15 Statistics Competitions for High school Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 29
- 13 min read
If you want to test your skills in data interpretation, modeling, statistical inference, and quantitative reasoning, statistics-focused competitions can be an accessible option for you. Statistics competitions let you engage in analytical problem-solving and explore research-oriented questions while helping you develop technical skills under timed or collaborative conditions, often through exams, case studies, or data-driven challenges. Participation can also lead to awards, rankings, or publication opportunities, depending on the event. Some competitions are team-based and emphasize collaboration, while others evaluate individual performance through written assessments or data analysis tasks.
Why should I participate in a high school statistics competition?
Statistics competitions give you a chance to work with the kinds of quantitative problems that appear across fields like mathematics, economics, computer science, business, psychology, and public health. Depending on the competition, you may analyze datasets, interpret statistical findings, solve probability-based questions, or present conclusions drawn from data. Participating in these competitions can also help you become more comfortable working with data, identifying patterns, and communicating analytical ideas clearly. In some cases, you will also gain exposure to university-led initiatives, academic organizations, or competitive qualification rounds tied to larger national or international events. Taking part in these competitions can also demonstrate academic initiative and subject-specific interest on college applications, especially if you are interested in fields such as mathematics, economics, computer science, data science, psychology, or public health.
To help you with your search, here are 15 statistics competitions for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 competitions span predictive modeling, data analysis, statistical research projects, mathematical modeling, sports analytics, economics, and data visualization, so students with a wide range of quantitative interests can find a relevant competition to enter.
Several competitions offer substantial prizes, including the Modeling the Future Challenge ($5,000 to $25,000 scholarships), the MathWorks M3 Challenge ($1,000 to $20,000 scholarships), and the NFL Big Data Bowl ($100,000 shared prize pool), making them among the most financially rewarding opportunities for high school statisticians.
Many competitions are free to enter, including Modeling the Future Challenge, Wharton Data Science Competition, ASA Statistics Project Competition, M3 Challenge, NFL Big Data Bowl, and Skew The Script Data Science Challenge, making them highly accessible regardless of resources.
Competitions vary significantly in format, from 14-hour sprint modeling challenges, such as M3 Challenge and HiMCM, to multi-month research project competitions, such as ASA Statistics Project and ISLP Poster Competition, so students can choose based on their working style and availability.
Several competitions have fall registration deadlines, including HiMCM (November 5), Modeling the Future Challenge (November 8 to 9), and NFL Big Data Bowl (December 17), so students should identify relevant competitions at the start of the school year.
Prize/Award: Scholarships of $5,000 – $25,000 for winning students + $1,000 stipends each for the winners’ schools and educators
Cost: None
Format: Online; open to individuals or teams of up to five
Competition dates: September 8 – April 30 (details available here)
Registration deadline: November 8/9; registration window opens on August 24
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. taking junior- or senior-level math classes
Modeling the Future Challenge is a statistics and data science competition where high school students use quantitative analysis and predictive modeling to examine policy- and risk-related problems. Working individually or in teams, you will analyze datasets, identify statistical trends, evaluate uncertainty, and build evidence-based arguments connected to issues such as climate risk, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic forecasting. The competition requires you to apply concepts from statistics, probability, data interpretation, and mathematical modeling while producing a research-style report supported by quantitative findings. Teams advance through several rounds based on the strength of their statistical analysis, written submission, and presentation of results. Organized by The Actuarial Foundation, the challenge introduces you to actuarial science and applied statistics through collaborative problem-solving.
Prize/Award: Trophies, opportunities to attend Wharton camps and courses free of charge as prizes
Cost: None
Format: Online; teams of 3 – 5 high school students from the same school
Competition dates: February 2 – April 13
Registration deadline: January 28; window opens on December 3
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, ages 14 – 18
The Wharton High School Data Science Competition is a team-based competition in which high school students analyze large datasets and build predictive models using quantitative methods. As part of this competition, you will examine simulated sports data and generate evidence-based conclusions through statistical analysis and forecasting. You will work with concepts like probability, regression, data visualization, predictive modeling, and statistical interpretation while developing written reports and presentations supported by quantitative findings. Teams will progress through multiple rounds that evaluate the quality of analysis, technical reasoning, and communication of results. The top five teams will present their work live via Zoom to judges, who will then announce the top three winners.
Prize/Award: 1st prize: $300 + Texas Instruments graphing calculators; 2nd prize: $200; 3rd prize: $100 + electronic certificates for all three winners and honorable mention recipients
Cost: None
Format: Online; teams or individuals accepted
Competition dates: June – August
Registration deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 12
The ASA Statistics Project Competition is a national statistics competition in which students design and complete an original statistical research project based on a question of their choice. The competition accepts both individual and team submissions, with topics spanning healthcare, sports, social science, business, and environmental studies. In this competition, you will collect data, analyze results using statistical methods, create graphs and tables, and present findings through a formal written report. Projects will be judged on the quality of the statistical question, the data collection process, the analysis, the interpretation of results, and the overall presentation.
Prize/Award: Scholarship awards of $1,000 – $20,000 for winning teams, finalists, and honorable mentions
Cost: None
Format: Online + final event in New York, NY; team-based event
Competition dates: February 27 – April 27
Registration deadline: February 23
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the U.S. and sixth form students in England and Wales
The MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3 Challenge) is a statistics and mathematical modeling competition where high school students work in teams to solve open-ended problems using data analysis and quantitative reasoning. The competition is conducted by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics and sponsored by MathWorks. During the competition, your team will work with an assigned complex scenario within 14 hours, analyzing datasets, building models, interpreting statistical trends, and submitting a research-style paper to present your conclusions. The problems assigned are typically connected to economics, public policy, healthcare, infrastructure, housing, or social behavior.
Prize/Award: Recognition and honors
Cost: $100 registration fee/team
Format: Online; team-based event
Competition dates: November 5 – 17; Results: February 28 or before
Registration deadline: November 5; window opens on August 31
Eligibility: High school students; students who are 14½ years or younger on the start date of the contest can participate in the MidMCM (middle school track)
HiMCM is an international team competition in which you get to use mathematical and statistical modeling to examine complex real-world problems. During the 14-day contest period, you and your teammates will tackle an assigned problem, analyze datasets, evaluate assumptions, develop quantitative models, and support conclusions using statistical evidence and data-driven reasoning. The competition will require you to interpret information, explain your methodology, assess limitations, and organize findings in a clear and structured format. At the end of the competition, your team will submit a research-style paper that includes calculations, statistical analysis, modeling approaches, conclusions, and recommendations.
Prize/Award: Not specified
Cost: None
Format: In-person at Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY; teams of three with a teacher/mentor
Competition dates: March 19 – April 13 (submission window + tutorials); Awards ceremony: Not specified | Check the website for updates
Registration deadline: April 13
Eligibility: High school students in the Greater Rochester area
This competition, hosted by RIT’s College of Science, requires you to analyze U.S. election data and identify patterns at both the national and local levels with a focus on how trends play out in the Greater Rochester area. You will work within a team of three, playing a specific role: the Analyst, who will handle coding and statistics; the Captain, who will lead the ideas; or the Storyteller, who will present the findings. You will work with real open-access datasets from sources like MIT's Election Data Lab and the U.S. Census Bureau, while learning how to use tools like R, Python, or Julia through sessions led by Ph.D. mentors. Your submission will include a written report, a slide deck, a video, and an oral presentation, to which the biggest weight in judging (40%) will be assigned.
Prize/Award: Cash prizes of up to 400€ + posters displayed at ISI World Statistics Congress
Cost: Not specified
Format: Held at regional and national levels in schools; open to individuals or teams of up to 5 members
Competition dates: February 1 (current year) – March 14 next year
Registration deadline: Varies by country; window opens on February 1
Eligibility: High school students
The ISLP International Poster Competition is a global statistics competition where you will create a research-based poster that communicates statistical findings through data analysis, interpretation, and visualization. You can work individually or in teams to investigate a topic of your choice using statistical methods, graphs, datasets, surveys, or published data sources. Your poster must demonstrate the use, analysis, and communication of statistics, and present conclusions supported by quantitative evidence. Entries will be evaluated at the regional and national levels first, based on statistical reasoning, clarity of presentation, interpretation of data, and the effectiveness of visual communication. National winners will advance to an international round, where selected posters will be showcased at the International Statistical Institute World Statistics Congress.
Prize/Award: Cash prizes awarded to winners
Cost: Varies by event
Format: Held at regional and national levels; teams and individuals accepted
Competition dates: Varies by site and year; multiple events available
Registration deadline: Varies by event
Eligibility: High school students
The TSA Data Science and Analytics Competition is a high school statistics and data analysis competition in which you will investigate an issue using datasets, quantitative reasoning, and statistical interpretation. The competition emphasizes skills such as data visualization, probability, statistical analysis, predictive reasoning, and evidence-based conclusions. In this event, you will collect or compile data from multiple sources, analyze trends and patterns, and present your findings through a scientific poster and supporting documentation. Semifinalists will also complete an on-site challenge that requires interpreting a provided dataset and communicating insights within a limited timeframe.
Prize/Award: Certificates and cash prizes
Cost: FBLA membership fee may apply
Format: Regional, sectional, state, and national events (sites vary); team or individual participation
Competition dates: Vary based on competition level
Registration deadline: Varies based on competition level
Eligibility: High school students
FBLA Data Analysis is a high school competition event where you will examine datasets, interpret statistical findings, and present evidence-based conclusions using quantitative analysis. You will compete individually or in teams and use data visualization, trend analysis, probability, and statistical reasoning to address a given business or analytical problem. You will analyze information, identify patterns, and communicate insights through a formal presentation evaluated by judges. The competition is designed to test analytical thinking, interpretation of quantitative evidence, and the ability to explain conclusions clearly using charts, graphs, and supporting data.
Prize/Award: $100,000 in shared prize money (track-wise amount varies each year)
Cost: Free to enter
Format: Online contest (hosted on Kaggle); finalists present in person at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN
Competition dates: Submission period: September 25 – December 17; Judging period: December 18 – January 19; Results announcement: January 20
Registration deadline: December 17
Eligibility: Open to students, professionals, and independent analysts with a Kaggle account (minors require parental consent); the University Track is open to undergraduate and graduate students only.
The NFL Big Data Bowl: Analytics is a yearly data science contest run by NFL Football Operations and hosted on Kaggle. The challenge requires you to analyze NFL player tracking data, called Next Gen Stats, to assess and predict how players tend to move while the ball is in the air after a pass. You can work on your own or as part of a team, and choose between tracks: a University Track for students or a Broadcast Visualization Track if you are interested in creating compelling visuals or animations. Your submission will be reviewed by NFL team analysts, and if you make it to the finals, you will present your findings live at the NFL Scouting Combine. You will gain experience using statistical models and data science methods while working with professional-grade sports data and stats that you can actually see during live NFL broadcasts.
Prize/Award: 1st place: $1,000; 2nd place: $500; 3rd place: $250; 4th place $200
Cost: Varies by regional and state organizers; trip to national finals is fully funded.
Format: In-person and organized at regional, state, and national levels; National Finals in Atlanta, GA
Competition dates: January 5 – May 29 (national finals: May 28 – 29)
Registration deadline: April 8; window opens on January 1 (dates can vary slightly by region)
Eligibility: High school students enrolled for credit in qualifying public high schools, private high schools, or home-based high school courses
National Economics Challenge is an academic competition where you will apply statistics, quantitative reasoning, and data interpretation to questions connected to economics and public policy. The competition spans topics such as probability, graphs, market data, economic indicators, and analytical problem-solving through both individual and team-based rounds. As a participant, you will examine datasets, interpret trends, and use evidence-based reasoning to answer questions involving macroeconomics, microeconomics, and current economic issues. Advanced rounds will also include critical thinking components that require teams to analyze scenarios and communicate conclusions.
Prize/Award: Varies based on specific contest.
Cost: Varies by site and event
Format: Held at regional and national levels; locations vary by event and site
Competition dates: Vary based on specific competition; multiple events available each year
Registration deadline: Varies based on specific competition
Eligibility: High school students
Mu Alpha Theta runs various mathematics competitions that focus on probability, data interpretation, statistical reasoning, and quantitative problem-solving. As a participant, you will solve statistics-based questions involving distributions, sampling, regression, probability models, data analysis, and interpretation of graphs and datasets. Most regional and national events require you to compete individually in timed exam settings. Questions are designed to test both computational accuracy and conceptual understanding of introductory statistics topics commonly covered in AP Statistics and advanced high school mathematics courses.
Prize/Award: Recognition as winners of the National Data Science Challenge
Cost: None
Format: Online; individual/teams (facilitated by teachers)
Competition dates: May 4 – June 5
Registration deadline: April 17
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who have completed AP Statistics, AP Computer Science A, or AP Computer Science Principles; registrations are facilitated by teachers.
Skew The Script’s Data Science Challenge is a high school competition focused on statistics, data analysis, and quantitative reasoning. In this challenge, you will examine public policy, economics, social trends, and behavioral data while applying concepts such as probability, data visualization, statistical interpretation, and exploratory analysis. You can work individually or in teams to investigate datasets, identify patterns, and support conclusions using statistical evidence and written analysis. The competition also covers coding and data science tools commonly used in introductory analytics and AP Statistics environments.
Prize/Award: Certificates and recognition
Cost: Varies by region
Format: In-person—organized at regional, state, and national levels; International Summit in Boston, MA
Competition dates: February 1 – April 26; International Summit: August 5 – 9
Registration deadline: Local deadlines in spring (dates vary by site)
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; all teams must have a faculty advisor
IM²C brings together high school teams from different countries to tackle large-scale real-world problems through quantitative analysis and modeling. Each challenge will present a broad issue connected to areas such as climate systems, public health, transportation networks, economics, or resource management, and teams are expected to decide how to approach the problem using available data and statistical methods. You may use forecasting techniques, probability concepts, trend analysis, or comparative modeling depending on the topic selected for that year’s competition. The event will also require substantial written communication, since teams submit a research paper documenting assumptions, analytical choices, model development, and supporting evidence.
Prize/Award: Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals for winners
Cost: $25/participant (can vary by year)
Format: Finals held at Suzhou, China (location can vary by year); some events are held online
Competition dates: July 12 – 20
Registration deadline: January 31 (early); April 30 (late) (facilitated by national organizers)
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
IEO is a global challenge that combines economics, finance, business analysis, and quantitative problem-solving through a series of competitive exams and case-study rounds. You will participate at the national level and tackle questions that require you to interpret economic data, evaluate financial information, analyze graphs and indicators, and apply statistical reasoning connected to markets, trade, inflation, taxation, and public policy. The competition includes both individual and team components, with some rounds centered on written assessments and others focused on collaborative business presentations. You will be expected to explain your decisions using evidence, numerical analysis, and economic concepts across different scenarios while answering questions.
Frequently asked questions
What statistics competitions are available for high school students?
Options include predictive modeling competitions, such as Modeling the Future Challenge and MathWorks M3 Challenge, data science competitions, such as Wharton Data Science Competition and RIT Data Science Challenge, independent research project competitions, such as ASA Statistics Project and ISLP Poster Competition, team modeling events, such as HiMCM and IM²C, sports analytics competitions, such as NFL Big Data Bowl, and economics and quantitative reasoning events, such as National Economics Challenge and International Economics Olympiad.
Which statistics competitions offer the largest prizes?
NFL Big Data Bowl offers $100,000 in shared prize money across tracks, MathWorks M3 Challenge awards $1,000 to $20,000 in scholarships for winning teams, and Modeling the Future Challenge provides $5,000 to $25,000 scholarships for students, along with $1,000 stipends for their schools and educators.
Which statistics competitions are open to international students?
ISLP International Poster Competition, HiMCM, IM²C, International Economics Olympiad, Wharton High School Data Science Competition, and the NFL Big Data Bowl Analytics Track all welcome international participants, making them strong options for students outside the United States.
Which competitions are best for students interested in data science and coding?
Students interested in data science might consider the NFL Big Data Bowl for working with professional-grade sports tracking data on Kaggle, the Wharton Data Science Competition for building predictive models from sports datasets, the RIT Data Science Challenge for using R, Python, or Julia with real election data, and Skew The Script's Data Science Challenge for applying statistics and coding to public policy datasets.
When should I start preparing for statistics competitions?
Several competitions have fall deadlines, including HiMCM (November 5), Modeling the Future Challenge (November 8 to 9), and NFL Big Data Bowl (December 17). M3 Challenge and Wharton Data Science Competition open registration in late January and February, respectively. ASA Statistics Project Competition and ISLP Poster Competition have summer and spring deadlines. Students should identify competitions of interest at the start of the school year and begin building relevant skills in data analysis, statistical modeling, and quantitative reasoning well in advance.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.