Statistics at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

NC State's statistics program shows surprisingly weak earnings performance given the university's strong reputation in STEM fields. With first-year graduates earning $54,026—well below both the national median ($59,718) and the state median ($75,612)—this program ranks in just the 25th percentile among North Carolina statistics programs. That's a significant gap when Duke graduates in the same field start at $97,197, and even the typical NC statistics grad earns $21,000 more annually.

The positives here are manageable debt ($24,151, lower than most programs) and strong earnings growth of 40% by year four. That trajectory brings graduates to $75,555, which is respectable and suggests the degree opens doors to solid career advancement. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 is reasonable, meaning graduates should be able to manage their loans without excessive burden.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers may not represent the typical experience. Still, the pattern is concerning enough that prospective statistics students should investigate why NC State's outcomes lag so far behind both state peers and national averages. For a selective public university with strong STEM credentials, these graduates should be earning more right out of the gate. Consider whether the program focuses on applied vs. theoretical statistics, and how aggressively it connects students with high-paying employers in finance, tech, or research.