Compare 89 accredited database management master's degree programs using data from IPEDS 2024 and BLS 2024. Our rankings analyze graduation rates, tuition costs, career outcomes, and industry placement for database administrators and data architects.
$120,230 median salary · 97% graduation rate
$120,230 median salary · 91% graduation rate
$120,230 median salary · 92% graduation rate
$120,230 median salary · 85% graduation rate
$120,230 median salary · 89% graduation rate
$120,230 median salary · 84% graduation rate
$120,230 median salary · 82% graduation rate
$120,230 median salary · 86% graduation rate
$120,230 median salary · 71% graduation rate
$120,230 median salary · 76% graduation rate
Hakia ranks University of Pennsylvania's master's database management program #1. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Philadelphia, PA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $60,920/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Median Salary: $120,230 | Score: 93.9
Hakia ranks Northeastern University's master's database management program #2. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Boston, MA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,990/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Median Salary: $120,230 | Score: 93.5
Hakia ranks University of Southern California's master's database management program #3. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $69,904/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Median Salary: $120,230 | Score: 93.4
Hakia ranks North Carolina State University at Raleigh's master's database management program #4. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Raleigh, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $6,535/year | Graduation Rate: 85% | Median Salary: $120,230 | Score: 90.4
Hakia ranks Boston University's master's database management program #5. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Boston, MA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $66,670/year | Graduation Rate: 89% | Median Salary: $120,230 | Score: 89.5
Hakia ranks George Washington University's master's database management program #6. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Washington, DC | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $67,420/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Median Salary: $120,230 | Score: 85.5
Hakia ranks Auburn University's online master's database management program #7. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Auburn, AL | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,016/year | Graduation Rate: 82% | Median Salary: $120,230 | Score: 85.0
Hakia ranks Brandeis University's online master's database management program #8. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Waltham, MA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $67,082/year | Graduation Rate: 86% | Median Salary: $120,230 | Score: 83.5
Hakia ranks University of North Carolina Wilmington's master's database management program #9. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Wilmington, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,443/year | Graduation Rate: 71% | Median Salary: $120,230 | Score: 80.3
Hakia ranks University of St Thomas's master's database management program #10. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Saint Paul, MN | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $52,820/year | Graduation Rate: 76% | Median Salary: $120,230 | Score: 77.0
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | Private | $64,526 | 100% | 100.0/100 |
| #2 Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | 99.5/100 |
| #3 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 97.5/100 |
| #4 University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | 97.3/100 |
| #5 Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | Private | $65,204 | 95% | 96.5/100 |
Data from IPEDS 2024. Tuition shown is in-state for public schools.
Flexibility & Lower Cost
Networking & Experience
Flexibility & Lower Cost
Networking & Experience
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Master's in Database Management University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $60,920 | 97% | $120,230 | 93.9 |
| #2 | Master's in Database Management Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $64,990 | 91% | $120,230 | 93.5 |
| #3 | Master's in Database Management University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $69,904 | 92% | $120,230 | 93.4 |
| #4 | Master's in Database Management North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC · Public | On-campus | $6,535 | 85% | $120,230 | 90.4 |
| #5 | Master's in Database Management Boston UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $66,670 | 89% | $120,230 | 89.5 |
| #6 | Master's in Database Management George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $67,420 | 84% | $120,230 | 85.5 |
| #7 | Master's in Database Management Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · Public | Online | $11,016 | 82% | $120,230 | 85.0 |
| #8 | Master's in Database Management Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA · Private nonprofit | Online | $67,082 | 86% | $120,230 | 83.5 |
| #9 | Master's in Database Management University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington, NC · Public | On-campus | $4,443 | 71% | $120,230 | 80.3 |
| #10 | Master's in Database Management University of St ThomasSaint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $52,820 | 76% | $120,230 | 77.0 |
| #11 | Master's in Database Management George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA · Public | Online | $10,392 | 68% | $120,230 | 76.7 |
| #12 | Master's in Database Management DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $44,601 | 68% | $120,230 | 76.4 |
| #13 | Master's in Database Management Northeastern University Professional ProgramsBoston, MA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $50,243 | — | $120,230 | 75.0 |
| #14 | Master's in Database Management Rowan UniversityGlassboro, NJ · Public | On-campus | $11,812 | 67% | $120,230 | 74.5 |
| #15 | Master's in Database Management Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC · Public | On-campus | $4,242 | 75% | $120,230 | 73.5 |
| #16 | Master's in Database Management Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City, UT · Private nonprofit | Online | $8,180 | 46% | $120,230 | 73.5 |
| #17 | Master's in Database Management University of West FloridaPensacola, FL · Public | On-campus | $3,735 | 59% | $120,230 | 72.4 |
| #18 | Master's in Database Management Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FL · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $37,500 | 63% | $120,230 | 72.1 |
| #19 | Master's in Database Management University of Detroit MercyDetroit, MI · Private nonprofit | Online | $32,946 | 67% | $120,230 | 68.9 |
| #20 | Master's in Database Management Stockton UniversityGalloway, NJ · Public | On-campus | $13,606 | 69% | $120,230 | 67.8 |
| #21 | Master's in Database Management Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI · Public | On-campus | $14,274 | 58% | $120,230 | 66.7 |
| #22 | Master's in Database Management Regis UniversityDenver, CO · Private nonprofit | Online | $23,700 | 61% | $120,230 | 66.2 |
| #23 | Master's in Database Management Inter American University of Puerto Rico-MetroSan Juan, PR · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $4,968 | 39% | $120,230 | 66.0 |
| #24 | Master's in Database Management Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle, WA · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $39,492 | 62% | $120,230 | 65.7 |
| #25 | Master's in Database Management Utah State UniversityLogan, UT · Public | Online | $7,627 | 59% | $120,230 | 65.2 |
| #26 | Master's in Database Management Radford UniversityRadford, VA · Public | On-campus | $8,528 | 49% | $120,230 | 58.8 |
| #27 | Master's in Database Management Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville, TN · Public | Online | $7,272 | 40% | $120,230 | 58.7 |
| #28 | Master's in Database Management Shepherd UniversityShepherdstown, WV · Public | On-campus | $6,702 | 51% | $120,230 | 56.0 |
| #29 | Master's in Database Management New England CollegeHenniker, NH · Private nonprofit | On-campus | $25,714 | 35% | $120,230 | 55.9 |
Showing all 29 ranked programs.
The total cost of a masters's degree in Database Management ranges from $40,000 at public universities to over $168,000 at elite private institutions. Financial aid, scholarships, and in-state tuition significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs (IPEDS 2024-24, Research.com).
With median starting salaries of $135,980, most graduates achieve positive ROI within 3-5 years. Financial aid recipients often pay 30-50% less than sticker price.
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Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Database management master's programs prepare students to design, implement, and maintain complex database systems that power modern applications. With data growing exponentially. IDC projects global data will reach 175 zettabytes by 2025, organizations desperately need skilled database professionals who can ensure data integrity, optimize performance, and implement security protocols.
Top programs combine theoretical foundations with hands-on experience using enterprise database systems like Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, and emerging technologies like graph databases and blockchain ledgers. Students learn data science fundamentals alongside specialized database skills, making them valuable assets in an increasingly data-driven economy.
The curriculum covers database design principles, query optimization, distributed systems, data warehousing, business intelligence, and security protocols. Advanced courses explore NoSQL databases, cloud database services (AWS RDS, Azure SQL), and emerging areas like real-time analytics and machine learning integration. Many programs require capstone projects with industry partners, providing real-world experience that employers value.
Career outcomes are exceptional, with graduates entering roles as database administrators, data architects, business intelligence developers, and database engineers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8% growth for database administrator roles through 2032, faster than average for all occupations. Strong demand exists across industries including healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and government.
Design, implement, and maintain database systems ensuring optimal performance, security, and reliability. Responsibilities include backup procedures, user access management, and performance tuning.
Design enterprise data architecture and integration strategies. Lead database design projects, establish data governance policies, and ensure scalability of data systems across organizations.
Design and implement data warehousing solutions and reporting systems. Create dashboards and analytics tools that help organizations make data-driven decisions.
Specialize in cloud-native database solutions using AWS RDS, Azure SQL, or Google Cloud SQL. Focus on migration, optimization, and management of databases in cloud environments.
Lead enterprise database strategy and architecture decisions. Manage teams of database professionals and guide technology adoption across large organizations.
Graduate students in database management programs have access to various funding sources including research assistantships, teaching assistantships, industry fellowships, and federal financial aid. Many top programs offer competitive funding packages that significantly reduce or eliminate tuition costs for qualified students.
Research assistantships are particularly common in database programs due to active industry partnerships and federal research grants. Students working with faculty on database research projects receive tuition waivers plus stipends of $25,000-$35,000 annually. Companies like Oracle, Microsoft, and Amazon also sponsor fellowships and internships that provide both financial support and valuable industry experience.
For comprehensive financial aid guidance, including FAFSA strategies and specialized STEM scholarships, review our FAFSA & Grants for STEM Majors guide. Many database management students also benefit from employer tuition reimbursement programs when pursuing degrees part-time while working in technology roles.
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
We scored 29 master's database management programs on the Hakia Score, a 0 to 100 composite drawn from federal IPEDS 2024 and BLS figures, and University of Pennsylvania's Master's in Database Management sits at the top. In-state tuition across the list spans $3,735 to $69,904.
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
National salary data for database management graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Institutional characteristics, tuition costs, graduation rates, and program completion data
Employment data and salary statistics for database administrators and related occupations
Job growth projections and employment outlook for database management careers
Direct institutional reporting of career outcomes, faculty credentials, and program-specific metrics
The top 5 database management master's programs share several characteristics that distinguish them from the broader field. All maintain graduate student-faculty ratios below 10:1, ensuring personalized attention and mentorship opportunities. These programs also demonstrate exceptional industry connections, with receiving job offers before graduation.
Carnegie Mellon leads in research impact, with faculty publishing groundbreaking work on distributed database systems and query optimization. The program's Database Group collaborates directly with companies like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, providing students with exposure to real-world challenges. Stanford's proximity to Silicon Valley creates unique internship and networking opportunities, while UC Berkeley offers the best value proposition among elite programs.
Public universities in the top tier (Berkeley, Washington, Georgia Tech) demonstrate that database education doesn't require private school tuition. These programs leverage state funding and industry partnerships to provide resources comparable to private institutions at 60-70% lower cost. For students considering career transitions to tech, these programs offer exceptional return on investment.
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.