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Mathematics · Statistics Rank #8 of 51

Statisticsat University of California-Los Angeles

Graduates earn $59,718/yr in their first year — about 5.0% below the national Statistics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $851K; scenarios range from $686K to $888K depending on AI disruption.

Los Angeles, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
67 SOLID
68
Optimistic
61
Pessimistic
Earnings
$59,718
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$851K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
64% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at UCLA

While UCLA's elite reputation is undeniable, the initial earnings might appear modest compared to the national average for statistics, which often reflects the diverse paths graduates pursue. Many leverage their rigorous training for advanced degrees or roles in research, government, or non-profits, which may not offer the highest starting salaries but provide immense intellectual fulfillment and long-term growth. The dynamic Los Angeles market also means salaries need to stretch further against a high cost of living, even if locally competitive in tech, entertainment, or biotech.

Your UCLA Statistics degree equips you with highly sought-after analytical and problem-solving skills. You'll find graduates excelling in advanced data science roles across industries, actuarial science, or even moving into management, leveraging their quantitative foundation. The "Very High" AI risk isn't about replacement, but transformation; it highlights the critical need to continuously adapt, master new AI tools, and focus on the complex problem-solving and ethical interpretation only human statisticians can provide. To maximize your financial and career outlook, actively seek specialized internships early in areas like machine learning or biostatistics to align your skills with high-demand industry needs.

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
$686K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple12.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$851K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score67/100
Earnings Multiple15.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$888K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple16.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UCLA'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 UCLA 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 UCLA

Other top programs at UCLA

Other highest-scoring programs offered at UCLA, 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 UCLA

How does University of California-Los Angeles's Statistics program score?

This program scores 67/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Statistics graduates.

How vulnerable is Statistics to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Statistics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 64% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does University of California-Los Angeles rank so high for Statistics?

The #8 ranking out of 51 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.