Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 is genuinely strong—whether you're looking at estimated figures like these or hard data. With expected debt around $16,875 and first-year earnings near $60,000 based on national statistics programs, this setup suggests graduates could feasibly pay off loans within a year or two of aggressive repayment, assuming living expenses allow it.
The challenge here is contextual. Iowa's statistics programs show considerable spread: University of Iowa graduates earn over $75,000 in their first year, while Iowa State sits closer to $53,000. Dordt's estimated positioning near the national median of $59,718 falls right in the middle, but without actual graduate outcomes from this small program, you're operating on educated guesswork about whether Dordt's students will match that trajectory. The school's modest Pell grant percentage (18%) and decent SAT scores (1175) suggest a relatively well-resourced student body, which often correlates with better post-graduation outcomes, but that's inference rather than evidence.
The practical takeaway: the financial framework looks manageable if the estimates hold. Statistics degrees generally lead to employment in data analysis, actuarial work, or research—fields with stable demand. But confirm that Dordt's curriculum includes modern computational tools (R, Python, SQL) and offers internship connections, since those practical elements often determine whether a small program's graduates hit national benchmarks or fall short.
Where Dordt University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all statistics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa
Statistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (7 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,960 | $59,718* | — | $16,875* | — | |
| $10,964 | $75,095* | — | $20,411* | 0.27 | |
| $10,497 | $53,132* | — | $23,625* | 0.44 | |
| 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 Dordt University, approximately 18% 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.