20 Universities for pursuing Master of Science in Data Science (On-Campus) in the USA — 2018
For the past one year, I have been researching about the universities in the United States that offer Master of Science (MS) in Data Science or MS in Computer Science with Data Science specialization.
Considering various factors such as the courses offered, duration of the course, location of the university, research conducted and job prospects, I have come up with the best 20 universities to help you choose quickly. This article is most suited for individuals with little or no research experience who want to work in the industry after completing masters.
Feel free to jump to the end if you are looking for just names of the Universities.
Note: The universities mentioned below are in no particular order.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Name: Master of Computational Data Science
Course duration: 2 years
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Core courses: Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Interactive Data Science, and Data Science Seminar
Tracks available: Systems, Analytics, and Human-Centered Data Science
Units to complete: 144
While the MS in Machine Learning at Carnegie Mellon University is very competitive, the MIIS program is also worth considering.
2. Stanford University
Name: M.S. in Statistics: Data Science
Course Duration: 2 years
Location: Stanford, California
Core courses: Numerical Linear Algebra, Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms, Optimization, Stochastic Methods in Engineering or Randomized Algorithms and Probabilistic Analysis, Introduction to Statistical Inference, Introduction to Regression Models and Analysis of Variance or Introduction to Statistical Modeling, Modern Applied Statistics: Learning, and Modern Applied Statistics: Data Mining
Tracks available: The program in itself is a track
Units to complete: 45
3. Georgia Institute of Technology
Name: Master of Science in Analytics
Course Duration: 1 year
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Core courses: Big Data Analytics in Business, and Data and Visual Analytics,
Tracks available: Analytical Tools, Business Analytics, and Computational Data Analytics
Credits: 36
The MS in Computer Science with specialization in Machine Learning is also one of the best programs available.
4. University of Washington
Name: Master of Science in Data Science
Course Duration: 2 years
Location: Seattle, Washington
Core courses: Introduction to Statistics & Probability, Information Visualization, Applied Statistics & Experimental Design, Data Management for Data Science, Statistical Machine Learning for Data Scientists, Software Design for Data Science, Scalable Data Systems & Algorithms, and Human-Centered Data Science.
Credits: 45
The Department of Statistics offers a fee-based Master of Science (MS) Track “Statistics — Advanced Methods and Data Analysis” which is also amazing and is worth looking at.
5. Columbia University
Name: Master of Science in Data Science
Course Duration: 1.5 year
Location: New York City, New York
Core courses: Probability Theory, Algorithms for Data Science, Statistical Inference and Modelling, Computer Systems for Data Science, Machine Learning for Data Science, and Exploratory Data Analysis and Visualization
Credits: 30
Columbia’s MS in Computer Science with Machine Learning track is also amazing for learning and deepening your understand in Machine Learning.
6. New York University
Name: Master of Science in Data Science
Course Duration: 2 years
Location: New York City, New York
Core courses: Introduction to Data Science, Probability and Statistics for Data Science, Machine Learning, and Big Data
Tracks available: Data Science, Data Science Big Data, Data Science Mathematics and Data, Data Science Natural Language Processing , Data Science Physics, and Data Science Biology
Credits: 36
7. University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
Name: Master of Science in Data Science
Course Duration: 2 years
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Core courses: Introduction to Data Mining, Principles of Database Systems, Applied Regression Analysis, Introduction to Parallel Computing: Architectures, Algorithms, and Programming, Introduction to Nonlinear Optimization, and Applied Multivariate Methods
Mandatory tracks: Statistics, Algorithmic, and Infrastructure
Credits: 31
8. Northwestern University
Name: Master of Science in Analytics
Course Duration: 15 months
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Core courses: Coursework in statistics, machine learning, optimization, databases, and data management form the core of the fixed MSiA curriculum.
This program is very competitive as the intake is just about 35 students from diverse backgrounds.
9. North Carolina State University
Name: Master of Science in Analytics
Course Duration: 10 months
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Courses: Has fixed curriculum with emphasis on Analytics Tools and Techniques, Analytics Foundations, Analytics Methods and Applications I, and Analytics Methods and Applications II
10. Cornell University
Name: Master of Professional Studies (MPS)in Applied Statistics
Course Duration: 1 year
Location: Ithaca, New York
Core courses: Linear Models with Matrices, Probability Models and Inference, MPS Professional Development, and Applied Statistics MPS Data Analysis Project
Options available: Statistical Analysis and Data Science
Credits: 30
11. University of Texas, Austin
Name: Master of Science in Computer Science (Application Track)
Course Duration: 2 years
Location: Austin, Texas
Core courses: To be chosen by the student
Tracks available: Theory, Systems, and Applications
Credits: 30
12. University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Name: Master of Science in Computer Science (Data Science concentration)
Course Duration: 2 years
Location: Amherst, Massachusetts
Core courses: One course be chosen each from Data Science Theory, Data Systems and Data Science AI cores
Credits: 30
13. University of California, San Diego
Name: Master of Science in Computer Science (AI depth)
Course Duration: 2 years
Location: San Diego, California
Depth area: Artificial Intelligence. One can choose courses such as AI: Probabilistic Reasoning and Learning, Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Statistical Learning Theory among many others.
Credits: Varies based on Master’s Plan chosen among thesis and comprehensive exam.
14. University of Pennsylvania
Name: Master of Science in Engineering in Data Science
Course Duration: 1.5 years
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Core courses: Intro to Probability & Statistics, Programming Languages & Techniques, Mathematical Statistics, Big Data Analytics and Machine Learning
Tracks available: Thesis, Data-Centric Programming, Statistics-Mathematical Foundations, Data Collection-Representation-Management-Retrieval, Data Analysis-Artificial Intelligence, Modeling, Biomedicine, Social/Network Science
Units to complete: 10
15. University of Southern California
Name: Master of Science in Computer Science (Data Science track)
Course Duration: 2 years
Location: Los Angeles, California
Core courses: Analysis of Algorithms, Database Systems and Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
Tracks available: Data Systems and Data Analysis
Credits: 32
16. University of Chicago
Name: Master of Science in Analytics
Course Duration: 1.5 years
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Core courses: Statistical Analysis, Linear and Nonlinear Models for Business Applications, Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Data Mining Principles, Big Data Platforms, Data Engineering Platforms for Analytics, and Leadership Skills: Teams, Strategies, and Communications
Courses to complete: 14
17. University of Colorado, Boulder
Name: Professional Master of Science in Computer Science
Course Duration: 2 years
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Courses: Machine Learning, Neural Networks and Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Big Data, HCC Big Data Computing and many more
Tracks available: Data Science and Engineering
Credits: 30
18. University of Texas, Dallas
Name: Master of Science in Computer Science ( Data Sciences Track)
Course Duration: 2 years
Location: Dallas, Texas
Courses: Machine Learning, Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms, Big Data Management and Analytics, and Statistical Methods for Data Science
Credits: 27
19. Rutgers university
Name: Master of Science in Data Science
Course Duration: 2 years
Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Core courses: Probability and Statistics, Data Structures and Algorithms, Massive Data Storage and Retrieval Tools, Massive Data Mining, and Data Interaction and Visual Analytics
Credits: 36
This is a new program and doesn’t have graduates yet.
20. University of Maryland, College Park
Name: Master of Science in Computer Science
Course Duration:
Location: College Park, Maryland
Courses to choose for Data Science: Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Credits: 30
Graduate certificate in Data Science can also be considered if you cannot afford two whole years of master’s study.
To summarize, I have listed the University names below -
- Carnegie Mellon University — MCDS
- Stanford University — MS in Statistics (Data Science)
- Georgia Institute of Technology — MS in Analytics
- University of Washington — MS in Data Science
- Columbia University — MS in Data Science
- New York University — MS in Data Science
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities — MS in Data Science
- Northwestern University — MS in Analytics
- North Carolina State University — MS in Analytics
- Cornell University — MPS in Applied Statistics
- University of Texas, Austin — MS in Computer Science (Application Track)
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst — MS in Computer Science (Data Science concentration)
- University of California, San Diego — MS in Computer Science (AI depth)
- University of Pennsylvania — MSE in Data Science
- University of Southern California — MS in Computer Science (Data Science Track)
- University of Chicago — MS in Analytics
- University of Colorado, Boulder — PMS in Computer Science
- University of Texas, Dallas — MS in Computer Science ( Data Sciences Track)
- Rutgers University — MS in Data Science
- University of Maryland, College Park — MS in Computer Science
Please feel free to mention in the comments the Universities that you think should be in the top 20 list for pursuing Data Science.
P.S. — I’m no longer monitoring this article because its been a while since I’ve researched about universities. Thank you for taking the time to read. All the best!
