10 Best Undergraduate Data Science Programs
Data science has become a popular choice for students while picking undergraduate programs. Studying it equips you with skills and techniques to extract valuable insights from vast datasets. Its intersection with statistics and computer science helps prepare you to tackle real-world challenges across various fields.
How do I pick the right data science program for me?
When selecting a program or a university, there are a few important things to consider:
1. The curriculum and structure: Ensure that the curriculum aligns with your interests and career goals. Equally important is making sure that the structure in terms of class size, availability of office hours, and career counseling fits your needs well.
2. Extracurricular opportunities: A lot of the learning process in college will happen outside the classroom. Make sure to research what extracurricular opportunities the university provides you with, whether it’s student clubs, faculty mentorship, internships, research opportunities, or networking events. These are super valuable as you build your resume!
3. Location and cost: You should also consider the location of the university and its proximity to good job opportunities. Additionally, make sure you look at the tuition of the program and what scholarship or aid opportunities are available.
To help you out, we’ve considered the above factors and compiled a list of the 10 best undergraduate data science programs for you!
1. MIT’s Minor in Statistics and Data Science
Private or Public: Private
Location: Cambridge, MA
Annual Cost of Attendance: $82,730
Student to faculty ratio: 3:1
Acceptance Rate: 4.7%
Notable Alumni: Buzz Aldrin, Richard Feynman, Shirley Ann Jackson
The Statistics and Data Science Center at MIT offers a minor in statistics and data science to all MIT undergraduates, from any major. Through this program, you will gain a working knowledge base in statistics, probability, computation, and an ability to analyze data!
Throughout the program, you can expect to take a range of courses from introductory ones such as ‘Introduction to Computational Thinking’ and ‘Applied Probability and Statistics’, to more specialized courses such as ‘Econometric Data Science’ or ‘Statistics for Brain and Cognitive Science’.
Pursuing a data science degree from MIT is academically rigorous and you will be led by experienced faculty members. You will also have access to a range of resources, industry connections, and extracurricular research opportunities. The program has a particular emphasis on practical skills that will equip you to succeed in whichever career path you choose. Additionally, MIT’s strong network and extracurricular activities allow you to gain real-world exposure and enhance the learning experience.
2. UC Berkeley’s B.A. in Data Science
Private or Public: Public
Location: Berkeley, CA
Annual Cost of Attendance: $46,168
Student to faculty ratio: 20:1
Acceptance Rate: 11.56%
Notable Alumni: Steve Wozniak, J. Paul Getty, Chris Pine
The University of California, Berkeley’s College of Computing, Data Science, and Society, offers both a minor and major in Data Science. An advantage of choosing Berkeley is the interdisciplinary approach that prepares students for diverse career paths in data analysis and its various applications. Some Upper Requirement courses you could take are ‘Design and Analysis of Ecological Research and ‘Data, Inference and Decisions’
The location of the university, in the heart of Silicon Valley, provides students unique access to research and innovation opportunities in the tech industry. Berkeley offers a range of extracurricular activities, fostering holistic growth. As an added bonus, the university has a strong alumni network, which, coupled with its proximity to major tech companies can help provide you with prestigious internship opportunities and career prospects.
3. Carnegie Mellon University Statistics Major
Private or Public: Private
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Annual Cost of Attendance: $83,697
Student to faculty ratio: 5:1
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Notable Alumni: Andy Warhol, John Forbes Nash Jr, Holly Hunter
Carnegie Mellon University's Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers multiple combinations of courses with statistics (apart from choosing it as a core major). For example, you could pursue a statistics and machine learning major, or an economics and statistics Major. Alternatively, you could choose to do a statistics major on either a mathematical science or Neuroscience track!
The department’s undergraduate program offers well-rounded academics, with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You will be challenged in a supportive environment that provides access to real-world data science problems, preparing you to innovate with data and tackle pressing challenges. The program is known for its depth and breadth in both applied and methodological topics with excellent graduate school and job placements. 96% of graduates reported having full-time positions or were accepted into a graduate program upon completing their programs. You’d be based in Pittsburgh, a city known for its diverse culture and emerging tech industry, giving you access to useful experiences and internships.
4. Stanford University’s B.S in Data Science
Private or Public: Private
Location: Stanford, CA
Annual Cost of Attendance: $87,833
Student to faculty ratio: 5:1
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Notable Alumni: Elon Musk, John F. Kennedy, Tiger Woods
The B.S. in Data Science at Stanford is the successor to their original major in Mathematical and Computational Science. In this program, you can expect to build core mathematical knowledge, and build competencies in fields such as probabilistic modeling, statistical inference, and optimal decision-making! You can also choose electives in other fields such as management science and engineering, game theory or even archaeological geographical information systems. Alternatively - you can choose between the biology, engineering or statistics path for your individualized concentration.
The data science program offers a robust academic curriculum, guided by the renowned university’s senior faculty. Currently, data science research is being conducted in the fields of physics, humanities, economics, and more. Take a look at all of the research areas here. With Stanford located in Silicon Valley, you will also have the chance to create a valuable network in the thriving tech industry. Not to mention the university’s own extracurriculars and career guidance. Take a look at Stanford Data Science’s educational offerings here.
5. University of Washington’s Data Science Option
Private or Public: Public
Location: Seattle, WA
Annual Cost of Attendance: $22,557 - $63,906 (varies based on where you’re applying from, and where you’ll stay during the program).
Student to faculty ratio: 21:1
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Notable Alumni: Marcus Peters, Bruce Lee, John Ross
In University of Washington, you are eligible to choose a ‘Data Science Option’ which will extend your core major program with a data science specialization. This program is already offered in departments such as applied & computational mathematical sciences, atmospheric sciences, bioengineering, computer science & engineering, geography, informational school, and statistics! In a data science option program, you can cover courses such as “Data Visualization and Communication: and “Algorithmic Decision Making”
If you don’t belong to these departments, you are still eligible to pursue a data science minor which is offered with every core major! This minor will help you leverage familiarity with data science, and gain skills and fluency to work with data in your major domain of study.
The University of Washington is consistently ranked among the country’s top ten universities to study data science at. Located in Seattle, a tech hub, students benefit from a thriving industry network and future opportunities. Students will learn from and engage with the university's renowned faculty members, with their diverse research backgrounds. The undergraduate program emphasizes practical skills, ensuring graduates are industry-ready. With a myriad of extracurricular activities and research opportunities, students gain hands-on experience. The university also offers great placement opportunities for graduates.
6. Princeton University’s Minor in Statistics and Machine Learning
Private or Public: Private
Location: Princeton, NJ
Annual Cost of Attendance: $83,140
Student to faculty ratio: 5:1
Acceptance Rate: 5.8%
Notable Alumni: Jeff Bezos, Alan Turing, Michelle Obama
Princeton University’s Undergraduate Minor in Statistics and Machine Learning is a solid option if you have a strong interest in data analysis and its applications across disciplines. Some examples of the problems you’ll solve are analyzing massive quantities of text and images, modeling cellular-biological processes, and forecasting election outcomes (among others)!
The program stands out thanks to the experienced faculty, and the well-crafted curriculum, which will include the basic principles of statistics and machine learning and their applications, the essential tools to conduct research involving dataset analysis. Additionally, you can choose courses that allow you to conduct independent research in data science! Being in Princeton, New Jersey, students benefit from a vibrant intellectual community and proximity to major cities like New York and Philadelphia. Several graduates have gone on to join businesses and institutions as practicing data scientists.
Alternatively, Princeton’s School of Engineering and Applied Science also offers data science education – courses, programs, seminars, and workshops that either focus on or include elements of data science.
7. Cornell University’s Statistical Science Major
Private or Public: Private
Location: Ithaca, NY
Annual Cost of Attendance: $88,150
Student to faculty ratio: 9:1
Acceptance Rate: 9.73%
Notable Alumni: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Bill Nye, Tsai Ing-wen
Cornell University offers 3 paths for any student looking to pursue data science. The first program is a Major in Statistical Science, offered through the College of Arts and Sciences. This program involves studies in mathematical statistics, applied statistics and computational statistics.
If you’re interested in biology, you can pursue the Biometry and Statistics course (offered as both a major and minor) which uses statistics to solve problems in diverse fields in life and social sciences, to business and finance! The last option is a minor in data science which will equip you with a solid understanding of the conceptual tools of data science.
Studying data science at Cornell will equip you with an understanding of the conceptual and methodological tools of data-driven discovery. Primarily, you will build foundational skills and knowledge in statistical techniques and computer programming, learn how to implement these skills in disciplinary settings, conduct data analysis and interpretation, and effectively synthesize, present, and communicate their results.
8. Harvard University’s Statistics Concentration
Private or Public: Private
Location: Cambridge, MA
Annual Cost of Attendance: $79,450
Student to faculty ratio: 7:1
Acceptance Rate: 3.41%
Notable Alumni: Mark Zuckerburg, Bill Gates, Barack Obama
At Harvard, you can choose to pursue a Statistics Concentration where you will gain conceptual, computational, and mathematical tools for quantifying uncertainty and making sense of complex data. In the program, you can choose courses in subjects such as bioinformatics and computational biology, or quantitative finance!
The program at Harvard offers a comprehensive education experience. The program will provide you with diverse extracurricular activities and research opportunities. Harvard's extensive alumni network and its proximity to innovative hubs enhance your future career prospects. With a focus on practical skills and real-world applications, Harvard's data science program equips you with a competitive edge in the evolving field of data science.
9. Columbia University’s Data Science Specialization
Private or Public: Private
Location: New York, NY
Annual Cost of Attendance: $85,967
Student to faculty ratio: 6:1
Acceptance Rate: 3.9%
Notable Alumni: Barack Obama, Alexander Hamilton, Julia Stiles, Lou Gehrig
While Columbia does not offer a Data Science program by itself, you can choose to opt for a program specialization through choosing a major in the Department of Computer Science. Currently, you can choose between computer science, information science, data science (offered jointly with the Statistics Department), and computer science-mathematics!
The programs give importance to extracurricular activities and industry partnerships, helping you enhance your practical skills and gain networking opportunities. With a strong emphasis on research-driven education, Columbia's data science program equips graduates with valuable skills. Located in New York City, a tech and cultural hub, it provides students with unique exposure to real-world applications too!
10. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Private or Public: Public
Location: Champaign, IL
Annual Cost of Attendance: $35,210 - $64,922 (varies based on where you’re applying from).
Student to faculty ratio: 21:1
Acceptance Rate: 43.7%
Notable Alumni: Shel Silverstein, Jawed Karim, Nick Offerman
The University of Illinois has a broad offering in data science education, including an innovative family of new degrees (X + Data Science) combining data science with other disciplines, which will prepare students to lead across various industries.
The X + Data Science degree programs at Illinois are designed from the ground up to be interdisciplinary and inclusive. X + Data Science majors take core coursework in an application domain of their choosing. The core Data Science coursework has fewer technical prerequisites and requirements than most programs This makes X + DS more accessible to people from all backgrounds.
At the University of Illinois, Data Science Discovery, an open-source data science resource, is used as the basis for the first data science course, STAT 107: Data Science Discovery, which is also the first course in the data science core for the new X + DS degree programs. This is a super useful course for you to take if you do not have any prior knowledge or experience with data science. As a project-driven course, you will perform hands-on-analysis of real-world datasets to analyze and discover the impact of the data. Throughout each experience, you will be required to reflect on the social issues surrounding data analysis such as privacy and design.
As you start thinking about which university to go to and which program is a good fit for you, be sure to Invest ample time in researching and personally visiting prospective institutions. Engage in discussions with current students, alumni, and faculty to understand the program's merits and drawbacks. By weighing these factors, you can make a more informed decision, paving the way for a prosperous and satisfying career in the field of data science!
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
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