Top 10 Part-Time Master's in Data Science Degrees 2025

Data science is an in-demand field focused on collecting, analyzing, and assessing data. Those with a master's degree can often make over six figures, but not everyone has the time to dedicate to continuing their education.

To help, many schools offer part-time data science master's programs, which provide a more flexible pathway for busy students. Keep reading to learn more about part-time master's degrees in data science.

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

Yes, you can earn a data science master's part-time. Many schools offer part-time options for master's degrees, as these provide flexibility for those in the workforce or with other obligations in their daily lives.

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

The length of time it takes to finish a data science part-time master's can depend on several factors, but anywhere from two to four years is normal. The length of time can vary depending on how many credits you take each semester and whether you study in the summer or not.

How Does a Part-Time Master's in Data Science Degree Program Work?

For master's degree programs, full-time status is considered nine credits. Part-time programs allow students to take fewer than nine credits, usually three or six per term.

While this means your degree takes longer to complete, it reduces your course load each term, making it more manageable if you have other commitments in your life. Some schools offer further flexibility by offering these classes online or on campus during evenings or weekends.

Best Part-Time Data Science Master's Degree Programs

Multiple schools offer part-time programs to graduate students. Below, we've highlighted some of the top master's in data science part-time programs.

1. Boston College

Boston College is a private Christian school in Boston. It offers a flexible, online, part-time Master of Science (MS) in data science.

The program features courses on data visualization, artificial intelligence, database systems, and more. It requires 36 credit hours, including a six-credit capstone project.

• Estimated tuition cost: $66,024 total
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. Georgetown University

At Georgetown University, students can earn an MS in data science and analytics through full-time or part-time study. The program covers topics like deep learning, big data, cloud computing, and large language models.

Georgetown University, a private Catholic research institution, is located in Washington, D.C. Part-time students in the data science program here can take one to two courses per semester and are given up to three years to finish the program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $79,560 total
• Program length: Up to three years
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

3. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) offers an online part-time master's in data science program. JHU is a private, nonprofit research university in Baltimore.

Students choose a focus in one of four areas: data management and cloud computing, information technology and computation, machine learning and artificial intelligence, or operations research. The program requires 30 total credits.

• Estimated tuition cost: $54,550 total
• Program length: Up to five years
• Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Loyola University Chicago

The MS in data science at Loyola University Chicago (LUC) is an on-campus program that students can complete at a full-time or part-time pace. Students also choose between a thesis or non-thesis track.

LUC, located in Chicago, is a private Catholic research university. Its MS in data science requires 30 credit hours.

• Estimated tuition cost: $36,450 total
• Program length: Two to three years
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

5. New York University

New York University (NYU) is a nonprofit, private research institution in New York City. It offers a 36-credit MS in data science that allows full-time and part-time enrollment.

The program offers three tracks: industry, biomedical informatics, and data science. Within the data science track, students focus on big data, mathematics, and natural language processing.

• Estimated tuition cost: $83,988 total
• Program length: Two to five years
• Accreditation: MSCHE

6. Northwestern University

Students at Northwestern University can earn an MS in data science online on a part-time schedule. This program offers multiple specializations, including analytics and modeling, artificial intelligence, data engineering, and technology entrepreneurship.

Northwestern University, a private, nonprofit research institution, is located in Evanston, IL. The program here requires 12 courses and concludes with the student's choice of a capstone project or thesis.

• Estimated tuition cost: $62,736 total
• Program length: As little as two years
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Rice University

Rice University offers an online Master of Data Science (MDS) program with full-time and part-time study options. Rice is a nonprofit, private research university in Houston.

The program offers specializations in business analytics and machine learning. Students need 31 to 24 credits to complete the degree.

• Estimated tuition cost: $51,667.70 total
• Program length: Two to three and half years
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

8. Tufts University

The master's in data science at Tufts University is an online program that can be completed on a full-time or part-time schedule. It includes courses on systems analysis, big data, data mining, and machine learning.

Tufts, located in Medford, MA, is a private, nonprofit research institution. The data science program here requires 32 credits, including a capstone project.

• Estimated tuition cost: $57,568 total
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: NECHE

9. University of California, Irvine

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is a public research institution in Irvine, CA. It offers an MDS as a full-time and part-time program.

The 52-credit degree includes courses on database management, algorithms, machine learning, and data mining. Students conclude the program with a hands-on capstone project.

• Estimated tuition cost: $54,800 total
• Program length: Eight quarters
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

10. University of Southern California

Through the University of Southern California (USC), students can earn an MS in applied data science on either a full-time or part-time schedule. An MS in computer science with a concentration in data science is also available full-time or part-time.

USC, a private, nonprofit research university, is located in Los Angeles. The data science program here is 32 credit hours and available online.

• Estimated tuition cost: $81,376 total
• Program length: Two and a half to three years
• Accreditation: WSCUC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the part-time online data science master's programs above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools are regionally accredited.
• Program flexibility: Every program offers a part-time format to students.
• Program reputation: All institutions are nonprofit and known for offering high-quality programs.

FAQs About Data Science Master's Part-Time Degrees

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about part-time data science master's degrees to help you decide if this is the right type of program for you.

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

The cost of a part-time master's degree in data science can range from under $10,000 to over $80,000. Many different factors affect how much you pay, including which school you choose, how many credits your program requires, and what financial aid you qualify for.

Many schools offer financial aid programs specifically to graduate students. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out what you're eligible for.

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

You can pursue the same data science roles with a part-time degree as with a full-time degree. These include jobs like:

• business analyst
• data analyst
• data engineer
• data scientist
• database administrator
• machine learning engineer
• software engineer
• web developer

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

If you want to enter the field of data science or move up in your data science career, but you don't think you can balance a full-time course load with other obligations, a part-time master's in data science is absolutely worth it.

How Hard Is a Data Science Degree?

The difficulty of a data science degree will depend on your skill set. These programs often require strong knowledge in science and math, so if these are areas that you struggle with, they may be difficult for you. However, if you're adept in these areas, a data science degree may not be so hard.

!What Is the Average Salary for a Master's in Data Science?

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't give figures for master's degrees in data science specifically, it does provide figures for many jobs that those with this degree may pursue, such as:

• data scientists earn a median salary of $112,590 per year
• computer scientists earn a median salary of $140,910 per year
• financial analysts earn a median salary of $101,910 per year
• software developers earn a median salary of $131,450 per year

Explore Flexible 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.