Students in a hands-on technology lab at a community college
Updated July 17, 2026

Best Data Science Associate's Degree Programs 2026

Compare 50 accredited 2-year data science programs at community colleges and technical schools. Find affordable programs with strong transfer pathways and entry-level career placement.

Programs Ranked50
Avg Tuition$2,125/yr
Completion Time2 years
Transfer Rate33%
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Key Takeaways

  • 1.associate's degree in data science costs 60-70% less than bachelor's programs, average $2,125/year at community colleges vs $12,000 at 4-year universities.
  • 2.Our top-ranked associate's programs are Northern Virginia Community College, Santa Monica College, Green River College, selected for transfer agreements and job placement rates.
  • 3.33% of associate's graduates transfer to bachelor's programs, often with guaranteed admission to state universities.
  • 4.Entry-level data science technician positions start at $45,500 median salary (BLS, 2024).
  • 5.Complete in 2 years full-time, or 3-4 years part-time while working, many programs offer evening and weekend classes.

Quick Answer: Is an Associate's Degree in Data Science Worth It?

Answer
Yes - $45,500 starting salary, 60% lower cost

Source: An associate's degree in data science is worth it for students seeking affordable entry into tech careers. At ~$3,500/year (vs $40,000+ 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 $45,500.

Why Choose an Associate's Degree in Data Science?

An associate's degree in data science offers a cost-effective pathway into technology careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Data Scientists earn a median salary of $112,590 annually, with entry-level positions starting around $63,650.

Key Benefits of the 2-Year Path

  • Lower cost: Average $3,500-4,000/year at community colleges vs $11,000+ at 4-year schools (AACC)
  • Strong job outlook: 33% projected growth from 2024-2034 (BLS)
  • Large job market: 245,900 positions nationwide in this field
  • Transfer-friendly: Credits transfer to bachelor's programs at state universities
  • Flexible scheduling: Evening, weekend, and online options for working adults
  • Hands-on focus: Practical skills emphasized over theoretical coursework

Salary potential: Entry-level data science positions start at $63,650, with experienced professionals earning up to $194,410 (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.

Best Data Science Associate's Programs - Top 10

🥇

Miami Dade College

Associate's in Data ScienceOn-campus
Miami, FLPublic

$137,740 median salary · 46% graduation rate

95.2
Score
$2K
Tuition/yr
46%
Grad Rate
$138K
Median Salary
Visit
program page

Program Strengths

  • 46% graduation rate
  • $137,740 median salary
  • $1,987 in-state tuition
  • 12 graduates annually
🥈

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Associate's in Data ScienceFully online
Eau Claire, WIPublic

$137,740 median salary · 50% graduation rate

89.0
Score
$4K
Tuition/yr
50%
Grad Rate
$138K
Median Salary
Visit
program page

Program Strengths

  • 50% graduation rate
  • $137,740 median salary
  • $4,485 in-state tuition
  • 8 graduates annually
🥉

Florida Polytechnic University

Associate's in Data ScienceOn-campus
Lakeland, FLPublic

$137,740 median salary · 55% graduation rate

86.0
Score
$3K
Tuition/yr
55%
Grad Rate
$138K
Median Salary
Visit
program page

Program Strengths

  • 55% graduation rate
  • $137,740 median salary
  • $3,152 in-state tuition
  • 1 graduates annually
#4

St Petersburg College

Associate's in Data ScienceFully online
St. Petersburg, FLPublic

$137,740 median salary · 38% graduation rate

85.4
Score
$2K
Tuition/yr
38%
Grad Rate
$138K
Median Salary
Visit
program page

Program Strengths

  • 38% graduation rate
  • $137,740 median salary
  • $1,943 in-state tuition
  • 6 graduates annually
#5

Waukesha County Technical College

Associate's in Data ScienceOn-campus
Pewaukee, WIPublic

$137,740 median salary · 44% graduation rate

84.1
Score
$4K
Tuition/yr
44%
Grad Rate
$138K
Median Salary
Visit
program page

Program Strengths

  • 44% graduation rate
  • $137,740 median salary
  • $4,485 in-state tuition
  • 4 graduates annually
#6

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Associate's in Data ScienceOn-campus
Jacksonville, FLPublic

$137,740 median salary · 37% graduation rate

82.5
Score
$2K
Tuition/yr
37%
Grad Rate
$138K
Median Salary
Visit
program page

Program Strengths

  • 37% graduation rate
  • $137,740 median salary
  • $2,095 in-state tuition
  • 7 graduates annually
#7

Hillsborough Community College

Associate's in Data ScienceOn-campus
Tampa, FLPublic

$137,740 median salary · 34% graduation rate

77.5
Score
$2K
Tuition/yr
34%
Grad Rate
$138K
Median Salary
Visit
program page

Program Strengths

  • 34% graduation rate
  • $137,740 median salary
  • $1,926 in-state tuition
  • 3 graduates annually
#8

Harford Community College

Associate's in Data ScienceOn-campus
Bel Air, MDPublic

$137,740 median salary · 39% graduation rate

71.8
Score
$6K
Tuition/yr
39%
Grad Rate
$138K
Median Salary
Visit
program page

Program Strengths

  • 39% graduation rate
  • $137,740 median salary
  • $5,760 in-state tuition
  • 1 graduates annually
#9

Carroll Community College

Associate's in Data ScienceOn-campus
Westminster, MDPublic

$137,740 median salary · 39% graduation rate

70.8
Score
$6K
Tuition/yr
39%
Grad Rate
$138K
Median Salary
Visit
program page

Program Strengths

  • 39% graduation rate
  • $137,740 median salary
  • $5,784 in-state tuition
  • 1 graduates annually
#10

Montgomery College

Associate's in Data ScienceOn-campus
Rockville, MDPublic

$137,740 median salary · 32% graduation rate

66.1
Score
$8K
Tuition/yr
32%
Grad Rate
$138K
Median Salary
Visit
program page

Program Strengths

  • 32% graduation rate
  • $137,740 median salary
  • $8,190 in-state tuition
  • 2 graduates annually

Best Data Science Associate's Programs - Top 10, Complete Program Data

  1. #1. Miami Dade College — Associate's Data Science

    Hakia ranks Miami Dade College's associate's data science program #1. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Miami, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $1,987/year | Graduation Rate: 46% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 95.2

  2. #2. Chippewa Valley Technical College — Associate's Data Science (Online)

    Hakia ranks Chippewa Valley Technical College's online associate's data science program #2. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Eau Claire, WI | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,485/year | Graduation Rate: 50% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 89.0

  3. #3. Florida Polytechnic University — Associate's Data Science

    Hakia ranks Florida Polytechnic University's associate's data science program #3. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Lakeland, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,152/year | Graduation Rate: 55% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 86.0

  4. #4. St Petersburg College — Associate's Data Science (Online)

    Hakia ranks St Petersburg College's online associate's data science program #4. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: fully online. Location: St. Petersburg, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $1,943/year | Graduation Rate: 38% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 85.4

  5. #5. Waukesha County Technical College — Associate's Data Science

    Hakia ranks Waukesha County Technical College's associate's data science program #5. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Pewaukee, WI | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,485/year | Graduation Rate: 44% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 84.1

  6. #6. Florida State College at Jacksonville — Associate's Data Science

    Hakia ranks Florida State College at Jacksonville's associate's data science program #6. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Jacksonville, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $2,095/year | Graduation Rate: 37% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 82.5

  7. #7. Hillsborough Community College — Associate's Data Science

    Hakia ranks Hillsborough Community College's associate's data science program #7. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Tampa, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $1,926/year | Graduation Rate: 34% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 77.5

  8. #8. Harford Community College — Associate's Data Science

    Hakia ranks Harford Community College's associate's data science program #8. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Bel Air, MD | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,760/year | Graduation Rate: 39% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 71.8

  9. #9. Carroll Community College — Associate's Data Science

    Hakia ranks Carroll Community College's associate's data science program #9. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Westminster, MD | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,784/year | Graduation Rate: 39% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 70.8

  10. #10. Montgomery College — Associate's Data Science

    Hakia ranks Montgomery College's associate's data science program #10. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Rockville, MD | Type: Public | Tuition: $8,190/year | Graduation Rate: 32% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 66.1

Full Data Science Associate's Rankings 2026

RankProgram & SchoolDeliveryAnnual TuitionGrad RateMedian SalaryHakia Score
#1
Associate's in Data Science
Miami Dade College
Miami, FL · Public
On-campus$1,98746%$137,74095.2
#2
Associate's in Data Science
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire, WI · Public
Online$4,48550%$137,74089.0
#3
Associate's in Data Science
Florida Polytechnic University
Lakeland, FL · Public
On-campus$3,15255%$137,74086.0
#4
Associate's in Data Science
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL · Public
Online$1,94338%$137,74085.4
#5
Associate's in Data Science
Waukesha County Technical College
Pewaukee, WI · Public
On-campus$4,48544%$137,74084.1
#6
Associate's in Data Science
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL · Public
On-campus$2,09537%$137,74082.5
#7
Associate's in Data Science
Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL · Public
On-campus$1,92634%$137,74077.5
#8
Associate's in Data Science
Harford Community College
Bel Air, MD · Public
On-campus$5,76039%$137,74071.8
#9
Associate's in Data Science
Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD · Public
On-campus$5,78439%$137,74070.8
#10
Associate's in Data Science
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD · Public
On-campus$8,19032%$137,74066.1
#11
Associate's in Data Science
Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI · Public
On-campus$4,48529%$137,74063.5
#12
Associate's in Data Science
Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PA · Public
On-campus$8,16032%$137,74062.6
#13
Associate's in Data Science
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ · Public
On-campus$3,21631%$137,74060.8
#14
Associate's in Data Science
University of Advancing Technology
Tempe, AZ · Private for-profit
Online$17,90035%$137,74057.8
#15
Associate's in Data Science
Northampton County Area Community College
Bethlehem, PA · Public
Online$7,80024%$137,74056.5

Showing all 15 ranked programs.

Top States for Data Science Associate's Programs

Best Data Science Associate's Programs in California
Total Programs
3
Median Tuition
$42,600
Top Program
Point Loma Nazarene University
Best Data Science Associate's Programs in Texas
Total Programs
6
Median Tuition
$33,700
Top Program
The University of Texas at Dallas
Best Data Science Associate's Programs in New York
Total Programs
4
Median Tuition
$63,500
Top Program
Columbia University in the City of New York
Best Data Science Associate's Programs in Florida
Total Programs
3
Median Tuition
$3,200
Top Program
University of Central Florida
Best Data Science Associate's Programs in Virginia
Total Programs
3
Median Tuition
$18,300
Top Program
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Best Data Science Associate's Programs in Pennsylvania
Total Programs
9
Median Tuition
$40,000
Top Program
Pennsylvania State University
Best Data Science Associate's Programs in Maryland
Total Programs
1
Median Tuition
$7,700
Top Program
Salisbury University
Best Data Science Associate's Programs in Illinois
Total Programs
7
Median Tuition
$43,400
Top Program
Northwestern University

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a job with just an associate's degree in data science?
Yes. Entry-level data science technician and support roles are available to associate's degree holders. Median starting salary is $45,500 (BLS, 2024). However, advancement to senior roles requires a bachelor's degree or significant experience.
How much does an associate's degree cost?
Community college tuition averages $3,500-5,000 per year for in-district students. Total program cost is $7,000-15,000, compared to $45,500-50,50 for a bachelor's degree.
Can I transfer my associate's credits to a 4-year university?
Yes. Most community colleges have articulation agreements with state universities. 33% of associate's graduates transfer agreements before enrolling.
How long does it take to complete an associate's degree?
Full-time students complete in 2 years (4 semesters). Part-time students may take 3-4 years. Accelerated programs can finish in 18 months with year-round enrollment.
Is an associate's degree better than a bootcamp?
It depends on your goals. Associate's degrees offer broader education, transfer pathways, and wider employer recognition. Bootcamps are faster but limited to specific roles. Associate's is better for long-term career flexibility.

How We Rank Data Science Degree Programs

Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024

Ranking 15 associate data science programs by graduation rate, selectivity, outcomes, and price, Miami Dade College's Associate's in Data Science comes out first. The Hakia Score is computed from IPEDS 2024 and BLS data with no paid placement. Graduates step into a field where the median wage runs about $137,740.

Ranking Factors

Program Completions35%

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.

Graduation Rate25%

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.

Selectivity20%

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.

Career Outcomes20%

National salary data for data science graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.

Ranking Categories

Best Programs

Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.

Online Programs

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.

Most Affordable

Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.

Data Sources

  • IPEDS 2024 — Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
  • BLS OEWS 2024 — National and metro salary data by occupation
  • CIP Code Mapping — Programs identified using Classification of Instructional Programs codes

Data Sources

IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System)

Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

May 2024 salary data by occupation and location

College Scorecard

Department of Education outcomes data

Taylor Rupe

Taylor Rupe

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.