Data science is more popular than ever, and there are no signs that the industry’s growth will slow down anytime soon. In fact, data scientist is the third fastest growing profession in the United States. US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To attract top talent, many companies are willing to offer six-figure salaries to even entry-level candidates. The average salary for a data scientist is $115,240. Labor Bureau Report.
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Master key skills such as data mining, machine learning, and research design
| GRE required | no |
| part time | yes |
There are many ways to acquire in-demand data science skills, such as data analysis, machine learning, and programming, but earning a traditional graduate-level degree is probably one of the more rewarding and proven routes. Although the field is relatively new, dozens of universities are increasingly creating master’s degree programs to respond to students’ interest in learning how to properly analyze the vast amounts of data generated every day. Masu.
This is the reason luck has compiled a list of the best in-person data science degree programs to help you determine which program will provide the best results for your education and career. We ranked a total of 29 programs in our 2024 rankings.
The final ranking consists of three components: selectivity score, success score, and demand score.
Selectivity score (45%)
As data science degree options grow, it’s become clear that the best programs have both world-class faculty and relevant curriculum. But that’s not all. We are sure to attract even the brightest and most ambitious students. The post-college successes (or failures) of these graduates help shape how the outside world views their programs. That’s also the reason luck We place great importance on the strength of new students at our school.
To calculate the selectivity score, the average undergraduate GPA of freshmen is considered. We then weighted each program’s acceptance rate. Colleges that are the most difficult to get into tend to attract stronger student populations.
Success score (40%)
Once a student enters the classroom, a variety of factors can affect their motivation to follow through. What is clear is that the quality and support systems within a program can influence student success, and that degree program outcomes are critical. That’s why we focus on program retention and graduation rates.
Demand score (15%)
In an increasingly competitive industry, it is important to attract the best students each year. This not only demonstrates the success of the program, but also helps build a strong alumni network. To measure demand, we considered both the program’s enrollment and the number of applicants over the past year.
Prior to the announcement of the rankings in 2024, luck We discussed the entire data science industry with leading experts. They provided insight into the growing importance of data, the skills needed to excel in this field, and what factors to look for when considering educational pathways. Although their perspectives were helpful in teaching, luckmethodology, they were not involved in ranking any programs.
Megan Maras contributed to this work.
