Top 3 Data Science Programs in Massachusetts 2025
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
World-class interdisciplinary data science program with cutting-edge research facilities and direct industry partnerships with Boston biotech and fintech companies
Harvard University
Elite data science concentration within Applied Mathematics with access to Harvard Medical School and Business School collaboration opportunities
Northeastern University
Industry-leading co-op program placing 95% of data science students in paid positions at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and local biotech firms
- 1.Massachusetts has 50+ accredited data science and analytics programs across public and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.MIT ranks #1 in Massachusetts with 96% graduation rate and world-renowned CSAIL artificial intelligence research lab
- 3.University of Massachusetts system offers quality data science education at $16,389 in-state tuition—1/3 the cost of private alternatives
- 4.Massachusetts data scientists earn median $128,460 annually—23% above the national median (BLS Massachusetts 2024)
- 5.Boston-Cambridge tech corridor provides 45,000+ data science and analytics jobs across biotech, fintech, and healthcare sectors
Data Science Education in Massachusetts
Massachusetts stands as a premier destination for data science education, home to world-renowned institutions like MIT and Harvard alongside innovative programs at Northeastern, Boston University, and the UMass system. The state's unique combination of academic excellence and industry proximity creates unparalleled opportunities for aspiring data scientists.
The Boston-Cambridge corridor hosts over 4,000 technology companies, including major employers like Amazon, Microsoft, Biogen, and countless biotech startups that actively recruit Massachusetts data science graduates. This concentration of industry leaders ensures strong job placement rates and competitive starting salaries for program graduates.
For comparison with programs nationwide, see our national data science bachelor's rankings. Students considering affordability should review our most affordable data science programs guide, while career-focused students can explore our data scientist salary guide for Massachusetts-specific compensation data.
Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Massachusetts May 2024
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 data
Class size and faculty accessibility metrics
Massachusetts-specific salary data from BLS OEWS
Undergraduate research participation and industry partnerships
Massachusetts Data Science Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MIT | Cambridge | Private | $59,750 | 96% | 3:1 | 98.5 |
| 2 | Harvard University | Cambridge | Private | $57,261 | 97% | 6:1 | 97.8 |
| 3 | Northeastern University | Boston | Private | $59,100 | 90% | 14:1 | 95.2 |
| 4 | Boston University | Boston | Private | $62,360 | 88% | 10:1 | 92.7 |
| 5 | Tufts University | Medford | Private | $63,804 | 93% | 9:1 | 91.3 |
| 6 | UMass Amherst | Amherst | Public | $16,389 | 82% | 17:1 | 89.8 |
| 7 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Worcester | Private | $58,998 | 88% | 13:1 | 88.5 |
| 8 | Brandeis University | Waltham | Private | $62,702 | 90% | 10:1 | 87.2 |
| 9 | Boston College | Chestnut Hill | Private | $64,176 | 94% | 11:1 | 86.9 |
| 10 | UMass Boston | Boston | Public | $14,542 | 68% | 16:1 | 84.6 |
| 11 | Suffolk University | Boston | Private | $45,400 | 72% | 13:1 | 82.3 |
| 12 | Bentley University | Waltham | Private | $56,500 | 86% | 12:1 | 81.8 |
| 13 | UMass Lowell | Lowell | Public | $15,742 | 72% | 18:1 | 79.4 |
| 14 | Simmons University | Boston | Private | $45,700 | 78% | 10:1 | 78.9 |
| 15 | Emerson College | Boston | Private | $52,208 | 82% | 13:1 | 77.5 |
| 16 | Babson College | Wellesley | Private | $56,464 | 93% | 14:1 | 76.2 |
| 17 | Wentworth Institute | Boston | Private | $38,150 | 65% | 13:1 | 74.8 |
| 18 | Lesley University | Cambridge | Private | $32,400 | 69% | 9:1 | 73.5 |
| 19 | Emmanuel College | Boston | Private | $44,880 | 74% | 14:1 | 72.1 |
| 20 | Salem State University | Salem | Public | $10,734 | 58% | 14:1 | 70.6 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • University
Program Highlights
- • Home to pioneering research in deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision
- • Students regularly publish in top-tier conferences like NeurIPS, ICML, and ICLR
- • Close proximity to Harvard Medical School enables groundbreaking healthcare analytics projects
Program Strengths
- Access to CSAIL research lab with 50+ faculty members working on AI and machine learning
- Industry partnerships with Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and local biotech companies
- Exceptional 96% graduation rate with average starting salaries exceeding $120,000
- Small 3:1 student-faculty ratio ensuring personalized attention and mentorship
- Strong placement in top tech companies and graduate programs at leading universities
Why Ranked #1
MIT leads Massachusetts data science education through its Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), the world's largest university-based AI research lab. The interdisciplinary program combines rigorous mathematical foundations with cutting-edge machine learning research and direct industry collaboration.
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • University
Program Highlights
- • Students work on real-world projects with Partners HealthCare and Massachusetts General Hospital
- • Strong alumni network includes data science leaders at McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and Google
- • Access to Harvard Business School case method and consulting methodology training
Program Strengths
- Interdisciplinary curriculum drawing from Harvard Medical School, Business School, and Kennedy School
- Access to world-class faculty including leaders in statistical learning and computational biology
- Exceptional 97% graduation rate with strong placement in top consulting and tech firms
- Small seminar-style classes with 6:1 student-faculty ratio
- Extensive research opportunities across Harvard's 12 graduate schools
Why Ranked #2
Harvard's data science program stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, combining applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science with domain expertise across business, medicine, and social sciences. The program benefits from Harvard's vast research resources and alumni network.
Northeastern University
Boston, MA • University
Program Highlights
- • Co-op students average 18 months of paid work experience before graduation
- • Strong partnerships with local biotech industry including Moderna and Vertex Pharmaceuticals
- • Alumni network includes data scientists at all major Boston tech companies
Program Strengths
- Industry-leading co-op program with partnerships at Amazon, Microsoft, Biogen, and Wayfair
- 95% job placement rate within six months of graduation with median starting salary $95,000
- Strong focus on practical skills including Python, R, SQL, and cloud computing platforms
- Faculty with extensive industry experience from Google, Netflix, and pharmaceutical companies
- Modern facilities including dedicated data science lab with high-performance computing resources
Why Ranked #3
Northeastern's data science program is renowned for its experiential learning model, with 95% of students completing multiple co-op experiences at leading companies. This hands-on approach produces graduates with exceptional practical skills and industry connections.
Massachusetts University Systems for Data Science
Massachusetts offers diverse pathways to data science education through its prestigious private institutions and affordable public university system.
Private Universities: MIT, Harvard, and Northeastern represent the pinnacle of data science education globally, offering unparalleled research opportunities and industry connections. Boston University, Tufts, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute provide excellent alternatives with strong regional recognition and more accessible admissions.
University of Massachusetts System: UMass Amherst leads the public options with a comprehensive data science program at $16,389 in-state tuition. UMass Boston offers urban advantages with proximity to financial services companies, while UMass Lowell provides a more affordable pathway with growing industry partnerships.
Specialized Institutions: Worcester Polytechnic Institute emphasizes project-based learning, while Bentley University focuses on business applications of data science. These specialized approaches can provide unique advantages for students with clear career goals.
Career Paths
Analyze complex datasets to drive business decisions and product development at Boston's tech companies and biotech firms
Design and implement ML systems for companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and local AI startups in the Boston ecosystem
Data Analytics Manager
Lead analytics teams at healthcare organizations like Partners HealthCare and pharmaceutical companies
Business Intelligence Analyst
Transform data into actionable insights for financial services firms and consulting companies throughout Massachusetts
Research Scientist
Conduct advanced analytics research at academic institutions, hospitals, and biotechnology companies
Data Science Programs in Other States
California
New York
Texas
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Georgia
| Factor | Public Universities | Private Universities | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average In-State Tuition | $15,458 | $52,847 | - |
| Average Class Size | 25-35 students | 15-20 students | - |
| Research Opportunities | Good | Excellent | - |
| Industry Connections | Moderate | Extensive | - |
| Financial Aid | Limited | Generous | - |
| Job Placement Rate | 78% | 92% | - |
| Alumni Network | Regional | National/Global | - |
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to world-class institutions like MIT and Harvard with global recognition
- Proximity to leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies for internships and jobs
- Strong job market with 45,000+ data science positions in the Boston metro area
- Networking opportunities in one of America's most educated metropolitan areas
- Research opportunities at top-tier academic medical centers and tech companies
- Lower cost of living and more affordable tuition options
- Warmer climate and different lifestyle preferences
- Different industry focuses like entertainment (California) or energy (Texas)
- Less competitive academic and job market environments
- Larger state university systems with more program variety
Source: BLS Massachusetts 2024
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts Data Science Programs
Related Data Science Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
2023 graduation rates, enrollment, and institutional characteristics
May 2024 Massachusetts salary data for data science occupations
Accreditation status and program listings
State university system information and transfer policies
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.