Affordable Data Science Masters?

[NolaRice]

I'm about to graduate with my BACS from TESU and I was looking at pursuing a Masters' in Data Science. I'm looking for something affordable (under 20k, closer to 15k if possible), somewhat flexible (multiple start dates would be nice so I can finish in a year) and online.

So far I've found:

- Bellevue University Master of Science in Data Science ($585, 30 credits, so 17k). Not sure of the reputation of this school though.

- TESU/statistics.com MS Degree in Data Science and Analytics - looks like you can transfer up to 12 credits through ACE, so around 2k for that if taken through statistics.com and an additional 16k for tuition through TESU - kind of concerned about getting my BA and MS from the same university though.

- Illinois Master of Computer Science in Data Science through Coursera looks great but at 21k, a little more than what I'm comfortable paying. 

- EdX has a MS in Data Science through UC Denver, at 15k, it sounds perfect, but it's not approved yet.

- University of West Florida MS CS with a focus on Data Science, 14k. I like this option!

Are there any other programs I'm missing that would fit my criteria? I found more programs but they're more on the business analytics side, which I'm less interested in - for example CSU Global. I'd rather avoid WGU because of a less than stellar experience with them in the past, and Georgia Tech's program's length and intensity scares me a little (I'm a B student, really).

[verenaf]

Iowa State
University of Arkansas Little Rock
St Louis University
West Virginia University

[bjcheung77]

Hmm... I would find a list of programs from ranking sites and compile my own "list" from them, here's an example.
Have a look here: https://www.datasciencedegreeprograms.ne...-programs/
And this one here too: https://www.bestvalueschools.com/cheap/o...a-science/
Then finally here: https://www.bestcolleges.com/features/to...-programs/
I would take the cheapest 5 and do a list from another website, do that a few times, and narrow it to your top 5 choices.

[Merlin]

I'm about to graduate with my BACS from TESU and I was looking at pursuing a Masters' in Data Science. I'm looking for something affordable (under 20k, closer to 15k if possible), somewhat flexible (multiple start dates would be nice so I can finish in a year) and online.

[...]

Are there any other programs I'm missing that would fit my criteria? I found more programs but they're more on the business analytics side, which I'm less interested in - for example CSU Global. I'd rather avoid WGU because of a less than stellar experience with them in the past, and Georgia Tech's program's length and intensity scares me a little (I'm a B student, really).

I'm not sure what your problems are with the WGU program, but you're probably not going to find a more affordable (or self-paced) option for that type of degree elsewhere.

I can say that my personal experience as a grad student at WGU has been pretty good. I have an amazing program mentor who has been very supportive and accommodating and I'm enjoying the coursework, for the most part. I'm not moving through the material as fast as I did in my undergrad courses but that is to be expected since there is a higher degree of rigor required at the master's degree level.

[NolaRice]

I'm about to graduate with my BACS from TESU and I was looking at pursuing a Masters' in Data Science. I'm looking for something affordable (under 20k, closer to 15k if possible), somewhat flexible (multiple start dates would be nice so I can finish in a year) and online.

[...]

Are there any other programs I'm missing that would fit my criteria? I found more programs but they're more on the business analytics side, which I'm less interested in - for example CSU Global. I'd rather avoid WGU because of a less than stellar experience with them in the past, and Georgia Tech's program's length and intensity scares me a little (I'm a B student, really).

I'm not sure what your problems are with the WGU program, but you're probably not going to find a more affordable (or self-paced) option for that type of degree elsewhere.

I can say that my personal experience as a grad student at WGU has been pretty good. I have an amazing program mentor who has been very supportive and accommodating and I'm enjoying the coursework, for the most part. I'm not moving through the material as fast as I did in my undergrad courses but that is to be expected since there is a higher degree of rigor required at the master's degree level.

I think WGU is a good school, but it wasn't a good fit for me, personally, when I tried their CS undergrad.

[bluebooger]

does not have multiple start dates -- cannot be finished in a year
is 100% online -- is "relatively" inexpensive
is MUCH more complete and involved than WGU

CUNY School Of Professional Studies
Master of Science in Data Science
30 credits
https://sps.cuny.edu/academics/graduate/...science-ms

go here and scroll down to see list of courses
http://catalog.sps.cuny.edu/preview_prog...2&poid=607

tuition
https://sps.cuny.edu/admissions/graduate...on-2018-19

Please note: Students in online degree programs pay the New York State tuition rate and do not need to establish residency.
=========================

could also consider a graduate certificate from Harvard Extension school
https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academ...ertificate

[Merlin]

I'm about to graduate with my BACS from TESU and I was looking at pursuing a Masters' in Data Science. I'm looking for something affordable (under 20k, closer to 15k if possible), somewhat flexible (multiple start dates would be nice so I can finish in a year) and online.

[...]

Are there any other programs I'm missing that would fit my criteria? I found more programs but they're more on the business analytics side, which I'm less interested in - for example CSU Global. I'd rather avoid WGU because of a less than stellar experience with them in the past, and Georgia Tech's program's length and intensity scares me a little (I'm a B student, really).

I'm not sure what your problems are with the WGU program, but you're probably not going to find a more affordable (or self-paced) option for that type of degree elsewhere.

I can say that my personal experience as a grad student at WGU has been pretty good. I have an amazing program mentor who has been very supportive and accommodating and I'm enjoying the coursework, for the most part. I'm not moving through the material as fast as I did in my undergrad courses but that is to be expected since there is a higher degree of rigor required at the master's degree level.

I think WGU is a good school, but it wasn't a good fit for me, personally, when I tried their CS undergrad.

This may not be the right thread for it, but considering I recommend the WGU CS program to others, I am curious about your experiences with their CS program and why you're down on the school because of it. Particularly given you're doing a BACS with TESU which is arguably similar... or it can be if you transfer in most of the course work as you would with TESU.

Based on what I've read and seen from others who are going through their BSCS program it seems pretty good. I would have probably gone that direction myself had it been an option in 2017-2018.

[jonesy20]

$21k for UIUC is really not a bad deal. It's a Top 5 CS program and will open up a lot of doors that less schools wouldn't. It qualifies for Financial Aid and one signing bonus from the right employer will pay for the entire degree. UC San Diego is $15k and still really highly ranked but it's not been completely launched yet.

[dfrecore]

$21k for UIUC is really not a bad deal. It's a Top 5 CS program and will open up a lot of doors that less schools wouldn't. It qualifies for Financial Aid and one signing bonus from the right employer will pay for the entire degree. UC San Diego is $15k and still really highly ranked but it's not been completely launched yet.

WGU qualifies for financial aid, and a signing bonus will pay for that entire degree as well (it applies to almost ALL degrees).  But it also means that if you're counting on getting a signing bonus to pay for your school and it doesn't happen, then you may be up a creek.  That shouldn't be how you decide where to get your degree.

[SnafuRacer92108]

University of Michigan has a Master's in Data Science through Coursera.