Analysis
Something appears off with UCSD's statistics program data. Despite the university's strong reputation and 25% acceptance rate, graduates report earning just $36,676 one year out—less than two-thirds of what statistics majors at nearby San Diego State earn ($57,734) and barely half of UC Berkeley's figure ($83,227). This places UCSD in the bottom 10% of California statistics programs, which is unusual for a UC campus.
The small sample size (under 30 graduates) likely explains these surprising numbers. UCSD is known for strong STEM programs, and statistics graduates typically command solid starting salaries nationwide. It's possible the data caught a cohort where several students went to graduate school, took gap years, or had unusual employment situations. The debt load of $19,237 is actually reasonable—slightly below California's median for the program.
For parents, this data shouldn't deter you if your student is drawn to UCSD's program. The university's academic reputation and career services are far stronger than these outlier numbers suggest. However, do verify current graduate outcomes directly with the department and understand that California's other UC campuses show more consistent earnings patterns in their statistics programs. Given the small sample caveat, this is a case where the school's overall reputation matters more than this particular dataset.
Where University of California-San Diego Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all statistics bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of California-San Diego graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Statistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (19 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla | $15,265 | $36,676 | — | $19,237 | 0.52 |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $83,227 | $102,151 | $16,165 | 0.19 |
 University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $13,747 | $59,718 | $77,720 | $17,005 | 0.28 |
 San Diego State UniversitySan Diego | $8,290 | $57,734 | — | $16,047 | 0.28 |
 University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara | $14,965 | $55,110 | $81,375 | $17,500 | 0.32 |
 University of California-DavisDavis | $15,247 | $49,264 | $80,650 | $15,000 | 0.30 |
| National Median | — | $59,718 | — | $20,150 | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with statistics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Actuaries
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Survey Researchers
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 University of California-San Diego, approximately 33% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 25 graduates with reported earnings and 24 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.