The adoption of Data Science has paved the way for great career opportunities in this space. By pursuing a master’s degree in this domain, you can build a lucrative career. The US universities are popular for offering impeccable education in Data Science. So, if you are planning to study in the USA, this guide is for you.

Key Highlights

• Advantages of pursuing a masters in the USA
• Data Science masters programs in the USA: A course overview
• Best universities for Data Science in the USA
• Data Science master’s degree in the USA without GRE
• Eligibility criteria for pursuing a masters in Data Science in the USA
• Cost of studying MS in Data Science in the USA
• Career avenues

Advantages of pursuing a masters in the USA

• The USA houses some of the world’s top-ranked universities that offer master’s courses in various disciplines. The prestigious US colleges focus on practical learning and offer excellent research opportunities that strengthen students’ domain knowledge and skills to make them career-ready.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international students to work after graduation for a year in their area of study. Whereas in the STEM stream, the OPT can be extended for 2 years.
• Promising job opportunities post-completion of the program at lucrative packages is another reason encouraging students to pursue a master’s in the US.

Also Read: USA Student Visa: A Brief Guide for Study Abroad Students

Data Science masters programs in the USA: A course overview

Data Science involves analysing a large volume of data and extracting valuable insights through algorithms and scientific methods. A Master of Science (MS) in Data Science is a popular post-graduate degree offered by most US universities.
An MS in Data Science is a 1-2 year STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) course that equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills required for understanding complex data, analysing it, and concluding meaningful inferences to make profitable business decisions. Some of the common subjects covered are:

• Data Optimisation
• Data Mining
• Machine Learning
• Statistics
• Software Development
• Business Intelligence from Big Data

Kindly note that many universities offer MS in Data Analytics in the USA in combination with Data Science so that students get a comprehensive understanding of both fields.

Also Read: Master’s in Cyber Security in the USA: An informative guide

Best universities for Data Science in the USA

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Carnegie Mellon  University
• University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
• Harvard University 
• University of Washington
• Princeton University
• Columbia University
• Northwestern University
• Cornell University
• University of Chicago
• University of Maryland
• University of Michigan-Dearborn

Data Science master’s degree in the USA without GRE

A few US universities waive the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) requirement while offering admission to a master’s course in Data Science. Some universities are:

• University of Pennsylvania
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Please remember that excellent academic performance and some work experience in the same field of study can enhance your student profile, enabling you to secure admission to universities, especially the ones that do not require GRE.
Also Read: MBA in IT in the USA: An interesting guide

Eligibility requirements for pursuing a masters in Data Science in the USA

The general requirements students need to meet to pursue a master’s in Data Science from a US university are as follows:

• A bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field from a recognised university.
• Academic transcripts (certificates and other degrees)
• English language tests like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
• Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Work experience (not mandatory)

Cost of studying MS in Data Science in the USA

The annual tuition fee for an MS in Data Science can range between ~INR 20,00,000 to ~INR 61,75,000. Additionally, you need to factor in the cost of living to get an idea of the total cost of studying in the USA.

Career avenues

Post-completion of the program, Data Science graduates can explore lucrative career opportunities at companies like Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, etc. Some of the job profiles offered to Data Science graduates are Data Scientist, Big Data Developer, Machine Learning Engineer, and Business Intelligence Analyst, to name a few.

Also Read: Top B-schools and the best MBA courses in the USA

So, if you are planning to pursue a master’s in Data Science, you can opt for an education loan to finance your higher education independently. At Avanse Financial Services, we offer customised study loans with multiple benefits like 100% finance, quick loan sanctions, and flexible repayment options. Feel free to contact us to learn more about education loans, student loan interest rates, educational loan EMI calculator and more.