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2026 Best Data Science Master’s Degree Schools

20 Colleges in the United States
4,132 Data Science Degrees Awarded
$60,364 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 327 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for data science students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Data Science in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in data science, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Data Science

1

Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Austin the best school in the country for a degree in data science. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 174 data science students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their data science degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $57,819 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree. See the full data science program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

2
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in data science, ranking #2. 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. Duke University awarded about 36 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the data science program make about $83,388 in their early career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. More information about a degree in data science from Duke University

3

Students looking for a strong data science program will find one at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 120 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627. See the full data science program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

4

A rank of #4 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for data science. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 171 data science degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in data science from San Jose State University

5

Students looking for a strong data science program will find one at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 73 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Data Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. See the full data science program report for University Of California San Diego

6
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #6 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. There were roughly 52 data science students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their data science degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904. More information about a degree in data science from Rice University

7
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #7 spot for data science this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 177 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the data science program make about $64,516 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Get the full data science details for New York University

8

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #8 for data science this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 203 data science students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. Read more about the data science program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

9

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #9 for data science this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 17 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Read more about the data science program at Carnegie Mellon University

10

New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best data science schools. This large public university is located in the city of Newark. About 73% of students finish within six years. About 201 data science degrees were awarded at New Jersey Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,549. Typical student debt for the program is $24,755. See the full data science program report for New Jersey Institute Of Technology

11

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #11 position for data science this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 data science students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Read more about the data science program at Texas A And M University College Station

12

Colorado School Of Mines ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best data science schools. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 data science students who graduated with this degree at Colorado School Of Mines in the most recent data year. Students who receive their data science degree from Colorado School Of Mines earn around $76,298 in the first couple years of their career. Colorado School Of Mines graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. More information about a degree in data science from Colorado School Of Mines

13

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #13 spot for data science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 55 data science degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. More information about a degree in data science from University Of Massachusetts Amherst

14

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #14 for data science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 28 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their data science degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $45,488 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,501. Read more about the data science program at University Of California Santa Barbara

15

Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #15 spot for data science this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Worcester Polytechnic Institute awarded about 48 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the data science program make about $91,834 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,259. Read more about the data science program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

16

University Of Delaware landed the #16 spot for data science this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 26 data science degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. See the full data science program report for University Of Delaware

17
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University landed the #17 spot for data science this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 data science students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Data Science graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Lehigh University graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. See the full data science program report for Lehigh University

18

University Of The Pacific earned the #18 position for data science this year. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 data science degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Students who receive their data science degree from University Of The Pacific earn around $77,022 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,514. More information about a degree in data science from University Of The Pacific

19

Michigan Technological University came in at #19 for data science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. About 68% of students finish within six years. Michigan Technological University awarded about 28 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Data Science graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,800. Read more about the data science program at Michigan Technological University

20
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #20 among the best data science schools. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. About 67% of students finish within six years. Lewis University awarded about 122 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the data science program make about $55,718 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete this degree. See the full data science program report for Lewis University

21
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University came in at #21 for data science this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. American University awarded about 35 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from American University generally make around $54,585. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete this degree. See the full data science program report for American University

22

Fordham University landed the #22 spot for data science this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 data science students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the data science program make about $59,403 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in data science from Fordham University

23

Bradley University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best data science schools. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 63 data science students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete this degree. See the full data science program report for Bradley University

24
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best data science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 data science students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Brown University graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. See the full data science program report for Brown University

25
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best data science schools. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Tufts University awarded about 21 data science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree. Read more about the data science program at Tufts University

Rest of the Top 50 Data Science Schools

These schools also placed among the best for data science this year:

26
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
36
37
38
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
47
48
Saint Peters College crest
Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ
49
50

Other Data Science Degree Levels

Explore the best data science schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Data Science
Associate's Degrees in Data Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Data Science
View All Data Science Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 327 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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