30 Best Colleges for Data Science Degree 2024

Choosing the right college is crucial for a successful career in Data Science. Here are the 30 best colleges for Data Science degree in 2024. We’ll cover GPA, Median SAT, Median ACT, Acceptance Rate, Requirements, Professional Outcomes, and Academic Highlights.

What is the Data Science?

Data science is a diverse academic field that combines statistics, computing, and scientific methods to uncover insights from complex and often messy data. It uses algorithms and systems to analyze data from various sources, making sense of patterns and trends. Domain knowledge from fields like natural sciences and medicine is integrated into data science, adding context to the analysis.

In essence, data science is both a science and a profession, applying statistical methods and informatics to understand real-world phenomena through data. It draws from mathematics, statistics, computer science, and information science, yet differs from traditional computer and information sciences. Jim Gray, a pioneer in the field, envisioned data science as a new paradigm of empirical, theoretical, and computational sciences, driven by the explosion of information technology and data availability, reshaping how we understand and explore the world around us.

30 Best Colleges for Data Science Degree

Choosing the best college for a Data Science degree is essential for your future career. These colleges offer top-notch programs, expert faculty, and valuable resources to help you succeed. Consider your goals and interests to find the perfect fit for your data science journey.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

GPA: 4.17
Median SAT: 1530
Median ACT: 35
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters, personal essays.
Professional Outcomes: MIT graduates work at top tech companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook. They earn high starting salaries, often over $100,000.

Academic Highlights: MIT offers advanced courses in data science and machine learning. Students work on real-world projects and research. They have access to cutting-edge technology and resources.

2. Stanford University

GPA: 3.96
Median SAT: 1505
Median ACT: 34
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often join top tech firms and startups. Average starting salaries are around $110,000.

Academic Highlights: Stanford provides a robust data science program. Students learn from leading experts and researchers. They get hands-on experience through internships and projects.

3. University of California, Berkeley

GPA: 3.89
Median SAT: 1430
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Berkeley graduates work in tech, finance, and research. Starting salaries are typically around $90,000.

Academic Highlights: Berkeley offers comprehensive data science courses. Students engage in cutting-edge research and industry projects. They benefit from the university’s strong tech connections.

4. Harvard University

GPA: 4.18
Median SAT: 1520
Median ACT: 34
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters, personal essays.
Professional Outcomes: Harvard graduates are highly sought after. They work in various industries with starting salaries over $100,000.

Academic Highlights: Harvard offers a multidisciplinary data science program. Students collaborate with top researchers. They have access to extensive resources and technology.

5. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

GPA: 4.21
Median SAT: 1550
Median ACT: 35
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters, personal essays.
Professional Outcomes: Caltech graduates work in tech, research, and academia. They earn high starting salaries, often over $100,000.

Academic Highlights: Caltech offers rigorous data science courses. Students work on real-world problems and projects. They benefit from close mentorship by faculty.

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6. University of Washington

GPA: 3.82
Median SAT: 1340
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 52%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech and research, earning around $85,000.

Academic Highlights: UW offers a strong data science program. Students engage in hands-on projects and research. They benefit from the university’s connections to the tech industry.

7. University of Michigan

GPA: 3.88
Median SAT: 1435
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters, personal essays.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and healthcare, earning around $90,000.

Academic Highlights: Michigan offers comprehensive data science courses. Students work on industry projects and research. They have access to advanced technology and resources.

8. Carnegie Mellon University

GPA: 3.89
Median SAT: 1490
Median ACT: 34
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work at top tech companies, earning around $95,000.

Academic Highlights: Carnegie Mellon offers a top-tier data science program. Students learn from leading experts. They work on real-world projects and research.

9. University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

GPA: 3.82
Median SAT: 1370
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 31%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech and research, earning around $85,000.

Academic Highlights: UCSD offers a robust data science program. Students engage in hands-on projects and research. They benefit from the university’s tech connections.

10. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

GPA: 3.80
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 62%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and research, earning around $85,000.

Academic Highlights: Illinois offers comprehensive data science courses. Students work on industry projects and research. They benefit from advanced technology and resources.

11. University of Southern California (USC)

GPA: 3.83
Median SAT: 1440
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, media, and healthcare, earning around $90,000.

Academic Highlights: USC offers a strong data science program. Students engage in hands-on projects and research. They benefit from the university’s industry connections.

12. Columbia University

GPA: 4.13
Median SAT: 1500
Median ACT: 34
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters, personal essays.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates are highly sought after in various industries, earning over $100,000.

Academic Highlights: Columbia offers an interdisciplinary data science program. Students collaborate with top researchers. They have access to extensive resources and technology.

13. University of Texas at Austin

GPA: 3.84
Median SAT: 1360
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 32%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and research, earning around $88,000.

Academic Highlights: Texas offers comprehensive data science courses. Students work on industry projects and research. They benefit from advanced technology and resources.

14. Cornell University

GPA: 4.05
Median SAT: 1480
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates are highly sought after, earning around $95,000 in various industries.

Academic Highlights: Cornell offers a strong data science program. Students learn from leading experts. They work on real-world projects and research.

Best Colleges for Data Science Degree

15. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

GPA: 3.93
Median SAT: 1405
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and research, earning around $90,000.

Academic Highlights: UCLA offers robust data science courses. Students engage in hands-on projects and research. They benefit from the university’s tech connections.

16. University of Wisconsin-Madison

GPA: 3.85
Median SAT: 1380
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and healthcare, earning around $85,000.

Academic Highlights: Wisconsin offers comprehensive data science courses. Students work on industry projects and research. They benefit from advanced technology and resources.

17. Duke University

GPA: 4.08
Median SAT: 1500
Median ACT: 34
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates are highly sought after, earning over $100,000 in various industries.

Academic Highlights: Duke offers an interdisciplinary data science program. Students collaborate with top researchers. They have access to extensive resources and technology.

18. New York University (NYU)

GPA: 3.85
Median SAT: 1440
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 16%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and media, earning around $90,000.

Academic Highlights: NYU offers a strong data science program. Students learn from leading experts. They work on real-world projects and research.

19. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

GPA: 3.83
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and healthcare, earning around $85,000.

Academic Highlights: UNC offers comprehensive data science courses. Students work on industry projects and research. They benefit from advanced technology and resources.

20. Purdue University

GPA: 3.82
Median SAT: 1320
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and research, earning around $80,000.

Academic Highlights: Purdue offers a robust data science program. Students engage in hands-on projects and research. They benefit from the university’s tech connections.

21. University of Pennsylvania

GPA: 4.10
Median SAT: 1500
Median ACT: 34
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates are highly sought after, earning over $100,000 in various industries.

Academic Highlights: Penn offers an interdisciplinary data science program. Students collaborate with top researchers. They have access to extensive resources and technology.

22. University of Virginia

GPA: 3.87
Median SAT: 1410
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and research, earning around $90,000.

Academic Highlights: UVA offers comprehensive data science courses. Students work on industry projects and research. They benefit from advanced technology and resources.

23. University of Maryland, College Park

GPA: 3.80
Median SAT: 1370
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and healthcare, earning around $85,000.

Academic Highlights: Maryland offers a strong data science program. Students engage in hands-on projects and research. They benefit from the university’s tech connections.

24. Ohio State University

GPA: 3.78
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and research, earning around $80,000.

Academic Highlights: Ohio State offers comprehensive data science courses. Students work on industry projects and research. They benefit from advanced technology and resources.

25. University of Florida

GPA: 3.84
Median SAT: 1370
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and healthcare, earning around $85,000.

Academic Highlights: Florida offers a robust data science program. Students engage in hands-on projects and research. They benefit from the university’s tech connections.

26. University of Minnesota Twin Cities

GPA: 3.75
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and research, earning around $80,000.

Academic Highlights: Minnesota offers comprehensive data science courses. Students work on industry projects and research. They benefit from advanced technology and resources.

27. Pennsylvania State University

GPA: 3.76
Median SAT: 1290
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and research, earning around $80,000.

Academic Highlights: Penn State offers a strong data science program. Students engage in hands-on projects and research. They benefit from the university’s tech connections.

28. University of Colorado Boulder

GPA: 3.72
Median SAT: 1270
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and healthcare, earning around $80,000.

Academic Highlights: Colorado offers comprehensive data science courses. Students work on industry projects and research. They benefit from advanced technology and resources.

29. University of California, Irvine

GPA: 3.83
Median SAT: 1320
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 27%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal essays, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and research, earning around $85,000.

Academic Highlights: UC Irvine offers a robust data science program. Students engage in hands-on projects and research. They benefit from the university’s tech connections.

30. University of Rochester

GPA: 3.80
Median SAT: 1370
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, personal statement, recommendation letters.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tech, finance, and healthcare, earning around $85,000.

Academic Highlights: Rochester offers comprehensive data science courses. Students work on industry projects and research. They benefit from advanced technology and resources.

Best Colleges for Data Science – Conclusion

Data science represents a dynamic and essential field that harnesses the power of data to solve complex problems across various disciplines. It integrates statistical analysis, computing techniques, and domain-specific knowledge to extract valuable insights from diverse datasets, ranging from scientific research to business analytics. As technology advances and data continues to increase, the role of data scientists becomes increasingly critical in shaping our understanding of the world and driving innovation. Embracing data science as a profession means embracing continuous learning and adaptation to new methodologies and technologies, ensuring its ongoing impact on how we interpret and utilize information in the modern age.