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Welcome to the exciting world of data science, where you not only get to look at numbers but at the story those numbers tell. Data scientists gather data and then use this data to produce visualizations and predictive models to help make sense of human behavior. The last decade has seen an exponential increase in this , which enables experts to apply data manipulation and analysis techniques across various fields, from engineering to healthcare. In this article, we’ll go over the top online master’s in data science programs. We’ll also provide a broad overview of what a data science master’s program entails.

College student or an aspiring college student considering a major in this exciting field? Check out our list of the best colleges for data science.

Why pursue an online master’s in Data Science?

There are numerous benefits associated with online education. For a busy student juggling jobs, a whole queue of yet-to-be-watched TV shows (Stranger Things, anyone?), and general day-to-day responsibilities (isn’t adulting hard?), an online degree offers the flexibility you need to pursue coursework at your own pace.

What course material does a master’s in Data Science program cover?

While every data science program varies in its specialization, all will cover the basics of mathematics, statistics, algorithmic processes, computer science, and software engineering. (We know, it sounds like a lot!)

But this dynamite degree isn’t only about math and science; it’s about learning how to apply that math and science to predictive models and real-world scenarios. Data scientists use the numbers they gather to refine the data and make sense of the world. This information comes with an ethical component, as well. Accessing users’ data comes with various responsibilities, from privacy concerns to potential legal ramifications. Many data science curriculums offer courses that measure the impact that data collection has on business decisions and user privacy concerns.

How hard is the math?

It’s no secret that data science involves a lot of math, from statistics to algorithmics to —which, thanks to Mean Girls, we all remember has something to do with limits.

Since data science is a subject that wears its mathematics on its sleeve, must have a good grasp of mathematical concepts and computational foundations to succeed. Thus, every data science program we’ve selected relies heavily on proficiency in probability, statistics, linear algebra, and signal processing. Fear not, however. If the last math class you took was several years ago, many programs offer review courses to help you improve your skills.

Alternatively, consider frequenting a few math courses at your local community college to see how you fare. Be aware that some schools only accept math prerequisites for up to a certain period (typically 5 or 10 years). So even if the requisite math material is fresh in your head, you might still need to take one or two refresher courses.

Do I need to take the GRE or GMAT? How about the TOEFL?

Whether or not you need to take an admissions exam before applying to an online master’s degree program depends on the policies of the individual school. Many schools do not require the GRE for their online programs or make this exam optional. However, be sure to check the requirements for each school on your list so you aren’t tripped up by a surprise requirement at the last minute. Many international students will need to take the TOEFL in order to be considered for admission.

How long does an online master’s in Data Science program last?

The beauty of online degree programs is that you complete them at your pace. Most programs, however, can be completed in approximately one to three years, depending on your course load and the number of credits required to graduate.

How We Chose Our Online Master’s in Data Science Schools

At ������һ����ӰԺ�ݲ�, we treat the prospect of your future education with the utmost seriousness. When choosing a master’s program, remember that this decision isn’t only about the next 24 months but also how those months will affect your job prospects and earnings potential post-university.

Just like with our online computer science program ranking, we rely on a careful methodology when curating these lists. This methodology considers affordability, faculty, number of courses available, and credit load.

• Affordability: In putting together the list of the best online master’s degrees in Data Science, we considered tuition rates, the availability of scholarships and financial aid, and each program’s investment return post-graduation.
• Format: Is the program a hybrid one that involves online and on-campus coursework? Is it 100% online? Are the courses synchronous or asynchronous? These are all questions we considered when gathering the following list. One of the biggest draws of an online master’s degree program is its flexibility. In the age of Zoom and AI, we aim to be forward-thinking with regard to digital education. This means that if you want to log on and complete your coursework at 2 A.M., you can! (Though we might not recommend it.)
• Career Prospects: Every school on this list offers services to enable their students to succeed post-graduation. Many provide employment resources and internships to help you get started in the exciting field of data science. In curating this list, we also considered graduate employment rates and the average salary upon graduation.

Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs (Continued)

• Course Requirements: While every data science program treads similar territory (computer science, statistics, and mathematics), each varies slightly in its offerings. We looked closely at the course requirements of each one, from the number of credits needed to graduate to the particular seminars and lectures available.
• Specializations: Some master’s in Data Science programs offer specializations in Business Analytics, Data Engineering, and Machine Learning. Before committing to a degree program, see if one of these concentrations interests you.

Ultimately, our goal is to give you as much information as possible so that you feel empowered to choose the best online master’s in Data Science program for you and your circumstances. If one or more of these schools sounds appealing, we encourage you to visit the school’s website and consider signing up for an information session to learn more. Now, onto the list!

The Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs

1)

• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Cost Per Credit: $5,270 per course

JHU offers three different program options for Data Science. These options include a Master’s of Science in Data Science, a Post-Master’s Certificate, or a Graduate Certificate. All are designed specifically for working professionals (78% of enrolled students have their tuition covered by employer contribution programs).

2) 

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Cost Per Credit: $2,543

USC’s Department of Computer Science offers an online Master’s in Data Science program and several on-campus degrees in everything from artificial intelligence to healthcare data science. There is no difference between online students and on-campus students; all students take classes with the same faculty members and receive the same diploma at graduation.

3)

• Location: Evanston, IL
• Cost Per Credit: $4,998 per course

Students at Northwestern choose one of five specializations: Analytics and Modeling, Analytics Management, Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, or Technology Entrepreneurship. Northwestern offers accelerated full-time and part-time option formats. A number of electives are available, and programming languages taught include Python, R, and Go.

Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs (Continued)

4)

• Location: Medford, MA
• Cost Per Credit: $1,765

The online Master’s in Data Science program at Tufts typically takes less than two years to complete and is intended to give students a broad overview of the field. The degree requires ten courses, including a final capstone project that involves a professional presentation.

5) 

• Location: Berkeley, CA
• Cost Per Credit: $2,580

Berkeley offers a Master’s in Information and Data Science (MIDS) program, which can be completed on an accelerated, standard, or decelerated path. Depending on how quickly you would like to (are able to) move through the curriculum, you can complete the entire program in one year. In addition to courses in data engineering, data cleansing, and machine learning, you’ll also complete a final capstone project.

6) 

• Location: Charlottesville, VA
• Cost Per Credit: $1,467

UVA’s Master’s in Data Science is a part-time program—designed for working professionals— spread across five terms and 20 months. Students attend asynchronous courses with live classroom time. All students take courses in natural language processing, machine learning, and text analytics. A capstone project is required for graduation.

Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs (Continued)

7) 

• Location: Austin, TX
• Cost Per Credit: $1,000 per course

At UT-Austin, the online DS Master’s program is offered through the Department of Statistics and the Department of Computer Science. Students are exposed to faculty from both departments, learning broad tools and techniques covering everything from probability and simulation to machine learning and data structures. Students take a total of ten courses, adding up to thirty total hours of coursework.

8) 

• Location: Champaign, IL
• Cost Per Credit: $620-754, depending on residency status

This track requires 32 credits to graduate, completed through eight courses. The coursework spans four different areas: machine learning, data mining, data visualization, and cloud computing. It is a non-thesis program.

Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs (Continued)

9)

• Location: Dallas, TX
• Cost Per Credit: $1,704

SMU’s Master’s in Data Science offers two specializations: machine learning and business analytics. The course requires 33.5 credits to graduate, which most students complete in 20-28 months. All students are required to attend at least one on-campus immersion, and also complete a capstone project.

10)

• Location: Chicago, IL
• Cost Per Credit: $1,780

All students admitted to the Master’s in Data Science program at Illinois Tech are considered for the Graduate Pathway Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship. Additionally, assistantships are offered through the program, which covers coursework in database organization, data mining, machine learning, and graph theory and applications.

11)

• Location: Syracuse, NY
• Cost Per Credit: $1,945

The online Master’s in Applied Data Science at Syracuse University offers multiple tracks. These include Data and Business Analytics, Language Analytics, Data Pipelines and Platforms, and Artificial Intelligence. Syracuse also offers a Certificate of Advanced Study in Information Security Management or Enterprise Technology Management. The master’s program can be completed in as little as 18 months.

Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs (Continued)

12)

• Location: Newark, NJ
• Cost Per Credit: $1,143

Students at NJIT must complete 30 credits worth of coursework that includes topics like statistical inference, machine learning, data visualization, data mining, and big data. Additionally, several options are available for degree completion. These include a course-only option, coursework + a final project, and coursework + a thesis.

13)

• Location: Hoboken, NJ
• Cost Per Credit: $1,930

At Stevens, the Data Science degree requires ten courses to graduate, which most students complete in less than two years. Coursework includes a study of programming languages, machine learning, deep learning, and predictive modeling. It also helps students build skills in Python, R, SQL, Hadoop, Hive, and TensorFlow.

14)

• Location: Stillwater, OK
• Cost Per Credit: $489-530, depending on residency status

Oklahoma State’s Master’s in Business Analytics and Data Science is run through the Spears School of Business. Work experience is highly valued during the admissions process. Moreover, students can specialize in options like marketing analytics, healthcare analytics, advanced data science, or cybersecurity analytics. They can also create their own specialization. Regardless, they will build skills with tools like Alteryx, Azure, Python, R, SAS, and Tensor Flow, to name a few.

Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs (Continued)

15)

• Location: Longmeadow, MA
• Cost Per Credit: $895

The project-based MS at Bay Path offers a generalist track (well-rounded, foundational coursework) and a specialist track (geared toward those who hope to take on specialized technical roles). You can select which track is right for you after you’ve taken the core course. This is a 10-course, 30-credit program, and students have the option to attend either full-time or part-time. Moreover, all students complete a final capstone.

Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs – Additional Resources

In conclusion, we hope you found our list of the best master’s in data science online programs to be helpful in your research. You may also wish to check out the following grad school admissions-related blogs from ������һ����ӰԺ�ݲ�:

• How to Write a Grad School Statement of Purpose
• Grad School Statement of Purpose Examples
• 15 Best MFA Writing Programs 
• Best Online Master’s of Library Science Programs 
• Master’s in Computer Science Programs Online (for non-CS majors)