Statistics at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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.