Master's in Data Science Programs in Virginia

Studying Data Science in Virginia

VOEE, the Virginia Office of Education Economics — a unit of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) that the General Assembly established in 2021 to analyze education and workforce data — found that employment in the Commonwealth's core data science occupations grew 27% between 2018 and 2023 and is projected to grow another 8% by 2028, with data science-related jobs concentrated in Virginia at a rate well above the national average. That finding lines up with how the state pitches itself to employers: VEDP identifies Virginia as the world's largest data center market and describes the Commonwealth as home to one of the nation's most concentrated cybersecurity ecosystems, pointing to its proximity to federal agencies and its pool of cleared technical workers. That combination makes Northern Virginia's data center and federal-contracting corridor the state's largest single source of data science demand. As the regional breakdown below shows, that demand also runs through Richmond's financial and real estate sector, Charlottesville's university and defense-research base, the shipbuilding and healthcare systems of Tidewater, and the applied AI and healthcare work taking shape around Blacksburg and Roanoke.

• Northern Virginia. VEDP describes Northern Virginia as home to more than 100 U.S. and global corporate headquarters and strong industry clusters in government contracting, defense electronics, IT, data centers, and biotechnology. Amazon's 2018 decision to locate its HQ2 in Arlington brought a $2.5 billion investment and a commitment to more than 25,000 jobs. Government and defense consulting firms headquartered here, including Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, CACI International in Arlington, and Leidos in Reston, hire heavily for data science and analytics roles supporting federal agencies, alongside Capital One's McLean-based data and analytics teams and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington. Loudoun County's "Data Center Alley" anchors the region's cloud and data infrastructure work. Data work here spans cybersecurity analytics, federal data infrastructure, cloud engineering, and financial risk modeling.
• Central Virginia. Richmond, the region's anchor, is home to eight Fortune 500 headquarters, including Capital One Financial, Dominion Energy, CarMax, and Markel, and CoStar Group has built its global commercial real estate research and data analytics headquarters in the city since 2016. Henrico County's White Oak Technology Park has also become a growing data center corridor, with QTS and Meta both actively expanding their campuses there as of 2026, while Richmond-based CapTech provides enterprise data consulting services across the region. An hour west, Charlottesville is anchored by the University of Virginia's School of Data Science, whose Rivanna supercomputer supports data-intensive research across UVA departments; a separate, similarly named facility nearby, Rivanna Station, is a U.S. Army garrison that houses the Army's National Ground Intelligence Center and a National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency presence, and Booz Allen Hamilton operates an office nearby at the North Fork research park. Charlottesville's data science community also gathers regularly through the Charlottesville Data Science meetup and the annual Applied Machine Learning Conference. Data work across Central Virginia spans financial risk analytics, real estate data research, geospatial intelligence, and applied machine learning.
• Tidewater. Also known as Hampton Roads, this region is home to the world's largest naval base and a total Department of Defense population of roughly 150,000 people, including approximately 83,000 active-duty military personnel and more than 40,000 civilian employees across the defense industry. Roughly 13,000 service members also transition out of the military and into the private sector here each year, giving the region one of the largest concentrations of veteran talent in the country. Huntington Ingalls Industries, whose Mission Technologies division develops AI, big data, and unmanned systems capabilities for naval and government customers, and Sentara Healthcare, the region's largest health system and a growing employer of clinical and enterprise data analysts, anchor the region's civilian data work. Data work here spans naval and defense data systems, healthcare analytics, and maritime logistics analytics.
• Southwest Virginia. Built around Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus and the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, the New River Valley is leveraging a growing technology cluster to attract information technology and uncrewed systems companies. Torc Robotics, a Virginia Tech spinout now owned by Daimler Truck, develops self-driving software for long-haul trucks and employs roughly 836 people across its global operations as of March 2026. Virginia Tech's Discovery Analytics Center and Sanghani Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics support applied machine learning research on campus. A half hour south in the Roanoke Valley, Carilion Clinic, the region's largest employer, hires for health data analytics roles and is partnering with Virginia Tech on a new biotech incubator, while Google began construction on a new data center campus in neighboring Botetourt County in 2025. Data work here spans autonomous vehicle software, applied AI research, healthcare analytics, and data center operations.

Virginia is home to dozens of colleges and universities, and its data science job opportunities are spread across major areas throughout the Commonwealth, from Northern Virginia's government-contracting corridor to Richmond, Charlottesville, Hampton Roads, and the Blacksburg-Roanoke corridor. With so much happening across the state, an online or hybrid program can be a great option for students who want to keep working, stay near family, or simply skip the commute rather than relocate for school.

Online Data Science Master's Degrees in Virginia

Online programs may suit Virginia students who want graduate-level training without relocating to Northern Virginia or leaving their current jobs, as well as out-of-state students who want to study at a Virginia institution remotely.

How to Compare Online Data Science Master's Degrees

When comparing online programs, there is a lot to consider. To start, cover the basics by understanding the following 5 key factors:

• Can you enroll as a Virginia resident? Is the school authorized to enroll students from your area, and does it hold institutional accreditation?
• What does the curriculum cover? Are there any specialties you're interested in? Look for statistics, programming, machine learning, databases, visualization, ethics, and applied projects.
• What prerequisites are required? This might include prior coursework in programming, statistics, calculus, linear algebra, or computer science.
• How are classes delivered? Synchronous, asynchronous, or a blend of both? Does the schedule work with your lifestyle and other obligations?
• What support is available to online students? Does this include career services, faculty access, technical resources, and networking opportunities?

Online Virginia Graduate Data Science Programs

Virginia participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) oversees institutional authorization for the Commonwealth's colleges and universities. In practice, this means Virginia residents can typically enroll in most accredited online master's programs based in other SARA member states without encountering state-authorization barriers, and out-of-state residents can generally enroll in Virginia's SARA-participating online programs as well, though students should still confirm current details with their school of choice. Students should confirm current program modality, admissions requirements, tuition, and state availability directly with each school.

• University of Virginia, School of Data Science: M.S. in Data Science, Online - Charlottesville, VA. This part-time, 100% online program mirrors the curriculum of UVA's residential MSDS program, with live, synchronous evening classes held over Zoom to accommodate working professionals. Students complete the degree over five semesters and finish with a team capstone project sponsored by a corporate or government partner.
• George Mason University: M.S. in Data Analytics Engineering, Online - Fairfax, VA. This 30-credit, fully online program is delivered asynchronously with no required campus visits and covers data engineering, data architecture, and data analysis across concentrations such as predictive analytics, statistical analytics, cyber analytics, and health data analytics. It does not require the GRE or GMAT and can be completed in as few as 18-24 months.
• Virginia Tech: Online Master of Information Technology (VT-MIT) - Blacksburg, VA. This 100% online, 33-credit degree is offered jointly by Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business and College of Engineering, and lets students tailor their curriculum across eleven areas of study, including business data analytics, AI/ML, and cybersecurity. It does not require the GRE or GMAT and is ranked among the top online IT master's programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
• Old Dominion University: M.S. in Data Science & Analytics, Online - Norfolk, VA. Delivered through ODUGlobal, this 30-credit, non-thesis program is offered by ODU's dedicated School of Data Science and allows students to choose from concentrations including artificial intelligence and machine learning, business intelligence and analytics, engineering and big data analytics, and geospatial analytics. The program generally requires GRE scores, though a waiver is available for applicants with an advanced degree, relevant work experience, or relevant military training.
• Radford University: Online MBA with a Concentration in Business Analytics - Radford, VA. This AACSB-accredited, fully online MBA pairs a broad-based business core with coursework in predictive analytics, data mining, mathematical modeling, and business forecasting. It does not require the GMAT, and students who complete Radford's related graduate certificate in business analytics can transfer up to 12 credit hours into the program.
• Liberty University: M.S. in Applied Statistics, Online - Lynchburg, VA. This fully online program is designed for students with a background in math or a related field who want to deepen their statistical training, covering regression analysis, experimental design, and statistical computing, and culminating in an online statistical consulting practicum for hands-on experience.

Learn more about what to look for in an online master's in data science program in our guide.

In-State Data Science Master's Programs and Related Degrees in Virginia

Virginia's hybrid and in-person options require at least some time on campus, whether that means a residential program, a required in-person capstone or practicum, or scheduled class meetings. The programs below are verified options, not a ranked list, and they vary in technical depth and format.

• William & Mary: Master's in Business Analytics - Williamsburg, VA. This 22.5-credit, in-person program at William & Mary's Mason School of Business can be completed in less than a year and covers SQL, Python, R, and statistical modeling for business decision-making.
• University of Virginia, School of Data Science: M.S. in Data Science, Residential - Charlottesville, VA. UVA's flagship, campus-based data science master's program combines core coursework in data engineering, machine learning, statistics, and ethics with a team capstone project, and offers concentrations including AI, data visualization, genomics, and sports data science.
• Virginia Tech: M.S. in Data Science - Blacksburg and Alexandria, VA. Virginia Tech's Data Science master's is a non-thesis degree built around a two-semester capstone course. It's offered as a standard two-year, full-time program based at the Blacksburg campus, a 4+1 accelerated option for current Virginia Tech undergraduates, and a part-time option based in Alexandria for working professionals in the DC metro area; none of these formats is fully online.
• George Mason University: M.S. in Data Analytics Engineering, M.S. in Information Systems, M.S. in Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence, and M.S. in Business Analytics - Fairfax and Arlington, VA. GMU offers four campus-based, data-relevant master's degrees. Data Analytics Engineering (also available online) covers data engineering, architecture, and analysis; Information Systems combines business coursework with big data analytics and IT strategy; Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence trains students in geospatial data analysis methods; and the STEM-designated Business Analytics program, taught in evening courses on the Fairfax campus, covers data visualization, statistical modeling, data mining, and machine learning with a required client-facing capstone.
• University of Mary Washington: Master's in Geospatial Analysis - Fredericksburg, VA. This 30-credit program does not require GRE scores and focuses on geographic information systems and spatial data analysis methods.
• Old Dominion University: M.S. in Data Science & Analytics, On-Campus - Norfolk, VA. The same 30-credit, non-thesis Data Science and Analytics degree offered through ODUGlobal is also available in person at ODU's Norfolk campus through its School of Data Science, one of the few standalone data science schools at a public R1 research university in the country.
• Virginia Commonwealth University: M.S. in Data Science - Richmond, VA. Jointly operated by VCU's College of Engineering and its Department of Statistical Science and Operations Research, this program includes a two-semester practicum in which students apply coursework to a real client project, with the option for working professionals to design that project around their current employer.

Data Science Programs in Virginia

Programs included in this table were last reviewed in July 2026.

Data Science Certificates, Bootcamps, and Courses

A master's degree isn't the only path into data science. Certificates, bootcamps, and individual courses offer more targeted training for students who want specific skills without committing to a full graduate program, though these options vary widely in cost, format, and rigor. Students should confirm current course delivery, admissions requirements, tuition, and whether certificate credits may apply toward a future master's degree directly with the school.

Online Virginia Graduate Certificate Programs in Data Science and Related Fields

• George Mason University: Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics Engineering. This fully online, four-course certificate is 12 credit hours and can be completed in as few as 10 months. It doesn't require the GRE or GMAT, and credits apply toward GMU's full Data Analytics Engineering master's for students who choose to continue.
• George Mason University: Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics. Available fully online or in person, this four-course, 12-credit certificate can be completed in as few as 9 months and covers hands-on data modeling and analytics techniques. Certificate courses apply toward GMU's MBA or M.S. in Business Analytics for students who continue into one of those degrees.
• Virginia Tech: Graduate Certificate in Business Data Analytics. Offered through the online VT-MIT program, this 100% online, three-course certificate covers database querying, business intelligence, and predictive analytics for business decision-making, and can be earned as a standalone credential or applied toward the full VT-MIT degree.

Data Science Boot Camps in Virginia

Data science and data analytics bootcamps are intensive, non-degree programs intended to build applied skills quickly, often through hands-on projects rather than semester-long coursework. Bootcamps may be offered through university continuing education divisions or third-party partners, so students should confirm the credentials awarded, tuition, schedule, refund policies, and career support before enrolling.

University Affiliated Bootcamps in Virginia

• Virginia Tech: Online Data Analytics Bootcamp. Offered through Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education in partnership with Fullstack Academy, this part-time, live, instructor-led online bootcamp teaches Python, SQL, Excel, and Tableau over several months and includes career coaching from week one. It is not for academic credit and cannot be applied toward a Virginia Tech degree or certificate.
• Virginia Commonwealth University: Data Science & AI Bootcamp. Delivered remotely through VCU's Office of Continuing and Professional Education in partnership with the Institute of Data, this program covers statistics, data analysis, machine learning, and cloud computing in a 12-week full-time or 24-week part-time format, and includes an industry certification and job placement support alongside the VCU certificate of completion.

Learn more about data science boot camps and how they differ from graduate programs. See also our dedicated guides to data science bootcamps and data analytics bootcamps.

Data Science Courses in Virginia

Individual online courses can help students build specific skills before committing to a certificate or master's program. Virginia's community college system offers standalone data analytics training through local continuing education platforms.

• Northern Virginia Community College: Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Program, MyWorkforce Data Analytics Classes

Learn more about individual course options in our guide to online data science courses.

Data Science Scholarships in Virginia

The list below is not exhaustive. Students should also check each school's graduate division, financial aid office, department pages, and program-specific scholarship pages for additional funding opportunities.

University of Virginia

• MSDS Financial Aid and Payment Options covers need-based fellowships, federal work-study, and external scholarship options specifically for M.S. in Data Science students in both the residential and online programs.

George Mason University

• College of Engineering and Computing Financial Aid lists endowed scholarships available to students in Mason's engineering and computing programs, including funds specifically open to graduate students pursuing computer science and data-related degrees.

Virginia Tech

• Virginia Tech Graduate School Funding outlines assistantships, departmentally sponsored fellowships, and external scholarship and fellowship databases available to graduate students across the university, including those in the M.S. in Data Science and Online Master of Information Technology programs.

Service-for-Tuition Programs

• CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service is a federally funded program, with active tracks at Old Dominion University and Virginia Tech among other Virginia institutions, that covers tuition and a stipend for students in cybersecurity and related computing fields in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment with a federal, state, local, or tribal government agency. This kind of scholarship-for-service structure is especially relevant in Virginia, given how much of the Commonwealth's data-related hiring runs through federal and defense-adjacent work.

Statewide or Regional Scholarship Resources

• State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Financial Aid Resources: State oversight body for financial aid programs, state grants, and the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application for students who cannot file the FAFSA.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.

Virginia's state-level loan repayment programs are concentrated in healthcare and teaching fields, not data or computing roles. Students interested in a service-for-tuition path in a data-adjacent field should look to federal programs such as CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service instead of a state-specific data science award.

Data Science Events in Virginia

Virginia's data science community is concentrated around Northern Virginia's federal and government-contracting corridor, but active groups and conferences also meet in Richmond and Charlottesville.

Data Science Meetups and Communities in Virginia

• Data Science DC is an active professional group that meets approximately monthly to discuss machine learning, AI, and data science topics, drawing members from across the DC-Virginia-Maryland region.
• NOVAI: Northern Virginia AI Happy Hour hosts monthly networking meetups for AI professionals, data scientists, and researchers across Reston, Tysons, and the broader Northern Virginia corridor.
• Richmond Data Science Community brings together data professionals, students, and career changers in the Richmond area to discuss data visualization, machine learning, applied mathematics, and statistics, and is officially listed among rvatech's recognized regional user groups.
• Charlottesville Data Science (a PyData Group) is an active community for data scientists, AI engineers, and machine learning practitioners in Charlottesville and Central Virginia, hosting regular talks and helping organize the region's annual PyData conference.

Data Science Conferences and Workshops in Virginia

• rvatech Data + AI Summit is an annual, full-day conference in Richmond covering applied AI and data strategy for data scientists, developers, and technology executives across Virginia.
• AI Ready RVA Conference & Expo drew more than 500 professionals to Richmond's Science Museum of Virginia in April 2026 for AI demos, panels, and networking spanning local businesses, academia, and startups.
• PyData Virginia is a two-day conference held annually in Charlottesville, organized by NumFOCUS and the Charlottesville Data Science community, combining talks and keynotes on open-source data science and machine learning with a full day of hands-on tutorials.
• UVA Datapalooza is the University of Virginia School of Data Science's signature annual fall event, bringing together faculty, students, alumni, and industry partners for talks, networking, and career sessions.

Data Science Jobs in Virginia

Data science roles can involve collecting, cleaning, analyzing, modeling, visualizing, and communicating data. In Virginia, these roles appear across federal government contracting, defense, financial services, healthcare, and cloud and data center infrastructure, often concentrated in Northern Virginia but present statewide. A master's degree may help students build advanced skills, but it does not guarantee employment, a specific salary, or the title of data scientist. Prior experience, technical projects, internships, networking, portfolio work, and interview preparation can also affect job opportunities. Explore related paths in our data science careers and data scientist career guide.

Data Scientist Salaries in Virginia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, data scientists in Virginia earned a median annual wage of $126,430 in May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning $76,420 or less and the highest 10% earning $207,890 or more.

Students may also want to compare related occupations. Salary data can vary by location, industry, experience, education, and employer. The figures below are occupational wage figures, not guarantees of outcomes for graduates.

The table below uses the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data for Virginia.

Interested in STEM Careers?

If you're looking for information on career paths that involve data science, analytics, technology, and related STEM fields, see our guides below.

Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Information Careers

• Computer Engineer
• Computer Scientist
• Information Security Analyst
• Computer and Information Research Scientist
• Computer Systems Analyst

Marketing and User Research Careers

• Marketing Analyst
• Market Research Analyst
• Digital Marketer
• UX Designer

Compare Careers and STEM Fields

• Data Analyst vs. Data Scientist
• Data Analytics vs. Business Analytics
• Data Science vs. Machine Learning
• Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering
• Cybersecurity vs. Computer Science

Related Graduate STEM Degrees

Related Undergraduate STEM Degrees

• Online Bachelor's in Data Science
• Online Bachelor's in Computer Science

Virginia Data Science, Tech, and Career Resources

• State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV): State higher education coordinating agency overseeing institutional authorization, financial aid, and academic program approval.
• Virginia Works: State workforce development agency and source for occupational employment and wage statistics, labor market projections, and career resources.
• Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP): State economic development agency and source for target industry, employer, and regional economic data.
• Data.Virginia: State open data portal with datasets useful for student portfolio projects and civic data exploration.
• Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC): State-supported nonprofit focused on innovation-led entrepreneurship and technology commercialization across the Commonwealth.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.