Top Universities in USA for MS in Data Science: Rankings, Tuition Fees, Eligibility & More

Sharleen Kapoor

6 min read • Aug 7, 2026

Quick Answer

MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and UC Berkeley lead the QS rankings for data science in the US, with 19 of the world’s 72 ranked programs based in the country. Tuition ranges from roughly $48,775 (Carnegie Mellon) to $91,250 (MIT) per year. GMAT/GRE is usually optional unless your GPA is under 3.0 or your background isn’t quantitative. Most programs are STEM-designated, extending OPT work rights to 36 months total.

As demand for data scientists keeps climbing, many students look to top US universities for an MS in Data Science – a degree that builds strong analytical skills and opens doors to lucrative roles across industries.

This guide covers the strongest programs, along with rankings, eligibility, scholarships, and fees.

Top Universities for MS in Data Science

Based on QS World University Rankings by subject. Of the 72 universities QS currently ranks in this field, 19 are in the US – roughly one in four.

Rank	University	Program	Approx. Tuition/Year
1	MIT	MS in Business Analytics	$91,250
2	Carnegie Mellon University	MS in Computational Data Science	From $48,775
3	UC Berkeley	Master of Information and Data Science	≈$79,810 (3 semesters)
5	Harvard University	MS in Data Science	≈$60,000–$65,000
12	University of Washington	MS in Data Science	≈$42,000–$52,000
13	Georgia Institute of Technology	MS in Analytics	≈$40,000–$55,000
14	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	MS in Data Science	≈$36,000–$50,000
15	Princeton University	Master in Data Science	≈$60,000+
16	Cornell University	MS in Data Science	≈$65,000–$75,000
17	New York University (NYU)	MS in Data Science	≈$65,000–$75,000
20	University of Pennsylvania	MSE in Data Science	≈$60,000–$70,000
21	Caltech	MS in Computer Science (Data Science option)	≈$60,000–$65,000
27	Johns Hopkins University	MS in Data Science	≈$55,000–$60,000
31	UC San Diego	MS in Data Science	≈$45,000–$55,000
35	University of Chicago	MS in Applied Data Science	≈$65,000–$75,000

Application fees run $50-$150 depending on the university, and deadlines vary – MIT’s MSBA deadline, for instance, typically falls around May. Always confirm the current cycle’s exact date directly with the university.

Also read: Masters (MS) in Accounting in USA: Top Universities, Rankings, Fees & More

MS in Data Science in the USA: 5 things to know

How to Choose the Right Program

Decide which area of data science interests you most – machine learning, data engineering, or business analytics – before comparing schools.
Check curriculum depth in machine learning, data mining, and statistical analysis, and confirm the program has strong industry connections for internships.
Weigh in-person vs. online formats and total cost, including tuition, housing, and other living expenses.
Research financial aid – scholarships and assistantships can meaningfully reduce your total cost.

Application Process

Finalize your university shortlist based on the factors above.
Collect required documents – transcripts, letters of recommendation, and your resume.
Fill out the online application, specific to each university and program.
Submit all documents through the online portal, formatted per the university’s guidelines.
Pay the non-refundable application fee.
Track your application status and be ready for a possible interview.
Accept or decline your offer within the specified timeframe once admitted.

Also read: Why Study in USA? Top Reasons to Pursue Higher Studies in the US

Eligibility

An undergraduate degree in any major from an accredited university.
Some programs (MIT, University of Maryland) require specific prerequisite courses, often completable after admission.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is a common baseline.
GMAT or GRE – usually not compulsory, but can strengthen your application (see below).
English proficiency for international students – IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic.
An updated resume detailing any relevant work experience.
Two letters of recommendation, academic or professional.

GMAT/GRE Requirements

GMAT and GRE scores are usually optional at even the top data science programs – but that assumes you already have a quantitative background and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

If your undergraduate major wasn’t quantitative (say, English), you’ll likely need to submit GMAT or GRE to supplement your application. The same applies if your quantitative degree came with a GPA under 3.0 – these tests help universities gauge your analytical readiness for the program.

Also read: Understanding Your GRE Score: Result, How to Check, Validity & More

Scholarships

University	Type of Support
MIT Sloan	Fellowships and assistantships based on academic excellence; no separate application needed
Carnegie Mellon (College of Engineering)	Full-tuition fellowships, research/teaching assistantships, Federal work-study
Harvard University	Merit- and need-based fellowships and financial aid packages
Princeton University	Fellowships and assistantships covering tuition plus stipends, automatic consideration
University of Washington	Fellowships, teaching/research assistantships, department-specific aid

Competition for these is intense – lakhs of applicants apply each year for a few hundred awards. If you don’t get one, financing your degree with an education loan is a common next step.

Financing Your MS in Data Science

Comparing loan providers one by one (banks, NBFCs) is slow, and most students end up applying to just two or three lenders – making it hard to know if they got the best possible rate. GradRight solves this by letting lenders compete for your profile instead: create a free account, and within two days you get competitive offers from the top 18 lending partners in India and abroad, with unbiased advice from a financial expert at every stage.

Benefits of Studying Data Science in the USA

Most MS Data Science programs are STEM-designated, extending work rights to 36 months total (12-month OPT plus a 24-month STEM extension) – valuable given how competitive the H-1B process has become.
High starting salaries generally offset the high tuition – many graduates repay their loans within a couple of years.
The US hosts roughly a quarter of the world’s top-ranked data science programs, making it the most popular destination for this degree globally.
Most programs include a mandatory internship or capstone project, giving graduates a real edge with employers compared to programs elsewhere.

Career and Salary After Graduation

Figures below are sourced from Glassdoor and ZipRecruiter, for fresh graduates.

Job Title	Average Annual Salary (USD)
Machine Learning Engineer	$95,000
Research Scientist (Data Science)	$90,000
AI/ML Researcher	$88,000
Data Scientist	$85,000
Data Engineer	$85,000
Associate Data Scientist	$75,000
Business Intelligence Analyst	$72,000
Data Analyst	$70,000
Junior Data Scientist	$80,000
Quantitative Analyst	$80,000

Masters (MS) in Accounting in USA
Why Study in USA? Top Reasons to Pursue Higher Studies
Understanding Your GRE Score
OPT vs CPT: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Best Education Loan Providers in India

Find Your Best-Fit Data Science Program

With 19 top-ranked US programs to choose from, GradRight’s AI-powered platform can help you shortlist based on your profile and goals, and its loan comparison tool connects you with 18 lending partners once you’re ready to finance your degree. Start your free profile at https://gradright.com/selection/.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while studying for my MS in Data Science in the USA?

Yes – F-1 visa holders can work up to 20 hours/week on campus during studies. Off-campus work is restricted and generally requires authorization through CPT or OPT.

What are the visa requirements for international students?

You’ll need an F-1 student visa, which requires proof of university admission, financial stability, ties to your home country, and a visa interview.

What programming languages should I know before starting?

Python, R, and SQL are highly beneficial – Python especially, given its extensive use in data analysis and machine learning.

Are there research opportunities during an MS in Data Science?

Yes – many programs encourage or require research participation, letting students work closely with faculty and contribute to scholarly work.

What's the difference between an MS in Data Science and an MS in Business Analytics?

Data Science typically goes deeper into machine learning, AI, and programming. Business Analytics/Analytics programs focus more on applying data to business decisions, often with more emphasis on statistics and business context.