Statistics Program
Data is everywhere, which makes WSU’s Statistics program such an in-demand field of study. Statistics is the science of data interpretation, meaning that statisticians use data to arrive at informed, intelligent decisions.
Statisticians design surveys, questionnaires, experiments, and opinion polls to collect the data they need. They may also write instructions for other workers on how to collect and arrange the data.
Some surveys, such as the U.S. census, include data from nearly everyone. For most surveys and opinion polls, however, statisticians use sampling to collect data from some people in a particular group. Statisticians determine the type and size of the sample to be surveyed or polled.
Statisticians use computers with specialized statistical software to analyze data. In their analyses, statisticians identify trends and relationships within the data.
They also conduct tests to find out the data’s reliability and validity. Some statisticians may help create new statistical software packages to analyze data more accurately and efficiently.
Statisticians present findings from their analyses and discuss the data’s limitations to prevent inaccurate conclusions from being drawn.
They may present written reports, tables, charts, and graphs to other team members and to clients. Statisticians also recommend how to improve the design of future surveys or experiments.
You might be a Statistics major if:
- You are curious and often ask “Why?”
- You like to use data to solve problems from a variety of subject areas
- You like to communicate solutions that involve numerical evidence and beautiful visualizations
- You are interested in how mathematical theory and data analysis are related
- You like to use data to make sense of the world around you
Because of the broadness of statistics, graduates of our program can work in a wide variety of fields. From astronomy, biology, economics, social science, education, public health, psychology, medicine, sports, marketing, and more, statisticians are relied on to advance knowledge in these fields.
And numbers can prove it. Employment of statisticians is projected to increase 30% percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average job.
Ultimately, a Statistics degree from WSU can open the door to a vast number of opportunities. As statistician John Tukey put it, “The best thing about being a statistician is that you get to play in everyone else’s back yard.”
We want you to get the most out of your time at WSU, which is why our program offers many opportunities for involvement, growth, and experience.
WSU’s statistics faculty is dedicated to helping every student succeed.
With small class sizes, you will get the teacher-student interaction you need to help you fully understand the material, ask questions, and make connections.
Knowing how to use statistical software is critical to becoming a successful statistician.
In our department, you will have access to and learn to use a wide variety of computational tools used by professional statisticians.
This includes programs such as JMP, SAS, R, and SPSS.
In our department, field trips never stop.
From visiting corporations like Trane Industries and Mayo Clinic to annual graduate school tours, you’ll be exposed to what’s possible after your time at WSU.
Statistics Major
Through a major in Statistics, you’ll learn how turn data into results.
Data is just the raw material of knowledge. When you study the subject of Statistics, you’ll gain the ability to extract, synthesize, and communicate meaning from the sea of data that surrounds us in our information-saturated world.
Statistics professionals are necessary in nearly every field, from STEM to marketing.
Learn more about Statistics courses below.
Statistics Minor
The Statistics minor will teach you the basics of data collection, interpretation, and computational programs.
As statistics is present in many fields, this minor can complement a variety of majors.
View the required courses in the Statistics minor.
Statisticians are employed in a variety of work environments. From healthcare organizations like Mayo Clinic, retail corporations such as Target, to government agencies including the U.S. Census Bureau, there are many exciting places a statistics degree can lead you to.
- Fastenal
- Mayo Clinic
- 3M
- Medtronic
- GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals
- Booz, Allen, & Hamilton Inc.
- Xcel Energy
- John Deere
- Bank of America
- IBM
- Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals
- Federated Insurance
- ING Inc.
- Mercer Consulting
- Intel Corporation
- SPSS Inc.
- Frontier Science
- Dell Computer
- Banker’s Life and Casualty
- Towers Watson
- S. Renal Data System
- Van Iwaarden Consulting
- Harvard Medical School
- Traveler’s Insurance
- Minnesota Wild
- Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation
- VA Medical Center
- Trane Corporation
- SC Johnson
- Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
- Target
- Prime Therapeutics
- Kraft Foods
- Staples
- GfK Custom Research
- Boston Scientific
- Land’s End
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals
- Koan Energy Consultants
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Epic
- United Healthcare
- Advanced Auto Parts
- Axio Research
- TCF Bank
- Ameriprise Financial Services
- Schwann Food Company
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
- John Deere
- Health Diagnostic Laboratory
- Chronic Disease Research Group
- Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
- University of New Mexico – Medical School
- Guidant, Inc.
- icrunchdata.com – Jobs involving all aspects of data analysis!
- indeed.com – (use keywords: statistician, data analyst, data scientist)
- Monster Job Search (use keywords: statistician, data analyst, data scientist, research analyst, market research analyst, customer insights analyst)
- Statistics Job Board – hosted at Univ. of Florida (primarily for those with graduate degrees)
- Cyber Security Jobs & Careers Guide – A cyber security jobs and careers resource
Our graduates have gone on to pursue their masters or doctoral degrees in statistics or biostatistics at some of the top graduate programs in the U.S.
Statistics is a discipline where advanced degrees are rewarded both financially and career-wise. Nearly all the WSU students going on to graduate school have received financial support which covers their tuition and provides an annual stipend.
Here are some schools that WSU Statistics alumni received advanced degrees from:
- University of Minnesota | Statistics
- University of Minnesota | Biostatistics
- University of Pittsburgh | Biostatistics
- University of Washington | Biostatistics
- Kansas State University | Statistics
- Medical College of Wisconsin | Biostatistics
- Colorado State University | Statistics
- Western Michigan University | Statistics
- University of Virginia Commonwealth | Biostatistics
- North Carolina State University | Statistics
- The Ohio State University | Statistics
- University of Michigan | Biostatistics
- Iowa State University | Statistics
- University of Iowa | Biostatistics
- Loyola University | Statistics
- Oregon State University | Statistics
- Florida State University | Statistics
- Emory University | Biostatistics
- University of Nebraska – Lincoln | Statistics
- Montana State University | Statistics
- University of Missouri – Rolla | Statistics