Top 3 Data Science Programs in California 2025
Stanford University
Elite data science program with world-class AI research labs and direct pipelines to Google AI, Meta, and OpenAI. Median starting salary $145K.
University of California, Berkeley
Top-ranked public data science program combining statistics, computer science, and domain expertise. Outstanding value at 1/4 private school cost.
University of California, Los Angeles
Interdisciplinary data science program with strong industry partnerships in entertainment, healthcare, and finance sectors.
- 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.
Based on 25 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS California May 2024
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 data
Class size and research accessibility
California data science salaries from BLS OEWS
Acceptance rate indicating academic rigor
California Data Science Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University | Stanford | Private | $61,731 | 94% | 5:1 | 98.5 |
| 2 | UC Berkeley | Berkeley | Public | $14,312 | 93% | 19:1 | 96.8 |
| 3 | UCLA | Los Angeles | Public | $13,804 | 91% | 18:1 | 95.2 |
| 4 | UC San Diego | San Diego | Public | $14,451 | 87% | 19:1 | 92.8 |
| 5 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena | Private | $60,864 | 92% | 3:1 | 91.5 |
| 6 | UC Irvine | Irvine | Public | $13,927 | 86% | 19:1 | 90.2 |
| 7 | USC | Los Angeles | Private | $64,726 | 92% | 9:1 | 89.8 |
| 8 | UC Davis | Davis | Public | $14,597 | 86% | 20:1 | 88.5 |
| 9 | UC Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | Public | $14,442 | 82% | 22:1 | 87.1 |
| 10 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara | Private | $58,110 | 90% | 11:1 | 86.4 |
| 11 | UC Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | Public | $14,100 | 78% | 24:1 | 84.9 |
| 12 | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo | Public | $9,942 | 83% | 19:1 | 84.2 |
| 13 | San Jose State University | San Jose | Public | $7,852 | 67% | 27:1 | 82.8 |
| 14 | UC Riverside | Riverside | Public | $13,887 | 75% | 22:1 | 81.5 |
| 15 | San Diego State University | San Diego | Public | $7,510 | 72% | 26:1 | 80.3 |
| 16 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles | Private | $54,570 | 85% | 10:1 | 79.6 |
| 17 | Cal State Long Beach | Long Beach | Public | $7,034 | 71% | 25:1 | 78.9 |
| 18 | Cal Poly Pomona | Pomona | Public | $7,852 | 69% | 26:1 | 78.2 |
| 19 | University of San Diego | San Diego | Private | $56,444 | 87% | 13:1 | 77.5 |
| 20 | Cal State Fullerton | Fullerton | Public | $7,138 | 68% | 25:1 | 76.8 |
| 21 | University of San Francisco | San Francisco | Private | $53,424 | 81% | 13:1 | 76.1 |
| 22 | Cal State Northridge | Northridge | Public | $7,170 | 62% | 27:1 | 75.4 |
| 23 | Sacramento State | Sacramento | Public | $7,506 | 58% | 26:1 | 74.7 |
| 24 | Fresno State | Fresno | Public | $7,254 | 64% | 23:1 | 74 |
| 25 | UC Merced | Merced | Public | $13,932 | 75% | 21:1 | 73.3 |
Stanford University
Stanford, CA • University
Program Highlights
- • 94% six-year graduation rate
- • 5:1 student-faculty ratio
- • 85% job placement rate within 6 months
- • $145K median starting salary
Program Strengths
- World-class faculty including pioneers in machine learning and AI
- Direct research opportunities at Stanford AI Lab (SAIL) and Human-Centered AI Institute
- Industry partnerships with all major tech companies for internships and full-time placement
- Small cohort sizes enabling personalized attention and mentorship
- Highest median starting salaries at $145,000 for data science graduates
Why Ranked #1
Stanford leads California data science programs with its interdisciplinary approach combining computer science, statistics, and domain expertise. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, students have unmatched access to AI research labs and industry partnerships with Google, Meta, Netflix, and emerging AI startups.
Student Reviews
"The combination of rigorous academics and Silicon Valley connections made Stanford the perfect choice for my data science career. I had three job offers before graduation."
— Class of 2024
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • University
Program Highlights
- • 93% six-year graduation rate
- • 19:1 student-faculty ratio
- • $14,312 in-state tuition
- • Top 3 national ranking
Program Strengths
- Nation's first undergraduate Data Science major, established in 2018
- Combines three departments: Statistics, Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences, and domain areas
- Data 8 foundational course taken by 1,400+ students annually
- Strong industry connections in Bay Area tech, finance, and consulting
- Excellent graduate school placement for students pursuing advanced degrees
Why Ranked #2
UC Berkeley offers the nation's top public data science education through its interdisciplinary Data Science major, combining statistics, computer science, and domain knowledge. At just $14,312 in-state tuition, Berkeley provides elite education at a fraction of private school costs.
Student Reviews
"Berkeley's data science program perfectly balances theory and application. The Data 8 course sequence gave me a solid foundation, and the capstone project connected me with real industry problems."
— Class of 2024
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • University
Program Highlights
- • 91% six-year graduation rate
- • 18:1 student-faculty ratio
- • $13,804 in-state tuition
- • Diverse specialization options
Program Strengths
- Interdisciplinary approach drawing from 15+ departments
- Specialization tracks in entertainment, healthcare, and social science applications
- Strong industry partnerships with Disney, Netflix, aerospace companies
- Access to UCLA's supercomputing facilities and research centers
- Excellent preparation for both industry roles and graduate school
Why Ranked #3
UCLA's data science program leverages the university's strengths across multiple disciplines, offering specializations in areas like entertainment analytics, healthcare informatics, and social data science. The program benefits from Los Angeles's diverse economy spanning entertainment, aerospace, and emerging tech sectors.
Student Reviews
"UCLA's data science program let me combine my interests in entertainment and analytics. The industry connections in LA opened doors I never expected."
— Class of 2023
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.
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
Source: BLS California Employment Projections 2024
Data Science Programs in Other States
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Massachusetts
| Factor | UC System | CSU System | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-State Tuition | $13,000-$15,000 | $7,000-$10,000 | $54,000-$65,000 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $43,000-$48,000 | $19,000-$22,000 | $54,000-$65,000 |
| Average Class Size | 18-22 students | 25-30 students | 12-18 students |
| Research Opportunities | Extensive | Moderate | Extensive |
| Industry Connections | Strong | Very Strong | Exceptional |
| Job Placement Rate | 82-88% | 78-85% | 85-92% |
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
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
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.