Discover the best value data science programs that deliver quality education without breaking the bank. Ranked by our Value Score algorithm that balances academic quality with affordability.
$2,522/yr in-state — among the most affordable
Ranked #1 among data science bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (76.6/100): 63% graduation rate, $137,740 median salary, $2,522 in-state tuition, 12 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$3,152/yr in-state — among the most affordable
Ranked #2 among data science bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (75.3/100): 55% graduation rate, $137,740 median salary, $3,152 in-state tuition, 8 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$3,812/yr in-state — among the most affordable
Ranked #3 among data science bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (78.8/100): 69% graduation rate, $137,740 median salary, $3,812 in-state tuition, 44 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$4,478/yr in-state — among the most affordable
Ranked #4 among data science bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (90.1/100): 78% graduation rate, $137,740 median salary, $4,478 in-state tuition, 15 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$5,818/yr in-state — among the most affordable
Ranked #5 among data science bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (69/100): 45% graduation rate, $137,740 median salary, $5,818 in-state tuition, 4 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$6,126/yr in-state — among the most affordable
Ranked #6 among data science bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (62.8/100): 33% graduation rate, $137,740 median salary, $6,126 in-state tuition, 27 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$6,998/yr in-state — among the most affordable
Ranked #7 among data science bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (61.3/100): 50% graduation rate, $137,740 median salary, $6,998 in-state tuition, 1 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$7,121/yr in-state — among the most affordable
Ranked #8 among data science bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (67.9/100): 57% graduation rate, $137,740 median salary, $7,121 in-state tuition, 3 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$7,126/yr in-state — among the most affordable
Ranked #9 among data science bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (65.9/100): 56% graduation rate, $137,740 median salary, $7,126 in-state tuition, 3 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
$7,231/yr in-state — among the most affordable
Ranked #10 among data science bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (63.1/100): 54% graduation rate, $137,740 median salary, $7,231 in-state tuition, 2 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Hakia ranks Florida Atlantic University's bachelor's data science program #1. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Boca Raton, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $2,522/year | Graduation Rate: 63% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 76.6
Hakia ranks Florida Polytechnic University's bachelor's data science program #2. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Lakeland, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,152/year | Graduation Rate: 55% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 75.3
Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Charlotte's bachelor's data science program #3. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Charlotte, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,812/year | Graduation Rate: 69% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 78.8
Hakia ranks University of Central Florida's bachelor's data science program #4. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Orlando, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,478/year | Graduation Rate: 78% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 90.1
Hakia ranks Utah Valley University's bachelor's data science program #5. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Orem, UT | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,818/year | Graduation Rate: 45% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 69.0
Hakia ranks University of Houston-Downtown's bachelor's data science program #6. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Houston, TX | Type: Public | Tuition: $6,126/year | Graduation Rate: 33% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 62.8
Hakia ranks Southern Connecticut State University's bachelor's data science program #7. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: New Haven, CT | Type: Public | Tuition: $6,998/year | Graduation Rate: 50% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 61.3
Hakia ranks University of Wisconsin-River Falls's bachelor's data science program #8. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: River Falls, WI | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,121/year | Graduation Rate: 57% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 67.9
Hakia ranks University of Wisconsin-Platteville's bachelor's data science program #9. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Platteville, WI | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,126/year | Graduation Rate: 56% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 65.9
Hakia ranks Central Washington University's bachelor's data science program #10. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Ellensburg, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,231/year | Graduation Rate: 54% | Median Salary: $137,740 | Score: 63.1
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater, MA | Public | $910 | 97% | 100.0/100 |
| #2 Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, NC | Public | $1,000 | 95% | 82.2/100 |
| #3 Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville, NC | Public | $1,000 | 86% | 79.8/100 |
| #4 Westfield State University | Westfield, MA | Public | $970 | N/A | 77.1/100 |
| #5 Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg, MA | Public | $970 | N/A | 76.6/100 |
Data from IPEDS 2024. Tuition shown is in-state for public schools.
Flexibility & Lower Cost
Networking & Experience
Flexibility & Lower Cost
Networking & Experience
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bachelor's in Data Science Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL · Public | On-campus | $2,522 | 63% | $137,740 | 76.6 |
| #2 | Bachelor's in Data Science Florida Polytechnic UniversityLakeland, FL · Public | On-campus | $3,152 | 55% | $137,740 | 75.3 |
| #3 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC · Public | On-campus | $3,812 | 69% | $137,740 | 78.8 |
| #4 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL · Public | On-campus | $4,478 | 78% | $137,740 | 90.1 |
| #5 | Bachelor's in Data Science Utah Valley UniversityOrem, UT · Public | On-campus | $5,818 | 45% | $137,740 | 69.0 |
| #6 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of Houston-DowntownHouston, TX · Public | On-campus | $6,126 | 33% | $137,740 | 62.8 |
| #7 | Bachelor's in Data Science Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven, CT · Public | On-campus | $6,998 | 50% | $137,740 | 61.3 |
| #8 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls, WI · Public | On-campus | $7,121 | 57% | $137,740 | 67.9 |
| #9 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of Wisconsin-PlattevillePlatteville, WI · Public | On-campus | $7,126 | 56% | $137,740 | 65.9 |
| #10 | Bachelor's in Data Science Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA · Public | On-campus | $7,231 | 54% | $137,740 | 63.1 |
| #11 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of Central OklahomaEdmond, OK · Public | On-campus | $7,580 | 37% | $137,740 | 68.6 |
| #12 | Bachelor's in Data Science South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD · Public | On-campus | $7,773 | 62% | $137,740 | 67.0 |
| #13 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD · Public | Online | $7,776 | 33% | $137,740 | 71.7 |
| #14 | Bachelor's in Data Science Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD · Public | On-campus | $7,860 | 68% | $137,740 | 73.6 |
| #15 | Bachelor's in Data Science Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro, TN · Public | On-campus | $8,204 | 54% | $137,740 | 72.9 |
| #16 | Bachelor's in Data Science Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA · Public | On-campus | $8,240 | 65% | $137,740 | 71.5 |
| #17 | Bachelor's in Data Science Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN · Public | On-campus | $8,291 | 36% | $137,740 | 62.9 |
| #18 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of North TexasDenton, TX · Public | On-campus | $8,319 | 61% | $137,740 | 74.7 |
| #19 | Bachelor's in Data Science Winona State UniversityWinona, MN · Public | On-campus | $8,388 | 57% | $137,740 | 73.5 |
| #20 | Bachelor's in Data Science Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN · Public | On-campus | $8,571 | 44% | $137,740 | 60.5 |
| #21 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI · Public | On-campus | $8,772 | 49% | $137,740 | 63.2 |
| #22 | Bachelor's in Data Science Portland State UniversityPortland, OR · Public | On-campus | $9,114 | 53% | $137,740 | 66.6 |
| #23 | Bachelor's in Data Science The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX · Public | On-campus | $9,206 | 54% | $137,740 | 69.2 |
| #24 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND · Public | On-campus | $9,237 | 60% | $137,740 | 72.0 |
| #25 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of IowaIowa City, IA · Public | On-campus | $9,286 | 75% | $137,740 | 77.9 |
| #26 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of Phoenix-ArizonaPhoenix, AZ · Private for-profit | Online | $9,552 | 21% | $137,740 | 68.6 |
| #27 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI · Public | On-campus | $10,006 | 90% | $137,740 | 95.1 |
| #28 | Bachelor's in Data Science Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS · Public | On-campus | $10,052 | 67% | $137,740 | 73.3 |
| #29 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of ToledoToledo, OH · Public | On-campus | $10,102 | 57% | $137,740 | 66.4 |
| #30 | Bachelor's in Data Science Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · Public | On-campus | $10,610 | 67% | $137,740 | 73.7 |
| #31 | Bachelor's in Data Science The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX · Public | On-campus | $10,639 | 76% | $137,740 | 86.3 |
| #32 | Bachelor's in Data Science Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · Public | On-campus | $11,378 | 61% | $137,740 | 69.1 |
| #33 | Bachelor's in Data Science Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ · Public | On-campus | $11,478 | 68% | $137,740 | 75.4 |
| #34 | Bachelor's in Data Science Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale, AZ · Public | Online | $11,478 | — | $137,740 | 88.9 |
| #35 | Bachelor's in Data Science Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE · Private nonprofit | Online | $12,123 | 33% | $137,740 | 66.3 |
| #36 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of California-DavisDavis, CA · Public | On-campus | $12,260 | 86% | $137,740 | 89.7 |
| #37 | Bachelor's in Data Science College of CharlestonCharleston, SC · Public | On-campus | $12,518 | 66% | $137,740 | 78.4 |
| #38 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of OregonEugene, OR · Public | On-campus | $12,726 | 72% | $137,740 | 77.1 |
| #39 | Bachelor's in Data Science Cleveland State UniversityCleveland, OH · Public | On-campus | $12,872 | 51% | $137,740 | 61.1 |
| #40 | Bachelor's in Data Science Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA · Public | On-campus | $13,152 | 86% | $137,740 | 92.3 |
| #41 | Bachelor's in Data Science Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette, MI · Public | On-campus | $13,374 | 52% | $137,740 | 63.8 |
| #42 | Bachelor's in Data Science City University of SeattleSeattle, WA · Private nonprofit | Online | $13,929 | — | $137,740 | 64.7 |
| #43 | Bachelor's in Data Science Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ · Public | On-campus | $14,222 | 84% | $137,740 | 89.8 |
| #44 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL · Public | On-campus | $14,975 | 85% | $137,740 | 92.9 |
| #45 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN · Public | On-campus | $15,148 | 85% | $137,740 | 85.8 |
| #46 | Bachelor's in Data Science Pennsylvania State University-World CampusUniversity Park, PA · Public | On-campus | $15,356 | 34% | $137,740 | 61.6 |
| #47 | Bachelor's in Data Science Post UniversityWaterbury, CT · Private for-profit | Online | $15,616 | 25% | $137,740 | 63.2 |
| #48 | Bachelor's in Data Science Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI · Public | On-campus | $15,920 | 46% | $137,740 | 63.9 |
| #49 | Bachelor's in Data Science University of VermontBurlington, VT · Public | On-campus | $16,280 | 79% | $137,740 | 86.7 |
| #50 | Bachelor's in Data Science New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNewark, NJ · Public | On-campus | $16,334 | 73% | $137,740 | 83.5 |
Showing all 50 ranked programs.
The total cost of a affordable's degree in Data Science ranges from $48,000 at public universities to over $220,000 at elite private institutions. Financial aid, scholarships, and in-state tuition significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs (Research.com, IPEDS 2024-24, Fortune Education).
With median starting salaries of $112,590, most graduates achieve positive ROI within 3-5 years. Financial aid recipients often pay 30-50% less than sticker price.
Enter your details to estimate your degree return on investment
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Data Science education doesn't require six-figure debt. Accredited programs offer exceptional value, with the most affordable in-state options delivering quality education at a fraction of private school costs.
Public universities in Southern and Western states lead our affordable rankings, offering strong academics with affordable tuition. These programs maintain competitive graduation rates, industry partnerships, and excellent job placement, proving that cost doesn't determine quality in data science education.
Our methodology prioritizes total value by calculating a Value Score that divides academic quality metrics by tuition cost. This ensures we're recommending programs that deliver the best education for your dollar, not just the cheapest options regardless of quality. See our full ranking methodology for details on how we calculate Value Scores.
Collect, process, and perform statistical analyses on large datasets
Transform data into actionable business intelligence and strategic recommendations
Apply statistical methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data
Use mathematical and statistical modeling for financial market analysis
Even the most affordable programs can be made more accessible through strategic financial aid planning. Federal Pell Grants can cover up to $7,395 annually for eligible students, potentially covering most tuition costs at the lowest-priced public universities.
Data science students should explore STEM-specific scholarships and grants which often have less competition than general academic scholarships. Many technology companies offer education sponsorship programs for students in data science and related fields.
Students should also investigate employer tuition reimbursement programs which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for working professionals pursuing data science degrees part-time.
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
Ranking 50 most affordable data science programs by graduation rate, selectivity, outcomes, and price, Florida Atlantic University's Bachelor'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.
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.
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.
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.
National salary data for data science graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
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.
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
2023 tuition, fees, graduation rates, and enrollment data for all accredited institutions
May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for data science careers
2024 earnings data and employment outcomes for program graduates
Graduation and completion rate verification data
The following five programs represent the best combination of affordability and quality in data science education. Each offers unique advantages while maintaining costs well below national averages.
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.