Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs of 2023

Northwestern University offers a top-rated master's in Data Science program through its School of Professional Studies. The program features 12 courses that can be completed entirely online, giving students the flexibility to learn on their own time. These courses are designed to teach students how to make trustworthy predictions using traditional statistics and machine learning methods. Northwestern University's data science program offers several options for specialization, including tracks for analytics management and artificial intelligence. Students can also tailor their studies to one language or another to create a program that best meets their needs. The university offers a part-time curriculum and an accelerated curriculum, and to complete the program, students must choose between a capstone or thesis. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent to be eligible for admission.

Indiana University offers a fully online master's in Data Science program that requires 30 total credits to complete. The course requirements consist of data science core courses (six credit hours), data science specialization courses (six credit hours), data science elective courses (15 credit hours), and a capstone project (three credit hours). Applicants need a bachelor’s degree for admissions and will need to submit transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and GRE scores as part of the application process. Although the program can be completed entirely online, Indiana University gives students the chance to network with industry professionals and engage with their instructors through immersion weekend events. These events consist of various activities that allow students to foster continued engagement with staff and faculty. Departmental aid is awarded to all admitted out-of-state students, and students have access to all of the same resources and support services that exist for students taking courses on campus.

The University of West Florida Online is home to the first fully online master's in Data Science program in Florida. At $384.60 per credit for in-state students, this program is also the most affordable option on this list. Out-of-state students may be eligible for a 90% out-of-state tuition waiver, which can bring their costs down to $478.83 per credit hour. The online data science master's program is designed to help students bridge data science with disciplines such as information technology, computer science, environmental science, business, and health care. Students can choose from three program tracks: analytics and modeling, analytics of business decisions, and health analytics. In addition to having a bachelor's degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0, applicants must complete one programming course, Calculus I, and Elements of Statistics before beginning this program.

Lewis University is a private institution based in Romeoville that offers several fully online degrees, including a master's in Data Science. Courses in this program cover a wide range of necessary topics, including machine learning, data mining and analytics, data visualization, artificial intelligence, and digital image processing. This 33-credit-hour program offers several concentrations, such as data engineering and data science research, allowing students to customize their curriculum based on their career goals. Students can also choose to graduate with no concentration for maximum flexibility. Lewis University also offers two certificate programs for those who aren't ready to pursue a degree but are interested in data science.

The City University of New York's School of Professional Studies offers an online master's in Data Science program that involves courses designed around employer needs. During the program, students will create complex projects using popular programming languages, like R and Python, that they can use to build a professional portfolio. The program culminates with a capstone project in which students need to create practical solutions for real-world problems. To be admitted to the program, applicants need to demonstrate current skills in analytical thinking, relational databases, programming, linear algebra, and statistics and probability. This involves completing a mandatory skills assessment and completing credit-bearing coursework with a grade of B or better. For returning professionals who have completed credit-bearing courses in these areas but are no longer proficient, CUNY offers three bridge courses to help students refresh their skills.

Cabrini University offers a fully online Master of Science in Data Science designed to prepare students for data-focused careers like business intelligence analyst, data mining analyst, IT project manager, and database administrator. Students will learn programming languages like Python, R, and SQL and will become proficient in Tableau, Hadoop, and Apache Spark. To gain real-world experience, students must complete either an internship or a capstone project to graduate with applicable experience. The program takes an average of 24 months to complete and offers small classes for personalized support. To be eligible for this program, you'll need an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related field, or coursework in object-oriented programming and database management systems.

Based in Dallas, Texas, Southern Methodist University is a Christian institution that offers a variety of top-ranked online degrees, including a master's in Data Science. With four start dates throughout the year, SMU's data science program can be taken year-round and takes an average of 20 to 28 months to complete. The curriculum offers two specialization options for students to choose from: machine learning and business analytics. The school's data science department offers a variety of personalized support services to ensure that students have the resources they need to start their careers after graduation, and students who live in the Dallas area will be able to connect with the city's strong tech and healthcare industry to network and find job opportunities. Applicants will need a bachelor's degree to be eligible for admission, but SMU does not require applicants to submit GRE scores.

Bay Path University's applied data science master's degree program offers two tracks for students to choose from: a generalist track and a specialist track. The former prepares students to be well-rounded, collaborative, and skilled data scientists, whereas the latter prepares students to take on more technical roles on data science teams, such as data modeler, data mining engineer, or data warehouse architect. This program offers great flexibility for working professionals, as students can choose from one- and two-year schedules that begin in the fall and spring. All courses can be completed online, and students will be able to engage with their instructors and peers in a small, interactive online community. Bay Path University's data science program offers flexible admissions. Unlike many similar degree programs, this program does not require applicants to have an undergraduate degree in science or engineering, which opens the degree program to students from a variety of backgrounds.

Johns Hopkins University is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the nation, and the school's master's in Data Science program lives up to that reputation. Students will get the opportunity to learn from senior-level data scientists and engineers as they study important subjects like data visualization and computational statistics. Students who have not completed the necessary prerequisites in college-level courses may apply to take a proficiency exam, which allows them to opt out of certain prerequisites upon successful completion. Students can customize their curriculum by selecting courses that fit their areas of interest. Johns Hopkins University is the best choice for students who prefer hybrid programs over fully online programs. The Home-to-Hopkins curriculum allows students to complete their first year from home before coming to campus to complete their second year.

Regis University's online master's in Data Science program is among the best in the country as it helps students gain a deep understanding of subjects like predictive analytics, data visualization, and statistics. It also emphasizes teaching students the ethical and legal nuances of data collection. The program consists of online and on-campus courses that take place during eight-week terms; offers start dates in January, March, May, July, August, and October; and takes anywhere from 12 to 24 months to complete. Regis University is a great choice for students who aren't ready to commit to the full degree program as it offers a well-rounded certificate program. The data science graduate certificate can be applied toward the master's degree in data science, allowing students to transition seamlessly from the certificate program to the master's program if they choose to do so.

With its career-focused specializations, Utica University's online Master of Science in Data Science program prepares students for a variety of in-demand roles in information technology. After completing their core courses, students can choose to concentrate on cybersecurity, business analytics, financial crime, or social science analytics. They also have the option to design their own customized specialization with courses from multiple concentrations.

The program's curriculum, which can be completed with 100% online courses, is built around hands-on projects that allow students to learn by doing, and culminates with a capstone project. Graduates from this program go on to work as data officers, health information analysts, database administrators, and more.