2026 Best Value Data Analytics Master’s Degree Schools
[Data Analytics](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong data analytics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 369 schools to find the best return on investment for data analytics students.
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2026 Best Value Data Analytics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in data analytics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Data Analytics Schools
For return on investment in data analytics, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Data Analytics graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Data Analytics graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for data analytics. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the data analytics program here. Early-career data analytics graduates make about $50,982. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #3 place for data analytics. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Data Analytics graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Early-career data analytics graduates make about $49,340. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for data analytics. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for data analytics graduates is $20,488. Soon after graduation, data analytics degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in data analytics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Data Analytics graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data analytics degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #6 spot for data analytics value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for data analytics graduates is $21,181. Soon after graduation, data analytics degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value data analytics schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the data analytics program here. Data Analytics graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #8 for value in data analytics this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the data analytics program here. Soon after graduation, data analytics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in data analytics this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the data analytics program here. Data Analytics graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #10 among the best values for data analytics. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data analytics graduates is $23,796. Data Analytics graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University placed #11 among the best values for data analytics. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the data analytics program here. Early-career data analytics graduates make about $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #12 position for value in data analytics this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Data Analytics graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career data analytics graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value data analytics schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the data analytics program here. Data Analytics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University came in at #14 for value in data analytics this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Data Analytics graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Early-career data analytics graduates make about $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Saint Peters College came in at #15 for value in data analytics this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Data Analytics graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Early-career data analytics graduates make about $50,944. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #16 spot for data analytics value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for data analytics graduates is $20,836. Soon after graduation, data analytics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #17 spot for data analytics value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data analytics graduates is $21,632. Soon after graduation, data analytics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #18 for value in data analytics this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data analytics graduates is $19,137. Early-career data analytics graduates make about $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value data analytics schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Data Analytics graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data analytics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Northeastern State University came in at #20 for value in data analytics this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the data analytics program here. Soon after graduation, data analytics degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #21 position for value in data analytics this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the data analytics program here. Early-career data analytics graduates make about $49,157. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University earned the #22 position for value in data analytics this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for data analytics graduates is $21,645. Early-career data analytics graduates make about $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Angelo State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value data analytics schools. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Data Analytics graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data analytics degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $46,134. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #24 among the best values for data analytics. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for data analytics graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, data analytics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Houston Downtown earned the #25 position for value in data analytics this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Data Analytics graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Data Analytics graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $46,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Data Analytics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s data analytics value ranking:
Other Data Analytics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Data Analytics rankings across degree levels:
View All Data Analytics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 369 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
