Top 3 Data Science Programs in New York 2025
New York University
Leading data science program in Manhattan with direct Wall Street and tech company recruiting partnerships
Columbia University
Ivy League prestige with world-class faculty and cutting-edge research in AI and machine learning
Cornell University
Top-tier engineering school with strong quantitative focus and exceptional graduate school placement
- 1.New York has 45+ accredited data science and analytics bachelor's programs across public and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.NYU ranks #1 in New York with 87% graduation rate and direct recruiting from Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Google NYC
- 3.SUNY system offers affordable options starting at $7,070 in-state tuition at schools like Stony Brook and University at Buffalo
- 4.New York data scientists earn median $135,490 annually—23% above the national median (BLS New York 2024)
- 5.NYC leads the nation in fintech and media analytics jobs with 75,000+ data science positions across Manhattan
Data Science Education Landscape in New York
New York offers the most comprehensive data science education ecosystem in the Northeast, combining world-class private universities with affordable public options. From the financial district's demand for quantitative analysts to the growing tech presence in Brooklyn and Queens, New York provides unmatched career opportunities for data science graduates.
The state's unique position at the intersection of finance, media, and technology creates diverse pathways for data science careers. Wall Street firms like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley actively recruit from programs, while tech giants including Google, Facebook, and Amazon have major NYC offices seeking data talent.
For national context, review our best data science bachelor's programs ranking. Students concerned about costs should explore our most affordable data science programs guide. Career-focused students can reference our data scientist salary guide for New York-specific compensation trends.
Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS New York May 2024, NYC Data Science Council
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 data
Class size and faculty accessibility
New York-specific salaries and job placement rates
Faculty publications and industry partnerships
New York Data Science Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University | New York | Private | $58,168 | 87% | 8:1 | 96.8 |
| 2 | Columbia University | New York | Private | $63,530 | 95% | 6:1 | 95.2 |
| 3 | Cornell University | Ithaca | Private | $62,456 | 94% | 7:1 | 93.9 |
| 4 | University at Buffalo (SUNY) | Buffalo | Public | $7,070 | 73% | 14:1 | 89.5 |
| 5 | Stony Brook University (SUNY) | Stony Brook | Public | $7,070 | 71% | 16:1 | 87.8 |
| 6 | Fordham University | Bronx | Private | $56,565 | 84% | 12:1 | 86.2 |
| 7 | Syracuse University | Syracuse | Private | $56,686 | 82% | 15:1 | 84.9 |
| 8 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy | Private | $58,600 | 85% | 10:1 | 84.1 |
| 9 | Binghamton University (SUNY) | Binghamton | Public | $7,070 | 82% | 18:1 | 82.7 |
| 10 | University of Rochester | Rochester | Private | $59,344 | 86% | 10:1 | 81.5 |
| 11 | Baruch College (CUNY) | New York | Public | $7,462 | 68% | 17:1 | 80.3 |
| 12 | Brooklyn College (CUNY) | Brooklyn | Public | $7,462 | 55% | 14:1 | 78.9 |
| 13 | Pace University | New York | Private | $47,880 | 63% | 14:1 | 77.6 |
| 14 | St. John's University | Queens | Private | $45,760 | 66% | 17:1 | 76.2 |
| 15 | Albany (SUNY) | Albany | Public | $7,070 | 67% | 19:1 | 75.8 |
| 16 | Hofstra University | Hempstead | Private | $50,566 | 64% | 13:1 | 74.5 |
| 17 | Queens College (CUNY) | Queens | Public | $7,462 | 56% | 15:1 | 73.1 |
| 18 | Ithaca College | Ithaca | Private | $47,778 | 76% | 10:1 | 72.3 |
| 19 | New York Institute of Technology | Old Westbury | Private | $39,390 | 57% | 12:1 | 71.4 |
| 20 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester | Private | $53,198 | 73% | 13:1 | 70.8 |
New York University
Manhattan, NY • University
Program Highlights
- • 98% job placement rate within 6 months of graduation
- • Average starting salary of $95,000 for NYC positions
- • Direct recruiting pipeline from 40+ Manhattan-based companies
Program Strengths
- Mandatory internship program with Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Google NYC
- Access to Bloomberg Terminal labs for financial data analysis
- Faculty includes former data scientists from Netflix, Uber, and Facebook
- Capstone projects with real NYC startups and Fortune 500 companies
Why Ranked #1
NYU's Center for Data Science leads the nation in applied data science research with direct industry partnerships across Wall Street and Silicon Alley tech companies. The program combines rigorous statistical training with hands-on experience using real datasets from financial markets and media companies.
Student Reviews
"The internship connections alone make this program worth it. I had offers from three different fintech companies before graduating."
— Recent NYU Data Science Graduate
Columbia University
Manhattan, NY • University
Program Highlights
- • 95% graduate school acceptance rate for PhD programs
- • Average starting salary of $105,000 in NYC market
- • Access to $2.5M in research funding annually
Program Strengths
- Joint degree options with Columbia Business School
- Research opportunities at Columbia's Data Science Institute
- Access to NYC's largest alumni network in finance and tech
- Partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian for healthcare analytics projects
Why Ranked #2
Columbia's data science program leverages the university's world-renowned engineering and business schools to create interdisciplinary learning experiences. Students work with faculty conducting cutting-edge AI research while gaining practical skills in financial modeling and healthcare analytics.
Student Reviews
"The research opportunities here are incredible. I'm working on AI projects that could actually impact healthcare outcomes."
— Columbia Data Science Senior
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • University
Program Highlights
- • 92% of graduates accepted to top PhD programs or hired by major tech companies
- • Average GRE scores rank in top 5% nationally
- • 15:1 student-faculty ratio in data science courses
Program Strengths
- Strong emphasis on statistical theory and machine learning fundamentals
- Access to Cornell Tech NYC campus for summer programs
- Research collaborations with Weill Cornell Medicine
- Guaranteed housing and lower cost of living compared to NYC programs
Why Ranked #3
Cornell's data science program stands out for its rigorous quantitative foundation and strong computer science integration. Located in upstate New York, students benefit from smaller class sizes while maintaining access to NYC internships and Cornell Tech's Roosevelt Island campus.
Student Reviews
"Cornell gives you the theoretical foundation that employers actually want. The math here is no joke, but it pays off."
— Cornell Data Science Alumni
SUNY and CUNY Systems: Affordable Data Science Education
The State University of New York (SUNY) system provides exceptional value for data science education, with in-state tuition at just $7,070 annually. SUNY schools like Buffalo, Stony Brook, and Binghamton offer nationally-ranked programs at a fraction of private school costs.
The City University of New York (CUNY) system serves as an affordable gateway to data science careers in NYC. Baruch College's program specifically targets financial data analysis, while Brooklyn College focuses on healthcare and social science applications. CUNY graduates benefit from extensive NYC internship networks despite the lower tuition costs.
- SUNY Buffalo: Strong in statistical modeling and machine learning research
- SUNY Stony Brook: Focus on biomedical and environmental data applications
- CUNY Baruch: Specialized tracks in financial data science and business analytics
- CUNY Brooklyn: Healthcare informatics and social science data analysis
- SUNY Binghamton: Applied mathematics foundation with data science concentration
Both systems offer transfer pathways from community colleges and have articulation agreements that guarantee admission for students meeting GPA requirements. This makes data science education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Career Paths
Build predictive models and analyze large datasets for business insights across finance, tech, and media industries
Quantitative Analyst
Develop mathematical models for financial markets and risk assessment at investment banks and hedge funds
Business Intelligence Analyst
Transform business data into actionable insights for strategic decision-making in corporate environments
Design and implement ML systems for tech companies and financial institutions
Research Scientist
Conduct advanced analytics research at pharmaceutical companies, tech firms, and research institutions
Data Science Programs in Other States
California
Texas
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Massachusetts
| Factor | SUNY Schools | CUNY Schools | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition (In-State) | $7,070 | $7,462 | $52,400 |
| Average Class Size | 25-30 students | 20-35 students | 15-20 students |
| Research Opportunities | Moderate | Limited | Extensive |
| Industry Connections | Regional | NYC-focused | National |
| Career Services | Standard | NYC-focused | Premium |
| Financial Aid | Good | Excellent | Variable |
Which Should You Choose?
- Direct access to Wall Street finance and fintech career opportunities
- Networking with the largest concentration of data professionals in the US
- Internship and job opportunities in media, finance, and emerging tech
- Access to world-class private universities with extensive alumni networks
- Affordable public education options through SUNY and CUNY systems
- Lower cost of living and more affordable housing options
- Tech-focused environments like Silicon Valley or Seattle
- Warmer climates and outdoor recreation opportunities
- Less competitive and high-pressure academic environments
- More established tech industry presence outside of finance
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Data Science Programs
Related Data Science Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, tuition, and enrollment data from 2023
May 2024 salary and employment data for New York state
Industry employment trends and salary benchmarks for 2024
Program accreditation and degree completion data
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.