A bachelor’s in business statistics degree prepares students for jobs in math and statistics, whether they want to jump into analytical work, join research teams, or go on to earn degrees and certificates that let them teach math.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average pay for mathematicians and statisticians is around $104,860 annually. The job outlook for this role is also very strong, with expected growth at 30% through 2023.
The average tuition for an undergraduate degree program is $7,998 at public schools and $34,923 at private schools.
How to Choose an Online Bachelor’s in Business Statistics Degree Program
Choose your area of study
Start your journey to an online business statistics degree by deciding what type of area you want to concentrate on. Applied statistics tracks tend to focus on a niche like biostatistics or finance, preparing you for work in certain industries. You might also focus on statistics for public health or economics. Other options can include computational statistics, machine learning and algorithms, or data science, and some programs are designed to prepare you to enter a statistics-related graduate degree program.
Research schools and programs
Once you have an idea regarding a focus for your business statistics degree, you can start researching schools. Begin by making a list of all schools with online business statistics degree programs that meet your basic concentration preference. Then, conduct research to answer the following questions about each program, which can help you narrow down your choices.
- Is the program accredited? Consider whether the online program holds credentials from a reputable body, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
- Can you afford the program? What is the cost of attendance per credit hour, and how much does that add up to each semester? Are there any financial aid options to help you cover costs?
- What is the schedule like? Online degrees offer more flexibility than on-campus options, but they aren’t all the same. Some may require synchronous classes you have to log in to at certain times, while others may support mostly asynchronous work that you can fit in around your schedule.
- What is the reputation of the college and staff? Read bios of teaching faculty and consider reviews from existing students and alumni to help you choose a high-quality program.
- Do you meet acceptance requirements? Do you have all the prerequisites, test scores, or other requirements to get accepted into the program?
Prepare for tests and applications
Depending on the program, you may need to submit standardized test scores as part of your application. Some colleges look for minimum ACT or SAT scores, and business statistics degree programs may be especially interested in the math component of these tests.
You’ll also need to complete an application, which may involve submitting an essay, letters of recommendation, and a high school transcript that demonstrates a minimum GPA. Talk to the admissions office at programs you’re interested in to understand the unique application requirements for each.
Select your program
If you apply to and get accepted with more than one online bachelor’s degree in statistics program, you’ll have to choose which one to attend. A good way to do this is to make a pros and cons list for each. You can also create a checklist of all the things you want out of an online business statistics degree program and choose the option that ticks most of the boxes.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Go into your program with a proactive plan for covering the costs of your degree. This can reduce frustrations and surprise expenses later. Take time to understand all the costs, including tuition, technology fees, and books. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for financial aid such as student loans or grants, and talk to the financial aid office at your school of choice to learn about work-study, scholarships, and other opportunities.
Best 50 Accredited Online Bachelor’s in Business Statistics Degree Programs
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How We Rank Schools
This list features some of the best online bachelor’s in business statistics programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online bachelor’s in business statistics programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect From an Online Bachelor’s in Business Statistics Degree Program?
The main focus of a bachelor’s degree in statistics is to learn how to gather, manage, and analyze data via statistical methods. You can expect to work on topics such as probability and data visualization, statistical analysis and modeling, and experiment design. Today, business statistics degrees of any type usually include some study of machine learning and other big data technical concepts.
As a student, you will likely take high-level math courses, participate in group and individual data management and analysis projects, and complete thesis-level research and analysis. To graduate, you must demonstrate mastery of statistics-related knowledge and skills via tests as well as in practical research and analysis settings.
Students who are choosing an online program because they’re already working full-time may be able to use work-related research and projects to meet class expectations. However, this is something you would need to discuss with your employer and your professor, as it may require the use of confidential data your employer doesn’t want disclosed.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online bachelor’s in business statistics degree program
- Statistics 101. Many bachelor’s degrees in statistics programs begin with basic statistics requirements. You may be able to test out of this course or gain credit without taking it if your ACT scores are high enough, but you can also expect to take several statistics courses that cover topics such as probability, descriptive statistics, and visual analytics.
- Experiment Design. This course focuses on properly designing statistical experiments, including selecting the right sample size and confidence intervals, accounting for outliers, and gathering data without polluting it.
- Computer Science Fundamentals. The fundamentals of machine learning, algorithms, and other statistics-related technology are taught in this course. Technical-focused business statistics degrees may build on this foundational course with other computer science requirements, including coding or report writing classes.
- Calculus. Varying levels of calculus courses are often required for business statistics degrees, as this higher-level math is foundational in some statistical methods.
- Statistical Consulting. Degree programs that focus on statistics in a business setting may include statistical consulting courses, where students learn to apply statistics to real-world business problems and talk through data and conclusions via language that business partners can understand.
Online Bachelor’s in Business Statistics Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online bachelor's in business statistics degree program?
To apply for an online bachelor’s in business statistics degree program, begin by finding a school that fits your needs. Search the school’s website for information on applying and read all instructions and FAQs. Reach out to the admissions office for potential tips for the application process, and be proactive in meeting all deadlines associated with that process.
You may need to take tests, submit scores and transcripts, or get letters of recommendation. If that’s the case, allow for plenty of time so your documents arrive before deadlines.
How much does an online bachelor's in business statistics degree cost?
The cost of an online bachelor’s in business statistics degree depends on the cost per credit hour for your program and how many credits you need to graduate.
For example, Arizona State University offers a BS in statistics that requires 120 total credit hours. The tuition per credit hour for Arizona residents is around $550 when taking 12 credits per semester. The total cost of the degree would be around $66,000. However, costs may be lower for the online degree program that is also offered by ASU.
How long does it take to earn an online bachelor's in business statistics degree?
Assuming you are entering a traditional online degree program and aren’t transferring in any credits, you can expect to complete the degree in four years by going full-time. That’s 12 or more credit hours every fall and spring semester.
You can shorten the time it takes to get a bachelor’s in business statistics degree by taking more classes per semester, taking classes during the summer if they’re available, transferring in existing credits, or seeking admission to an accelerated program designed to provide a degree in two years or less.
Alternatively, if you need to attend part-time due to work or family obligations, it can take longer than four years to complete the program.