Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in Washington
- 31
- Schools
- $57,726
- Avg. Earnings
- 51%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,771
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,302
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $38,955 at the low end to $78,892 at the top. That 2.0× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of Washington-Tacoma Campus offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $78,466 against $10,163 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 Spokane Community College, at $5,473 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Gonzaga University graduates 87% of its students, well above the 51% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Cascadia College: graduates owe only 0.12× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Saint Martin's University ($62,092 earnings), not the highest earner, Gonzaga University ($78,892). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Spokane Community College ($5,473/yr) and University of Puget Sound ($38,394/yr) produce graduates earning $41,984 and $69,594 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $32,921 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus outperforms Gonzaga University: similar career earnings at a much lower 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 University of Washington-Tacoma Campus and Gonzaga University. 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 $58K 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 Saint Martin's University #1 overall | $62,092 ▲ +8% vs avg | $28,119 | 55% | 80 |
| 2 Washington State University #2 overall | $68,905 ▲ +19% vs avg | $14,971 | 61% | 74 |
| 3 Seattle University #3 overall | $75,272 ▲ +30% vs avg | $34,662 | 74% | 74 |
| $78,466 ▲ +36% vs avg | $14,091 | 84% | 73 | |
| $67,589 ▲ +17% vs avg | $33,313 | 81% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in Washington
This analysis ranks 31 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $57,726 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 51% and an average net price of $16,771.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Washington-Tacoma Campus — Net Price: $10,163 | Graduation Rate: 63%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Gonzaga University — 87% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Gonzaga University — Median alumni earnings: $78,892
Data Insight
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?
$57,897
Median earnings (10yr)
45%
Median graduation rate
$12,319
Median net price
1.4%
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.
Across the 31 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $57,897 ten years after they first enrolled, about $9,897 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 45%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $12,319 a year, with about $14,615 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 25% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.4%.
In tech, what you can do matters more than where you studied. Graduates on this list earn a median of $57,897 ten years after enrollment. Programs with industry partnerships, co-op placements, and current curricula keep delivering through a cyclical hiring market.
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
Saint Martin's University lands at #1 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $62,092 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,119 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 #2
Washington State University lands at #2 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $68,905 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,971 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 #3
Seattle University lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $75,272 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,662 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 #4
University of Washington-Seattle Campus lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (88/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $78,466 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,091 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 #5
Whitman College lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $67,589 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,313 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 #6
Western Washington University lands at #6 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $62,569 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,193 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
Pacific Lutheran University lands at #7 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $66,990 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,589 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 #8
Central Washington University lands at #8 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $61,580 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,476 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Gonzaga University lands at #9 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $78,892 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,119 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Seattle Pacific University lands at #10 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $64,506 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,488 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
Bellevue College lands at #11 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $56,310 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,430 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 #12
Eastern Washington University lands at #12 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $57,897 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,886 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
Whitworth University lands at #13 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,561 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,534 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
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus lands at #14 with a 69/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Graduates earn a median $78,466 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,163 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 #15
University of Puget Sound lands at #15 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $69,594 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,394 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
Tacoma Community College lands at #16 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $47,168 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,376 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Whatcom Community College lands at #17 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $44,092 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,795 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
South Puget Sound Community College lands at #18 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $45,039 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,132 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
Walla Walla University lands at #19 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $61,885 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,329 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
Clark College lands at #20 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $42,356 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,465 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 #21
Columbia Basin College lands at #21 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $46,680 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,317 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
Bothell, WA · 91% accepted · $12,319 net
Why it ranks #22
University of Washington-Bothell Campus lands at #22 with a 65/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (32/100). Graduates earn a median $78,466 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,319 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 #23
Cascadia College lands at #23 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $54,133 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,281 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 #24
Green River College lands at #24 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $50,712 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,803 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Seattle Central College lands at #25 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $43,307 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,819 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
Edmonds College lands at #26 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $48,144 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,010 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
Highline College lands at #27 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,869 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,879 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 #28
Pierce College District lands at #28 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,532 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,222 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Spokane Falls Community College lands at #29 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $38,955 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,409 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
Spokane Community College lands at #30 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (39/100). Graduates earn a median $41,984 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,473 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
Yakima Valley College lands at #31 with a 52/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (44/100). Graduates earn a median $43,499 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,843 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 31 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 sought-after fields in today's job market. With increasing reliance on data-driven decision-making, students are evaluating their options for education in this domain, particularly in Washington State, which is home to several strong programs. The right choice can lead to substantial earnings and job security after graduation, making this a critical moment for prospective students.
What sets the top data science colleges apart are the outcomes that matter most: earnings potential, graduation rates, debt levels, and opportunities for upward mobility. The schools listed below have demonstrated strong performance across these metrics, giving students a clearer picture of what they can expect after graduation. It's essential to consider not just the prestige of a program, but also its real-world effectiveness in preparing students for successful careers.
Take, for instance, the University of Washington-Seattle Campus, which boasts an impressive 84% graduation rate and average earnings of $78,466. In contrast, Saint Martin's University, while still offering a solid education, has a lower graduation rate of 55% and average earnings of $62,092. This contrast highlights the importance of graduation rates and post-college outcomes when weighing 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
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 19 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.4%. Saint Martin's University leads the group at 3%, with Eastern Washington University (1.9%) and Seattle University (1.9%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.1% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Tacoma Community College leads at 12.2%, 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 25.2% across this list. Seattle University posts the highest success rate at 40.3%. 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 1.59 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Seattle University reaches 1.85, 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
Despite their similarities, not all data science programs in Washington yield the same results. The University of Washington-Seattle Campus stands out with an 84% graduation rate and average earnings of $78,466. In contrast, Saint Martin's University has a graduation rate of just 55% and average earnings of $62,092, showing that graduation outcomes can significantly impact future earning potential.
After reviewing the rankings, think about what aspects matter most to you. Consider factors like location, campus culture, program specialization, and financial implications. A school with a slightly higher net price may offer better programs or location advantages, which can be worth the investment. Conversely, a lower-cost option might fit your budget better but could have trade-offs in terms of outcomes.
Ultimately, the choice of college can shape not just a student's academic experience but their entire future. With average earnings for graduates in this field reaching $57,342, the right data science program can pave the way for financial stability. One family’s decision today can set the course for a lifetime of opportunities.
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 Washington: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in Washington ranking? +
Saint Martin's University in Lacey, WA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science Colleges in Washington ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $62,092 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 55% 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? +
Gonzaga University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $78,892 ten years after enrollment, well above the $57,726 average across the 31 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, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus leads: graduates earn a median $78,466 against net price of about $10,163 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? +
Gonzaga University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 87%, compared with a 51% 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 $16,771 a year across the 31 ranked schools with cost data. Spokane Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,473. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Data Science Colleges in Washington 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 31 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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