Top 10 Part-Time Master's in Data Science Degrees 2026

A master's in data science or data analytics can lead to advanced roles and higher pay, but committing to a full-time graduate program isn't realistic for everyone. Many schools offer part-time options built specifically for working professionals, letting you earn the same degree on a schedule that fits around your job and other responsibilities.

Below, you'll find some of the best part-time data science master's degree programs available today, along with how long they typically take, what they cost, and what to look for as you compare your options.

Can You Earn a Master's in Data Science Degree Part-Time? 

Yes, many schools offer part-time options for their data science master's programs, giving working professionals and other busy students a more flexible path to the degree. Rather than taking a full course load each term, part-time students spread the same coursework over a longer timeline, typically taking one or two classes per semester instead of three or four.

This flexibility comes from the same accredited programs full-time students complete, not a separate or lesser track. Part-time students generally take longer to graduate, but they earn the identical degree, with the same curriculum, faculty, and requirements, as their full-time peers.

Best Part-Time Data Science Master's Degree Programs

Each school below offers a legitimate, accredited path to a data science master's degree that accommodates part-time study. Here's a closer look at what each program offers. 

1. Boston College

Boston College's online Master of Science (MS) in Data Science takes a distinctly ethics-focused approach, built around applying technical methods, an ethical lens, and management skills to real organizational and community needs. The program consists of 12 courses totaling 36 credits, including a six-credit capstone project, and covers areas like data visualization, artificial intelligence, and database systems within small classes that emphasize discussion and group work.

Located in Boston and accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Boston College designed this program specifically as a flexible, part-time option for working professionals, with most students completing the degree in about two years.

2. Georgetown University

At Georgetown University, the MS in Data Science & Analytics covers topics like deep learning, big data, cloud computing, and large language models across 30 credits of coursework. Part-time students take one to two courses per semester, including summer terms, and have up to three years to complete the program, giving working professionals meaningful flexibility in how they pace their studies.

This program is delivered on-campus at Georgetown's Washington, D.C. location rather than online, so it's worth factoring in commute or relocation before enrolling. Georgetown is a private Catholic research institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

3. Johns Hopkins University

Accredited by the MSCHE and based in Baltimore, Johns Hopkins offers its part-time master's in data science entirely online, giving students flexibility in both pace and location. The 30-credit program lets students choose a focus area from four options: data management and cloud computing, information technology and computation, machine learning and artificial intelligence, or operations research.

Part-time students have up to five years to complete the degree, a generous timeline that accommodates working professionals juggling demanding schedules alongside their coursework.

4. Loyola University Chicago

Loyola's 30-credit MS in Data Science gives students a choice between a thesis and non-thesis track, with the non-thesis option wrapping up in a data science consulting capstone project. Coursework draws from computer science, statistics, and mathematics, and part-time students can complete the degree alongside full-time peers using the same curriculum and faculty.

Located in Chicago and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), this program is delivered fully in-person, so students should plan to attend classes on campus rather than remotely.

5. New York University

New York University's 36-credit MS in Data Science, offered through the Center for Data Science, gives students the option to pursue an Industry Concentration or a data science track focused on big data, mathematics, or natural language processing. A dedicated Biomedical Informatics track is also available for students who want to apply data science methods specifically within medical research settings.

Part-time students have up to five years to complete all required coursework, a substantially longer runway than the standard two-year full-time track. NYU is a private, nonprofit research institution based in New York City, accredited by the MSCHE. It’s one of the top STEM colleges in New York.

6. Northwestern University

Multiple specializations set Northwestern's online MS in Data Science apart, including analytics and modeling, artificial intelligence, data engineering, and technology entrepreneurship, giving part-time students room to tailor the degree toward their specific career goals. The 12-course program wraps up with a student's choice of either a capstone project or a thesis.

Some students complete this program in as little as two years even on a part-time schedule, though the timeline can extend further depending on course load. Northwestern is based in Evanston, Illinois, and holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

7. Rice University

Rice University's Online Master of Data Science was built specifically around part-time study, with most students taking one or two courses per term and completing the 31-credit program in about two to three and a half years. Students choose a specialization in either Artificial Intelligence or Business Analytics, developing the technical skills to design AI and machine learning models or help organizations make data-driven decisions.

Rice is a private, nonprofit research university based in Houston, Texas, and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The program is delivered 100% online with no in-person requirements, and graduates' diplomas read simply "Rice University Master of Data Science," with no mention of the online format. 

8. Tufts University

Tufts offers its 32-credit MS in Data Science entirely online, with coursework in statistics, data visualization, machine learning, and computational methods. Part-time students typically take one to two courses per semester, wrapping up the degree, including a two-course, six-credit capstone project, within 12 to 24 months depending on their pace.

Located in Medford, Massachusetts, and accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Tufts is a private, nonprofit research institution.

9. University of California, Irvine

UC Irvine's Master of Data Science requires 52 units and offers a part-time pathway that takes about two years to complete, compared to 15 months for full-time students. The interdisciplinary curriculum blends statistics and computer science, covering probability, machine learning, data management, and visualization, and concludes with two capstone courses that let students apply their training to real-world problems.

Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), UC Irvine is a public research university based in Irvine, California. It's worth noting that the part-time option here is only available to domestic students.

10. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering offers a 32-credit MS in Applied Data Science both online and on-campus, with part-time students typically completing the degree in two and a half to three and a half years compared to one and a half to two years for full-time students. Coursework covers big-data infrastructure like Hadoop and Spark alongside machine learning, data mining, and data visualization, and the program welcomes students from a range of academic backgrounds, including social sciences, as long as they can demonstrate strong math skills.

A related MS in Computer Science with a Data Science concentration is also available for students who want a stronger computer science foundation. USC is a private, nonprofit research university based in Los Angeles and holds accreditation from the WSCUC.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

We then evaluate each school based on factors that matter most to students pursuing a part-time data science master's degree, including flexibility, academic quality, and career relevance. Below are the core criteria we consider when comparing programs:

• Accreditation: We prioritize regionally accredited institutions to ensure academic standards, credit transferability, and eligibility for federal financial aid.
• Program flexibility: We look for schools that offer a genuine part-time pathway, with reasonable timelines and course loads built for students balancing work or other commitments.
• Career alignment: We look for curricula that build in-demand technical skills, such as programming, statistical analysis, and machine learning, alongside opportunities for hands-on experience through capstones or applied projects.
• Student outcomes: We review publicly available data related to retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation pathways to gauge overall program effectiveness.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.  

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Master's in Data Science Degree Part-Time? 

Most part-time data science master's programs take about two to three years to complete, compared to roughly one to two years for full-time students. The exact timeline depends heavily on how many courses you take each term and whether a program allows or requires summer coursework to keep progress moving during the off-season.

Some schools offer considerably more flexibility than others. A handful of programs give part-time students up to five years to finish, while others cap the part-time timeline closer to two or three years, so it's worth comparing a program's specific part-time policies rather than assuming they all work the same way.

What Will You Learn in a Data Science Master's Degree Program?

A data science master's degree builds on undergraduate-level statistics and programming with more advanced, specialized coursework. Core areas typically include:

• Machine learning and artificial intelligence: building and refining models that identify patterns and make predictions from data.
• Statistical modeling: applying advanced statistical methods to analyze complex datasets and test hypotheses.
• Data visualization and communication: presenting technical findings in ways that non-technical stakeholders can understand and act on.
• Big data and cloud computing: working with the infrastructure and tools needed to manage and process data at scale.
• Database systems and data management: organizing, storing, and retrieving large, complex datasets efficiently.

Most programs also require a capstone project or thesis, giving you a substantial piece of applied work to show employers before you've even graduated. Many schools also let you choose a specialization, such as artificial intelligence, business analytics, or natural language processing, so your coursework can align more closely with the career path you're targeting.

How Much Does a Part-Time Data Science Master's Degree Cost?

The cost of a part-time data science master's degree depends heavily on the school, with private universities generally charging more per credit than public institutions. Because part-time students take longer to complete their degree, they often pay tuition over a more extended period, even though the total number of credits required stays the same as the full-time track.

It's worth noting that some part-time programs charge a different per-credit rate than their full-time counterparts, so the total cost isn't always a simple matter of dividing full-time tuition by a longer timeline. Comparing a program's specific part-time tuition rate, along with any fees that apply regardless of course load, can give you a clearer picture of the total investment before you enroll.

Financial Aid for Part-Time Data Science Master's Degrees 

Paying for a part-time data science master's degree may feel more complicated than a full-time program, but most students at accredited institutions still qualify for meaningful financial support. Here's a closer look at the most common options.

• Federal student loans: Subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans can help cover tuition and fees, with repayment typically beginning after graduation or once you drop below half-time enrollment. Part-time students should confirm their school's minimum credit threshold for loan eligibility, since it can differ from full-time requirements.
• Institutional scholarships: Many universities offer merit-based or program-specific scholarships for graduate students in technology and data-related fields, and some schools reserve additional funding specifically for part-time or working professional students. It's worth checking with each program directly, since these opportunities aren't always advertised as prominently as loans.
• Employer tuition assistance: Some employers offer tuition reimbursement or assistance for employees pursuing a relevant graduate degree, particularly if the coursework connects to your current role. A part-time schedule can make this benefit easier to take advantage of, since you can continue working while you study.
• Graduate assistantships: Some programs offer teaching or research assistantships that provide a tuition discount or stipend in exchange for work within the department, though these opportunities are often more limited for part-time students than full-time ones.
• Military and veteran benefits: Eligible service members and veterans may use education benefits, such as the GI Bill, to help cover tuition and related costs for a part-time graduate program.  

How to Choose the Right Part-Time Data Science Master's Degree

Not all part-time data science master's programs offer the same level of flexibility, so it's worth comparing more than just a school's reputation before enrolling. Consider the following when evaluating your options:

• Part-time timeline and course load: Compare how long each program allows for part-time completion and how many courses you'll need to take per term, since these policies vary significantly from school to school.
• Delivery format: Some part-time programs are fully online and even self-paced, while others require in-person attendance, so confirm whether a program's format fits your location and schedule before applying.
• Specializations and concentrations: Look for a program that offers a focus area aligned with your career goals, whether that's artificial intelligence, business analytics, or another specialization.
• Accreditation: Confirm that any school you're considering holds regional accreditation, since this affects financial aid eligibility, credit transferability, and how your degree is viewed by employers.
• Capstone or thesis requirements: Consider whether you'd rather complete an applied capstone project or a research-focused thesis, since not every program offers both options.

Career Outlook With a Data Science Master's Degree  

The job market for data scientists remains strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of data scientists is projected to grow 34% between 2024 and 2034, far outpacing the 3% average growth projected across all occupations. That growth is expected to add roughly 82,500 new data scientist jobs over the decade, with about 23,400 openings projected annually once workers who transfer roles or leave the field are factored in.

Pay reflects that demand as well. The median annual wage for data scientists was $112,590 as of May 2024, well above the median across all occupations. A master's degree can also open doors to more advanced or specialized roles, including machine learning engineer, data engineering manager, and research scientist positions that often require or prefer graduate-level training.

FAQs About Part-Time Master’s Degrees in Data Science

Choosing a part-time data science master's degree comes with a few more practical questions beyond program length and cost. Below are answers to some of the most common ones.

Are Part-Time Data Science Master's Degrees Worth It?

If you want to enter the data science field or advance your current career but can't balance a full-time course load with work or other obligations, a part-time master's degree is absolutely worth considering. You'll earn the same accredited degree as full-time students, with the same curriculum and credibility with employers, just on a schedule that fits your life.

What Careers Can I Pursue With a Part-Time Master's in Data Science Degree?

The same roles available to full-time graduates are open to part-time graduates as well, since the degree itself doesn't distinguish between the two paths. Common roles include data scientist, data engineer, machine learning engineer, business analyst, and database administrator, among others, depending on your specialization and prior experience.

How Hard Is a Data Science Degree?

The difficulty largely depends on your existing skill set. These programs require strong knowledge of math and statistics, so if those areas are a challenge for you, expect a steeper learning curve. If you're already comfortable with quantitative reasoning and some programming, a data science master's may feel more manageable than its reputation suggests.

Can I Switch Between Part-Time and Full-Time Enrollment?

At many schools, yes. Some programs allow students to move between part-time and full-time status depending on changes in their work schedule or personal circumstances, though policies vary by institution. International students should check specific visa-related restrictions, since some schools limit their ability to switch to part-time status except during a program's final semester.

Do Employers View a Part-Time Master's Degree Differently Than a Full-Time One?

Generally, no. Employers typically care more about the institution, curriculum, and skills a program provides than whether a student completed it part-time or full-time. Since part-time and full-time students earn the identical degree from the same accredited program, the distinction rarely appears on a resume or transcript in a way that affects hiring decisions.

Discover Data Science Master’s Degrees

Start your journey toward a master's in data science by exploring the part-time programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and study schedules.