Best Data Science Degree Programs in Utah — 2026 Rankings

State Aid Programs

Utah residents pursuing data science degrees have access to multiple financial aid pathways designed to make higher education affordable. The Utah Opportunity Scholarship (https://ushe.edu/) provides both need- and merit-based awards specifically for Utah residents, making it a critical resource for undergraduate and graduate students. Beyond state-specific programs, all students can access federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines eligibility for Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study opportunities (Federal Student Aid).

Key Programs & Amounts

Individual institutions across Utah's higher education system also offer institutional scholarships and assistantships tailored to data science students. Many schools within the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) provide merit scholarships based on academic performance and test scores, while graduate programs often feature teaching and research assistantships that offset tuition costs. The average public in-state tuition for four-year institutions stands at $6,014, making Utah relatively affordable compared to national averages. Students should explore institution-specific aid by contacting financial aid offices directly, as scholarships often have rolling deadlines and require early application.

Institutional Scholarships

For comprehensive guidance on federal aid options, students should visit (College Scorecard), which provides detailed cost and aid information for individual Utah institutions. Transfer students should also investigate how financial aid transfers between institutions using (Utah Transfer Guides), which outline major-specific pathways from two-year to four-year programs while maintaining financial aid eligibility.

Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a data science degree in Utah. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.

State Transfer System

Utah's articulated transfer system makes transitioning from associate's to bachelor's degree programs straightforward and economical. The state's Utah Transfer Guides provide major-specific pathways that allow students to complete 2-year degrees at institutions like Weber State University, Utah Valley University, and Salt Lake Community College before transferring seamlessly to four-year programs. These pathways guarantee course credits transfer and count toward bachelor's degrees, eliminating wasted coursework and reducing time-to-degree. Students pursuing data science can earn an associate's degree at one of 5 two-year institutions, completing foundational mathematics, statistics, and programming courses while keeping costs low—average tuition at community colleges runs approximately $3,778–$5,614 annually.

How Transfers Work

Transfer students can then advance to bachelor's programs at top-ranked institutions like Brigham Young University or University of Utah, where they complete upper-level data science specializations and capstone projects. This pathway model serves over 179 associate's degree completions annually in Utah, providing an accessible entry point for students seeking advanced degrees. The Utah System of Higher Education maintains detailed articulation agreements ensuring that credits earned at community colleges like Snow College count directly toward bachelor's requirements. This structured transfer system, combined with state financial aid like the Utah Opportunity Scholarship, creates affordable pathways to data science careers. Students should consult transfer guides early and work with academic advisors to align coursework with target bachelor's institutions, maximizing credit recognition and minimizing costs.

Industry & Workforce

Utah has emerged as a vibrant hub for data science education and career opportunities. The state hosts 22 institutions offering data science programs across all degree levels, with 1,786 bachelor's completions and 712 master's completions annually (IPEDS). This robust educational ecosystem is supported by major employers including Intermountain Healthcare, Goldman Sachs, and Adobe, which actively recruit graduates from Utah's top-ranked institutions. The Salt Lake City and Provo-Orem metropolitan areas serve as epicenters for tech innovation, offering abundant internship and employment opportunities for data science students.

Salary Outlook

Utah's affordability stands out compared to national averages. Public four-year institutions charge an average in-state tuition of just $6,014 annually, significantly lower than the out-of-state average of $19,392 (College Scorecard). Top-ranked programs like Brigham Young University and Weber State University maintain competitive tuition while delivering exceptional education quality. The state's Utah Opportunity Scholarship provides additional need- and merit-based financial support for Utah residents, making advanced degrees more accessible. For prospective students comparing regional options, Utah's combination of affordability, quality institutions, and strong tech employment market makes it an attractive destination for data science study.

Employment Outlook

Utah's data science job market is experiencing robust growth, driven by a thriving tech ecosystem and major corporate investments across the state. The Salt Lake City, Provo-Orem, and Ogden-Clearfield metro areas represent the primary employment hubs, with Salt Lake City serving as the dominant technology center in the region. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Utah's job market for quantitative professionals continues to expand, supported by both established corporations and emerging startups. The state's lower cost of living compared to other tech hubs, combined with a growing population in major cities like Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo, and West Jordan, creates sustained demand for skilled data science professionals.

Salaries by Metro

Educational infrastructure supporting this job market is substantial, with 22 institutions offering data science programs across multiple degree levels, including 9 bachelor's-granting institutions and 6 master's-granting programs (IPEDS). The state's public universities maintain affordable tuition, with average in-state costs at four-year institutions around $6,014 annually, making Utah an accessible pathway into data science careers. Students completing degrees from institutions like Brigham Young University, University of Utah, and Weber State University can immediately tap into regional employers seeking analytics talent. Career pathways are further enhanced through the Utah System of Higher Education's coordinated transfer system, ensuring streamlined progression from associate's to bachelor's degrees for students planning four-year careers in data science.

Core Requirements

Data science curricula in Utah's leading institutions emphasize both theoretical foundations and practical applications. Core coursework typically includes statistics, linear algebra, databases, machine learning, and programming languages such as Python and R. Bachelor's programs integrate foundational computer science courses with domain-specific data analysis techniques, ensuring graduates can manipulate, visualize, and interpret large datasets. Ranked programs at Brigham Young University and Weber State University offer specialized tracks in predictive analytics, data engineering, and business intelligence. Most programs incorporate hands-on capstone projects where students apply learned skills to real-world problems.

Degree Pathways

Master's programs deepen technical expertise and introduce advanced topics such as distributed computing, artificial intelligence, and statistical modeling. Programs often feature research requirements and thesis options, particularly at research-intensive institutions like the University of Utah. Curriculum design frequently includes partnerships with major employers including Intermountain Healthcare and Adobe, enabling students to work on industry-relevant challenges. Electives allow specialization in areas like healthcare analytics, financial technology, or cloud computing infrastructure. Graduate students benefit from faculty-led research labs and often complete internships with leading Utah tech companies. This combination of rigorous coursework, practical projects, and industry connections prepares graduates for competitive roles in Utah's growing data science job market.

Online Program Growth

Utah's data science offerings span both traditional campus-based and online delivery formats, accommodating diverse student schedules and preferences. Western Governors University (WGU) leads the state with 1,624 program completions, establishing itself as a major online education provider for data science students. The university's online model allows working professionals and non-traditional students to pursue degrees with flexibility while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Campus-based programs at institutions like Brigham Young University, University of Utah, and Weber State University offer hands-on laboratory experience, in-person mentorship, and robust networking opportunities with faculty and peers—advantages particularly valuable for students in data science's rapidly evolving field.

Accredited Online Options

Campus programs across Utah's 9 bachelor's institutions and 6 master's institutions provide specialized facilities for data science research and coursework. With 1,786 bachelor's completions and 712 master's completions annually, traditional university programs demonstrate strong enrollment and employer recognition. However, online and hybrid options increasingly blur this distinction, with many institutions offering flexible schedules while maintaining full program rigor. For students prioritizing convenience without sacrificing quality, exploring (Best Online Programs) alongside campus options provides comprehensive perspective on delivery formats.

Choosing Your Format

Prospective students should consider program-specific factors: campus programs excel for students seeking immersive experience and collaborative research, while online programs suit working professionals, rural students, and those with geographic flexibility. Utah's transfer system (Utah Transfer Guides) supports both modalities, allowing students to begin at community colleges online or on-campus before transferring to bachelor's programs. Comparing (Data Analytics in Utah) and related technical fields can help identify institutions offering diverse delivery formats aligned with your learning style and career timeline.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City stands as Utah's premier technology hub, home to corporate headquarters, innovation centers, and thousands of technology professionals. The metropolitan area encompasses surrounding communities including West Valley City, Sandy, and other growing suburbs that collectively form a robust job market for data science professionals. Brigham Young University in nearby Provo and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City itself provide talent pipelines directly into local employers. The Provo-Orem metro area, centered on Utah County, represents the second-largest tech cluster, anchored by Brigham Young University and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. West Jordan and Orem serve as residential and employment hubs within this region, attracting professionals seeking lower cost of living than Salt Lake City proper while maintaining proximity to major employers.

The Ogden-Clearfield metro area in Davis County provides additional opportunities, with Weber State University and Utah Valley University serving as educational anchors. Southern Utah, including St. George, offers emerging opportunities as remote work expands geographic flexibility. Tuition costs across the state remain highly competitive, with the most affordable options available at Utah Tech University at $5,266, Weber State University at $5,471, and Utah Valley University at $5,614. Students can leverage the Utah Transfer Guides to navigate pathways through two-year community colleges like Salt Lake Community College and Snow College before transferring to four-year programs in major metros. Combined with the Utah Opportunity Scholarship providing need- and merit-based aid for residents, students can minimize debt while establishing careers in these dynamic regions.

Last Updated: February 15, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2023 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.