Best Data Science Master's Degree Programs 2026

Best Data Science Programs - Top 10 Master's — Complete Program Data

1. #1. Columbia University in the City of New York Master's Data Science Program

   Hakia ranks Columbia University in the City of New York as the #1 master's in data science degree program. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $64,526/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 80.3

   What makes Columbia University in the City of New York stand out: Columbia's Data Science Institute houses one of the world's most comprehensive data science ecosystems, with 400+ affiliated faculty across eight specialized research centers and a 'Data for Good' mission that tackles society's toughest challenges while maintaining direct industry partnerships.

   Hakia Insight: Through ties with Amazon and Google, Columbia University in the City of New York bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.

   Program Overview: Columbia University's MS in Data Science stands as one of the most highly rated and sought-after advanced data science programs in the world, uniquely positioned within the prestigious Data Science Institute. This rigorous 3-semester program (plus summer internship/research) costs $60,000 in tuition and operates as a collaborative effort between three powerhouse departments: the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences' Department of Statistics, Columbia Engineering's Department of Computer Science, and the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. Students don't just study data science—they live it through original research opportunities, industry capstone projects with real partners, and direct interaction with world-class faculty who are actively shaping the field. What sets Columbia's program apart is its 'Data for Good' philosophy, where students engage with eight specialized research centers tackling everything from smart cities and cybersecurity to health analytics and AI for sciences and engineering. The program combines academic rigor with practical application, offering seminars, industry events, and real-world exposure that gives students what current MS student Bavna Rajan calls 'the whole package—the academics and the industry exposure together.' With over 1,500 alumni now working at companies ranging from Google and Meta to Goldman Sachs and McKinsey, the program has established itself as a pipeline to leadership positions across all sectors.

   Degree Programs: MS in Data Science (3 semesters plus summer); PhD Specialization in Data Science; Certification of Professional Achievement in Data Sciences

   Research Labs: Smart Cities - smart cities research; Sense, Collect, and Move Data - data collection and movement; Health Analytics - healthcare analytics; Foundations of Data Science - foundational data science research; Financial and Business Analytics - finance and business applications; Data, Media, and Society - social impact of data; Cybersecurity - cybersecurity research; AI for Sciences and Engineering - AI applications in sciences

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, McKinsey & Company, IBM, Oracle, PayPal

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, McKinsey & Company, IBM, Oracle, PayPal, LinkedIn, Citibank, Ernst & Young

   Admissions:

2. #2. University of Southern California Master's Data Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of Southern California as the #2 master's in data science degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $66,640/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 77.1

   What makes University of Southern California stand out: USC houses the Information Sciences Institute (ISI), a world-renowned research center that pioneered ARPAnet technologies and continues to lead breakthroughs in AI and data science, while the program's unique 'lived in the data' philosophy ensures students graduate with real-world experience through extensive hands-on projects and professional practicums.

   Hakia Insight: Students at University of Southern California benefit from active collaborations with Amazon and Google, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: USC Viterbi offers a comprehensive suite of data science programs designed to transform students with diverse backgrounds into skilled data scientists. The flagship Master of Science in Applied Data Science is a 32-unit program that welcomes students from computer science, engineering, scientific disciplines, and even social sciences with strong mathematical aptitude. The program emphasizes hands-on experience with the philosophy of having students 'lived in the data' through extensive practical projects and a unique professional practicum. USC also offers a more technical MS in Computer Science - Data Science track for students with strong CS backgrounds, providing deeper algorithmic and systems expertise in handling large-scale, heterogeneous data across domains like energy, healthcare, and transportation. Both programs are available through the innovative DEN@Viterbi online platform, delivering the identical curriculum and degree as on-campus students, making USC one of the pioneers in high-quality remote engineering education.

   Degree Programs: MS in Applied Data Science (1.5-2 years); MS in Computer Science - Data Science (1.5-2 years)

   Research Labs: Information Sciences Institute (ISI) - World leader in AI, networking, cybersecurity, and advanced information processing; Data Science Lab - Machine learning and data mining research; Machine Learning and Data Mining Lab (Melady) - Advanced ML algorithms and applications; Intelligence and Knowledge Discovery (INK) Research Lab - Knowledge graphs and information extraction

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Google, Deloitte, Boeing, Chevron Corporation

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Research positions in industry, government, and non-profits

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Yolanda Gil (Data Science Program Director)

   Admissions:

3. #3. George Mason University Master's Data Science Program

   Hakia ranks George Mason University as the #3 master's in data science degree program. Location: Fairfax, VA | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,095/year | Graduation Rate: 80% | Score: 75.1

   What makes George Mason University stand out: George Mason's Department of Computational and Data Sciences is globally recognized as one of only a few departments offering comprehensive data science education at all degree levels, while the Data Analytics Engineering program offers an exceptional 14 specialized concentrations including unique tracks like Naval Engineering and Cyber Analytics.

   Hakia Insight: George Mason University's direct partnerships with Northrop Grumman and spaceNEXT give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.

   Program Overview: George Mason University offers multiple pathways into data science through two distinct colleges. The College of Engineering and Computing houses the MS in Data Analytics Engineering, a 30-credit multidisciplinary program designed specifically for aspiring data scientists and analysts in finance, marketing, operations, and business intelligence. This program stands out with 14 specialized concentrations ranging from Cyber Analytics and Financial Engineering to Health Data Analytics and Naval Engineering. Meanwhile, the College of Science operates the Department of Computational and Data Sciences, one of only a few departments globally offering degrees at all levels - bachelor's, master's, and two PhD programs. The BS in Computational and Data Sciences integrates real-world computer science skills with data analysis, scientific modeling, and simulation, preparing graduates for the federal sector and high-tech firms where computational analysis drives decision-making.

   Degree Programs: MS in Data Analytics Engineering (2 years); BS in Computational and Data Sciences (4 years); MS in Computational Science (2 years); PhD in Computational Sciences and Informatics (4-6 years); PhD in Computational Social Science (4-6 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine - Computational biology and proteomics data analysis; School of Systems Biology - Computational approaches to biological systems and bioinformatics

   Industry Partners: Northrop Grumman, spaceNEXT

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: federal sector, public sector, high technology firms | Common Roles: data scientist, scientific simulation analyst, data analysis specialist

   Notable Faculty: Michael Eagle (Scientific and Statistical Visualization)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for MS programs

   Accreditations: STEM-designated

4. #4. University of Virginia-Main Campus Master's Data Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of Virginia-Main Campus as the #4 master's in data science degree program. Location: Charlottesville, VA | Type: Public | Tuition: $18,823/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 74.4

   What makes University of Virginia-Main Campus stand out: UVA operates one of the few dedicated Schools of Data Science in the nation, built with a transformative $120 million founding gift and designed as a 'school without walls' that emphasizes responsible data science for the common good rather than purely technical applications.

   Program Overview: The University of Virginia School of Data Science operates as a forward-thinking 'school without walls,' committed to teaching responsible data science for the common good. Established with a remarkable $120 million gift, UVA offers comprehensive data science education from undergraduate through doctoral levels. The school's flagship Master of Science in Data Science comes in two formats: a intensive one-year residential program covering 33+ credit hours across three semesters, and a flexible online version designed for working professionals spanning five semesters. Both programs feature an integrated curriculum covering natural language processing, machine learning, text analytics, and deep learning, emphasizing hands-on learning combined with sound theoretical principles. What sets UVA's approach apart is its emphasis on interdisciplinary applications and real-world problem solving. The school offers unique concentration options in Analytics, Systems, Design, and Value, with collaborative concentrations available across the university. Students engage with experts from diverse domains to apply data science to actual challenges, preparing them to become leaders in a field where the World Economic Forum projects data science jobs will comprise more than half of the top 15 fastest-growing job fields.

   Degree Programs: B.S. in Data Science (3 years); M.S. in Data Science, Residential (1 year); M.S. in Data Science, Online (5 semesters); Ph.D. in Data Science (4-6 years typical); Minor in Data Science (varies)

   Research Labs: Data Science Colloquium - Regular research presentations and academic discourse

   Notable Faculty: Brian Wright (Program Director)

   Admissions:

5. #5. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Master's Data Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of Michigan-Ann Arbor as the #5 master's in data science degree program. Location: Ann Arbor, MI | Type: Public | Tuition: $17,977/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 72.3

   What makes University of Michigan-Ann Arbor stand out: Michigan's MS in Data Science is jointly owned and operated by four separate departments - CSE, Statistics, School of Information, and Biostatistics - creating an unusually comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum that balances statistical theory with computational implementation across diverse data domains.

   Hakia Insight: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn $87,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on data science curriculum.

   Program Overview: The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Master's in Data Science represents a unique collaborative effort between four powerhouse departments: Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Statistics, School of Information, and Biostatistics. This interdisciplinary approach ensures students receive balanced training in both statistical rigor and computational prowess, combining the distinct educational strengths of each contributing department. Located in the Bob and Betty Beyster Building on U-M's engineering campus, the program sits within the Computer Science and Engineering Division, which is part of the highly-ranked Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering. The program is specifically designed to produce graduates who understand data representation and analysis at an advanced level, with particular emphasis on working with large heterogeneous datasets in multi-computer environments. Students develop the ability to identify relevant datasets, apply appropriate statistical and computational tools to answer complex questions posed by individuals, organizations, or governmental agencies, and design and evaluate analytical procedures that can be efficiently implemented across distributed computing systems.

   Degree Programs: MS in Data Science

   Research Labs: Cancer Data Science - Quantitative aspects of cancer research, biostatistics, and bioinformatics

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 94% | Common Roles: Data analyst, UX researcher, IT analyst, Product manager, Business analyst, Digital media coordinator, Consultant, UX designer

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Eytan Adar (Data science and visualization); Dr. Eric Gilbert (Social computing and data analysis); Dr. Qiaozhu Mei (Data mining and machine learning); Dr. Mark Newman (Network analysis and complex systems); Dr. Christopher Brooks (Learning analytics and educational data science); Dr. Ceren Budak (Social media analytics and computational social science); Dr. Dallas Card (Natural language processing and machine learning); Dr. VG Vinod Vydiswaran (Health informatics and medical data science)

   Admissions:

6. #6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Master's Data Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as the #6 master's in data science degree program. Location: Champaign, IL | Type: Public | Tuition: $14,768/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 70.0

   What makes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign stand out: Illinois created one of the first fully online Master of Computer Science in Data Science programs with courses taught by faculty who have produced seminal research in data sciences, while offering unprecedented flexibility through cross-school collaboration between Statistics, Computer Science, and Information Sciences.

   Hakia Insight: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's industry network — including IBM and C3.ai — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.

   Program Overview: The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a comprehensive ecosystem of data science programs spanning multiple top-ranked schools. The flagship Master of Computer Science in Data Science (MCS-DS) is a fully online 32-credit program delivered by the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science, focusing on four core areas: data visualization, machine learning, data mining, and cloud computing. Students can also pursue the Master of Science in Statistics with Analytics concentration through the Department of Statistics, or the MS in Information Management (MSIM) through the School of Information Sciences. The traditional MS in Computer Science offers a research-focused 32-credit path with thesis requirement, while the Department of Statistics provides both undergraduate and graduate programs with flexible curriculum options tailored to career goals. What sets Illinois apart is its interdisciplinary approach, with data science education integrated across engineering, statistics, and information sciences. The programs leverage collaboration between the Department of Statistics, School of Information Sciences, and Siebel School, creating unique cross-disciplinary learning opportunities. Students benefit from access to world-class research infrastructure including the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), Coordinated Science Laboratory, and numerous AI-focused research centers like AIFARMS and the C3.ai Digital Transformation Institute.

   Degree Programs: Master of Computer Science in Data Science (MCS-DS) (Flexible timing); Master of Science in Computer Science (2 years); Master of Science in Statistics (Flexible); Master of Science in Statistics with Analytics Concentration (Flexible); MS in Information Management (MSIM) (18-24 months); Bachelor of Science in Statistics (4 years)

   Research Labs: Coordinated Science Laboratory - Premier multidisciplinary research lab focusing on information technology at crossroads of circuits, computing, control, and communications; National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) - Advanced computing and data analytics research infrastructure; Artificial Intelligence for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management, and Sustainability Institute (AIFARMS) - AI research areas including computer vision, machine learning, and human-robot interaction for agriculture; C3.ai Digital Transformation Institute (DTI) - Research consortium on AI, machine learning, cloud computing, IoT, and big data analytics; IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute (IIDAI) - Academic-industry partnership for hybrid cloud, AI, quantum computing, and materials discovery

   Industry Partners: IBM, C3.ai, Amazon, Capital One

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

7. #7. University of Pennsylvania Master's Data Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of Pennsylvania as the #7 master's in data science degree program. Location: Philadelphia, PA | Type: Private | Tuition: $58,620/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 69.5

   What makes University of Pennsylvania stand out: Penn's MSE in Data Science stands out for its unique depth area specialization system, allowing students to apply data science techniques across diverse fields from digital humanities to public policy, all while being housed in the newly opened Amy Gutmann Hall—the dedicated hub for data science innovation backed by a $60 million IDEAS initiative.

   Hakia Insight: University of Pennsylvania's industry network — including Penn Wharton Budget Model and Philadelphia biomedical startups — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.

   Program Overview: The University of Pennsylvania's Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Data Science represents a cutting-edge program that can typically be completed in 1.5 to 2 years. Led by Program Director Susan Davidson, this interdisciplinary degree blends foundational courses in machine learning, big data analytics, and statistics with specialized depth areas ranging from digital humanities at the Price Lab to biomedical informatics and public policy through the Penn Wharton Budget Model. What sets Penn's approach apart is its emphasis on domain specialization—students don't just learn data science techniques, but apply them in focused areas like network science through the Warren Center for Network and Data Science, or biomedicine through the Institute for Biomedical Informatics. The program is housed within Penn's School of Engineering and Applied Science and benefits from the university's strong cross-disciplinary traditions. Students complete ten courses total: two foundational units, three core requirements, and five technical electives that allow for deep specialization. The curriculum culminates in either a thesis or practicum project, giving students hands-on experience applying data science techniques to real-world challenges. With the recent opening of Amy Gutmann Hall as the new hub for data science at Penn, the program is positioned at the center of a $60 million Innovation in Data Engineering and Science (IDEAS) initiative that's driving aggressive faculty hiring in AI, data science, and machine learning.

   Degree Programs: MSE in Data Science (1.5-2 years); BS in Statistics and Data Science (4 years); Master of Applied Economics and Data Science

   Research Labs: Warren Center for Network and Data Science - Network science applications and methodologies; Price Lab for Digital Humanities - Data science applications in humanities research; Institute for Biomedical Informatics - Healthcare and biomedical data science; Innovation in Data Engineering and Science (IDEAS) - Data-driven scientific discovery, autonomous systems, and neuroengineering with $60 million investment

   Industry Partners: Penn Wharton Budget Model, Philadelphia biomedical startups

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: technology and engineering, consulting, science, policy-making, literature analysis, art analysis, communications

   Notable Faculty: Susan Davidson (Program Director for Data Science)

   Admissions:

8. #8. Northeastern University Master's Data Science Program

   Hakia ranks Northeastern University as the #8 master's in data science degree program. Location: Boston, MA | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,000/year | Score: 69.4

   What makes Northeastern University stand out: Northeastern's Data Science program uniquely combines rigorous technical training with extensive experiential learning through co-ops, while offering flexible pathways for both technical and non-technical backgrounds through their innovative Align program.

   Hakia Insight: Access to Boston's tech industry ecosystem

   Program Overview: Northeastern University's Data Science program offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate pathways through the Khoury College of Computer Sciences. The Bachelor of Science in Data Science focuses on collection, manipulation, storage, retrieval, and computational analysis of numeric, textual, image, and video data from small to large volumes. The program combines computer science fundamentals with specialized data science courses including machine learning, data mining, information visualization, and large-scale data storage. Students can choose between Computer Science or Data Science programming pathways and complete hands-on projects with industry applications. The MS in Data Science is offered both as a traditional program and an Align version for students without programming backgrounds. The program emphasizes experiential learning through co-ops and internships, with nearly 100% of graduates employed or in advanced programs within nine months.

   Degree Programs: BS in Data Science (4 years); MS in Data Science (2-2.5 years); MS in Data Science—Align (2-2.5 years)

   Research Labs: Data Science Research Area - Interdisciplinary study of data collection, management, storage, retrieval, analysis, and building systems for mining patterns and knowledge

   Industry Partners: Verizon

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: Nearly 100% within nine months | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Data Engineer

   Admissions:

9. #9. The University of Texas at Austin Master's Data Science Program

   Hakia ranks The University of Texas at Austin as the #9 master's in data science degree program. Location: Austin, TX | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,678/year | Graduation Rate: 89% | Score: 67.0

   What makes The University of Texas at Austin stand out: Unique curriculum that integrates approaches from both statistics and computer science, giving graduates a wide range of tools to tackle any data challenge with both capacity to build and deploy solutions and credibility to ensure stakeholder trust.

   Hakia Insight: Austin technology hub

   Program Overview: The Master of Science in Data Science at UT Austin is an online program offered jointly by the Department of Statistics and Data Sciences and the Department of Computer Science. The program provides a rigorous pathway to build technical capacity and statistical credibility required for modern data roles, covering computational tools, scalable algorithms, automation techniques, and statistical practice.

   Degree Programs: MSDS (Not specified); BS (4 years)

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: statisticians, data scientists

   Notable Faculty: Roger Peng (Statistics and Data Sciences); Calvin Lin (Computer Science); Adam Klivans (Computer Science); Qiang Liu (Computer Science); Antonio (Tony) Linero (Statistics and Data Sciences); Stephen Walker (Mathematics & Statistics and Data Sciences); Catherine Calder (Statistics and Data Sciences); Purnamrita Sarkar (Statistics and Data Sciences); Claus O. Wilke (Integrative Biology)

   Admissions:

10. #10. Rice University Master's Data Science Program

    Hakia ranks Rice University as the #10 master's in data science degree program. Location: Houston, TX | Type: Private | Tuition: $57,210/year | Graduation Rate: 93% | Score: 67.0

    What makes Rice University stand out: Multidisciplinary, interdepartmental and intercollegiate instruction with customizable, specialized degrees and the same curriculum offered both online and in-person

    Program Overview: Rice University's Master of Data Science (MDS) is a professional, non-thesis degree designed to support interdisciplinary professionals who want to apply data science knowledge, theory, and techniques to solve real-world problems. The program encompasses sub-areas of computer science, statistics, electrical engineering, and applied mathematics.

    Degree Programs: Minor in Data Science; Master of Data Science (MDS); Master of Data Science (MDS)

    Research Labs: Data to Knowledge Lab (D2K) - Data Science

    Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: Data Scientists, Data Analysts, Machine Learning professionals

    Notable Faculty: Chad A. Shaw (Director of Data to Knowledge (D2K) Lab); Christopher M. Jermaine (Department Chair, Computer Science); Huixia Judy Wang (Department Chair, Statistics)

    Admissions: