Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia
- 29
- Schools
- $58,239
- Avg. Earnings
- 57%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,063
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,978
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 29 schools run from $37,996 to $94,810, a 2.5× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Germanna Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $39,644 in median earnings against $5,541 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Germanna Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $5,541 a year in net price.
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University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates 95% of its students, versus a 57% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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University of Virginia-Main Campus carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.20× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Northern Virginia Community College ($53,557 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Washington and Lee University ($94,810), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Germanna Community College costs $5,541 a year and University of Richmond costs $31,309. Yet their graduates earn $39,644 and $76,178, nowhere near the $25,768 price gap.
- On value, Germanna Community College beats Washington and Lee University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Germanna Community College and University of Virginia-Main Campus. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
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 $55K 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 Northern Virginia Community College #1 overall | $53,557 ▼ -8% vs avg | $9,919 | 35% | 80 |
| 2 George Mason University #2 overall | $76,343 ▲ +31% vs avg | $17,915 | 69% | 80 |
| 3 William & Mary #3 overall | $73,490 ▲ +26% vs avg | $19,096 | 90% | 80 |
| $94,810 ▲ +63% vs avg | $23,781 | 94% | 80 | |
| $81,698 ▲ +40% vs avg | $24,953 | 86% | 77 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia
This analysis ranks 29 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $58,239 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 57% and an average net price of $19,063.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Germanna Community College — Net Price: $5,541 | Graduation Rate: 42%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Virginia-Main Campus — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Washington and Lee University — Median alumni earnings: $94,810
CollegeRanker Primary Research
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?
$54,914
Median earnings (10yr)
56%
Median graduation rate
$19,923
Median net price
1.5%
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.
Across the 29 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $54,914 ten years after they first enrolled, about $6,914 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 56%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $19,923 a year, with about $21,855 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 31% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.5%.
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 $54,914 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Northern Virginia Community College lands at #1 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $53,557 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,919 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 #2
George Mason University lands at #2 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $76,343 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,915 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 #3
William & Mary lands at #3 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $73,490 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,096 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 #4
Washington and Lee University lands at #4 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $94,810 a decade after enrolling, 63% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,781 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
Blacksburg, VA · 55% accepted · $24,953 net
Why it ranks #5
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University lands at #5 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,698 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,953 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 #6
James Madison University lands at #6 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $69,954 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,322 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 #7
University of Mary Washington lands at #7 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $60,613 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,667 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
Virginia Military Institute lands at #8 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $77,369 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,113 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Old Dominion University lands at #9 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $54,914 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,638 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Charlottesville, VA · 17% accepted · $21,565 net
Why it ranks #10
University of Virginia-Main Campus lands at #10 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $86,863 a decade after enrolling, 49% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,565 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
University of Richmond lands at #11 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $76,178 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,309 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Christopher Newport University lands at #12 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $60,509 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,015 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
Virginia Commonwealth University lands at #13 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $58,128 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,433 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
Radford University lands at #14 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $53,739 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,578 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 #15
Germanna Community College lands at #15 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $39,644 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,541 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 #16
Marymount University lands at #16 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $67,516 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,137 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 #17
Piedmont Virginia Community College lands at #17 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $40,752 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,963 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
Bridgewater College lands at #18 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $53,453 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,800 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 #19
Virginia State University lands at #19 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $45,543 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,840 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 #20
Tidewater Community College lands at #20 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $38,349 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,762 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
Shenandoah University lands at #21 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $58,433 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,298 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 #22
Southern Virginia University lands at #22 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $50,002 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,213 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 #23
Norfolk State University lands at #23 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,666 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,282 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
Ferrum College lands at #24 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $44,296 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,082 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 #25
Virginia Peninsula Community College lands at #25 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $37,996 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,012 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Randolph-Macon College lands at #26 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $58,448 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,866 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 #27
Virginia Union University lands at #27 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,275 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,235 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
Regent University lands at #28 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $44,498 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,923 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 #29
Bluefield University lands at #29 with a 52/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $48,896 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,573 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 29 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 one of the most in-demand fields, and selecting the right college for this discipline is crucial. Many prospective students are weighing their options among Virginia’s top data science programs, looking for the best fit that also aligns with their career goals. With an average earning potential of $57,529 for graduates, it’s clear that the right choice can lead to significant financial rewards.
What sets the strongest programs apart in Virginia are metrics like graduation rates, earnings, and debt levels. Here, we’ve ranked 33 schools based on these outcomes, focusing on how well they prepare students for the workforce. A higher graduation rate indicates that students are not only enrolling but also completing their degrees, while earnings data reflects the financial return on investment students can expect.
Take the University of Virginia-Main Campus and William & Mary, for example. The University of Virginia boasts impressive earnings of $86,863 with a 95% graduation rate, while William & Mary has earnings of $73,490 with a 90% graduation rate. While both schools offer strong outcomes, the tradeoff comes in net price and debt levels, with William & Mary presenting a lower net price of $19,096 compared to $21,565 at UVA. This comparison highlights the importance of weighing financial factors alongside potential earnings.
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 23 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.5%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Norfolk State University leads the group at 3.4%, with Marymount University (3.4%) and George Mason University (3.1%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 7.9% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Virginia State University enrolls the most, at 32.8%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 28.2% across the list, peaking at 60.7% at University of Mary Washington.
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 1.60, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Washington and Lee University is highest at 1.82.
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 looking closer at the data, it’s evident that earnings and graduation rates play a significant role in determining a school’s overall effectiveness. For instance, the University of Virginia-Main Campus leads with an earning potential of $86,863 and a graduation rate of 95%. In contrast, George Mason University, while offering a lower net price of $17,915, falls short with a graduation rate of just 69% and earnings of $76,343. This discrepancy suggests that while affordability is important, it may not always align with the best outcomes after graduation.
As you sift through these rankings, think about what matters most for your unique situation. Consider your preferred location, the specific focus of the data science program, and the overall campus environment. If financial considerations are a priority, weigh the net prices against the potential earnings and graduation rates. Establish your own criteria for success, and use the data to guide your decision-making process.
Ultimately, choosing the right college is about more than just numbers; it’s about setting the groundwork for a stable future. The data underscores that a solid education in data science can lead to significant earnings, but it also highlights the importance of finding a school that aligns with your personal and financial goals. One decision can shape a family’s trajectory, so take the time to reflect on what this means for your future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia ranking? +
Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, VA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $53,557 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 35% 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? +
Washington and Lee University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $94,810 ten years after enrollment, well above the $58,239 average across the 29 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, Germanna Community College leads: graduates earn a median $39,644 against net price of about $5,541 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 Virginia-Main Campus has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 95%, compared with a 57% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $19,063 a year across the 29 ranked schools with cost data. Germanna Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,541. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia 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 29 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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