- 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 Florida, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of Florida offers data analytics education at $4,477/year with 95% graduation rate
- 4.25 accredited Data Analytics programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Data Analytics Programs - Top 10 Most Affordable
University of Florida
N/A data analytics graduates annually
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 for Data Analytics based on 95% graduation rate, strong graduates, and overall score of undefined/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- Accredited institution
University of Central Florida
N/A data analytics graduates annually
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 for Data Analytics based on 93% graduation rate, strong graduates, and overall score of undefined/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 93% graduation rate
- Accredited institution
University of South Florida
N/A data analytics graduates annually
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 for Data Analytics based on 85% graduation rate, strong graduates, and overall score of undefined/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 85% graduation rate
- Accredited institution
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
N/A data analytics graduates annually
Bellevue College
N/A data analytics graduates annually
University of North Florida
N/A data analytics graduates annually
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
N/A data analytics graduates annually
San Diego State University
N/A data analytics graduates annually
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
N/A data analytics graduates annually
Brigham Young University
N/A data analytics graduates annually
Best Data Analytics Programs - Compare Top 5 Most Affordable
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Public | $4,477 | 95% | N/A |
| #2 University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | Public | $4,478 | 93% | N/A |
| #3 University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | Public | $4,559 | 85% | N/A |
| #4 University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | Public | $3,812 | 76% | N/A |
| #5 Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | Public | $4,074 | 96% | N/A |
Top 25 Most Affordable Data Analytics Programs 2026
| Rank | Institution | Location | Tuition | Value Score | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | $4,477 | 191.8 | 95% |
| 2 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $4,478 | 161.1 | 93% |
| 3 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | $4,559 | 149.8 | 85% |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | $3,812 | 146.9 | 76% |
| 5 | Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | $4,074 | 143.6 | 96% |
| 6 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $3,996 | 131.9 | 82% |
| 7 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | $5,742 | 115 | 100% |
| 8 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | $5,742 | 114.2 | 83% |
| 9 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | $6,535 | 109.8 | 85% |
| 10 | Brigham Young University | Provo, UT | $6,496 | 92.3 | 91% |
| 11 | University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | $7,070 | 89.8 | 95% |
| 12 | California State University-Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | $5,742 | 87.5 | 73% |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | $9,644 | 86.3 | 83% |
| 14 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | $7,666 | 83.6 | 80% |
| 15 | Utah State University | Logan, UT | $7,387 | 82.3 | 100% |
| 16 | University of Idaho | Moscow, ID | $6,540 | 80.8 | 83% |
| 17 | University of Houston | Houston, TX | $8,685 | 80.2 | 91% |
| 18 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | $9,718 | 77.2 | 83% |
| 19 | Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | $7,536 | 75.9 | 97% |
| 20 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | $9,790 | 74.9 | 95% |
| 21 | University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | $9,889 | 73.6 | 84% |
| 22 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $11,834 | 73.6 | 92% |
| 23 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | $11,834 | 73.5 | 90% |
| 24 | South Dakota State University | Brookings, SD | $7,773 | 73.4 | 100% |
| 25 | CUNY Hunter College | New York, NY | $6,930 | 72.3 | 75% |
Career Paths
Entry-level position analyzing business data to identify trends and insights
Business Intelligence Analyst
Develop dashboards and reports to support business decision-making
Advanced analytics role requiring statistical modeling and machine learning
Marketing Analyst
Analyze customer data and campaign performance to optimize marketing strategies
Financial Aid Strategies for Data Analytics Students
Federal financial aid significantly reduces data analytics program costs for eligible students. The average Pell Grant provides $7,395 annually for low-income students, while federal student loans offer additional funding with favorable repayment terms. STEM-specific grants and scholarships can provide additional support for data analytics students.
Many universities offer merit-based scholarships specifically for data analytics and computer science students. These awards typically range from $2,000 to $10,000 annually and are renewable throughout the degree program. Students should research scholarships for women in tech and other demographic-specific opportunities that can substantially reduce program costs.
Work-study programs and graduate assistantships provide another avenue for reducing education costs. Many data analytics programs offer research assistant positions that provide tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities not only reduce costs but also provide valuable hands-on experience that enhances career prospects.
Choosing Your Affordable Data Analytics Program
- You qualify for in-state tuition rates
- Want traditional campus experience at low cost
- Prefer face-to-face instruction and networking
- Have access to state financial aid programs
- Need flexible scheduling for work or family
- Want to avoid housing and commuting costs
- Comfortable with self-directed learning
- Seeking accelerated degree completion
- Want the lowest possible total cost
- Need time to improve academic credentials
- Uncertain about committing to 4-year program initially
- Have guaranteed transfer agreements available
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Data Analytics Programs
Based on 91 programs from IPEDS 2023 (tuition $2K-$35K, 40%+ grad rate, 10+ graduates)
Our Best Value algorithm calculates Value Score = Quality Score / (Tuition / $10,000). This rewards schools delivering quality education at reasonable prices.
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023, weighted at 35% of the Quality Score
Number of Data Analytics graduates indicating program resources and faculty (IPEDS 2023)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
R1 research universities receive bonus points for institutional quality
Data Sources and Methodology
Federal database of college costs, financial aid, and employment outcomes
National Center for Education Statistics institutional data
Employment projections and salary data for data analysts
Official source for federal financial aid information and deadlines
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.