Earning Statistics Course Credit in College Is Associated with Higher Salaries 10 Years After Graduation

Abstract

This study provides a first look at the relationship between statistics course taking during college and working graduates’ reported salary 10 years later. Using data from a sample of 17,070 college graduates, we found evidence that employed graduates who earned statistics credits reported earning an estimated $11,533 more per year compared to graduates who did not, and for every one credit earned in statistics there was a statistically significant associated salary difference of$2,700, with students who earned more credits also reporting higher salary. This relationship persisted even when statistically controlling for gender, college major, occupation, and previous socioeconomic status