Data Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 134 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best data science schools.
The school you choose for data science can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Data Science Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Data Science School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Data Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Data Science in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the data science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in data science. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 data science degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Data Science graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Get the full data science details for Northwestern University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in data science, ranking #2. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 138 data science students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their data science degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $60,004 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the top schools for data science. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 14 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their data science degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $83,560 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323.
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The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in data science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 338 data science students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275.
See the full data science program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
Students looking for a strong data science program will find one at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 143 data science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their data science degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627.
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Stevens Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for data science this year. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 153 data science degrees were awarded at Stevens Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology generally make around $87,055. Typical student debt for the program is $26,767.
Read more about the data science program at Stevens Institute Of Technology
Duke University came in at #7 for data science this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 data science degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
See the full data science program report for Duke University
Stanford University landed the #8 spot for data science this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 23 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their data science degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
See the full data science program report for Stanford University
Harvard University earned the #9 position for data science this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. About 17 data science degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Students who receive their data science degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
See the full data science program report for Harvard University
University Of California San Diego landed the #10 spot for data science this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 122 data science degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Data Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans.
See the full data science program report for University Of California San Diego
Rice University landed the #11 spot for data science this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 data science degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Data Science graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904.
Read more about the data science program at Rice University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #12 for data science this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 645 data science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the data science program make about $59,877 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813.
See the full data science program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #13 position for data science this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 119 data science degrees were awarded at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the most recent year. Data Science graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $91,834 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree.
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San Jose State University earned the #14 position for data science this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 252 data science students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
Read more about the data science program at San Jose State University
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #15 spot for data science this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. New Jersey Institute Of Technology graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 212 data science students who graduated with this degree at New Jersey Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Data Science graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. New Jersey Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans.
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Carnegie Mellon University earned the #16 position for data science this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 34 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the data science program make about $89,327 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
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Texas A And M University College Station came in at #16 for data science this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 data science degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Data Science graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree.
See the full data science program report for Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #18 position for data science this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 58 data science degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the data science program make about $57,901 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
More information about a degree in data science from University Of Maryland College Park
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best data science schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 195 data science degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the data science program make about $86,770 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
See the full data science program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best data science schools. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. Colorado School Of Mines graduates 82% of students within six years. About 36 data science degrees were awarded at Colorado School Of Mines in the most recent year. Data Science graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,521.
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George Washington University placed #21 among the best data science schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 168 data science degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans.
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University Of Delaware came in at #22 for data science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. About 82% of students finish within six years. University Of Delaware awarded about 43 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the data science program make about $54,155 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,861.
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University Of The Pacific landed the #23 spot for data science this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 68 data science students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. University Of The Pacific graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans.
See the full data science program report for University Of The Pacific
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #24 spot for data science this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 data science degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. Typical student debt for the program is $15,501.
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University Of Connecticut ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best data science schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Storrs. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Connecticut awarded about 45 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the data science program make about $58,784 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Data Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s data science ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 134 schools evaluated.
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).
