Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in Texas
- 50
- Schools
- $53,723
- Avg. Earnings
- 49%
- Avg. Graduation
- $14,557
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,873
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $35,212 to $89,718, a 2.5× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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College of the Mainland delivers the most for the money: roughly $39,639 in median earnings against $1,342 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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College of the Mainland is the lowest-cost school here at $1,342 a year in net price.
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Rice University graduates 95% of its students, versus a 49% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Alvin Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.10× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- College of the Mainland costs $1,342 a year and Southern Methodist University costs $40,892. Yet their graduates earn $39,639 and $78,354, nowhere near the $39,550 price gap.
- On value, College of the Mainland beats Rice University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Rice University finishes 95% of students while Austin Community College District finishes 19%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with College of the Mainland and Rice University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
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 $54K 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 Rice University #1 overall | $89,718 ▲ +67% vs avg | $13,370 | 95% | 89 |
| 2 The University of Texas at Dallas #2 overall | $68,227 ▲ +27% vs avg | $18,267 | 75% | 86 |
| 3 The University of Texas at Austin #3 overall | $75,121 ▲ +40% vs avg | $19,857 | 88% | 80 |
| $71,668 ▲ +33% vs avg | $23,464 | 83% | 76 | |
| $57,131 ▲ +6% vs avg | $10,836 | 52% | 76 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in Texas
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $53,723 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 49% and an average net price of $14,557.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: College of the Mainland — Net Price: $1,342 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Rice University — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Rice University — Median alumni earnings: $89,718
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?
$53,547
Median earnings (10yr)
46%
Median graduation rate
$13,347
Median net price
2.1%
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.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $53,547 ten years after enrollment, or about $5,547 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 46%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $13,347 a year with about $18,097 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 33% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.1%.
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 $53,547 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
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Rice University lands at #1 with a 89/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $89,718 a decade after enrolling, 67% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,370 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
The University of Texas at Dallas lands at #2 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $68,227 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,267 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 #3
The University of Texas at Austin lands at #3 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $75,121 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,857 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 #4
Trinity University lands at #4 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $71,668 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,464 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
San Antonio, TX · 87% accepted · $10,836 net
Why it ranks #5
The University of Texas at San Antonio lands at #5 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $57,131 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,836 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 #6
University of North Texas lands at #6 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,010 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,649 a year. 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 #7
The University of Texas at Tyler lands at #7 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (69/100). Graduates earn a median $57,053 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,323 a year. 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
Western Texas College lands at #8 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $42,508 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,562 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
The University of Texas at Arlington lands at #9 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,199 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,951 a year. 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
Austin College lands at #10 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $61,296 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,107 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Texas State University lands at #11 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,906 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,805 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
The University of Texas Permian Basin lands at #12 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $56,073 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,723 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 #13
East Texas A&M University lands at #13 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,296 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,841 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 #14
Texas Christian University lands at #14 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $68,424 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,660 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
Angelo State University lands at #15 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,116 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,091 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 #16
Collin County Community College District lands at #16 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $48,701 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,969 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
College Station, TX · 57% accepted · $21,315 net
Why it ranks #17
Texas A&M University-College Station lands at #17 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $72,097 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,315 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 #18
Lamar University lands at #18 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $49,652 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,366 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
Texas Tech University lands at #19 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $62,454 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,070 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
Amarillo College lands at #20 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $41,302 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,600 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 #21
Tarrant County College District lands at #21 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,727 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,337 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 #22
Concordia University Texas lands at #22 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $60,883 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,131 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 #23
The University of Texas at El Paso lands at #23 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,923 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,403 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Southern Methodist University lands at #24 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $78,354 a decade after enrolling, 46% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,892 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 #25
University of Dallas lands at #25 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $58,285 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,610 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
North Central Texas College lands at #26 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $45,809 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,587 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
Temple College lands at #27 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,678 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,682 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 #28
Midwestern State University lands at #28 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $55,747 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,656 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 #29
College of the Mainland lands at #29 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $39,639 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,342 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 #30
Tarleton State University lands at #30 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $53,040 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,783 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Victoria College lands at #31 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $42,382 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,043 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
Southwestern Adventist University lands at #32 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $52,946 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,778 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Austin Community College District lands at #33 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $43,177 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,390 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 #34
Dallas Baptist University lands at #34 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $56,807 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,516 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
Why it ranks #35
University of Houston lands at #35 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $62,377 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,276 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 #36
Abilene Christian University lands at #36 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $55,736 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,182 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
Paris Junior College lands at #37 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $36,515 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,690 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
Hardin-Simmons University lands at #38 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,771 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,555 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 #39
Hill College lands at #39 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $39,572 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,577 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
McMurry University lands at #40 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $48,779 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,581 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 #41
University of Houston-Clear Lake lands at #41 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $59,004 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,563 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 #42
McLennan Community College lands at #42 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $39,163 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,051 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
Weatherford College lands at #43 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $42,397 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,967 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
Texas A&M University-Victoria lands at #44 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $54,467 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,109 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 #45
Texas Wesleyan University lands at #45 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,053 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,066 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 #46
El Paso Community College lands at #46 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,212 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,206 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
Schreiner University lands at #47 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $52,228 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,507 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 #48
Tyler Junior College lands at #48 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $38,140 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,206 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
Alvin Community College lands at #49 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $45,762 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,525 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
Edinburg, TX · 94% accepted · $4,831 net
Why it ranks #50
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley lands at #50 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $49,620 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,831 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 →Data science is rapidly becoming a critical field in today's job market, with many universities in Texas stepping up to meet the demand for skilled professionals. As we explore the best data science colleges in Texas, it's worth noting that the average earnings for graduates from these programs can reach up to $89,718, highlighting the potential return on investment for students.
What sets these top schools apart from others is not just their focus on data science but their proven outcomes in key areas like graduation rates, post-graduate earnings, and the manageable level of student debt. The schools on this list have been ranked based on these important metrics, giving prospective students a clearer picture of what to expect after graduation. For instance, you'll see that while some schools boast high earnings, others may have lower graduation rates, which could influence your decision.
Take Rice University and the University of Houston as examples. Rice has an impressive graduation rate of 95% and an average post-graduation earning of $89,718, while University of Houston’s graduation rate is 65% and average earnings are $62,377. This stark contrast illustrates how critical it is to weigh both outcomes and completion when considering your options.
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 45 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.1%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. The University of Texas at El Paso leads the group at 6.8%, with El Paso Community College (4.8%) and Victoria College (3.1%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 11% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. El Paso Community College enrolls the most, at 40.9%, 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 23% across the list, peaking at 48.7% at Rice 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 1.48, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Rice University is highest at 1.86.
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 Texas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in Texas ranking? +
Rice University in Houston, TX ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in Texas ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $89,718 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? +
Rice University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $89,718 ten years after enrollment, well above the $53,723 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, College of the Mainland leads: graduates earn a median $39,639 against net price of about $1,342 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? +
Rice University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 95%, compared with a 49% 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 $14,557 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. College of the Mainland is among the most affordable at roughly $1,342. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Data Science Colleges in Texas 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
Related Rankings
