What are the best universities offering an online Master's in Data Science?

General Forum
1

Hello everyone,

If I want to become a very experienced data analyst, and expand my career opportunities and salary as much as possible, which universities offering online Master’s degree would be the best option:

2

After extensive research from reputable online sources, I found that the best universities offering an online Master’s in Data Science include Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, University of Southern California, University of California, Berkeley, and Bay Path University. These institutions are recognized for their rigorous programs that combine statistical and computational methods to prepare students for careers in data science. For instance, Johns Hopkins University offers a 30-credit program that covers data engineering principles and statistical models. At the same time, Northwestern University provides a degree in data science and business strategy. These programs are designed to help students develop the skills to make data-driven business decisions and are highly regarded for their quality and flexibility

3

I would recommend Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as the top university globally for studying data science and artificial intelligence (AI), recognized for its leading position in the updated subject rankings for 2024.

4

Overview of Online Data Science Master’s Programs

1. University of Southern California

  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • Acceptance Rate: 13%
  • Avg. Work Experience: 1.7 years
  • Cost per Credit: $2,309
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.8 avg. GPA, optional letters of recommendation, TOEFL required for international students.

2. University of California—Berkeley

  • Location: Berkeley, CA
  • Acceptance Rate: 36%
  • Avg. Work Experience: 7 years
  • Cost per Credit: $2,780
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.5 avg. GPA, 734 avg. GMAT score, TOEFL/IELTS required for international students, 2 letters of recommendation required.

3. Bay Path University

  • Location: Longmeadow, MA
  • Acceptance Rate: 49%
  • Avg. Work Experience: 3 years
  • Cost per Credit: $880
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.5 avg. GPA, TOEFL not required for international students, 2 letters of recommendation required.

4. New Jersey Institute of Technology

  • Location: Newark, NJ
  • Acceptance Rate: 70%
  • Avg. Work Experience: DNP
  • Cost per Credit: $1,112
  • GRE Required: Flexible
  • Highlights: GRE required, 3.2 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, 1 letter of recommendation required.

5. Clemson University

  • Location: Clemson, SC
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Avg. Work Experience: DNP
  • Cost per Credit: $1,264
  • GRE Required: Yes
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.11 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, 2 letters of recommendation required.

6. Illinois Institute of Technology

  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Acceptance Rate: 66%
  • Avg. Work Experience: DNP
  • Cost per Credit: $1,646
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.4 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, optional GRE scores.

7. Oklahoma State University

  • Location: Stillwater, OK
  • Acceptance Rate: 98%
  • Avg. Work Experience: 8.05 years
  • Cost per Credit: $611.35
  • GRE Required: Flexible
  • Highlights: GMAT/GRE required, waivers possible, 3.31 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, 3 letters of recommendation required.

8. Texas Tech University

  • Location: Lubbock, TX
  • Acceptance Rate: 81%
  • Avg. Work Experience: 7 years
  • Cost per Credit: $1,097
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.27 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, 1 letter of recommendation required.

9. University of Missouri—Columbia

  • Location: Columbia, MO
  • Acceptance Rate: 70%
  • Avg. Work Experience: 7.5 years
  • Cost per Credit: $1,212.30
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.33 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, no letters of recommendation required.

10. University of California—Los Angeles

  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Avg. Work Experience: 3 years
  • Cost per Credit: $1,050
  • GRE Required: Yes
  • Highlights: GRE required but waivers possible, 3.38 avg. GPA, 3 letters of recommendation required, TOEFL required for international students.

11. DePaul University

  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Avg. Work Experience: DNP
  • Cost per Credit: $900
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.51 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, optional letters of recommendation.

12. University of California—Riverside

  • Location: Riverside, CA
  • Acceptance Rate: 63%
  • Avg. Work Experience: DNP
  • Cost per Credit: $3,500
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.7 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, 3 letters of recommendation required.

13. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

  • Location: Worcester, MA
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Avg. Work Experience: 7.25 years
  • Cost per Credit: $1,610
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.56 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, 3 letters of recommendation required.

14. Lewis University

  • Location: Romeoville, IL
  • Acceptance Rate: 99%
  • Avg. Work Experience: DNP
  • Cost per Credit: $820
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, TOEFL required for international students, 2 letters of recommendation required, rolling admissions.

15. University of Illinois at Urbana—Champaign

  • Location: Champaign, IL
  • Acceptance Rate: 43%
  • Avg. Work Experience: DNP
  • Cost per Credit: $670
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.5 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, no letters of recommendation required.

16. CUNY School of Professional Studies

  • Location: New York, NY
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Avg. Work Experience: DNP
  • Cost per Credit: $565
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.35 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, 2 letters of recommendation required.

17. University of Michigan—Dearborn

  • Location: Dearborn, MI
  • Acceptance Rate: 71%
  • Avg. Work Experience: DNP
  • Cost per Credit: $1,465
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 2.92 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, 2 letters of recommendation required.

18. Regis University

  • Location: Denver, CO
  • Acceptance Rate: 99%
  • Avg. Work Experience: DNP
  • Cost per Credit: $948
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, TOEFL required for international students, rolling admissions, no letters of recommendation required.

19. Rice University

  • Location: Houston, TX
  • Acceptance Rate: 56%
  • Avg. Work Experience: 12 years
  • Cost per Credit: $1,667
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.52 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, GRE recommended for low GPA applicants.

20. Eastern University

  • Location: St. Davids, PA
  • Acceptance Rate: 99%
  • Avg. Work Experience: DNP
  • Cost per Credit: $300
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, TOEFL required for international students, rolling admissions.

21. Syracuse University

  • Location: Syracuse, NY
  • Acceptance Rate: 90%
  • Avg. Work Experience: 4 years
  • Cost per Credit: $1,802
  • GRE Required: No
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 2.83 avg. GPA, TOEFL/IELTS required for international students, 2 letters of recommendation required.

22. Stevens Institute of Technology

  • Location: Hoboken, NJ
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Avg. Work Experience: 6.1 years
  • Cost per Credit: $1,776
  • GRE Required: Flexible
  • Highlights: No GMAT/GRE required, 3.5 avg. GPA, TOEFL required for international students, 3 letters of recommendation required.
5

For aspiring data analysts looking to enhance career opportunities and salary potential through an online Master’s degree, several top universities offer strong programs. Georgia Institute of Technology’s Online Master of Science in Analytics (OMS Analytics) is renowned for its rigorous curriculum and practical data analysis skills. University of California, Berkeley’s Online Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) from the School of Information combines technical expertise with applied data science. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers an Online Master of Business Analytics (MBAn) focusing on analytics and business strategy. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides an Online Master of Computer Science in Data Science (MCS-DS), emphasizing core computer science principles in data analytics. Carnegie Mellon University’s Online Master of Science in Information Technology - Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (MSIT-BIDA) integrates technical skills with business analytics knowledge. Researching each program’s curriculum, faculty expertise, and alumni success can help determine the best fit for career goals and aspirations in data analytics.