Analysis
Based on similar statistics programs in Illinois, Bradley appears positioned near the top of the state's market—the estimated $73,277 first-year earnings matches the Illinois median and trails only elite research universities like Chicago and Northwestern. That's substantially stronger than the national median of $59,718 for statistics bachelor's degrees, suggesting Illinois statistics graduates generally command premium salaries.
The estimated debt load of roughly $17,000 is notably lower than both state and national benchmarks, creating a favorable 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio. If these peer-program patterns hold, graduates would owe about 2.8 months of their first-year salary—a manageable burden for a quantitative field with strong earning potential. The real question is whether Bradley's specific program produces outcomes similar to other Illinois statistics programs, or whether it follows a different trajectory.
The challenge here is that we're working entirely from estimates. Bradley's statistics cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes, meaning there's no way to verify whether graduates match the state pattern or fall closer to the national average. For a program at a regional private university competing against major research institutions, that uncertainty matters. If your child is set on statistics and drawn to Bradley's smaller environment, the comparable-program data looks encouraging—but recognize you're making this decision without seeing this specific program's track record.
Where Bradley University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all statistics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Statistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (9 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,680 | $73,277* | — | $16,875* | — | |
| $66,939 | $82,681* | — | —* | — | |
| $65,997 | $77,917* | — | $14,000* | 0.18 | |
| $16,004 | $68,636* | $84,760 | $19,394* | 0.28 | |
| $14,338 | $38,296* | — | $22,945* | 0.60 | |
| National Median | — | $59,718* | — | $20,150* | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with statistics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Actuaries
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Survey Researchers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bradley University, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.