Analysis
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's statistics program faces tough in-state competition but delivers strong absolute outcomes. Graduates earn $68,636 in their first year—about $15,000 above the national median for statistics programs—yet this places them in just the 40th percentile among Illinois schools. The state's statistics programs skew surprisingly high, with the median Illinois program producing first-year earnings of $73,276. UIUC sits well behind Chicago and Northwestern but far ahead of UIC's $38,296.
The debt picture is more favorable: $19,394 is manageable regardless of context, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 that suggests graduates can pay down loans relatively quickly. Strong earnings growth to $84,760 by year four indicates graduates are landing in roles with clear advancement potential. With a 44% admission rate and robust data from 100+ graduates, this program offers predictable outcomes for students who can gain admission.
For Illinois families, this comes down to a simple calculation. Your child will likely earn solid money with reasonable debt, but other in-state options might offer better returns—particularly if they can get into Chicago or Northwestern. Out-of-state families should factor in whether the extra tuition outweighs the $9,000 premium this program commands over the national median. The fundamentals work; it's the competitive positioning within Illinois that's middling.
Where University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all statistics bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $68,636 | $84,760 | +23% |
| Carnegie Mellon University | $93,111 | $142,883 | +53% |
| Duke University | $97,197 | $113,854 | +17% |
| University of California-Berkeley | $83,227 | $102,151 | +23% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $64,371 | $98,758 | +53% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Statistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (9 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign | $16,004 | $68,636 | $84,760 | $19,394 | 0.28 |
 University of ChicagoChicago | $66,939 | $82,681 | — | — | — |
 Northwestern UniversityEvanston | $65,997 | $77,917 | — | $14,000 | 0.18 |
 University of Illinois ChicagoChicago | $14,338 | $38,296 | — | $22,945 | 0.60 |
| 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign, approximately 24% 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 138 graduates with reported earnings and 146 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.