Analysis
Colby's highly selective admissions (7% acceptance rate, 1500 SAT average) suggest strong graduate outcomes, though actual earnings data for this specific program remains unavailable due to small cohort sizes. Based on the national median for statistics bachelor's programs, first-year earnings around $60,000 paired with estimated debt under $17,000 produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28βcomfortably below the typical threshold of concern. That said, the national 75th percentile of nearly $70,000 indicates meaningful variation in outcomes across programs, and Colby's limited Pell enrollment (13%) hints that family resources may supplement early career transitions for many graduates.
Statistics majors generally enter a strong job market, with data science and analytics roles commanding solid compensation even at entry level. The estimated debt burden here is modest, particularly for a private liberal arts college, though it's worth noting this figure represents Colby's institutional median across programs rather than statistics graduates specifically. The real question is whether Colby's small-college environment and broader curriculum justify its total cost of attendance compared to larger universities with more established analytics programs and deeper employer pipelines.
Without program-specific outcomes, families are essentially betting on Colby's overall institutional reputation and the strength of statistics as a field nationally. That's not necessarily a bad bet given the school's selectivity and the major's versatility, but you're making decisions with less concrete information than ideal.
Where Colby College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all statistics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Statistics bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $66,600 | $59,718* | β | $16,875* | β | |
| $59,076 | $141,116* | β | β* | β | |
| $66,104 | $129,732* | β | β* | β | |
| $65,805 | $97,197* | $113,854 | $13,500* | 0.14 | |
| $63,829 | $93,111* | $142,883 | $21,375* | 0.23 | |
| $14,850 | $83,227* | $102,151 | $16,165* | 0.19 | |
| National Median | β | $59,718* | β | $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 Colby College, approximately 13% 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 national median of 51 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.