Compare 5 accredited 2-year data analytics programs at community colleges and technical schools. Find affordable programs with strong transfer pathways and entry-level career placement.
Quick Answer: Is an Associate's Degree in Data Analytics Worth It?
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.
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
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.
$101,860 median salary · 40% graduation rate
Ranked #1 among online data analytics associate's programs by Hakia Score (80.6/100): 40% graduation rate, $101,860 median salary, $8,640 in-state tuition, 1 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$101,860 median salary · 36% graduation rate
Ranked #2 among data analytics associate's programs by Hakia Score (75.5/100): 36% graduation rate, $101,860 median salary, $4,772 in-state tuition, 2 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$101,860 median salary · 36% graduation rate
Ranked #3 among data analytics associate's programs by Hakia Score (73.6/100): 36% graduation rate, $101,860 median salary, $9,240 in-state tuition, 2 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$101,860 median salary · 32% graduation rate
Ranked #4 among data analytics associate's programs by Hakia Score (68.1/100): 32% graduation rate, $101,860 median salary, $7,185 in-state tuition, 1 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$101,860 median salary · 20% graduation rate
Ranked #5 among online data analytics associate's programs by Hakia Score (63/100): 20% graduation rate, $101,860 median salary, $12,570 in-state tuition, 2 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
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
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
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
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
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
| 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
National salary data for data analytics graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
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.
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
May 2024 salary data by occupation and location
Department of Education outcomes data
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.