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New York University
Doctorate in Data ScienceOn-campus
New York, NYPrivate nonprofit
$137,740 median salary · 88% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 88% graduation rate
- $137,740 median salary
- $62,796 in-state tuition
- 13 graduates annually
On this page
Key Takeaways
- 1.data science PhD graduates in industry research earn $150,000 median salary (BLS, 2024), while tenure-track faculty earn $120,000-$180,000.
- 2.Our top-ranked doctoral programs are University of California-Berkeley, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Southern California, selected for research output, funding, and graduate placement.
- 3.Most PhD programs are fully funded: tuition waiver + $25,000-40,000/year stipend. You shouldn't pay for a PhD.
- 4.Average time to degree is 5-6 years, though it varies by research area and advisor.
- 5.60% of data science PhD graduates enter industry research (Google, Meta, Microsoft Research). 40% pursue academic careers.
Quick Answer: Is a Data Science PhD Worth It?
Answer
Yes for research careers - fully funded with $150,000+ outcomes
Source: A data science PhD is worth it if you want to conduct original research, whether in academia or industry research labs. Unlike master's programs, PhDs are typically fully funded (tuition + ~$35K/year stipend). Industry research scientists at Google, Meta, and OpenAI earn $200K-400K+. Academic faculty earn less but enjoy research freedom and job security.
Why Pursue a Data Science PhD?
A PhD is the terminal research degree in data science, required for tenure-track faculty positions and highly valued for industry research scientist roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Data Scientists with advanced degrees can earn $194,410 or more, especially in research-focused positions.
Who Should Consider a PhD?
- Aspiring academics: Tenure-track faculty positions require a PhD
- Research scientists: Industry labs (Google Research, Microsoft Research, Meta AI) recruit PhDs for advanced research
- Deep specialists: Those who want to push the boundaries of data science
- Intellectually curious: People who find fulfillment in solving hard, unsolved problems
The PhD Value Proposition
- Fully funded: No tuition + $25K-45K/year stipend (you're paid to learn)
- Research freedom: Work on problems that interest you with expert guidance
- Career options: Both academic ($100K-200K faculty) and lucrative industry paths ($150K-400K+ research scientist)
- Expertise: Become a world expert in data science
Important: Don't pursue a PhD just for salary gains. If your goal is maximizing income quickly, a master's + industry experience often yields better short-term returns. A PhD is a 5-6 year commitment to research mastery.
Best Data Science PhD Programs - Top 10
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University of Virginia-Main Campus
Doctorate in Data ScienceOn-campus
Charlottesville, VAPublic
$137,740 median salary · 96% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- $137,740 median salary
- $19,472 in-state tuition
- 3 graduates annually
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Doctorate in Data ScienceOn-campus
Worcester, MAPrivate nonprofit
$137,740 median salary · 90% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 90% graduation rate
- $137,740 median salary
- $59,700 in-state tuition
- 7 graduates annually
#4
University of California-San Diego
Doctorate in Data ScienceOn-campus
La Jolla, CAPublic
$137,740 median salary · 86% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 86% graduation rate
- $137,740 median salary
- $12,260 in-state tuition
- 1 graduates annually
#5
Kennesaw State University
Doctorate in Data ScienceOn-campus
Kennesaw, GAPublic
$137,740 median salary · 52% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 52% graduation rate
- $137,740 median salary
- $4,560 in-state tuition
- 2 graduates annually
#6
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Doctorate in Data ScienceOn-campus
Rapid City, SDPublic
$137,740 median salary · 53% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 53% graduation rate
- $137,740 median salary
- $7,800 in-state tuition
- 1 graduates annually
#7
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Doctorate in Data ScienceOn-campus
Bowling Green, OHPublic
$137,740 median salary · 64% graduation rate
Program Strengths
- 64% graduation rate
- $137,740 median salary
- $11,405 in-state tuition
- 4 graduates annually
Best Data Science PhD Programs - Top 10, Complete Program Data
#1. New York University — Doctorate Data Science
Hakia ranks New York University's doctorate data science program #1. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $62,796/year | Graduation Rate: 88% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 92.0
#2. University of Virginia-Main Campus — Doctorate Data Science
Hakia ranks University of Virginia-Main Campus's doctorate data science program #2. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Charlottesville, VA | Type: Public | Tuition: $19,472/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 88.9
#3. Worcester Polytechnic Institute — Doctorate Data Science
Hakia ranks Worcester Polytechnic Institute's doctorate data science program #3. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Worcester, MA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $59,700/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 79.5
#4. University of California-San Diego — Doctorate Data Science
Hakia ranks University of California-San Diego's doctorate data science program #4. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: La Jolla, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $12,260/year | Graduation Rate: 86% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 76.4
#5. Kennesaw State University — Doctorate Data Science
Hakia ranks Kennesaw State University's doctorate data science program #5. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Kennesaw, GA | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,560/year | Graduation Rate: 52% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 65.4
#6. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology — Doctorate Data Science
Hakia ranks South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's doctorate data science program #6. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Rapid City, SD | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,800/year | Graduation Rate: 53% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 61.8
#7. Bowling Green State University-Main Campus — Doctorate Data Science
Hakia ranks Bowling Green State University-Main Campus's doctorate data science program #7. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Bowling Green, OH | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,405/year | Graduation Rate: 64% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 61.3
Full Data Science Doctoral Rankings 2026
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Doctorate in Data Science New York UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $62,796 | 88% | $137,740 | 92.0 |
| #2 | Doctorate in Data Science University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, VA · Public | On-campus | $19,472 | 96% | $137,740 | 88.9 |
| #3 | Doctorate in Data Science Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $59,700 | 90% | $137,740 | 79.5 |
| #4 | Doctorate in Data Science University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA · Public | On-campus | $12,260 | 86% | $137,740 | 76.4 |
| #5 | Doctorate in Data Science Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA · Public | On-campus | $4,560 | 52% | $137,740 | 65.4 |
| #6 | Doctorate in Data Science South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyRapid City, SD · Public | On-campus | $7,800 | 53% | $137,740 | 61.8 |
| #7 | Doctorate in Data Science Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling Green, OH · Public | On-campus | $11,405 | 64% | $137,740 | 61.3 |
Showing all 7 ranked programs.
Industry Research vs Academic Faculty Careers
| Factor | Industry Research | Academic Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Salary | $150,000-$200,000+ | $100,000-$140,000 |
| Salary Ceiling | $300,000-$500,000+ (with equity) | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Job Security | Project-dependent, at-will | Tenure after 6-7 years |
| Research Freedom | Aligned with company goals | High autonomy after tenure |
| Publication Pressure | Varies by company | Essential for tenure |
| Resources | Well-funded, large compute | Grant-dependent |
| Work-Life Balance | Better | Highly variable |
| Impact Timeline | Faster deployment | Long-term influence |
| Typical Employers | Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI | Universities, research institutes |
Source: Salary data from [CRA Taulbee Survey](https://cra.org/resources/taulbee-survey/) and [Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/)
Top States for Data Science Doctoral Programs
Best Data Science Doctoral Programs in California
- Total Programs
- 25
- Median Tuition
- $9,500
Best Data Science Doctoral Programs in Texas
- Total Programs
- 20
- Median Tuition
- $8,500
Best Data Science Doctoral Programs in New York
- Total Programs
- 18
- Median Tuition
- $12,000
Best Data Science Doctoral Programs in Florida
- Total Programs
- 15
- Median Tuition
- $6,500
Best Data Science Doctoral Programs in Virginia
- Total Programs
- 12
- Median Tuition
- $11,000
Best Data Science Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania
- Total Programs
- 14
- Median Tuition
- $14,000
Data Science PhD Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pay for a PhD program?
No. Legitimate research-focused PhD programs are fully funded (tuition waiver + stipend). If a program asks you to pay, it's likely not worth your time. Self-funded PhD programs are often cash cows for universities with poor placement outcomes.
How long does a PhD take?
Median time-to-degree in data science is 5-6 years. Machine learning and applied areas tend to be faster (5 years). Theory and systems sometimes longer (6+ years). Very few finish in 4 years. Some take 7+.
Do I need a master's degree before a PhD?
No. Most U.S. PhD programs admit students directly from bachelor's. In fact, a separate master's can slow you down, many PhD programs don't transfer master's credits. Exception: career changers sometimes benefit from a master's to build prerequisites.
What GPA do I need for PhD admission?
Most top programs expect 3.5+ GPA, but research experience matters far more than GPA. A student with a 3.4 GPA and multiple research publications will beat a 4.0 student with no research experience.
Is the GRE required for PhD programs?
Increasingly optional. Many top programs (MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, CMU) made GRE optional post-2020. Where required, strong scores help but can't compensate for weak research experience.
How competitive is PhD admission?
Very competitive. Top-10 programs accept 5-15% of applicants. However, there are 50+ excellent PhD programs. Applying broadly across ranking tiers (8-12 schools) is essential.
Can I do a PhD part-time while working?
No. PhD programs expect full-time commitment. Some industry research positions (Google PhD Program) allow you to work while completing a PhD, but this is rare and highly competitive.
What's the ROI of a PhD vs master's?
Financially complex. PhDs take longer but are free (funded), while master's programs are often self-paid. Industry research salaries are very high ($200K-400K+), but you could have earned ~$600K-900K working those 5-6 years instead. The ROI is best for those pursuing research passions, not pure salary maximization.
How We Rank Data Science Degree Programs
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
Ranking 7 doctoral data science programs by graduation rate, selectivity, outcomes, and price, New York University's Doctorate in Data Science comes out first. The Hakia Score is computed from IPEDS 2024 and BLS data with no paid placement. In-state tuition across the list spans $4,560 to $62,796.
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
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
Computer science research publication rankings by faculty
May 2024 salary data for research positions
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.