Find the Most Affordable Data Science PhD Programs

A PhD in data science opens up doors in both research-related fields as well as commercial or industry leadership positions in the private sector.

These days, data science-specific PhD programs are becoming more and more specialized and tailored to different outcomes.

More options make decision-making more difficult. To help, the TechGuide research team compiled this new list of rankings for the most affordable data science PhD programs. 

Affordable DSCA-Certified Programs

This year’s affordability rankings take into account overall tuition cost and quality of education. In order to be included in the rankings, each data science PhD program had to also hold a certification from the Data Science Council of America (DSCA).

To earn certification from DSCA, programs have to meet rigorous standards in data science and analytics education, including student learning outcomes and post-education employability. 

We are excited to present this year’s most affordable PhD in data science programs.

Check out the full list below.

Most Affordable Data Science PhD degrees for 2024

1. University of Wisconsin-Madison

   Madison, Wisconsin

   
   Program: PhD in Biomedical Data Science
   Tuition: $24,072
   Cost per credit: $210 in state | $472 out of state
   Credits: 51
   Delivery Method: Campus
   GRE Required: Required
   DASCA Designation: Yes
   Learn more: Program details

2. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

   Knoxville, Tennessee

   
   Program: Data Science and Engineering Major, PhD
   Tuition: $29,664
   Cost per credit: $159 in state | $412 out of state
   Credits: 72
   Delivery Method: Campus
   GRE Required: Required
   DASCA Designation: No
   Learn more: Program details

3. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

   Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

   
   Program: Data Sciences Ph.D.
   Tuition: $29,880
   Cost per credit: $830
   Credits: 36
   Delivery Method: Campus
   GRE Required: Required
   DASCA Designation: No
   Learn more: Program details

4. The University of Vermont

   Burlington, Vermont

   
   Program: Complex Systems and Data Science (CSDS), PhD
   Tuition: $30,975
   Cost per credit: $163 in state | $413 out of state
   Credits: 75
   Delivery Method: Campus
   GRE Required : Not required
   DASCA Designation: No
   Learn more: Program details

5. National University

   San Diego, California

   
   Program: PhD-TM in Data Science
   Tuition: $32,820
   Cost per credit: $547
   Credits: 60
   Delivery Method: Online
   GRE Required: Required
   DASCA Designation: No
   Learn more: Program details

6. Florida Atlantic University

   Boca Raton, Florida

   
   Program: Professional Ph.D. in Computer Science: Data Science and Analytics (DSA) Concentration
   Tuition: $33,600
   Cost per credit: $800
   Credits: 42
   Delivery Method: Campus & online
   GRE Required: Optional
   DASCA Designation: No
   Learn more: Program details

7. University of Nevada Reno

   Reno, Nevada

   
   Program: Ph.D. Program in Statistics and Data Science
   Tuition: $44,712
   Cost per credit: $162 in state | $621 out of state
   Credits: 72
   Delivery Method: Campus
   GRE Required: Required
   DASCA Designation: No
   Learn more: Program details

8. University of the Cumberlands

   Williamsburg, Kentucky

   
   Program: Executive Ph.D. in Information Technology with Data Science specialty
   Tuition: $44,940
   Cost per credit: $749
   Credits: 60
   Delivery Method: Hybrid
   GRE Required: Not required
   DASCA Designation: No
   Learn more: Program details

9. University at Buffalo

   Buffalo, New York

   
   Program: Computational and Data-Enabled Sciences PhD
   Tuition: $46,224
   Cost per credit: $315 in state | $642 out of state
   Credits: 72
   Delivery Method: Campus
   GRE Required: Required
   DASCA Designation: No
   Learn more: Program details

10. Yale University

    New Haven, Connecticut

    
    Program: PhD in Statistics and Data Science
    Tuition: $50,817
    Cost per credit: $1,303
    Credits: 39
    Delivery Method: Campus
    GRE Required: Optional
    DASCA Designation: Yes
    Learn more: Program details