Analysis
A debt load around $20,000 for a bachelor's degree in statistics positions this program favorably, particularly when national benchmarks suggest first-year earnings near $60,000. That 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates from comparable statistics programs typically earn three times what they borrowed—a solid foundation for loan repayment. Statistics graduates generally command strong starting salaries thanks to persistent demand across tech, healthcare, finance, and government sectors, and these estimated figures align with that market reality.
Washington state has only four schools offering undergraduate statistics programs, giving Western a relatively uncrowded local market. While we can't compare directly to other Washington programs (their data is also suppressed due to small cohorts), the national landscape shows statistics degrees delivering consistent value. The field's versatility matters here: unlike more specialized technical degrees, statistics skills transfer across industries, providing career flexibility that can justify the investment even when exact outcomes for this specific campus aren't available.
The limited data reflects program size rather than program quality—small cohorts trigger federal privacy protections. For families comfortable with estimates drawn from peer institutions nationwide, the fundamentals look reasonable: manageable debt paired with a quantitative degree that employers actively seek. The risk lies in the uncertainty itself; if your student needs concrete proof of outcomes before committing, this program can't provide it yet.
Where Western Washington University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all statistics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Statistics bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Western Washington UniversityBellingham | $9,286 | $59,718* | — | $20,150* | — |
 Harvard UniversityCambridge | $59,076 | $141,116* | — | —* | — |
 University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia | $66,104 | $129,732* | — | —* | — |
 Duke UniversityDurham | $65,805 | $97,197* | $113,854 | $13,500* | 0.14 |
 Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh | $63,829 | $93,111* | $142,883 | $21,375* | 0.23 |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $83,227* | $102,151 | $16,165* | 0.19 |
| 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 Western Washington University, approximately 21% 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 national median of 51 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.