Why Choose an Online Data Science Masters?
With an online data science master’s, you can pursue a higher degree without necessarily having to put your schedule on hold. Online courses are usually flexible, so you can schedule them on nights or weekends while maintaining your current job in your field.
Data science is a rapidly growing field, and it’s expected to grow by around 15% between 2019 and 2029 for people working as computer or information research scientists. In that field, a master’s degree brings an average of $122,840 annually, or around $59.06 hourly. Similar occupations include computer programming, computer systems analysts, computer network architects and information security analysts. Another field, network and computer systems administration, is also expected to grow by 4% between 2019 and 2029, which will create 16,000 new jobs.
Choosing an Online Data Science Masters
If you want to be sure that you have the best chance of getting a high starting offer, select a program that focuses on data engineering and high-tech topics that are currently in demand. A program with the latest and greatest technologies available to you will help you stay current.
Find a program that schedules you asynchronously if you have a complex work schedule or other responsibilities, or look into one that is synchronous if you want to watch live classes. Make sure to find a program that is well-received, accredited and acknowledged by the computer science community.
The list below includes our top choices for the 15 schools that offer the best online data science master’s degrees. They are listed from our top choice to the last choice based on enrollment and tuition. Can’t find a program you’re interested in? Let us know. We’ll help find one based on your specific requirements.
The Best 15 Schools with an Online Data Science Masters
1. Eastern University
Eastern University offers an MS in data science that is self-paced. There are 7-week online classes, and new students can enroll every seven weeks. There are a total of 30 credit hours.
• Tuition (in-state): $13,050
• Enrollment: 3,100
2. Austin Peay State University
Located in Clarksville, Tennessee, Austin Peay State University offers an online data management program. It consists of 33 to 36 credit hours and prepares students for work in science and mathematics.
• Tuition (in-state): $8,100
• Enrollment: 11,048
3. Davenport University
Davenport University offers a master’s in data analytics. This program consists of 30 credits and is taught asynchronously. Most students complete the degree within 2.5 years.
• Tuition (in-state): $14,958
• Enrollment: 6,429
4. Regis University
Regis University offers an online master’s in data science program. This program consists of 18 base credits and 12 elective credits. Most students complete it within two years and participate in a hands-on practicum.
• Tuition (in-state): $14,441
• Enrollment: 6,908
5. Maryville University
Maryville University offers an online master of science in data science that consists of 30 credit hours. The school also allows for certificate options, which allow up to 15 credit hours to be used toward a master’s degree in the future.
• Tuition (in-state): $14,346
• Enrollment: 10,013
6. George Mason University
George Mason University offers a two-year online master’s in data analytics engineering program. This program consists of 30 credit hours and is taught asynchronously.
• Tuition (in-state): $12,144
• Enrollment: 37,863
7. University of California Berkeley
The University of California Berkeley offers an online master of information and data science. This program is offered only by the UC Berkeley School of Information and is WASC-accredited. The program consists of 27 units.
• Tuition (in-state): $11,442
• Enrollment: 43,185
8. Western Governors University
Western Governors University offers a master’s in data analytics online. This is a 32-credit-hour program that covers courses such as programming and data mining.
• Tuition (in-state): $7,500
• Enrollment: 136,139
9. Brandeis University
Brandeis University offers a 30-credit-hour master’s program in strategic analytics. Students have 14 different elective options to allow them to customize the degree to their preferences.
• Tuition (in-state): $51,940
• Enrollment: 5,825
10. DePaul University
DePaul University offers a 52-quarter-credit curriculum for its online master’s in information systems. This data science degree requires a capstone, research colloquium course, master’s project course, internship or thesis.
• Tuition (in-state): $19,584
• Enrollment: 22,064
11. Northeastern University
Northeastern University offers a 45-quarter-credit master’s in informatics. This program is available totally online and focuses on one of six concentrations, including those in human-centered informatics, information security management or cloud computing.
• Tuition (in-state): $24,793
• Enrollment: 22,207
12. University of Virginia
The University of Virginia in Charlottesville offers a 32-credit synchronous curriculum with its online data science program. This program is run as a cohort study, so students work together to achieve their masters. There is a team-based capstone with this degree.
• Tuition (in-state): $16,578
• Enrollment: 25,012
13. University of Denver
The University of Denver offers an MS in data science that can be completed in as few as 18 months. The program allows for full- or part-time enrollment. No background in computer science is required.
• Tuition (in-state): $51,336
• Enrollment: 12,931
14. Syracuse University
Syracuse University offers an online master’s in data science that can be completed in as few as 18 months and consists of 36 credit hours. Students can also opt to obtain a certificate of advanced study in enterprise technology management or information security management without additional coursework.
• Tuition (in-state): $38,880
• Enrollment: 22,850
15. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California offers a master of science in applied data science. This is a 32-credit-hour program that requires a professional practicum capstone before students may graduate. The program is available online or as a hybrid option.
• Tuition (in-state): $46,272
• Enrollment: 48,321
Ranking Methodology
The schools here have been ranked according to their total enrollment and tuition rates. High costs resulted in lower scores, just as large enrollment numbers suggested large class sizes (and thus scored lower on our list). Those scores were combined to get the list you see here.
Every effort was made to include accurate information on this list. However, this list is subject to change at any time and is not guaranteed.
Do You Want to Know More About These Rankings?
If you work at one of the schools above and would like adjustments made to the information we provided on this list, please reach out to us. We would be happy to make corrections or to add information. If you would like to have your school added to this list, contact us for more information on what data we require.