Top 3 Data Science Programs in Virginia 2025
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech)
Leading data science program with dedicated Statistics and CS departments. Strong industry partnerships and 87% job placement rate.
University of Virginia
Elite public university with strong quantitative analytics focus and direct pipeline to DC government and consulting firms.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Emerging data science program in Virginia's capital with emphasis on healthcare analytics and government data applications.
- 1.Virginia has 25+ accredited data science and analytics bachelor's programs across public and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.Virginia Tech leads Virginia rankings with 86% graduation rate and comprehensive statistics and computer science integration
- 3.In-state students pay average $15,279 annual tuition—significantly below national average for quality programs
- 4.Virginia data scientists earn median $108,240 annually, boosted by DC metro proximity (BLS Virginia 2024)
- 5.Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Norfolk provide 15,000+ data analyst and scientist positions with federal contractors
Data Science Education Landscape in Virginia
Virginia offers diverse data science education options from prestigious public universities to specialized private colleges. The state's proximity to Washington DC creates unique opportunities for students interested in government analytics, defense contracting, and federal data initiatives.
Virginia's data science programs emphasize practical applications in healthcare analytics, cybersecurity, and government operations. For national program comparisons, review our best data science bachelor's programs ranking. Students considering career prospects should explore our data scientist salary guide for Virginia-specific compensation data.
The state's tech corridor in Northern Virginia hosts major federal contractors like Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI, and SAIC, creating substantial demand for data science graduates. Richmond and Virginia Beach also offer growing analytics sectors in healthcare and logistics.
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Virginia May 2024, Virginia Higher Education Commission
6-year completion rate from IPEDS gr2023
Class size and faculty accessibility
Virginia-specific data scientist salaries from BLS OEWS
Acceptance rate indicating academic rigor
Virginia Data Science Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Tech | Blacksburg | Public | $14,068 | 86% | 14:1 | 92.8 |
| 2 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville | Public | $18,059 | 94% | 15:1 | 91.5 |
| 3 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | Public | $14,710 | 71% | 18:1 | 88.2 |
| 4 | George Mason University | Fairfax | Public | $12,564 | 72% | 17:1 | 86.9 |
| 5 | James Madison University | Harrisonburg | Public | $12,330 | 83% | 16:1 | 85.4 |
| 6 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk | Public | $11,610 | 54% | 20:1 | 83.7 |
| 7 | Virginia Military Institute | Lexington | Public | $18,984 | 77% | 10:1 | 82.1 |
| 8 | Christopher Newport University | Newport News | Public | $14,526 | 76% | 15:1 | 80.5 |
| 9 | Radford University | Radford | Public | $11,418 | 64% | 19:1 | 79.2 |
| 10 | Virginia State University | Petersburg | Public | $9,888 | 44% | 15:1 | 77.8 |
| 11 | Longwood University | Farmville | Public | $13,890 | 67% | 16:1 | 76.4 |
| 12 | University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg | Public | $13,836 | 73% | 14:1 | 75.1 |
| 13 | Norfolk State University | Norfolk | Public | $9,654 | 43% | 17:1 | 73.6 |
| 14 | Virginia Union University | Richmond | Private | $18,798 | 39% | 13:1 | 72.2 |
| 15 | Averett University | Danville | Private | $37,100 | 48% | 12:1 | 70.8 |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech)
Blacksburg, VA • University
Program Highlights
- • Average starting salary: $78,000 for Virginia graduates
- • 15:1 student-faculty ratio enabling personalized attention
- • Access to high-performance computing clusters for research
- • Annual Data Science Day connecting students with employers
Program Strengths
- Dedicated Statistics Department with 25+ faculty specializing in data science applications
- Strong industry partnerships with Capital One, Dominion Energy, and federal contractors
- 87% job placement rate within 6 months of graduation
- Comprehensive curriculum covering machine learning, statistical modeling, and big data systems
- Research opportunities in cybersecurity analytics and agricultural data science
Why Ranked #1
Virginia Tech leads Virginia in data science education through integrated Statistics and Computer Science departments. The program combines theoretical rigor with practical applications, producing graduates ready for immediate industry impact.
Student Reviews
"The Statistics Department really prepares you for real-world data challenges. Professors have industry experience and the curriculum is constantly updated."
— Virginia Tech CS Graduate, 2024
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • University
Program Highlights
- • Average starting salary: $82,000 for Virginia graduates
- • Direct recruiting pipeline to Deloitte, McKinsey, and Booz Allen Hamilton
- • 15:1 student-faculty ratio with distinguished faculty
- • Required ethics and policy coursework for responsible data science
Program Strengths
- School of Data Science launched in 2019 with significant university investment
- Interdisciplinary approach combining statistics, computer science, and domain expertise
- Strong alumni network in DC consulting firms and government agencies
- 94% graduation rate demonstrating academic support and student success
- Capstone projects with real government and nonprofit organizations
Why Ranked #2
UVA's data science program leverages the university's prestigious reputation and strong alumni network. The School of Data Science offers interdisciplinary training with exceptional career outcomes in consulting and government sectors.
Student Reviews
"The School of Data Science is incredibly well-connected. Career services helped me land a consulting role before graduation with a top-tier firm."
— UVA Data Science Graduate, 2024
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA • University
Program Highlights
- • Average starting salary: $72,000 for Virginia graduates
- • Partnership with VCU Health System for real healthcare data projects
- • Richmond location provides access to state government internships
- • New data science lab with latest software and computing resources
Program Strengths
- Strong focus on healthcare analytics leveraging VCU Medical Center partnership
- Government data applications curriculum relevant to state capital location
- Affordable in-state tuition at $14,710 annually
- Growing program with modern curriculum and updated facilities
- Internship opportunities with Virginia state agencies and healthcare systems
Why Ranked #3
VCU's data science program benefits from Richmond's position as Virginia's capital and major healthcare center. The program emphasizes healthcare analytics and government data applications, preparing students for Virginia's key industries.
Student Reviews
"The healthcare analytics focus really sets VCU apart. Working with real hospital data in coursework prepared me for my current role in health informatics."
— VCU Computer Science Graduate, 2024
Virginia's University System for Data Science
Virginia's higher education system provides diverse pathways for data science education. The state's flagship universities lead in research and academic prestige, while regional institutions offer practical, career-focused programs at lower costs.
Virginia's Public Universities operate under coordinated state oversight, ensuring quality standards across institutions. Virginia Tech and UVA represent the state's premier research universities, while institutions like James Madison University and Christopher Newport University offer excellent undergraduate-focused programs.
Regional Public Universities including George Mason University in Northern Virginia provide direct access to the DC metro job market. Old Dominion University in Norfolk serves the Hampton Roads region's growing tech sector, particularly in maritime and logistics analytics.
Community College Pathways through the Virginia Community College System offer transfer agreements guaranteeing admission to four-year programs. Students can complete general education requirements at community colleges before transferring to universities for data science specialization, significantly reducing total education costs.
Career Paths
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze complex datasets to drive business decisions in government contracting, healthcare, and finance sectors
Business Intelligence Analyst
Create dashboards and reports for Virginia's government agencies and major corporations
Develop AI systems for defense contractors and healthcare organizations in Virginia
Protect data systems for government agencies and defense contractors throughout Virginia
Research Scientist
Conduct data-driven research in Virginia's universities and government research facilities
Data Science Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Massachusetts
Washington
| Factor | In-State Students | Out-of-State Students | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Tuition | $15,279 | $35,840 | $32,150 |
| Typical Graduate Debt | $28,500 | $52,200 | $45,800 |
| 4-Year Total Cost | $61,116 | $143,360 | $128,600 |
| Financial Aid Eligibility | State & Federal Aid | Federal Aid Only | Institutional Aid |
| Residency Requirement | Must establish 12 months prior | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to DC metro government and consulting opportunities
- Strong public university options at affordable in-state tuition rates
- Proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors hiring data scientists
- Healthcare analytics specialization through major medical centers
- Moderate cost of living compared to DC, Boston, or California
- Growing tech sector in Northern Virginia with Amazon HQ2 expansion
- Silicon Valley tech company exposure (consider California programs)
- Maximum program selection (California and New York offer more options)
- Lower overall costs including living expenses (consider North Carolina or Georgia)
- Stronger startup ecosystem access (consider Massachusetts or Texas)
- More diverse industry applications beyond government work
Virginia Data Science Programs FAQ
Related Data Science Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Federal database providing graduation rates, tuition costs, and enrollment data for all Title IV institutions
State-specific occupational employment and wage estimates for data science careers
State oversight body providing program approval and quality assurance data
Federal education statistics and program outcome tracking
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.