,629 |
| 2014 | 4,010 |
| 2015 | 4,481 |
| 2016 | 5,272 |
| 2017 | 5,691 |
| 2018 | 6,343 |
| 2019 | 6,814 |
| 2020 | 7,356 |
| 2021 | 7,626 |
| 2022 | 7,001 |
| 2023 | 7,438 |
| 2024 | 6,859 |
| 2025 | 7,215 |
Top 50 institutions for Statistics, 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 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 432 | 83% | — | $55,110 |
| 2 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 379 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 3 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 289 | 85% | — | $68,636 |
| 4 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 268 | 86% | — | $49,264 |
| 5 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 206 | 93% | — | $59,718 |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralMaster's | 180 | 89% | — | — |
| 7 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 168 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 8 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 156 | 96% | — | $73,991 |
| 9 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 148 | 84% | — | $63,477 |
| 10 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 148 | 85% | — | $54,026 |
| 11 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 147 | 93% | — | $64,371 |
| 12 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 146 | 94% | $23,803 | $93,111 |
| 13 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sAward of less than 12 weeksDoctoralMaster's | 139 | 91% | — | $59,619 |
| 14 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 133 | 93% | — | $83,227 |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 129 | 90% | — | $64,684 |
| 16 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 126 | 95% | $17,613 | $82,531 |
| 17 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralAward of less than 12 weeks | 120 | 98% | $15,013 | $141,116 |
| 18 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 113 | 85% | — | $66,434 |
| 19 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 111 | 91% | $20,586 | $60,714 |
| 20 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 110 | 84% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 100 | 96% | $13,333 | $82,681 |
| 22 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 99 | 97% | $16,260 | $97,197 |
| 23 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 97 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 24 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 94 | 88% | — | — |
| 25 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 90 | 86% | — | $68,254 |
| 26 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 89 | 86% | — | $47,347 |
| 27 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 86 | 83% | — | $55,279 |
| 28 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 76 | 85% | — | — |
| 29 | Rice University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 75 | 95% | $13,264 | — |
| 30 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 75 | 34% | — | $68,254 |
| 31 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 71 | 97% | $22,055 | $129,732 |
| 32 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 66 | 86% | — | — |
| 33 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 62 | 76% | — | $57,734 |
| 34 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 62 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 35 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 56 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 36 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 54 | 95% | $14,799 | $77,917 |
| 37 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 54 | 83% | — | $72,579 |
| 38 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 53 | 86% | — | $62,598 |
| 39 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 51 | 78% | — | $58,920 |
| 40 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 49 | 75% | — | $52,088 |
| 41 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 47 | 71% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 47 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 43 | California State University - East Bay Hayward, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 46 | 48% | — | — |
| 44 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 43 | 90% | — | $53,743 |
| 45 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 42 | 62% | — | $38,296 |
| 46 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 41 | 81% | — | $63,649 |
| 47 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 40 | 43% | $21,535 | — |
| 48 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 39 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 49 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 39 | 84% | $33,246 | $76,759 |
| 50 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 37 | 76% | — | $29,138 |
* 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 48 states
Where Statistics graduates come from. Each state links to all Statistics programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-2041, Statisticians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Statistics program can pursue careers as statisticians, data scientists, or actuaries, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 8.5% and approximately 2,000 annual openings. The median wage for statisticians is around $103,300, with many positions requiring at least a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 27.0501
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 |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | 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 |
Survey Researchers SOC 19-3022 | $69,460 | -5.2% Decline | ~700 | 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 Statistics 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 degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Statistics.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Statistics?+
You can work as a statistician, data scientist, or actuary, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for statisticians?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.5%.
What is the CIP code for Statistics?+
Statistics is CIP 27.0501 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Statistics (CIP 27.05). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Statistics programs?+
200 U.S. institutions reported Statistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 48 states, awarding 7,215 credentials in the year. That is 78.5% of all Statistics graduates.
How much do Statistics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Statisticians occupation, which Statistics 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 $61,702 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.
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