MS in Data Science in USA: Top Universities, Fees & Average Salary

Course Curriculum of Masters in Data Science in USA

The Master in data science degree in USA is a professional master's program designed for students looking to build and advance their career in data science. The universities in USA offer the programs both in full-time or part-time mode. The industry-relevant US data science course curriculum gives you the skills to extract valuable insights from big data. Some demanded topics included in MS in data science in USA syllabus are:

• Computer systems for data science
• Machine learning for data science
• Algorithms for data science
• Data Science Capstone and ethics
• Exploratory Data analysis and visualisation
• Statistical inference and modelling
• Probability and statistics for data science

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Types of Master's Degree and Specialisations in Data Science in USA

The master's degrees in Data Science are offered in different degrees and specializations. Every university has its own curriculum providing admission to specific data science courses. However, the MS in data science in USA requirements varies with the type of masters degree in several universities. An MS and MS in Engineering are the two popular degrees offered by the university.

Apart from the degrees, data science courses in US are also offered under different specializations. The most popular data science specialization are given below:

• Data Science statistics
• Health Data Science
• Computer Science Data Engineering
• Biomedical Data Science
• Data Science and Analytics
• Computer Science Big Data Systems
• Business Analytics and Data Science
• Complex Systems and Data Science

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Also, the MS in data science in USA syllabus with the type of specialization at the university. Now, let's look at the top universities of data science:

Top 5 Universities for MS in Data Science in USA

There are many data science universities in USA offering different levels of programs. An MSc data science USA or MS degree are the most opted programs by international students. These universities are recognised for their education and infrastructure globally. Here is a list of top universities in USA for MS in data science courses:

• Stanford University 
• Harvard University
• University of Pennsylvania 
• Columbia University
• Northwestern University

Let's discuss each university in details below:

1. Stanford University

The Department of Statistics at Stanford University offers data science graduate program. It is integrated with statistics specialisation designed to prepare individuals for career placements after completion. This will develop strong mathematical, statistics, computational and programming skills and provide you with fundamentals of data science education through general and focused elective requirements in the areas of interest. 

Stanford University World Ranking 2025	6
Type of University	Private
Average Annual Fees	56,487 USD
Programs Offered	MS in Statistics Data Science

2. Harvard University

The data science master's program at Harvard University is jointly led by the Computer Science and Statistics faculties and administered through the Institute for Applied Computational Science. The university offers this program in 12 courses that require at least three semesters to complete. Students will also have the option to extend their studies for a fourth semester to take an additional or a master's thesis research project.

Harvard University World Ranking 2025	4
Type of University	Private
Average Annual Fees	59,958 USD
Programs Offered	Masters in Data Science MSc Health Data Science

3. University of Pennsylvania 

University of Pennsylvania’s Data science master's in engineering program prepares students for a wide range of data-centric careers in technology and engineering, consulting, science, and policy-making to understand the patterns in arts, literature or communications. The program is typically offered in one and a half to two years, blending leading-edge courses in core subjects such as big data analytics, machine learning and statistics with a variety of electives courses.

University of Pennsylvania World Ranking 2025	11
Type of University	Private
Average Annual Fees	61,454 USD
Programs Offered	MS Engineering in Data Science

4. Columbia University 

Columbia University’s data science programs are jointly offered by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Department of Statistics and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The data science students of the university have the opportunity to conduct original research, produce a capstone project and interact with industrial partners. The program also chooses an elective track focused on entrepreneurship or a subject area covered by one of the university centres.

Columbia University World Ranking 2025	34
Type of University	Private
Average Annual Fees	32,363 per semester
Programs Offered	MS in Data Science

5. Northwestern University

Northwestern University’s data science program is the integration of business strategy to create a demand for professionals to make data-driven decisions that move organisations forward. The university provides the understanding of utilising relational, document, and graph database systems and analytics software built upon open-source systems such as Python, R and Go. The program is offered in a range of specialisations and electives.

Northwestern University Ranking World Ranking 2025	50
Type of University	Private
Average Annual Fees	43,000 USD
Programs Offered	Masters in Data Science

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Master's in Data Science Universities in USA Without GRE Scores

The GRE scores are required for getting admission to the best MS in data science in USA. Adding the scores to your application will improve your student profile credibility giving you an extra edge in applications. However, if you haven't appeared in GRE test or you won't get the scores yet. Here is a list of universities in USA offering MS in data science in USA without GRE test scores:

• Yale University
• University of Washington
• University of Rochester
• University of Wisconsin Madison
• Rice University
• George Washington University
• University of Chicago
• Drexel University
• Brown University
• Fordham University 

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Eligibility Criteria and Admission Requirements for Masters in Data Science in USA

To get into the best universities in USA for MS in data science, you must have a unique, compelling student profile with the best academic scores. The eligibility criteria for data science master's can vary from one university to another. Here we have given the common MS in data science in USA eligibility criteria accepted at every university:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Language Proficiency Test Scores
• GRE or GMAT Scores
• Passport & Student Visa

Let us discuss all the requirements in detail below:

Bachelor's Degree

Students are required to have a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in USA or its equivalent from an international institution. The bachelor's degree must be in data science or an equivalent engineering course. A minimum GPA score of 3.0 from your last 2 years of graded full-time study is required.

Language Proficiency Test Scores

If you haven't completed your previous studies or any degree in English and are from a non-native country, you need to submit language test scores for admission. You can submit any English test scores to prove your proficiency. The two most popular ones accepted at every US university are:

• IELTS: 6.0 - 7.0
• TOEFL: 80 - 90

GRE or GMAT Scores

Although the GRE scores are not essential in admission. But submitting it in certain universities can be a good indicator of your program's success. The minimum scores of two popular tests are:

• GRE: 280-320
• GMAT: 575-700

Passport & Student Visa

A copy of passport and US student visa are mandatory Masters in data science in USA requirements for international students. If you don't have one, make sure to apply for one before travelling to the country.

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Documents Required for MS in Data Science in USA

Once you have met the MS in data science in USA eligibility criteria, the next thing is for you to submit some extra set of documents. Every university requires specific requirements.

Here is a list of documents which are required in every university given below:

• Academic transcripts
• Bachelor's Degree 
• Language test scores
• GRE or GMAT scorecards
• A letter of recommendation
• Personal Essay
• Statement of Purpose
• Resume or CV
• Work experience certificate (if any)
• Proof of your financial resources
• Copy of your passport and student visa

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Admission Process of Data Science Masters Universities in USA

The applications of MSc data science USA are open in three different intakes: fall, winter and summer. You can also find some university applications in January and February. The admission process of MS data science in USA universities are given below:

• Step 1: First shortlist all the MS in data science in USA universities list based on your interest, fees and requirements. Make sure to include the above ones too.
• Step 2:Now check their application deadlines and fill the application form if it's available.
• Step 3:Collect all the documents and meet the MS in data science in USA requirements to get the safest application.
• Step 4:Upload all the documents and wait for the admission decision.
• Step 5:You can also check it in the university admission status.
• Step 6:Once you are accepted, pay the depositary fees to confirm your seat in the university. 

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Cost of Studying MS in Data Science USA

The cost to study Masters in Data Science USA will depend on a number of factors. But the most important ones determining the costs are your tuition fees and the living costs. Let's discuss each one below:

Tuition Fees

On average, the tuition fee of MS in data science in USA for international students is between $25,700 to $62,400 or 20 lakhs to 50 lakhs in Indian Rupees per year. MS in data science in USA fees differ a lot based on the duration and the university. A private data science university typically has more tuition fees than a public university. 

Cost of Living

The cost of living in USA is majorly based on the city and the type of your accommodation. The living costs for a single person in USA is anywhere between $1,400 to $2,700 per month. This includes other costs like transport, food, bills, and miscellaneous expenses.

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After discussing costs, let's look at the masters in data science scholarships for international students in USA to help manage your expenses.

Scholarships to Study Masters in Data Science in USA

You will also find many scholarships in USA to manage your MS in Data Science in USA fees. These scholarships are either offered by some universities or by external sources. The US government also provides scholarships to study in the country. Some of the Masters in data science in USA scholarships are given below:

Scholarship Name	Eligibility Criteria	Benefits
ACM SIGHPC Computational and Data Science Fellowship	Female students studying into masters Computational & Data science programs.	15,000 USD
Great Minds in STEM Scholarship	Students enrolled on a full-time graduate program in a STEM degree. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale.	500 USD to 5,000 USD
Merit Based Partial Scholarship, University of San Francisco	Incoming students applying for masters in data science programs are eligible.	Varies
Merit & Opportunity Scholarships, University of Washington	Students of Masters Data Science program are considered for the scholarship.	Varies

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Career Opportunities After Completing Masters Data Science In USA

The Data Science masters program in USA universities assists you in obtaining internships and careers in data science at some of the most innovative tech companies in and outside of the country. The job opportunities in USA after MS in data science for international students are immense, with an exciting salary. 

Here are the popular job profiles of data science graduates in USA:

Job Profile	Average Annual Salary
Machine Learning Engineer	87,952 USD
Data Scientist	98,230 USD
Big Data Developer	100,771 USD
Database Administrator	80,460 USD
Director of Data Science	145,453 USD
Analytics Engineer	91,217 USD

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In addition to offering best academics and infrastructure, US universities also organise annual data science career fairs for their students, to provide individualised career support and countless opportunities to network with the employers. So, if you are looking to get into the best universities in USA for MS in data science and have any difficulty in shortlisting the best university, connect with our Yocket Professionals now, they will surely guide you.

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