Statistics at Oakland University

Statistics programs in Michigan typically produce first-year earnings around $64,000, and Oakland University appears positioned to deliver outcomes in this range—slightly above the national median of roughly $60,000. With an estimated debt load of $25,625 based on comparable Michigan programs, graduates would face a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning debt equals about 40% of first-year income. That's a reasonable starting point for a quantitative field with clear career paths in data analysis, actuarial work, and research.

The challenge here is uncertainty. These estimates derive from just a handful of Michigan statistics programs, and actual outcomes at Oakland could vary. The school's $25,625 estimated debt sits above the $20,150 national median, suggesting Michigan students in this field generally borrow more than peers elsewhere. Meanwhile, peer programs in the state show significant variation—Grand Valley's reported $43,668 sits well below the state median, while Michigan State matches it and U-M edges slightly higher.

For families comfortable with moderate debt and confident in their student's quantitative aptitude, this looks like a solid investment—statistics majors generally find employment, and the debt burden appears manageable based on what similar programs produce. But without program-specific data, you're betting on Oakland matching the state's typical outcomes rather than falling to the lower end like Grand Valley. If cost is a major concern, get specific numbers from Oakland's career services about where their statistics graduates actually land.