Given the current era of technology, data science has become all the rage! When searching for a college that is the right fit for you, it is important to pick one that can offer a specialized program that can ensure that you get the best education possible. Not only does this broaden your sense of knowledge for the field but it can also make a significant difference in the career opportunities that you are capable of receiving in the future. Every student deserves to receive the best education possible, so don’t hold yourself back!
In this article we will be discussing:
- What is Data Science?
- Jobs Opportunities For Data Science Majors
- Best Colleges For Data Science
What is Data Science?
Data science is the analysis and interpretation of a complex set of data in order to make informed decisions or predictions. The work of a data scientist is extremely diverse and can provide you with a wide variety of applicable skills that can have a long term positive impact on your careers.
As a data scientists you will:
- Gather data
- Data clean
- Data analyze
- Model build
- Format data visually
- Analyze statistics
- Communicate effectively
- Deploy and monitor models
- Computer programming
From the aforementioned tasks, it is clear that data science is a diverse career that requires a well rounded amount of knowledge. With a heavy emphasis on statistics, data science is definitely a career path that is more geared toward those who are math savvy!
Jobs Opportunities For Data Science Majors
But what jobs can you get as a data science major? Well the great benefit of this major is that you can virtually work in any field that you find the most appealing!
Some of the most common jobs that those who obtain a data science degree go into, post-graduation, include:
- Data Scientist
- Data Analyst
- Data Science Consultant
- Fraud Analyst
- Health Data Analyst
- Customer Insight Analyst
- Marketing Analyst
- Research Scientist
- Operations Analyst
- Data Architect
A career in data science makes a median annual salary of $108,000. Each different career path that a data science major might enter offers its own variety of complications and challenges. However, it is important to remember that internships are also a valuable way to gain insight on what future career path best suits your interests and lifestyle! Whether you enjoy designing data system models or analyzing trends, there is certainly a job opportunity out there that will be the perfect fit for you. Lean into your own personal strengths and don’t be afraid to explore a variety of opportunities.
Best Colleges For Data Science
Now that we learned that data science can lead to a financially comfortable life, it’s time to talk about how you can educationally get there. When it comes to applying to colleges, the options can seem endless and frustrating. However, it’s important to take into consideration that some colleges may offer better programs that can allow you to network and propel your career post graduation! So let’s get into discussing the best colleges for data science majors.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts MIT is a college that is highly regarded as being one of the best places to attend for those that are interested in STEM. MIT offers a Data, Systems, and Society (DSS) program that allows for students to receive a diverse level of education and receive hands-on application to the knowledge that they learn in the classroom. Other than that, MIT also offers a data leadership online course that allows for students to learn more about leadership, cooperation operations, and management while simultaneously learning how to leverage and compute data! Other than DSS, MIT also offers the following programs and majors:
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)
- Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS)
- Statistics and Data Science (Master’s)
- Computational Science and Engineering (CSE)
Despite the fact that MIT does not offer a specific “data science major” it allows students to have a more interdisciplinary approach to their education and receive a well-rounded amount of knowledge. Not only is it beneficial for networking opportunities, but it also prepares students for real world application. With the acceptance rate of 4% and an annual tuition cost of $79,000, getting into MIT is no feeble accomplishment. However, MIT does offer students a wide variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities that allows every student to get closer to achieving their goals.
University of California Berkeley
Nothing goes better with data science than being in the eclectic and vibrant community that is San Francisco. Berkeley is a school that excels in a variety of different majors, and for good reason. What makes Berkeley so unique is the wide variety of undergraduate and master’s programs that this school offers. If you’re looking to learn from those who have directly worked in your field of study, then Berkeley is the place for you! Not only does this prepare students for what they should expect in their future careers, but it also exposes them to beneficial networking opportunities that can have a positive impact on their careers in the long term.
Berkeley offers the following programs and majors:
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science
- Bachelors of Science in Data Science
- Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS)
- Master of Data Science (MDS)
- Ph.D. in Information Management and Systems
Berkeley, similar to MIT, offers an interdisciplinary approach to education and encourages students to also minor in subjects such as economics, engineering, and social science so that they stand out amongst others when applying for jobs. Berkeley also hosts a series of research centers such as the Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Research (DSAIR) that allows students to be proactive and advance the current state of data science. With an annual tuition cost of $43,000 (before financial aid) and an acceptance rate of 11% Berkeley is slightly less competitive than MIT, however, it also provides students with the tools that are necessary to succeed.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan is located in the scenic area of Ann Arbor. University of Michigan provides students with a diverse approach to data science and combines elements of computer science, statics, and data analysis within their curriculum. Some of the core courses that are necessary to complete a data science undergraduate degree include Introduction to Data Science, Data Science Programming, Statistical Methods, Data Visualization, and Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics.
However, what also sets University of Michigan apart from other colleges is its heavy emphasis on the importance of electives. Not only does this educationally benefit students, but it also encourages them to socially bond and connect with like minded individuals. These electives typically include advanced machine learning and deeper knowledge about artificial intelligence.
University of Michigan offers the following programs and majors:
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science
- Master of Science in Data Science
- Ph.D. in Data Science
Similarly to Berkely, the University of Michigan has its own research center named MIDAS (Michigan Institute for Data Science) that offers resources, workshops, and opportunities for students and researchers to collaborate on large scale projects and initiatives. With an average tuition cost of $33,000 and an acceptance rate of 17% the University of Michigan can be an easier college for most students to attend!
California State University Long Beach
A list of colleges wouldn’t be complete without at least one California State University! If you enjoy being on the sunny west coast, and only a few miles away from the beach, then California State University Long Beach might be the best fit for you. CSULB’s data science program equips students with the tools necessary to succeed in their prospective careers. This undergraduate program is known for having a practical and direct style of curriculum that teaches students about programming, data analysis, machine learning, and statistical methods. Similarly to other schools, CSULB enjoys exposing students to real-world applications.
CSULB offers the following majors:
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science
- Master of Science in Data Science
While the list of majors might not be as diverse as other colleges, CSULB encourages students to also minor in similar subjects of study. With an average annual tuition cost of $18,000 (out of state) and an acceptance rate of 40% CSULB can be a great option for students looking for a more affordable option, while still getting the best education possible!
Why does this matter?
It’s important to keep in mind that figuring out a future career can be extremely difficult, and that's okay! Many students go into college being an undeclared major or even change their majors after a few semesters of college. Whatever path you choose it’s important to keep in mind that it’s important to follow your intuition and attend a college that best suits your needs and long term goals, there's never only one right path for everyone. So keep your options open, explore other majors, and remember to always enjoy what you’re learning!
