- 1.Data Analysts earn a median salary of $103,500 with 35% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Data Analytics programs include University of Southern California, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers data analytics education at $11,524/year with 97% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Data Analytics programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Data Analytics Programs - Top 10 Bachelor's
University of Southern California
USC uniquely offers data analytics training across three world-class schools - Viterbi Engineering, Marshall Business, and through extensive research at the Information Sciences Institute - creating the only comprehensive ecosystem where students can pursue analytics from pure engineering, business strategy, or applied research perspectives.
Program Overview
USC offers three distinct data analytics pathways that showcase the university's comprehensive approach to data education. The MS in Analytics, housed in the Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (recently ranked top 10 by U.S. News), is a 28-unit program that blends engineering rigor with cutting-edge analytics. Students master tools like Python, R, SQL, Snowflake, and Google Cloud Platform while choosing from four specialization tracks: Data Engineering/ML Engineering, Data Science, Data Analysis, and AI Engineering. The MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) at Marshall School of Business is a 2-year, full-time STEM program ranked #8 in the U.S. by QS, combining technical training with business strategy in the heart of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the MS in Applied Data Science from Viterbi is a 32-unit program designed for students from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing hands-on experience with the goal of having students 'live in the data' through extensive practical projects and a unique professional practicum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
World leader in AI, machine learning, and computational systems research
Machine learning and data mining research
AI applications for social good
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
UW offers one of the fastest business analytics tracks nationally at just 12 months through Foster, while simultaneously providing deep technical data science education through MSDS - creating dual pathways that serve both business-focused and technically-oriented career trajectories in Seattle's booming tech market.
Program Overview
The University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers multiple pathways into data analytics through two distinct programs housed in different schools. The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) is a 12-month, STEM-designated professional program through the Foster School of Business, designed specifically for career acceleration with a focus on extracting business value from data. Simultaneously, the Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) provides a more comprehensive 1.5-year full-time or 2.5-year part-time program that covers statistical modeling, machine learning, data visualization, and software engineering with evening classes accommodating working professionals.
Both programs leverage UW's position in Seattle's thriving tech ecosystem, with the MSBA program featuring direct industry engagement through faculty like Professor Oliver Rutz (O'Dell Award winner from the American Marketing Association) and Professor Hema Yoganarasimhan (Director of Foster Customer Analytics Center). The MSDS program emphasizes practical application through capstone projects with external organizations, connecting students directly with companies like JP Morgan Chase, IBM, Costco IT, Toyota, and local healthcare organizations like Seattle Children's Hospital.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Database marketing, e-commerce, and big data social influence models
Data-intensive discovery across disciplines, serving as campus hub for data science innovation
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
659 data analytics graduates annually
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 for Data Analytics based on 95% graduation rate, 659 graduates, and overall score of 81.3/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 659 data analytics graduates annually
- Accredited institution
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
144 data analytics graduates annually
University of Pennsylvania
135 data analytics graduates annually
University of California-San Diego
74 data analytics graduates annually
University of Wisconsin-Madison
323 data analytics graduates annually
University of Maryland-College Park
121 data analytics graduates annually
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT created one of the first rigorous online MicroMasters programs that delivers authentic MIT-level education remotely, while IDSS represents a unique interdisciplinary approach combining data science with systems thinking and societal impact.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
303 data analytics graduates annually
Best Data Analytics Programs - Compare Top 5 Bachelor's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 92.5/100 |
| #2 University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | 82.6/100 |
| #3 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | Public | $12,698 | 95% | 81.3/100 |
| #4 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | Public | $17,977 | 92% | 77.7/100 |
| #5 University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Private | $58,620 | 1% | 73.6/100 |
Top 50 Data Analytics Bachelor's Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | — | 92.5 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | — | 82.6 |
| 3 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | Public | $12,698 | 95% | — | 81.3 |
| 4 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | Public | $17,977 | 92% | — | 77.7 |
| 5 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Private | $58,620 | 100% | — | 73.6 |
| 6 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $11,834 | 81% | — | 73.4 |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | Public | $9,644 | 83% | — | 73.1 |
| 8 | University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | Public | $9,889 | 84% | — | 72.2 |
| 9 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | Private | $59,750 | — | — | 72.2 |
| 10 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | Public | $13,674 | 82% | — | 71.9 |
| 11 | New York University | New York, NY | Private | $60,438 | — | — | 71.8 |
| 12 | University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | Private | $62,186 | 99% | — | 71.2 |
| 13 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Public | $4,477 | 95% | — | 70 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | Public | $19,672 | 87% | — | 67.6 |
| 15 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia, SC | Public | $12,288 | 80% | — | 66.5 |
| 16 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | Private | $64,526 | 100% | — | 65.7 |
| 17 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL | Public | $10,704 | 81% | — | 65.6 |
| 18 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | Private | $64,887 | 90% | — | 65.1 |
| 19 | University of Houston | Houston, TX | Public | $8,685 | 91% | — | 64.8 |
| 20 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Private | $62,000 | — | — | 64.5 |
| 21 | William & Mary | Williamsburg, VA | Public | $18,253 | 94% | — | 64 |
| 22 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $57,602 | 94% | — | 64 |
| 23 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | Public | $12,656 | 88% | — | 63.7 |
| 24 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | Tempe, AZ | Public | $11,308 | 81% | — | 63.5 |
| 25 | Smith College | Northampton, MA | Private | $61,260 | 98% | — | 63.3 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Career Paths
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze complex datasets to identify trends and build predictive models
Business Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-1211Transform data into actionable insights for business decision-making
Data Analyst
SOC 15-2051Collect, process, and analyze data to support organizational goals
Market Research Analyst
SOC 13-1161Study consumer behavior and market conditions to identify opportunities
Operations Research Analyst
SOC 15-2031Use advanced analytics to solve complex business problems
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-1252Design and implement ML systems for production environments
Top States for Data Analytics Education
California
Texas
New York
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Florida
Ohio
North Carolina
Georgia
Virginia
Financial Aid for Data Analytics Students
Data analytics students have access to various financial aid options including federal grants, state aid, and industry-specific scholarships. Many programs offer research assistantships and internship opportunities that provide both experience and financial support.
Top scholarship opportunities include the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, industry scholarships from companies like Google and Microsoft, and need-based aid through programs like the Pell Grant. Students should also explore employer tuition reimbursement programs.
Data Analytics Bachelor's Programs Overview
Data analytics has emerged as one of the fastest-growing fields in technology, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 23% job growth through 2032. Our comprehensive analysis of 450 ABET-accredited data analytics bachelor's programs reveals significant opportunities for students seeking to enter this lucrative field.
The best programs combine rigorous statistical training with practical programming skills in Python, R, and SQL. Top-ranked schools like Carnegie Mellon University and UC Berkeley offer specialized tracks in business analytics, sports analytics, and machine learning applications.
Our ranking methodology considers graduation rates (40%), student-faculty ratios (25%), career outcomes (20%), and program selectivity (15%) using verified data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS 2024. We also analyzed connections to related fields including data science, artificial intelligence, and computer science programs.
Top 5 Data Analytics Programs Analysis
The top-ranked data analytics programs share several key characteristics: strong industry partnerships, comprehensive curriculum covering statistics and programming, and exceptional career placement rates. Carnegie Mellon leads with its Information Systems program that produces graduates earning .
Public universities dominate the value rankings, with UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, and University of Washington offering world-class education at significantly lower costs. These programs maintain strong connections to tech hubs, providing students with internship and job opportunities at companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.
Choose Your Data Analytics Program Type
- You want maximum prestige and alumni network access
- Small class sizes and personalized attention are priorities
- You can afford $240,000+ total cost or qualify for substantial aid
- You're targeting consulting or finance roles in addition to tech
- You want world-class education at lower cost
- You qualify for in-state tuition rates
- You prefer larger, more diverse student bodies
- You value strong research opportunities and industry connections
- You need flexibility to work while studying
- You live in an area without strong local programs
- You prefer self-paced learning environments
- You want to minimize total program costs
- You want to minimize student debt
- You plan to work in the local/regional job market
- You prefer smaller campus environments
- You value close relationships with faculty
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 450 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.