Yes, most colleges consider statistics a math course. They don’t consider it if taken instead of precalculus and they know it’s less rigorous than calculus, but it is a math course (a short introduction to a vast, in-demand field).
The sequence Precalculus-> statistics is ok for students not applying for stem majors (or to less selective universities). The case for STEM majors (or tippy top universities) is that Calculus should be taken if it’s offered and if the student reached precalculus in the 11th grade.