Rankings / Bachelors
Best Bachelor's in Data Science
- 50
- Schools
- $90,509
- Avg. Earnings
- 88%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,284
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,196
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $60,752 to $143,372, a 2.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College delivers the most for the money: roughly $75,971 in median earnings against $3,033 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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CUNY Hunter College is the lowest-cost school here at $2,984 a year in net price.
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Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, versus a 88% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Princeton University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.09× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- CUNY Hunter College costs $2,984 a year and Stevens Institute of Technology costs $41,346. Yet their graduates earn $63,163 and $108,772, nowhere near the $38,362 price gap.
- On value, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College beats Massachusetts Institute of Technology: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Harvard University finishes 97% of students while CUNY Brooklyn College finishes 55%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Harvard University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $88K within a decade, and data scientist roles are projected to grow 36%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology #1 overall | $143,372 ▲ +58% vs avg | $20,111 | 96% | 100 |
| 2 Stanford University #2 overall | $124,080 ▲ +37% vs avg | $13,807 | 92% | 97 |
| 3 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus #3 overall | $102,772 ▲ +14% vs avg | $12,116 | 93% | 96 |
| $110,066 ▲ +22% vs avg | $6,128 | 97% | 94 | |
| $128,566 ▲ +42% vs avg | $16,075 | 94% | 93 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Bachelor's in Data Science
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $90,509 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 88% and an average net price of $20,284.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $3,033 | Graduation Rate: 72%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $143,372
Research Note
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$86,869
Median earnings (10yr)
93%
Median graduation rate
$18,938
Median net price
2.6%
Avg. mobility rate
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $86,869 ten years after enrollment, or about $38,869 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 93%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $18,938 a year with about $15,000 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 22% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.6%.
What we’re seeing: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $86,869 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Cambridge, MA · 5% accepted · $20,111 net
Why it ranks #1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology lands at #1 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $143,372 a decade after enrolling, 58% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,111 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Stanford University lands at #2 with a 97/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $124,080 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,807 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Atlanta, GA · 14% accepted · $12,116 net
Why it ranks #3
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus lands at #3 with a 96/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $102,772 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,116 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Princeton University lands at #4 with a 94/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $110,066 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,128 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
California Institute of Technology lands at #5 with a 93/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by social mobility (82/100). Graduates earn a median $128,566 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,075 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Cornell University lands at #6 with a 91/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $104,043 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,690 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
New Jersey Institute of Technology lands at #7 with a 89/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $84,276 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,504 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Brown University lands at #8 with a 89/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (78/100). Graduates earn a median $93,487 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,184 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Rice University lands at #9 with a 89/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $89,718 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,370 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Johns Hopkins University lands at #10 with a 88/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Pomona College lands at #11 with a 88/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (77/100). Graduates earn a median $77,779 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,285 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #12 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $114,862 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,944 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Wellesley College lands at #13 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $84,803 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,496 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Harvard University lands at #14 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $101,817 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
University of Chicago lands at #15 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $91,885 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,860 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 4% accepted · $21,590 net
Why it ranks #16
Columbia University in the City of New York lands at #16 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $102,491 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,590 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Williams College lands at #17 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (81/100). Graduates earn a median $88,665 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,716 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Illinois Institute of Technology lands at #18 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $82,592 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,425 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Duke University lands at #19 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $97,800 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,612 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
The University of Texas at Dallas lands at #20 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $68,227 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,267 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Vanderbilt University lands at #21 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (80/100). Graduates earn a median $91,565 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,846 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Amherst College lands at #22 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (77/100). Graduates earn a median $77,644 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,367 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
University of Pennsylvania lands at #23 with a 85/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Northwestern University lands at #24 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $89,363 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,167 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #25 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (73/100). Graduates earn a median $75,971 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,033 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Chapel Hill, NC · 15% accepted · $11,655 net
Why it ranks #26
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands at #26 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (77/100). Graduates earn a median $72,200 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,655 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Harvey Mudd College lands at #27 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $138,687 a decade after enrolling, 53% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,924 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Carleton College lands at #28 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $75,525 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,407 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Yale University lands at #29 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $100,533 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,777 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Dartmouth College lands at #30 with a 84/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $97,434 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,519 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Bowdoin College lands at #31 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (79/100). Graduates earn a median $82,735 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,398 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Swarthmore College lands at #32 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (94/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,257 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,149 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Washington University in St Louis lands at #33 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $86,182 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,786 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lands at #34 with a 83/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $102,051 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,228 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Colorado School of Mines lands at #35 with a 83/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $97,335 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,690 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Socorro, NM · 44% accepted · $9,873 net
Why it ranks #36
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology lands at #36 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (71/100). Graduates earn a median $76,489 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,873 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Haverford College lands at #37 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $79,966 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,314 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
CUNY Hunter College lands at #38 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $63,163 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,984 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
CUNY Queens College lands at #39 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $62,763 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,195 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
University of Florida lands at #40 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (76/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Stevens Institute of Technology lands at #41 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $108,772 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,346 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Colby College lands at #42 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $80,490 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,180 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Colgate University lands at #43 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (69/100). Graduates earn a median $85,139 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,786 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Northeastern University lands at #44 with a 82/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,538 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,915 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Grinnell College lands at #45 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $62,830 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,648 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #46 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $60,752 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,103 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Davidson College lands at #47 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $81,400 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,379 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
College Park, MD · 45% accepted · $15,678 net
Why it ranks #48
University of Maryland-College Park lands at #48 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $82,860 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,678 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Brigham Young University lands at #49 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $75,790 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,564 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Tufts University lands at #50 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $83,214 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $39,998 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Top states on this list
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Data Scientists and related roles — a field with $108,020 median pay and 36% projected growth.
See the Data Scientist career guide →Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields today, and selecting the right bachelor's program can set the stage for a successful career. With average earnings of $91,622 for graduates in this field, choosing a school that emphasizes strong outcomes is crucial for both students and families weighing their options.
The schools on this list distinguish themselves through key metrics such as graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, and student debt levels. A program that prepares students well will not only lead to higher earnings but also promote upward mobility. You can use the data presented here to gauge which institutions align best with your goals, ensuring you find a balance between quality education and manageable financial commitments.
For instance, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology stands out with an impressive average earning of $143,372 and a staggering graduation rate of 96%. In contrast, Georgia Institute of Technology offers a solid education with lower earnings of $102,772 and a graduation rate of 93%. This highlights the tradeoffs students might consider as they evaluate their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 49 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.6%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the group at 12.9%, with CUNY Brooklyn College (8.1%) and CUNY Hunter College (7.5%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 5.8% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College enrolls the most, at 27.6%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 49% across the list, peaking at 74.4% at Harvey Mudd College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Tufts University is highest at 1.89.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
When we look closer at the data, a pattern emerges: schools that offer a combination of high earnings and low debt tend to outperform their peers. For example, while Stanford University graduates earn an average of $124,080, their debt is $12,000, which is manageable compared to Georgia Institute of Technology, where graduates take on $21,672 in debt despite lower earnings.
As you sift through the 50 schools, think about what matters most to you. Are you drawn to a specific location, or does campus culture play a critical role in your decision? Prioritize your goals and consider how each school's financial data aligns with your personal situation. Finding a program that fits your needs can lead to a fulfilling academic experience and a successful career.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life is shaped by the decisions we make today. Families must weigh the potential returns on education against the costs involved. Choosing a program that balances strong earnings, manageable debt, and a supportive learning environment can pave the way for a successful future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Bachelor's in Data Science: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Bachelor's in Data Science ranking? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Bachelor's in Data Science ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $143,372 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 96% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology posts the highest median earnings on this list: $143,372 ten years after enrollment, well above the $90,509 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads: graduates earn a median $75,971 against net price of about $3,033 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Harvard University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 88% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $20,284 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Hunter College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,984. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Bachelor's in Data Science ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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