Intro statistics gets far more good reviews than bad
Core finding
Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from August 13 to 18, 2026. 28.1% of Americans found their introductory statistics course valuable, while 9.7% say it wasn't worth their time. Another 44.5% never took one.
Extremely valuable accounts for 11.1% and somewhat valuable for 17.0%, while 17.7% are neutral. Just 3.2% call it a waste of time.
Topline scale
Intro statistics gets far more good reviews than bad.
How valuable was your introductory statistics course?
n = 1,000 · Aug 13–18, 2026 · MoE ±3.2%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Aug 13–18, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.2% |
| Module | Verasight JSM and Quirk's Omnibus Survey |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/jsm-quirks-2026
How valuable was your introductory statistics course?
Cite this question
JSM and Quirk's Omnibus Survey, fielded August 13-18, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.