Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in Massachusetts
- 49
- Schools
- $64,014
- Avg. Earnings
- 58%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,593
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,701
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $33,647 at the low end to $143,372 at the top. That 4.3× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Middlesex Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $50,651 against $2,624 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Middlesex Community College, at $2,624 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, well above the 58% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Massachusetts Institute of Technology: graduates owe only 0.10× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Middlesex Community College ($2,624/yr) and music" class="text-brand-500 hover:underline">Berklee College of Music ($49,465/yr) produce graduates earning $50,651 and $33,647 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $46,841 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Middlesex Community College outperforms Massachusetts Institute of Technology: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students versus 16% at Quincy College. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
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 Middlesex Community College and Harvard 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 $58K 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 ▲ +124% vs avg | $20,111 | 96% | 100 |
| 2 Wellesley College #2 overall | $84,803 ▲ +32% vs avg | $25,496 | 91% | 87 |
| 3 Harvard University #3 overall | $101,817 ▲ +59% vs avg | $19,066 | 97% | 87 |
| $88,665 ▲ +39% vs avg | $17,716 | 95% | 86 | |
| $77,644 ▲ +21% vs avg | $23,367 | 94% | 85 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in Massachusetts
This analysis ranks 49 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $64,014 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 58% and an average net price of $20,593.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Middlesex Community College — Net Price: $2,624 | Graduation Rate: 23%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $143,372
Data Insight
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?
$58,418
Median earnings (10yr)
60%
Median graduation rate
$19,066
Median net price
1.8%
Avg. mobility rate
Technology hiring rewards ability over credentials more than any other field on this site. Toolchains turn over every few years, so computing and data-science programs compete on employer connections, project-based learning, and curriculum currency. The programs that teach fundamentals and learning agility produce the graduates who last.
The median graduation rate across these 49 schools is 60%. Median graduate earnings reach $58,418 ten years after enrollment, roughly $10,418 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $19,066 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $22,369. Some 29% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.8%.
In tech, what you can do matters more than where you studied. Graduates on this list earn a median of $58,418 ten years after enrollment. Programs with industry partnerships, co-op placements, and current curricula keep delivering through a cyclical hiring market.
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, 124% 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
Wellesley College lands at #2 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, 32% above 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 #3
Harvard University lands at #3 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, 59% 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 #4
Williams College lands at #4 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, 39% above 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 #5
Amherst College lands at #5 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, 21% above 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 #6
Northeastern University lands at #6 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, 45% 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 #7
Tufts University lands at #7 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, 30% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Boston University lands at #8 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $83,238 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 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 #9
Smith College lands at #9 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $64,027 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,579 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 #10
Wentworth Institute of Technology lands at #10 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $82,721 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,170 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 #11
Worcester Polytechnic Institute lands at #11 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $103,470 a decade after enrolling, 62% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,071 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 #12
Boston College lands at #12 with a 78/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $103,937 a decade after enrolling, 62% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,704 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 #13
Bentley University lands at #13 with a 77/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $120,959 a decade after enrolling, 89% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,930 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 #14
Mount Holyoke College lands at #14 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $58,418 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,441 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 #15
Brandeis University lands at #15 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $77,231 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,736 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Bunker Hill Community College lands at #16 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $47,618 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,818 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 #17
Bristol Community College lands at #17 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,663 a decade after enrolling, 40% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,547 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 #18
Worcester State University lands at #18 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $60,624 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,381 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
Massachusetts Bay Community College lands at #19 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $52,654 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,169 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 #20
Simmons University lands at #20 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $63,494 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,265 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 #21
Mount Wachusett Community College lands at #21 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $41,118 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,931 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 #22
Clark University lands at #22 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $62,381 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,714 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
Fitchburg State University lands at #23 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $53,874 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,262 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 #24
Quincy College lands at #24 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,506 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,126 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 #25
Salem State University lands at #25 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $56,662 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,996 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 #26
College of Our Lady of the Elms lands at #26 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $51,540 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,545 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 #27
Suffolk University lands at #27 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $67,506 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,618 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
North Shore Community College lands at #28 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $45,391 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,000 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 #29
Northern Essex Community College lands at #29 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $42,862 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,046 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
North Adams, MA · 90% accepted · $16,068 net
Why it ranks #30
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts lands at #30 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $48,102 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,068 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 #31
Western New England University lands at #31 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $73,157 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,290 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Berklee College of Music lands at #32 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (25/100). Graduates earn a median $33,647 a decade after enrolling, 47% below this list's average, and net price runs $49,465 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 #33
Assumption University lands at #33 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $74,895 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,498 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
University of Massachusetts-Amherst lands at #34 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $71,631 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,383 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 #35
Hampshire College lands at #35 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $46,938 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,034 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 #36
Massasoit Community College lands at #36 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $46,111 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,460 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 #37
Gordon College lands at #37 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $52,119 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,883 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 #38
Greenfield Community College lands at #38 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $37,132 a decade after enrolling, 42% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,679 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
Springfield Technical Community College lands at #39 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,966 a decade after enrolling, 42% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,662 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 Massachusetts-Boston lands at #40 with a 66/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $65,865 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,707 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 #41
Holyoke Community College lands at #41 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $37,277 a decade after enrolling, 42% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,068 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 #42
Fisher College lands at #42 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $49,669 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,649 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 #43
University of Massachusetts-Lowell lands at #43 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $64,874 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,163 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 #44
Quinsigamond Community College lands at #44 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $45,949 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,090 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 #45
Berkshire Community College lands at #45 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $38,832 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,921 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 #46
Framingham State University lands at #46 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,349 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,114 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
North Dartmouth, MA · 91% accepted · $20,927 net
Why it ranks #47
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth lands at #47 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $68,804 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,927 a year. 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 #48
Middlesex Community College lands at #48 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by social mobility (41/100). Graduates earn a median $50,651 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,624 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 #49
Roxbury Community College lands at #49 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (33/100). Graduates earn a median $38,773 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,244 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 49 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 →When it comes to data science, the right college can open doors to lucrative careers and solid job prospects. With 46 institutions in Massachusetts offering programs, students are faced with important choices that can significantly impact their future. The strong demand for data science professionals makes understanding these options crucial for prospective students and their families.
The top schools on this list shine in key areas such as graduate earnings, completion rates, student debt, and overall mobility. For instance, the average earnings for graduates from data science programs in Massachusetts stand at $65,083, while completion rates hover around 58%. These figures highlight how some colleges equip their students for success more effectively than others, which is reflected in the rankings below.
Take Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Wellesley College, for example. MIT graduates earn an impressive $143,372, while Wellesley graduates see earnings of $84,803. Although Wellesley's net price is higher at $25,496 compared to MIT's $20,111, its lower debt levels might appeal to some students. Understanding these trade-offs can guide families in making informed decisions as they consider their own priorities.
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 44 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.8%. Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads the group at 3.4%, with Bentley University (2.9%) and Suffolk University (2.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 8.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Roxbury Community College leads at 36.6%, 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 30.2% across this list. Worcester Polytechnic Institute posts the highest success rate at 67.6%. 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 1.57 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Tufts University reaches 1.89, 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
The data reveals a notable pattern when comparing MIT and Williams College. While MIT leads with an earnings figure of $143,372, Williams graduates earn $88,665. This gap is significant and underscores the return on investment that MIT's program offers, despite both schools having strong graduation rates of 96% and 95%, respectively.
After scrolling through the rankings, it's essential to weigh each school's data against personal priorities. Consider factors like location, program fit, and campus culture, as well as financial considerations like net price and debt levels. Think about what matters most to you — is it the prestige of the school, the cost of attendance, or the potential for high earnings?
Looking at the broader picture, the data from these programs highlights the importance of choosing the right college for a stable career path. For many families, this decision is not just about education; it's about securing a better future. It's crucial to make informed choices that align with both aspirations and financial realities.
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 Massachusetts: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in Massachusetts ranking? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in Massachusetts 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 $64,014 average across the 49 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, Middlesex Community College leads: graduates earn a median $50,651 against net price of about $2,624 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 58% 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 $20,593 a year across the 49 ranked schools with cost data. Middlesex Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,624. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Data Science Colleges in Massachusetts 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 49 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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