Data Science Minor – Is it the Right Fit?
By Kat Campise, Data Scientist, Ph.D.
Those who are new to data science often inquire as to whether an academic major or minor in data science is the best way to kickstart their career.
Data science is a unique combination of scientific thinking, statistical expertise, business acumen, and programming skill which are generally earned through a combination of academic and practical experience.
While you don’t necessarily need formal schooling in data science to gain business experience, and there are many self-taught programmers who do exceptionally well, far fewer people can teach themselves the level of math required for the job.
This isn’t to say that it absolutely cannot be done. However, there is another caveat: a majority of current job postings for data science stipulate that candidates should have attained a minimum level of education within a hard science discipline. Master’s or Ph.D.’s in computer science, statistics, math, or other STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) degrees are the most frequently cited educational requirements to enter data science.
Granted, as this career sector matures, the emphasis on specific skill sets is likely to change. But, for now, if you view data science as a discipline that heavily favors math, that would be a correct assumption. Certainly, the most alluring math related figure connected to data science is the income potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) puts the median salary for data scientists at $100,910 per their 2021 employment survey. Research and marketing departments have helped to fuel widespread interest by churning out reports and blogs about an impending “data scientist” shortage.
Until recently, colleges and universities hadn’t taken steps to add data science as a formal degree program. Early data science education was relegated to the MOOCs (e.g., Coursera, edX, etc.) or other fast adapting online education providers such as Udemy, Udacity, and DataCamp. Academic institutions are now on board and have created — or are in the process of creating — major and minor degrees in data science.
Included in this article:
- Why Minor in Data Science?
- Data Science Minor vs Certificate
- What is the Average Cost of Eraning a Data Science Minor?
- School Listings – Minor/Concentration/Specialization/Option in Data Science
Why Minor in Data Science?
While Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees exist, and Ph.D. options are also being developed, why would someone want to minor in data science?
The attraction of a six-figure income combined with a constant slew of job advertisements has generated worldwide interest in becoming a data scientist. Such was not the case when data scientists were called “statisticians” (yes, there are differences between the two, but the gap between them isn’t as wide as the titles would have you believe) or Ph.D. holding academics who were in a perpetual state of designing and implementing scientific research methods.
Currently, discussion threads and social media posts are saturated with queries from would-be data scientists who weren’t exactly jumping on the statistician and “lifetime academic” bandwagon before data science became a new title. While it’s true that a sizable portion of the “I want to be a data scientist” population was likely still in grade school before the data science phenomenon rolled into the world’s consciousness and their desire may be genuine, the hype factor is still relevant.
As such, in addition to determining if your interest in data science is a response to the possible salary and being able to call yourself a data scientist, and you’re not yet sure exactly what you’ll need to learn, then a minor in data science is likely the best path to take. It’s a less expensive learning trajectory when compared to fully committing to a higher academic degree. Additionally, it will give you the opportunity to see if your desire to be a data scientist can withstand the required number of math, statistics, programming, and technology-intensive coursework coming your way.
Secondary to “testing the data science waters” is the fact that having at least some data science training will provide you an essential skill set for a majority of 21st-century jobs.
At the very least, your analytical and research prowess is highly likely to increase. You’ll understand the basics as to how value is derived from the constant data stream — or data tsunami — which is now being collected for just about anything we do in the world today.
Data Science Minor vs. a Certificate
If you’re not entirely sure that even minoring in data science is right for you at this point, then a certificate may be an option to try. The emphasis here is the word try. Why? Data science certificates aren’t designed to give you a comprehensive education throughout each of the data science domains: math, statistics, data science tools and processes, and programming techniques as they specifically apply to all things data.
For example, Harvard offers a Data Science Certificate via their Extension Program and not only is it pricey ($11,000), but you only need to complete a statistics course, two electives, and a single data science course: five courses totaling $11,000 means that you’ll be paying $2,750 per course.
Even though having anything Harvard related to schooling can boost your status in the eyes of an employer, five data science courses are the academic equivalent of an amuse bouche — it’s a small glimpse of data science.
There are, however, more financially feasible options such as Microsoft’s Professional Program in Data Science which is offered through edX or Coursera’s myriad of data science courses offered by the likes of Johns Hopkins University, Stanford, and the University of Michigan. These are not degree programs, but they can provide you with immediate exposure to data science which will then help you to decide whether moving onto a minor or major data science degree is right for you.
What is the Average Cost?
The cost of earning a data science minor is heavily dependent on the degree-granting institution. As we can see from the Harvard example, even a certificate can cost a small fortune. But, Harvard is a private academic institution. Public schools, such as UC Berkeley, can be more affordable options with costs ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 for a two-year degree (which is, generally, what a minor is classified as being).
For your convenience, we’ve gathered a list of schools who offer minor degrees in data science so you can quickly draw a comparison as to the required coursework, the length of the data science minor program, and the most recent tuition costs.
School Listings – Minor / Concentration / Specialization / Option in Data Science
American University – Washington, D.C.
Data Science Minor
American University offers a Data Science Minor for students looking to delve into the basics of data science while focusing on a large field of study.
In the Data Science Minor, students must complete 20 credit hours with C grades or better, at least nine credit hours at 300-level or higher, and at least 12 credit hours unique to the minor.
Courses of the program include Statistical Programming and Data Science, Calculus, Basic Statistics, Intermediate Statistics, and either Regression or Statistical Machine Learning.
Applicants will work directly with an advisor to assist in declaring a minor.
Program Length: 20 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $25,407 per year
Becker College – Worcester, Massachusetts
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Data Science Concentration
The new data science concentration at Becker College is offered through a bachelor of science in business administration. The focus is thus on the intersection between data science and business, though students gain a solid foundation in mathematics, computer programming, and data analysis.
This degree requires 121 credits spread across several departments, including accounting, management, psychology, marketing, and core courses in business theory.
Program Length: 121 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $34,650 per year
Brigham Young University – Idaho – Rexburg, Idaho
Data Science Minor
Bringham Young University of Idaho offers a Data Science Minor through the Department of Mathematics that involves 21 credits of courses. These courses include Introduction to Programming, Survey Object-Oriented Programming/Data Structures, Introduction to Databases, Intermediate Statistics, Data Wrangling, Exploration and Visualization, Applied Linear Regression, Business Statistics, Biostatistics, and Social Science Statistics.
Program Length: 21 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $2,009 per semester (LDS student), $4,018 per semester (Non-LDS student)
Bryn Athyn College– Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania
Data Science Minor
Bryn Athyn College offers an intense and well-planned Data Science Minor. Students must meet all Core, Residency, and Major requirements in order to graduate.
They may count up to six 200-level or higher course credits of the minor for the same as their major.
As for coursework, students must attain a grade of C- or higher in the following classes: 100-level Computer Science and Mathematics, 200-level Business, Computer Science and Mathematics, and three or more credits at the 200-level or higher in courses, internships, independence studies, or capstone projects which require analysis of significant data.
Program Length: 6 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $21,360 per year
Butler University – Indianapolis, Indiana
Data Science Minor
Butler University’s Data Science Minor is designed for students with a passion in social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, engineering, economics, or business but need to gain some useful background and marketable technical skills that will ready them for graduate training in data science or give them the skills necessary to immediately apply in the workplace.
Required courses can be customized to fit each student’s career goals. Butler ensures small class sizes with direct faculty contact and free tutoring services to build student success. With specialized courses for the data science minor, students have access to programming tools, analytic tools and data sets from around the globe. Indianapolis features multiple opportunities for students to complete internships so as to apply their modeling, data analytics, and communication skills in real-world settings.
Minor requirements include 18 content core credits and six credit hours of electives, of which students may choose from a large variety of classes.
Program Length: 8 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $20,080 per semester
California Baptist University – Riverside, California
Data Science Minor
California Baptist University’s Data Science Minor provides a pre-planned course load with a lower division of classes and an upper division of classes.
In the lower division requirements, students complete a Data Structures course which develops discipline in program design, style, debugging, and testing. It also examines linked data structure, trees, graphs, and recursion.
Students must also take an Introduction to Computer Programming C++ course or Computer Programming Languages course. Either course serves as an introduction to computer science.
In the Upper Division Requirements, students take a course in Essentials of Geographic Information Systems. This course serves as a broad overview of the theoretical foundation and applied use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students also take an Information Security and Computer Forensics course that introduces the field of security computing.
Lastly, students must complete courses in Engineering Economics and Database Systems to complete the minor.
Program Length: 7 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $1,171 per unit
California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo, California
Cross Disciplinary Studies Minor in Data Science
The cross disciplinary minor in data science is offered through the departments of computer science and of statistics; students gain thorough training in both subjects.
This minor is generally meant for a computer science major or statistics major to acquire essential skills from the other department, and synthesize knowledge in a data science capstone project.
Program Length: 80 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $9,075 per year (California Resident), $20,235 per year (Non-resident)
Calvin College – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Data Science Minor
Data Analytics Minor
Calvin College’s Data Science Minor requires 18 to 22 total semester hours through the Department of Computer Science.
Coursework includes Introduction to Data Structures, Data Science for Everyone, Information Systems and Data Management, Applied Data Analysis, Applied Computing, Introduction to Scientific Computation and Modeling, Introduction to Probability and Statistics, Biostatistics, Engineering Statistics, Statistics, and Probability and Statistics.
Program Length: 6 classes
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $36,100 per year
View Course Offerings – Minor
Case Western Reserve University – Cleveland, Ohio
Undergraduate Minor in Applied Data Science
At Case Western Reserve University, the minor in Applied Data Science is based in the Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering and is open to engineering, arts, sciences, nursing, and management majors. Students choose from eight subdomains to focus their minor.
Each subdomain includes five 3-credit courses.
The Data Science Minor divides into five levels.
- Level 1: Data Science Programming includes Elementary Computer Programming, Introduction to Programming in Java, Introduction to Data Science and Engineering for Majors, and Introduction to Applied Data Science.
- Level 2: Inferential Statistics includes Statistics for Business Management Science I, Statistical Methods in Biological and Medical Sciences I, Basic Statistics for Social and Life Sciences, and Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science.
- Level 3: Exploratory Applied Data Science includes Exploratory Data Science for Energy & Manufacturing.
- Level 4: Undergraduate Applied Data Science Research further divides into coursework for different subdomains. Engineering and Physical Sciences subdomain includes Astronomical Techniques, Data Science: Statistical Learning, Modeling and Prediction, and Cognition and Computation. Health Subdomain includes Translational ADS. And the Business Subdomain includes Finance, Marketing, and Economics.
- Level 5: Modeling and Prognostics includes Applied Data Science Research and Undergraduate Research in Systems Biology.
Program Length: 15 Credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $47,074 per year
View Course Offerings – Minor
Chatham University – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Applied Data Science Analytics Minor
Chatham University offers an Applied Data Science Analytics Minor that requires 18 credits of Information Systems and Operations, Introduction to Programming, Database Management Systems, Introduction to Data Science, Data Visualization and Communication, and Elementary Statistics.
Program Length: 18 credits for Minor
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $31,294
College of Charleston – Charleston, South Carolina
Data Science Interdisciplinary Minor
The College of Charleston’s Data Science Interdisciplinary Minor requires 19+ credit hours in Data Science (6 credit hours), Computer Science (4 credit hours), and Mathematics (9-10 credit hours).
Classes include Intro to Data Science, Dataset Organization and Management, Computer Programming, Programming Laboratory, Calculus for Business and Social Sciences, Intro to Calculus, and Statistical Methods.
Program Length: 19+ credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $11,386 per year (South Carolina Resident), $29,544 per year (Non-resident)
View Course Offerings – Minor
Davidson College – Davidson, North Carolina
Data Science Minor
Davidson College’s Data Science Minor is open to students from all academic divisions who wish to enhance their degree with knowledge of utilizing data. Such skills can be useful in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics.
No matter the major, data science skills are transferable to any field of study.
For the Data Science Minor, students must complete six courses: one course in statistics, one in programming, and four approved electives.
Applicants to the minor program should consult with their advisor as early as possible.
Program Length: 6 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $51,447 per year
Drew University – Madison, New Jersey
Data Science Minor
At Drew University, the Data Science Minor program explores the history of the field as well as computer science, data analysis, data modeling, and information management.
The Mathematics and Computer Science department at Drew University strives to provide contemporary educational opportunities for students, so they benefit from a knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and computing in the social and ethical environments in which people practice their disciplines.
Students pursue careers or graduate studies in fields that utilize computing, applied mathematics, and statistics.
Program Length: 26 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $38,668 per year
Drexel University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Data Science Minor
Drexel University offers a Data Science minor through the College of Computing and Informatics. The program is available to all University students in good standing except for B.S. in Data Science majors.
Program Length: 26 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $51,065 per year
View Course Offerings– Minor
Eastern Florida State College – Cocoa, Florida
Data Science BAS Track
Students at Eastern Florida State College majoring in computer information systems can choose to specialize in data science. This specialization requires courses in database design and systems, data mining, numerical analysis, data structure, and data security. The class format is flexible, offering courses at different times of day and online.
Program Length: 120 credits
Delivery Method: Online or Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $128 per credit (Resident), $508 per credit (Non-resident)
Elon University – Elon, North Carolina
Data Science Minor
At Elon University, the Data Science Minor requires 20 semester hours in computer science.
The program stresses the use of technology to solve any number of complex problems in capturing, analyzing, visualizing, and managing massive sets of data. The data science minor teaches students to apply state-of-the-art tools and techniques for morphing unlimited data into relevant information that can provide insight into decision making.
The hands-on program at Elon University builds a solid foundation of programming, databases, visualization, and data mining skills.
With the interdisciplinary nature, the data science minor complements a variety of majors and minors.
Program Length: 20 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $35,319
Geneva College – Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Data Science Minor
The Data Science Minor at Geneva College is built for students who want to learn to interpret big data and tie those skills into their meteorology, genomics, physics, biology, environmental research, or business degrees.
With 20 required credits, students learn Calculus I-II, Numerical Methods, Probability and Statistics, Database Systems, Operations Research, and Big Data Analysis.
Students may complete internships at Creehan & Company, McKesson, Geneva’s Technology Services Department, or Google Summer of Code. Students may also join the Math Club at Geneva College.
Program Length: 20 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $26,730
George Mason University – Fairfax, Virginia
Minor in Computational and Data Sciences (CDS)
George Mason University’s Minor in Computational and Data Science program requires 15 credits consisting of five courses.
Courses include Computing for Scientists, Introduction to Computational and Data Sciences, three 200+ level courses, and one 300+ level College of Science or School of Engineering course. Students may take these courses before declaring their minor.
Program Length: 15 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $5,862 per year (Virginia Resident), $17,085 per year (Non-resident)
View Course Offerings – Minor
Georgia Southern University – Statesboro, Georgia
BS in Information Technology with a Data Science Concentration
Georgia Southern University offers a major in information technology with a concentration in data science. To complete the concentration, students must satisfy requirements first in the IT core courses, then study data visualization, data mining, data analytics, data programming, and conclude with a capstone project in big data.
Program Length: 122 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $24,242 per year (Georgia Resident), $37,460 per year (Non-resident)
Grand Valley State University – Allendale, Michigan
Data Science Minor
Grand Valley State University’s Data Science Minor provides students with a more in-depth knowledge of data analytics through various recommended statistics and computer science courses.
In six courses, students learn computer science, data mining, information management and science, applied statistics, applied regression analysis, and multivariate data analysis.
Students may directly work with an advisor to determine an appropriate course schedule, although Grand Valley recommends two courses per year over four years.
Grand Valley even provides a CIS Job Board with openings such as Java internship, software developer, and infrastructure engineer.
Program Length: 6 classes
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $11,994 per year (Resident), 17,064 per year (Non-resident)
Houghton College – Houghton, New York
Data Science Minor
Houghton College’s Data Science Minor requires 14 to 16 credit hours in Data Science, Programming, Statistics, Introduction to Web Communication, Time, Motion and Communication, Graphic Design, New Media and Society, plus an approved Special Topics course.
Program Length: 14 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $31,040 per year
View Course Offerings – Minor
Illinois Wesleyan University – Bloomington, Illinois
Data Science Minor
The Data Science Minor at Illinois Wesleyan University requires a minimum of five courses with five allowable substitutions to count towards his or her major as well.
Courses of study include Introduction to Data Sciences, Discrete Mathematics, Biostatistics or Stats for Business or Math Modeling, Applied Data Analysis, and Directed Study: Data Science Capstone. Substitutive courses include Database Systems, Applied Econometrics, Time Series Analysis, Linear Algebra, and Regression and Time Series.
Illinois Wesleyan warns students that they should consider enrolling in substitutive courses most closely related to their major. In addition to that note, students pursuing a Data Science minor should take classes in the major that collect, analyze, or otherwise use data so that more exposure within their field provides more opportunities to identify connections to data science and to develop ideas for a capstone project.
Program Length: 5 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $47,434 per year
Indiana University Bloomington – Bloomington, Illinois
Data Science Concentration
Indiana University Bloomington’s School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering offers an on-campus Data Science Concentration in accordance with the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program.
Students must complete Database Concepts and Introduction to Algorithm Design and Analysis. Then students must choose between Intro to Data Analysis and Mining and Principles of Machine Learning.
Next, students have the choice of Intro to Artificial Intelligence, Intro to Data Analysis and Mining, Principles of Machine Learning, Programming Languages, Distributed Systems, and Database Application Design and Implementation.
Lastly, students choose one class from Fundamentals of Computing Theory, Intro to Verification, Intro to Statistics, and Intro to Statistical Inference.
Program Length: 5 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $10,680 (Indiana Resident), $35,456 (Non- resident)
Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa
Data Science Minor
Iowa State University prepares students to apply the technical fundamentals of data science to data analysis pipelines and develop the knowledge and skills to transform data into insights. Students will also study the legal, economic, social and ethical impacts of data science.
Iowa State’s data science minor requires the completion of 15 credit hours, including 9 credits from the data science core and 6 credits from approved data science electives.
Iowa State’s exceptional student experience provides students with many opportunities for internships and undergraduate research, which further enhance job outcomes.
Iowa State also offers a data science major and a data science certificate.
Program Length: 15 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $8,988 per year (Iowa Resident), $23,392 per year (Non-resident)
Lehigh University – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Data Science Minor
Lehigh University’s Data Science Minor consists of 16+ credit hours of three required courses, one approved applied data mining/analytics course of the 200 or 300-level, plus one or more approved electives related to data science including, but not limited to an additional applied data mining/analytics course.
Students have a long list of classes from which to choose for their electives, allowing for great diversity in coursework and customization to each major and education goal. Students should note that many of the course have prerequisites.
For help, students should meet with the program director to approve data science-related courses.
To declare the data science minor, students must fill out the form obtained from the CSE department office.
Program Length: 16 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $52,480 per year
Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Data Science and Analytics (DSA) Concentration
Majors in computer science at Louisiana State University can choose a concentration in data science and analytics. This concentration incorporates studies from mathematics, biology, statistics, data warehousing, and artificial intelligence.
Suggested complementary minors at LSU include information technology management, eCommerce, and mathematics.
Program Length: 73 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $10,814 per year (Louisiana Resident), $27,4910 per year (Non-resident)
Luther College – Decorah, Iowa
Data Science Minor
Luther College offers a Data Science Minor which requires seven courses in Introduction to Data Science, Fundamentals of Web Programming, Database Design and Querying, Introduction to Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Statistics, Data Analysis and Visualization, and Applied Machine Learning.
Program Length: 7 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $40,710 per year
Macalester College – Saint Paul, Minnesota
Data Science Minor
The data science minor at Macalester College requires two courses each in these three areas: computing (Introduction to Data Science; Core Concepts in Computer Science), statistics (Introduction to Statistical Modeling; Machine Learning), and a domain area of expertise.. These domain areas include such fields as astronomy, data-driven journalism, ecology, neuroscience, economics, and public health.
Program Length: 6 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $52,234 per year
Marist College – Poughkeepsie, New York
Data Science and Analytics Minor
The School of Computer Science and Mathematics at Marist College offers a Data Science and Analytics Minor.
The program requires 18 credits including Intro to Programming, Calculus I, Intro to Data Analysis, Data Visualization, and Data Mining & Predictive Analytics.
Program Length: 18 Credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $39,600 per year
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge, Massachusetts
Minor in Statistics and Data Science
The minor in statistics and data science is open to any major at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This minor includes courses in a computational or mathematical foundation, statistics, computation and data analysis, and a capstone project in statistics, computation, and applications, totaling 6 courses.
Program Length: 6 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $45,016 per year
Northeastern University – Boston, Massachusetts
Data Science Minor
Northeastern University’s Data Science Minor program requires an introductory course of Fundamentals of Computer Science 1 and 2. Students may also choose to begin their minor with a Programming with Data course instead.
Program Length: 7 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $49,497 per year
View Course Offerings – Minor
Northern Kentucky University – Highland Heights, Kentucky
Data Science Minor
Northern Kentucky University’s Data Science Minor involves 22 credits with 6 required courses, 1 programming course, and 1 elective course.
Required courses include Business Analytics, Introduction to Data Science, Data Analytics, Data Visualization, Introduction to Databases, and Probability and Statistics. Programming courses include Advanced Business Programming, Scripting, Object-Oriented Programming, Mathematics Software Programming, Programming for Engineering Applications, and Statistical Computing.
Elective courses include Data Mining, Big Data, Design and Analysis of Experiments, and Statistical Computing. Some required classes for the minor are offered in the evening and/or online.
Program Length: 22 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $8,568 (Kentucky Resident), $19,296 (Non-resident)
View Course Offerings – Minor
Oklahoma State University – Stillwater, Oklahoma
Data Science Minor
In Oklahoma State University’s Data Science Minor, students must have a minimum 2.0-grade point average to enter the program and must complete 15 credit hours to complete the program. 12 of the 15 required credit hours must be taken in residence at Oklahoma State University.
Classes available for the data science minor include Business Data Science Technologies, Operations Analytics, Management Science – Prescriptive Analytics, either End User Database Systems Design and Management or Database Systems Design, Management and Administration, and lastly students must choose one course from Managerial Decision Theory, Decision Support and Business Intelligence Applications, or Data Visualization. Students must complete these classes in no more than six years.
Program Length: 15 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $5,240 per year (Resident), $12,760 per year (Non-resident)
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology – Terre Haute, Indiana
Multidisciplinary Minor in Data Science
A student at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology may complete a multidisciplinary minor in data science by completing courses in introductory statistics, introductory computer science, and electives in statistical programming, data mining, or data structure and algorithm analysis. 20 additional courses are available for students interested in going above and beyond.
Rose-Hulman makes note that the multidisciplinary minor in data science must be separated from other minors. The only exception to this rule is to be approved by the minor advisor and the heads of both the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering.
Additionally, all minor plans of study must be approved by the minor advisor for Data Science and the student’s advisor.
Program Length: 16 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $46,641 per year
Saint Michael’s College – Colchester, Vermont
Computer Data Science Major
Saint Michael’s College offers a Computer Data Science Minor which includes the completion of 5 courses.
Required courses include Introduction to Computer Science I and Computational Tools for Data Science. Students choose two courses from the following: Statistical Methods, Probability and Statistics, Mathematical Statistics and Methods, and Applied Regression Analysis. Students also select one from the following courses: Computer Science, Statistics at the 200 level or higher, and Math 160 or higher.
Program Length: 5 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $45,050 per year
View Course Offerings – Minor
Southwestern University – Georgetown, Texas
Data Science Minor
Southwestern University offers a Data Science Minor that provides students with critical fundamental tools in statistics and computing, hands-on training in applying said tools in both the social sciences department and the natural sciences department, as well as consideration of broader societal uses raised by science and its capabilities.
In the Data Science Minor, students partake in classes in the areas of statistics: Introduction to Statistics or Probability and Mathematical Statistics; computer science: Exploration in Computing or Computer Science I; data science application: Methods in Ecology and Evolutionary, Human Genetics and Evolution, Strategic Marketing, Digital Marketing, Operations Research, Database Management, Econometrics, Environmental GIS, Political Psychology, and much more.
Program Length: 5 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $42,000 per year
St. Cloud State University – St. Cloud, Minnesota
BS in Statistics – Data Science Concentration
The statistics major at St. Cloud State University offers the possibility of a concentration in data analytics or data science.
The data science concentration requires 60 credits, which are divided between 7 credits of math, 14 credits in computing, and 30 credits of statistics courses.
Students also choose 9 elective credits of upper level statistics courses.
Program Length: 60 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $19,930 per year (Minnesota Resident), $27,478 per year (Non-Resident)
St. John Fisher College – Rochester, New York
Minor in Data Science
St. John Fisher College’s Minor in Data Science equips its students with statistical and methodological tools for obtaining insights from real data and applying those insights to make decisions in their field of interest. In the minor, students begin with four courses to lay the basic groundwork for further study. These skills include how to clean and explore data, work with databases, and build predictive models.
Next, students take two disciplinary electives from their major to link with the data science minor.
Finally, students will conduct a data science project in which they will find and analyze data guided by disciplinary questions, and therefore creating a mini-capstone project.
After graduation, students may keep a portfolio of their documented work and learned skills to present to prospective employers.
Program Length: 18 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $33,500
Stanford University – Stanford, California
Data Science Minor
Stanford University’s data science minor is specifically designed for majors outside of the department, especially humanities and social science majors, who wish to gain statistical data analytic skills and methods to relate to their primary field.
Students are not expected to have any programming or statistical background prior to the required courses.
7 courses are required, which gives students social research skills, exploratory and confirmatory data analysis knowledge, and techniques for data visualization.
Program Length: 22 units
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $44,757 per year
Stonehill College – Boston, Massachusetts
Data Science Minor
The data science minor at Stonehill College is designed to complement domain-specific demands in social and natural science majors.
Students are required to complete 4 courses in data science and computer science, 1 course in database applications or management systems, and 1 course in applied analytic methods related to their major, such as marketing research, spatial crime analysis, and econometrics.
Program Length: 6 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $39,900 per year
Susquehanna University – Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
Data Science Minor
With a Data Science Minor at Susquehanna University, students will be able to automatically extract implicit, previously unknown and potentially helpful information from massive data sets generated in business and science.
Vast quantities of information will not intimidate students as they will easily be able to interpret patterns in data.
The Data Science Minor requires the completion of 20 semester hours in the courses of Statistical Methods, Linear Algebra, Principles of Computer Science, Data Mining, and Machine Learning.
For more information, contact the Professor of Mathematical Sciences.
Program Length: 20 semester hours
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $46,690 per year
Temple University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Data Science Computational Analytic Minor
At Temple University, the Data Science Computational Analytic Minor requires 20 credit hours of prerequisites in 5 courses, which include Program Design and Abstraction, Mathematical Concepts in Computing, Calculus I, II, and III.
Required courses include 20 to 22 credit hours in Computational Probability and Statistics, Probability Theory, Biostatistics, Mathematical Concepts in Computing, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations with Linear Algebra, Data Structure, Foundations of Machine Learning, and Data-Sensitive and Cloud Computing.
Temple University employs a residency requirement of at least 3 courses required for the minor must be completed at Temple.
Program Length: 20 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $19,610 per year (Pennsylvania Residents), $31,418 per year (Non Resident)
Texas Christian University – Fort Worth, Texas
Data Science Minor
The data science minor at Texas Christian University requires 6 courses that provide students with the fundamental principles and technology necessary for data analysis and management.
Minors all take 5 courses in programming, data structures, database systems, and choose 1 course in either artificial intelligence, algorithm analysis, or parallel computing.
Program Length: 6 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $27,990 per year
Texas Woman’s University – Denton, Texas
Bachelor of Science in Informatics (Data Science Minor)
To obtain the minor in data science, students at Texas Woman’s University must complete 18 course hours in a combination of computer science, mathematics, and elective courses. These courses cover fundamentals of SAS programming, information security and ethics, big data, and advanced modeling and visualization.
Program Length: 120 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $17,580 per year
University of California San Diego – San Diego, California
Data Science Minor
The University of California San Diego requires Data Science Minor students to complete 56 units. In addition to 36 units of Low Division coursework, students must complete one course from each of the following five groups of upper-division courses: MATH 183 or CSE 103 or ECE 109 or MATH 181A, MATH 189 Exploratory Data Analysis and Inference, CSE 158 Data Mining, DSC 170L Data Visualization Laboratory or COGS 108 Data Science Practice, and Upper-division Data Science.
Program Length: 56 Units
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $14,028 per year (California Resident), $42,042 per year (Non-resident)
University of Central Missouri – Warrensburg, Missouri
B.S. in Computer Science-Data Science Option
The B.S. in computer science at the University of Central Missouri offers several specialized options, including data science.
This degree consists of nearly all computer science courses; students are required to complete one statistics course and a course in linear algebra as well.
Unique electives include courses in ethical hacking, cryptography, and game design and development.
Program Length: 108 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $7,322 per year (Missouri Resident), $13,767 per year (Non-Resident)
University of Mary Washington – Fredericksburg, Virginia
Data Science Minor
The University of Mary Washington’s Data Science Minor covers the evidence-based approaches, analytical models, and stat-centered processes critical in many industries.
Students of the Data Science Minor program will gain fundamental knowledge and skills in math, computer science, statistics, and business analytics.
The University of Mary Washington emphasizes opportunities for internships for hands-on experience at technical firms, government offices, and software development agencies. P
ast students have interned at Zope Corp., Computer Sciences Corp., and Systems Technology Forum Ltd. Often, students find internships with the Dahlgren naval base and affiliated defense contractors.
After graduation, students may move on to analytics and data science opportunities at nonprofits and other organizations in nearby Washington, D.C.
Program Length: 15 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $3,151 per semester (Virginia resident), $11,118 per semester (Non-resident)
University of Massachusetts Lowell – Lowell, Massachusetts
Computer Science BS with Data Science Option
The major in computer science teaches the core principles of both software and hardware in computing. The data science option is a relatively new specialization that allows students to gain the necessary knowledge to extract meaning from data. This option includes 4 required courses and 2 elective courses, covering important topics in statistics and data mining. Those students who pursue this option automatically obtain a math minor as well.
Program Length: 120 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $14,800 per year (Massachusetts Resident), $31,865 per year (Non-Resident)
University of Missouri-St. Louis – St. Louis, Missouri
B.S. in Mathematics with emphasis in Data Science
The departments of mathematics and computer science at the University of Missouri-St. Louis jointly created this new track of study, which is still pending approval. It provides mathematics majors a way in which to apply mathematical techniques to data. This degree focuses on the mathematical side of data science, with just one course required in computing.
Program Length: 16 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $10,065 per year (Missouri Resident), $26,277 per year (Non-Resident)
University of Nebraska Omaha – Omaha, Nebraska
B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Data Science
The concentration in data science focuses on eight important areas of study: statistical modeling, statistical computing, scientific methods, data visualization, data consulting, real-world data applications, data research, and data technology.
To encourage creative exploration of data, the University of Nebraska at Omaha offers an annual data poster contest for teams of graduates and undergraduates for the best poster that presents and analyzes real-world data.
Program Length: 15 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $205 per credit (Nebraska Resident), $642 per credit (Non-Resident)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte – Charlotte, North Carolina
B.S. in Computer Science with Data Science Concentration
The data science concentration is part of a B.S. degree in computer science at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte.
The major itself requires 37-41 general education courses and 52 credit hours in the major.
The concentration in data science 21 credit hours that focus on database design and implementation, data mining, and analytics.
Program Length: 120 credit hours
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $21,581 per year (North Carolina Resident), $34,752 per year (Non-Resident)
University of Notre Dame – Notre Dame, Indiana
Data Science Minor
The University of Notre Dame emphasizes the importance of a minor in Data Science with a world where every industry and every job utilize data in every decision made.
With just a five-course sequence, students learn innovative analytical tools to approach any current or futuristic problem and improve marketability. Courses include Introduction to Data Science, Programming in Data Science, Statistics, and two Topical Electives.
Classes are available from a wide variety of disciplines to accommodate any major at Notre Dame.
Program Length: 5 course
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $53,391 per year
University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Data Science Minor
The data science minor at the University of Pennsylvania is offered as an interdisciplinary option through the department of computer and information science. This minor is recommended for students with some programming experience already, and strong analytical abilities.
The degree requires courses in statistics, data programming, data management, and data analysis.
Program Length: 6 units
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $51,464 per year
University of Rhode Island – South Kingstown, Rhode Island
Data Science Minor
The University of Rhode Island’s Data Science Minor requires students to earn 22 to 23 credits. In addition, students have the option to take one class that is integrative and that is focused on applying data science principles and skills to a data-intensive domain area.
Program Length: 22-23 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $14,139 per year (Rhode Island Resident) $30,862 (Non-resident)
University of South Carolina – Columbia, South Carolina
Data Science Minor
The minor in data science at the University of South Carolina is offered through the departments of statistics and computer science and engineering. This minor is recommended for any major working in large data sets in fields such as hard or social sciences, engineering, mathematics, and business.
The degree requires 18-19 hours, including a foundation course, core computing courses, core statistics courses, and one elective course.
Program Length: 18 hours
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $26,633 per year (South Carolina Resident), $46,061 per year (Non-Resident)
University of Washington – Seattle, Washington
Data Science Option
At the University of Washington, students earning the Data Science option complete six courses in Algorithms, Database Systems Internals, Machine Learning, Data Visualization, Data & Society, and one Data Science elective course.
Also, students may opt to take the Data Science and Society Senior Seminar as an elective.
Students must meet with an advisor in person to fill out an application and paperwork to declare the Data Science option.
Program Length: 6 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $975 per credit
University of Wisconsin Whitewater – Whitewater, Wisconsin
Data Science Minor
The University of Wisconsin Whitewater’s Data Science Minor introduces liberal arts as well as science majors to a fast-paced and growing industry and equips them with valuable problem-solving skills and strategies needed to handle diverse analytic challenges.
The curriculum covers conceptual, computational, and quantitative methods used to interpret useful patterns from the massive amounts of data in the world.
Students in the Data Science Minor program must complete three categories of coursework: Fundamental Mathematical Skills, Fundamental Statistical Skills, and Experiential Learning. The Experiential Learning includes excellent opportunities in internships, undergraduate research, or other similar experiences involving quantitative data analysis. The minor coordinator must approve experiential learning.
Program Length: 21-23 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $1,400 per credit
Washington University in St. Louis – St. Louis, Missouri
Data Science Minor in the Humanities
Washington University in St. Louis’ Data Science Minor in the Humanities is designed for any humanities student looking for skills and knowledge necessary to navigate fluently in the field of Digital Humanities. The skills learned are transferable to any other discipline. Students must complete 12 units of curriculum. Students may also participate in research opportunities in a faculty-led project. Each summer, students pair with humanities faculty for an 8-week digital humanities fellowship worth three units and endless hands-on experience.
Program Length: 12 units
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $52,400 per year
Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo, Michigan
Data Science Minor
Western Michigan University’s Data Science Minor involves a required 7 hours of Statistics Using R and Intro to Statistical Computing plus three electives from Regression Analysis, Applied Data Mining, and Computer-Based Data Analysis.
Program Length: 19 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $11,943 per year (Resident), $14,699 per year (Non-resident)
View Course Offerings – Minor
Westminster College – Salt Lake City, Utah
Data Science Minor
The minor in data science at Westminster College requires a foundational set of core classes in math, statistics, and computer science. Students then choose either statistics or computer science as an emphasis, completing two courses to gain depth in one aspect of data science.
All minors must finish a capstone project in their final year.
Program Length: 25 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $32,104 per year
William & Mary – Williamsburg, Virginia
Data Science Minor
At William and Mary, the Data Science Minor requires students to take one course to fulfill the Data Science deliberation requirement plus two upper-level methods courses.
All information must be entered into an application and approved by the program director.
Program Length: 20 credits
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $35,991 (Virginia Resident), $56,475 per year (Non-resident)
View Course Offerings – Minor
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester, Massachusetts
Data Science Minor
Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s minor in data science is open to all majors.
Students choose 3 courses approved for data science, one each in the fields of business, mathematics, and computer science.
3 more courses are necessary in the specific field of data science, including foundations of data science.
Program Length: 6 courses
Delivery Method: Campus
2020-2021 Tuition: $47,988 per year
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.
