Applied Statistics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Applied Statistics equips students with advanced quantitative methods to analyze complex data and solve real-world challenges across diverse industries. This program emphasizes the practical implementation of statistical models and analytical techniques to support decision-making in business, engineering, healthcare, and scientific research.
- Principles of Statistical Inference: The foundational logic behind drawing conclusions from data, including hypothesis testing and confidence estimation.
- Probability Theory: The mathematical framework for quantifying uncertainty and predicting outcomes in random processes.
- Regression Analysis: Methods for modeling relationships between variables, enabling prediction and causal interpretation in empirical studies.
- Descriptive Statistics: Techniques for summarizing and visualizing data through measures of central tendency, dispersion, and distribution shape.
- Stochastic Processes: Study of systems evolving over time in a probabilistic manner, essential in modeling dynamic phenomena.
- Monte Carlo Method: Computational algorithms that rely on repeated random sampling to obtain numerical results, widely used in simulation and risk analysis.
- Bayesian Statistics: An approach to statistical inference that updates probabilities based on new evidence, incorporating prior knowledge into analysis.
- Non-Parametric Statistics: Analytical techniques that do not assume a specific distribution for the data, ideal for skewed or small-sample datasets.
- Sampling Theory: Principles governing how to select representative subsets from populations to ensure valid and generalizable results.
- Statistical Computing: Application of programming and software tools to implement statistical models, manage data, and automate analysis.
- Advanced Statistical Techniques: A broad category encompassing specialized methods such as multivariate analysis, time series modeling, and experimental design.
Applied Statistics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Applied Statistics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Applied Statistics degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Actuaries and Data Scientists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,342,890 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
Actuaries 15-2011 | $125,770 | $75,240 - $206,430 | 28,340 | $60.47 |
Data Scientists 15-2051 | $112,590 | $63,650 - $194,410 | 233,440 | $54.13 |
Statisticians 15-2041 | $103,300 | $60,390 - $170,700 | 29,800 | $49.66 |
Management Analysts 13-1111 | $101,190 | $59,720 - $174,140 | 893,900 | $48.65 |
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1022 | $79,350 | $48,150 - $161,020 | 48,820 | N/A |
Survey Researchers 19-3022 | $63,380 | $36,950 - $118,730 | 7,720 | $30.47 |
Applied Statistics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $78,587 in Mississippi to $130,582 in Massachusetts—a 66% difference. The highest-paying states include Massachusetts, California, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,342,890 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Applied Statistics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 31 institutions offering Applied Statistics programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Applied Statistics is found at University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (71 graduates), Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (61 graduates), Michigan Technological University (MTU) (52 graduates), Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) (48 graduates), and Dartmouth College (44 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 572 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
71 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
61 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
48 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
44 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
Arizona State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
39 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
Colorado State University (CSU) |
Master's
|
32 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
University of Kansas (KU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
30 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
27 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
Baylor University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
University of Delaware (UD) |
Master's
|
18 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
17 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
Villanova University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
16 | Villanova, Pennsylvania | Private | villanova.edu |
The University of Alabama (UA) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Master's
|
13 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
DePaul University |
Master's
|
11 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Master's
|
9 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
Harvard University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
University of Wisconsin (UWL) |
Master's
|
5 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | uwlax.edu |
Portland State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
University of South Carolina (USC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
3 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
Marquette University |
Master's
|
3 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
Cornell College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Private | cornellcollege.edu |
Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Master's
|
2 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Master's
|
2 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
Claremont Graduate University (CGU) |
Master's
|
1 | Claremont, California | Private | cgu.edu |
University of Houston (UHD) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhd.edu |
The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Applied Statistics programs
How much can I earn with a Applied Statistics degree?
Salaries for Applied Statistics graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Actuaries earn around $125,770. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Massachusetts average $130,582 compared to $78,587 in Mississippi. Approximately 1,342,890 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Applied Statistics programs?
Currently 31 accredited institutions offer Applied Statistics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (71 graduates), Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (61 graduates), and Michigan Technological University (MTU) (52 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Applied Statistics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Actuaries, and Data Scientists. Related occupations employ approximately 1,342,890 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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