Compare 53 Statistics. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $93,364. Top programs: $230,876+.
The highest-earning Statistics program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $183K earnings gap across 53 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. From $48K to $231K, graduate earnings in Statistics vary enough that choosing the right program — not just the right school — is the decision that matters.
Topping the rankings, Harvard's Statistics program delivers $231K in median graduate earnings — nearly 2.5 times the $93K average across all 53 programs. Carnegie Mellon (ranked #2 at $157K) and Duke (#3 at $153K) trail by a meaningful margin, yet the public University of Iowa reaches $124K with an 84% acceptance rate, closing the gap on schools far more selective.
High earnings don't tell the whole story — debt burden matters. Harvard Statistics graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 0.9% payment burden, landing firmly in the 'Excellent' category. Brigham Young University offers a comparably clean picture: $11,069 in student debt and a 2.1% burden — also 'Excellent' — demonstrating that strong debt outcomes aren't exclusive to the most selective programs. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | $230,876 | 61 | $14,000 | Excellent | $28,000 | Excellent |
| #2 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $156,743 | 189 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Excellent |
| #3 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $152,782 | 48 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Excellent |
| #4 | $133,986 | 123 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Excellent | |
| #5 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | $130,189 | 75 | $15,000 | Excellent | $33,297 | Excellent |
| #6 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $129,732 | 62 | — | — | — | — |
| #7 | University Of IowaPublic | $123,676 | 29 | $22,500 | Excellent | $27,975 | Excellent |
| #8 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $122,682 | 56 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Excellent |
| #9 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $111,090 | 37 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #10 | $109,466 | 106 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #11 | $109,017 | 228 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Excellent | |
| #12 | $108,532 | 5 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Good | |
| #13 | $105,978 | 333 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Good | |
| #14 | $104,047 | 212 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Good | |
| #15 | $101,353 | 41 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #16 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $100,578 | 18 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Good |
| #17 | $99,210 | 132 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Good | |
| #18 | University Of FloridaPublic | $98,409 | 98 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Excellent |
| #19 | $96,746 | 56 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Good | |
| #20 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $96,164 | 122 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #21 | $94,300 | 34 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Good | |
| #22 | $93,930 | 65 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Manageable | |
| #23 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $93,446 | 151 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Good |
| #24 | $90,778 | 291 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Good | |
| #25 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $90,388 | 61 | $23,000 | Excellent | $34,512 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
