Online Data Science Degree in Georgia: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)

Quick answer: Georgia employs about 9,260 data scientists (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through the institution’s accreditor. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.

Compare data science programs enrolling now:

Licensing and Credentials in Georgia

Data science carries no state licence and no programmatic accreditor of its own. The credential that matters is the depth of the statistics sequence and a portfolio of real modelling work. Most accredited programs sit at master’s level; the bachelor’s tier is thinner.

Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with the institution’s accreditor that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.

Earning the Degree While You Work

Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 6 schools within 205 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 6 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

University of Georgia

Athens, GA 50.1 miles away BOC Score 88.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 88.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 21
  • Annual completions: 1578
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $74,144 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Berry College

Mount Berry, GA 99.6 miles away BOC Score 63.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 71.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 3
  • Annual completions: 16
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,750 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA 62.6 miles away BOC Score 58.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 50.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 29
  • Annual completions: 2347
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $68,306 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Augusta University

Augusta, GA 108.5 miles away BOC Score 54.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 48.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 18
  • Annual completions: 443
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $62,546 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

College of Coastal Georgia

Brunswick, GA 204.7 miles away BOC Score 39.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 25.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 8
  • Annual completions: 34
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,505 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

What Data Scientists Earn in Georgia

Data Scientists in Georgia earn a median $104,340 per year, below the national median of $120,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Data Science Pay and Employment in Georgia at a Glance

MetricGeorgiaNationalSource
Median annual wage$104,340$120,230BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile$67,750$67,240BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile$84,120$85,660BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile$136,560$158,880BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile$170,010$199,130BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment9,260262,440BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient1.121.00BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)not published by state33.5%BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34

How Georgia Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country

The Georgia median of $104,340 sits below the national median of $120,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.

A location quotient of 1.12 puts Georgia slightly above the national average, so the occupation is a little more common here than in the typical state (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.

Where the Jobs Are in Georgia

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Atlanta$108,9406,820
Dalton$101,02050
Albany$97,35050
Savannah$97,200160
Macon$95,55080
Augusta$92,800220
Rome$92,13030
Warner Robins$87,060110
Gainesville$84,67070
Columbus$78,620140

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Data science hiring follows the same technology and corporate concentrations as software, with health systems and finance adding demand in metros that are not technology hubs

Data Scientists Wages by Metro Area in Georgia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), data scientists wages in Georgia vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell6,820$108,940$120,230$72,430$172,130
Augusta-Richmond County220$92,800$98,370$52,400$148,950
Chattanooga200$91,340$97,460$58,960$134,480
Savannah160$97,200$105,350$60,600$154,310
Columbus140$78,620$90,620$53,870$144,850
Warner Robins110$87,060$99,160$69,080$160,050
Macon-Bibb County80$95,550$103,300$63,070$146,520
Gainesville70$84,670$94,680$52,380$144,920
Albany50$97,350$98,380$54,440$143,450
Dalton50$101,020$107,690$60,830$163,940
Athens-Clarke County30$76,090$87,310$48,250$155,210
Rome30$92,130$97,920$70,170$144,780

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

All Georgia Metro Areas With Published Data

Atlanta * Augusta * Columbus * Savannah * Warner Robins


Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do data scientists make in Georgia?

The median annual wage for data scientists in Georgia is $104,340, below the national median of $120,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $84,120 at the 25th percentile to $136,560 at the 75th.

How many data scientists work in Georgia?

Georgia holds about 9,260 data scientist jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 262,440, and BLS projects about 23,400 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Do I need a license to work as a data scientist in Georgia?

Data science carries no state licence and no programmatic accreditor of its own. The credential that matters is the depth of the statistics sequence and a portfolio of real modelling work. Most accredited programs sit at master's level; the bachelor's tier is thinner. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with the institution's accreditor before you enroll in any program.

Can I earn a data science degree online while working in Georgia?

Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies the institution's accreditor.

What is the highest-paying area of Georgia for data scientists?

Among Georgia metro areas with published data, Atlanta reports the highest median at $108,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is Georgia a good state for data scientists?

On pay, the state median of $104,340 sits below the national $120,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.12 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.