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Allegany College of Maryland
Associate's in Data AnalyticsFully online
Cumberland, MDPublic
$101,860 median salary · 40% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 40% graduation rate
- $101,860 median salary
- $8,640 in-state tuition
- 1 graduates annually
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Key Takeaways
- 1.associate's degree in data analytics costs 60-70% less than bachelor's programs, average $8,931/year at community colleges vs $12,000 at 4-year universities.
- 2.Our top-ranked associate's programs are Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale, Pima Community College, Wake Technical Community College, selected for transfer agreements and job placement rates.
- 3.33% of associate's graduates transfer to bachelor's programs, often with guaranteed admission to state universities.
- 4.Entry-level data analytics technician positions start at $38,500 median salary (BLS, 2024).
- 5.Complete in 2 years full-time, or 3-4 years part-time while working, many programs offer evening and weekend classes.
Quick Answer: Is an Associate's Degree in Data Analytics Worth It?
Answer
Yes - $48,000 starting salary, 60% lower cost
Source: An associate's degree in data analytics is worth it for students seeking affordable entry into tech careers. At ~$4,500/year (vs $12,000 for bachelor's), you can enter the workforce in 2 years or transfer to a 4-year university with completed prerequisites. Entry-level technician roles start at $48,000.
Why Choose an Associate's Degree in Data Analytics?
An associate's degree in data analytics offers a cost-effective pathway into technology careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Management Analysts/Data Scientists earn a median salary of $84,000 annually, with entry-level positions starting around $55,000.
Key Benefits of the 2-Year Path
- Lower cost: Average $3,500-4,000/year at community colleges vs $11,000+ at 4-year schools (AACC)
- Strong job outlook: 33% projected growth from 2024-2034 (BLS)
- Large job market: 245,900 positions nationwide in this field
- Transfer-friendly: Credits transfer to bachelor's programs at state universities
- Flexible scheduling: Evening, weekend, and online options for working adults
- Hands-on focus: Practical skills emphasized over theoretical coursework
Salary potential: Entry-level data analytics positions start at $55,000, with experienced professionals earning up to $145,000 (BLS OEWS, 2024).
Who succeeds with an associate's: Students seeking quick entry to tech careers, working adults balancing jobs and education, career changers looking for an affordable credential, and those planning to transfer to bachelor's programs.
Best Data Analytics Associate's Programs - Top 10
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Skagit Valley College
Associate's in Data AnalyticsOn-campus
Mount Vernon, WAPublic
$101,860 median salary · 36% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 36% graduation rate
- $101,860 median salary
- $4,772 in-state tuition
- 2 graduates annually
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County College of Morris
Associate's in Data AnalyticsOn-campus
Randolph, NJPublic
$101,860 median salary · 36% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 36% graduation rate
- $101,860 median salary
- $9,240 in-state tuition
- 2 graduates annually
#4
Mott Community College
Associate's in Data AnalyticsOn-campus
Flint, MIPublic
$101,860 median salary · 32% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 32% graduation rate
- $101,860 median salary
- $7,185 in-state tuition
- 1 graduates annually
#5
Wilmington University
Associate's in Data AnalyticsFully online
New Castle, DEPrivate nonprofit
$101,860 median salary · 20% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 20% graduation rate
- $101,860 median salary
- $12,570 in-state tuition
- 2 graduates annually
Best Data Analytics Associate's Programs - Top 10, Complete Program Data
#1. Allegany College of Maryland — Associate's Data Analytics (Online)
Hakia ranks Allegany College of Maryland's online associate's data analytics program #1. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Cumberland, MD | Type: Public | Tuition: $8,640/year | Graduation Rate: 40% | Median Salary: $101,860 | Score: 80.6
#2. Skagit Valley College — Associate's Data Analytics
Hakia ranks Skagit Valley College's associate's data analytics program #2. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Mount Vernon, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,772/year | Graduation Rate: 36% | Median Salary: $101,860 | Score: 75.5
#3. County College of Morris — Associate's Data Analytics
Hakia ranks County College of Morris's associate's data analytics program #3. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Randolph, NJ | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,240/year | Graduation Rate: 36% | Median Salary: $101,860 | Score: 73.6
#4. Mott Community College — Associate's Data Analytics
Hakia ranks Mott Community College's associate's data analytics program #4. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Flint, MI | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,185/year | Graduation Rate: 32% | Median Salary: $101,860 | Score: 68.1
#5. Wilmington University — Associate's Data Analytics (Online)
Hakia ranks Wilmington University's online associate's data analytics program #5. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: fully online. Location: New Castle, DE | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $12,570/year | Graduation Rate: 20% | Median Salary: $101,860 | Score: 63.0
Full Data Analytics Associate's Rankings 2026
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Associate's in Data Analytics Allegany College of MarylandCumberland, MD · Public | Online | $8,640 | 40% | $101,860 | 80.6 |
| #2 | Associate's in Data Analytics Skagit Valley CollegeMount Vernon, WA · Public | On-campus | $4,772 | 36% | $101,860 | 75.5 |
| #3 | Associate's in Data Analytics County College of MorrisRandolph, NJ · Public | On-campus | $9,240 | 36% | $101,860 | 73.6 |
| #4 | Associate's in Data Analytics Mott Community CollegeFlint, MI · Public | On-campus | $7,185 | 32% | $101,860 | 68.1 |
| #5 | Associate's in Data Analytics Wilmington UniversityNew Castle, DE · Private nonprofit | Online | $12,570 | 20% | $101,860 | 63.0 |
Showing all 5 ranked programs.
Top States for Data Analytics Associate's Programs
Best Data Analytics Associate's Programs in California
- Total Programs
- 7
- Median Tuition
- $49,900
Best Data Analytics Associate's Programs in Texas
- Total Programs
- 13
- Median Tuition
- $30,700
Best Data Analytics Associate's Programs in New York
- Total Programs
- 7
- Median Tuition
- $56,600
Best Data Analytics Associate's Programs in Florida
- Total Programs
- 7
- Median Tuition
- $4,500
Best Data Analytics Associate's Programs in Virginia
- Total Programs
- 4
- Median Tuition
- $34,800
Best Data Analytics Associate's Programs in Pennsylvania
- Total Programs
- 19
- Median Tuition
- $41,600
Best Data Analytics Associate's Programs in Maryland
- Total Programs
- 2
- Median Tuition
- $9,900
Best Data Analytics Associate's Programs in Illinois
- Total Programs
- 17
- Median Tuition
- $35,700
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a job with just an associate's degree in data analytics?
Yes. Entry-level data analytics technician and support roles are available to associate's degree holders. Median starting salary is $48,000 (BLS, 2024). However, advancement to senior roles requires a bachelor's degree or significant experience.
How much does an associate's degree cost?
Community college tuition averages $3,500-$5,500 per year for in-district students. Total program cost is $7,000-$11,000, compared to $24,000-$48,000 for a bachelor's degree.
Can I transfer my associate's credits to a 4-year university?
Yes. Most community colleges have articulation agreements with state universities. 33% of associate's graduates transfer agreements before enrolling.
How long does it take to complete an associate's degree?
Full-time students complete in 2 years (4 semesters). Part-time students may take 3-4 years. Accelerated programs can finish in 18 months with year-round enrollment.
Is an associate's degree better than a bootcamp?
It depends on your goals. Associate's degrees offer broader education, transfer pathways, and wider employer recognition. Bootcamps are faster but limited to specific roles. Associate's is better for long-term career flexibility.
How We Rank Data Analytics Degree Programs
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
Allegany College of Maryland's Associate's in Data Analytics tops our list of 5 associate data analytics programs. We fold federal graduation, admissions, salary, and tuition figures into a single 0 to 100 score applied identically to every school. Graduates step into a field where the median wage runs about $101,860.
Ranking Factors
Program Completions35%
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Graduation Rate25%
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Selectivity20%
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
Career Outcomes20%
National salary data for data analytics graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Ranking Categories
Best Programs
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Online Programs
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Most Affordable
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Data Sources
- IPEDS 2024 — Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
- BLS OEWS 2024 — National and metro salary data by occupation
- CIP Code Mapping — Programs identified using Classification of Instructional Programs codes
Data Sources
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
May 2024 salary data by occupation and location
Department of Education outcomes data
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.