Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina
- 48
- Schools
- $44,339
- Avg. Earnings
- 48%
- Avg. Graduation
- $12,521
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,713
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 48 schools run from $29,036 to $97,800, a 3.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Durham Technical Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $36,142 in median earnings against $1,664 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Durham Technical Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $1,664 a year in net price.
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Duke University graduates 96% of its students, versus a 48% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Duke University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.13× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Durham Technical Community College costs $1,664 a year and Duke University costs $29,612. Yet their graduates earn $36,142 and $97,800, nowhere near the $27,948 price gap.
- On value, Durham Technical Community College beats Duke University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Duke University finishes 96% of students while Shaw University 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 Durham Technical Community College and Duke 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 $40K 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 Duke University #1 overall | $97,800 ▲ +121% vs avg | $29,612 | 96% | 86 |
| 2 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill #2 overall | $72,200 ▲ +63% vs avg | $11,655 | 92% | 85 |
| 3 Davidson College #3 overall | $81,400 ▲ +84% vs avg | $17,379 | 91% | 81 |
| $57,289 ▲ +29% vs avg | $15,435 | 68% | 79 | |
| $78,158 ▲ +76% vs avg | $28,719 | 90% | 75 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina
This analysis ranks 48 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $44,339 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 48% and an average net price of $12,521.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Durham Technical Community College — Net Price: $1,664 | Graduation Rate: 40%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Duke University — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Duke University — Median alumni earnings: $97,800
Research Note
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?
$39,005
Median earnings (10yr)
44%
Median graduation rate
$10,906
Median net price
1.4%
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 48 schools is 44%. Median graduate earnings reach $39,005 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $10,906 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $22,625. Some 37% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.4%.
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 $39,005 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
Duke University lands at #1 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $97,800 a decade after enrolling, 121% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,612 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Chapel Hill, NC · 15% accepted · $11,655 net
Why it ranks #2
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands at #2 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (77/100). Graduates earn a median $72,200 a decade after enrolling, 63% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,655 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 #3
Davidson College lands at #3 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $81,400 a decade after enrolling, 84% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,379 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
Charlotte, NC · 80% accepted · $15,435 net
Why it ranks #4
University of North Carolina at Charlotte lands at #4 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,289 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,435 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 #5
Wake Forest University lands at #5 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $78,158 a decade after enrolling, 76% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,719 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
Wilmington, NC · 64% accepted · $20,109 net
Why it ranks #6
University of North Carolina Wilmington lands at #6 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $54,967 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,109 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
Greensboro, NC · 89% accepted · $10,965 net
Why it ranks #7
University of North Carolina at Greensboro lands at #7 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $48,160 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,965 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
East Carolina University lands at #8 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $55,146 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,739 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
Forsyth Technical Community College lands at #9 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $34,139 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,200 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
Asheville, NC · 92% accepted · $12,250 net
Why it ranks #10
University of North Carolina Asheville lands at #10 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,030 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,250 a year. 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
Greensboro, NC · 50% accepted · $10,846 net
Why it ranks #11
North Carolina A & T State University lands at #11 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $44,440 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,846 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
University of Mount Olive lands at #12 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $47,139 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,853 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 #13
Meredith College lands at #13 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $51,539 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,488 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 #14
Campbell University lands at #14 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,886 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,516 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
Pembroke, NC · 93% accepted · $10,260 net
Why it ranks #15
University of North Carolina at Pembroke lands at #15 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $43,407 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,260 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 #16
Wilson Community College lands at #16 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $32,973 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,064 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
Central Piedmont Community College lands at #17 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $37,865 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,345 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 #18
Fayetteville State University lands at #18 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,144 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,892 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
Guilford College lands at #19 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $47,590 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,270 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 #20
North Carolina Wesleyan University lands at #20 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $45,873 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,432 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
Raleigh, NC · 42% accepted · $17,303 net
Why it ranks #21
North Carolina State University at Raleigh lands at #21 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $68,758 a decade after enrolling, 55% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,303 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 #22
Durham Technical Community College lands at #22 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,142 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,664 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 #23
Pfeiffer University lands at #23 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $51,562 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,076 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 #24
Catawba Valley Community College lands at #24 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $36,977 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,528 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 #25
Lenoir-Rhyne University lands at #25 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $45,543 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,689 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 #26
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute lands at #26 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $34,515 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,810 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
North Carolina Central University lands at #27 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,968 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,359 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 #28
Johnston Community College lands at #28 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (97/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $37,310 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,776 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 #29
Methodist University lands at #29 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $48,050 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,704 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 #30
Craven Community College lands at #30 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (48/100). Graduates earn a median $34,231 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,289 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 #31
Guilford Technical Community College lands at #31 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $33,934 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,002 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 #32
Sandhills Community College lands at #32 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (47/100). Graduates earn a median $31,656 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,157 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 #33
Shaw University lands at #33 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $34,409 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,512 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 #34
Coastal Carolina Community College lands at #34 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (50/100). Graduates earn a median $36,444 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,461 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
College of the Albemarle lands at #35 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (98/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $33,234 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,253 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
Montreat College lands at #36 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $45,151 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,061 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 #37
Haywood Community College lands at #37 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $34,770 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,723 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
Robeson Community College lands at #38 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (44/100). Graduates earn a median $29,036 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,892 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
Johnson C Smith University lands at #39 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $42,680 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,894 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 #40
Southwestern Community College lands at #40 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $34,145 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,207 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Halifax Community College lands at #41 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $31,644 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,040 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
Rockingham Community College lands at #42 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (97/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (25/100). Graduates earn a median $32,480 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,060 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 #43
Livingstone College lands at #43 with a 52/100 composite, led by social mobility (64/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (45/100). Graduates earn a median $32,600 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,479 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 #44
Brunswick Community College lands at #44 with a 50/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $36,668 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,009 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
Mitchell Community College lands at #45 with a 50/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (24/100). Graduates earn a median $33,298 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,481 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
Vance-Granville Community College lands at #46 with a 48/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (35/100). Graduates earn a median $34,304 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,286 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Roanoke-Chowan Community College lands at #47 with a 46/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (36/100). Graduates earn a median $29,324 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,570 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
South Piedmont Community College lands at #48 with a 40/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $37,308 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,675 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 48 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 a rapidly growing field, and North Carolina is home to several institutions offering strong programs in this area. As students and families evaluate their options, understanding how these schools perform in terms of outcomes can make a significant difference in their decision-making process. For context, graduates from data science programs in North Carolina earn an average of $43,595, but individual outcomes can vary widely.
What sets the top schools apart are their graduation rates, earnings potential, and student debt levels. Schools like Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill not only have impressive earning figures but also high graduation rates. This list below highlights schools with a focus on data science, ranked by their outcomes and program concentration.
For example, Duke University stands out with an impressive $97,800 in average earnings and a remarkable 96% graduation rate. In contrast, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, while still a viable option, has lower average earnings of $57,289 and only a 68% graduation rate. This highlights the trade-offs families must consider when evaluating these programs.
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 40 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Methodist University leads the group at 3.2%, with Campbell University (3.1%) and Shaw University (2.9%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 14.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Halifax Community College enrolls the most, at 38.9%, 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 14.7% across the list, peaking at 50.4% at Duke University.
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 1.01, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Davidson College is highest at 1.76.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina ranking? +
Duke University in Durham, NC ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $97,800 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? +
Duke University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $97,800 ten years after enrollment, well above the $44,339 average across the 48 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, Durham Technical Community College leads: graduates earn a median $36,142 against net price of about $1,664 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? +
Duke University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 48% 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 $12,521 a year across the 48 ranked schools with cost data. Durham Technical Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $1,664. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina 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 48 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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