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Big Data

Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

By Olivia Krauth October 27, 2017, 8:25 AM PDT

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Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

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While MOOCs and bootcamps can give your skillset a quick boost, college degrees are often critical to convincing hiring managers that you know your stuff. For big data, advanced degrees in fields like business analytics and data science can be a step into roles such as big data specialists and researchers, which make $112,000 to $121,000 a year, according to Glassdoor.

In no order, here are the top 10 universities to study data science, plus their approximate tuition costs and types of degrees offered.

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Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

1. University of California Berkeley

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1. University of California Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley:

Location: Berkeley, CA

Tuition and fees: $9,404 to $16,866 a semester, depending on residency

Master’s degrees: Information and Data Science (MIDS), Information Management and Systems (MIMS).

Ph.D. offered: Yes – Information Management and Systems

For those that already have a graduate degree, Berkeley is one of the few schools on this list with a Ph.D. program. The MIMS and Ph.D. programs are offered in-person, while the MIDS program is online.

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Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

2. Northwestern University

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2. Northwestern University

Northwestern University:

Location: Chicago, IL

Tuition and fees: Starts at $17,000 a quarter

Master’s degrees: Analytics (MSIA), Predictive Analytics (MSPA)

Ph.D. offered: No

The MSIA program is offered in-person through the McCormick School of Engineering, while the MSPA program is fully online and part-time. Tuition depends on the program. Additionally, Northwestern offers multiple graduate-level certificates in data science, analytics, and related fields.

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Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

3. Carnegie Mellon University

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3. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University:

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Tuition and fees: Starts at $24,000 a semester

Master’s degrees: Computational Data Science, Information Systems Management, and more

Ph.D. offered: No

CMU takes an interdisciplinary approach to data science, offering multiple master’s degrees with different focuses and tracks. Top options for big data include computational data science and information systems management, with a focus on business intelligence and data analytics. With most programs lasting two years, tuition varies by program and by semester–for example, the Information Systems Management degree doesn’t charge tuition for the last semester.

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Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

4. Stanford University

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4. Stanford University

Stanford University:

Location: Stanford, CA

Tuition: $16,329 a quarter

Master’s degrees: Statistics: Data Science

Ph.D. offered: Yes – Statistics

Stanford offers both a master’s and a doctoral program in statistics. While the master’s degree offers a data science track, the Ph.D. does not.

Image: Linda A. Cicero /u00a0Stanfordu00a0News Service
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Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

5. New York University

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5. New York University

New York University:

Location: New York, NY

Tuition: About $21,000 a semester

Master’s degrees: Data Science

Ph.D offered: Yes – Data Science

NYU’s Center for Data Science was created to further the university-wide goal of leading in the field. NYU offers master’s and doctorate degrees specifically in data science, but also offers a large list of graduate degrees with a significant portion of data science content.

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Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

6. Syracuse University

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6. Syracuse University

Syracuse University:

Location: Syracuse, NY

Tuition: $41,198 (one academic year for in-person) or $59,400 (full online program)

Master’s degrees: Applied Data Science, Business Analytics

Ph.D offered: No

The school’s master’s degree in applied data science is interdisciplinary, combining courses from the School of Information Studies and the Whitman School of Management. The program is offered in-person and online, but uses the same faculty and content. Syracuse also offers a graduate-level certificate in data science.

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Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

7. American University

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7. American University

American University:

Location: Washington, D.C.

Tuition: $1,642 per credit hour

Master’s degrees: Analytics

Ph.D offered: No

American’s master’s degree in analytics is offered in-person through the Kogod School of Business. All MSAn students are required to complete a capstone project through partnering with a local organization and using their education to help solve one of their analytics problems. The master’s degree is also available online.

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Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

8. Texas A&M University

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8. Texas A&M University

Texas A&M:

Location: College Station, TX

Tuition: $4,533 to $9,793 a semester, depending on residency

Master’s degrees: Analytics

Ph.D. offered: No

Using courses from the Mays Business School, Texas A&M’s master’s degree in analytics is part-time and designed for working professionals. Like American’s program, A&M also requires a capstone project where students help an organization solve a problem.

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Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Location: Cambridge, MA

Tuition: $57,350

Master’s degrees: Business Analytics

Ph.D. offered: No

Announced in March 2016, the new master’s in business analytics is a one-year program offered through MIT’s Sloan School of Management. The degree is tailored to recent graduates interested in data science, or people looking for a career advancement. The school also offers a graduate-level business analytics certificate.

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Photos: The top 10 universities for data science

10. Kennesaw State University

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10. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University

Location: Kennesaw, GA

Tuition: $4,476 or $13,542 a semester, depending on residency

Master’s degrees: None

Ph.D. offered: Yes – Analytics and Data Science

While Kennesaw State doesn’t offered a clear data science or analytics master’s program, it’s home to a rare Ph.D. in analytics and data science. The program offers those in the field and holding a master’s degree a chance to continue their education, and it was developed in response to market demand for workers with advanced data science degrees.

Also see

  • Job description: Data scientist (Tech Pro Research)
  • How to build a successful data scientist career (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
  • Cheat sheet: How to become a data scientist (TechRepublic)
  • The dirtiest little secret about big data: Jobs (ZDNet)
  • IT jobs in 2020: A leader’s guide (PDF) (ZDNet/TechRepublic special report)
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By Olivia Krauth
Olivia Krauth is a multiplatform reporter at TechRepublic.
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