15 Best Data Science Masters Programs In 2024

Data Science has seen exponential growth over all these years as data science helps businesses across every industry to make better decisions, reducing the overall cost and even maintaining some really fruitful relationships across businesses. Computer and information research experts are needed to gather, analyse, and develop new algorithms to comprehend vast data sets, with a projected growth rate of 21% over the following ten years. We’ve gathered some of the really best data science masters programs to consider and also some best online data science courses in case you want to break into data science but don't have enough time and resources for in-person classes. 

Purdue University

Tuition Fees - $420 - $700/ credit
Students can get ready for a job in this new area that combines computer science and statistics by enrolling in Purdue's data science masters program in computational data science. To obtain knowledge and the capacity to generate predictions based on large data, students learn to employ quantitative and analytical methodologies. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent is required for applicants. The Department of Computer and Information Science at Purdue has a 100% employment rate, and its faculty members are both seasoned academics and business people. With graduate credits costing between $420 and 700 a credit, Purdue has been ranked as one of the most innovative universities in the country.

Indiana University

Tuition Fees - Residents: $485/ credit | Non-Residents: $797/ credit
Students choose one of four study tracks, including applied data science, computational and analytical, big data systems, and managerial data science, and complete 30 graduate-level credits in those areas. To improve data science masters program employability in the field, there is additional training in fundamental core subjects, including programming, statistics, data analytics, and more. The curriculum emphasises internships, research projects, interdisciplinary collaboration, and hands-on learning. The inexpensive tuition for the data science masters program at Indiana University, which is $485 per credit for in-state students, makes it an excellent and economical option for those interested in studying the data science masters program.

North Carolina State University

Tuition Fees - Residents: $505/ credit | Non-Residents: $1,572/ credit
The highly respected data science masters program at NC State teaches students how to manage, query, analyse, display, and extract meaning from big data sets, giving them the knowledge and abilities to recognise conventional, innovative, and differentiating solutions. A total of 12 credits of computer science, one credit of orientation, and 18 hours of data science core courses and electives are required of students. In addition, the data science masters program faculty includes 31 recipients of the National Science Foundation's CAREER Awards, 12 members of the NC State Academy of Outstanding Teachers, 10 IEEE Fellows, 2 ACM Fellows, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the computer science faculty includes 31 recipients of the National Science Foundation's CAREER Awards.

Colorado State University

Tuition Fees - Residents: $601 | Non-Residents: $1,475
Colorado State University offers a data science master program in applied statistics. Both an on-campus residential degree and an online degree are offered in the programme. While part-time students need two to four years to graduate, full-time students can finish it in one year. Business database systems, regression models and applications, and statistical consulting are all required courses. There are 27 credits of prerequisite coursework then, the student must complete three to four credits of elective coursework. Application requirements include a 3.0/4.0 undergraduate GPA, the Math Entrance Exam, or the GRE.

The University of Oklahoma

Tuition Fees - $985/ credit
The University of Oklahoma's Data Science masters program and Analytics Institute offers certificate, master's, and doctoral-level data science and analytics programmes. Students can choose to take their coursework online, on-campus at the Norman campus, or a mix of both. Calculus I and II, linear algebra, and one year of high-level programming are prerequisites for the curriculum. Computing structures, database management systems, and intelligent data analytics are among the 20 credits of necessary coursework.

Georgia Tech Professional Education

Tuition Fees - $586/ credit
The College of Computing, College of Engineering, and Scheller College of Business all contribute to Georgia Tech's online data science masters program, which covers a wide range of topics, including machine learning/AI, statistical modelling and learning, data storage and pipelining, and more. One of the more economical options on our list, the programme has 36 credit hours and costs less than $10K in total tuition. No GRE or GMAT is necessary for this data science masters program.

Depaul University

Tuition Fees - $900/ credit
DePaul's data science masters program provides students with technical knowledge and advanced computational skills to handle big data analytics. Both on-campus and online options are available for the programme, and online students have full access to all software, faculty advisors, and other university resources. Those taking the program in person will have access to 30 specialised labs on campus, including research labs with advanced technology, software, and experimental tools. Through seminars, panel discussions, skill development, and hackathons, the DePaul Data Science master program establishes connections between students and business executives, alumni, and professors.

Cornell University

Tuition Fees - $1,680/ credit
A Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in applied statistics is available at Cornell, preparing students for careers that demand proficiency in contemporary data analysis techniques. There are two tracks: data science, which focuses more on computer science concepts like databases, middleware, and scripting, and statistical analysis, which emphasises more issues in computer science. The data science masters program at Cornell University is intended to be finished in two semesters. For overseas students, this curriculum qualifies as a STEM programme, making them eligible for 36 months of optional practical training (OPT) if the prerequisites are satisfied.

University of Virginia

Tuition Fees - residents - $827/ credit | Non-Residents - $1,394
The residential data science masters program at UV is just under a year long and consists of 32 credits. It includes subjects including deep learning, text analytics, machine learning, and natural language processing. The school's Charlottesville campus is where classes are held. The residential programme includes a rich cohort experience that encourages networking and cooperation, as well as an integrated curriculum that strongly emphasises the practical application of knowledge.

Carnegie Mellon University

Tuition Fees - $660/ credit
The one-year, full-time data science masters program at CMU includes challenging coursework in applied linear algebra, programming, machine learning, statistical methods, and neural networks. The programme begins in the fall semester. A leader in high-performance computing and data analytics, the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center provides courses in collaboration with the Mellon College of Science. The curriculum is completed with a capstone project that lasts a semester and involves students working with business partners to obtain a practical understanding of how to influence scientific discovery using applied data analytics abilities.

University of Southern California

Tuition Fees - $2,309/ credit
GMAT or GRE scores are not required for admission to the online data science masters program at the University of Southern California. However, overseas students are required to present a TOEFL score. On average, accepted applicants had a 3.8 undergraduate GPA. Application letters of recommendation are not required. For the academic year 2021–2022, the program's acceptance rate was 13%.

Bay Path

Tuition Fees - $880/ credit
For breaking into its online data science masters program, Bay Path University does not need applicants to submit GMAT or GRE results. Accepted students had three years of work experience and, on average, a 3.5 undergraduate GPA for the academic year 2021–2022. The TOEFL is not necessary for international applicants. For the academic year 2021–2022, the program's acceptance rate was 49%. The online Bay Path masters programme in applied data science requires two letters of recommendation.

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Tuition Fees - $1,112/ credit
For admission to the online data science masters program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, candidates must submit a GRE score, and candidates from outside the United States must have a TOEFL score of at least 79. The average undergraduate GPA of accepted candidates is 3.2. Graduates of the programme earn an average base salary of $95,000. You need one letter of recommendation to apply.

Clemson University

Tuition Fees - $1,264/ credit
Although GMAT or GRE scores are not required for admission to Clemson University's online data science master program and analytics degree, the institution will accept them "as evidence of students' ability." The class of 2021–2022 admitted applicants had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.11 To be considered for the data science masters program, international applicants must present a TOEFL score of at least 80. For the academic year 2021–2022, the program's acceptance rate was 85.7%. For the online data science masters programme and analytics at Clemson, two letters of recommendation are needed.

Texas Tech University

Tuition Fees - $1,097/ credit
To be eligible for admission to Texas Tech University’s online data science masters program, applicants are not required to submit GMAT or GRE results. The average undergraduate GPA of those admitted to this programme for the 2021–2022 academic year was 3.27. Candidates from abroad must submit their TOEFL results. For the academic year 2021–2022, the program's acceptance rate was 81%. You need one letter of recommendation to apply.

We sincerely hope that you find our list of the top 15 data science master programs to be incredibly useful. If you are still a little puzzled, don't worry—we have a solution for that too. Try emailing the specific university you prefer above the others on the list, or read this page for additional information on the requirements, eligibility, and other aspects of the data science master program in the UK. Also, to explore more important facts about various degrees in the UK similar to data science, like a master's in computer science, check this out.