Advancements in computing, data science, and analytics have created a demand for statistics professionals. More organizations are looking for professionals who can collect and interpret data to help improve business practices and daily life. In turn, more students and professionals are looking for the best schools for statistics to facilitate entry into this innovative career path.
The best statistics schools offer strong curricula, high graduation rates, student resources, and experienced faculty, as well as extensive statistics degree offerings. However, finding the best statistics universities isn’t always easy. For this reason, Career Karma has compiled some of the best statistics colleges and universities in the country to help you find the best choice.
Best Statistics College and University Rankings: Top 10 Statistics Schools at a Glance
| School | State | Formats Available | US News Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | RI | In-person | #14 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | PA | In-person | #25 |
| Duke University | NC | Online, in-person | #9 |
| Harvard University | MA | Online, in-person | #2 |
| Johns Hopkins University | MD | In-person | #9 |
| Northwestern University | IL | Online, in-person | #9 |
| Rice University | TX | In-person | #17 |
| Stanford University | CA | Online, in-person, hybrid | #6 |
| University of Chicago | IL | In-person | #6 |
| University of Pennsylvania | PA | In-person | #8 |
Statistics School Rankings: Best Statistics Colleges and Universities
The statistics school rankings are based on several factors, including graduation rates, acceptance rates, student population, and overall national rankings. Schools nationwide must also have extensive degree programs geared towards statistics majors, from bachelor’s to doctorate programs. Read on to learn more about the statistics schools listed in the table above.
The Best Schools for Statistics: Types of College Degrees and University Programs Offered
The best schools for statistics accommodate students at different academic levels, from beginners to experts. Types of degrees in statistics include a community college certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and PhD. Below is an in-depth overview of various university programs and college degrees in statistics.
Comparing Popular Degree Options
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Best Statistics Schools: Other Statistics University Rankings
The best statistics schools offer high acceptance rates, national rankings, and graduation rates. They also offer comprehensive statistics curricula and reliable student resources, in addition to flexibility and varied learning formats. Below are various statistics university rankings based on format and education level.
Best Online Statistics Schools
- Columbia University. Columbia University has an extensive offering of online and hybrid learning format undergraduate and graduate courses. In addition, the Department of Statistics at Columbia maintains small class sizes both online and in-person to facilitate interactive learning. Online programs are readily accessible to international students.
- Oklahoma State University. Oklahoma State University is a research university founded in 1890. OSU is the only public school in Oklahoma with a thriving statistics department, which makes it an ideal school for statistics students living in the state.
- Texas A&M University. Texas A&M is one of the first flagship institutions in Texas and one of the best public universities for research. In addition, TA&MU has a dedicated online department, ensuring that distance learners can receive the same high-quality education, even for graduate programs such as an online master’s degree.
Best Community Colleges for Statistics
- Bunker Hill Community College. BHCC is a two-year college in Boston. It is known for its diverse student body and extensive academic offerings. For example, statistics students can study topics like data analytics, data management, and math.
- Miami Dade College. MDC is one of the leading community colleges in Miami. They offer a wide range of certificate, associate, and bachelor’s programs. Students can study mathematics, economics, business intelligence, and data analytics.
- Montgomery College. Montgomery College is a public community college in Maryland. Its Department of Data Science, Mathematics, and Statistics offer statistics degree programs and certificates. Montgomery College employs over 500 full-time faculty to help students navigate their studies.
Best Undergraduate Schools for Statistics
- Brown University. Brown University is a prestigious Ivy League school and one of the best institutions for research. Students learn from a world-class faculty and interact with the best statistics undergraduate students, which provides excellent networking opportunities for students.
- Carnegie Mellon University. US News & World Report ranks Carnegie Mellon second in analytics programs, which makes it perfect for various statistics degree programs.
- Duke University. The Department of Statistical Science at Duke University in North Carolina invests in data and computational innovation through research and high-quality learning.
Best Graduate Schools for Statistics
- Harvard University. Harvard University is one of the top universities worldwide, and pursuing your master’s or PhD at Harvard is a good career investment.
- Stanford University. Like Harvard, an education from Stanford is highly respected in the job market. Stanford’s statistics degree programs are ranked first in the nation by the US News and World Report.
- The University of California-Berkeley. UC Berkeley is one of the best public schools for statistics. In addition to their statistics degree programs, the UC Berkeley Career Center equips students in all disciplines with the tools to succeed as professionals.
Best Statistics Schools With Dual Degree Programs
- The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Dual Master’s Program. This program combines a Master of Arts and PhD in Statistics. Michigan-Ann Arbor graduate students can complete an MA program while working towards a PhD that utilizes a significant amount of statistics fundamentals in their research.
- The University of Missouri | Dual Master of Arts in Statistics and Economics. This program’s education requirements are 48 credit hours of required courses, comprising 18 classes from the economic department, 18 from the statistics department, and a thesis or writing project.
- The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | Dual Degree Program in Statistics and Applied Statistics. Students in this program complete a BS in Statistics and an MS in Applied Statistics within five years to earn dual majors. Students must submit a graduate project in applied statistics in addition to maintaining a 3.0 GPA in all graduate courses.
Best Schools With Accelerated Statistics Programs
- The University of Arizona | Accelerated Master’s in Statistics and Data Science. The Accelerated Master’s program at University of Arizona offers statistics degree programs that lead to a master’s or PhD. Students choose between a regular track or statistical informatics track and complete an 18-unit graduate certificate.
- The University of Florida | Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Statistics. This program allows you to earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace. Generally, up to 15 semester hours of approved graduate courses will be used as dual credit for both degrees. However, you must earn a B or above in these courses.
- The University of Missouri | Accelerated Master of Arts in Statistics. Undergraduate students enroll in 12 hours of approved coursework that will count towards their undergraduate and master’s program. It takes five years, and the fourth year of an undergraduate degree also counts as the first year of a master’s degree.
Easy Colleges to Get Into
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Is Graduate School for Statistics Worth It?
Yes, it is worth going to graduate school for statistics. Most employers require at least a bachelor’s degree and many statistics professionals have an undergraduate-level education. Therefore, statistics students with a graduate-level education have a competitive advantage in the job market.
In addition, graduate school provides advanced training and allows statistics students to participate in research and various hands-on projects. Upon graduation, you will have the freedom to apply for senior statistics roles and negotiate higher salaries.
What Jobs Can You Do With a Statistics Degree?
The jobs you can do with a statistics degree are statistician, financial analyst, actuary, database administrator, and economist. The best schools for statistics offer academic counselors and extensive student services to prepare you for the job market. It is a versatile degree that allows you to explore careers in different industries.
How Much Can I Earn With a Degree in Statistics?
You can earn an average of $73,000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics. According to Payscale statistics, a Bachelor of Science qualifies you for an average salary of $73,000 per year. Additionally, a Bachelor of Arts makes you eligible for $77,000, and a Master of Science earns $89,000 per year.
Highest-Paying Statistics Careers
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Financial manager | Bachelor’s degree | $131,710 |
| Computer and information research scientist | Master’s degree | $131,490 |
| Mathematician | Master’s degree | $108,100 |
| Actuary | Bachelor’s degree | $105,900 |
| Economist | Master’s degree | $105,630 |
| Computer systems analyst | Bachelor’s degree | $99,270 |
| Database administrator | Bachelor’s degree | $98,860 |
| Statistician | Master’s degree | $95,570 |
| Operations research analyst | Bachelor’s degree | $82,360 |
| Financial analyst | Bachelor’s degree | $81,410 |
Best Jobs With a Statistics Degree
The best jobs with a statistics degree are financial managers, actuaries, analysts, mathematicians, and researchers. A statistics degree can get you anything from an entry-level job to a senior position in an established company, depending on your level of education. Below are a few examples of the best jobs for every degree level.
How Can I Pay for Statistics School?
You can pay for statistics school by self-funding, applying for grants, scholarships, work-study plans, or taking out federal student loans. The best schools for statistics can be expensive, but there are numerous funding opportunities for students from all walks of life. Here are some popular funding options.
- Scholarships. Unlike loans, you don’t have to worry about paying back scholarships. A scholarship covers all or some of your tuition. Extensive research will help you find the best scholarships, but you can also win a scholarship from your college of choice.
- Grants. A grant is a primarily need-based form of financial aid that you don’t have to repay. Colleges, charity organizations, and the federal government offer grants.
- Assistantships. Assistantships are available to graduate students, especially PhD statistics students. They allow you to take up an assistantship role at the university or an independent company and simultaneously pursue your degree. In return, the employer covers your tuition and provides a stipend.
- FAFSA Loans. US citizens are eligible for federal student aid to help cover college tuition. Fill out the free application form and submit it on time to qualify for various benefits. You must begin to pay off your federal loan upon graduation.
- Private Loans. Private loans come from banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions and must be paid back. You can research the best loan providers and apply directly on the lender’s website. Popular loan providers include Sallie Mae, Ascent, and College Ave.
How to Pay for Your Chosen School Education Path
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Choosing the Best Statistics School for You
To choose the best statistics school for you, you should consider the curriculum, graduation rate, career goals, career services, flexibility, and student-to-faculty ratio. In addition, the school should cater to most, if not all, your academic needs and facilitate your entry into the professional field of statistics. Below are the top three factors to consider.
Curricular Content
The curriculum should include all the practical knowledge and skills needed at the degree level. For example, an associate degree program will cover basic statistics concepts and foundational knowledge to help you transition to an undergraduate program. The curriculum should also include relevant core courses, major requirements, projects, electives, and general courses.
Accreditation
Accreditation is important because it proves the school abides by set academic standards. Colleges and universities in the US rely on six regional accreditation bodies and a wide range of national accreditation agencies. You can find a school’s accreditation on the school website or the US Department of Education website.
Career Services
The best statistics schools prioritize the student’s professional life after graduation. Therefore, most schools set up a career services department where you can access guidance, support, and an array of student services. In addition, the counselors and advisers will prepare you for the job market and provide leads that facilitate job placement. Furthermore, career services will help you realize your future career goals.
How to Get Into the Right School for Your Profession
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Does It Matter What College I Go to for Statistics?
Yes, it does matter what college you go to for statistics. Statistics is a technical field that requires hands-on experience and extensive theoretical knowledge. Attending a respected statistics school with a quality curriculum will make your job search easier because your advanced skills will give you a leg up against the competition.
Statistics University Ranking Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Schools for Statistics
We ranked the best statistics schools by consulting the university rankings conducted by US News & World Report and Times Higher Education. To further refine our statistics university ranking methodology, we gave special consideration to things like reputation, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and breadth and depth of statistics degree program offerings.
Additional Reading About Statistics
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Best Statistics Schools FAQ
The job outlook for statisticians over the next ten years is very promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 35 percent job growth rate for statisticians. The industry is expanding quickly, creating many job opportunities for students and professionals and ensuring there will be no shortage of jobs for statisticians.
Yes, statistics is a good major. As a statistics degree graduate, you will have access to several career paths and the knowledge to thrive in many industries. Furthermore, it is a well-paying industry, so you don’t have to worry as much about economic security or professional benefits.
The easiest education pathway to a statistics career is through an associate program. An associate program takes approximately two years and covers basic statistics concepts. In addition, an associate degree makes you eligible for entry-level statistics jobs, where you will gain experience and start on the path towards a higher degree.
Yes, you can succeed without a PhD in Statistics. Most professionals have a bachelor’s or master’s degree and they are successful in their industries. However, you may need a PhD if you are interested in statistics research or want to become a statistics professor.
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