Bachelor of Science
Applied Statistics

Get ready to conquer the business world with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics from Oakland University.

From corporate investing and government policy to community outreach and pharmaceutical services, organizations around the globe depend on accurate data and statistics to continue to run efficiently and provide the highest quality services possible. Not only do these organizations need experts who can collect and organize data, but they also require creative statisticians who can turn that data into actionable insights.

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics from Oakland University will provide you with the strong foundation in mathematics and statistics needed for rewarding statistics and data careers in any industry. If you’re like many prospective students, you may be asking, “What is applied statistics?” Put briefly, applied statistics includes planning for the collection of data, managing that data, and then interpreting and drawing conclusions that help executives, R&D departments and other researchers make large-scale decisions.

It’s important to consider the practical side of math degrees when thinking about applied statistics vs. statistics. Whereas statistics is usually dedicated solely to the collection and management of data, applied statisticians turn that data into stories that can help a company grow. That’s why OU offers statistical mathematics degrees that include critical thinking and communication skills.

From corporate investing and government policy to community outreach and pharmaceutical services, organizations around the globe depend on accurate data and statistics to continue to run efficiently and provide the highest quality services possible. Not only do these organizations need experts who can collect and organize data, but they also require creative statisticians who can turn that data into actionable insights.

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics from Oakland University will provide you with the strong foundation in mathematics and statistics needed for rewarding statistics and data careers in any industry. If you’re like many prospective students, you may be asking, “What is applied statistics?” Put briefly, applied statistics includes planning for the collection of data, managing that data, and then interpreting and drawing conclusions that help executives, R&D departments and other researchers make large-scale decisions.

It’s important to consider the practical side of math degrees when thinking about applied statistics vs. statistics. Whereas statistics is usually dedicated solely to the collection and management of data, applied statisticians turn that data into stories that can help a company grow. That’s why OU offers statistical mathematics degrees that include critical thinking and communication skills.

Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics: The Oakland University Advantage

Oakland University’s applied statistics degree is one of the few undergraduate statistical math degrees in the country. By joining one of the only Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics programs, you are investing in your future and giving yourself a major advantage over other job candidates without the specialized training you’ll receive here. Our curriculum goes beyond statistics to make you a well-rounded candidate who understands and appreciates the subtle differences between applied statistics vs. statistics.

There are many great features of our Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics program that you can enjoy while you earn your degree:

  • A broad curriculum: As you earn your applied statistics degree, not only will you gain expertise in statistics and data, but you’ll also dive into topics such as computer science, ethics and advanced writing. Having additional skills in these topics will make you a more creative and critical problem-solver who can think outside the box and turn dry data into stories that matter to multiple audiences.
  • A tailored applied statistics degree: What is applied statistics without the ability to contextualize data in real-world situations that are relevant to you? Your Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics program includes four courses outside the Department of Mathematics and Statistics to which statistics could be applied. This allows you not only to explore topics that interest you, but also to see the importance of applied statistics vs. statistics outside the world of data.
  • Expert faculty guidance: We intentionally keep our applied statistics degree courses as small as possible to ensure that you have meaningful face-to-face interactions with faculty mentors who are dedicated to preparing you for professional life. Applied statistics and mathematics degree faculty mentors are active researchers in subjects including mathematical modeling of biological systems, classical functional analysis and scientific computing. They pull from their decades of experience to help you answer that question, “What is applied statistics and what can I do with it?”

What Can You Do With an Applied Statistics Degree?

When you earn a Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics from OU, you can enjoy the freedom and flexibility to work in nearly any industry that interests you while earning an impressive salary and benefitting from exceptional job security. U.S. News & World Report lists data scientist at the eighth best job in the country, and statistician as the twelfth best — thanks in large part to the broad availability of jobs around the world. This means that by earning an applied statistics degree, you can enjoy better job quality than if you were to earn a mathematics degree without a focus on applied statistics. 

If you want to set yourself apart even further from other candidates with a math degree, you can join one of our student-run organizations, which include the Mathematical Student Society and the Society of Actuarial Science. See firsthand the practical use of applied statistics vs. statistics while networking with your peers.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, mathematicians and statisticians can expect employment growth of up to 30% by 2032, about quadruple the national average for other occupations. Whether you want to work for the government, a private corporation or a nonprofit, you’ll have an excellent job outlook.

If you are interested in continuing your education in a graduate program, our Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics program will give you a strong foundation in statics and mathematics, computer science, ethics, writing and communication. These skills will help you succeed in an advanced graduate program.

Some of the careers you could pursue with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics include:

  • Data scientist
  • Actuarial
  • Statistician 
  • Financial analyst
  • Business intelligence analyst
  • Biostatistician
  • Data analyst
  • Data engineer
  • Researcher
  • Educator
  • Sports analyst

Top Courses for Applied Statistics Majors

One of the most defining features of our degree in applied science vs. statistics programs from other universities is our commitment to providing a wide-reaching curriculum that pulls from many disciplines and departments to help you excel as a statistician in many industries. 

You may be wondering, “What is applied statistics curricula like?” At OU, earning a Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics means immersing yourself in the worlds of mathematics, operations research, computer programming, public writing and professional communication. With these courses, you’ll learn how to apply the data you gather to actual professional situations and to explain complex statistics to individuals ranging from executives to product design experts.

Here are a few of the exciting courses you can take as you earn your Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics at OU:

  • Applied Probability and Statistics
  • Multivariable Calculus
  • Applied Matrix Theory
  • Elementary Models in Operations Research
  • Computer Problem Solving in Engineering and Computer Science

Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics Program Resources

Programs Related to the Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics 

Not sure if the applied statistics degree is right for you? Check out these other mathematics degree programs at Oakland and contact our admissions team to discuss your options:

Current Applied Statistics Internships