by our College Data Analytics TeamData Science was the 282nd most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 2,413 degrees in this year alone.
This year's Best Data Science Schools ranking compares 34 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom data science rankings further below.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional data science certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different data science degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in data science to something that takes less time like a . Depending on the data science degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
As you might expect, salaries for data science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Data Science is one of 51 different types of Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Data Science, General | 2,348 |
| Data Science, Other | 65 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 31,307 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,032 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,114 |
| International Studies | 6,614 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,598 |
