- 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, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, University of Pennsylvania based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offers data analytics education at $12,698/year with 95% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Data Analytics programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Data Analytics Programs - Top 10 Best Value
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
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
659 data analytics graduates annually
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 for Data Analytics based on 95% graduation rate, 659 graduates, and overall score of 79.2/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 659 data analytics graduates annually
- Accredited institution
University of Pennsylvania
135 data analytics graduates annually
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 for Data Analytics based on 1% graduation rate, 135 graduates, and overall score of 73.9/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 1% graduation rate
- 135 data analytics graduates annually
- Accredited institution
University of Notre Dame
115 data analytics graduates annually
University of Wisconsin-Madison
323 data analytics graduates annually
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
144 data analytics graduates annually
New York University
210 data analytics graduates annually
Smith College
62 data analytics graduates annually
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
303 data analytics graduates annually
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.
Best Data Analytics Programs - Compare Top 5 Best Value
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 100/100 |
| #2 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | Public | $12,698 | 95% | 79.2/100 |
| #3 University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Private | $58,620 | 1% | 73.9/100 |
| #4 University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | Private | $62,186 | 99% | 72.3/100 |
| #5 University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | Public | $9,644 | 83% | 69.3/100 |
Best Value Data Analytics Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | $66,640 | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | $12,698 | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | $58,620 | — | — | — | — |
| 4 | University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | $62,186 | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | $9,644 | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | $17,977 | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | New York University | New York, NY | $60,438 | — | — | — | — |
| 8 | Smith College | Northampton, MA | $61,260 | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | $13,674 | — | — | — | — |
| 10 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | $11,524 | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | $64,526 | — | — | — | — |
| 12 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | $11,834 | — | — | — | — |
| 13 | University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | $9,889 | — | — | — | — |
| 14 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | $64,887 | — | — | — | — |
| 15 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | $19,672 | — | — | — | — |
| 16 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia, SC | $12,288 | — | — | — | — |
| 17 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA | $57,602 | — | — | — | — |
| 18 | William & Mary | Williamsburg, VA | $18,253 | — | — | — | — |
| 19 | Denison University | Granville, OH | $64,000 | — | — | — | — |
| 20 | Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem, NC | $63,608 | — | — | — | — |
| 21 | University of Houston | Houston, TX | $8,685 | — | — | — | — |
| 22 | Trinity University | San Antonio, TX | $50,712 | — | — | — | — |
| 23 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | $4,477 | — | — | — | — |
| 24 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | $62,000 | — | — | — | — |
| 25 | Bucknell University | Lewisburg, PA | $64,418 | — | — | — | — |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Career Paths
Data Analyst
SOC 15-2051Entry-level position analyzing business data and creating reports
Business Intelligence Analyst
Develop strategies and dashboards to support business decisions
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Advanced analytics and machine learning model development
Marketing Analyst
Analyze market trends and customer behavior data
Financial Aid Opportunities for Data Analytics Students
STEM-focused financial aid significantly improves program affordability for data analytics students. The average Pell Grant award of $7,395 combined with state grants can reduce annual costs by $12,000 to $15,000 at public universities. Students should complete the FAFSA application by their state's deadline to maximize aid eligibility.
Merit-based scholarships targeting women and underrepresented minorities in technology offer additional funding opportunities. Programs like the scholarships for women in tech provide awards ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 annually. Many universities also offer department-specific scholarships for high-achieving students in analytics programs.
Employer tuition reimbursement programs represent a growing funding source for working professionals pursuing data analytics degrees. Companies like Amazon, IBM, and Accenture offer up to $5,250 annually in tuition reimbursement for employees completing relevant degree programs, making part-time study financially viable.
Graduate assistantships provide both funding and relevant experience for master's degree students. Research and teaching assistantships in data analytics programs typically cover full tuition plus provide $18,000 to $25,000 annual stipends. These positions offer valuable experience while eliminating degree costs entirely.
What Makes a Data Analytics Program High Value
The highest value data analytics programs balance affordable tuition with strong career outcomes. Our analysis reveals that public universities consistently deliver superior value, with average total costs of $48,000 compared to $142,000 at private institutions, while maintaining comparable starting salaries of $65,000 to $68,000.
Geographic location significantly impacts both program costs and career prospects. Programs in tech hubs like Seattle and Austin command higher tuition but offer starting salaries that are $8,000 to $12,000 above the national median. However, lower-cost programs in markets like Georgia and Florida often provide better long-term ROI due to their exceptional cost efficiency.
Industry partnerships play a crucial role in program value. Universities with established relationships with companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM show 15% higher job placement rates and provide students with direct pathways to internships and full-time positions. These connections often translate to faster career advancement and higher lifetime earnings.
Curriculum relevance directly impacts graduate employability. Top value programs emphasize hands-on experience with industry-standard tools including Python, R, SQL, Tableau, and cloud platforms like AWS and Azure. Programs that integrate data science bootcamp elements alongside traditional coursework show superior job placement outcomes.
Choosing Your Data Analytics Program
- You qualify for in-state tuition rates
- Maximum ROI is your top priority
- You prefer traditional campus experience
- Strong state university system available
- Target school offers superior job placement
- Specific geographic location preferred
- In-state options lack program strength
- Willing to invest more for better outcomes
- Working full-time while studying
- Need maximum schedule flexibility
- Cost is primary concern
- Live in area without strong local options
- Exceptional financial aid package available
- Alumni network particularly strong in target market
- Small class sizes and personal attention valued
- Resources justify additional investment
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 185 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Data Analytics degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific data analytics salaries from BLS OES 2024
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.