2026 Best Value Data Science Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Our analysis ranked University Of California San Diego the best value for a degree in data science in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $17,101. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

2

Rice University
Houston, TX

A rank of #2 makes Rice University one of the best values for data science. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the data science program here. Data Science graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

3

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in data science, landing the #3 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Data Science graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Data Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

4

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #4 place for data science. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $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%.

5

Florida Polytechnic University
Lakeland, FL

Florida Polytechnic University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value data science schools. Florida Polytechnic University is a small public school located in the rural area of Lakeland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $21,004. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $7,500. Early-career data science graduates make about $64,823. The acceptance rate is 58%.

6

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value data science schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.

7

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University earned the #7 position for value in data science this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Data Science graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Early-career data science graduates make about $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #8 for value in data science this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Data Science graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career data science graduates make about $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

9

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #9 among the best values for data science. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Data Science graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #10 position for value in data science this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $24,477. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

11

Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peters College came in at #11 for value in data science this year. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Data Science graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Early-career data science graduates make about $50,944. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis landed the #12 spot for data science value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the data science program here. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

13

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #13 position for value in data science this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $19,137. Data Science graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

14

New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Newark, NJ

New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #14 spot for data science value this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $24,755. Early-career data science graduates make about $71,549. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

15

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University placed #15 among the best values for data science. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the data science program here. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas landed the #16 spot for data science value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $21,817. 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. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

17

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value data science schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $23,551. Data Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $49,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,551 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #18 among the best values for data science. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

19

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #19 spot for data science value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

20

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware placed #20 among the best values for data science. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Data Science graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Early-career data science graduates make about $54,155. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

21

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #21 position for value in data science this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Data Science graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $60,453. Set against $35,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value data science schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Data Science graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #23 for value in data science this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data science graduates is $21,577. Data Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

24

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #24 for value in data science this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Data Science graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Data Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.

25

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University came in at #25 for value in data science this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Data Science graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data science degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.