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Contemplating the best universities in the USA for MS in data science? You have landed on the correct blog, where you can discover the list of 10 best universities in the USA for MS in data science by Rostrum. Know the courses offered, fees, and Admission Requirements for Data Science Courses in the USA. Stick to the blog, understand the top universities for MS in Data Science in the US and their broad requirements, and choose a university that aligns with your goals.
For more assistance, you can always fall back on us and get qualified guidance on your endeavouring journey to the best universities in the US for Data Science at Rostrum. Book a session now and make an informed choice in your career!
Why study MS in Data Science in USA?
The USA is one of the top-notch destinations for students pursuing an MS in Data Science. The credibility of the USA in this field comes up from the various factors listed below and why you should also be considering doing an MS in Data Sciences from the US.
- MS in Data Science in the USA is deemed to be a prestigious STEM education course that allows students to take the STEM OPT Extension after graduation.
- Multidisciplinary nature of the discipline- The STEM courses in the USA for data sciences use various techniques and subject matter, such as scientific methods, techniques, algorithms, and processes, to solve complex programs. They will help in the application of these techniques in cases where a large amount of data is involved.
- Huge job markets- Even the admission procedure is challenging, and getting admission to the 10 best universities is very difficult because of good jobs after graduation and other academic prospects.
- With every tech giant invested in data scientists to make their businesses grow, it is necessary to tap into the field’s potential. Big tech giants (Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft) and small entities, such as data scientists, are in demand.
- Since data is the new oil of the 21st century, with many subfields emerging in the discipline of data science, the number of jobs in this field will increase tremendously. According to a report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for Data Scientists will increase by 36% between 2021 and 2031.
- Good sources of funding and scholarships- As data science is a dynamic field with many more new opportunities and facets, International students can easily avail themselves of scholarships to study for an MS in Data Science from their universities or external funding sources.
For these reasons, students can easily plan their master’s in data science courses in the USA for admission. These are the most compelling reasons for students to choose an MS in Data Science from the US.
Top Universities In USA For Data Science
Here is a list of the top universities in the USA for Data Science according to the QS World Rankings 2024.
QS World Rankings 2024- For Data Science | University |
---|---|
1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
2 | Carnegie Mellon University |
3 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
5 | Harvard University |
12 | University of Washington |
13 | Georgia Institute of Technology |
14 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
15 | Princeton University |
16 | Cornell University |
17 | New York University (NYU) |
20 | University of Pennsylvania |
Top Universities In USA For Data Science: Specializations and Degree Types
Data science is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary subject that has emerged with the global IT revolution and the need for people to decode data qualitatively for businesses and companies. The discipline encompasses various subjects, from statistics to mathematics to computer science, which are crucial to extracting information in large data sets.
Here are some of the specializations the data science colleges in the USA provide:
- Big Data Analysis
- Business Analytics
- Computing in Python
- Data analysis
- Data mining
- Data Science
- Data Systems and Processing
- Deep Learning
- Machine learning
Degrees available at Data Science Colleges in the USA
Data Science as a discipline and significant focus of the academic circle starts with undergraduate courses and has a wide range of degrees, as listed below.
- Undergraduate: This is the foremost level. Data Science is given as a major and even a minor subject. Mostly, it is given as a minor subject given the level of education, and students are given a wide range of options to choose the discipline they would like to pursue further. International students will be allowed to major in one discipline and pursue data science as a minor.
- Graduate: Popularly known as the Master in Science (MS) at this level. Students can choose to graduate with a wide range of courses like MS in Data Science, MS in Analytics, and MS in Statistics-Data Science. Master in Data Science is more popular than a Bachelor’s or PhD.
The top colleges in MS in Data Sciences in the USA course curriculum especially builds on three key areas:
- Statistics, which includes learning about different statistical tools, programming languages and so on.
- Data Science- this especially deals with the aspects of data management, data visualization, it includes tools like Tableau, Power BI etc.
- Analytical Methodologies – Analytical research is the process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information to make inferences and reach conclusions which includes both quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Postgraduate: At the PhD level, it is a deeper understanding of thesis submissions and projects at hand in various related fields of data sciences, like a PhD in Data Analytics, a PhD in Machine learning, and a PhD in Big Data.
Top Universities In USA For MS in Data Science
University | Course Provided | Course Duration | Fees (in USD) | QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence |
---|---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science | 18 months | 1350 | 1 |
Carnegie Mellon University | Master of Computational Data Science (MCDS); Master of Science in Data Analytics for Science (MS-DAS). | 16 months | 58,000 | 2 |
Harvard University | MS Data Science, MSc in Health Data Science | 18 months | 61,768 | 4 |
Stanford University | MS in Statistics – Data Science | 2 years | 38,160 | – |
University of Pennsylvania | MS in Engineering in Data Science | 18 months | 32,796 | 20 |
Columbia University | Master of Science [M.S] Data Science | 1 year | 49,240 | – |
University of California | Master Of Data Science | 2 years | 12,264 | 31 |
Yale University | Master of Science [M.S] Statistics and Data Science | 2 years | 45,700 | – |
Duke University | MS in Data Science | 2 years | 62,620 | – |
Data Science colleges In USA: Admission Requirement for MS
- It becomes necessary for students to have either computer science, mathematics, economics or statistics at their undergraduate level with a minimum of 80% (equivalent to a 3 GPA).
- Some universities may ask for GRE scores, but most waive them.
- Language Tests: For international students, they should provide English language proficiency test scores. It can be IELTS or TOEFL; the minimum required score is IELTS: 7.0: TOEFL:80.
Data Science Universities In USA for MS: Documents required
The requirements for an MSc in Data Sciences in the USA for most universities need to checklist the following items.
- Official Transcripts
- Standardized test scores, such as GRE scores, are required for pursuing an MS in the USA.
- IELTS or TOEFL
- Statement of Purpose for MS in the US
- 3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs) from some professionals in this or related field.
- Online application form
- Personal Statement
- C.V. or Resume
- Work experience in some universities.
Data Science colleges In USA: Fees for MS
The tuition fees for a master’s in data science in the USA are variable depending on the number of credit hours required for your course and whether it is a public or private university. The average tuition fees range from 12,264 USD to 61,768 USD (10.2 lakhs to 51.6 lakhs INR) per annum.
University | Fees in USD | Fees in INR |
---|---|---|
Harvard University | 61,768 | 51.6 lakhs |
Stanford University | 38,160 | 31.9 lakhs |
University of Pennsylvania | 32,796 | 27.4 lakhs |
Columbia University | 49,240 | 40.84 lakhs |
University of California | 12,264 | 10.2 lakhs |
Yale University | 45,700 | 38.2 lakhs |
Duke University | 62,620 | 52.3 lakhs |
MS in Data Science Salary
There is a wide range of jobs one could get after doing an MS in Data science in the US, starting from a data scientist to various allied fields like the health sector, finance and social sector.
Jobs After MS in Data Science in US | Average Annual Salary |
---|---|
Data Scientist | USD 160,586 |
Data Visualization Developer | USD 133,600 |
Robotics Research Scientist | USD 156,000 |
Machine Learning Engineer | USD 166,401 |
Data Mining Engineer | USD 127,500 |
Big Data Solutions Architect | USD 132,887 |
AI Researcher | USD 113,102 |
Business Intelligence Analyst | USD 91,318 |
FAQs Top Universities in USA for MS in Data Science
1. Is MS in Data Science in USA hard?
Given the diversity of themes covered in the curriculum, an MSc in Data sciences is challenging. Hence, it is a hard-to-crack degree. It starts from abstract technicalities to real-world applications. Therefore, one must be precise and determined to take the course and learn different computer languages and applications.
2. Which country pays the highest salary for a data scientist?
USA tops the list in providing one of the high-paid jobs for Data science professionals. The average annual salary for an MS in data science student is around USD 100,000. For a data scientist holding a master’s degree, it is USD 146,000 annually.
3. Who is eligible for MS in Data Science in USA?
Students who have either computer science, mathematics, economics or statistics at their undergraduate level with a minimum of 80% (equivalent to a 3 GPA). Some universities may ask for GRE scores, but most waive them. For international students, they should provide English language proficiency test scores. It can be IELTS or TOEFL; the minimum required score is IELTS: 7.0: TOEFL:80.
4. Is USA good for data science?
Yes, it is absolutely good for an MSc in Data Science, given that it is home to 15-20 of the best universities for Data Sciences, according to QS world rankings. Additionally, it provided a wide range of interdisciplinary courses in the field, equipping the students to become data scientists and many others with decent salaries right after graduation.

Yatharth
Author
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Yatharth is the co-founder of Rostrum education. He pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Mathematics and Statistics from London School of Economics and Political Science. He has worked with leading educational consultancies in the UK to tutor students and assist them in university admissions.
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