2026 Best Value Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best value for data science in the United States. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $20,212. Data Science graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

2

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in data science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $21,620. Early-career data science graduates make about $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

3

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

A rank of #3 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for data science. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the data science program here. Data Science graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Students looking for strong value in data science will find it at Middle Tennessee State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the data science program here. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.

5

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

Students looking for strong value in data science will find it at University Of North Texas, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Data Science graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Data Science graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #6 spot for data science value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the data science program here. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

7

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University placed #7 among the best values for data science. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Data Science graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Data Science graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value data science schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the data science program here. Early-career data science graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

9

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #9 position for value in data science this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $21,813. Early-career data science graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

10

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College landed the #10 spot for data science value this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Data Science graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $65,890. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value data science schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the data science program here. Early-career data science graduates make about $51,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #12 spot for data science value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the data science program here. Data Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

13

University Of Houston Downtown
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Downtown landed the #13 spot for data science value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Data Science graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $46,298. Set against $23,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.

14

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value data science schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the data science program here. Data Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #15 spot for data science value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Data Science graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Data Science graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt.

16

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value data science schools. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the data science program here. Data Science graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

17

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University came in at #17 for value in data science this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete the data science program here. Data Science graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $53,109 early in their careers. Set against $24,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

18

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University came in at #18 for value in data science this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete the data science program here. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. Set against $20,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo came in at #19 for value in data science this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $24,923. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

20

University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont placed #20 among the best values for data science. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the data science program here. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

21

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value data science schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the data science program here. Data Science graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $51,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value data science schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $24,463. Early-career data science graduates make about $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.

23

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary earned the #23 position for value in data science this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Data Science graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. Set against $18,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon earned the #24 position for value in data science this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete the data science program here. Early-career data science graduates make about $44,628. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #25 among the best values for data science. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the data science program here. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.