Top 3 Data Science Programs in Arizona 2025
Arizona State University
Largest data science program in Arizona with 1,200+ students. Strong industry partnerships including Intel, American Express, and PayPal internships
University of Arizona
Research-focused program with NSF-funded data science initiatives. Excellent graduate school placement rate at 38%
Northern Arizona University
Small class sizes with 15:1 student-faculty ratio. Strong liberal arts foundation with practical analytics skills
- 1.Arizona has 25+ accredited data science bachelor's programs across public universities and private institutions (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.Arizona State University leads with the largest program enrolling 1,200+ students and extensive industry partnerships
- 3.Average in-state tuition for data science programs is $12,879—well below the national average of $15,423
- 4.Arizona data scientists earn median $109,840 annually—4% above national median with lower cost of living (BLS Arizona 2024)
- 5.Phoenix and Tucson tech sectors provide 8,400+ data analyst and scientist positions with growing fintech presence
Data Science Education in Arizona
Arizona's data science programs have grown rapidly to meet demand from the state's expanding tech sector. With major companies like Intel, Microchip Technology, and American Express establishing significant operations in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona universities have developed strong industry partnerships that directly benefit data science students.
The state offers excellent value with in-state tuition averaging $12,879—significantly below national averages. For comparison with programs nationwide, see our national data science bachelor's rankings. Students considering cost should review our most affordable data science programs guide and best value data science programs for ROI analysis.
Career-focused students should explore our data scientist salary guide for Arizona-specific compensation data and our AI/ML engineer career path for related opportunities in the state's growing artificial intelligence sector.
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Arizona May 2024
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Class size and faculty accessibility
Arizona-specific salaries from BLS OEWS
Research facilities and industry partnerships
Arizona Data Science Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona State University | Tempe | Public | $12,691 | 68% | 19:1 | 92.1 |
| 2 | University of Arizona | Tucson | Public | $13,227 | 64% | 16:1 | 89.7 |
| 3 | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff | Public | $12,718 | 59% | 15:1 | 86.3 |
| 4 | Grand Canyon University | Phoenix | Private | $17,800 | 61% | 20:1 | 83.8 |
| 5 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Prescott | Private | $39,456 | 74% | 16:1 | 82.5 |
| 6 | University of Advancing Technology | Tempe | Private | $24,600 | 52% | 14:1 | 79.2 |
| 7 | Arizona Christian University | Glendale | Private | $28,476 | 58% | 17:1 | 78.1 |
| 8 | Coconino Community College | Flagstaff | Public | $2,790 | 31% | 18:1 | 75.6 |
| 9 | Phoenix College | Phoenix | Public | $2,580 | 22% | 22:1 | 73.4 |
| 10 | Mesa Community College | Mesa | Public | $2,580 | 25% | 20:1 | 72.8 |
| 11 | Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale | Public | $2,580 | 28% | 21:1 | 71.5 |
| 12 | Pima Community College | Tucson | Public | $2,598 | 23% | 19:1 | 70.9 |
| 13 | Glendale Community College | Glendale | Public | $2,580 | 21% | 23:1 | 69.7 |
| 14 | Chandler-Gilbert Community College | Chandler | Public | $2,580 | 32% | 18:1 | 68.3 |
| 15 | Rio Salado College | Tempe | Public | $2,580 | 19% | 25:1 | 67.1 |
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ • University
Program Highlights
- • Average starting salary: $78,500 for bachelor's graduates
- • 97% of students complete internships with major Arizona employers
- • 30% of graduates pursue advanced degrees at top-tier programs
Program Strengths
- Largest enrollment with diverse student body and extensive alumni network
- Industry partnerships with Intel, American Express, PayPal, and Banner Health
- Multiple specialization tracks: Business Analytics, Scientific Computing, AI/ML
- State-of-the-art facilities including Decision Theater and Data Science Lab
- Strong placement rate with 85% employed within 6 months of graduation
Why Ranked #1
ASU leads Arizona with the most comprehensive data science program, serving 1,200+ students across multiple campuses. The program combines rigorous statistical training with practical machine learning applications, supported by $50M+ in research funding.
Student Reviews
"The hands-on projects with real company data sets prepared me incredibly well for my role at Intel. The faculty connections opened doors I never expected."
— Recent graduate, Intel Data Analyst
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ • University
Program Highlights
- • Average starting salary: $76,200 for industry-bound graduates
- • 15:1 student-faculty ratio in upper-level courses
- • 85% of research students co-author publications before graduation
Program Strengths
- Research-focused curriculum with undergraduate research opportunities
- Strong in scientific computing and environmental data analysis
- Excellent graduate school placement rate (38% continue to master's/PhD)
- Small cohort sizes allowing personalized faculty mentorship
- Partnerships with national labs including Sandia and Los Alamos
Why Ranked #2
U of A offers Arizona's most research-intensive data science program, with strong emphasis on scientific applications and graduate school preparation. The program benefits from $25M in NSF funding for data science initiatives.
Student Reviews
"The research opportunities were incredible. I published two papers as an undergrad and got into Stanford's PhD program. The faculty truly care about your success."
— 2024 graduate, now at Stanford PhD program
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ • University
Program Highlights
- • Average starting salary: $71,800 with excellent work-life balance
- • 95% student satisfaction rate in program surveys
- • Strong alumni network in Phoenix and Denver markets
Program Strengths
- Smallest class sizes with 15:1 student-faculty ratio
- Strong liberal arts integration developing well-rounded graduates
- Excellent support services including dedicated career counseling
- Growing partnerships with Flagstaff's emerging tech sector
- Emphasis on ethical data science and social responsibility
Why Ranked #3
NAU provides Arizona's most intimate data science education with exceptional student-faculty relationships and strong liberal arts foundation. The mountain campus setting creates a unique collaborative learning environment.
Student Reviews
"The professors knew everyone by name and genuinely invested in our success. The small program size meant incredible opportunities for leadership and hands-on projects."
— 2024 graduate, now Data Analyst at American Express
Arizona University Systems and Data Science Programs
Arizona's public higher education is governed by the Arizona Board of Regents, overseeing three major research universities that anchor the state's data science education landscape.
Arizona State University operates the largest data science program in the state with campuses in Tempe, Phoenix, and online. ASU's program emphasizes practical applications and industry partnerships, making it ideal for students seeking immediate employment after graduation. The university's Innovation Quarter in Phoenix provides direct access to internships at major corporations.
University of Arizona in Tucson focuses on research applications of data science, particularly in environmental science, astronomy, and healthcare. The program is smaller but offers exceptional research opportunities for students interested in graduate school or scientific careers.
Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff provides the most personalized education with small class sizes and strong faculty mentorship. The program integrates liberal arts education with technical training, producing well-rounded graduates.
Arizona's community college system offers pathways into data science through associate degrees and transfer programs. Students can complete prerequisites at institutions like Maricopa Community Colleges (serving Phoenix area) or Pima Community College (serving Tucson) before transferring to four-year programs.
Career Paths
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Apply machine learning and statistical analysis to solve business problems at Arizona's growing tech companies
Data Analyst
SOC 15-2041Create reports and visualizations for Arizona's finance, healthcare, and retail sectors
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-1299Develop AI systems for companies like Intel, Microchip Technology, and emerging startups
Business Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2051Support decision-making at major Arizona employers including American Express and Banner Health
Research Scientist
SOC 19-1099Conduct data-driven research at universities, national labs, and R&D companies
Data Science Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
Georgia
North Carolina
Virginia
Colorado
Arizona Data Science Programs: Cost Comparison
| Factor | Public Universities | Private Universities | Community Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average In-State Tuition | $12,879 | $27,344 | $2,580 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition | $29,428 | $27,344 | $8,946 |
| Typical Class Size | 40-120 students | 20-35 students | 15-30 students |
| Research Opportunities | Extensive | Limited | None |
| Industry Partnerships | Strong | Moderate | Basic |
| Graduate School Preparation | Excellent | Good | Transfer-focused |
Which Should You Choose?
- Affordable in-state tuition with quality education (average $12,879)
- Growing tech job market with lower cost of living than California
- Strong industry connections at Intel, American Express, and PayPal
- Year-round internship opportunities in Phoenix and Scottsdale
- Excellent weather for outdoor activities and work-life balance
- Pathways to Silicon Valley with lower educational debt
- Top-tier program prestige (California, Massachusetts, New York)
- Larger tech ecosystems with more career diversity
- Higher starting salaries to offset higher living costs
- Extensive public transportation systems
- More established data science research programs
- Greater variety of specialized master's programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Data Science Programs
Related Data Science Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, enrollment, and tuition data for 2023
May 2024 occupational employment and wage estimates
Public university system data and policies
Data science research funding and initiatives data
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.