Best Database Management Master's Degree Programs 2026

Best Database Management Programs - Top 10 Master's — Complete Program Data

1. #1. Columbia University in the City of New York Master's Database Management Program

   Hakia ranks Columbia University in the City of New York as the #1 master's in database management degree program. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $64,526/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 100.0

   What makes Columbia University in the City of New York stand out: Columbia CS uniquely combines Ivy League academic rigor with Manhattan's tech ecosystem, offering specialized pathways like the dual MS in Journalism and Computer Science and faculty-invite-only personalized tracks that leverage the university's position as a global research hub in one of the world's major technology centers.

   Hakia Insight: Through ties with Google and Microsoft, Columbia University in the City of New York bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.

   Program Overview: Columbia University's Computer Science program sits at the heart of Manhattan's vibrant tech ecosystem, offering a comprehensive Master of Science degree that spans ten specialized pathways from Machine Learning to Computational Biology. The 30-credit program requires students to complete coursework at the 4000 level or above, with at least 6 points at the advanced 6000 level, while maintaining a 2.7 GPA. What sets Columbia apart is its faculty-determined pathway system that allows deep specialization in areas like Computer Security, Natural Language Processing, Vision Graphics Interaction and Robotics, and Software Systems, alongside unique offerings like the dual MS in Journalism and Computer Science. The program leverages Columbia's position in New York City to provide unparalleled industry connections and career opportunities across multiple sectors. Students can participate in state-of-the-art research within the department's specialized labs and research groups, while the Columbia Video Network (CVN) option extends access to working professionals. The department also offers an innovative MS Bridge Program and maintains strong ties to Columbia Engineering's broader research ecosystem, including partnerships with the Data Science Institute and various interdisciplinary centers.

   Degree Programs: MS in Computer Science (2 years); Dual MS in Journalism and Computer Science (5 semesters); MS Bridge Program (2 years); Computer Engineering MS (2 years)

   Research Labs: Machine Learning Research Groups - Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning pathway research; Vision and Robotics Labs - Computer vision, graphics, interaction, and robotics research; Security and Privacy Research Groups - Computer security, privacy, and cryptography; Natural Language Processing Labs - Speech and language processing research

   Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Cyrus Shahabi (Database systems, spatial databases); Shree Nayar (Computer vision, computational imaging)

   Admissions: GPA: Minimum 2.7 GPA to maintain standing

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

2. #2. Carnegie Mellon University Master's Database Management Program

   Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University as the #2 master's in database management degree program. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,260/year | Graduation Rate: 98% | Score: 99.5

   What makes Carnegie Mellon University stand out: CMU's Plaid Parliament of Pwning hacking team has won a record nine DEF CON Capture-the-Flag championships in 13 years, while CyLab operates as the largest university-based security and privacy institute with triple NSA Center of Academic Excellence designations.

   Hakia Insight: Carnegie Mellon University leverages partnerships with Facebook/Meta and Netflix to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.

   Program Overview: Carnegie Mellon University operates one of the nation's most comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystems through its Information Networking Institute and the renowned CyLab Security and Privacy Institute. The flagship Master of Science in Information Security (MSIS) is a two-year technical program that combines rigorous coursework in security principles with hands-on research opportunities. Students can choose from specialized tracks including Cyber Forensics and Incident Response (CyFir) and Cyber Operations certificates, with part-time options available for working professionals. What sets CMU apart is its integration across multiple colleges - students can pursue cybersecurity through the College of Engineering, Heinz College's policy-focused MSISPM program, or newer offerings like the AI Engineering - Information Security degree. The university's CyLab comprises 40 core faculty and over 120 affiliated researchers, making it one of the largest university-based security research centers globally. Pittsburgh's emerging tech scene, with major expansions by Google, Uber, Disney, and Facebook, provides students with unprecedented access to both traditional defense contractors and cutting-edge tech companies.

   Degree Programs: Master of Science in Information Security (MSIS) (2 years); Master of Science in Information Security Policy and Management (MSISPM) (16-21 months); Master of Science in Privacy Engineering (MS-PE) (12-16 months); Pittsburgh-Silicon Valley Bicoastal Programs (MSIT-IS, MSMITE) (varies)

   Research Labs: CyLab Security and Privacy Institute - University-wide security and privacy institute coordinating research across all departments; CyLab Usable Privacy and Security Lab - Privacy policies and human factors in security; CyLab Biometrics Center - Facial recognition and biometric security systems

   Industry Partners: Facebook/Meta, Netflix, Microsoft, NSA, Google, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Accenture, Amazon, Apple, Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, FBI, Goldman Sachs, Google, NSA, PwC, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Homeland Security | Common Roles: Security Engineer, Information Security Analyst, Privacy Engineer, Cybersecurity Manager

   Notable Faculty: David Brumley (Software security research); Yuan Tian (Software security research); Lorrie Cranor (Usable privacy and security); Alessandro Acquisti (Privacy research); Taha Khan (Cybercrime, usable security, online censorship)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-Cyber Ops), NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R)

3. #3. University of Southern California Master's Database Management Program

   Hakia ranks University of Southern California as the #3 master's in database management degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $66,640/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 97.5

   What makes University of Southern California stand out: USC's cybersecurity program is one of only six featured in Fortune magazine for career advancement potential and offers both traditional on-campus and fully equivalent online delivery through DEN@Viterbi, making it accessible to working professionals worldwide while maintaining the same rigorous USC engineering standards.

   Hakia Insight: Students at University of Southern California benefit from active collaborations with Boeing and Raytheon Technologies, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: USC's Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering is a 28-unit professional program housed within the prestigious Viterbi School of Engineering, focusing on the fundamentals of developing, engineering, and operating secure information systems. The program uniquely emphasizes how security policy drives technology decisions, training students in secure operating systems, applications, networking, cryptography, and key management. Available both on-campus and through DEN@Viterbi's fully equivalent online platform, this program serves graduate students seeking careers in computer network operations or those advancing toward doctoral studies with an information security focus.

   Degree Programs: MS in Cyber Security Engineering (1.5-2 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Computer Systems Security - Systems security and cybersecurity research; STEEL Security Research Lab - Security systems and privacy research; ANT (Analysis of Network Traffic Lab) - Network security and traffic analysis

   Industry Partners: Boeing, Raytheon Technologies, PwC, IBM

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: Strong employment outcomes reported | Top Employers: Bloomberg, Boeing, Northrop Gruman, PwC, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Justice, IBM | Common Roles: Detection Engineering, Product Security Engineer, Network Engineer, Cyber Risk Associate, Security Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Professor Newman (Cybersecurity research)

   Admissions: GPA: Bachelor's degree required, preferably in engineering, computer science, economics, hard sciences, or mathematics

   Accreditations: OPT STEM extension eligible

4. #4. University of Washington-Seattle Campus Master's Database Management Program

   Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #4 master's in database management degree program. Location: Seattle, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,524/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 97.3

   What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus stand out: UW Allen School uniquely eliminates the traditional standalone master's degree in favor of specialized pathways: a fully-funded Ph.D. track, an exclusive fifth-year master's for their own undergraduates, and a part-time professional program for regional tech workers, all housed in the state-of-the-art Paul G. Allen Center and Bill & Melinda Gates Center facilities.

   Hakia Insight: Students at University of Washington-Seattle Campus benefit from active collaborations with Microsoft and Allen Institute for AI (Ai2), connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: The University of Washington's Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering operates as one of the nation's premier computer science programs, consistently ranking among the top programs nationally. The school offers a comprehensive graduate education ecosystem that uniquely serves different student populations without a traditional standalone master's degree. Instead, UW provides a research-intensive Ph.D. program where students earn both master's and doctoral degrees with full financial support, a Combined B.S./M.S. program (also called the Fifth Year Master's Program) exclusively for current Allen School undergraduates, and a Professional Master's Program designed as a part-time evening option for working professionals in the Puget Sound region. The school recently launched a Graduate Certificate in Modern AI Methods starting fall 2025, designed for working professionals across industries seeking to leverage cutting-edge AI and machine learning techniques.

   Degree Programs: Full-time Ph.D. Program (5-7 years); Combined B.S./M.S. Program (Fifth Year Master's) (1 year beyond bachelor's); Professional Master's Program (PMP) (Variable); Graduate Certificate in Modern AI Methods (Variable)

   Research Labs: Artificial Intelligence Research - Core AI research and applications; Computing + Biology Research - Interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computing and life sciences; Human-Centered Computing Research - Technology design and human-computer interaction

   Industry Partners: Microsoft, Allen Institute for AI (Ai2), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Toyota Research Institute

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Major technology companies, Academic institutions, Research laboratories | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Research Scientist, Academic Faculty, Technology Leadership

   Notable Faculty: Professor Noah Smith (Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing); Professor Sheng Wang (AI applications in healthcare); Professor Shyam Gollakota (Mobile Intelligence)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET accredited Computer Engineering degree program

5. #5. Cornell University Master's Database Management Program

   Hakia ranks Cornell University as the #5 master's in database management degree program. Location: Ithaca, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $65,204/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 96.5

   What makes Cornell University stand out: Cornell uniquely offers both a fully-funded research MS in Ithaca with mandatory teaching experience and a one-year industry-focused MEng at Cornell Tech in NYC, where students build actual products for real companies through the first-of-its-kind Studio curriculum.

   Hakia Insight: Students at Cornell University benefit from active collaborations with Google and Grammarly, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: Cornell University offers multiple pathways into computer science graduate education, each with distinct advantages for different career trajectories. The Master of Science in Computer Science, housed at Cornell's Ithaca campus, represents a highly selective, research-intensive program that combines advanced coursework with mandatory thesis research and teaching assistantships. This four-semester program requires 34 credit hours, including 6-12 credits of thesis research, and provides full funding through teaching assistantships for students maintaining good standing. In New York City, Cornell Tech offers a one-year Master of Engineering in Computer Science designed for immediate industry impact, featuring the innovative Studio curriculum where students build complete digital solutions for real companies in cross-disciplinary teams with business and law students. The Ithaca MS program particularly appeals to self-motivated researchers who thrive in mentoring environments, as students gain valuable teaching experience with undergraduates while conducting specialized research. Cornell Tech's Manhattan location provides direct access to NYC's tech ecosystem, with students working on innovation challenges from real companies and learning from faculty with extensive industry experience. Both programs benefit from Cornell's broader research infrastructure, including world-class facilities like the Cornell Center for Advanced Computing and specialized research groups in artificial intelligence, security and privacy, and human-computer interaction.

   Degree Programs: MS in Computer Science (Ithaca) (2 years); Master of Engineering in Computer Science (Cornell Tech) (1 year); Special Master's in Computer Science (Variable)

   Research Labs: Initiative for Cryptocurrencies & Contracts (IC3) - Blockchain science and cryptocurrency research; Digital Life Initiative (DLI) - Ethics, policy, and quality of life in socio-technical systems; People-Aware Computing Lab - Mobile sensing systems for capturing human context and activities; XR Collaboratory (XRC) - Augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality research

   Industry Partners: Google, Grammarly, IBM, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90% of Cornell Tech CS graduates accept Software Developer roles | Top Employers: Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft | Common Roles: Software Developer, Product Manager, Program Manager, Data Scientist, Research positions

   Notable Faculty: Vitaly Shmatikov (Digital privacy, computer security, machine learning security); Yoav Artzi (Natural language processing, machine learning); Noah Snavely (Computer vision, computer graphics); Helen Nissenbaum (Ethics and policy in technology)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: AI for Engineers Certificate available at Cornell Tech

6. #6. University of California-Santa Barbara Master's Database Management Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Santa Barbara as the #6 master's in database management degree program. Location: Santa Barbara, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 95.4

   What makes University of California-Santa Barbara stand out: UCSB CS excels in machine learning, distributed systems, and data science research. Strong emphasis on undergraduate research opportunities. Growing tech presence in Santa Barbara with Amazon, Google, and startups nearby.

   Hakia Insight: With a 26% acceptance rate, University of California-Santa Barbara's database management program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: UC Santa Barbara CS department is ranked top 40 nationally with strong research in machine learning, data science, and systems. Beautiful coastal campus with 90% graduation rate and strong tech industry connections.

   Degree Programs: BS Computer Science (4 years)

   Research Labs: Four Eyes Lab - Human-computer interaction; MINDS Group - Machine learning

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Google, Microsoft

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Facebook, VMware | Common Roles: Senior Database Engineer, Cloud Database Architect, Big Data Engineer, Research Scientist

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 26%

   Accreditations: AWS Database Specialty, Google Cloud Professional

7. #7. University of Virginia-Main Campus Master's Database Management Program

   Hakia ranks University of Virginia-Main Campus as the #7 master's in database management degree program. Location: Charlottesville, VA | Type: Public | Tuition: $18,823/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 95.3

   What makes University of Virginia-Main Campus stand out: UVA operates one of the few dedicated Schools of Data Science in the nation, built with a transformative $120 million founding gift and designed as a 'school without walls' that emphasizes responsible data science for the common good rather than purely technical applications.

   Hakia Insight: University of Virginia-Main Campus's Aikyam Lab and Behavioral Research at Darden (BRAD) Lab position students at the forefront of database management research.

   Program Overview: The University of Virginia School of Data Science operates as a forward-thinking 'school without walls,' committed to teaching responsible data science for the common good. Established with a remarkable $120 million gift, UVA offers comprehensive data science education from undergraduate through doctoral levels. The school's flagship Master of Science in Data Science comes in two formats: a intensive one-year residential program covering 33+ credit hours across three semesters, and a flexible online version designed for working professionals spanning five semesters. Both programs feature an integrated curriculum covering natural language processing, machine learning, text analytics, and deep learning, emphasizing hands-on learning combined with sound theoretical principles. What sets UVA's approach apart is its emphasis on interdisciplinary applications and real-world problem solving. The school offers unique concentration options in Analytics, Systems, Design, and Value, with collaborative concentrations available across the university. Students engage with experts from diverse domains to apply data science to actual challenges, preparing them to become leaders in a field where the World Economic Forum projects data science jobs will comprise more than half of the top 15 fastest-growing job fields.

   Degree Programs: B.S. in Data Science (3 years); M.S. in Data Science, Residential (1 year); M.S. in Data Science, Online (5 semesters); Ph.D. in Data Science (4-6 years typical); Minor in Data Science (varies)

   Research Labs: Aikyam Lab - Trustworthy machine learning frameworks; Behavioral Research at Darden (BRAD) Lab - Behavioral research in business; National Security Data and Policy Institute - Generative AI research and mission-aligned AI

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Philip Bourne (Biomedical and data science research); Dr. Donald Brown (Data fusion, knowledge discovery, and simulation optimization); Dr. YY Ahn (Network science, machine learning, and AI); Dr. David Danks (AI, data ethics, and philosophy); Dr. Doug Thomas (Operations management and lifelong learning)

   Admissions:

8. #8. University of San Diego Master's Database Management Program

   Hakia ranks University of San Diego as the #8 master's in database management degree program. Location: San Diego, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $55,690/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 90.2

   What makes University of San Diego stand out: USD's MS-AAI program is recognized as one of the nation's only 100% online master's in artificial intelligence programs, uniquely integrating ethics, social good, and moral responsibility across the entire curriculum while maintaining a balance between technical skills and practical business applications.

   Hakia Insight: University of San Diego leverages partnerships with Qualcomm and Illumina to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.

   Program Overview: The University of San Diego offers a fully online Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence (MS-AAI), a 30-unit program that can be completed in just 20 months across five semesters. Under the direction of Dr. Ebrahim Tarshizi, this innovative program was developed in close collaboration with key industry and government stakeholders to provide in-depth practical and technical training. Students take two courses per semester in an accelerated format, focusing on one 7-week course at a time, with rolling admissions offering three start dates annually (spring, summer, and fall). The program distinguishes itself through a significant emphasis on real-world applications, ethics, moral responsibility, and social good in designing AI-enabled systems, culminating in a comprehensive capstone project that pairs students with instructors and potential industry partners.

   Degree Programs: MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence (20 months)

   Research Labs: Berman Family Data Analytics Lab - Data Analytics

   Industry Partners: Qualcomm, Illumina

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: Not specified | Top Employers: Various industries based on student showcase | Common Roles: Artificial Intelligence Engineer ($164,769), AI Programmer ($126,472), Machine Learning Applied Researcher ($139,795), Applied Machine Learning Specialist ($121,299), Business Intelligence Developer ($98,283)

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Ebrahim Tarshizi (Program Director with PhD and MBA); Anna Marbut (Professor of Practice with MS in Applied AI)

   Admissions: GPA: 2.75 minimum for STEM degrees | Acceptance Rate: Not specified

   Accreditations: WASC Senior College and University Commission accredited

9. #9. Santa Clara University Master's Database Management Program

   Hakia ranks Santa Clara University as the #9 master's in database management degree program. Location: Santa Clara, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $58,587/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Score: 89.1

   What makes Santa Clara University stand out: SCU DBIS Lab led by Professor Shiva Jahangiri researches Database Management Systems Internals, Databases for AI/ML, and AI/ML for Databases. Silicon Valley location provides access to Google, Apple, and Cisco.

   Hakia Insight: Santa Clara University's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Laboratory creates a direct research-to-career pipeline with Silicon Valley tech, bridging academic research and industry practice.

   Program Overview: Santa Clara University offers MS in Computer Science and Engineering with database systems coursework (COEN 280). The DBIS Research Lab focuses on database internals, vectorized data processing for AI/ML, and AI for databases.

   Degree Programs: MS Computer Science and Engineering (2 years)

   Research Labs: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Laboratory - Artificial Intelligence; Cloud Laboratory - Cloud Computing; Computing Systems & Informatics Laboratory (CSI Lab) - Computing Systems and Informatics; Data Science Laboratory - Data Science; Humanitarian Computing Laboratory - Humanitarian Computing

   Industry Partners: Silicon Valley tech

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Apple, Cisco, Intel | Common Roles: Database Engineer, Data Scientist, Software Engineer

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 60%

   Accreditations: ABET Accredited Programs

10. #10. New York University Master's Database Management Program

    Hakia ranks New York University as the #10 master's in database management degree program. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $60,438/year | Score: 88.3

    What makes New York University stand out: NYU Tandon is one of only select institutions recognized by the NSA as a Center of Academic Excellence in both Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense Research, with students conducting research in the NSF-funded OSIRIS Laboratory alongside internationally renowned cybersecurity experts.

    Hakia Insight: Through ties with Google and Facebook/Meta, New York University bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.

    Program Overview: NYU Tandon School of Engineering's Master of Science in Cybersecurity stands as one of the nation's premier cybersecurity programs, recognized by the National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in both Cyber Operations and Cyber Defense Research. The 30-credit program offers remarkable flexibility with on-campus, fully online, and blended learning options, allowing students to customize their educational experience. Students work closely with internationally renowned faculty in the National Science Foundation-funded OSIRIS (Offensive Security, Incident Response, and Internet Security) Laboratory, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge cybersecurity research. The curriculum combines rigorous theoretical foundations with practical applications through 4 core courses, 3 breadth electives, and 3 depth electives, with specialized tracks in Cyber Defense and Cyber Operations that align with NSA designation requirements.

    Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years); MS in Data Science (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (5-6 years)

    Research Labs: Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences - Numerical analysis, scientific computing, computational mathematics; NYU Center for Data Science - Machine learning, data science, artificial intelligence; Tandon Computer Science and Engineering Department Labs - Systems, networks, databases, AI

    Industry Partners: Google, Facebook/Meta, JP Morgan Chase, Two Sigma

    Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Facebook/Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, Two Sigma, Citadel | Common Roles: Machine Learning Engineer, Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Quantitative Researcher, AI Research Scientist

    Notable Faculty: Damon McCoy (Co-Director of NYU Center for Cybersecurity); Justin Cappos (Cybersecurity research); Ramesh Karri (Electrical and Computer Engineering, cybersecurity); Nasir Memon (Cybersecurity)

    Admissions:

    Accreditations: NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations, NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research