Top 3 Data Science Programs in California 2025
University of California-Berkeley
1116 Data Science graduates annually, 96% graduation rate
University of California-Los Angeles
567 Data Science graduates annually, 92% graduation rate
University of California-Irvine
467 Data Science graduates annually, 96% graduation rate
- 1.California has 60+ accredited data science bachelor's programs across UC, CSU, and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.Stanford University ranks #1 in California with 94% graduation rate and median $145K starting salaries for data science graduates
- 3.UC Berkeley and UCLA offer top-5 national data science education at $14K in-state tuition—75% less than elite private alternatives
- 4.California data scientists earn median $165,870 annually—highest in the nation and 47% above national median (BLS California 2024)
- 5.Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, and San Diego host 45,000+ data scientist positions—more opportunities than any other state
Data Science Education in California: The Nation's Tech Capital
California leads the nation in data science education, offering more degree programs and career opportunities than any other state. From Stanford's world-renowned AI research labs to UC Berkeley's interdisciplinary approach and Cal State's industry-focused curricula, California provides data science pathways for every student profile and budget.
The state's unique advantage lies in its proximity to Silicon Valley giants like Google, Meta, Apple, and Netflix, plus emerging AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Scale AI. This creates unparalleled internship opportunities and direct recruitment pipelines that translate to the highest data science salaries nationwide.
For national context, see our best data science bachelor's programs ranking. Cost-conscious students should explore our most affordable data science degrees guide. Career-focused learners will benefit from our data scientist salary breakdown with California-specific compensation data.
California Data Science Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | — | 100 |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Public | $11,834 | 92% | — | 90.3 |
| 3 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | — | 85.6 |
| 4 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | Public | $11,834 | 90% | — | 84.8 |
| 5 | University of California-Davis | Davis, CA | Public | $11,834 | 91% | — | 84.2 |
| 6 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | — | 83.4 |
| 7 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $11,834 | 81% | — | 83.2 |
| 8 | University of California-Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA | Public | $11,834 | 93% | — | 81.3 |
| 9 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | Public | $5,742 | 100% | — | 79 |
| 10 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | Public | $5,742 | 83% | — | 74 |
| 11 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA | Private | $61,731 | — | — | 73.1 |
| 12 | California State University-Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | Public | $5,742 | 73% | — | 71 |
| 13 | University of California-Riverside | Riverside, CA | Public | $11,834 | 83% | — | 70.8 |
| 14 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | Private | $60,816 | 88% | — | 70.1 |
| 15 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Public | $5,742 | 100% | — | 68.5 |
| 16 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | Pomona, CA | Public | $5,742 | 87% | — | 67.2 |
| 17 | California State University-Northridge | Northridge, CA | Public | $5,742 | 95% | — | 64.9 |
| 18 | California State University-Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | Public | $5,742 | 92% | — | 64.4 |
| 19 | California State University-Monterey Bay | Seaside, CA | Public | $5,742 | 99% | — | 64.1 |
| 20 | California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Public | $5,742 | 99% | — | 62.9 |
| 21 | California State University-Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | Public | $5,742 | 65% | — | 62 |
| 22 | Pitzer College | Claremont, CA | Private | $62,392 | 96% | — | 62 |
| 23 | University of San Diego | San Diego, CA | Private | $55,690 | 97% | — | 61.8 |
| 24 | California State University-San Marcos | San Marcos, CA | Public | $5,742 | 96% | — | 60.7 |
| 25 | Chapman University | Orange, CA | Private | $62,400 | 93% | — | 60.1 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Top 5 Data Science Programs in California: Side-by-Side
| School | USC | UC Berkeley | UCLA | UC Irvine | UC Santa Barbara |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $66,640 | $11,834 | $11,834 | $11,834 | $11,834 |
| Graduation Rate | 92% | 96% | 92% | 96% | 90% |
| Annual Graduates | 1264 | 1116 | 567 | 467 | 517 |
| Acceptance Rate | 10% | 12% | 9% | 26% | 28% |
| Type | Private | Public | Public | Public | Public |
| Score | 100.0/100 | 99.2/100 | 88.8/100 | 84.2/100 | 83.3/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Data Science in California
California offers 55 bachelor's-level data science programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of California-Berkeley, University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Irvine. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $102,039 in the California market.
A bachelor's in data science typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Data Science Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Data Science Bachelor's Programs in California
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 UC Berkeley | $11,834 | 96% | 1116 | 99.2 |
| #2 UCLA | $11,834 | 92% | 567 | 88.8 |
| #3 UC Irvine | $11,834 | 96% | 467 | 84.2 |
Top Data Science Schools for Master's Degrees in California
For graduate study, California offers 39 master's-level data science programs. Leading institutions include University of Southern California, University of California-San Diego, University of California-Los Angeles. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in California reaching $189,501 or more.
Top 3 Data Science Master's Programs in California
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 USC | $66,640 | 92% | 1264 | 100.0 |
| #2 UC San Diego | $11,834 | 81% | 518 | 81.7 |
| #3 UCLA | $11,834 | 92% | 172 | 77.7 |
Most Affordable Data Science Colleges in California
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable data science programs in California are at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($5,742/year), San Diego State University ($5,742/year), California State University-Long Beach ($5,742/year). These programs offer strong ROI given California's competitive tech salaries.
At California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, a 4-year degree costs approximately $22,968 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $102,039, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.3 years.
Most Affordable Data Science Programs in California (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 California Polytechnic... | $5,742 | $22,968 | 0.3 years | Public |
| #2 San Diego State | $5,742 | $22,968 | 0.3 years | Public |
| #3 California State... | $5,742 | $22,968 | 0.3 years | Public |
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $66,640 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 1,264 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 10%
- • Ranking Score: 100.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 1,264 data science graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 100.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (1,264 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,770), and selectivity (10% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
This cooperative degree program between USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering combines technical data science skills with a disciplinary specialization, allowing students to apply informatics to various domains. The program teaches students to design and implement effective solutions for organizational, societal and management information needs.
Admission Prerequisites
- •ITP 115 Programming in Python
- •Math 118gx or Math 125g
- •Statistics course
Admissions
- Transfer Friendly
Program Details
- Credits: 128 units
Available Specializations / Concentrations
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,834 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 1,116 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 12%
- • Ranking Score: 99.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 1,116 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 99.2 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (1,116 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,770), and selectivity (12% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UC Berkeley's Data Science program offers both undergraduate and graduate options with flexible pathways, industry partnerships with Amazon Web Services and IBM, and a project-based learning approach. The program is offered by a world-premier research university with graduates achieving exceptional economic outcomes, including over 75% earning above California's median household income by their late 30s.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Admission Prerequisites
- •lower division major preparation courses
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0
- Transfer Friendly
Program Details
- Credits: 27 units
Available Specializations / Concentrations
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,834 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 567 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 9%
- • Ranking Score: 88.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 567 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 88.8 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (567 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,770), and selectivity (9% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UCLA's online M.S. in Engineering with Certificate of Specialization in Data Science Engineering offers a unique interdisciplinary approach with hands-on experience using advanced tools like PyTorch, TensorFlow, and distributed computation systems. The program combines well-tested coursework with practical applications to solve real-world problems and includes a comprehensive exam requirement to ensure graduates have in-depth, practical understanding.
Program Details
- Credits: 36 units
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,834 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 467 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 26%
- • Ranking Score: 84.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 467 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 84.2 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (467 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,770), and selectivity (26% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UCI's Data Science Certificate Program is designed to meet expanding industry needs with curriculum covering comprehensive topics from data engineering to machine learning. The program is taught by industry experts and designed for professionals across various industries looking to leverage organizational data insights.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Admission Prerequisites
- •Single variable calculus (full sequence)
- •Multivariable calculus (one semester course)
- •Linear algebra (one course)
- •Computer programming (two courses)
- •Introductory data science/statistics
Admissions
- Transfer Friendly
Program Details
- Credits: 15 units
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,834 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 90% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 517 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 28%
- • Ranking Score: 83.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 90% graduation rate
- 517 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 83.3 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (90%), program size (517 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,770), and selectivity (28% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Statistics and Data Science is UCSB's most popular major with strong industry connections to top employers like Amazon. The program offers hands-on research experience through a Data Science Capstone course where students work directly with faculty and graduate student mentors.
Admission Prerequisites
- •Introductory data science/statistics
- •Single variable calculus (full sequence)
- •Multivariable calculus (one semester course)
- •Linear algebra (one course)
- •Computer programming (two courses)
Admissions
- Transfer Friendly
Career Outcomes
- Top Employers: Amazon, Carpe Data, Farmers
Career Paths
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze complex datasets to drive business decisions using machine learning, statistics, and domain expertise
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1299Design and implement machine learning systems and artificial intelligence solutions for production environments
Data Engineer
SOC 15-1243Build and maintain data infrastructure, pipelines, and systems that enable data science teams
Research Scientist
SOC 19-1042Conduct advanced research in machine learning, AI, and data science at tech companies and research labs
Business Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2051Transform business data into actionable insights through analytics, visualization, and reporting
Product Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Use data analysis to guide product decisions, A/B testing, and user experience optimization
California's Data Science University Systems
California's diverse higher education landscape offers data science programs across three major public systems and numerous private institutions, each serving different student populations and career goals.
University of California (UC) System: The UC system leads in research-intensive data science education. UC Berkeley pioneered the undergraduate data science major, while UCLA, UCSD, and UCI have developed strong interdisciplinary programs. These campuses offer the best combination of academic rigor and affordability for California residents.
California State University (CSU) System: CSU campuses like San Jose State, Cal Poly SLO, and SDSU focus on practical, industry-ready data science education. With lower tuition costs and strong regional employer connections, CSU programs excel at workforce preparation and job placement.
Private Universities: Stanford leads the private sector with world-class research and Silicon Valley connections, while USC, Santa Clara, and Loyola Marymount offer smaller class sizes and personalized attention. These programs command premium tuition but often provide superior career outcomes.
For students considering the broader landscape, our computer science programs in California and artificial intelligence programs in California guides provide additional STEM options with strong data science components.
Other Tech Degree Programs in California
Data Science Programs in Other States
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Massachusetts
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to the world's largest concentration of tech companies and AI startups
- Highest data science salaries in the nation ($165,870 median)
- Elite public education options at UC Berkeley and UCLA under $15K tuition
- Year-round networking opportunities with industry professionals
- Diverse specialization options from entertainment to biotech to fintech
- Lower cost of living (California has 40-50% higher living costs)
- More affordable private university options
- Less competitive job market for entry-level positions
- Different climate or lifestyle preferences
- Proximity to family or specific regional industries
California Data Science Program FAQ
Based on 25 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Data Science 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 science salaries from BLS OES 2024
Related Data Science Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Federal database providing enrollment, graduation rates, and institutional characteristics
California-specific occupational employment and wage statistics for data scientists
Data science workforce trends and graduate outcome surveys
Federal data on post-graduation employment and earnings by program
Source: BLS California Employment Projections 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.