MS in Data Science in US: Top Universities, QS Ranking 2025, Fees & Scholarships

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for data scientists is expected to grow by 35% by 2032, creating numerous job prospects. This highlights the need to choose the best universities in the USA for an MS in Data Science. 

But why the USA? 

Studying in the USA offers quality education, diverse culture, and job opportunities. In fact, over 200 universities in the USA offer a one- to two-year master's program in data science. A bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, economics, or statistics is required to apply to US universities. 

Pursuing the course from the USA helped my sister to unlock amazing ROI. You can expect the annual course fees to range between $24,852 and $74,450. And post-course completion, you can bang lucrative annual salaries up to $170,000.

Why Study Data Science in USA

You can pursue data science in the USA for several reasons:

• Top Universities: The best universities in the USA for MS in Data Science offer excellent programs and resources. According to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, many institutions like MIT, Stanford, and UC Berkeley rank in the top 50 globally for Data Science.
• Practical Learning: These schools focus on hands-on experience, letting you apply what you learn to real-world problems. The country has over 100 dedicated data science labs and research centers.
• Diverse Community: Studying in the USA means joining a diverse and vibrant community. Over one million international students study in the USA yearly, enhancing cultural exchange.
• Career Opportunities: The top universities for master’s in Data Science in the USA have strong industry connections, providing great internship and job opportunities. As per Glassdoor, the average salary for data scientists in the USA is around $112,320 annually.
• Advanced Infrastructure: US universities have state-of-the-art facilities, including high-performance computing clusters, specialized software, and well-equipped labs. For example, MIT's SuperCloud infrastructure offers over 32,000 CPU cores, supporting cutting-edge research and learning experiences.

Recommended Read: Study in USA After 12th & Graduations |  Study MASTERS in USA

Best Universities for MS in Data Science in USA

The appeal of education abroad is undeniable, and the benefits of a degree from a school abroad are immense. 

Here are the leading universities offering data science programs, as per the 2024 QS Global rankings for Data Science.

University	DS QS Subject Ranking 2024	Tuition Fees
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	1	$29,875/semester
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)	2	$24,387.50/semester
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	3	$2,850/enrolment unit
Harvard University	5	$63,624 for one-year program
University of Washington	12	$51,300/year
Georgia Institute of Technology	13	$53,947
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	14	$56,270-$66,358 year
Cornell University	16	$65,000/year

Source: QS Data Science 2024

10 Top Universities for MS in Data Science in USA

Now let us have a look at the details of these universities:

1. The University of California, Berkeley (Cal)

Founded in 1868, the University of California, Berkeley is a public research university located in Berkeley, California. Holding 22nd rank in the Best Colleges is National Universities, Cal is one of the most selective universities in the USA with an acceptance rate of 3% (as per U.S. News & World Report). 

With a student-faculty ratio of 3:1, the university offers degree and certificate programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The university follows a semester-based academic calendar. 

QS World University  Ranking 2025	Type	English Language Proficiency Requirements	Top Disciplines
12	Public	IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL: 600	Social Sciences Computer and Information Sciences  Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering Mathematics

Source: QS World University Rankings 2025, U.S. News & World Report, University’s Official Website

Scholarships at the University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley, does not offer financial assistance to international students. 

2. Carnegie Mellon University

Established in 1900, Carnegie Mellon University is a private institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 

With over 350 clubs and organizations for student engagement, the university is well-equipped with all kinds of resources to support the academic, financial, and health needs of the students. 

Falling under the list of one of the most selective universities in the USA, Carnegie has an acceptance rate of 17%. 

QS World University  Ranking 2025	Type	English Language Proficiency Requirements	Top Disciplines
58	Private	IELTS: 7.5 TOEFL: 102 Reading: 25,  Listening: 25, Speaking: 25 and Writing: 25	Computer Science Business Administration  Management Electrical Engineering Statistics Architecture

Source: QS World University Rankings 2025, U.S. News & World Report, university’s official website

Scholarships at Carnegie Mellon University

Scholarship	Amount/Coverage	Eligibility
Arthur F. and Mary Ellen Cranell Naylor Study Abroad Award (AFMEC)	$600	Students enrolling in an undergraduate program at the university demonstrate financial need.
Global Engagement Scholarship	$4,000	Students enrolling in an undergraduate program at the university. They must have been accepted into a study abroad or internship program and eligible for academic credit.

Source: University’s Official Website

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT) 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private university located outside Boston in Cambridge,  Massachusetts, United States. The university traces its origin back to 1861. MIT has been divided into five schools with a focus on scientific and technological research. 

Out of them, the highly ranked schools include the School of Engineering and Sloan School of Management. Known for being one of the most selective schools in the USA, the university has an acceptance rate of 7%. 

QS World University Ranking 2025	Type	English Language Proficiency Requirements	Top Disciplines
1	Private	IELTS: 7 TOEFL: 90	Physics Computer Science Mathematics Data Science  Accounting

Source: QS World University Rankings 2025, U.S. News & World Report, university’s official website

Scholarships at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Scholarship	Amount/ Coverage	Eligibility
MIT Scholarship	$45,146	Students commencing an undergraduate program at MIT.

Source: University’s official website

4. Stanford University

Stanford is a leading private research university founded in 1885. It is located in Stanford, California. The university has seven schools, out of which three offer undergraduate and graduate coursework, and the other four are graduate schools. 

The top-ranked schools at Stanford are the School of Engineering, School of Education, School of Medicine, School of Law, and Graduate School of Business. Stanford utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. As compared to other universities, the university’s admission process is quite selective with an acceptance rate of 4%. 

QS World University Ranking 2025	Type	English Language Proficiency  Requirements	Top Disciplines
6	Private	IELTS: 7 TOEFL: 100	Arts and Humanities Biology and Biochemistry Microbiology Mathematics Economics

Source: QS World University Rankings 2025, U.S. News & World Report, university’s official website 

Scholarships/ Financial Aid at Stanford University 

Scholarship/Financial Aid	Amount/ Coverage	Eligibility
Need-Based Financial Aid	$62,557	Eligibility for Stanford Scholarship funds is based on the family income level of the prospective students, the size of their family, and other family assets.

Source: University’s official website

5. University of Washington (UW)

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is a public research university located in Seattle, Washington. Some of the highly ranked schools of the university include the School of Medicine, College of Engineering, and Michael G. Foster School of Business. 

With more than 100 clubs on-campus and volunteer activities for the students to participate in, the university offers a nurturing environment. Compared to other universities for data science, the University of Washington has a high acceptance rate of 13%. 

QS World University  Ranking 2025	Type	English Language Proficiency Requirements	Top Disciplines
76	Public	IELTS: 7  TOEFL: 105	Business Marketing  Management Data Science  Engineering

Source: QS World University Rankings 2025, U.S. News & World Report, university’s official website

Scholarships at the University of Washington

The UW Office of Student Financial Aid does not offer any type of scholarship, grant, or other forms of aid to international students commencing their study at the university; however, there are other ways for international students to fund their studies. These ways include:

• Funding is offered by the government. 
• Funding is offered by their organizations, corporations, or institutions.

Source: University’s official website

Important Link to Study in USA
University of Chicago Acceptance Rate for International Students	Why Study in USA	Jobs in USA	Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship
Acceptance Rate of Columbia University	California Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate	University of California Berkeley Acceptance Rate

6. Cornell University

Founded in 1865, Cornell University is a private institution based in Ithaca, New York. The university’s oldest and largest campus in terms of enrollment is located in Seattle. Cornell consists of 16 colleges offering courses in various subjects such as engineering, arts and sciences, and social work. 

The top graduate schools of Cornell include the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, and the College of Education. With an acceptance rate of 7.4%, the university has quite a selective admission process. 

QS World University Ranking 2025	Type	English Language Proficiency Requirements	Top Disciplines
16	Private	IELTS: 7 TOEFL : Speaking: 27, Reading: 20, Listening: 15 and Writing: 20	Data Science Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence Computer Science  Marketing

Source: QS World University Rankings 2025, U.S. News & World Report, university’s official website

Scholarships at Cornell University

Scholarship	Amount/ Coverage	Eligibility
Tata Scholarship	Not specified	Indian citizens who have attended secondary school.  They must have been offered admission to Cornell as undergraduate students.

Source: University’s Official Website

7. Georgia Institute of Technology

Started in 1885, the Georgia Institute of Technology is a public university based in Atlanta, Georgia. With 13 honor societies and more than 400 student organizations, the university offers an enriching student life beyond classroom learning. 

With a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, some popular majors at the university include Computer and Information Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Industrial Engineering. Per the U.S. News & World Report 2024, the institute is a highly selective university with an acceptance rate of 21% and an early acceptance rate of 27.6%.

QS World University Ranking 2025	Type	English Language Proficiency Requirements	Top Disciplines
114	Public	IELTS: 7  TOEFL: 90	Computer and Information Sciences Mechanical Engineering Business Administration  Management Data Science

Source: QS World University Rankings 2025, U.S. News & World Report, university’s official website

Scholarships at Georgia Institute of Technology

Scholarship	Amount/ Coverage	Eligibility
Denning Chair for Global Engagement Fund	$200-$400	F1 Visa holders enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at the university.  Students experiencing unforeseen financial needs are eligible for the scholarship.  Students must not have received any  previous funds from the university.

Source: University’s official website

8. Columbia University 

Founded in 1754, Columbia University is a private institution located in New York, United States. With more than 500 clubs for student engagement, the university offers a nurturing environment on campus. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. 

Columbia has three undergraduate schools – Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of General Studies. Considered one of the most selective universities in the USA, the university has an acceptance rate of 7%. 

QS World University Ranking 2025	Type	English Language Proficiency	Top Disciplines
34	Private	IELTS: 7.5  TOEFL: 105	Computer and Information Sciences Mechanical Engineering Business Administration  Management Data Science

Source: QS World University Rankings 2025, U.S. News & World Report, university’s official website

Scholarship/ Financial aid at Columbia University 

Scholarship	Amount/ Coverage	Eligibility
Need-Based Financial Aid	$66,350	International students enrolling in an undergraduate or postgraduate program at the university.

Source: University’s official website

9. University of Illinois

The University of Illinois is a public institution founded in 1867. It is located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign in east-central Illinois. Ranked 35 in National Universities, the university offers programs in various disciplines, including architecture, design, arts, engineering, dentistry, business administration, etc. 

Compared to other universities for data science in the USA, the University of Illinois has a high acceptance rate of 63%. 

QS World University Ranking 2025	Type	English Language Proficiency Requirements	Top Disciplines
69	Public	IELTS: 6.5  TOEFL: 79	Computer and Information Sciences Mechanical Engineering Business Administration  Management Data Science

Source: QS World University Rankings 2025, U.S. News & World Report, university’s official website

Scholarships at Illinois

Scholarship	Amount/ Coverage	Eligibility
Horace & Kate King Wu International Undergraduate Scholarship	$1,000	Undergraduate students experiencing financial hardship.

Source: University’s official website

10. The University of Michigan 

Established in 1817, the University of Michigan is a public institution in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Well known for its high standards of research, the university offers doctoral degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) as well as professional degrees in architecture, business, medicine, law, pharmacy, nursing, social work, public health, and dentistry. 

The university has a peculiar admission process with an acceptance rate of 20%.  

QS World University  Ranking 2025	Type	English Language Proficiency Requirements	Top Disciplines
44	Public	IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL: 88-100	Computer and Information Science Mechanical Engineering Business Administration  Management Data Science

Source: QS World University Rankings 20242025, US newsU.S. News & World Report, university’s official website

Scholarships at Michigan 

Scholarship	Amount/ Coverage/ Award	Eligibility
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship	50% fee remission	Eligible nationals residing in one of the countries where there are local Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), or Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB). offices are located.  Students must be below 30 years of age.

Source: University’s Official Website

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Eligibility for MS in Data Science in USA

Here are the eligibility criteria for the best universities in the USA for MS in data science:

• You must have an undergraduate degree in mathematics, computer science, statistics, or economics with at least 80% marks. 
• GRE scores are required for admissions (minimum recommended scores are 130 and 140 in verbal and quantitative sections, while 2.5 is recommended in the writing analysis section). 
• Scores in TOEFL/IELTS should also be submitted for admission. 
• Along with them, an impactful Statement of Purpose (SOP) should be submitted.
• Letters of Recommendation is also required.

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Data Science Universities in USA For MS: Documents Required

You must prepare several important documents when applying to the top universities for an MS in Data Science in the USA. 

Here’s a checklist to help you get organized:

1. Transcripts: You need to submit official transcripts from all the institutions you previously attended.
2. Degree Certificate: You must share a certified copy of my bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
3. GRE Scores: Many universities require GRE scores. Be sure to check each university’s specific requirements.
4. English Proficiency Test Scores: You can provide your TOEFL IELTS or Duolingo scores to demonstrate English proficiency.
5. Statement of Purpose (SOP): Your SOP should explain your motivation for pursuing an MS in Data Science, your career goals, and why you chose that particular university.
6. Letters of Recommendation (LORs): You can gather two to three LORs from professors or professional references who could vouch for your academic and professional abilities.
7. Resume/CV: You should submit an updated resume highlighting my academic achievements, work experience, and relevant skills.
8. Passport Copy: You should include a clear passport copy for identification purposes.
9. Portfolio (if applicable): Some universities require a portfolio of my projects, especially if you have prior experience in data science or related fields.

Apart from these, you should pay the application fee as specified by each university and have its copy.

Read More: Key Requirements to Study in USA

Admission Process For Data Science in USA

Applying for an MS in Data Science in the USA involves several steps. Here’s a guide based on my experience:

Step(s)	Description(s)
1. Research Universities	Based on rankings and resources, identify the top universities in the USA that offer MS in Data Science.
2. Check Admission Requirements	Review GRE scores, English proficiency tests, and specific prerequisites for each university.
3. Prepare Documents	Gather transcripts, degree certificates, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS scores, SOP, LORs, resume, passport copy, and portfolio (if applicable).
4. Write a Statement of Purpose (SOP)	Talk about your motivation, goals, and why you chose the university.
5. Request Letters of Recommendation (LORs)	Secure strong LORs from professors and professional references early.
6. Take Required Tests	Schedule and take GRE and TOEFL/IELTS tests before application deadlines.
7. Complete Online Application	Fill out online application forms for each university, carefully entering all required information.
8. Pay Application Fees	Pay application fees as specified by each university. This fee is non-refundable and ranges from $30 to $100.
9. Submit Applications	Submit applications before deadlines, ensuring all required documents are included.
10. Prepare for Interviews (if applicable)	Research common interview questions and practice responses for potential interviews.
11. Await Decision	Wait for the offer letter and regularly check your email for updates.
12. Respond to Offers	Compare programs, decide, and notify the chosen university of your acceptance.

Career Opportunities After Completing Data Science in USA

Completing an MS in Data Science in the USA can open up numerous career opportunities with attractive salaries. 

Here’s an overview of some common job profiles and their average salaries:

Job Profile	Average Salary (USD)
Data Scientist	$100,000
Data Analyst	$100,000
Machine Learning Engineer	$112,000
Business Intelligence Analyst	$85,000
Data Engineer	$105,000
Statistician	$80,000
Data Architect	$120,000
Big Data Engineer	$115,000
Database Administrator	$75,000
Quantitative Analyst	$170,000

Source: Glassdoor

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Studying at one of the top 50 universities for MS in Data Science in the USA, prepared me for these roles. The best universities in the USA for MS in Data Science provided me with excellent training and resources, ensuring I'm ready to take on industry challenges.