Data Science Degree Programs in Connecticut
Connecticut’s location, resources, and roster of employers make it an attractive location for any advancing data scientist or data analyst. Connecticut is home to corporate, government, and nonprofit jobs of all levels for data-savvy professionals. The state capital of Hartford is located less than two hours from Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts, each offering even greater access to the data driven career fields traditionally abundant in urban and metropolitan settings. Data scientists can also drive less than three hours to access the wealth of resources, employers, and opportunities found in New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area.
Connecticut’s universities and employers create a clear pipeline for data science professionals throughout the state and much of the Northeast. The Constitution State features the University of Connecticut, Yale University, and a host of other four-year schools with historic track records of producing skilled graduates. Major companies like pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer, health insurer Aetna, telecommunications company Charter Communications, and business technology firm Xerox are some of the largest employers in Connecticut. For a small state, Connecticut packs an educational and economic punch that impacts the regional as well as national economy.
Career Outlook for Data Scientists in Connecticut
Data scientists based in Connecticut earn a mean annual salary of $102,100 according the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) May 2021 survey. For reference, the BLS reports the national median salary for data scientists to be $100,910. The annual mean wage for Connecticut’s entire workforce sits at $66,130.
In total, the BLS says computer and mathematical occupations employ about 47,000 Connecticut residents. Some of the state’s other leading industries like transportation, finance, and healthcare also lean heavily on the data science skillset.
The financial benefits of becoming a data scientist in Connecticut are offset only slightly by the somewhat higher cost of living which measures at 107.8 compared to the national average of 100 based on housing, grocery, and insurance costs. Connecticut’s median home cost is $318,400, while the national median home cost is $291,700. The 2021 average monthly rate for a one-bedroom apartment in Connecticut is $1,285 compared to the national average of $1,048 per month.
A review of leading job sites in November 2021 showed high demand for data scientists and data analysts in Connecticut. Job websites like LinkedIn and Indeed list hundreds of results for data science jobs in Hartford and beyond including positions at Cigna, Infosys, Travelers, Aetna, The Hartford, Pfizer, CVS, Amazon, Yale University, and other highly competitive employers.
If you are ready to enter the data science field in Connecticut, a strong first step is to build your math, computer science, and tech skills. Connecticut features a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs to prepare you for a career in data science.
On-Campus Undergraduate Data Science Programs in Connecticut
Universities in Connecticut provide the foundational building blocks for data careers through undergraduate programs. The University of Connecticut is the state’s largest higher education provider with a student population nearing 30,000. The University of Saint Joseph is a private college with 810 undergraduate students in the same year. Despite significantly different campuses and enrollment sizes, both schools offer four-year programs in data science that prepare students for the professional world with reputable degrees.
University of Connecticut
The state’s flagship public university offers an undergraduate major in data science through its Department of Statistics. This 36-credit academic track requires completion of core courses including applied linear algebra, software engineering, and a senior thesis project. Data science students also select electives in actuarial science, bioinformatics, and economics. This major is customized to the student’s career interests, leaving open the possibility of other elective courses. University of Connecticut also offers bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Business Data Analytics.
Undergraduate admission to the University of Connecticut begins with a completed application and an $80 application fee. Students also need to submit personal essays, ACT or SAT scores, and school transcripts. The in-state tuition for an undergraduate during the 2020-2021 school year was $12,848 with a $35,216 bill for an out-of-state student. The admissions office considers all freshman applicants for scholarships including the Academic Excellence Scholarship for top high school students and the Stamps Scholars Award for high-potential Connecticut residents.
University of Saint Joseph
In contrast to the University of Connecticut, the University of Saint Joseph offers a quaint campus and small class sizes for data science students. What you lose in size is gained in faculty access and personalized learning. This private Catholic college features a bachelor’s degree in computer and data science. The B.S. offered by the University of Saint Joseph takes a broader approach to data science by folding the discipline into the computer science field. Data science students learn about software design, programming, and data analysis skills after completing prerequisites.
To gain admission to this program, the University of Saint Joseph requires a completed application, transcripts, test scores, and a letter of recommendation. A full-time undergraduate during the 2020-2021 school year paid $37,361 in tuition for 12 credits. The university offers a full menu of scholarships including the $25,000 per year Honors Scholarship and the $18,000 per year Academic Excellence Scholarship.
University of New Haven
The University of New Haven offers two different data science-related Bachelor’s degrees, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Networks. Tuition for both programs comes to $20,685 per semester, but both programs are eligible for a full tuition scholarship with the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program, which is “designed to recruit and train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to meet the needs of Federal, State, local, and tribal government.”
University of Hartford
The University of Hartford (UHart) offers a Bachelor of Science in Data Science program that will prepare its graduates for a career as a data scientist, data engineer, data analyst, data architect or business intelligence specialist. One of the program’s calling cards is its year-long Capstone course where students will work on a project with a local company for a rich, hands-on learning experience. Per semester, students paid a tuition of $20,852 during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Trinity College
Trinity College offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree, as well as the ability to combine computer science with another academic discipline to create a unique Interdisciplinary Science degree. To be admitted to the B.S. in Science major, students must receive a grade of C- or better in Mathematical Foundations of Computing and Data Structures and Algorithms. Tuition at Trinity costs $58,610 per academic year.
Connecticut State Universities
Though most of the schools featured here are private colleges, public state universities have developed their own quality data science programs as well. Eastern Connecticut State University offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, Southern Connecticut State University offers the same degree, and Western Connecticut State University offers a B.S. in Computer Science. At Connecticut’s state universities you can get a first-rate education at a more affordable price, particularly for in-state students. For the 2021-2022 school year, Eastern Connecticut’s in-state tuition was $6,162 annually, Southern Connecticut’s in-state tuition is $3,081 per term, while Western Connecticut extends its in-state tuition of $5,910.50 per term tuition not just to Connecticut residents, but residents of nearby New York and New Jersey as well.
On-Campus Graduate Data Science Programs in Connecticut
An undergraduate degree in data science is a great starting point for your career. As you progress, you might find that a graduate degree expands your reach and your earning potential. Connecticut offers a variety of graduate and certificate programs that help professionals reach the next steps in their careers.
On-Campus Master’s in Data Science Programs in Connecticut
Fairfield University’s M.S. in Applied Data Science, housed in the Department of Engineering, takes an interdisciplinary approach to analytics. This program teaches students about data science techniques while introducing real-world examples from departments throughout the campus. Each student is also expected to pursue courses in concentrations such as business, economics, engineering, and health.
Graduate applicants submit transcripts, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and resumes along with their applications. Fairfield University charged $825 per graduate credit during the 2020-2021 school year. The tuition bill may be reduced if a student is selected for an assistantship, or a scholarship based on merit or financial need.
The University of New Haven also offers an M.S. in Data Science through its Department of Engineering. This 30-credit graduate program includes courses like math for data scientists and unstructured data. Professors emphasize collaboration and teamwork through these courses, preparing graduates for data projects in the workplace. To enroll in this program, a prospective student needs to demonstrate a GPA of at least 3.0, a degree in an applicable field, and familiarity with databases and statistics on their application. University of New Haven also offers on campus Master’s degrees in Computer Science and Cybersecurity and Networks.
On-Campus Data Science Ph.D. Programs in Connecticut
The lone doctoral program for data science in Connecticut is housed at its most storied university. Yale University’s centuries of history and global reputation provide the backdrop for its Ph.D. program in statistics and data science. Doctoral students are expected to complete 12 courses over two years including advanced probability, linear models, and stochastic processes. The remaining coursework is decided in consultation with the program director along with work towards a doctoral dissertation. Students in this program are required to teach for two years in anticipation of future teaching careers.
Yale University is selective with admissions and the statistics and data science program is no different. In 2013, the program ultimately admitted three applicants from a 69-applicant pool. The admissions process includes an application, GRE scores, and a demonstration of advanced mathematical knowledge through past courses. Ph.D. hopefuls must complete practical, theoretical, and oral exams by the end of the second year. For the lucky few admitted to the program, Yale covers tuition and provides a stipend to cover living expenses.
On-Campus Graduate Certificate Programs in Connecticut
Graduate certificates in data science work well if you are a professional looking to beef up your resume in a particular area of study. A certificate also works for a graduate student trying to branch out from their current program. Pursuing a certificate may not result in a graduate degree but they can help you explore an area of data science missing from your college transcripts.
Central Connecticut State University is one of the few schools that offers a graduate certificate in data mining. The three-course core of the certificate includes an introduction to data mining, data mining methods, and applied data mining. The remaining two courses are drawn from electives on data, text, and web mining. To pursue the certificate, you need a bachelor’s degree, a minimum GPA of 3.0, statistics course completion, and an application with essay and recommendation letters.
Sacred Heart University features a business analytics certificate used in part as a gateway to other graduate programs. The certificate program requires completion of 12 credits starting with an introduction to business statistics course. The remaining core requirements are introduction to business analytics and introduction to database management. You can customize your experience in the program by selecting two electives in business health, human resources, and programming data.
Certificate holders can transfer these credits to Sacred Heart’s MBA and graduate programs in digital marketing, healthcare informatics, and human resources management. The GMAT requirement for other business graduate programs in Connecticut is waived if certificate courses are completed with a GPA of at least 3.5. Admission to the certificate program requires completion of an application to the business school that includes transcripts, resume, and two recommendation letters.
Online Data Science Degree Programs in Connecticut
The growth in virtual education has helped data science professionals balance work and schools, which has made earning a Master’s degree at one of the best computer science schools in Connecticut that much easier. These colleges in Connecticut host a handful of online degree programs tailored to data analysts in the business and academic world.
Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac University is known by political buffs for its polling during presidential elections. The university also touts recognition by the Princeton Review for its business school. In particular, the U.S. News & World Report ranked Quinnipiac’s online master’s degree in business analytics as one of the best online graduate business programs of 2019. This virtual program utilizes the school’s world-class faculty to help professionals complete their degrees around busy schedules.
The M.S. in Business Analytics from Quinnipiac University is an 11-course program with eight required courses and three electives. Students complete coursework in data management and warehousing, predictive modeling, and text mining as part of the core curriculum. The elective options cover topics like insurance analytics, project management, and web intelligence that align with different areas of interest.
The popularity of the business analytics degree makes for a competitive application process. Quinnipiac University requires applicants to hold an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in a business, engineering, math, or science field. The admissions team also reviews professional experiences, letters of recommendation, and transcripts to find the best candidates each year. Each credit cost $985 in tuition during the 2020-2021 school year, though business school scholarships can reduce the financial burden. The tuition and fees for the M.S. in business analytics can be repaid many times over by job opportunities following graduation.
University of Bridgeport
Your schedule or career interests may require an accelerated data science program. The online M.S. in Analytics and Systems from the University of Bridgeport prides itself on efficiency and value. This one-year program offers six terms each year with courses lasting eight weeks to expedite completion.
Unlike other business school programs, this degree track focuses on processes and programs without courses on business management. Courses in information systems and project management are required as you set off on your online graduate degree path.
The University of Bridgeport follows core curriculum with a three-course analytics intelligence cluster dealing with enterprise intelligence and analytics. Students are asked to complete three analytics application courses on behavioral economics, data-driven marketing, and strategic sourcing. The final steps in this master’s program include a research methods class followed by an internship or thesis.
The application process for the M.S. in Analytics and Systems starts with a completed application. Applicants need to include letters of recommendation, resumes, transcripts, and personal essays discussing why they want to join the program. The cost per credit was $680 during the 2020-2021 school year with an additional fee based on course load, a relative bargain compared to the $845 per credit tuition for traditional graduate students. The program’s accelerated course schedule and lack of in-person meetings also help data science students cut down on costs.
University of New Haven
In addition to its three on-campus master’s degrees, Connecticut’s prestigious University of New Haven offers two additional postgraduate degrees in data science. The Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management and Leadership can be completed 100% online in 18 months or less and combines a technical education with business skills that help prepare students for leadership roles. Graduates benefit from an experienced, industry-recognized faculty and come away with the skills they need for a future in corporate leadership, public administration, and the rapidly growing cyber workforce.
Those who want an even greater focus on the business side of things may want to explore University of New Haven’s MBA in Data Science program, which is also 100% online and can be completed in the same 18 months or less time frame. The program is STEM-designated, so not only will you graduate with the always useful and versatile Master of Business Administration, but you’ll also be earning a degree that meets the highest, most rigorous standards of technical skill development. The Data Science MBA program costs $772 per credit.
Explore your Degree Options
This concise guide compiled is designed to help narrow down your search for the right data science program from Connecticut colleges and universities. Explore the list of featured state-located (public and private university) programs below. To continue your journey, Discover Data Science can help you take the next step in gathering more information or applying for the Connecticut data science programs best suited to your goals.
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.
