Statistics at University of Iowa

University of Iowa's statistics program produces graduates earning $75,000 right out of college—substantially outperforming both the national median ($60,000) and Iowa's state median ($64,000). While this ranks in the 60th percentile among Iowa programs, that comparison deserves context: the state has only seven statistics programs, and Iowa State—a major competitor—shows significantly lower earnings at $53,000. The program performs even more impressively nationally, landing in the 84th percentile.

The financial picture is straightforward: graduates leave with roughly $20,400 in debt, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27. They're earning nearly four times what they owe, which means this debt should be manageable even for graduates entering lower-paying analytics positions. The debt burden sits right at national norms for statistics programs.

For families considering in-state options, this program delivers strong value. The combination of solid starting salaries and reasonable debt makes it a reliable pathway into data science, actuarial work, or business analytics. The 85% admission rate means it's accessible to most serious applicants, though the moderate sample size suggests this is a smaller program where individual outcomes may vary more than at larger departments.