Statistics at Minnesota State University-Mankato

A $20,000 debt load for a statistics bachelor's degree—based on typical borrowing at similar institutions—creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio that should work in graduates' favor. With first-year earnings likely around $60,000 (the national median for statistics programs), this puts Minnesota State-Mankato in reasonable territory, though the nearby University of Minnesota campuses report higher starting salaries for their statistics graduates. The 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests monthly loan payments would consume roughly 3-4% of gross income, leaving room for other financial priorities.

Minnesota statistics programs typically produce higher median earnings than the national figure—about $61,400 versus $60,000—so there's reason to think local market conditions could work in graduates' favor here. Statistics remains one of the more reliably marketable STEM fields, with strong demand across healthcare, finance, tech, and government sectors. The program's accessible 91% admission rate also means your child won't face cutthroat competition just to get in, though they'll still need to navigate rigorous coursework once enrolled.

The key limitation is that we're working with estimates here, not actual graduate outcomes from this specific program. If your child is serious about this field, ask the department directly about recent graduate placement rates and employer connections. The fundamentals look sound—reasonable debt for a quantitative field with solid job prospects—but you'll want to confirm those basics translate into actual career traction for Mankato graduates.