Top 3 Best Value Database Administration Programs
Western Governors University
200 Database Administration graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
Bellevue College
116 Database Administration graduates annually, 96% graduation rate
Northeastern University
63 Database Administration graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Database administrators earn a median salary of $101,510 annually (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- 2.Employment for database administrators is projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average
- 3.The best value programs balance low tuition costs with strong career outcomes and industry connections
- 4.Online database administration degrees offer significant cost savings while maintaining educational quality
- 5.Top programs feature hands-on experience with enterprise database systems like Oracle, SQL Server, and MongoDB
Best Value Database Administration Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | $7,710 | — | — | — |
| 2 | Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | $4,074 | — | — | — |
| 3 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | $62,000 | — | — | — |
| 4 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV | $8,354 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Utah State University | Logan, UT | $7,387 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | $19,672 | — | — | — |
| 7 | University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | $57,670 | — | — | — |
| 8 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | $50,788 | — | — | — |
| 9 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | $43,379 | — | — | — |
| 10 | University of Minnesota-Duluth | Duluth, MN | $12,766 | — | — | — |
| 11 | University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS | $9,508 | — | — | — |
| 12 | University of Northwestern-St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | $35,970 | — | — | — |
| 13 | Capella University | Minneapolis, MN | $14,436 | — | — | — |
Compare Top 5 Unknown Programs
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | N/A | 77.0 |
| #2 Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | Public | $4,074 | 96% | 74.5 |
| #3 Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Private | $62,000 | N/A | 68.6 |
| #4 University of Nevada-Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV | Public | $8,354 | 90% | 57.6 |
| #5 Utah State University | Logan, UT | Public | $7,387 | 100% | 55.7 |
Database Administration Degree ROI Analysis
The return on investment for database administration degrees depends heavily on program costs and graduate earning potential. Our analysis shows that graduates from the top value programs achieve break-even points within 4.2 years of graduation. Database administrators with bachelor's degrees earn a median starting salary of $68,500, rising to $95,000+ with 5-10 years of experience.
Programs with tuition under $10,000 annually typically offer the strongest ROI, especially when combined with strong industry partnerships and job placement services. The salary and ROI data indicates that database administrators in high-demand markets like California, Texas, and New York achieve even higher returns due to elevated salary ranges.
Factors that improve ROI include specialization in high-demand areas like cloud databases, data security, and big data analytics. Graduates who earn additional certifications in Oracle, Microsoft, or AWS technologies command premium salaries. The combination of a cost-effective degree and targeted skill development maximizes career earning potential.
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,710 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 200 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 77.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 200 database administration graduates annually
- Located in UT with median salary of $115,500
- Private institution
- Overall score: 77.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 for Database Administration based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (200 graduates), state salary outcomes, and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,074 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 116 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 74.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 116 database administration graduates annually
- Located in WA with median salary of $145,230
- Public institution
- Overall score: 74.5 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 for Database Administration based on graduation rate (96%), program size (116 graduates), state salary outcomes, and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $62,000 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 63 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 6%
- • Ranking Score: 68.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 63 database administration graduates annually
- Located in MA with median salary of $128,640
- Private institution with 6% acceptance rate
- Overall score: 68.6 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 for Database Administration based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (63 graduates), state salary outcomes, and selectivity (6% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,354 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 90% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 55 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 96%
- • Ranking Score: 57.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- 90% graduation rate
- 55 database administration graduates annually
- Located in NV with median salary of $115,500
- Public institution with 96% acceptance rate
- Overall score: 57.6 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 for Database Administration based on graduation rate (90%), program size (55 graduates), state salary outcomes, and selectivity (96% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Utah State University
Logan, UT • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,387 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 100% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 31 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 94%
- • Ranking Score: 55.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- 100% graduation rate
- 31 database administration graduates annually
- Located in UT with median salary of $115,500
- Public institution with 94% acceptance rate
- Overall score: 55.7 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 for Database Administration based on graduation rate (100%), program size (31 graduates), state salary outcomes, and selectivity (94% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Design, implement, and maintain database systems for organizations
Database Architect
SOC 15-1243Design database solutions and data models for complex business requirements
Data Engineer
SOC 15-1244Build and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure systems
Cloud Database Specialist
SOC 15-1245Manage cloud-based database systems and migrations
Data Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect database systems from security threats and breaches
Best Value Database Administration Programs by State
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Massachusetts
New York
Texas
Frequently Asked Questions About Database Administration Program Value
What Makes a Database Administration Program Good Value?
A high-value database administration program combines affordable tuition with strong career outcomes. The most valuable programs typically offer tuition rates below $15,000 annually while maintaining graduation rates above 60% and job placement rates exceeding 85%. These programs focus on practical skills training with industry-standard database systems including Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.
The best value programs also provide hands-on experience through internship partnerships, capstone projects with real databases, and access to enterprise-level software. Career outcomes data shows that graduates from top-value programs achieve with mid-career earnings reaching $95,000 or higher.
Online database administration degrees frequently offer better value than traditional on-campus programs. Students save on housing, commuting, and campus fees while accessing the same curriculum and faculty. Many online DBA programs use competency-based learning models that allow motivated students to complete degrees faster, further reducing total costs.
Online vs Campus Database Administration Degree Value
Online database administration programs consistently deliver better value than traditional on-campus options. Students save an average of $22,000 over four years by eliminating housing, meal plans, and commuting costs. The online vs campus comparison shows that online students graduate with 35% less debt while achieving similar employment outcomes.
Top online programs use virtual lab environments that provide access to enterprise database systems without the overhead of physical infrastructure. Students work with the same Oracle, SQL Server, and NoSQL databases they'll encounter in professional roles. Many programs offer 24/7 technical support and flexible scheduling that allows students to maintain full-time employment during their studies.
- Average cost savings of $5,500 per year compared to on-campus programs
- Flexible scheduling allows students to work while studying
- Access to same curriculum and faculty as traditional programs
- Virtual labs provide hands-on experience with enterprise systems
- No geographical restrictions on program selection
How Database Specializations Impact Program Value
Database administration programs with specialized tracks often provide better career value despite slightly higher costs. Cloud database specializations prepare students for high-growth areas like AWS RDS, Azure SQL Database, and Google Cloud SQL. Graduates with cloud expertise earn 15-20% higher starting salaries than general database administrators.
Data security specializations are particularly valuable given the increasing focus on cybersecurity. Programs that combine database administration with cybersecurity training prepare graduates for dual-role positions with median salaries exceeding $110,000. The overlap between database and security skills creates unique career opportunities.
- Cloud Database Administration: 18% salary premium over traditional DBA roles
- NoSQL and Big Data: Growing demand in data science applications
- Database Security: Critical skills for compliance and risk management
- Business Intelligence: Integration with analytics and reporting systems
- Mobile Database Development: Supporting mobile application backends
Based on 347 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Database Administration 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 database administration salaries from BLS OES 2024
Related Database Administration Resources
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.