Master’s in Data Science Programs in Washington

Studying Data Science in Washington

Washington’s computer and mathematical occupations remain the second-highest-paid occupational group in the state, with a 2024 median wage of $67.77 an hour, or roughly $141,000 a year, behind only management occupations, according to the Washington Employment Security Department’s most recent labor market report. Employment growth in the category has cooled; however, computer and mathematical occupations are now projected to grow just under 1% annually through 2033, close to the statewide average, and 2025 saw real layoffs in the sector, including notices from both Microsoft and Amazon. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Washington’s information sector, which includes software, cloud computing, and digital services, remained the single largest contributor to the state’s economy in 2025 and helped drive Washington to the fastest GDP growth of any U.S. state in early 2026. For data science students, the takeaway is nuanced: the sector is generating more economic value than ever, but with fewer new jobs per dollar of growth, competitive skills and specialization matter more than simply riding sector-wide headcount growth.

Here’s how it breaks down by region:

• Seattle and the Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland). This is the center of Washington’s technology economy, anchored by Microsoft, headquartered in Redmond, and Amazon, headquartered in Seattle, alongside major employers such as Expedia Group, Zillow, and T-Mobile, headquartered in Bellevue. The University of Washington eScience Institute coordinates data science research and training across UW’s Seattle campus and connects graduate students to applied projects with regional partners. Data roles here span cloud infrastructure, recommendation systems, large-scale data engineering, and applied machine learning.
• The Puget Sound aerospace corridor (Everett, Renton, Tukwila). Boeing operates major manufacturing sites in Everett and Renton and actively hires for data science and analytics roles tied to predictive maintenance, manufacturing quality data, supply chain analytics, and AI-driven engineering tools. Data work in this corridor tends to center on production and logistics data rather than consumer-facing products.
• The Tri-Cities (Richland, Kennewick, Pasco). Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory headquartered in Richland, conducts research spanning data analytics, machine learning, and high-performance scientific computing, and represents one of the state’s most concentrated pools of research-focused data science employment outside the Seattle area. Students interested in scientific computing, energy systems data, and government research careers may find this region especially relevant.
• Spokane and the Inland Northwest. Itron, a smart-grid and utility-technology company headquartered in Liberty Lake outside Spokane, hires data scientists to work on IoT sensor data and grid analytics, and regional health systems, including Providence and MultiCare, generate demand for healthcare data and business intelligence roles. Gonzaga University’s presence in Spokane also supports a smaller but active analytics education and research community.
• Vancouver and Southwest Washington. ZoomInfo Technologies, a subscription-based data and analytics platform, is headquartered in Vancouver, offering some of the region’s clearest data-native career paths, alongside semiconductor and photonics manufacturers, including SEH America and nLIGHT. Data roles connected to this region span organizational and market data analytics at ZoomInfo, and manufacturing process, quality control, and equipment sensor data at the area’s semiconductor employers.
• Bellingham and Northwest Washington. Western Washington University anchors a smaller research and applied-computing community in Bellingham, with data work connected to environmental science, marine research, and geospatial analysis. Faithlife, a Bellingham-headquartered software company known for its Logos Bible Software platform, is a notable local tech employer building data-driven, personalized digital content products.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area accounts for 8,370 of Washington’s 9,600 data scientists, or about 87%, with the remaining share spread across smaller pockets of employment in the Tri-Cities, Spokane, and Vancouver. For students living elsewhere in the state, or who don’t want to relocate to the Puget Sound region, an online or hybrid master’s program can be a practical way to build data science credentials without giving up a job or uprooting a household, which is also why the online options below are worth a close look.

Online Data Science Master’s Degrees in Washington

Online programs may suit Washington students who want graduate-level training without relocating to the Puget Sound region or leaving a current job.

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 Washington 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 Washington Graduate Data Science Programs

Washington participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). SARA is a multistate agreement that allows accredited colleges in other member states to legally enroll students living in Washington. In practice, this means a Washington resident can enroll in most accredited online master’s programs based outside the state without encountering state-authorization barriers, though students should still confirm with their institution of choice that it accepts Washington residents. Washington also offers several fully online programs of its own.

• Seattle University: Online Master of Science in Data Science and Online Master of Science in Business Analytics - Seattle, WA. The 45-credit, fully online, asynchronous MS in Data Science blends statistics, computer science, and applied analytics, culminating in an industry-sponsored capstone project through the university’s Project Center, and can be completed in as few as six academic quarters. Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics also offers a fully online MSBA that pairs technical data skills, including R and Python programming, with coursework in business decision-making and stakeholder communication.
• City University of Seattle: Master of Science in Data Science and Master of Science in Computer Science - Seattle, WA. The fully online, STEM-designated MS in Data Science focuses on data acquisition, data management, data mining, data governance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data systems, with an optional internship. CityU’s fully online MS in Computer Science includes dedicated coursework in AI for data science and machine learning, as well as deep learning, and offers a bridge track for students without a computer science background. Preparatory coursework may be required for either program for students without prior experience in programming, databases, networking, or operating systems.
• Central Washington University: Master of Science in Information Technology and Administrative Management - Ellensburg, WA. This one-year program, delivered 100% online, offers a specialization in Structures of Data Analytics for IT Managers, alongside tracks in administrative management, cybersecurity management, and general information technology.
• Eastern Washington University: Online MBA with a Data Analytics Concentration - Cheney, WA. This 44-credit, AACSB-accredited online MBA includes 12 credit hours of data analytics coursework focused on business decision-making, offered in accelerated six-week terms with seven start dates per year, and a GMAT waiver available to most applicants.

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 Washington

Washington’s in-person and hybrid options are concentrated on the west side of the state, with additional options in Spokane and Bellingham. The programs below are verified options, not a ranked list.

• University of Washington: Master of Science in Data Science - Seattle, WA. This professional master’s program is available full-time or part-time, with evening classes held on UW’s Seattle campus. The curriculum consists of eight core courses and a two-quarter capstone project completed with an external organization, and the program admits one cohort per year for autumn enrollment.
• University of Washington Tacoma: Master of Science in Business Analytics - Tacoma, WA. This 40-credit, STEM-designated, 12-month program is delivered in a hybrid format that combines biweekly Saturday classes with asynchronous online coursework and includes an Industry Applied Project through the school’s Center for Business Analytics.
• Seattle University: Master of Science in Data Science and Master of Science in Business Analytics - Seattle, WA. The 45-credit, on-campus MS in Data Science combines evening courses with the option to complete some coursework online, and shares the same interdisciplinary curriculum and capstone structure as the university’s fully online track. The STEM-designated, on-campus MSBA covers data visualization, decision modeling, data mining for business intelligence, and programming for business analytics, and is the on-campus counterpart to Seattle University’s online MSBA.
• Gonzaga University: Master of Science in Business Analytics - Spokane, WA. This 30-credit, STEM-designated, AACSB-accredited, on-campus program covers descriptive, predictive, and regression analytics, database management with SQL, and emerging analytics technologies, with tracks in business administration and accounting.
• Western Washington University: Master of Science in Computer Science - Bellingham, WA. This two-year, on-campus, research-oriented master’s program includes coursework and research opportunities in artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, and big data, as well as other computer science specializations. The program also accepts students without a computer science background into an accelerated preparatory track.

Data Science Programs in Washington

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

Data Science Certificates, Bootcamps, and Courses

Washington’s certificate and bootcamp options are concentrated at the University of Washington, Washington State University, City University of Seattle, and a handful of private providers. 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.

• University of Washington: Certificate in Data Science. This three-course, part-time certificate through UW Professional & Continuing Education is designed for technical professionals who want to apply statistical analysis and machine learning to data sets, and is approved by the UW Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering advisory board.
• University of Washington: Certificate in Data Analytics: Techniques for Decision Making. This part-time certificate builds foundational and applied data analytics skills using tools such as SQL, Excel, and Tableau, and is also approved by the Allen School’s advisory board.
• City University of Seattle: Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics and Graduate Certificate in Data Mining and Analytics. These online graduate certificates can serve as standalone credentials or as a pathway into CityU’s MS in Data Science.
• Washington State University: Graduate Certificate in Responsible Data Science and Analytics. Offered through WSU’s Global Campus, this certificate combines foundational data science coursework with a focus on ethical considerations in AI and machine learning applications.

Data Science Boot Camps in Washington

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 education partners, so students should confirm the credentials awarded, tuition, schedule, refund policies, and career support before enrolling.

University Affiliated Bootcamps in Washington

• University of Washington Tacoma: Foundations for Data Analytics. Offered through UW Tacoma’s Center for Business Analytics, this non-degree program covers R, Python, SQL, and machine learning fundamentals through a series of live evening and weekend sessions and is separate from the school’s MSBA degree.
• Washington State University Everett: Washington Data Bootcamp. This 20- to 24-week, business-focused data analytics bootcamp is run by the Northwest Innovation Resource Center in partnership with Workforce Snohomish, and WSU Everett awards a Data Analytics Certificate to participants who complete the program.
• University of Washington: Data Analysis Essentials and related short courses. UW Professional & Continuing Education offers standalone, part-time courses in data analysis, SQL, and visualization that can be taken individually or stacked toward a certificate.

Private Data Science Bootcamps in Washington

Data Science Dojo, headquartered in Redmond, offers in-person and online data science and large language model (LLM) bootcamps, including a five-day, 40-hour in-person LLM bootcamp based in Seattle. General Assembly and Coding Dojo both maintain active Seattle campuses offering part-time data analytics and data science tracks alongside their coding programs. Because private bootcamps vary widely, students should confirm all details directly with the provider.

Learn more about data science boot camps and how they differ from graduate programs.

Data Science Courses in Washington

Individual online courses can help students build specific skills before committing to a certificate or master’s program. University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education offers several standalone courses that can be taken individually or stacked into a certificate.

• University of Washington: Foundations of Data Analysis, Data Science Foundations, Data Science: Process & Tools, Data Science: Methods for Data Analysis

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

Data Science Scholarships in Washington

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.

University of Washington

• UW Graduate School Fellowships and Assistantships directs students to information on fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, and the Graduate Funding Information Service, which helps current and admitted graduate students identify funding sources for tuition, research, and travel. Washington does not currently have an active, dedicated data-science fellowship program at the state level; UW’s eScience Institute previously ran a Data Science for Social Good fellowship for graduate students, but that program was sunsetted after a decade of summer cohorts.

Washington State University

• WSU Graduate School administers assistantships, fellowships, and other forms of graduate student financial support through individual academic units and directly.

Seattle University

• Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics and College of Science and Engineering administer graduate assistantships and scholarships specific to their programs; applicants to the MSDS or MSBA should confirm current availability directly with the relevant school.

Service-for-Tuition Programs

• CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service, a federally funded program established at Washington State University’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in January 2025, covers up to three years of tuition and a stipend for undergraduate and graduate students in WSU’s MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Electrical Engineering programs with a cybersecurity research focus, 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 worth knowing about, given the volume of data and cybersecurity-adjacent hiring tied to Washington’s technology and government sectors. Washington does have a state loan-repayment program, Washington Health Corps, but it is restricted to licensed healthcare providers and does not apply to data, computing, or technology roles.

Statewide or Regional Scholarship Resources

• Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) Financial Aid is the state’s central resource for the Washington College Grant, State Work Study, and other state financial aid programs available to graduate and undergraduate students.
• Washington State Opportunity Scholarship helps low- and middle-income Washington students pursue degrees, certificates, and apprenticeships in high-demand STEM, healthcare, and trade fields, including data-related programs.
• NC-SARA can help students understand state authorization for distance education programs based outside of Washington.

Data Science Events in Washington

Washington’s data science community is concentrated in the Seattle area, with smaller but active communities in Spokane and other regions. Students may need to look at general tech and AI-focused communities alongside more specialized options.

Data Science Meetups and Communities in Washington

• PyData Seattle is a regional chapter of the international PyData conference series, focused on open-source scientific computing and data science tools such as Pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn.
• Seattle Data, AI & Security is a hub for professionals and enthusiasts interested in data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, with regular evening events featuring speakers from companies including T-Mobile, SAP, and AMD.
• Seattle AI and ML Group brings together developers and AI enthusiasts interested in generative AI, large language models, machine learning, and deep learning.
• Seattle Women in Machine Learning and Data Science supports women and non-binary individuals who practice, study, or are interested in machine learning and data science through talks, technical workshops, and networking events.
• Spokane Tech Community connects tech professionals and students across the Spokane area, offering a general tech networking option for students outside the Puget Sound region.

Data Science Conferences and Workshops in Washington

• Seattle AI Week, organized by the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), includes a flagship AI Summit and more than 75 community events focused on AI and data topics across the Seattle tech ecosystem, scheduled for late October 2026.
• WTIA Tech in Focus is a quarterly event series that brings together subject-matter experts, industry leaders, and startups to discuss emerging technology topics, including AI and data.
• INTERFACE Spokane is an annual technology conference held at the Spokane Convention Center covering cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, AI, and disaster recovery, connecting Eastern Washington IT and data professionals with vendors and local experts.

Data Science Jobs in Washington

Data science roles can involve collecting, cleaning, analyzing, modeling, visualizing, and communicating data. In Washington, these roles are found across technology, aerospace, life sciences, government research, retail, and finance, often concentrated in the Seattle metro area but also present in smaller pockets 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 Washington

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, data scientists in Washington earned a median annual wage of $163,350 in May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning $79,930 or less and the highest 10% earning $220,040 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 Washington.

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

Washington Data Science, Tech, and Career Resources

• Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC): State agency for institutional degree authorization, SARA participation, and student financial aid programs.
• Washington State Department of Commerce: State economic development source for key sector, industry, and workforce information.
• Washington Employment Security Department, Labor Market Information: State labor market data, including occupational employment projections and wage statistics.
• Washington Student Achievement Council Financial Aid: State financial aid portal for the Washington College Grant and other state aid programs.
• Washington State Geospatial Open Data Portal: Public geospatial datasets useful for portfolio projects, civic data exploration, and GIS-related analytics.
• WSDOT Geospatial Open Data Portal: Transportation datasets useful for projects involving mobility, infrastructure, and public-sector analytics.
• Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA): A technology industry association supporting Washington’s tech sector through advocacy, events, and workforce programs.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.