Read our guide to schools, scholarships, research initiatives, professional communities, and job opportunities for data scientists in the Commonwealth.

Or jump straight to our list of data science programs in Virginia.

In 2014, the state launched Data.Virginia, an open source database of state statistics that encourages researchers and businesses to solve government challenges related to agriculture, healthcare, transportation and so on. Which is exactly what schools like George Mason, Virginia Tech and University of Virginia are doing with it.

While all colleges offer degrees, only some regularly partake in research. Here’s what’s happening on that front in the commonwealth:

Although Virginia’s public universities have not yet developed online programs in data science, a couple of private universities are dabbling in distance learning.

Old Dominion University’s Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics and Big Data builds into the university’s MBA program. Its courses introduce students to statistics, modeling, databases and data analysis.

George Mason University’s Bioinformatics certificate lives at the edges of the discipline, and is reserved for biology researchers who need to use big data to power new genetic discoveries.

George Mason’s certificate seekers can continue on to earn an MS in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. They’ll get the chance to do some modeling, go in depth on research methods, or learn advanced programming.

Data science or data analytics bootcamps in Virginia are a way for local students to transition into these fields. Bootcamps are short-term programs of study meant to quickly introduce participants to new subjects, often via practical experiences. Bootcamps in Virginia may focus exclusively on data science — the study of how knowledge is established from raw information — or data analytics — the specific processes by which insights are drawn — or both data science and data analytics. See our guides to learn more about data science bootcamps or data analytics bootcamps in Virginia.

Virginia isn’t exactly bursting with scholarships reserved for future data scientists, but we’ve found a few that fit the bill. Apply to these school-based awards along with general scholarships from your college and other funding sources.

You might think all of Virginia’s data science Meetups are clustered near DC. In reality, communities are popping up all the way south to Norfolk, home of Old Dominion University. You’ll find plenty of meetups focused on specific tools, as well as groups with broader interests in data science. Here are some bigger ones:

DC and its suburbs play host to dozens of conferences every month, some of which actually cover data science. While most big events pack up and head to another metropolis the following year, this local event keeps coming back:

Virginia accommodates two main clusters of data scientists. The most obvious hotspot is in northern Virginia, where defense contractors and federal agencies. Think Deloitte, Lockheed Martin and Onyx Government Services. You can also go straight to the source and work for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington or hop across the Potomac to work for the General Services Administration, which created Data.gov.

There is plenty happening within state government as well, thanks to the aforementioned Data.Virginia project, which facilitates academic research to improve state services. Much of that research is happening around UVA in Charlottesville. With big firms like Elder Research and up-and-comers such as solarwinds, there’s no need to trek north for a job after graduation.

According to data from the O*NET OnLine in 2020, data scientists made an average $92,410 per year in Virginia.

Last updated: April 2022

If you’re looking for information on career paths that involve STEM, see our guides below:

Data Science and Analytics Careers:

Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Information Careers:

Marketing and User Research Careers:

Compare Careers and STEM Fields:

We found 7 universities in Virginia offering Masters of Data Science programs (and/or closely related programs, like MS in Analytics / Masters in Business Analytics). The university’s website will have the most up to date information on specific programs.

If you represent a university and would like to contact us about editing any of our listings, or adding new programs, please send an email to info@mastersindatascience.org.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.