The Statistics graduate programs consists of a general track MS program, Analytics Concentration MS program, Applied Concentration MS program, and a PhD program. The graduate programs provide advanced training in mathematical and applied statistics, exposure to statistics in a consulting or collaborative research environment and specialized coursework in a number of areas of emphasis, such as Data Science and Biostatistics. The graduate programs are intended to prepare students for careers as practicing statisticians and data scientists as well as to provide enhanced research expertise and professional leadership in the field of statistics and data sciences.

All graduate programs in Statistics require an applicant to have obtained, or will have obtained by date of enrollment, a minimum of a 4 year post-secondary degree from an accredited institute as recognized by the Graduate College.

All applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or comparable for international institutions). The GPA for admission only considers the applicant's previous 60 semester hours of undergraduate study or your entire accumulative graduate level course work.

Students are expected to have a solid undergraduate mathematics background, but need not have an undergraduate statistics or mathematics degree. Students may be admitted with deficiencies, which are to be removed during the first year of graduate work. 

International applicants must also meet the admission requirements based on their country of citizenship as outlined by the Graduate College's Admission Requirement For A Country policies. 

• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Required for admission consideration to all graduate programs in Statistics - there are no exceptions to this policy. We do not accept the GMAT in substitution for this requirement. GRE scores are valid for approximately 5 years from the date of the test, scores must be valid at the time of the first day of class for the semester admitted to. Waived for the 2025 admission cycles for MS and PhD applicants. 
• Letters of Recommendations: A minimum of 3 (three) letters of recommendation should be submitted on your behalf. Letter writers can be instructors, advisors, co-workers, employers, etc., anyone who can speak of your character, strengths, and abilities to be a viable candidate to join our program.
• Transcripts/Academic Records (diplomas, certificate of degree, etc.): Unofficial transcripts and/or other academic records must be uploaded for consideration for admission. Do not send your official transcripts unless an offer of admission is made.  If you are an international applicant, your transcripts must be translated to English through the school issuing the transcript or through a verification program like WES.
• Academic Statement of Purpose: Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe (within 1000 words): (1) your academic interests, (2) your academic background, preparation, and training, including any relevant professional experiences, (3) your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in this specific program, and (4) your professional goals
• Personal Statement: The University of Illinois strives to cultivate graduates and future alumni to be responsible citizens and leaders who value knowledge, creativity, global awareness, and social and cultural understanding. We invite applicants to describe their potential contribution to the institution and alignment with our strategic priorities to create “an institution committed to excellence in discovery, teaching, and research, and a climate where all can achieve their highest aspirations in a safe and welcoming environment.” 
• Please use the Personal Statement to describe (within 500 words) how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Provide insight on your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productively and positively together.
• Resume/CV: There are no restrictions for the length or format of either the Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV). 
• English Proficiency Tests: International students must submit either a TOEFL or IELTS score report unless they qualify for an exemption based on the English Proficiency Requirement for Admission policy of the Graduate College. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for approximately 2 years from the date of the test, scores must be valid at the time of the first day of class for the semester admitted to. 

*Spring & Fall 2025 Note*

The GRE is optional for admission consideration for the Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 admission cycles. This waiver applies to both the PhD and MS programs. 

What a Statistics degree can do for you

Top employers from across the globe actively recruit graduates from our programs (undergraduate and graduate) and continue to search for the best and the brightest that we have to offer. Our graduates have found employment in a wide variety of fields, such as: insurance and financial sectors, market research firms, consumer product research, engineering and manufacturing, biotech and pharmaceutical, and multiple government agencies. 

Financial Support

FINANCIAL SUPPORT – MS: STATISTICS STUDENTS

The Department of Statistics is able to offer financial support to a limited number of MS students, this is typically by way of Graduate Opportunities in Statistics Scholarships, Teaching Assistantships, and Hourly Paid Positions. Additional funding opportunities external of the graduate program are available to a limited number of graduate students, including State Farm's MAGNet program. These opportunities are not controlled by the Statistics program, thus the Statistics Department is unable to provide additional details on these opportunities. 

Graduate Opportunities in Statistics Scholarship

The Department of Statistics at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign administers the Graduate Opportunities in Statistics Scholarship program  with the aim of increasing the enrollment of outstanding students from populations that are underrepresented in graduate studies in Statistics. There will be a limited number of awards granted each academic year, and all students from these populations who apply for the MS in Statistics and the MS in Statistics with concentration in analytics are considered for this award, and no separate application is required. Thus, deadlines for applying for the scholarship are the same as the deadlines for applying for admission.

• Eligibility: This competition is intended for students who are admitted with full status at the University of Illinois in either the MS in Statistics or the MS in Statistics with concentration in analytics. Consideration is given to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or approved domestic applicants.
• Selection Criteria: Awardees are selected based on the strength of their application for the chosen MS in Statistics program. This is determined by their academic performance in the most relevant mathematics and statistics courses, overall grade-point average, and the letters of recommendation included in the MS application. Scholarships may be offered before the application deadline based on ongoing application reviews. 
• Terms: A limited number of awards covering the student's full tuition fee each semester the award is held, whether the student is out of state or an Illinois resident, will be available to outstanding students from underrepresented populations. A number of partial tuition scholarships are also available for domestic applicants in general. It will be continued until graduation or a maximum of 4 semesters, provided the awardee maintains a grade point average of at least 3.00 in courses counting for their students MS program, and remains in full standing making adequate academic progress in every respect.

Teaching Assistantship 

The student will grade homework and exams, work in the computer lab tutoring introductory statistics students and/or more advanced undergraduates taking statistics courses. After the student has attended the Graduate Academy he/she may teach a stand-alone section of Statistics 100 or 200, or discussion sections of Statistics 107, 207, or 400. These positions within the department are offered on a competitive basis using the initial application for admission to the program to determine eligibility to hold an assistantship based on availability of appointments. No additional application or materials are required for consideration to these appointments. 

Hourly Paid Positions

Students are also eligible to apply for hourly grader positions. This position does not come with a tuition waiver. Student graders are expected to work no more than 20 hours a week and are responsible for reporting their hours for their course instructor approval.

Additional Funding Opportunities for MS Students in Statistics

State Farm Research Center's Modeling and Analytics Graduate Network (MAGNet) programDomestic students admitted to the Department of Statistics are eligible for an opportunity at the State Farm Research Center. Admitted MS students in our program who are interested in careers in the financial and insurance industries will be given the opportunity to apply and compete for the State Farm Research Center's Modeling and Analytics Graduate Network (MAGNet) program. Please consult with the Director of the MS program for further details. Successful applicants will be able to start their professional careers with tuition support for the MS degree and concurrent employment at the State Farm Research and Development Center , which is located in the University of Illinois Research Park . State Farm is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Assistantship Clearinghouse

Students are eligible to accept an assistantship with other departments if one is offered. MS students are encouraged to contact the department they desire to work with directly to seek information about available assistantships. The Statistics Department does not keep a database on available assistantships across campus nor does the department know of the application processes. Some departments do post their available assistantships to the Graduate College’s Assistantship Clearinghouse .

Graduate College Fellowship Office

The Graduate College offers services and resources to help graduate students pay for their education. For more information provided by the Graduate College's Fellowship Office, please see: https://grad.illinois.edu/fellowships/about

FINANCIAL SUPPORT – PHD STUDENTS

PhD applicants in Statistics are automatically considered for a tuition-waiver-generating assistantship. Departmental teaching and research assistantship support is available on a competitive basis. Applicants to the PhD program will be automatically considered for financial support as part of the evaluation unless they indicate in the application that they do not wish to be considered for support. Tuition and fees are waived for students with at least quarter-time assistantship support, except for approximately $1,150 of annual fees.

The Department of Statistics offers teaching and research assistantships.

Teaching Assistant: The student will grade homework and exams, work in the computer lab tutoring introductory statistics students and/or more advanced undergraduates taking statistics courses. After the student has attended the Graduate Academy he/she may teach a stand-alone section of Statistics 100 or 200, or discussion sections of Statistics 400.

Research Assistant: Advanced students often receive research assistantships working with one of the professors, typically closely related to their thesis topics. The duties of this assistantship include analyzing data, performing literature reviews, statistical computing and research methodology. In addition, students who have successfully completed Statistics 427, Statistical Consulting, are eligible for assistantships in the Illinois Statistics Office. These appointments give students experience with statistical consulting and applied research projects such as designing experiments, constructing survey plans, analyzing data, developing theoretical and empirical models, using computers for statistical computations, and preparing statistical sections of research proposals. Clients include members of the university community, government, and industry.