Top 3 Data Science Programs in Washington 2025
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
538 Data Science graduates annually, 97% graduation rate
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
202 Data Science graduates annually, 69% graduation rate
Bellevue College
102 Data Science graduates annually, 96% graduation rate
- 1.Washington has 25+ data science and related programs across public and private institutions (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.University of Washington ranks #1 in Washington with 91% graduation rate and direct recruiting from Amazon, Microsoft, and Google
- 3.Data scientists in Washington earn median $140,250 annually—21% above the national median (BLS Washington 2024)
- 4.Seattle metropolitan area hosts 45,000+ data science and analytics jobs across tech, healthcare, and aerospace industries
- 5.In-state tuition at public universities averages $11,759—significantly below national average for top-tier programs
Data Science Education in Washington State
Washington state offers exceptional opportunities for data science students, anchored by the University of Washington's world-class program and Seattle's position as a global tech hub. With Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and hundreds of other tech companies headquartered or maintaining major operations in the region, Washington provides unmatched internship and career opportunities for data science graduates.
The state's data science programs range from research-intensive universities to applied, industry-focused programs. For national context, see our best data science bachelor's programs ranking. Students interested in affordability should review our most affordable data science programs guide. Career-focused students can explore our data scientist salary guide for Washington-specific compensation data and growth projections.
Washington's unique advantages include proximity to major tech employers, strong research funding, and a collaborative ecosystem between universities and industry. The state's focus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning creates additional opportunities for data science students to specialize in cutting-edge fields.
Washington Data Science Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | — | 95.1 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus | Bothell, WA | Public | $11,524 | 69% | — | 63.2 |
| 3 | Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | Public | $4,074 | 96% | — | 62.5 |
| 4 | Seattle University | Seattle, WA | Private | $53,235 | 92% | — | 61.5 |
| 5 | Washington State University | Pullman, WA | Public | $10,976 | — | — | 59.2 |
| 6 | Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma, WA | Private | $49,472 | 100% | — | 55 |
| 7 | Whitworth University | Spokane, WA | Private | $49,600 | 92% | — | 54.1 |
| 8 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | Tacoma, WA | Public | $11,524 | 92% | — | 53.5 |
| 9 | Western Washington University | Bellingham, WA | Public | $7,997 | 99% | — | 52.6 |
| 10 | Heritage University | Toppenish, WA | Private | $19,920 | 84% | — | 52.5 |
| 11 | Walla Walla University | College Place, WA | Private | $31,899 | — | — | 48.1 |
| 12 | Central Washington University | Ellensburg, WA | Public | $7,021 | — | — | 47.7 |
| 13 | Gonzaga University | Spokane, WA | Private | $52,540 | — | — | 47.3 |
| 14 | City University of Seattle | Seattle, WA | Private | $13,965 | — | — | 43.9 |
| 15 | University of Puget Sound | Tacoma, WA | Private | $59,340 | — | — | 43.8 |
Showing 1–15 of 17
Top 5 Data Science Programs in Washington: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Washington | Bellevue College | Seattle | Washington State | Pacific Lutheran |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $11,524 | $4,074 | $53,235 | $10,976 | $49,472 |
| Graduation Rate | 97% | 96% | 92% | N/A% | 100% |
| Annual Graduates | 538 | 102 | 82 | 193 | 18 |
| Acceptance Rate | 43% | N/A | 76% | 85% | 81% |
| Type | Public | Public | Private | Public | Private |
| Score | 95.1/100 | 72.5/100 | 64.4/100 | 59.2/100 | 55.0/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Data Science in Washington
Washington offers 17 bachelor's-level data science programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Bellevue College, Seattle University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $101,661 in the Washington market.
A bachelor's in data science typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Data Science Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Data Science Bachelor's Programs in Washington
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Washington | $11,524 | 97% | 538 | 95.1 |
| #2 Bellevue College | $4,074 | 96% | 102 | 72.5 |
| #3 Seattle | $53,235 | 92% | 84 | 64.6 |
Top Data Science Schools for Master's Degrees in Washington
For graduate study, Washington offers 9 master's-level data science programs. Leading institutions include University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Seattle University, University of Washington-Bothell Campus. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Washington reaching $188,799 or more.
Top 3 Data Science Master's Programs in Washington
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Washington | $11,524 | 97% | 104 | 95.1 |
| #2 Seattle | $53,235 | 92% | 82 | 64.4 |
| #3 U of Washington-Bothell | $11,524 | 69% | 52 | 52.1 |
Most Affordable Data Science Colleges in Washington
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable data science programs in Washington are at Bellevue College ($4,074/year), Central Washington University ($7,021/year), Western Washington University ($7,997/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Washington's competitive tech salaries.
At Bellevue College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $16,296 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $101,661, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.2 years.
Most Affordable Data Science Programs in Washington (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Bellevue College | $4,074 | $16,296 | 0.2 years | Public |
| #2 Central Washington | $7,021 | $28,084 | 0.4 years | Public |
| #3 Western Washington | $7,997 | $31,988 | 0.5 years | Public |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,524 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 97% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 538 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 43%
- • Ranking Score: 95.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 538 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 95.1 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (97%), program size (538 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (43% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The University of Washington offers both Computer Science and Computer Engineering programs with 180 total credits, featuring specialized tracks like a Data Science Option. The program provides comprehensive career support with an 85% positive outcome rate, and graduates work at over 1,000 different employers globally.
Admission Prerequisites
- •Computer Science skills
- •Mathematics skills
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0
Program Details
- Credits: 180 credits
Career Outcomes
- Job Placement: 85% positive outcome rate
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,074 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 102 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 72.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 102 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 72.5 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (102 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Seattle University
Seattle, WA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $53,235 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 82 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 76%
- • Ranking Score: 64.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 82 data science graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 64.4 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (82 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (76% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Seattle University's MSDS program offers a 45-credit interdisciplinary curriculum that can be completed in six academic quarters with evening courses for working professionals, featuring industry-aligned capstone projects and valuable career connections within Seattle's growing tech ecosystem.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Admission Prerequisites
- •Elementary Probability and Statistics
- •Programming course in Python
- •Integral Calculus
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.00
Program Details
- Credits: 45 credits
Washington State University
Pullman, WA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $10,976 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 193 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 85%
- • Ranking Score: 59.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 193 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 59.2 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (193 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (85% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $49,472 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 100% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 18 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 81%
- • Ranking Score: 55.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 100% graduation rate
- 18 data science graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 55.0 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (100%), program size (18 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (81% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze complex datasets to derive business insights and build predictive models for tech companies, healthcare systems, and government agencies
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-1221Design and implement ML systems and algorithms for Amazon, Microsoft, and other major tech companies in the Seattle area
Data Analytics Manager
SOC 11-3021Lead data teams and strategy for major corporations, overseeing business intelligence and analytics initiatives
Business Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2041Transform raw data into actionable business insights for Seattle's thriving startup ecosystem and established companies
Research Scientist
SOC 19-1042Conduct advanced research in AI and machine learning at university labs, Microsoft Research, or Amazon Science
Washington University Systems and Data Science Options
Washington's higher education landscape offers diverse pathways for data science education across both public and private institutions. The University of Washington system, with campuses in Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell, provides the state's flagship data science programs with varying focuses and specializations.
The Washington State University system offers more affordable alternatives with strong regional connections and unique specializations. WSU's main campus in Pullman focuses on agricultural and environmental applications, while satellite campuses provide access to data science education across the state.
Private institutions like Seattle University, Gonzaga, and University of Puget Sound offer smaller class sizes and personalized attention, often with unique approaches to data science education. These programs typically emphasize liberal arts integration and ethical considerations in data science applications.
For students considering alternative pathways, Washington also offers strong cybersecurity programs and computer science programs that provide foundational skills transferable to data science careers. Additionally, the state's robust software engineering programs can serve as stepping stones into data engineering and analytics roles.
Other Tech Degree Programs in Washington
Data Science Programs by State
California
Texas
New York
Massachusetts
Florida
Illinois
Which Should You Choose?
- Direct access to Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and major tech companies
- Strong job market with 45,000+ data science positions in Seattle metro area
- Affordable in-state tuition at top-tier public universities
- Access to cutting-edge research at University of Washington
- Networking opportunities in one of the world's major tech hubs
- Beautiful Pacific Northwest lifestyle with outdoor recreation opportunities
- Lower cost of living (Seattle has high housing costs)
- Warmer climate year-round
- More diverse industry sectors beyond tech
- Larger selection of private universities
- International study abroad programs
- Major financial or healthcare industry presence
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington Data Science Programs
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Data Science degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific data science salaries from BLS OES 2024
Related Data Science Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Official government database providing graduation rates, tuition costs, and enrollment data for all accredited institutions
Washington state-specific salary data for data scientists and related occupations, updated May 2024
Federal research funding data and graduate school placement statistics for data science programs
Post-graduation employment and salary data from individual university career placement offices
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.