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Yes, the on-campus MS-DS program falls under the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ's overall accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Most students complete the degree in 1½ – 2 years. All degree requirements must be completed within 4 years of the date you start your coursework.

Yes, you may participate in the program as a part-time student and have up to 4 years to complete the degree. Please note that your federal loans may require you to participate full-time. If you are an international student, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 5 graduate-level course credits per semester to maintain your full-time status for an F-1 Visa.

No, the MS-DS is a non-thesis degree that requires 30 credit hours of coursework only. If you are passionate about research, there may be opportunities for your involvement on campus.

MS in Data Science is a professional master degree and it doesn’t require dissertation or capstone project. However students can take course DTSC 5801: Capstone project as an elective. Pair with a team and solve real-world data projects for industry partners, resulting in a more robust portfolio and professional experience.

This program is not intended to train Ph.D. students or research students. However, other institutions and universities may accept transfer credit from the MS-DS program at their discretion.

Visit the Admissions page to learn more about admissions requirements and how to apply to the degree program.ÌýJoin one of our virtual admissions events to get application tips and learn more about the program!

No, Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder does not offer rolling admissions to this program.Ìý

Applicants should have 2 semesters of Calculus II and Linear Algebra and 2 semesters of advanced computer science in Python and R Programming. Applicants should be familiar with Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, and have some experience with infinite sequences and series. Multivariate Calculus is preferred but not required.Ìý

However, we know data science attracts students from many different disciplines. Learn more about our bridge program if you're missing some prerequisites.

Join one of our virtual admissions events to get application tips and learn more about the program.

No, work experience is not mandatory.

No. The fully online MS-DS on Coursera program and the in-person MS-DS on Campus program are not interchangeable. If you start the Coursera degree, you cannot later switch to the on-campus program.

Students who apply to the Professional Master’s of Computer Science degree can submit a separate application if they would also like to be considered for the Master of Science in Data Science degree.

To view your application status after you have already submitted, please check your page. There, you will find your application checklist. Items that have been received will have a checkmark (✔) next to them, and outstanding items will have an X mark (✘).

Fall applications for the on-campus program are typically due in January or February, and we aim to release application decisions by mid-April. SeeÌýImportant Dates on theÌýAdmissionsÌýpageÌýfor exact dates.

• Please ask your recommenders to check the spam or junk folders in their email platform.
• Check the emails you entered on your application are correct.
• Send a "reminder" email. In your application you can go to the "Letters of Reference" section, select a recommender and choose "send reminder". The reminder email will contain the link they need to submit their letters.
• If none of these steps have solved the issue, you can have your recommenders email their letters to us atÌýintlgrad@colorado.eduÌýand we will upload the letters to your application.

Graduate coursework is billed per hour, and your pricing could fluctuate depending on your pace. For the 2026-2027 academic year, tuition cost of 30-credits total is estimated at $39,543Ìýfor residents of Colorado, andÌý$50,703 for non-residents (out of state and/or international).

ÌýÌýPlease check the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Bursar's Office for current tuition rates.

Yes. Students in the on-campus MS-DS program can apply for graduate and professional student financial aid and other funding opportunities. Take a look at our finances page for more information.

Because the MS-DS is a professional program, on-campus students are not eligible for teaching or research assistantships, but are eligible for hourly work. International students may be interested to know that hourly on-campus work does not require CPT authorization.

Data Science does not offer departmental application fee waivers at this time. However, theÌýGraduate SchoolÌýoffersÌýapplication fee waivers for some populations.Ìý

IfÌýyou are in the U.S. military, you will receive an automatic fee waiver as a thank you for your service (active duty, veteran, previously served, and active reserve are all eligible for this automatic fee waiver.

If you areÌýundocumentedÌýand/or aÌýDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)Ìýbeneficiary, please contactÌýgradadm@colorado.eduÌýto inquire about possible fee waivers.

Yes, Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØemployees and their dependents are eligible to use the employee tuition assistance benefit for this on-campus program.

In order to be eligible to petition for a change from non-resident (out-of-state) to resident (in-state) classification for their second year, students must take action to establish Colorado domicile soon after arriving on campus.Ìý

Watch the Ìývideo (3.5 minutes) and see theÌýTuition Classification for Nonresident Graduate StudentsÌýhandout for details on how new Colorado residents can establish Colorado as their one, true, fixed and permanent home.

This quick video presentation and accompanying handout cover:

• Grace periods allowable under Colorado Law as it pertains to Colorado driver’s licenses, vehicle registration and voter registration
• Tax filing tips and requirements
• Lease or home ownership requirements
• An overview of the petition process and applicable deadlines

Students who are already classified as in-state for their first year do not need to submit a petition to reprove their eligibility for their second year. The handout above contains instructions for how to verify your current classification if you are unsure.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Tuition Classification Office at tuitclass@colorado.edu with any questions about the requirements or petitioning process.

We distinguish international from domestic students based on their immigration status—that is, whether they will be attending Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØon a valid visa. Anyone who plans to study at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØwhile on a valid visa of any sort is considered an international student.

Domestic students do not need a student visa. However, international students must obtain a valid visa to enter and study in the United States. You will get detailed instructions from the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Office of Admissions upon admission. Find more information under Citizenship & Immigration and Visa Information for International Applicants.

Yes. The on-campus Data Science program is STEM eligible via the U.S. Department of Education, offering an Optional Practical Training STEM Extension benefit.

Yes. Students can take an optional for-credit internship course as one of their electives. This course is repeatable, allowing you to pursue multiple internships throughout your time with the MS-DS program. See Data Science Electives for details about this course.

Multiple graduate career services are available to on-campus students and alumni, including workshops, career fairs, help with resume review and interview preparation, Handshake access, and Forever Buffs alumni association membership.

Graduates from Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder go on to work at top companies including Amazon, Apple, Boeing, Disney, Google, IBM, Lockheed Martin, NASA, NBC, Twitter, and Yelp.Ìý

Graduates from MS-DSÌýhave gone on to work in the following roles:

• Data Scientist (+ Sr.)
• Data Science Engineer (+ Associate, + Sr.)
• Engineer
• Function Development Engineer
• AI Engineer / ML Engineer
• Security Researcher
• Applied AI Engineer
• Data Analyst
• Investments Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Software Eng. / Production Engineer
• Platform Development Contributor
• Founding + entrepreneurial roles
• DS Consultant
• AI Consultant
• Sr. Analytics Consultant

Graduates from MS-DSÌýhave gone on to work at the following companies:

• Intuit
• Hasbro
• Niagara Bottling
• Civitas Resources
• Xcel Energy
• Cummins Inc.
• Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Cogent BioScience
• Dish Networks
• Kroenke Sport & Entertainment
• Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc.
• American Express

According to our most recent graduate outcomes survey (Spring 2025)

The median annual wage for data scientists was $112,590 in May 2024, according to the . Our August 2025 MS-DS Career Outcomes Survey demonstrated an average wage of ~$120,000 among our recent graduates.

Join one of our virtual admissions events to get application tips and learn more about the program.Ìý

Please email us at datascience@colorado.edu with questions.