Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
- 50
- Schools
- $64,283
- Avg. Earnings
- 59%
- Avg. Graduation
- $22,578
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,782
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $37,439 at the low end to $114,862 at the top. That 3.1× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Bucks County Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $47,324 against $6,389 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 Westmoreland County Community College, at $5,167 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students, well above the 59% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor University of Pennsylvania: graduates owe only 0.14× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Westmoreland County Community College ($5,167/yr) and Villanova University ($43,756/yr) produce graduates earning $37,439 and $100,423 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $38,589 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Bucks County Community College outperforms Carnegie Mellon University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students versus 17% at Community College of Beaver County. 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 Bucks County Community College and University of Pennsylvania. 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 $62K 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 Carnegie Mellon University #1 overall | $114,862 ▲ +79% vs avg | $31,944 | 93% | 87 |
| 2 University of Pennsylvania #2 overall | $111,371 ▲ +73% vs avg | $28,699 | 97% | 85 |
| 3 Swarthmore College #3 overall | $80,257 ▲ +25% vs avg | $23,149 | 93% | 83 |
| $79,966 ▲ +24% vs avg | $25,314 | 90% | 82 | |
| $105,584 ▲ +64% vs avg | $36,931 | 89% | 79 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $64,283 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 59% and an average net price of $22,578.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Bucks County Community College — Net Price: $6,389 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Pennsylvania — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Carnegie Mellon University — Median alumni earnings: $114,862
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?
$62,152
Median earnings (10yr)
67%
Median graduation rate
$23,045
Median net price
1.5%
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 67%. Median graduate earnings reach $62,152 ten years after enrollment, roughly $14,152 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $23,045 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $25,000. Some 29% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.5%.
In tech, what you can do matters more than where you studied. Graduates on this list earn a median of $62,152 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
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #1 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $114,862 a decade after enrolling, 79% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,944 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
University of Pennsylvania lands at #2 with a 85/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 73% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Swarthmore College lands at #3 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (94/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,257 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,149 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
Haverford College lands at #4 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $79,966 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,314 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Lehigh University lands at #5 with a 79/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $105,584 a decade after enrolling, 64% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,931 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 #6
Lafayette College lands at #6 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $91,410 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,433 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Bryn Mawr College lands at #7 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $75,217 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,759 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
Franklin and Marshall College lands at #8 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $76,124 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,425 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Villanova University lands at #9 with a 73/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $100,423 a decade after enrolling, 56% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,756 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 #10
Bucknell University lands at #10 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $93,807 a decade after enrolling, 46% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,766 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 #11
Muhlenberg College lands at #11 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $69,107 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,905 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 #12
Gettysburg College lands at #12 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $71,517 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,490 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
Dickinson College lands at #13 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $70,204 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,607 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
Immaculata University lands at #14 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $75,701 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,258 a year. 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 #15
Washington & Jefferson College lands at #15 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $67,918 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,002 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Holy Family University lands at #16 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $62,235 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,143 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 #17
Reading Area Community College lands at #17 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $39,082 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,228 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
Bucks County Community College lands at #18 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $47,324 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,389 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
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania lands at #19 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $53,775 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,331 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 #20
Allegheny College lands at #20 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $62,069 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,940 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 #21
Johnson College lands at #21 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,194 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,954 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
La Roche University lands at #22 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,341 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,794 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 #23
Ursinus College lands at #23 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $73,721 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,536 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
East Stroudsburg, PA · 92% accepted · $18,134 net
Why it ranks #24
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania lands at #24 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $56,148 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,134 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
Community College of Philadelphia lands at #25 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $40,852 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,911 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
Juniata College lands at #26 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $56,918 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,988 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 #27
Temple University lands at #27 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $63,727 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,198 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
Moravian University lands at #28 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $61,860 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,670 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 #29
La Salle University lands at #29 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $67,416 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,409 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 #30
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College lands at #30 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $38,752 a decade after enrolling, 40% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,200 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
Seton Hill University lands at #31 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $51,748 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,204 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 #32
Susquehanna University lands at #32 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $61,723 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,819 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
Center Valley, PA · 97% accepted · $18,220 net
Why it ranks #33
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley lands at #33 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,220 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 #34
Manor College lands at #34 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $46,825 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,078 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
Dallas, PA · 97% accepted · $16,448 net
Why it ranks #35
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre lands at #35 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,448 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 #36
Westmoreland County Community College lands at #36 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $37,439 a decade after enrolling, 42% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,167 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
Widener University lands at #37 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $70,920 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,759 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 #38
Montgomery County Community College lands at #38 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $46,108 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,124 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 #39
Lehigh Carbon Community College lands at #39 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,436 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,203 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 #40
Delaware County Community College lands at #40 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $45,391 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,576 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 #41
Gannon University lands at #41 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $58,845 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,553 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
Abington, PA · 97% accepted · $18,071 net
Why it ranks #42
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington lands at #42 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,071 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 #43
Messiah University lands at #43 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $54,064 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,502 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
McKeesport, PA · 96% accepted · $15,521 net
Why it ranks #44
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny lands at #44 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,521 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 #45
DeSales University lands at #45 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $61,295 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,643 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 #46
Arcadia University lands at #46 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $58,336 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,466 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 #47
Lincoln University lands at #47 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,167 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,977 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 #48
Albright College lands at #48 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,700 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,024 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
Middletown, PA · 98% accepted · $23,330 net
Why it ranks #49
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg lands at #49 with a 66/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,330 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 #50
Community College of Beaver County lands at #50 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (34/100). Graduates earn a median $45,090 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,937 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 data science continues to be a rapidly growing field, students in Pennsylvania are exploring programs that can set them up for success. These colleges are distinguished by their strong outcomes, such as high graduation rates and competitive earnings. With 50 institutions offering data science degrees in the state, it’s crucial to understand which ones provide the best pathways for students.
The strongest programs in this list are defined by key metrics: earnings after graduation, graduation rates, student debt, and overall program concentration. The numbers speak volumes. Graduates from the University of Pennsylvania, for instance, earn an impressive $111,371, while Carnegie Mellon University graduates follow closely behind at $114,862. These figures reflect not just the quality of education but also the return on investment for students.
Take the University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College, for example. While both have strong graduation rates at 97% and 93%, respectively, their earnings differ significantly. The University of Pennsylvania’s graduates earn $111,371, compared to Swarthmore’s $80,257. This contrast highlights the trade-off between school choice and potential financial outcomes, setting the stage for deeper exploration of each program's offerings.
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 45 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.5%. Temple University leads the group at 3.3%, with Community College of Philadelphia (2.8%) and La Roche University (2.3%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Community College of Philadelphia leads at 24.1%, 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 30.4% across this list. Lafayette College posts the highest success rate at 58.5%. 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 1.62 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of Pennsylvania reaches 1.88, 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
When comparing the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University, one key difference emerges: earnings potential. UPenn graduates earn $111,371, while those from Carnegie Mellon earn $114,862. However, the trade-off is reflected in net price and debt, with UPenn's lower net price of $28,699 compared to Carnegie Mellon's $31,944. This pattern illustrates how a higher earning potential can come with higher costs.
After reviewing these data points, it's essential to weigh them against personal priorities. Consider factors such as location, campus culture, and financial situation. If maximizing earnings is crucial, schools like UPenn and Carnegie Mellon stand out. But if minimizing debt is a priority, Haverford College, with a net price of $25,314 and lower debt, might be a better fit. Identify what matters most to you and compare these institutions accordingly.
Ultimately, this data tells a story about the journey from college to career. A family choosing between these schools is making a decision that could shape not just their child's education but their financial future. With careful consideration of these outcomes, we can make informed choices that lead to stable careers and lives.
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 Pennsylvania: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking? +
Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $114,862 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 93% 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? +
Carnegie Mellon University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $114,862 ten years after enrollment, well above the $64,283 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, Bucks County Community College leads: graduates earn a median $47,324 against net price of about $6,389 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? +
University of Pennsylvania has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 59% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $22,578 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Westmoreland County Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,167. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Data Science Colleges in Pennsylvania 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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