Location: Houghton, MI•In-State Tuition: $18,392•Out-of-State Tuition: $41,340•Admission Rate: 88%•Avg SAT: 1243
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$63,649
Est. from MI median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,625
Est. from MI median (3 programs)

Analysis

Michigan Tech's statistics program sits in an interesting position among the state's relatively limited number of statistics offerings. Based on comparable programs in Michigan, graduates can expect around $63,600 in first-year earnings—right at the state median and notably above the $59,700 national benchmark. The estimated $25,600 in debt, while higher than the national median, produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, meaning graduates would owe less than five months of their first-year salary.

What's worth noting is that Michigan's statistics programs show significant variation in outcomes. While Michigan Tech's estimated performance mirrors Michigan State's and trails U Michigan-Ann Arbor by only a few hundred dollars, Grand Valley's substantially lower earnings suggest that program selection matters considerably within the state. The technical focus at Michigan Tech likely aligns well with employer demand for statistics graduates who can work in engineering or scientific contexts.

For families considering this program, the financial picture appears manageable based on peer outcomes, though the lack of program-specific data means you're placing some trust in Michigan Tech's ability to match its state peers. At under $26,000 in debt for a field with solid earning potential, this represents a reasonable investment—assuming your student is genuinely interested in quantitative work and the remote Upper Peninsula location fits their needs.

Where Michigan Technological University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all statistics bachelors's programs nationally

Michigan Technological University (estimated ±10%)Other statistics programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Statistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (13 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton$18,392$63,649*—$25,625*—
University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor$17,228$64,371*$98,758$23,250*0.36
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing$15,988$63,649*$81,993$25,625*0.40
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale$14,628$43,668*$65,601$27,000*0.62
National Median—$59,718*—$20,150*0.34
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with statistics graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Actuaries

Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

$125,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Mathematicians

Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Statisticians

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

$63,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree
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 Michigan Technological 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 median of 3 similar programs in MI. Actual outcomes may vary.