Statistics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Tech's statistics program produces solid starting salaries at $62,598, but here's what matters for Virginia families: this actually ranks below the state median of $68,294, landing in just the 40th percentile among Virginia schools. With only four programs statewide, that means you're looking at below-average returns compared to your in-state alternatives—notably, UVA graduates start about $11,000 higher. The gap widens to $82,965 after four years, which represents strong 33% growth but still trails what you'd expect from a top-tier Virginia tech program.

The bright spot is debt: $15,500 is manageable, well below both state and national averages, giving you a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25. That means less than three months of salary to cover the borrowing, which is excellent. The real question is whether the lower earnings trajectory justifies choosing this over Virginia's stronger statistics programs, especially when admission selectivity suggests you're getting competitive students.

The caveat you need to know: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. But if you're paying in-state tuition and your child can access UVA or other top-ranked Virginia programs, the earnings differential is worth investigating seriously—even with the higher debt those schools typically carry, the ROI math might favor the stronger programs.