Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.
Analysis
Statistics graduates from Pennsylvania programs typically earn around $93,000 in their first year—well above the national median of $60,000 for this major. While Pitt's specific outcomes aren't available due to small sample sizes, the state benchmark suggests strong earning potential, putting Pennsylvania statistics programs among the most lucrative in the country. With estimated debt around $20,000, that translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22, meaning graduates would owe roughly two months of their first-year salary.
The caveat is uncertainty. Peer programs in Pennsylvania show dramatic variation—from Temple's $61,000 to Penn's $130,000—suggesting that outcomes depend heavily on career path and employer connections. Pitt's strong reputation and Carnegie Mellon's proximity could help students access Pittsburgh's growing tech and data science sectors, but without actual placement data, it's impossible to know if Pitt graduates land closer to the Temple tier or the elite-university tier.
For a statistics degree, this looks promising on paper: manageable debt paired with potentially strong earnings in a hot field. But you're making this decision largely on faith and state averages. Before committing, press the department on where their graduates actually work and what they actually earn—the absence of published data shouldn't mean accepting vague assurances.
Where University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all statistics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Statistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (9 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $21,524 | $93,111* | — | $20,150* | — | |
| $66,104 | $129,732* | — | —* | — | |
| $63,829 | $93,111* | $142,883 | $21,375* | 0.23 | |
| $22,082 | $60,765* | — | $26,816* | 0.44 | |
| 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 Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, approximately 14% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.