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Principal statistical scientist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a principal statistical scientist. Principal statistical scientists usually study statistics, physics, or mechanical engineering. 54% of principal statistical scientists hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 13 real principal statistical scientist resumes to see exactly what principal statistical scientist education sections show.

The most common colleges for principal statistical scientists are the University of Miami and the University of Miami.

There are also many online principal statistical scientist courses to help get the education required to be a principal statistical scientist.

What education do you need to become a principal statistical scientist?

What degree do you need to be a principal statistical scientist?

The most common degree for principal statistical scientists is bachelor's degree, with 54% of principal statistical scientists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are doctoral degree degree at 23% and doctoral degree degree at 23%.
  • Bachelor's, 54%
  • Doctorate, 23%
  • Master's, 23%

What should I major in to become a principal statistical scientist?

You should major in statistics to become a principal statistical scientist. 21% of principal statistical scientists major in statistics. Other common majors for a principal statistical scientist include physics and mechanical engineering.

Most common colleges for principal statistical scientists

Principal statistical scientists often get their degrees at University of Miami, University of Northern Colorado, and Johns Hopkins University. Here are the most common colleges for principal statistical scientists in the US based on their resumes.
Principal statistical scientist common collegePercentages
University of Miami11.11%
University of Northern Colorado11.11%
Johns Hopkins University11.11%
University of Delaware11.11%
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign11.11%

Best majors for principal statistical scientists

Best colleges for principal statistical scientists

The best colleges for principal statistical scientists are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Stanford University.

A principal statistical scientist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for principal statistical scientists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become principal statistical scientists.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

8. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,226

Enrollment

31,568

9. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

10. University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,730

Enrollment

18,830

20 best online courses for principal statistical scientists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for principal statistical scientists

The most affordable schools for principal statistical scientists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for principal statistical scientists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for principal statistical scientists.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

5. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for principal statistical scientists

The hardest universities for principal statistical scientists to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for principal statistical scientists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for principal statistical scientists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

9. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,520

10. Brown University

Providence, RI • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for principal statistical scientists

The easiest schools for principal statistical scientists to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, la roche college, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a principal statistical scientist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for principal statistical scientists.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

5. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

6. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

7. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

9. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

10. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

Average principal statistical scientist salary by education level

Principal statistical scientists with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $147,083 annually. With a Master's degree, principal statistical scientists earn a median annual income of $119,000 compared to $101,215 for principal statistical scientists with an Bachelor's degree.
Principal statistical scientist education levelPrincipal statistical scientist salary
Master's Degree$119,000
Bachelor's Degree$101,215
Doctorate Degree$147,083

Principal statistical scientist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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