Statistics
What you'll do in college
Statistics is the science of learning from data, measuring uncertainty, and experimental design. You'll take probability theory, regression analysis, Bayesian inference, and statistical modeling. Unlike pure math, stats is highly focused on the messy reality of data variability. You will spend an inordinate amount of time writing R scripts to calculate p-values, testing hypotheses, and vehemently explaining to people that correlation does not equal causation.
What you'll do after college
Graduates become statisticians, biostatisticians, actuaries, risk analysts, and data analysts. You are the gatekeeper of truth in empirical research. Whether you are proving a new pharmaceutical drug actually works, calculating insurance premiums, or forecasting an election, your job is to ensure the numbers aren't lying. Demand is exceptionally stable.
Famous graduates
- Edward Tufte — Pioneer of data visualization; B.S. and M.S. in Statistics from Stanford University
- Florence Nightingale — Founder of modern nursing and pioneer in statistical graphics for public health; educated in mathematics by her father
- Nate Silver — Founder of FiveThirtyEight and renowned statistician/psephologist; B.A. in Economics from University of Chicago
Selectivity vs. earnings
By acceptance rate
By SAT median
Majors in this category
| Major | Colleges | Degrees ▼ | Male/Female | Intl | 5yr Earn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 167 | 3,813 | 61% / 39% | 22% | $104,565 |
| Statistics | 143 | 3,031 | 60% / 40% | 22% | $104,704 |
| Statistical Science | 3 | 387 | 63% / 37% | 25% | $98,038 |
| Statistics and Computer Science | 1 | 109 | 81% / 19% | 28% | $105,971 |
| Applied Statistics | 8 | 73 | 64% / 36% | 19% | |
| Biostatistics | 8 | 60 | 38% / 62% | 7% | $117,369 |
| Statistics and Data Science | 2 | 58 | 74% / 26% | 19% | |
| Mathematical Statistics and Probability | 3 | 25 | 60% / 40% | 24% | |
| Biometry and Statistics | 1 | 25 | 52% / 48% | 36% | $141,134 |
| Applied Statistics and Actuarial Science | 1 | 20 | 55% / 45% | 0% | |
| Biometric Systems Engineering | 1 | 8 | 62% / 38% | 12% | |
| Statistics and Actuarial Science | 1 | 7 | 29% / 71% | 0% | |
| Research Methods | 2 | 5 | 100% / 0% | 0% | |
| Economics and Statistics | 1 | 4 | 50% / 50% | 25% | $158,189 |
| Statistics and Machine Learning | 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $158,189 |