Do you want to do your masters in Data science but need Scholarships for International Students in the USA?
If yes, then, this article is for you!
Masters in Data Science in the US is a 2 years program offered by most universities as an MS degree.
It is amongst those programs which are going to decide our technologically advanced future based on the numbers.
The United States is one of the top destinations when it comes to pursuing a STEM program. It is an ideal study-abroad country for international students who want to study data science programs.
Owing to its ever-growing craze, the data science market size is expected to grow from 95.3 billion USD to 322.9 billion USD in 2026, with a CAGR of 27.7% across the world.
Moreover, the data science sector will experience an increment of 31.4% in the employment of data science professionals by 2030.
This article will surely be helpful for you if you are planning to study data science courses in the USA.
In this article, I will discuss all the essential information related to data science courses, top data science universities in the USA, costs of studying, requirements, career prospects, and much more.
International students planning to study in the program can choose from any of the universities in the USA offering an MS in Data Science.
Some universities like Northwestern University also offer MS in Analytics which is a related program to MS in Data Science.
Students are required to display a bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, economics, and statistics in the related field to apply for Masters in Data Science in the USA.
Tuition fees of the US universities offering MS in Data Science are around 21,000 to 75,000 USD per annum.
For an Indian aspirant, an equivalent of 15 to 55 lakh INR can be estimated as the tuition expense for studying in the USA.
Worthy of Note: The average annual salary of data scientists in the USA is 155,000 USD!
List of Top Universities to Study Data Science in the USA
There are many data science universities in the USA offering different levels of courses. Most of them are recognized globally for their quality education and infrastructure.
To help you in choosing the best university, here we have curated a list of top universities for data science in the USA.
- Harvard University
- Columbia University
- Yale University
- University of California Berkeley
- Northwestern University
Now, Let’s discuss each of the universities.
Harvard University.
The data science course at Harvard is offered on two different levels: graduate certificate and masters.
Its master’s program provides an in-depth understanding of data science methods in predictive modeling, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data visualization, and big data.
And the graduate certificate implements foundational concepts of data computation, such as algorithms, parallel computing, data structures, simulation & analysis.
QS World University Rankings 2023 | 5 |
Type of University | Private |
Average Annual Fees | 37,200 USD |
Programs Offered | Masters in Data Science
MSc Health Data Science Graduate Certificate in Data Science |
Columbia University
Columbia data science courses are common core fundamental topics, supplemented by a track that identifies specific areas for deeper study.
It prepares the students for advanced work in fundamental, theoretical, and mathematical aspects of computing, including analysis of algorithms, scientific computing, and security.
This program offers four different specializations which are:
- Computer science,
- Information science,
- Data science and
- Computer science-mathematics.
QS World University Rankings 2023 | 22 |
Type of University | Private |
Average Annual Fees | 32,263 per semester |
Programs Offered | Bachelor in Data Science
M.Sc Data Science |
Yale University
Yale University provides a statistics and data science program that involves practical statistical analysis using a variety of computational techniques, methods of visualizing and exploring data, methods of seeking and establishing structure and trends in data, and a mode of questioning and reasoning that quantifies uncertainty.
It encompasses the entire life cycle of data, from its specification, gathering, and cleaning through its management and analysis.
QS World University Rankings 2023 | 18 |
Type of University | Private |
Average Annual Fees | 46,900 USD |
Programs Offered | BA or BS in Statistics and Data Science
MS Statistics and Data Science |
University of California Berkeley
UC Berkeley data science programs combine computational and inferential reasoning to draw conclusions based on the data about various aspects of the real world.
The course equips you to draw a sound conclusion from data in context, using knowledge of statistical inference, computational processes, data management strategies, domain knowledge, and theory.
QS World University Rankings 2023 | 27 |
Type of University | Public |
Average Annual Fees | 29,754 USD |
Programs Offered | BA in Data Science |
Northwestern University
The data science at Northwestern is about computational and applied statistical techniques offering comprehensive foundations in different aspects of data science.
The data science program is the integration of data science and business strategy to create a demand for professionals for data-driven decisions in organizations.
It assists you in trustworthy predictions using traditional statistics and machine learning methods.
QS World University Rankings 2023 | 32 |
Type of University | Private |
Average Annual Fees | 62,160 USD |
Programs Offered | Masters in Data Science
Postgraduate Certificate in Data Science and Analytics |
More List of Top Universities for MS in Data Science in the USA
Some of the top US universities for Masters in Data Science are listed below for you to take a look at, along with their course name and duration.
University Name | Program Name | Average Tuition Fee (INR) |
Stanford University | MS in Statistics – Data Science | 35,00,270 INR |
Harvard University | MS Data Science | 50,01,552 INR
50,01,552 INR |
Yale University | MA in Statistics and Data Science | 39,98,399 INR |
University of Pennsylvania | MS in Engineering in Data Science | 30,22,702 INR |
Columbia University | MS in Data Science | 46,62,971 INR |
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | MS in Data Science | 22,56,994 INR |
New York University | MS in Data Science | 31,03,610 INR |
Duke University | MS in Data Science | 53,35,747 INR |
University Of Washington | MS in Data Science | 25,11,093 INR |
University Of Wisconsin | MS in Biomedical Data Science | 21,68,774 INR |
University Of Southern California | MS in Computer Science – Data Science | 36,55,024 INR |
Brown University | MS in Data Science | 67,30,730 INR |
University Of Maryland | MS in Data Science and Analytics | 14,37,609 INR |
Case Western Reserve University | MS in Computer Science and Data Science | 37,60,632 INR |
Arizona State University | MS in Computer Science – Big Data Systems | 20,31,120 INR |
University Of Rochester | MS in Data Science | 49,14,180 INR |
Tufts University | MS in Data Science | 45,50,249 INR |
George Washington University | MS in Data Science | 48,62,992 INR |
University At Buffalo | MS in Engineering Science – Data Sciences | 21,58,638 INR |
North Carolina State University | MS in Computer Science – Data Science | 40,59,386 INR |
University At Albany | MS in Data Science | 15,88,180 INR |
Syracuse University | MS in Applied Data Science | 49,78,208 INR |
Georgia State University | MS in Data Science and Analytics | 36,56,385 INR |
Wayne State University | MS in Data Science and Business Analytics | 19,83,163 INR |
Oklahoma State University | MS in Business Analytics and Data Science | 17,03,010 INR |
Why Study MS in Data Science in the USA?
The Data Science market is one of the most mature markets in the evolution of analytics.
With more and more organizations realizing the power of big data, the demand for data scientists is also increasing. The USA is no exception to this.
Pursuing data science courses opens various career avenues to students in the USA and also in many other countries because a degree from the USA is recognized and demanded globally.
Furthermore, data science in the USA is a most sought-after program offering lucrative career options for the following reasons.
Top Universities: The US universities are home to many well-acclaimed universities for data science degree programs.
Some US university rank data science is on the Top 10, Top 50, and even Top 100 globally in various ranking surveys. MIT, Harvard, and Stanford are some that have ranked in the Top 10 QS World University Rankings 2023.
The Scope: The scope for data science graduates in the USA is great, along with a lot of exposure. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects around 32% employment growth for data scientists between 2020 to 2030. Also, during this period, it is expected that 19,800 jobs would open up in the decade.
Better PayScale: US is among the top nations offering the highest pay for data science professionals. The mean annual wage of a data scientist in the USA is 108,660 USD which is around 52.24 USD per hour.
The best-paid 25 percent of the data scientists earn 130,370 USD per year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made around 71,790 USD.
With a job satisfaction rate of 4.4, a data scientist is considered one of the most desired jobs in the USA.
San Francisco is the highest paying city for Masters in Data Science in the USA with employees getting 26.4% more salary than the national average.
Over 61,799 new jobs in the USA are expected to be created for data scientists and similar advanced analytics roles according to IBM’s Analytics Department.
According to the United States of Labor Statistics, data science employment is expected to increase by 20% by 2028.
MS in Data Science in the USA Highlights.
Duration | 1 – 2 years |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 GPA on the scale of 4 GPA |
Entrance Exam | GRE, TOEFL or IELTS |
Course Fee | 8-32 Lakhs/Year |
Average Salary | 70,70,726 INR to 96,75,731 INR |
Jobs Available | Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Machine Learning Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer |
Types of Recruiting Organizations | NVIDIA, Adobe, OpenAI, Gearset |
Course Curriculum of MS in Data Science in the USA
Masters in Data Science imparts advanced knowledge in making decisions, understanding observations, and solving problems related to data. To study in the USA, students have to complete approximately 30 credits.
The curriculum of data science courses in the USA comprises eight core courses with a two-quarter capstone project.
Its capstone projects provide students an opportunity to work on data science challenges faced by various external organizations.
Be it a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in data science, the data science program is designed to provide the breadth and depth of knowledge required to start a successful career in big data.
Some universities ask for the submission of a project at the end of the program. Following are the core programs taught in most of the universities offering Masters in Data Science in the US:
- Statistics
- Data Mining
- Software Development
- Data Optimization
- Machine Learning
- Business Intelligence from Big Data.
- Statistical modeling
- Data management & data visualization
- Machine learning
- Human-Centered Data Science
- Scalable Data Systems & Algorithms
- Software engineering
- Research design & data ethics
Admission Process for Data Science in the United States of America
The next intakes of universities for data science in the USA will open in Mid-September and January.
So, in order to complete your admission process, you need to follow some processes.
Here we have given some steps you can follow for admission proper;
- First prepare a list of good universities for data science in the USA and shortlist them or else you can also refer to the above-mentioned universities.
- Once you have done with your desired university, visit the official website to check every minute’s requirement.
If you meet or qualify with the requirements;
- Pay the required application fees and fill up the application form.
- Submit all the gathered documents before the application deadline.
- Attend the university interview if any invite has been sent to you.
Once attended, wait for the application letter, and arrange the required depository funds for the university.
Admission Process for MS in Data Science in the United States
Students applying for Masters in Data Science in the US can be from a variety of backgrounds such as Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Business, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, Biology, and Psychology.
A bachelor’s degree in any of such fields is compulsory for applying to US universities.
Admission requirements and eligibility criteria for data science in the USA
The requirements for data science courses in the USA vary across the universities. As every university has its own eligibility criteria for the programs, some of the common ones are.
- Educational Qualifications
- Language Proficiency
- GMAT or GRE Scores
- Work Experience
- Passport & Visa
Let’s have an in-depth look at each one below:
- Educational Qualifications.
The educational qualifications for a data science course in United States universities may vary with the level of courses. For a bachelor in data science, you must complete higher secondary education from a recognized institution.
The minimum scores should be between 70% to 80%.
For a Master’s degree in Data Science, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree in data science, computer science, or in any related subject. You must have a GPA of 3.5 or above in your bachelor’s degree.
- Language Proficiency.
All applicants from non-native English countries must demonstrate their language proficiency in order to get admitted to a data science degree program in the USA. The minimum test scores should be;
- IELTS: 6.0 – 7.5
- TOEFL: 90 – 110
- GMAT or GRE Scores.
There are some universities in the USA that require your graduate entrance scores for admission. These scores are in terms of the GMAT or GRE exam. The minimum acceptable scores should be;
- GMAT: 650 – 725
- GRE: 280 – 340
- Work Experience.
Work experience is not mandatory if you are looking for admission to a bachelor’s degree in the USA. However, it is necessary for higher studies like Masters in data science or a Ph.D. degree. Having two or three years of work is rewarding for you in higher education.
- Passport & Visa
To apply for a data science degree in the USA international students are required to have a copy of their passport and a US Student Visa. If you don’t have any, make sure to apply for it once you get the acceptance letter as soon as possible.
Documents Required for Data Science in the USA
For successful submission of your application, you need to have some essential documents, which are given below;
- Official Academic Transcripts
- Letter of Acceptance
- Self-Attested Copies and Certificates
- Test Scorecards
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Work Experience
- Resume, or CV
- Proof of Financial Resources
- Student Visa
International students interested in pursuing a full-time academic course must apply for a US student visa. The following documents are required for the same:
- A valid passport
- Form DS-160 (Nonimmigrant visa application confirmation page)
- Application fee payment Receipt
- Form I-20
- Proof of financial support.
The cost of studying MS in Data Science in the United States of America
Another important factor that affects the decision of international students is the various types of costs incurred while studying abroad. This cost can be broadly divided into three categories:
- Pre-arrival Cost,
- Tuition Fees, and
- Cost of Living.
Cost of Studying Data Science in the USA
The cost to study data science in the USA depends on the university and the location. This cost is further divided into two categories which are your tuition fees and the living costs:
The Tuition Fees.
The data science course fees in the USA depend on the level of your program. Sometimes the cost is determined in terms of the credit hours you have studied.
The US universities tuition fees for data science programs are;
- Bachelor’s Degree: 34,000 USD to 67,000 USD
- Master’s Degree: 24,000 USD to 56,000 USD
- PhD: 33,600 USD to 66,702 USD
Cost of Living
The cost of living while pursuing at best data science universities in the USA depends on the accommodation and lifestyle.
Cities like New York, Boston, and California has a slightly higher cost of living compared to others.
Typically, on average, you need to spend between 1,300 USD to 2,700 USD per month on living expenses. Other expenses such as transportation, groceries, and so on are included in it.
Tuition Fees for Masters in Data Science in the USA
The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor has the lowest tuition fee for MS in Data Science in the USA among the top 10 universities i.e…, 21,389 USD per annum.
Stanford University which ranks at the top among all universities in the world has the highest annual tuition fee of 74,540 USD.
MS in Data Science in USA Universities
University | Annual Tuition Fee |
University of Michigan | INR 21,85,394 |
Harvard University | INR 49,49,159 |
Duke University | INR 24,84,978 |
University of Wisconsin | INR 21,08,476 |
Yale University | INR 36,72,585 |
Columbia University | INR 56,25,245 |
New York University | INR 30,81,010 |
University of Pennsylvania | INR 24,19,119 |
Stanford University | INR 44,82,617 |
University of Washington | INR 39,92,389 |
Affordable Universities for MS in Data Science in the USA
University | Tuition Fees/Year |
Montana State University | 8.02 lakhs |
Florida Atlantic University | 16.77 lakhs |
Southern Arkansas University | 10.45 lakhs |
the University of Montana | 7.35 lakhs |
Kennesaw State University | 10.44 lakhs |
San Francisco State University | 6.88 lakhs |
Cost of Living in the USA
Considered as quite an expensive country, the cost of living in the USA is calculated to be 15,000 USD (~11.21 lakh INR) per month. An average of monthly expenses incurred while living here is provided below:
Categories | Annual Cost (INR) |
Books and Supplies | 69,147 |
Food | 4.85,415 |
Apartment Housing with amenities | 12,83,069 |
Dormitory Housing | 5,68,699-8,92,984 |
Meal Plan for Dormitory Residents | 1,86,390 |
Miscellaneous | 4,97,093 |
Scholarships for MS in Data Science in the USA
It can be inferred from the above section that studying Masters in Data Science in the USA is a costly affair.
However, various universities, third-party organizations, and governments of students’ own home countries provide a variety of funding options to ease this financial burden.
Some of the scholarships for international students in the USA specifically to data science students are as follows:
Scholarship | Awarding Committee | Award (in INR) |
ACM SIGHPC and The Intel Computational and Data Science Scholarships | The Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on High-Performance Computing | 11,16,150 annually |
Bill Caspar Memorial Diversity Scholarship | The Collective, LLC | 7,44,185 |
Minne Analytics Data Science Scholarship | Minne Analytics | 74,418 to all the applicants; 3,72,092 to the grand winner of the award. |
National GEM Consortium | GEM’s Masters Fellowship Program | 74,418 per term |
National Defence Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship | American Society for Engineering Education | Varies |
Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship | DOE CSGF Program Coordinator | Varies |
Job Prospects after MS in Data Science in the USA
After completion of Masters in Data Science in the USA, a student can earn an average salary of 155,000 USD per annum. This can go as high as 134,000 USD per annum.
To become a successful data scientist, knowledge of Machine Learning, Python, Data Analysis and Statistical Analysis is necessary. The curriculum of US universities is designed around these subjects. Hence, students are able to secure jobs in reputable organizations like:
Job Profile | Average Salary of Fresher (USD) | Average Salary (USD) |
Data Scientists and Advanced Analysts | 69,000 | 97,645 |
Analytics Managers | 71,000 | 101,024 |
Data Analysts | 46,000 | 63,632 |
Data Systems Developers | 53,000 | 74,273 |
Functional Analysts. | 51,000 | 72,300 |
Students can also work as Financial Analysts, Data Analysts, Data Administrator, Business Analyst, and other such professions which involve managing big data.
Apart from masters in data science, students interested in the field of data management and administration can also pursue MS in Data Analytics from the USA.
Career Opportunities After Completing Data Science in the USA
Since data science professionals mainly deal with analyzing large amounts of data to establish a conclusion, various organizations and multinational ventures need this.
Hence, we can say that the scope of data science in the USA is vast. With a degree like a bachelor’s or a masters in data science from the US you can be easily hired by different companies.
Here are some of the job profiles of data science professionals along with their average salaries in USA:
Job Profile | Average Salary |
Analytics Engineer | 91,217 USD |
Data Scientist | 98,230 USD |
Big Data Engineer | 94,463 USD |
Data Analyst | 76,210 USD |
Database Administrator | 80,460 USD |
Machine Learning Engineer | 102,837 USD |
Studying data science in USA comes with many advantages, including exposure and opportunities to work with leading corporations globally and has a great career ahead.
In our data-driven and technological age, individuals with a robust understanding of data science are more valuable than ever.
Eastern’s MS in Data Science program is designed for students with all levels of experience, equipping you for a wide variety of interesting and in-demand careers.
Gain specific, marketable skills in the top coding languages, along with critical knowledge in DS-standard programming, mathematics, statistics, data analysis, and machine learning.
The demand for data science professionals has exploded in the past decade. But for many of these positions, a master’s degree is often expected, if not required.
By earning your data science master’s degree online, you’ll be one step closer to an average salary of $108,660, a booming job market, and impressively high job satisfaction ‘data scientist’ was ranked the third best job in America in 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions on Masters in Data Science Scholarships for International Students in the USA
QUESTION. Is MS in data science in USA worth it?
Answer. MS in Data science from USA may be worth considering if you’re looking for a high-paying position in a field that is in demand and is expanding quickly.
The job outlook for data scientists is expected to grow 22% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
QUESTION. What is the duration of an MS in Data Science in the USA?
Answer. MS in Data Science in the USA from a top-ranking university requires 2 years to complete.
QUESTION. How much is the MS in Data Science in the USA fees?
Answer. Masters in Data Science in the US from top universities costs around 21,000 to 75,000 USD per annum.
In addition to this, the cost of living in the USA for international students is approximately 15,000 USD per year.
QUESTION. Which university is best for MS in data science in the USA?
Answer. The top-ranked USA universities that offer an MS in Data Science include Stanford University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago.
QUESTION. What is the eligibility for applying to Masters in Data Science in the USA?
Answer. Students are required to have a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, or a related field to apply for MS in Data Science in the USA. A good GRE score is also a compulsory requirement for most universities.
QUESTION. Can I apply for MS in Data Science in the USA without GRE test scores?
Answer. Most of the top universities require GRE for admission to a master in data science in the US. However, some of the universities offering admission without GRE are Northeastern University, University of Maryland, Oregon State University, Drew University, John Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, etc.
QUESTION. What are the job prospects after completion of MS in Data Science in the USA?
Answer. After completion of MS in Data Science in the USA, you can work as a Data Scientist, Data Analyst, or any other such profession which involves the management and administration of a large amount of data.