Data Science Colleges Under $20,000

Florida Polytechnic University breaks the mold for affordable data science education with a net cost of just $9,899, making it the most accessible option among 14 programs under $20,000. This price advantage comes with trade-offs, as the school's 53% graduation rate trails behind leaders like Arizona State University Campus Immersion at 67.8%. The national data science job market continues expanding rapidly, with tech hubs from Austin to Seattle driving demand for graduates who can analyze complex datasets. These budget-friendly programs span from Louisiana's historically black institutions to Wisconsin's regional universities, proving that quality data science training doesn't require premium tuition.

Programs

$9,899 – $19,181

Net Price Range

52.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

14 Data Science Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Florida Polytechnic University Lakeland, Florida	$9,899	$4,940	53.0%	56.0%
2	Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$11,513	$9,254	32.5%	80.7%
3	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, Arizona	$13,670	$12,051	67.8%	89.8%
4	University of Houston-Downtown Houston, Texas	$14,623	$7,708	33.8%	88.4%
5	University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin	$14,714	$8,606	60.9%	84.5%
6	Winthrop University Rock Hill, South Carolina	$16,353	$15,956	61.2%	69.8%
7	Salisbury University Salisbury, Maryland	$16,456	$10,638	67.4%	91.1%
8	William Jewell College Liberty, Missouri	$16,602	$19,890	61.6%	41.0%
9	Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan	$17,084	$15,510	45.5%	83.2%
10	Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$18,285	$27,868	50.2%	95.2%
11	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
12	Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan	$18,701	$15,298	57.8%	84.6%
13	University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, Oklahoma	$18,990	$8,522	37.5%	69.9%
14	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Florida Polytechnic University's data science program so affordable?

The public university in Lakeland offers the lowest net cost at $9,899, with in-state students paying just $4,940. However, this comes with a 53% graduation rate and selective 56% acceptance rate.

How do private colleges compare to public options for affordable data science?

William Jewell College and Xavier University represent the private options at $16,602 and $18,285 respectively. Both charge significantly more than public alternatives like University of Houston-Downtown at $14,623.

Where can students find the best graduation rates under $20,000?

Arizona State University Campus Immersion leads with 67.8% graduation rate at $13,670 net cost. Salisbury University follows closely at 67.4% with a $16,456 price tag.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality in budget data science programs?

The most selective program, William Jewell College, accepts just 41% of applicants but costs $16,602. Meanwhile, Xavier University accepts 95% of students at $18,285, suggesting varied approaches to enrollment strategy.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.