- 1.Data Scientists earn a median salary of $108,020 with 35% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Data Science programs include Columbia University in the City of New York, University of Southern California, George Mason University based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: George Mason University offers data science education at $10,095/year with 80% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Data Science programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Data Science Programs - Top 10 Master's
Columbia University in the City of New York
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.
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
Research Labs & Institutes
Infrastructure, buildings, transportation, and urban environment optimization
Data-driven methods for individual and healthcare system improvement
Massive-scale computing systems for data processing and analysis
Data security and privacy throughout data lifecycle
Risk management and decision support tools using big data
Core research problems cutting across data sciences and engineering
University of Southern California
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.
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
Research Labs & Institutes
World leader in AI, networking, cybersecurity, and advanced information processing
Machine learning and data mining research
Advanced ML algorithms and applications
Knowledge graphs and information extraction
Industry Partners
Admissions
George Mason University
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.
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
Research Labs & Institutes
Computational biology and proteomics data analysis
Computational approaches to biological systems and bioinformatics
Admissions
University of Virginia-Main Campus
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.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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.
University of Pennsylvania
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.
Northeastern University
151 data science graduates annually
The University of Texas at Austin
84 data science graduates annually
Rice University
42 data science graduates annually
Best Data Science Programs - Compare Top 5 Master's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | Private | $64,526 | 1% | 80.3/100 |
| #2 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 77.1/100 |
| #3 George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | Public | $10,095 | 80% | 75.1/100 |
| #4 University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville, VA | Public | $18,823 | 96% | 74.4/100 |
| #5 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | Public | $17,977 | 92% | 72.3/100 |
Top 50 Data Science Master's Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | Private | $64,526 | 100% | — | 80.3 |
| 2 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | — | 77.1 |
| 3 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | Public | $10,095 | 80% | — | 75.1 |
| 4 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville, VA | Public | $18,823 | 96% | — | 74.4 |
| 5 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | Public | $17,977 | 92% | — | 72.3 |
| 6 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | Public | $14,768 | 90% | — | 70 |
| 7 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Private | $58,620 | 100% | — | 69.5 |
| 8 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Private | $62,000 | — | — | 69.4 |
| 9 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | Public | $11,678 | 89% | — | 67 |
| 10 | Rice University | Houston, TX | Private | $57,210 | 93% | — | 67 |
| 11 | Eastern University | Saint Davids, PA | Private | $36,760 | 81% | — | 66.5 |
| 12 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | Public | $11,834 | 90% | — | 66.4 |
| 13 | University of San Diego | San Diego, CA | Private | $55,690 | 97% | — | 65.7 |
| 14 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $11,834 | 81% | — | 64.9 |
| 15 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | Public | $6,535 | 85% | — | 64.6 |
| 16 | Northeastern University Professional Programs | Boston, MA | Private | $48,464 | — | — | 63.3 |
| 17 | Brandeis University | Waltham, MA | Private | $64,348 | 99% | — | 63.3 |
| 18 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | — | — | 62.8 |
| 19 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | Newark, NJ | Public | $15,616 | 66% | — | 62.8 |
| 20 | Southern Methodist University | Dallas, TX | Private | $57,212 | 89% | — | 61.9 |
| 21 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | Public | $16,591 | 90% | — | 61.8 |
| 22 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | Public | $9,003 | 84% | — | 61.3 |
| 23 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX | Public | $8,935 | 81% | — | 61.1 |
| 24 | Fordham University | Bronx, NY | Private | $60,335 | 94% | — | 60.9 |
| 25 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL | Public | $10,704 | 81% | — | 60.2 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Career Paths
Analyze complex datasets to extract business insights, build predictive models, and drive data-driven decision making across organizations.
Design and implement ML systems, deploy models to production, and optimize algorithms for scale and performance.
Senior Data Analyst
Lead analytical projects, mentor junior analysts, and translate business requirements into data solutions using advanced statistical methods.
Research Scientist
Conduct advanced research in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and statistical methods at technology companies or research institutions.
Product Data Scientist
Work closely with product teams to optimize user experiences, measure product performance, and guide product development through data insights.
Data Engineering Manager
Lead teams building data infrastructure, pipelines, and platforms that enable data science and analytics at scale.
Top States for Data Science Master's Programs
California
New York
Texas
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
Illinois
Florida
Georgia
Washington
North Carolina
Financial Aid and Funding Options
Data science master's programs offer various funding opportunities to help offset tuition costs. Many programs provide research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and industry-sponsored fellowships. Top programs often guarantee funding for high-achieving students, with stipends ranging from $25,000-$40,000 annually plus tuition coverage.
Private scholarships specifically for data science students are increasingly available from technology companies and professional organizations. Major employers like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon offer diversity fellowships and scholarship programs for underrepresented groups in data science. Students should also explore FAFSA opportunities for STEM majors and employer tuition reimbursement programs for working professionals.
Data Science Master's Programs Overview
The data science master's degree landscape has expanded dramatically in recent years, with 284 programs now offering specialized training in statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization. Our comprehensive analysis of IPEDS 2023 data reveals significant variation in program quality, career outcomes, and value proposition across institutions.
Top-tier programs at institutions like Stanford, MIT, and Carnegie Mellon command premium tuition but deliver exceptional ROI through superior career outcomes. Students in these programs report -$125,000 and 95%+ job placement rates. For comparison, data science professionals with master's degrees earn significantly more than those with bachelor's degrees - a median difference of $31,000 annually according to BLS occupational data.
Public universities offer compelling value propositions, with programs at UC Berkeley, University of Washington, and Georgia Tech providing world-class education at a fraction of private school costs. Our analysis shows that graduates from top public programs achieve similar career outcomes to their private school counterparts, making these programs excellent choices for cost-conscious students. Additionally, many programs now offer online data science degree options that provide flexibility without sacrificing academic rigor.
The curriculum in modern data science master's programs typically includes statistical foundations, machine learning algorithms, data visualization, programming in Python and R, big data technologies, and business applications. Top programs also emphasize practical experience through capstone projects, industry partnerships, and internship opportunities. Students interested in specialized areas can explore related programs in artificial intelligence or traditional computer science depending on their career goals.
Top Programs Analysis
The top 5 data science master's programs demonstrate clear patterns in excellence. Stanford University leads with its Statistics Department's Data Science track, leveraging Silicon Valley connections for unparalleled industry exposure. MIT's computational and data science offerings through CSAIL provide cutting-edge research opportunities in machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Carnegie Mellon's Machine Learning Department offers the most technically rigorous curriculum, with graduates commanding some of the highest starting salaries in the field. Harvard's Applied Computation program and UC Berkeley's Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) round out the top 5, each offering unique strengths in statistical methodology and practical application.
Notably, public universities like UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, and University of Washington provide exceptional value propositions. These programs achieve 85-89% graduation rates while maintaining significantly lower tuition costs. Students considering data science programs in California have particularly strong options with multiple UC campuses ranking in the top 50.
Program Selection Framework
- You have strong academic credentials and can gain admission
- Career goal is research scientist or top-tier tech company role
- Financial resources allow for $120,000+ total investment
- You value prestige and alumni networks
- You want maximum career optionality and earning potential
- You want excellent education quality at lower cost
- You qualify for in-state tuition at a top program
- Career goals focus on industry rather than academia
- You prefer larger, more diverse student communities
- You want strong ROI with manageable debt levels
- You're currently working and can't attend full-time
- You need flexible scheduling to balance other commitments
- You live in an area without strong local programs
- You prefer self-directed learning and digital collaboration
- You want to minimize opportunity costs while earning your degree
- You already have strong quantitative skills and work experience
- You prefer hands-on learning through bootcamps and certifications
- You want to enter the field quickly without 2-year commitment
- You have financial constraints that make master's programs challenging
- You're exploring data science as a career transition
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 284 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Data Sources and References
U.S. Department of Education database providing comprehensive higher education statistics including enrollment, graduation rates, tuition, and program completion data.
Federal statistical data on employment and wage estimates for detailed occupations including data scientists (SOC 15-2051) and related technology roles.
Long-term employment projections showing expected job growth rates and annual job openings for data science and related occupations through 2032.
U.S. Department of Education database providing institution-level data on student outcomes, including graduation rates and post-graduation employment statistics.
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.