Statistics at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

A first-year salary approaching $60,000—drawn from what similar statistics programs nationally produce—suggests North Dakota State's program aligns with typical outcomes in a field where data skills command solid starting wages. The estimated debt of roughly $20,000 translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of gross earnings. For a quantitative degree with growing demand across industries, these peer-program benchmarks point toward reasonable financial positioning.

The challenge here is isolation: North Dakota State is the only school in the state offering a bachelor's in statistics, so there's no local benchmark to assess competitiveness. The numbers come entirely from national medians of comparable programs, which means we don't know if NDSU's specific curriculum, faculty connections, or regional employer relationships deliver better or worse than the typical outcome. The 96% admission rate and modest test scores suggest an accessible program rather than a highly selective one, which could mean broader preparation levels among entering students.

For parents, the core question is whether your student can capitalize on the field's advantages—strong quantitative training paired with versatile career options—despite uncertainty about NDSU's specific track record. The estimated financials suggest reasonable risk if your child has aptitude for mathematics and data analysis. The lack of actual outcomes data means you'll need to investigate job placement rates and employer partnerships directly with the department to supplement what these national comparisons suggest.