- 1.Database Managers earn a median salary of $101,000 with 8% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Database Management programs include Western Governors University, Bellevue College, Northeastern University based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: Western Governors University offers database management education at $7,710/year
- 4.13 accredited Database Management programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Database Management Programs - Top 10 Best Value
Western Governors University
200 database management graduates annually
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 for Database Management based on 200 graduates, and overall score of 77/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 200 database management graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Bellevue College
Based on the available sources, specific details about Bellevue College's Database Management program could not be verified, though the college offers database-related coursework within broader technology programs.
Program Overview
The sources provided do not contain information about a Database Management program at Bellevue College. The content primarily covers Bellevue University (a different institution in Nebraska) and various programs at Bellevue College in Washington including Computer Science BS, Data Analytics, and Database Administration courses, but no comprehensive Database Management degree program is described. Bellevue College does offer database-related coursework through its Data Analytics program and individual Database Administration (DBA) courses like DBA 232 - Database Administration, DBA 294 - Special Topics in Database Administration, and DBA 299 - Individual Studies in Database Administration.
The college, located in Bellevue, Washington, serves over 54% students of color and more than 1,300 international students. While the institution offers robust technology programs including a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Data Analytics pathways, the specific Database Management program details are not available in the provided sources.
Northeastern University
Northeastern's database management education is uniquely integrated across multiple colleges through interdisciplinary programs, combining 115 years of cooperative education experience with hands-on database work at companies like Google, Amazon, and major financial institutions through the renowned co-op program.
Program Overview
Northeastern University doesn't offer a standalone Database Management program, but instead integrates database technologies into several interdisciplinary data-focused programs. The flagship Master of Science in Data Science, offered jointly by the Khoury College of Computer Sciences and College of Engineering, provides comprehensive database management training within a broader data science curriculum. Students master integrated databases for managing large-scale datasets while developing expertise in data management, processing, analysis, and visualization at scale. The program offers concentrations in Computer Science (focusing on building data infrastructure and scalable platforms) or Engineering Theory and Modeling (applying data techniques to tangible challenges in manufacturing, smart cities, and environmental systems). At the Seattle campus, students can pursue the MS in Data Architecture and Management, specifically designed for the evolving field of data engineering, where they gain holistic knowledge to engineer big data systems, curate data, and integrate complex datasets for business analysts and data scientists.
Degree Programs
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
UNLV's cybersecurity programs are uniquely interdisciplinary, combining computer science and management information systems to produce graduates who understand both the technical and business sides of cybersecurity. The programs directly serve Nevada's booming cybersecurity market, where job opportunities increased 89% in just four years.
Utah State University
31 database management graduates annually
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
15 database management graduates annually
University of San Francisco
15 database management graduates annually
University of St Thomas
21 database management graduates annually
DePaul University
10 database management graduates annually
University of Minnesota-Duluth
27 database management graduates annually
Best Database Management Programs - Compare Top 5 Best Value
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | N/A | 77/100 |
| #2 Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | Public | $4,074 | 96% | 74.5/100 |
| #3 Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Private | $62,000 | N/A | 68.6/100 |
| #4 University of Nevada-Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV | Public | $8,354 | 90% | 57.6/100 |
| #5 Utah State University | Logan, UT | Public | $7,387 | 1% | 55.7/100 |
Best Value Database Management Programs 2026
| 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 | — | — | — | — |
Career Paths
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1141Design, implement, and maintain database systems for organizations
Data Analyst
SOC 15-2051Analyze data to help organizations make business decisions
Database Developer
SOC 15-1132Design and develop database applications and systems
Information Systems Manager
SOC 11-3021Plan and coordinate IT activities for organizations
Financial Aid and Cost Reduction Strategies
Smart financial planning can significantly reduce the total cost of database management education. Students who understand available aid options and cost-reduction strategies often graduate with substantially less debt than their peers.
Federal financial aid provides the foundation for affordable education. The FAFSA application unlocks access to Pell Grants, which don't require repayment, and federal student loans with favorable terms. Database management students should explore our comprehensive FAFSA guide for STEM majors to understand available options.
Employer tuition assistance programs offer significant savings opportunities. Many technology companies provide tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing relevant degrees. Students working in IT or related fields should investigate employer tuition reimbursement options before taking out additional loans.
Merit-based scholarships specifically target database and IT students. Organizations like the Database Professionals Association and major technology companies offer competitive scholarships. Women in technology can access additional funding through our curated list of scholarships for women in tech.
Work-study programs and graduate assistantships provide both funding and valuable experience. Many database management programs offer research or teaching assistant positions that cover tuition while building professional skills. These opportunities are detailed in our guide to graduate assistantships in tech programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 152 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Database Management 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 management salaries from BLS OES 2024
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduate employment rates, salary data, and program costs
Career outlook, salary projections, and job growth data
Institutional characteristics, enrollment, and graduation rates
Return on investment calculations and salary progression data
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.