Top Universities in USA for Data Science: Rankings 2024, Top Programs & Admission Requirements
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With over 60 top Data Science universities in USA, students can choose from multiple bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs. There are around 19 top US universities featured among the world’s top 100 universities in QS World University Rankings 2024 for Data Science.Data Science is an interdisciplinary subject that stands on the pillars of mathematics, computer science and statistics. Many top universities in the USA for data science offer different types of specializations and programs. These programs are taught to analyze, manage and interpret huge amounts of data with a wide range of applications.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected a 27.9% growth in Data Science occupations during the period from 2016 to 2026, driven by the demand for workers who can handle big data. The BLS projects that occupations in Data Science and Mathematical Science will far outpace the average growth rate for all occupations.

Explore: MS in Data Science in USA

Top Universities in USA for Data Science

There are around 19 colleges listed in QS rankings 2024 for data science in the USA. Here are some of the top universities in USA for Data Science:

QS World University Rankings 2024 for Data Science University
#1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
#2 Carnegie Mellon University
#3 University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
#5 Harvard University
#12 University of Washington
#13
 
Georgia Institute of Technology
#14 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
#15 Princeton University
#16 Cornell University
#17 New York University (NYU)
#20 University of Pennsylvania

Top Universities in USA for Data Science: Specializations and Degree Types

Data Science is an interdisciplinary subject that has developed in recent years as an advancement in the analytics field. It is a subject combination of statistics, computer science and mathematics.

Here are some of the specializations the data science colleges in USA provide:

  • Data Science
  • Data analysis
  • Machine learning
  • Data mining
  • Big Data Analysis
  • Data Systems and Processing
  • Deep Learning
  • Computing in Python
  • Business Analytics

Degrees available at Data Science Colleges in USA

Following are the degrees offered at undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels for students aspiring to make a career in the field of data science in USA:

  • Undergraduate: At the undergraduate level, data science is available both as a major and a minor subject, although there are very few colleges that offer it as a major. An international student can pursue a major in some other subject and complete his degree with a minor in data science.
  • Graduate: At the graduate level, it is given as a Master in Science (MS). For example, MS in Data Science, MS in Analytics, and MS in Statistics-Data Science. Data Science is a more popular degree in Masters than in Bachelor or PhD.
  • Postgraduate: An International can pursue a PhD in Data Science. There are also degrees specialised in the related fields of data science, like a Ph.D. in Data Analytics, a Ph.D. in Machine learning, Ph.D. in Big Data.

Top Universities in USA for MS in Data Science

Data science in USA is popular among international students as a master’s degree course. Some colleges also provide pre-master courses or graduate diploma courses in related fields. The duration of these is usually 6 months to 1 year.

Here are some of the top universities offering MS in Data Science in USA, along with their annual tuition fees:

Universities in USA for MS in Data Science

University Program Name Duration Total Fees (in USD) INR Equivalent
Harvard University MS Data Science 18 months 61,768 51.6 lakhs
Stanford University MS in Statistics - Data Science 2 years 38,160 31.9 lakhs
University of Pennsylvania MS in Engineering in Data Science 18 months 32,796 27.4 lakhs
Columbia University Master of Science [M.S] Data Science 1 year 49,240 40.84 lakhs
University of California Master Of Data Science 2 years 12,264 10.2 lakhs
Yale University Master of Science [M.S] Statistics and Data Science 2 years 45,700 38.2 lakhs
Duke University MS in Data Science 2 years 62,620 52.3 lakhs

Data Science Colleges in USA: Admission Requirements for MS

  • Undergraduate degree in computer science, mathematics, economics or statistics with a minimum of 80% (equivalent to 3 GPA).
  • GRE scores are waived in most of the universities.
  • Language Requirements: International students need to give English language proficiency test scores. Most universities accept IELTS and TOEFL scores as language proficiency scores. The minimum score requirements are as follows: IELTS: 7.0 : TOEFL IBT: 80

Data Science Universities in USA For MS: Documents Required

  • Official Transcripts
  • Standardized test scores required for pursuing an MS in the USA.
  • Statement of Purpose for MS in US
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs) from some professionals in this or related field.
  • Online application form
  • Personal Statement
  • C.V. or Resume

Data Science Colleges in USA: Fees for MS

The tuition fees for a master's in Data Science in USA depend on how many credit hours your course has and whether it is a public or private university. The average tuition fees range from 12,264 USD to 61,768 USD (10.2 lakhs to 51.6 lakhs INR) per annum.

Top Universities in USA for Data Science: Undergraduate Programs

Though less popular than a MS in Data Science in USA, a bachelor’s degree with a major in data science is offered by some of the top colleges in USA. International students can also pursue a Bachelor in Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, or Statistics and then go for a master’s in Data Science. Some of the colleges offering bachelors in data science are:

University Program Name Duration Total Fees (in USD) INR Equivalent
MIT Bachelor of Science [B.S] in Data Science 4 years 59,750 49.9 lakhs
University of California Bachelor of Science [B.S] Data Science 4 years 48,636 40.6 lakhs
University of California, Berkeley Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Data Science 4 years 45,096 37.7 lakhs
Yale University Bachelor of Science [B.S] Statistics and Data Science 4 years 64,700 54 lakhs
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor B.S Data Science 4 Years 58,072 48.49 lakhs

Data Science Colleges in USA: Admission Requirements for Bachelors

Given below is the list of the academic and language requirements usually demanded by the top data science universities in USA.

Requirement Description
High School Subjects Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry
Standardized Testing SAT or ACT scores, with a minimum SAT math score of 760
School Report Secondary school report filed by the school authorities
English Language Proficiency Minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 100

Data Science Universities in USA For Bachelors: Documents Required

  • Official Transcripts.
  • Scores of Entrance tests required for pursuing a bachelor in data science in USA (SAT/ACT scores, IELTS, TOEFL scores)
  • Statement of Purpose for studying in USA (SOP)
  • Evaluation from a math teacher and one from social sciences teacher in High school
  • Funding papers. ( If you have opted for any scholarships or loans or any kind of financial funding support)

Data Science Universities in USA: Fees for Bachelors

The fees for various data science colleges in USA depend on what major or minor you are taking, how much credit program it is. State schools offer cost-friendly opportunities for students looking for a bit budget-friendly study abroad destination. The average fees are 45,096 to 64,700 USD (37.7 lakhs to 54 lakhs INR) per annum.

Top Universities in USA for Data Science: Doctorate Programs

Ph.D. in Data Science in USA is a research degree designed to give the masters students a deep-rooted knowledge of the various branches like statistics, programming, and data analysis. It usually takes 3-5 years for an international student to complete his/her Ph.D. in Data Science in USA, but the actual time taken depends on the credit hours of the course.

Companies that specialize in data sciences and major tech players like Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft prefer a student with a Ph.D. degree. Here are some of the colleges which provide Ph.D. in Data Science in USA:

University Program Name Duration Total Fees (in USD) INR Equivalent
Yale University Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D] Statistics and Data Science 5 years 45,700 38.2 lakhs
University of California Ph.D Data Science 4 years 15,102 12.61 lakhs
University of Wisconsin, Madison Ph.D Biomedical Data Science 5 Years 47,532 39.61 lakhs
University of Southern California, Los Angeles Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D] in Data Sciences and Operations 3 years 22,320 18.64 lakhs
University of South Florida Ph.D Big Data Analytics 4 years 15,863 13.25 lakhs

Data Science Colleges in USA: Admission Requirements for Ph.D

To pursue a PhD in Data Science in USA, you must fulfil certain academic and language criteria.

Requirement Description
Undergraduate Degree Bachelor's degree in mathematics, computer science, or a related field
Graduate Degree (For some programs) Master's degree in Data Science, Big Data, Machine Learning, or a related field (minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale)
English Language Proficiency Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 or TOEFL score of 92 to 100

Data Science Colleges in USA For PhD: Documents Required

  • All undergraduate and graduate transcripts
  • GRE scores (can be optional or not required by the university)
  • A statement of intent for the program (the reason for applying and plans)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • A statement of purpose
  • Online application
  • A curriculum vitae

Scholarships at Top Universities in USA for Data Science

USA is among the expensive countries in the world for international students. You can study with a fully funded or partially funded scholarship. The government and various universities provide scholarships for international students in USA to fund their study. Some of them are described below:

Scholarships Eligibility Award
New American University Scholarship - International Academic Award Must have a high GPA and competitive test scores to qualify | Students eligible for this award must be on F-1 visas Amount: Varies
Inlaks Scholarship Merit-based USD 100,000
Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme (ISP) Excellent academic records | Demonstrated genuine financial need as a last resort | Admission to a reputable postgraduate institution | Strong professional, extracurricular, and leadership background. 50% grant and 50% loan for Master's students covering tuition and living expenses.
Foreign Fulbright Student Program Fluency in English is mandatory | By June 2024, Indian candidates are required to possess a minimum of a master's degree along with a commendable academic track record for their applications Monthly stipend, health insurance and travel support
P.E.O International Peace Scholarship Need Based|Financial assistance to women USD 12,500

Data science is one of the fastest-growing industries in the USA. Students can choose to work in various job profiles such as Data Scientist, Big Data Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Business Intelligence Analyst, Business Analyst, and Data Analyst. Studying data science in the USA will yield a high return on your investment with a salary range of 60,000 to 210,000 USD per year.

FAQs

Ques. Which institute is best for data science in USA?

Ans. The best universities for data science in the USA are as follows:

QS World University Rankings 2024 for Data Science University
#1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
#2 Carnegie Mellon University
#3 University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
#5 Harvard University

Ques. Is USA good for data science?

Ans. Yes, the USA is good for data science for the following reasons:

  • There are around 19 top US universities feature among the world’s top 100 universities in QS World University Rankings 2024 for Data Science.
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected a 27.9% growth in Data Science occupations during the period from 2016 to 2026, driven by the demand for workers who can handle big data.
  • Studying data science in the USA will yield a high return on your investment with a salary range of 60,000 to 210,000 USD per year.

Ques. Is data science in demand in USA?

Ans. Yes, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected a 27.9% growth in Data Science occupations during the period from 2016 to 2026, driven by the demand for workers who can handle big data. The BLS projects that occupations in Data Science and Mathematical Science will far outpace the average growth rate for all occupations. The salaries also differ from city to city. San Francisco and New York are the highest paying cities for data scientists in USA.

Ques. What is the cost of Data Science in USA?

Ans. The tuition fees for a master's and bachelors in Data Science in USA depend on how many credit hours your course has. Also, whether it is a public university or a private university.

This table outlines the average tuition fees for master's and bachelor's programs in Data Science in the USA, along with their approximate equivalents in Indian Rupees (INR).

Level Annual Tuition Fees (in USD) INR Equivalent
Masters 12,264 to 61,768 10.2 lakhs to 51.6 lakhs
Bachelors 45,096 to 64,700 37.7 lakhs to 54 lakhs

Ques. Who is eligible for MS in Data Science in USA?

Ans. The following are the eligibility criteria for pursuing a Master's in Data Science in the USA:

Eligibility Criteria Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Field: Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, or Statistics | Minimum GPA: 3.0 or equivalent to 80%
English Language Proficiency Test Minimum Scores: IELTS - 7.0, TOEFL IBT - 80

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#1Stanford University logo

Stanford University, Stanford

California, Usa3.9%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $63.1K/YrLiving$33.2K/YrAdmission M.Sc Computer Science - Artifici...GRE328IELTS7PTE68$61.1K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
1 More Program
7.2/10(4 Users)Ranked 2 by THE in 2024Ranked 6 by QS in 2025
#2Columbia University logo

Columbia University, New York City

New York, Usa3.9%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $73.9K/YrLiving$11K/YrAdmission M.Sc Operations Research - Machi...GRE326IELTS7$73.9K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
Programs
8.0/10(17 Users)Ranked 17 by THE in 2024Ranked 34 by QS in 2025
#3Carnegie Mellon University logo

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania, Usa21.7%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $54.7K/YrLiving$13.8K/YrAdmission M.S Artificial Intelligence and ...IELTS7.5$54.7K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
1 More Program
6.8/10(8 Users)
#4Northwestern University logo

Northwestern University, Evanston

Illinois, Usa7%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $66.2K/YrLiving$16K/YrAdmission M.S Artificial IntelligenceIELTS7$66.2K/Yr
Course duration: 15 months
Programs
8.2/10(4 Users)Ranked 28 by THE in 2024Ranked 50 by QS in 2025
#5University of California logo

University of California, San Diego

California, Usa34%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $34.1K/YrLiving$26.5K/YrAdmission M.S Intelligent Systems, Robotic...IELTS7PTE65$34.1K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
Programs
7.0/10(7 Users)
#6University of Southern California logo

University of Southern California, Los Angeles

California, Usa12%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $44.5K/YrLiving$19.9K/YrAdmission M.S Electrical and Computer Engi...TOEFL90PTE68$22.3K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
1 More Program
9.0/10(33 Users)Ranked 74 by THE in 2024Ranked 125 by QS in 2025
#7Boston University logo

Boston University, Boston

Massachusetts, Usa29.4%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $63.8K/YrLiving$19K/YrAdmission M.S Artificial IntelligenceGRE298TOEFL84$63.8K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
Programs
8.0/10(13 Users)Ranked 78 by THE in 2024Ranked 108 by QS in 2025
#8University of Maryland logo

University of Maryland, College Park

Maryland, Usa44%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $25.8K/YrLiving$9.2K/YrAdmission Master Of Professional Studies M...GRE320TOEFL80PTE68$25.8K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
Programs
9.0/10(16 Users)
#9University of Arizona logo

University of Arizona, Tucson

Arizona, Usa78.6%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $34K/YrLiving$19.2K/YrAdmission M.S Information Science - Machin...TOEFL79PTE60$34K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
8.2/10(9 Users)Ranked 155 by THE in 2024Ranked 293 by QS in 2025
#10Case Western Reserve University logo

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland

Ohio, Usa35.4%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $50.8K/YrLiving$6.5K/YrAdmission M.Sc Civil Engineering (Artifici...$50.8K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
5.7/10(3 Users)Ranked 164 by THE in 2024Ranked 259 by QS in 2025
#11Arizona State University logo

Arizona State University, Tempe

Arizona, Usa83%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $38.5K/YrLiving$19K/YrAdmission M.S Robotics and Autonomous Syst...Duolingo105TOEFL88PTE60$38.5K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
2+ More Programs
8.0/10(50 Users)Ranked 182 by THE in 2024Ranked 200 by QS in 2025
#12Northeastern University logo

Northeastern University, Boston

Massachusetts, Usa28.9%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $32.5K/YrLiving$27.2K/YrAdmission M.S Applied Machine IntelligenceGRE298IELTS6.5PTE53$32.5K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
3+ More Programs
5.8/10(41 Users)Ranked 201 by THE in 2024Ranked 396 by QS in 2025
#13University of Miami logo

University of Miami, Coral Gables

Florida, Usa37.7%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $50.8K/YrLiving$13.7K/YrAdmission M.Sc Electrical and Computer Eng...TOEFL80$50.8K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
Programs
8.3/10(1 User)Ranked 201 by THE in 2024Ranked 324 by QS in 2025
#14University of Georgia logo

University of Georgia, Athens

Georgia, Usa52.9%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $30.8K/YrLiving$10.1K/YrAdmission M.S Artificial IntelligenceGRE297TOEFL80$30.8K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
7.7/10(7 Users)Ranked 351 by THE in 2024Ranked 587 by QS in 2025
#15Illinois Institute of Technology logo

Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago

Illinois, Usa57.1%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $53.4K/YrLiving$13.6K/YrAdmission M.S Artificial IntelligenceGRE305$53.4K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
1 More Program
7.0/10(6 Users)Ranked 351 by THE in 2024Ranked 601 by QS in 2025
#16Stevens Institute of Technology logo

Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken

New Jersey, Usa39.1%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $44.5K/YrLiving$18.6K/YrAdmission M.S Machine LearningGRE298TOEFL78PTE53$44.5K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
2+ More Programs
7.0/10(5 Users)Ranked 401 by THE in 2024Ranked 701 by QS in 2025
#17Florida International University logo

Florida International University, Miami

Florida, Usa50.1%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $18.4K/YrLiving$10.9K/YrAdmission M.Sc Data Science and Artificial...GRE304TOEFL80$18.4K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
Programs
8.0/10(5 Users)Ranked 401 by THE in 2024Ranked 574 by QS in 2025
#18Saint Louis University logo

Saint Louis University, Saint Louis

Missouri, Usa64.7%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $42K/YrLiving$11K/YrAdmission M.S Artificial IntelligenceDuolingo110IELTS6.5PTE54$42K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
8.0/10(3 Users)Ranked 401 by THE in 2024Ranked 951 by QS in 2025
#19University of North Carolina logo

University of North Carolina, Charlotte

North Carolina, Usa20%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $17.9K/YrLiving$12.9K/YrAdmission B.S Computer Science - AI, Robot...IELTS6PTE48$17.9K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
6.7/10(9 Users)Ranked 601 by THE in 2024Ranked 1001 by QS in 2025
#20Sofia University logo

Sofia University, Palo Alto

California, Usa21%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $36K/YrAdmission M.S Computer Science - Artificia...TOEFL70PTE54$36K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
Ranked 1501 by THE in 2024
#21University of Cincinnati logo

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati

Ohio, Usa76%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $27.9K/YrLiving$18K/YrAdmission M.Eng Artificial IntelligenceDuolingo110TOEFL80PTE54$27.9K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
Programs
8.8/10(5 Users)Ranked 761 by QS in 2025Ranked 142 by US News in 2024
#22University of North Texas logo

University of North Texas, Denton

Texas, Usa71.8%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $10.1K/YrLiving$10.3K/YrAdmission M.S Artificial IntelligenceGRE303TOEFL79PTE53$10.1K/Yr
Course duration: 3 years
Programs
4.2/10(4 Users)Ranked 1001 by QS in 2025Ranked 260 by US News in 2024
#23Florida Atlantic University logo

Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton

Florida, Usa59.8%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $19.8K/YrLiving$11.9K/YrAdmission M.S Artificial IntelligenceGRE310IELTS6$19.8K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
6.7/10(3 Users)Ranked 1201 by QS in 2025Ranked 209 by US News in 2024
#24DePaul University logo

DePaul University, Chicago

Illinois, Usa69.8%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $28.6K/YrLiving$19.1K/YrAdmission M.S Artificial IntelligenceDuolingo115IELTS6.5PTE53$28.6K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
8.5/10(5 Users)Ranked 151 by US News in 2024Ranked 1507 by CWUR in 2022
#25University of Massachusetts logo

University of Massachusetts, North Dartmouth

Massachusetts, Usa65%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $40.9K/YrLiving$12.9K/YrAdmission B.S Artificial Intelligence [AI]SAT1370IELTS6.5PTE53$40.9K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
Ranked 209 by US News in 2024Ranked 1593 by CWUR in 2022
#26Widener University logo

Widener University, Chester

Pennsylvania, Usa69.7%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $55.7K/YrLiving$14K/YrAdmission B.S Digital Media Informatics - ...IELTS6.5PTE58$55.7K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
Ranked 227 by US News in 2024
#27University of Bridgeport logo

University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport

Connecticut, Usa57.8%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $23.4K/YrAdmission M.S Artificial IntelligenceDuolingo95TOEFL80PTE58$23.4K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
9.0/10(3 Users)Ranked 389 by US News in 2024
#28San Jose State University logo

San Jose State University, San Jose

California, Usa55.2%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $9.9K/YrLiving$12K/YrAdmission M.S Artificial IntelligenceTOEFL80PTE68$9.9K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
7.0/10(5 Users)Ranked 1362 by CWUR in 2022Ranked 295 by FORBES in 2019
#29Lawrence Technological University logo

Lawrence Technological University, Southfield

Michigan, Usa76%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $44.4K/YrLiving$9.5K/YrAdmission M.Sc Artificial IntelligenceIELTS6PTE60$44.4K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
Ranked 503 by FORBES in 2019
#30State University of New York Polytechnic Institute logo

State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, Albany

New York, Usa62%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $17.3K/YrLiving$12.4K/YrAdmission M.S Computer and Information Sci...IELTS7.5PTE73$17.3K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
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#31University of Advancing Technology logo

University of Advancing Technology, Tempe

Arizona, Usa85.1%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $26.7K/YrLiving$9.4K/YrAdmission B.S Artificial IntelligenceIELTS6.5PTE54$26.7K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
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#32Troy University logo

Troy University, Troy

Alabama, Usa91.3%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $34.2K/YrLiving$6.7K/YrAdmission M.S Computer Science - Artificia...GRE299IELTS6.0PTE54$34.2K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
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#33Nexford University logo

Nexford University, Washington

District Of Columbia, Usa96%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $5.2K/YrAdmission M.B.A Advanced AI and the Future...IELTS5.5PTE50$4K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
1 More Program
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