Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in New York
- 50
- Schools
- $66,774
- Avg. Earnings
- 62%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,568
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,234
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $39,535 at the low end to $104,043 at the top. That 2.6× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $75,971 against $3,033 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, CUNY Hunter College at $2,984 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $63,163, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Columbia University in the City of New York graduates 96% of its students, well above the 62% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Cornell University: graduates owe only 0.13× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. CUNY Hunter College ($2,984/yr) and Yeshiva University ($49,965/yr) produce graduates earning $63,163 and $71,353 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $46,981 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College outperforms Cornell University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Columbia University in the City of New York graduates 96% of its students versus 20% at CUNY New York City College of Technology. 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 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Columbia University in the City of New York. 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 $69K 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 Cornell University #1 overall | $104,043 ▲ +56% vs avg | $28,690 | 95% | 91 |
| 2 Columbia University in the City of New York #2 overall | $102,491 ▲ +53% vs avg | $21,590 | 96% | 87 |
| 3 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College #3 overall | $75,971 ▲ +14% vs avg | $3,033 | 72% | 85 |
| $102,051 ▲ +53% vs avg | $36,228 | 83% | 83 | |
| $63,163 ▼ -5% vs avg | $2,984 | 59% | 82 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in New York
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $66,774 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 62% and an average net price of $19,568.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $3,033 | Graduation Rate: 72%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Columbia University in the City of New York — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Cornell University — Median alumni earnings: $104,043
Our Analysis Found
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?
$68,405
Median earnings (10yr)
62%
Median graduation rate
$17,976
Median net price
3.8%
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 50 schools is 62%. Median graduate earnings reach $68,405 ten years after enrollment, roughly $20,405 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $17,976 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $18,239. Some 33% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 3.8%.
In tech, what you can do matters more than where you studied. Graduates on this list earn a median of $68,405 ten years after enrollment. Programs with industry partnerships, co-op placements, and current curricula keep delivering through a cyclical hiring market.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Cornell University lands at #1 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, 56% 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
New York, NY · 4% accepted · $21,590 net
Why it ranks #2
Columbia University in the City of New York lands at #2 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, 53% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,590 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
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #3 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, 14% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lands at #4 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, 53% 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 #5
CUNY Hunter College lands at #5 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, 5% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
CUNY Queens College lands at #6 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, 6% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Colgate University lands at #7 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, 28% above 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 #8
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #8 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, 9% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
New York Institute of Technology lands at #9 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $70,080 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,443 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 #10
Barnard College lands at #10 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $80,516 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,800 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
New York, NY · 57% accepted · $3,203 net
Why it ranks #11
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice lands at #11 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $56,195 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,203 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 #12
Hamilton College lands at #12 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $78,411 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,985 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
CUNY Lehman College lands at #13 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,013 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,148 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 #14
New York University lands at #14 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $82,509 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,050 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
Rochester Institute of Technology lands at #15 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $76,571 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,906 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
Binghamton University lands at #16 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $80,596 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,620 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 #17
University of Rochester lands at #17 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $79,042 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,278 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 #18
CUNY York College lands at #18 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,945 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,456 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 #19
Vassar College lands at #19 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $71,366 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $39,343 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
Skidmore College lands at #20 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $69,363 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,297 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
Plattsburgh, NY · 78% accepted · $17,156 net
Why it ranks #21
State University of New York at Plattsburgh lands at #21 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,403 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,156 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
SUNY Polytechnic Institute lands at #22 with a 72/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $64,355 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,164 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
New Paltz, NY · 62% accepted · $18,809 net
Why it ranks #23
State University of New York at New Paltz lands at #23 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $58,073 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 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
Why it ranks #24
Clarkson University lands at #24 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $89,696 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,305 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 #25
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College lands at #25 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $42,306 a decade after enrolling, 37% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,976 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 #26
CUNY City College lands at #26 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $66,039 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,776 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 #27
Pace University lands at #27 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $70,378 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,892 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
SUNY College of Technology at Canton lands at #28 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $47,860 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,268 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 #29
Fordham University lands at #29 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $85,569 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $44,338 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
Wagner College lands at #30 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $74,360 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,241 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 #31
CUNY LaGuardia Community College lands at #31 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $41,653 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,120 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 #32
Syracuse University lands at #32 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $79,164 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,793 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 #33
Yeshiva University lands at #33 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $71,353 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $49,965 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
Brooklyn, NY · 80% accepted · $5,127 net
Why it ranks #34
CUNY New York City College of Technology lands at #34 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $49,365 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,127 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 #35
CUNY Medgar Evers College lands at #35 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $46,498 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,718 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 #36
University at Albany lands at #36 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $67,979 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,167 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 #37
Orange County Community College lands at #37 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $44,117 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,794 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 #38
Stony Brook University lands at #38 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $74,502 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,784 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 #39
Hobart William Smith Colleges lands at #39 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $68,831 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,563 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 #40
Marist University lands at #40 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $77,819 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,544 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 #41
St Lawrence University lands at #41 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $67,258 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,651 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 #42
Farmingdale State College lands at #42 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $69,781 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,867 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Hudson Valley Community College lands at #43 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $45,460 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,501 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 #44
Adelphi University lands at #44 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $75,482 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,783 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 #45
Ulster County Community College lands at #45 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $41,896 a decade after enrolling, 37% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,035 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 #46
SUNY Buffalo State University lands at #46 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $52,334 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,346 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 #47
Rockland Community College lands at #47 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,243 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,282 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 #48
Suffolk County Community College lands at #48 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $49,907 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,258 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
SUNY Brockport lands at #49 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $54,496 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,353 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
Fulton-Montgomery Community College lands at #50 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $39,535 a decade after enrolling, 41% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,696 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
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
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 →As we explore the best data science colleges in New York, it's clear that these institutions share a commitment to equipping students with the skills needed in a rapidly evolving field. With data science careers seeing a surge in demand, prospective students are weighing their options carefully. For instance, graduates from these programs can expect earnings averaging $66,190.
The schools on this list stand out based on several key outcomes: earnings potential, graduation rates, student debt, and overall program concentration. These metrics serve as important indicators of how well each institution prepares its students for the job market and their financial futures. Below, you'll find a ranking that highlights the schools leading the charge in data science education.
Take Cornell University and CUNY Queens College, for example. Cornell boasts impressive earnings of $104,043 and a graduation rate of 95%, while Queens College graduates earn significantly less at $62,763, with only 56% completing their degree. This contrast illustrates the potential tradeoffs students must consider when choosing a program that fits their needs.
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 44 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 3.8%. 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 Lehman College (10.2%) and CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (9.7%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 12.6% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. CUNY LaGuardia Community College enrolls the most, at 36.8%, 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 36.3% across the list, peaking at 64.6% at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Yeshiva 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
Looking at the data, one trend stands out: the relationship between graduation rates and earnings. For instance, Cornell University graduates achieve the highest earnings at $104,043, coupled with a 95% graduation rate, while CUNY Queens College, with a graduation rate of just 56%, sees significantly lower earnings at $62,763. This highlights how a strong support system and completion rate can lead to better financial outcomes.
For those navigating this list of 50 schools, consider what matters most for your own situation. Balance financial factors like net price and debt with your preferences for campus culture, location, and program specifics. Each school has its strengths and weaknesses, so weigh these factors against the hard data to find the right fit for you.
Ultimately, these numbers reflect a broader reality: the path from college to a stable career hinges on both the quality of education and the support systems in place. Families should be aware that choosing the right college can significantly impact a graduate's life trajectory. A thoughtful decision today can pave the way for a more secure 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 Data Science Colleges in New York: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in New York ranking? +
Cornell University in Ithaca, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in New York ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $104,043 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 95% 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? +
Cornell University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $104,043 ten years after enrollment, well above the $66,774 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? +
Columbia University in the City of New York has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 62% 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 $19,568 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 Data Science Colleges in New York 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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