Earning a master’s in statistics doesn’t always require a high GRE score. Now you start a career as a statistician, data analyst, or data scientist online with no GRE required. An online statistics master’s degree teaches you analytical and mathematic skills for your new career, whatever your previous academic experience.
When you study for your online statistics master’s, you can maintain any full-time working commitments and earn money while you learn. You will access course content via a learning management system (LMS) and engage with tutors over the internet through webinars, live streams, video tutorials, and virtual classes.
Learn how a no-GRE statistics master’s degree could increase earning potential and broaden your career options.
What Is an Online Master’s in Statistics?
An online statistics master’s degree is a graduate-level program incorporating algebra, applied mathematics, number theory, cryptography, and predictive models for a career in analytics, data science, data engineering, or a related job field.
Instead of physically attending a college, you’ll earn your master’s degree over the internet and interact with tutors, student support staff, and other learners through an LMS. That means you won’t have to commute to a school, live on campus, or sacrifice any existing family or travel commitments.
You’ll likely learn these skills during your no-GRE statistics master’s program:
- How to analyze statistical data sets
- Algebra and number theory
- Computational mathematics
- Applied statistics
- Predictive analytics
- How to use business intelligence (BI) programs
- Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI)
- Data ethics and governance
You might learn all these skills online or mix virtual lessons with real-world experience at an organization specializing in statistical analysis.
Upon graduation, you could get a job as a:
- Statistician
- Data scientist
- Data engineer
- Director of analytics
- Biostatistician
- Environmental statistician
Whatever role you choose, you will collect and analyze a broad range of big data and generate powerful data insights for better organizational decision-making and problem-solving. You will probably work with a team of data engineers, data scientists, and other statisticians to drive data intelligence for a public or private organization. You will use various technologies and BI systems to achieve these objectives.
Even if you have a low GRE score or no score at all, you can find a broad range of statistics-related master’s degrees both online and at physical colleges. Sometimes, all these programs might overwhelm you, especially when different schools have very different eligibility requirements and program content.
When searching for no-GRE master’s degrees in statistics, consider the programs that provide you with the most lucrative career opportunities. The best degree programs teach you the required skills for a new career in statistics, math, data science, data engineering, or another related job field. Some schools work closely with local employers that hire graduates when they complete one of these programs, making it easier to find a job. Other schools have tutors with years of experience in statistics, data science, or data engineering. Talk to program directors about potential learning and career opportunities and read through all program guides on a school’s website. Ask questions about course content and whether you can increase earning potential by completing the program.
Online statistics master’s degrees now have the same prestige as regular degrees, and employers won’t care if you gained your certification over the internet or at a physical college. Recruiters consider your grade, the skills you learned, and your commitment to your future career. Many of the most successful professionals in the statistics sector earned their degrees online instead of in the college classroom and now garner high salaries. An online degree in statistics is just as important as one from a regular college campus.
Applying for a statistics master’s degree differs from applying for a bachelor’s degree. You submit your application directly to the school, and you can apply for as many programs as you like at one time. While each school has different admissions criteria, most learning providers require:
- Evidence of previous academic experience: Academic transcripts that demonstrate your previous academic experience, even if you have no GRE or a low GRE score. You might also want to include a reference from a previous tutor.
- Evidence of internship/work-related opportunities: Providing evidence of any work roles that relate to statistics or similar fields might increase your chances of securing a place on a program. You can also include evidence of any internships you have completed in the past.
- Personal statement: This statement tells the program director about your strategic career goals and how studying for a master’s degree in statistics will benefit you.
A program director might want to interview you during the application process, too.
How Much Does an Online or Onground Statistics Masters Degree Cost?
It depends on the school. Tuition and related fees for a Master of Arts in Statistics at UC Berkeley costs between $20,774.75 and $ 28,405.25. Tuition at Stanford University costs between $35,310 and $54,315.
An online master’s in statistics degree program might cost less money than a traditional college-based degree. That’s because you can study for an online master’s degree at home or in a lower-cost area of the city instead of living on campus and paying for room and board. If you have family or travel commitments, you can study for your degree at your own pace.
Applying for a scholarship or grant can also lessen the cost of your no-GRE statistics master’s degree. A wide range of organizations provide financial aid to students from low-income households and minority backgrounds or to those who demonstrate exceptional academic or personal achievements. You will find a list of scholarships for statistics-related degree programs online. Alternatively, ask your school about funding opportunities. There are no limits to the number of scholarships or grants you can apply for during your program, and you could reduce the costs associated with tuition and other expenses. You will need to meet all eligibility criteria so check requirements before applying for financial aid.
Find the right Master’s in Stastics program for you
Average Salary for a Master’s in Statistics
The mean annual wage for statisticians is $97,170, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (Data correct as of May 2020.) That’s a mean hourly wage of $46.72.
The median annual salary for someone with a Master of Science in statistics is around $86,000, according to PayScale. (Data correct as of July 14, 2021.)
The top-paying states for statisticians are:
- Idaho: $117,190 (mean annual wage)
- New Jersey: $116,890
- Massachusetts: $116,180
- Maryland: $113,100
- California: $112,050
The mean annual wage for data scientists and mathematical science occupations is $103,930, according to BLS. (Data correct as of May 2020.) That’s a mean hourly wage of $49.97.
The top-paying states for data scientists and mathematical science occupations are:
- California: $129,060 (mean annual wage)
- New York: $124,240
- Washington: $118,320
- North Carolina: $117,370
- New Jersey: $116,250
Ultimately, your final salary depends on the type of job you are looking for, the organization that offers that job, and the location of that organization. As you can see above, jobs like data scientists and statisticians have higher salaries in some states than others, and salaries are typically higher in larger metropolitan areas.
Your eventual salary might also depend on specific job skills required for a role, such as an understanding of data governance principles when applied to data engineering. Your previous academic success, work history, and any particular skills highly valued by an employer will also influence your final salary. You could earn more money in a statistics-related role if you work at weekends or during the evening.
What Is the Job Outlook for Statistics Master’s Degree Holders?
The current outlook is good for statistics master’s degree graduates. There will be a 30.6% increase in job opportunities for statisticians and a 7.6% increase for statistical assistants from 2018 to 2028, according to the Department of Labor and Projections Central. These increases are higher than the average for all jobs nationwide (around 5%).
Courses in a Statistics Master’s Degree
A statistics master’s degree includes courses on data science, mathematics, business analytics, machine learning, AI, data engineering, predictive analytics, and more. You will use a wide range of digital tools and statistical models to process data and generate insights.
Here are some classes you might find on a no-GRE statistics master’s degree:
- How to process big data through statistical models
- The ethics and legalities of data sharing
- Machine learning models for statistical analysis
- Predictive analytics
- Statistical computing
- Probability theory
You will also learn soft skills during your program that future employers might find valuable, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.
A statistics master’s degree with no GRE required typically involves coursework like essays and other writing assignments. You might complete a dissertation project toward the end of the program where you will engage in independent research about a particular topic that relates to statistics, data science, or a related field. It might take you several weeks or months to complete a statistics dissertation. However, you will receive support from tutors and other academic support during this time.
You might also take exams after each individual course or sit a final exam at the end of the program. These exams will test you about the statistical skills, techniques, and research methods you have learned in different courses. When studying for your master’s degree in statistics online, you will submit coursework and take examinations via an LMS. The frequency of coursework in your program depends on the school. However, expect more coursework than a typical bachelor’s degree.
You can also receive college credit for completing group projects, presentations, and enrolling in internships and other work-related programs. Many online schools let you gain real-world experience in a statistics-related role at a local organization where you can learn additional data science and mathematical skills. You can list these skills on your resume and even increase earning potential when you graduate.
Your school will concert any marks you receive for completed coursework and exams to a GPA or Grade Point Average. A typical grading system includes:
- Fail
- Pass
- Merit/credit
- Distinction
Schools typically use these grading boundaries:
- 50% for a pass
- 60% for a merit/credit
- 70% for a distinction
An employer might consider your GPA when you apply for a job.
FAQs About a Master’s in Statistics
Core Takeaways
- You can earn a statistics master’s degree over the internet or in a traditional classroom.
- You don’t need a high GRE score to enroll in some programs.
- It takes around two years to earn a statistics master’s degree.
Benefits of earning a statistics master’s degree online include:
- No GRE required for many online master’s in statistics.
- You can balance your education with existing commitments.
- You don’t have to live on a college campus.
- The cost of a statistics master’s degree depends on the school.
- Tuition at Stanford University, for example, costs between $35,310 and $54,315.
- An online master’s in statistics could work out cheaper than a regular degree because you won’t have to pay for travel, room, board, or other expenses.