Statisticsat University of California-San Diego
Graduates earn $36,676/yr in their first year — about 42.0% below the national Statistics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $446K; scenarios range from $437K to $442K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC San Diego
While UCSD is a prestigious STEM institution, the pure Statistics degree here presents a unique challenge you should understand. The San Diego job market, while vibrant in biotech and tech, often demands highly specialized skills like advanced programming, machine learning, and domain-specific knowledge beyond a foundational statistics curriculum. Many high-paying roles, like data scientist or actuary, frequently require you to pursue additional certifications, a master's degree, or extensive practical experience to truly compete.
The high AI risk also signals that foundational statistical analysis tasks are increasingly automated. To thrive, you’ll need to cultivate advanced analytical problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking that artificial intelligence can't replicate. Therefore, if you pursue this path, prioritize hands-on projects, seek internships that expose you to applied data science, and aggressively supplement your coursework with practical programming skills to ensure your skillset is highly marketable upon graduation.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC San Diego's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Statistics
How UC San Diego stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC San Diego
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC San Diego, 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 →Frequently asked about Statistics at UC San Diego
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Statistics at University of California-San Diego?
A score of 32/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Statistics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $436,965 in decade earnings vs $441,523 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Statistics from University of California-San Diego?
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.