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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)

572
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
31
Universities & Colleges
7
Career Pathways

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.

Related Mathematics Programs

Explore similar degree programs within the Mathematics field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.