With the expansion of the Internet, billions of people around the world are online, generating vast amounts of structured and unstructured data. Managing and deriving insights from the data has become crucial for businesses because they use the data to make informed decisions and optimize customer experiences. Handling such complex data requires specialized skill sets, which has led to demand for data scientists.
Pursuing an MS in Data Science provides a strong, career-focused foundation for becoming a successful data scientist. Many US-based MS programs in data science emphasize practical training, giving exposure to solving real business problems. This makes their education highly relevant to the job market.
In this article, we will delve into the top 10 universities offering MS programs in data science and explore the critical aspects of these programs.
Top 10 Universities Offering MS In Data Science In The USA
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PictureUniversity NameTop ElectivesUniversity Details
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Harvard UniversityMaster’s in Data ScienceFull-time
On campus
Duration: 18 months Intake: Fall(Aug or Sep)
Tuition Fees: $61,000 annually
Placement: 84%
QS Ranking: 4th Globally
Acceptance Rate: 3% -
University Of Illinois SpringfieldMS in Data AnalyticsFull-time On campus
Duration: 1 to 2 years
Intake: Fall (Aug), Spring (Jan 2025)
and Summer (June)
Tuition Fees: $14,000 per year
Placement: 88%
QS Ranking: 140 Globally
Acceptance Rate: 82% -
Stanford UniversityMS in Statistics And Data ScienceFull-time On campus
Duration: 1.5 to 2 years
Intake: Autumn (Sep), Winter (Jan2025)
and Summer (May 2025)
Tuition Fees: $60,000 Annually
Placement: 90%
QS Ranking: 6th Globally Overall
Acceptance Rate: 3.7% -
University Of PennsylvaniaMSE in Data ScienceFull-time On campus
Duration: 1 to 1.5 years
Intake: Fall (Aug), Spring (Jan2025)
Tuition Fees: $49,000 Annually
Placement: 80%
QS Ranking: 11th Globally Overall
Acceptance Rate: 6.5% -
New York UniversityMS in Data ScienceFull-time On campus
Duration: 2 years
Intake: Fall (Sep) and Spring (Jan2025)
Tuition Fees: Total tuition cost is $41,000 per year
Placement: 96%
QS Ranking: 43 Globally Overall
Acceptance Rate: 12.5% -
Arizona State UniversityMS in Data Science, Analytics, and Engineering (Computing and Decision Analytics)Full-time On campus
Duration: 1.5 to 2 years
Intake: Fall (Aug or Sep)
and Spring (Jan or Feb)
Tuition Fees: $38,000
Placement: 83%
QS Ranking: 200 Globally Overall
Acceptance Rate: 89% -
University Of WashingtonMS in Data ScienceFull-time or Part-time
On campus
Duration: 1.5 years for full-time
and 2.5 years for part-time
students Intake: Autumn (Sep), Winter (Jan 2025)
and Summer (June 2025)
Tuition Fees: Total tuition cost is $50,000
Placement: 93%
QS Ranking: 76 Globally Overall
Acceptance Rate: 47.5% -
Avila UniversityMS in Business Analytics Management
MS in Computer Science ManagementFull-time On campus
Duration: 1.5 to 2 years
Intake: Fall (Aug) and Spring (Jan 2025)
Tuition Fees: $600 per credit hour
Placement: 90%
Overall Acceptance Rate: 67% -
Nova Southeastern UniversityMS in Data Analytics and Artificial IntelligenceFull-time On campus
Duration: 1.5 to 2 years
Intake: Aug, Jan 2025, and May
Tuition Fees: $979 per credit hour
QS Ranking: 1401
Overall Acceptance Rate: 75% -
Bay Atlantic UniversityMS in Big Data AnalyticsFull-time On-campus
Duration: 2 years
Intake: Fall(Aug)
Spring(Jan 2025), Summer(May)
Tuition Fees: 22,000 USD per year
Placement: 93%
QS-Ranking: 200
Acceptance rate: 58%
Do read about Master’s in Data Analytics too.
Admission Requirements for MS in Data Science in USA
| University | GPA | Test Score |
| Arizona State University | A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | GRE – Not Required TOEFL – 80IELTS – 6 |
| Harvard University | A bachelor’s degree equivalent to the US with first-class honors | GRE – Not required IELTS – Minimum 7.5TOEFL – 106 |
| Stanford University | A bachelor’s degree equivalent to the US | GRE – RequiredTOEFL – 100 |
| University Of Pennsylvania | A bachelor’s degree from a reputed institution | GRE – OptionalIELTS – 7.5TOEFL – 100 |
| University Of Washington | A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from the last 2 years of graded full-time study | GRE – Not required TOEFL – 80IELTS – 6 |
| New York University | A bachelor’s degree in statistics, computer science, or related field with a minimum GPA of 3.8 | GRE – OptionalTOEFL – 100 |
| Bay Atlantic University | A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | GRE – Not Required TOEFL – 80IELTS – 6 |
| Avila University | All undergrad students should have a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher. | GRE – Not Required TOEFL – 78IELTS – 6 |
| University Of Illinois Springfield | A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 | GRE – Not Required TOEFL – 79IELTS – 6 |
| Nova Southeastern University | A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 | GRE – Not Required TOEFL – 80IELTS – 6 |
Documents Needed For Admission Process
| University | Documents |
| Arizona State University | -Application form and application fee -Official transcripts -Written statement -Professional resume -Proof Of English Proficiency |
| Harvard University | -Original degree-certified documents -English Proficiency test scores -Resume -3 or 4 letters of recommendation -Statement of purpose -Personal statement |
| Stanford University | -Official final transcripts in a sealed cover -Recommendation Letters -Personal Statement -CV -Test Scores |
| University Of Pennsylvania | -Professional Resume -Personal Statement -Two letters of recommendation -English Proficiency Test Scores -Transcripts (Check the university’s website for more information on transcripts) |
| University Of Washington | -Unofficial digital transcripts -Short resume -2 letters of recommendation -Proof of English Proficiency |
| New York University | -Proof of English Proficiency -Official college transcripts -Three letters of recommendation -Statement of Academic Purpose -Personal history statement (optional) -GRE test scores (optional) |
| Bay Atlantic University | -Official transcripts from all post-secondary -institutions attended -2 letters of recommendation -A statement of purpose -Current CV -Proof of English Language Proficiency |
| Avila University | -Financial documents -Test scores -Transcripts |
| University Of Illinois Springfield | -Official transcripts from all institutions attended -English Proficiency Test Scores -Statement of purpose -CV |
| Nova Southeastern University | -Sealed official transcripts from all institutions attended -A resume -Test Scores |
Application Process
| University | Online Application Website | Commons Steps For The Application Process |
| Arizona State University | Apply Now | -Create an account -Fill out the application with your details, academic background, and other details. -Upload the necessary documents. -Some universities may ask for additional responses such as the purpose of taking the program, etc. Answer these questions. -Review the application and submit it. |
| Harvard University | Apply Now | |
| Stanford University | Apply Now | |
| University Of Pennsylvania | Apply Now | |
| New York University | Apply Now | |
| Bay Atlantic University | Apply Now | |
| University Of Illinois Springfield | Apply Now | |
| Nova Southeastern University | Apply Now |
Different Types Of Scholarships To Fund MS in Data Science In The USA
| University | Scholarship | Application Deadline | Links |
| Arizona State University | New American Scholarship – International Academic Award: This scholarship is given to incoming international students with high competitive GPAs and test scores. The scholarship is eligible for grad and undergrad studies. | No separate application is required for this scholarship. The scholarship is decided when students apply for admission. However, materials like GRE scores have to be submitted before April 1 for the upcoming academic year. | Scholarship Link |
| Harvard University | Aga Khan Scholarship: The scholarship is given to students from developing countries who want to pursue postgraduate degrees. | March 31st 2025 | Scholarship Link |
| Bay Atlantic University | Merit-Based Tuition Assistance Scholarship: All students are eligible for this scholarship. | October 1st 2025 | Scholarship Link |
| University Of Pennsylvania | Penn GSE Merit-Based Scholarships: The scholarship is given to domestic and international students. It provides partial tuition support to full-time master’s students | There is no application for the scholarship. The scholarship is awarded based on the merit of the candidate at the time of admission application review. | Scholarship Link |
| University Of Illinois Springfield | GlobalScholarships.com’s Scholarship For International Students: $3000 is awarded to international students for the Fall 2025 studies. | May 31st 2025 | Scholarship Link |
Trends In The US Data Science Job Market
- The data science job market is seeing constant growth in the USA. According to the US Bureau Of Labor Statistics, the employment of data scientists will grow 36% between 2023 and 2033. This growth is much faster than the average for all occupations.
- The resilience of data science jobs is more than other technological roles in the US, especially in times of economic uncertainty. According to a 2023 tech layoffs study, data scientists were less affected by layoffs compared to groups like software engineers. Only 3% of data scientists were laid off while 22% of software engineers were shown the door in 2023.
- Coding skills are a major part of the data scientist jobs. According to reports, Python skill is the most sought-after skill in data science. The skill holds the lead with 57%, followed by R (33%) and SQL (30%).
Job Opportunities After MS In Data Science In The USA
| Job Role | Expected Salary |
| Data Scientist | $95,000 to $130,000 per year |
| Data Analyst | $60,000 to $85,000 per year |
| Machine Learning Engineer | $110,000 to $145,000 per year |
| Data Engineer | $90,000 to $125,000 per year |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | $70,000 to $95,000 per year |
Conclusion
Pursuing a Master’s program in Data Science in the USA opens doors to promising careers and research opportunities. The program will not only help you gain cutting-edge technological skills but also give you exposure to solving real-world challenges. Invest in the program and in return, you’ll gain a wealth of knowledge, hands-on experience, and a strong professional network.
FAQs
Some universities in the USA may ask for work experience but the majority of them do not require. Having said that, having work experience can strengthen your application.
While studying, international students are under the F1 student visa, and after post-graduation, students will be eligible for an H1B visa. The H1B visa will be a stepping stone to citizenship.
Yes, several universities offer internships as a part of the Master’s program.