Frequently Asked Questions: Statistics

What sets Purdue's program apart?
What can I do with a Statistics degree from Purdue?
How should I prepare for the Statistics program in high school?
What courses will I take as a Statistics student?

1. What sets Purdue's program apart? (top)

The Department of Statistics at Purdue University is the only doctorate-granting program in Statistics in Indiana, and is consistently rated as one of the top 10 departments in the United States (by US News and World Report). The undergraduate program is small, which means that students have a lot of contact with faculty members, as well as small classes. For students with excellent preparation, the department offers a five-year M.S. program, where a student can earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years. There are three specialization options for undergraduates in Statistics:

Applied Statistics
Statistics with Math Emphasis
Data Science

2. What can I do with a Statistics degree from Purdue? (top)

Most statistics majors continue on to graduate school or enter professional programs such as law school, medical school, or business programs. Some decide to teach. Others become sports statisticians, work for cities generating and compiling research, as database managers, cryptologists, mathematicians, or market researchers. Average starting salary: $35,000 - $45,000.

3. How should I prepare for the Statistics program in high school? (top)

Take as much statistics, algebra, and calculus as your school offers, as well as a wide variety of science courses. Continue taking your foreign language and writing courses. Computer science courses are also recommended.

4. What courses will I take as a Statistics student? (top)

In your first two years, you will take three semesters of calculus and linear algebra. You will also take laboratory sciences, freshmen composition, general education electives, and foreign language/culture. Later in the curriculum, you will also be required to take:

Statistics courses
additional laboratory science courses
additional general education electives

Typical First-Year Coursework - See Computer Science Degree Progression Guides

* Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate, which is an average of 15 credit hours / per semester.

Contact:
By phone: 765.494.1771 or 800.804.8061
College of Science: www.science.purdue.edu
Department of Statistics: www.stat.purdue.edu