Why You Should Study Masters in Data Science in the USA + Funding Opportunities

The study of Data science in your Masters will teach you what tools to use and how to use them to examine, compile, and manage large volumes of data. A data science course involves programs like statistics, mathematics, and computer science. These programs will help you develop the ability to gather and analyze various kinds of data. 

To apply for a Master in Data Science in the USA, one must have a degree in mathematics, economics, statistics, or computer science. Additionally, the average annual tuition fee for a data science master’s program in the USA is between $20,000 and $80,000. 

However, it is worth it, as data scientists can go on to earn a high salary of $70,000 to $150,000 per year. This is because they are in high demand, as the industry has seen substantial growth over the past 50 years. 

Therefore, the USA is the home of the best Data Science universities that will provide you with world-class education, skill development, a multicultural environment, and lots more for international students.

Studying MS In Data Science In The US

MS in Data Science is regarded as a STEM course in the US. The module includes areas like: 

1. Introduction to Data Science
2. Statistics for Data Science
3. Machine Learning
4. Data Visualization
5. Big Data Analytics
6. Data Mining
7. Deep Learning
8. Natural Language Processing
9. Data Ethics and Privacy
10. Capstone Project

Also, the duration of a master’s degree in data science spans two years, and the average cost of study is between 20,000 and 80,000 USD. However, this price is subject to change and varies according to individual universities. 

Advantages Of Studying MS In Data Science In The US. 

The emergence and adoption of technology today have given rise to many businesses. This, in turn, has given rise to the competitiveness and complexities present in the business world. To make meaningful and helpful decisions, businesses now understand the importance of data science. 

As a result of this, there is a growing demand for professionals in this field, and it is not surprising that international students are embracing it. As an international student seeking to pursue a degree in data science, below are the lists of things you stand to gain:

1. Career Opportunity: 

The U.S. has both internship and job opportunities for Data Science graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected growth rate for Data Science jobs is 11% between 2021-2031. 

2. A wholesome learning experience: 

As stated earlier, the US houses some of the best universities in the world. This means that students who study here will gain in-depth knowledge and skills from top professionals in the industry. Also, the presence of vast companies makes it easy for students to get opportunities from such brands. 

3. Opportunities to Work After Studies: 

Because Data Science is a STEM course, international students can receive a 3-year post-study work permit after they have graduated from the University. 

This additionally adds to the experience they have gained in the four walls of the classroom, as they will be presented with the opportunity to work for top companies, depending on how they can put in the work. 

The Eligibility Requirement To Study MS In Data Science In The US

To study data science at a master’s level abroad, students must meet the requirements stated below. Additionally, it is important to note that the requirements stated below will vary according to the individual university criteria. 

1. Bachelor’s Degree: 

It is expected that they have an excellent GPA in a relevant field. The minimum score is 3.0-4.0 on the 4.0 grading scale. However, it might vary according to the individual university criteria. 

2. Standardized Tests: 

The GRE and GMAT, are important requirements needed to gain admission to a master’s program in the US. The minimum requirement is 300, but the score varies according to the university’s rules. 

3. English Proficiency Test: 

Since America is an English-speaking nation and Data Science is an English-taught skill, students will all need to prove their English proficiency by taking exams like IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. The minimum expected score is 6 or it’s equivalent in the other tests. 

4. Resume: 

Applicants will also need an updated resume with prior work experience. Your resume should also be properly written with no errors. Therefore, universities might not necessarily need a GRE test score if applicants have enough relevant experience in the given field. 

Important Documents Needed To Study MS In Data Science In The US

In addition to the eligibility requirements, applicants should ensure that the following documents are saved to make the application easier. These documents include: 

• Academic transcripts (10th, 12th, and Bachelor’s)
• Scores from entrance examinations like the GRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT, and others (if required by your preferred university).
• English proficiency test scores (like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE)
• 2 LORs- Letter of recommendation (one from the previous educational institution and one from the workplace)
• A well-drafted SOP (Statement of Purpose)
• A valid passport (must be valid till your whole course duration)
• Updated CV
• Certificate of Work Experience
• Proof of funds
• Two passport-sized photographs

Best University For Master’s In Data Science In The U.S. 

The United States currently has over 200 universities that offer a master’s degree in Data Science to international students. Additionally, some of these schools also offer scholarship opportunities for students who might be interested. Some of the top universities for an MS in Data Science are: 

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
2. Stanford University
3. Carnegie Mellon University
4. University of California, Berkeley
5. University of Washington
6. Columbia University
7. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
8. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
9. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
10. University of Pennsylvania
11.  Harvard University
12. New York University (NYU)
13. Northwestern University
14. University of Texas at Austin
15. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Jobs Opportunities Available In Data Science

As one of the fastest-growing career fields, there are many opportunities available for graduates of the MS in Data Science program in the United States. 

The US has many MNCs that are seeking to hire business analysts from top universities, including: 

1. Technology Companies:

• Google
• Microsoft
• Amazon
• Facebook
• Apple
• IBM
• Intel
• Adobe

2. Financial Services Companies:

• JPMorgan Chase
• Goldman Sachs
• Citigroup
• Morgan Stanley
• American Express
• Visa
• Mastercard
• PayPal

3. Consulting and Professional Services Firms:

• McKinsey & Company
• Deloitte
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
• KPMG
• Ernst & Young (EY)
• Accenture

4. E-commerce and Retail Companies:

• Walmart
• Alibaba Group
• eBay
• Target
• Zappos
• Wayfair
• Nordstrom
• Stitch Fix

5. Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Companies:

• Johnson & Johnson
• Pfizer
• Novartis
• Merck & Co.
• Roche
• AstraZeneca
• Gilead Sciences

6. Transportation and Logistics Companies:

• Uber
• Lyft
• DHL
• FedEx
• UPS
• Maersk
• Delta Air Lines

7. Social Media and Entertainment Companies:

• Twitter
• Netflix
• Spotify
• TikTok
• Snap Inc. (Snapchat)
• Disney
• WarnerMedia

8. Energy and Utilities Companies:

• Chevron
• ExxonMobil
• Shell
• General Electric (GE)
• Siemens
• Duke Energy
• National Grid

Job Profiles And Salaries For Data Scientists 

1. Data Scientist:

Entry-level: $70,000 – $110,000 per year

Mid-level: $100,000 – $150,000 per year

Senior-level: $140,000 – $200,000+ per year

2. Data Analyst:

Entry-level: $50,000 – $80,000 per year

Mid-level: $70,000 – $100,000 per year

Senior-level: $90,000 – $130,000+ per year

3. Machine Learning Engineer:

Entry-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Mid-level: $100,000 – $150,000 per year

Senior-level: $140,000 – $200,000+ per year

4. Big Data Engineer:

Entry-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Mid-level: $100,000 – $150,000 per year

Senior-level: $140,000 – $200,000+ per year

5. Business Intelligence Analyst:

Entry-level: $60,000 – $90,000 per year

Mid-level: $80,000 – $110,000 per year

Senior-level: $100,000 – $140,000+ per year

6. Data Architect:

Entry-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Mid-level: $100,000 – $150,000 per year

Senior-level: $140,000 – $200,000+ per year

7. Data Engineer:

Entry-level: $70,000 – $100,000 per year

Mid-level: $90,000 – $130,000 per year

Senior-level: $120,000 – $180,000+ per year

8. Data Visualization Specialist:

Entry-level: $60,000 – $90,000 per year

Mid-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Senior-level: $100,000 – $150,000+ per year

9. Data Product Manager:

Entry-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Mid-level: $100,000 – $150,000 per year

Senior-level: $140,000 – $200,000+ per year

10. Research Scientist:

Entry-level: $70,000 – $110,000 per year

Mid-level: $90,000 – $140,000 per year

Senior-level: $120,000 – $180,000+ per year

11. AI Engineer:

Entry-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Mid-level: $100,000 – $150,000 per year

Senior-level: $140,000 – $200,000+ per year

12. Data Mining Specialist:

Entry-level: $60,000 – $90,000 per year

Mid-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Senior-level: $100,000 – $150,000+ per year

13. Predictive Analyst:

Entry-level: $60,000 – $90,000 per year

Mid-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Senior-level: $100,000 – $150,000+ per year

14. Statistical Analyst:

Entry-level: $60,000 – $90,000 per year

Mid-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Senior-level: $100,000 – $150,000+ per year

15. Quantitative Analyst:

Entry-level: $70,000 – $100,000 per year

Mid-level: $90,000 – $130,000 per year

Senior-level: $120,000 – $180,000+ per year

16. Fraud Analyst:

Entry-level: $60,000 – $90,000 per year

Mid-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Senior-level: $100,000 – $150,000+ per year

17. Marketing Analyst:

Entry-level: $50,000 – $80,000 per year

Mid-level: $70,000 – $100,000 per year

Senior-level: $90,000 – $130,000+ per year

18. Operations Analyst:

Entry-level: $50,000 – $80,000 per year

Mid-level: $70,000 – $100,000 per year

Senior-level: $90,000 – $130,000+ per year

19. Risk Analyst:

Entry-level: $60,000 – $90,000 per year

Mid-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Senior-level: $100,000 – $150,000+ per year

20. Healthcare Data Analyst:

Entry-level: $60,000 – $90,000 per year

Mid-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Senior-level: $100,000 – $150,000+ per year

21. Financial Analyst:

Entry-level: $50,000 – $80,000 per year

Mid-level: $70,000 – $100,000 per year

Senior-level: $90,000 – $130,000+ per year

22. Supply Chain Analyst:

Entry-level: $50,000 – $80,000 per year

Mid-level: $70,000 – $100,000 per year

Senior-level: $90,000 – $130,000+ per year

23. Social Media Analyst:

Entry-level: $50,000 – $80,000 per year

Mid-level: $70,000 – $100,000 per year

Senior-level: $90,000 – $130,000+ per year

24. Text Mining Specialist:

Entry-level: $60,000 – $90,000 per year

Mid-level: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

Senior-level: $100,000 – $150,000+ per year

25. Customer Insights Analyst:

Entry-level: $50,000 – $80,000 per year

Mid-level: $70,000 – $100,000 per year

Senior-level: $90,000 – $130,000+ per year

Read also: Top 10 Easiest STEM Courses To Study In The US

Funding Opportunities That Are Available To Aid In Studying MS In Data Science In The US. 

Generally, funding opportunities available to aid studying abroad for international students include grants, scholarships, student loan options, etc. Below is a list of available options:

Scholarship Options

Scholarship	Awarding Committee
ACM SIGHPC and The Intel Computational and Data Science Scholarships	The Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on High-Performance Computing
Bill Caspar Memorial Diversity Scholarship	The Collective, LLC
MinneAnalytics Data Science Scholarship	MinneAnalytics
National GEM Consortium	GEM’s Masters Fellowship Program
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship	American Society for Engineering Education
Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship	DOE CSGF Program Coordinator

Also read: 9 Scholarships For IT Students Abroad 2024

Student loan options

1. MPower Finance
2. Prodigy Finance
3. Ascent Funding
4. Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
5. Quorum

Also read: Top International Student Loans For African Students

Get Started With Us Today

Seeking to start a career in Data Science or any course in the STEM field? Enrolling in the top universities in the world can increase your chances with employers. Unfortunately, it can be quite expensive to study abroad due to the current economic crisis. But this shouldn’t limit you, as there are other options you can explore to enhance your career. 

MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require a cosigner or collateral before an application. 

At EdXtra Associates, we can help you with your loan application process. We also provide educational consulting services for international students to help make their journey easier and faster. You can reach out to us, as we’d love to guide you through this journey. 

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