Statistics at University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
67 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
68
Optimistic
67
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $55,110/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (41,500 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 51 Statistics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Statistics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,112K $1,053K $810K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.6x 17.6x 13.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 5.8x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 71% 64% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 68 67 62

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,860
Out-of-state: $182,968 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,300
8% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,167
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$110,783
101% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $55,110/yr, roughly in line with the $63,187 national median for Statistics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.6x 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 27% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $55,110 far exceeding the $17,167 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #9 of 51 nationally, this is a top-5% Statistics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $110,783 show a 101% jump from the $55,110 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-Santa Barbara

University of California-Santa Barbara accepts 28% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, serving a student body of 23,205 in Santa Barbara, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Santa Barbara →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Actuaries $125,770/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Statistics at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-Santa Barbara

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Statistics at University of California-Santa Barbara?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Statistics field.
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 $810,479 in decade earnings vs $1,111,806 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of California-Santa Barbara's Statistics program stand out?
Ranked #9 of 51 programs nationally, University of California-Santa Barbara lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →