Best Data Science Degree Programs in Washington — 2026 Rankings

State Aid Programs

Washington offers exceptional financial aid opportunities for students pursuing data science education, including one of the most generous state grant programs in the nation. The Washington College Grant provides free money for education that students do not need to repay, with eligibility extending to families earning up to $131,000 annually for a family of four in 2025-26 (WA Grant). Families of four earning $78,500 or less may qualify for fully funded college or career training, making data science education accessible regardless of financial circumstances.

Key Programs & Amounts

The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) enables undocumented students and others who choose not to file federal FAFSA applications to access state financial aid programs (WASFA). Students can apply only for state aid through WASFA with information protected under Washington state privacy laws. Federal financial aid through FAFSA covers Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study opportunities for qualifying students.

Institutional Scholarships

The University of Washington MSDS program provides information about tuition, fees, and external sources of financial aid and scholarships on its website (UW MSDS Aid). Washington State University offers institutional scholarships through the Global Campus. Many technology companies provide tuition assistance for employees pursuing data science credentials, with Microsoft, Amazon, and other major employers maintaining education benefits programs. Students should explore employer tuition assistance, professional association scholarships, and diversity-focused scholarships supporting underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a data science degree in Washington. 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

Washington's community college system provides clear transfer pathways for students pursuing data science education at four-year universities. The state's 34 community and technical colleges offer foundational coursework in mathematics, statistics, and programming that transfers to university data science programs through statewide articulation agreements. The Direct Transfer Agreement enables students who complete associate degrees to transfer as juniors to participating four-year institutions.

How Transfers Work

Washington State University's Global Campus accepts transfer students into the Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics, with specific prerequisite courses that students can complete at community colleges before transferring (WSU Transfer). Students should work closely with academic advisors at both sending and receiving institutions to ensure courses transfer appropriately within data science programs. WSU requires all undergraduates to complete University Common Requirements (UCORE), which can generally be satisfied with a direct transfer degree.

Transfer Planning Tips

The University of Washington's MSDS program accepts applications from students who completed undergraduate degrees at any accredited institution, with prerequisite skills documentable through prior coursework or professional experience (UW MSDS). Students transferring from community colleges to UW's undergraduate programs can build foundations for later graduate study in data science. Running Start allows high school students to earn college credits tuition-free at community colleges, potentially reducing time and cost to complete a data science degree. The Washington Student Achievement Council maintains transfer resources helping students navigate pathways between institutions throughout the state.

Industry & Workforce

Washington State offers exceptional opportunities for data science education, combining world-class academic programs with access to global technology leaders headquartered in the Seattle metropolitan area. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of data scientists to grow 34 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with a median annual wage of $112,590 nationally (BLS Data Scientists). About 23,400 openings for data scientists are projected each year on average over the decade, driven by increased demand for data-driven decisions across all industries.

Salary Outlook

The University of Washington's Master of Science in Data Science program ranks among the leading data science programs in the nation, providing an industry-relevant curriculum covering statistical modeling, data management, machine learning, data visualization, software engineering, research design, data ethics, and user experience (UW MSDS). UW is ranked No. 8 in the world in U.S. News & World Report's Best Global Universities rankings, with deep ties to the tech industry in Seattle and beyond. Washington State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics 100% online through its Global Campus, preparing students for careers in the emerging field of big data (WSU Data Analytics).

Regional Tech Hubs

Western Washington University's Data Science program is seeking ABET accreditation through the Computing Accreditation Commission, with defined student outcomes including abilities to apply theory, techniques, and tools throughout the data science lifecycle (WWU Data Science). The Washington College Grant provides significant financial support for qualifying students, making data science education accessible regardless of financial circumstances.

Employment Outlook

Washington's data science job market ranks among the strongest nationally, fueled by the presence of technology giants and a robust startup ecosystem throughout the Puget Sound region. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $112,590 for data scientists in May 2024, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $194,410 (BLS Data Scientists Pay). Computer systems design and related services employ the largest share of data scientists nationally at 11 percent, with Washington's concentration of technology companies exceeding national averages.

Salaries by Metro

The Washington Employment Security Department projects continued growth in technology occupations, with detailed labor market information available through the Labor Market Information and Research Division (ESD Projections). Major employers including Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Google, and numerous startups maintain substantial data science operations in Washington, creating robust demand for professionals skilled in machine learning, statistical analysis, and data engineering.

High-Growth Sectors

Data scientists' analysis helps organizations make informed decisions, improve business processes, design and develop new products, and better market their offerings. University of Washington MSDS alumni work at top companies including JP Morgan Chase, Parsons Corporation, IBM, Costco IT, Toyota, Northrop Grumman, and Zillow, as well as leading nonprofits such as Seattle Children's Hospital and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (UW MSDS Careers). Career paths include data scientist, machine learning engineer, data analyst, business intelligence analyst, research scientist, and data engineer positions across diverse industries including technology, healthcare, finance, retail, and transportation.

Core Requirements

Washington data science curricula combine rigorous statistical foundations with practical machine learning and software engineering skills demanded by industry. The University of Washington MSDS curriculum consists of eight core courses and a two-quarter capstone project, covering statistical modeling, data management, machine learning, data visualization, software engineering, research design, data ethics, and user experience (UW MSDS Curriculum). The capstone project provides hands-on experience working on data science challenges facing external organizations.

Degree Pathways

Washington State University's Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics includes upper-division courses in SQL, model and data-based methods, data repository systems, corporate data, data analytics ethics, and a capstone course that integrates skills across the program (WSU Curriculum). The interdisciplinary curriculum includes courses in data analytics, computer science, statistics, and math, with required statistics courses covering probability, statistical modeling, and high dimensional data learning and visualization. Students may complete a Business concentration with courses in economics, accounting, MIS, and marketing.

Specialization Tracks

Western Washington University's data science program emphasizes student outcomes including abilities to analyze complex computing problems, design and implement computing-based solutions, communicate effectively in professional contexts, and apply theory and techniques throughout the data science lifecycle to satisfy stakeholder needs (WWU Outcomes). Programs across Washington institutions emphasize practical skills in Python, R, SQL, and industry-standard tools while developing competencies in statistical reasoning, experimental design, and ethical considerations of data use.

Online Program Growth

Washington universities offer flexible delivery options for data science education, accommodating both traditional students and working professionals seeking career advancement. Washington State University's Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics is available 100% online through WSU Global Campus, with WSU being one of a handful of universities in the nation offering an online undergraduate degree specifically designed for data analytics leadership (WSU Online). Core data skills acquired through the online degree enable graduates to work as data analysts in diverse sectors including manufacturing, e-commerce, transportation, retail, healthcare, government, and education.

Accredited Online Options

The University of Washington Master of Science in Data Science offers evening classes on the Seattle campus, available full-time (two courses per quarter, attending class two evenings per week, completing in 1.5 years) or part-time (one course per quarter, attending one evening per week, completing in 2.5 years) (UW MSDS). Approximately 80 percent of MSDS students attend full-time and 20 percent enroll part-time, allowing flexibility for working professionals.

Choosing Your Format

Campus-based study provides advantages including direct networking with faculty, classmates, and industry professionals, access to research facilities, and immersive learning experiences. Online delivery offers flexibility for students who cannot relocate or need to maintain employment while studying. The incoming UW MSDS cohort reflects diversity with over 20 majors represented, professional experience across aerospace, energy, finance, healthcare, technology, and telecommunications, and students from around the world including Argentina, Chile, China, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Washington's major metropolitan areas offer distinct advantages for data science professionals, with the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue corridor serving as the primary hub for technology employment. Seattle hosts Amazon headquarters in the South Lake Union neighborhood, with thousands of data scientists working on machine learning, recommendation systems, and cloud services. The University of Washington campus is located just four miles from downtown Seattle, providing students direct access to the city's technology ecosystem (UW MSDS).

The Eastside communities of Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland host Microsoft, Meta, Google offices, and numerous technology companies with substantial data science operations. Redmond's Microsoft campus employs more data scientists in a single location than most cities worldwide. The region offers stunning views of Mount Rainier and Lake Washington, combining career opportunities with exceptional quality of life.

Spokane serves as Eastern Washington's technology hub, with an estimated 555,947 residents in Spokane County and growing professional and business services employment (ESD Spokane). The Tri-Cities region offers opportunities connected to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's data science research. Bellingham in Whatcom County hosts Western Washington University's data science program, with a smaller technology community near the Canadian border. Vancouver, Washington provides proximity to Portland's technology sector while maintaining Washington residency. These diverse metropolitan areas enable data science professionals to find positions matching lifestyle preferences throughout Washington State.

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