Best Data Science Universities in USA: Know About Rankings, Requirements, Fees & More for Data Science Courses in USA

Course Curriculum For Data Science in USA

The curriculum of data science courses in 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 organisations. 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 of the subjects of best data science courses in USA include:

• Statistical modelling
• Data management & data visualisation
• Machine learning
• Human-Centred Data Science
• Scalable Data Systems & Algorithms
• Software engineering
• Research design & data ethics

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List of Top Universities To Study Data Science in USA

There are many data science universities in USA offering different levels of courses. Most of them are recognised 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 USA.

1. Harvard University
2. Columbia University
3. Yale University
4. University of California Berkeley
5. Northwestern University

Let's discuss each university.

1. Harvard University

The data science course at Harvard is offered on two different levels: graduate certificate and masters. Its masters program provides an in-depth understanding of data science methods in predictive modeling, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data visualisation, 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

2. 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 specialisations: 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

3. Yale University

Yale University provides a statistics and data science program that involves practical statistical analysis using a variety of computational techniques, methods of visualising 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

4. 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

5. 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 organisations. 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

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Admission Requirements and Eligibility Criteria For Data Science in USA

The requirements for data science courses in USA vary across the universities. As every university has their own eligibility criteria for the programs, some of the common ones are.

1. Educational Qualifications
2. Language Proficiency
3. GMAT or GRE Scores
4. Work Experience
5. Passport & Visa

Let's have indepth insights on each one below:

1. Educational Qualifications

The educational qualifications for data science course in USA universities may vary with the level of courses. For a bachelor in data science you must complete higher secondary education from a recognised institution. The minimum scores should be between 70% to 80%.

For a Masters 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 bachelors degree.

2. 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 USA. The minimum test scores should be

• IELTS: 6.0 - 7.5
• TOEFL: 90 - 110

3. GMAT or GRE Scores

There are some universities in USA that require your graduate entrance scores for admission. These scores are in terms of GMAT or GRE exam. The minimum acceptable scores should be

• GMAT: 650 - 725
• GRE: 280 - 340

4. Work Experience

Work experience is not mandatory if you are looking for admission to a bachelor's degree in USA. However, it is necessary for higher studies like Masters in data science or a PhD degree. Having two or three years of work is rewarding for you in higher education.

5. Passport & Visa

To apply for a data science degree in USA for 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.

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Documents Required For Data Science in USA

For successful submission of your application, you need to have some essential documents, which are given below

1. Official Academic Transcripts
2. Letter of Acceptance
3. Self Attested Copies and Certificates
4. Test Scorecards
5. Letter of Recommendation
6. Statement of Purpose
7. Work Experience
8. Resume or CV
9. Proof of Financial Resources
10. Student Visa

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Admission Process For Data Science in USA

The next intakes of universities for data science in USA will open on Mid September and January. So to complete your admission process, you need to follow some points. Here we have given some steps you can follow for admission.

1. First prepare a list of good universities for data science in USA and shortlist them or else you can also refer to the above mentioned universities.
2. Once you have done with your desired university, visit the official website to check every minute requirements.
3. If you meet or qualify with the requirements.
4. Pay the required application fees and fill up the application form.
5. Submit all the gathered documents before the application deadline.
6. Attend the university interview if any invite has been sent to you.
7. Once attended, wait for the application letter, and arrange required depository funds for the university.

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Cost of Studying Data Science in USA

The cost to study data science in 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:

Tuition Fees

The data science courses fees in USA depend on the level of your program. Sometimes the cost is determined in terms of credit hours you have studied. The US universities tuition fees for data science programs are

• Bachelor's: 34,000 USD to 67,000 USD
• Master: 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 USA depends on the accommodation and lifestyle. Cities like New York, Boston, California have a slightly higher cost of living compared to others. Typically, on an average you need to spend between 1,300 USD to 2,700 USD per month in living. Other expenses such as transportation, groceries etc are included in it.

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Scholarships For Data Science in USA

Scholarships are a great way to study at the best universities for data science in USA. It assists you in covering the cost of studying in the country. The US offers several scholarships for international students to a range of courses. These are either university specific or external sources. Some of the scholarships are:

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Benefits
ACM SIGHPC Computational and Data Science Fellowship	Students must have enrolled into a data science graduate program in the application year.	15,000 USD
Daniel Larose Scholarship for Data-mining Excellence, Connecticut State University	Masters student pursuing a data science program at the university with good academic records.	4,000 USD
Great Minds in STEM Scholarship	Applicants enrolled into a full time undergraduate or graduate program in STEM degree. Must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale.	500 USD to 5,000 USD
Merit Based Partial Scholarship, University of San Francisco	Incoming students applying for the masters in data science program are eligible.	Varies
Merit & Opportunity Scholarships, University of Washington	Students of MSDS program are considered for the scholarship.	Varies

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Career Opportunities After Completing Data Science in USA

Since data science professionals mainly deal with analysing large amounts of data to establish a conclusion, various organisations and multinational ventures need this. Hence, we can say that the scope of data science in 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

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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. If you are looking for any assistance regarding the best universities for data science in USA and its application process, connect with our Yocket Professionals today and clear all the queries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Data Science in USA

Ques. Is USA good for data science?

Ans. The United States has the most evolved and innovative market for data science professionals in the entire world and definitely the best place to study.

Ques. What are the best MS data science courses in USA?

Ans. Some of the popular Masters in data science courses in US universities are

• MS in Statistics - Data Science
• MS in Health Data Science
• MS in Engineering in Data Science
• MS in Computer Science - Big Data Systems
• MS in Computer Science - Data Science
• MS in Data Science and Analytics

Ques. What are the best colleges for data science in USA?

Ans. The University of California Berkeley is ranked No.1 data science colleges by US news in 2022. Apart from these other colleges include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Georgia Institute of Technology and many more.

Ques. What is the overall pay of a data scientist in USA after graduation?

Ans. The average salary of a data scientist is 95,000 USD per year. However it depends on your experience.

Ques. Which are the best universities for data science in USA without GRE scores?

Ans. Some of the universities for data science in USA without GRE scores are

• Northeastern University
• University of Maryland
• Oregon State University
• Drew University
• John Hopkins University
• University of Pennsylvania