10 Best Data Science Degrees in the U.S.

Data science is a broad area of study, and data scientists can work in industries like business, engineering, finance, and healthcare. But what is a degree in data science? Data science degrees cover topics like data mining, machine learning, statistical methods, and more.

A degree in data science can launch you into several career paths. Keep reading to discover some of the best data science degrees in the U.S.

Best Colleges for Data Science in the U.S.

Data science is a continually growing field, and as a result, many colleges and universities across the country offer data science degrees. Below, we've featured ten of the best colleges for data science across the United States that will help you become a data scientist.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh. It offers a Bachelor of Science in information systems with a concentration in data science as well as a Master of Science in applied data science.

The bachelor's program studies the methods by which data can be used to gain insight and inform the actions of people and organizations. The master's degree builds on this, emphasizing data analysis, statistical computing, and professional skills.

2. Columbia University

Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York City. It offers a Bachelor of Science in data science that covers topics like:

• data mining
• database systems
• machine learning
• statistical methods

While the university does not offer a master's degree in data science, its computer science master's degree offers many specializations that are relevant to data science, including computational biology and machine learning.

3. Georgia Institute of Technology

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta. It offers a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering with a concentration in analytics and data science.

This specialization helps students develop their skills in:

• data analytics
• data visualization
• decision making
• machine learning

4. Harvard University

Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, MA. It offers a bachelor's degree in statistics with a track in data science as well as a master's degree in data science.

The bachelor's degree program is a mix of statistics and computer science courses and explores how these fields work together to analyze big data sets. The master's program is also interdisciplinary and offers strong preparation in statistical modeling, machine learning, optimization, management and analysis of massive data sets, and data acquisition.

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, better known as MIT, is a private research university also located in Cambridge, MA. It offers an interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in computer science, economics, and data analytics that provides students with a portfolio of skills in economics, computing, and data science that are increasingly valued in both the business world and academia.

The university also offers this major as a Master of Engineering degree. Additionally, it offers a related master's in business analytics and a PhD. in social and engineering systems, which combines statistics and data science with engineering and social science.

6. Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, IL. It offers a bachelor's degree in data science that provides future data scientists with skills in:

• data management and integration
• data structures and algorithms
• data visualization and reporting
• machine learning methods

Northwestern also offers both a terminal and non-terminal master's degree in data science. Those who choose the non-terminal route can proceed on to the university's PhD program.

7. Stanford University

Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, CA. It offers a Bachelor of Science in data science with four specializations:

• biology and medicine
• computational neuroscience
• mathematics and computation
• quantitative finance

While the university doesn't offer a degree in general data science, it does offer a master's and PhD in biomedical data science, which build on the fundamentals developed in the bachelor's program.

8. University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley is a public research university in Berkeley, CA. It offers a bachelor's degree in data science that covers topics like:

• artificial intelligence
• data engineering
• data mining
• programming languages, including Python and SQL

UC Berkeley doesn't offer a data science graduate program, but it does offer a designated emphasis in computational and data science in engineering that students can pair with other degrees from the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society.

9. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, MI. It offers a bachelor's in data science that includes coursework on data mining and managing large datasets, as well as a capstone project to complete the program.

Additionally, the university offers a master's in data science that helps students attain the necessary skills and knowledge to identify relevant datasets and apply the appropriate statistical and computational tools to the data set.

10. University of Washington

The University of Washington is a public research university in Seattle. It offers a Bachelor of Science in informatics with a focus area in data science that includes research, internship, and capstone opportunities.

The university also offers a master's degree in information management with a specialization in data science. Students in this program will learn the fundamentals of data science as well as skills like machine learning, big data, and statistical inference.

FAQs About Data Science Programs

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about data science programs.

Is a Data Science Degree in Demand?

While we cannot say how in-demand a data science degree is, we do know how in-demand data science roles are. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the job market for data science professionals will grow by 36% over the next decade.

How Do I Choose the Best Data Science Degree Program for Me?

Whether you're pursuing an undergraduate degree or a graduate degree in data science, there are a few things to consider to help you choose the right program. Consider:

• financial aid options, like scholarships and grants
• learning format: in-person, online, or hybrid
• location: in-state or out-of-state
• reputation and rankings
• schedule: full-time or part-time

What Careers Can I Pursue With a Data Science Degree?

Becoming a data scientist is one option for those with a data science degree, but not the only one. Other career paths include:

• business analyst
• cybersecurity expert
• data analyst
• data engineer
• database administrator
• financial analyst
• healthcare analyst
• machine learning engineer
• software engineer

Earn Your Data Science Degree Today

If your passion lies in data science, explore the data science programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about their programs, admissions requirements, and steps to enrollment.