Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in Connecticut
- 16
- Schools
- $69,504
- Avg. Earnings
- 66%
- Avg. Graduation
- $22,847
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,065
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Median graduate earnings across these 16 schools run from $41,344 to $100,533, a 2.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
-
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus delivers the most for the money: roughly $73,997 in median earnings against $10,875 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
-
The most affordable option, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus ($10,875 net price), still posts $73,997 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
-
Yale University graduates 96% of its students, versus a 66% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
-
Yale University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.13× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus costs $10,875 a year and Connecticut College costs $36,175. Yet their graduates earn $73,997 and $75,001, nowhere near the $25,300 price gap.
- On value, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus beats Yale University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Yale University finishes 96% of students while Connecticut State Community College finishes 21%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus and Yale University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 $74K 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 Yale University #1 overall | $100,533 ▲ +45% vs avg | $23,777 | 96% | 84 |
| 2 Wesleyan University #2 overall | $73,897 ▲ +6% vs avg | $30,177 | 92% | 77 |
| 3 University of Connecticut #3 overall | $73,997 ▲ +6% vs avg | $25,097 | 84% | 74 |
| $75,001 ▲ +8% vs avg | $36,175 | 83% | 74 | |
| $58,562 ▼ -16% vs avg | $16,857 | 49% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in Connecticut
This analysis ranks 16 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $69,504 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 66% and an average net price of $22,847.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus — Net Price: $10,875 | Graduation Rate: 56%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Yale University — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Yale University — Median alumni earnings: $100,533
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$73,997
Median earnings (10yr)
60%
Median graduation rate
$21,067
Median net price
1.5%
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.
The median graduation rate across these 16 schools is 60%. Median graduate earnings reach $73,997 ten years after enrollment, roughly $25,997 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $21,067 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $21,500. Some 33% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.5%.
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 $73,997 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
Why it ranks #1
Yale University lands at #1 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, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,777 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
Wesleyan University lands at #2 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $73,897 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,177 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 #3
University of Connecticut lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,097 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Connecticut College lands at #4 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $75,001 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,175 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
New Britain, CT · 73% accepted · $16,857 net
Why it ranks #5
Central Connecticut State University lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,562 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,857 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
Waterbury, CT · 87% accepted · $10,875 net
Why it ranks #6
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (70/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,875 a year, well under 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
Hartford, CT · 88% accepted · $16,403 net
Why it ranks #7
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus lands at #7 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,403 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 #8
Connecticut State Community College lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $41,344 a decade after enrolling, 41% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,513 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 #9
University of Connecticut-Stamford lands at #9 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,798 a year, well under 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 #10
University of Connecticut-Avery Point lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,807 a year, well under 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
Willimantic, CT · 83% accepted · $21,067 net
Why it ranks #11
Eastern Connecticut State University lands at #11 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $56,469 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,067 a year. 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
New Haven, CT · 91% accepted · $20,857 net
Why it ranks #12
Southern Connecticut State University lands at #12 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $55,043 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,857 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 #13
Trinity College lands at #13 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $90,779 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,832 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
University of Hartford lands at #14 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $60,823 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,282 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
Why it ranks #15
University of New Haven lands at #15 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (29/100). Graduates earn a median $60,126 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $34,192 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
Why it ranks #16
United States Coast Guard Academy lands at #16 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by social mobility (68/100). Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 15 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
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 rapidly transforming industries, making it a popular field for students and families to explore. With a growing demand for skilled professionals, choosing the right college for data science can be a pivotal decision. In Connecticut, there are 14 institutions offering programs that prepare students for this dynamic landscape.
What sets these schools apart are their outcomes: earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and overall program concentration. These metrics are crucial for evaluating how well graduates fare in the job market and how effectively they can manage their student debt. Below, we highlight the top institutions in Connecticut based on these important factors, giving you a clear view of where students are succeeding.
For instance, Yale University stands out with impressive earnings of $100,533 and a remarkable graduation rate of 96%. In contrast, the University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus has similar earnings at $73,997, but a significantly lower graduation rate of just 56%. This illustrates the trade-offs you might consider when evaluating these programs, as the right choice can greatly influence future opportunities.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 10 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.5%. Yale University leads the group at 2.1%, with Wesleyan University (2%) and University of New Haven (1.8%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.2% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Connecticut State Community College leads at 10%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 33.7% across this list. Yale University posts the highest success rate at 57.3%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.65 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Connecticut College reaches 1.84, the highest on the list.
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
Looking at the data, we see a clear distinction between Yale University and the University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus. While both schools report similar earnings of around $73,997, Yale's graduation rate is significantly higher at 96% compared to Hartford's 65%. This discrepancy suggests that Yale provides a more supportive environment for student success.
As you consider these schools, think beyond the numbers. Weigh factors like location, campus culture, and how well each program aligns with your career goals. Visit campuses if possible and talk to current students. Their insights can help you gauge whether a school feels like the right fit for you.
Ultimately, the data underscores the importance of making an informed choice that can lead to a stable and successful life post-graduation. With careful consideration, one family's decision can set the stage for a bright future. Choosing the right program means investing in more than just education—it's about securing a pathway to meaningful opportunities.
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 Data Science Colleges in Connecticut: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in Connecticut ranking? +
Yale University in New Haven, CT ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in Connecticut ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $100,533 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? +
Yale University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $100,533 ten years after enrollment, well above the $69,504 average across the 15 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, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus leads: graduates earn a median $73,997 against net price of about $10,875 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? +
Yale University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 66% 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 $22,847 a year across the 15 ranked schools with cost data. University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus is among the most affordable at roughly $10,875. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Data Science Colleges in Connecticut 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 16 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
Related Rankings
