Data Science Degree Programs in Indiana
To the surprise of many, Indiana is an attractive destination for data scientists. The state hosts several major employers, including Salesforce and Eli Lilly, and the city of Indianapolis has committed $1B in funding to innovative and entrepreneurial endeavors, many of which require data science skills. Additionally, data scientists have ample opportunity to meet and collaborate with others at regional conferences and events, like DataScience Indy and Indy Big Data.
Building a long-term career in the data science field in Indiana starts with a strong education. Fortunately, there are a number of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs available to state residents that set students up for success in a wide variety of industries. The Indiana University system offers several data science specialization tracks at different campuses located all across the state. At Purdue and the University of Notre Dame, students can enroll in online master’s programs or pursue interdisciplinary coursework delivered through dedicated analytics centers and departments.
In the Hoosier State, data scientists have no lack of career or educational opportunities.
Career Outlook for Data Scientists in Indiana
With a low cost of living and many job opportunities, Indiana has a lot to offer data scientists who are seeking long-term careers in the state from analyst roles to platform engineer openings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest concentration of data scientist jobs in Indiana exists in the northwestern part of the state against Lake Michigan and in the state’s capital city Indianapolis.
Per BLS data, the annual mean wage for data scientists in Indiana is $75,280, which trails the national median salary of $100,910 considerably. However, Indiana’s low cost of living helps make up for reduced wages. The cost of living index in Indiana is 87.9 with housing and health care costs driving the overall index down. According to Zillow, the average home value in Indiana sits at $143,500. In Indianapolis, median housing costs are actually slightly lower than the state average at $142,900. When you compare these costs to the median U.S. home cost of $226,300, it becomes much easier to justify the discounted wages. Many data scientists choose to live along the Indiana coastline where the cost of living remains low and commute into Chicago where wages are slightly higher.
The first step towards establishing a successful career in data science is building a strong educational foundation of math, computer science, and analytical skills. With a diverse array of educational programs available, students can create a path that best suits their interests, life stage, and geographic preferences.
On-Campus Undergraduate Data Science Programs in Indiana
For those seeking an undergraduate education in data science, there are a number of available options. Students at Purdue University can major in data science and pull from both the statistics and computer science disciplines. At IUPUI, undergraduates can focus specifically on health data science and prepare for job opportunities in the healthcare space. Whether you are seeking a broader introduction to data science or a deeper dive into a specialized area, it exists in Indiana.
Purdue University B.S. in Data Science
Developed by the Department of Computer Science and Department of Statistics, the Data Science major at Purdue prepares undergraduates for a wide variety of career opportunities. Students must complete a total of 120 credit hours, 47-51 of which must cover data science-related topics. Key coursework includes Statistical Theory, Foundations of Computer Science, and Data Structures & Algorithms.
Indiana University Bloomington B.S. in Computer Science
Through IU Bloomington’s B.S. in Computer Science program, students have the opportunity to select data science as an area of concentration within their undergraduate coursework. Those who specialize in data science focus on developing programming, algorithms, and systems expertise so that they can extract valuable insights from real datasets in jobs after graduation. Students who pursue this major may take courses such as Data Structures, Introduction to Statistical Inference, and Principles of Machine Learning.
On-Campus Graduate Data Science Programs in Indiana
For those hoping to continue their data science education and win higher-level jobs, Indiana schools offer a variety of program structures to help students acquire the knowledge that they need in their respective fields. From on-campus master’s programs to online graduate certificates and everything in between, it’s all here in the Hoosier state.
On-Campus Master’s in Data Science Programs in Indiana
In West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue University offers a 36-credit Master’s in Business Analytics and Information Management program through the Krannert School of Management. The program can be completed in under one year and includes fundamental coursework in spreadsheet modeling, data mining, and advanced business analytics.
For Indiana residents, enrolling in Purdue’s program costs $24,300 total. Non-Indiana residents pay $34,200 for the program. To apply, prospective students must provide a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, transcripts, evidence of a baccalaureate degree, GMAT or GRE test scores, and an online video essay.
At the University of Indiana Bloomington, students can enroll in a 30-credit Master of Science in Data Science program that can be delivered on campus or online. Offered through the School of Informatics and Computing, the master’s program includes an applied data science track and a computational and analytical track. Each has a unique set of courses available, as well as specific prerequisites.
To be eligible for the program, students must have a bachelor’s degree, cumulative GPA above 3.0, and a strong understanding of mathematics and computer programming. When applying, hopeful applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, a CV, personal statement, academic records, and official GRE or TOEFL scores. Financial aid is available through the program, although the number of awards available depends on the number of students accepted to the program.
On-Campus Data Science Ph.D. Programs in Indiana
Indiana University – Purdue offers one of the best Ph.D. in Data Science programs in the country. Offered through the IU School of Informatics and Computing, the program requires completion of 24 credits of core data science courses, 36 credits in methods and specialization courses, and 30 credits for dissertation-related study. Graduates of the Ph.D. program have the skills and knowledge necessary to collect and manipulate large, complicated data sets in order to more effectively study complex issues. Students must complete their Ph.D. within seven years of enrolling.
IUPUI’s Ph.D. program is highly competitive. Applicants are expected to have a master’s in data science, health, social science, or computer science. Additionally, prospective students should have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher and score above the 70th percentile on the GRE. When applying, students must submit a resume, personal statement, transcripts, test scores, and personal references. Most students are supported by faculty grants to help offset the tuition costs of $352 per credit for residents and $977 per credit for non-residents. Through the Midwest Student Exchange Program, graduate students from participating states (Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin) can enroll in the program at a reduced tuition rate if accepted.
The university also offers a 12-credit Ph.D. Minor in Applied Data Science program that is available to students who are enrolled at IU Bloomington or IUPUI in non-data science doctoral programs. The Ph.D. Minor requires the completion of four courses that cover inferential statistics, databases, and data analytics fundamentals. Applying to the minor is less intensive than the full Ph.D. program. Students need only provide a one-page statement explaining their preparation for the minor, a resume, transcripts, and approval from a primary advisor.
On-Campus Graduate Certificate Programs in Indiana
For working professionals or recent graduates, on-campus graduate certificate programs may offer the perfect level of flexibility to further their education or fill specific knowledge gaps relevant to their current positions.
At Indiana University Bloomington, students can enroll in a 12-credit Business Analytics Certificate Program through the Department of Operations and Decision Technologies. In less than one year, students learn how to use analytical software and create models to solve complex, real-world problems. To earn the certificate, students must complete four courses: Introduction to Business Analytics, Informational Capabilities, Analytic Capabilities, and Decision Capabilities. The program costs $1,145 per credit hour, or $13,740 in total. In order to apply, prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree. However, no GMAT or GRE scores are required to be accepted.
Valparaiso University offers a Certificate in Applied Econometrics and Data Science Foundations Using SAS program through the school’s Department of Economics. Students complete a minimum of 12 credits in areas related to data manipulation, forecasting, and segmentation. Tuition costs $630 per credit hour or $7,560 in total.
Online Data Science Degree Programs in Indiana
There are several online data science programs in Indiana that give students the chance to earn master’s degrees remotely at some of the state’s top schools.
University of Notre Dame Master of Science in Data Science
At the prestigious University of Notre Dame, students can enroll in a 21-month multidisciplinary Master of Science in Data Science program offered through the Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics. The program consists of 30 credits that are earned over 5 consecutive semesters. The curriculum is predetermined so that students do not have to choose between electives or certain specialty tracks. Key courses include Linear Models, Statistical Learning for Data Science, and Behavioral Data Science.
Although the program is offered online, students can participate in exclusive immersions at Notre Dame and in Silicon Valley. Prerequisites for the program include previous coursework in calculus, basic programming languages, and data structures. For students beginning in the fall of 2019, tuition costs are $50,000 in total.
St. Mary’s College Master of Science in Data Science
St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana also offers an online master’s program that equips students with mathematical and computational skills that support advanced data analytics work. The 36-credit program is typically completed over 2 years and includes a final practicum presentation. Students are exposed to a number of programming languages, including R, MATLAB, Java, and Hadoop.
Competitive candidates for St. Mary’s program are those with familiarity and coursework in technical or quantitative fields. In addition, application requirements include a bachelor’s degree, transcripts, current resume, one letter of recommendation, and a personal statement. Tuition costs are $861 per credit hour or $30,996 in total. The $5,000 Lilly Endowment Scholarship for Data Science is a merit-based scholarship available to students in the Master of Science in Data Science program who are Indiana residents or recent graduates from a state institution.
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for data scientists reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2023.
