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Mathematics · Statistics Rank #35 of 51

Statisticsat Iowa State University

Graduates earn $53,132/yr in their first year — about 16.0% below the national Statistics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $567K; scenarios range from $511K to $575K depending on AI disruption.

Ames, IA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
51 AVERAGE
52
Optimistic
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$53,132
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.7x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$567K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
64% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Iowa State University

Iowa State University's Statistics graduates start at $53,132/yr, trailing the $63,187 national average by 16%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Statistics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Statistics's typical career paths, with 64% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,875 in median debt clears quickly against $53,132 in annual earnings.

Ranked #35 of 51 Statistics programs, Iowa State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$511K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple12.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$567K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$575K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple13.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Iowa State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Statistics graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Actuaries
+21.8% 10-yr growth · 2,400 openings/yr
$125,770/yr
High
3
Mathematicians
-0.7% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$121,680/yr
Very High
4
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
5
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
6
Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 4,400 openings/yr
$79,350/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Statistics

How Iowa State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
68
DW Score
$141K
1-yr earn
8.7x
ROI
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
52
DW Score
$130K
1-yr earn
3.9x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$97K
1-yr earn
3.6x
ROI
Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Private nonprofit
65
DW Score
$93K
1-yr earn
5.1x
ROI
Top score
University of California-Berkeley
CA · Public
75
DW Score
$83K
1-yr earn
23.5x
ROI
Also at Iowa State University

Other top programs at Iowa State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Iowa State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Statistics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Statistics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Statistics at Iowa State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Statistics at Iowa State University?

This program scores 51/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Statistics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Statistics careers?

With 64% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $511,441 in decade earnings vs $575,176 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Statistics from Iowa State University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.