Statistics at Barnard College

Barnard's highly selective nature—just 8% admitted with 1500 average SATs—suggests strong student caliber, but New York's statistics programs set a notably higher earnings bar than what similar programs nationally predict. Peer programs across the country suggest around $60,000 in first-year earnings, yet Cornell grads in New York earn $82,531, revealing a substantial gap that matters in one of the country's most expensive cities.

The estimated $16,875 debt load is manageable relative to those projected earnings, translating to a 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio that falls well within reasonable territory. However, that ratio looks less favorable when you consider what other New York statistics graduates actually earn. The $22,000 earnings difference between the national estimate and state median isn't trivial—it's the difference between financial breathing room and struggling to cover New York rent.

The small sample size that triggered these estimates cuts both ways: either this program produces outcomes strong enough that actual Barnard grads outperform the national peer average, or enrollment is sparse because students gravitate toward more established quantitative programs at other institutions. Given Barnard's academic strength and New York location, your child could reasonably expect better than the national baseline—but without actual data, you're betting on institutional prestige translating to competitive outcomes in a state where statistics majors command premium salaries.