Best Data Science Schools in California (2026)

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California Data Science At a Glance

Metric Detail
Median Data Science Salary $134,644
Salary Outlook California offers competitive wages for data science professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body California Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required Institutional + Regional

Earning an online data science degree in California offers a flexible path into data science careers. California offers competitive wages for data science professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, California students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Data Science Schools in California

The following schools offer accredited online data science programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in California.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

Stanford University

Stanford, CA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
95.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 97%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $124,080
Avg net price $13,807/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 98%
  • Programs offered: 100

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
92.7 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 27%
Graduation rate 87%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $84,943
Avg net price $12,470/yr
Tuition
In‑state$16,758
Out‑of‑state$50,958
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 94%
  • Programs offered: 133

Source:Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#3

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
90.0 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 42%
Graduation rate 85%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $80,838
Avg net price $14,741/yr
Tuition
In‑state$16,774
Out‑of‑state$50,974
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 93%
  • Programs offered: 153

Source:Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
77.3 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 33%
Graduation rate 84%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $74,915
Avg net price $16,109/yr
Tuition
In‑state$16,414
Out‑of‑state$50,614
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 92%
  • Programs offered: 81

Source:Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

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Career Outlook and Salaries in California

Data Science professionals in California experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for California.

Occupation Median Annual Salary (California)
Data Scientists $141,590
Statisticians $135,960
Operations Research Analysts $102,100
Software Developers $174,410
Actuaries $130,510
Database Architects $170,160
Computer Systems Analysts $127,720
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $94,700

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Data Science Degree in California?

Choosing a program in California can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in California offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the California economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online data science programs in California accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Data Science pay in California compare to other states?

California offers competitive wages for data science professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes California a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for data science in California?

The California Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in California. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Data Science Programs by City in California

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Adelanto · Agoura Hills · Alameda · Alhambra · Aliso Viejo · American Canyon · Anaheim · Antioch · Apple Valley · Arcadia · Arroyo Grande · Arvin · Atascadero · Atwater · Azusa · Bakersfield · Baldwin Park · Banning · Barstow · Beaumont · Bell · Bell Gardens · Bellflower · Belmont · Benicia · Berkeley · Beverly Hills · Brawley · Brea · Brentwood · Buena Park · Burbank · Burlingame · Calabasas · Calexico · Camarillo · Campbell · Carlsbad · Carson · Cathedral City · Ceres · Cerritos · Chico · Chino · Chino Hills · Chula Vista · Citrus Heights · Claremont · Clovis · Coachella · Colton · Compton · Concord · Corcoran · Corona · Coronado · Costa Mesa · Covina · Cudahy · Culver City · Cupertino · Cypress · Daly City · Dana Point · Danville · Davis · Delano · Desert Hot Springs · Diamond Bar · Dinuba · Downey · Duarte · Dublin · East Palo Alto · Eastvale · El Cajon · El Centro · El Cerrito · El Monte · Elk Grove · Encinitas · Escondido · Eureka · Fairfield · Folsom · Fontana · Foster City · Fountain Valley · Fremont · Fresno · Fullerton · Galt · Garden Grove · Gardena · Gilroy · Glendale · Glendora · Goleta · Grass Valley · Half Moon Bay · Hanford · Hawthorne · Hayward · Hemet · Hercules · Hesperia · Highland · Hollister · Huntington Beach · Huntington Park · Imperial Beach · Indio · Inglewood · Irvine · Jurupa Valley · La Canada Flintridge · La Habra · La Mesa · La Mirada · La Puente · La Quinta · La Verne · Lafayette · Laguna Beach · Laguna Hills · Laguna Niguel · Lake Elsinore · Lake Forest · Lakewood · Lancaster · Lathrop · Lawndale · Lemon Grove · Lemoore · Lincoln · Livermore · Lodi · Loma Linda · Lomita · Lompoc · Long Beach · Los Altos · Los Angeles · Los Banos · Los Gatos · Lynwood · Madera · Manhattan Beach · Manteca · Marina · Martinez · Maywood · Menifee · Menlo Park · Merced · Millbrae · Milpitas · Mission Viejo · Modesto · Monrovia · Montclair · Montebello · Monterey · Monterey Park · Moorpark · Moreno Valley · Morgan Hill · Mountain View · Murrieta · Napa · National City · Newark · Newport Beach · Norco · Norwalk · Novato · Oakdale · Oakland · Oakley · Oceanside · Ontario · Orange · Oroville · Oxnard · Pacifica · Palm Desert · Palm Springs · Palmdale · Palo Alto · Paradise · Paramount · Pasadena · Patterson · Perris · Petaluma · Pico Rivera · Pittsburg · Placentia · Placerville · Pleasant Hill · Pleasanton · Pomona · Port Hueneme · Porterville · Poway · Rancho Cordova · Rancho Cucamonga · Rancho Palos Verdes · Rancho Santa Margarita · Redding · Redlands · Redondo Beach · Redwood City · Reedley · Rialto · Richmond · Ridgecrest · Riverbank · Riverside · Rocklin · Rohnert Park · Rosemead · Roseville · Sacramento · Salinas · San Bernardino · San Bruno · San Carlos · San Clemente · San Diego · San Dimas · San Fernando · San Francisco · San Gabriel · San Jacinto · San Jose · San Juan Capistrano · San Leandro · San Luis Obispo · San Marcos · San Mateo · San Pablo · San Rafael · San Ramon · Sanger · Santa Ana · Santa Barbara · Santa Clara · Santa Clarita · Santa Cruz · Santa Maria · Santa Monica · Santa Paula · Santa Rosa · Santee · Saratoga · Seal Beach · Seaside · Selma · Shafter · Simi Valley · Soledad · Sonoma · Sonora · South El Monte · South Gate · South Lake Tahoe · South Pasadena · South San Francisco · Stanton · Stockton · Suisun · Sunnyvale · Temecula · Temple City · Thousand Oaks · Torrance · Tracy · Tulare · Turlock · Tustin · Ukiah · Union City · Upland · Vacaville · Vallejo · Victorville · Visalia · Vista · Walnut · Walnut Creek · Wasco · Watsonville · West Covina · West Hollywood · West Sacramento · Westminster · Whittier · Wildomar · Windsor · Woodland · Yorba Linda · Yuba City · Yucaipa · Yucca Valley


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