Ms data science for 15k

[ifomonay]

You brought up an excellent point. Five grand is five grand, which is a lot of money. In fact, let me tell you what I did. I wanted to switch to a machine learning career. I originally enrolled in the MSDS program at Eastern. After completing six courses I was really disappointed. The courses were just too easy (100% in every course), and I wasn't learning anything. So then I questioned whether I wanted to spend another $4k there to complete the degree or use the money to help pay for the OMSCS program at GT instead, which is what I did.

I still want to do a Data Science Master's, so I started the Data Structures pathway at CU, but the first course was way too demanding (be careful what you wish for, right?). It's like they jammed in 3 units worth of work in 1 unit. I dropped it and instead switched to the Statistical Inference Pathway.

I also considered the Master of Data Science at Illinois Tech on Coursera. If you do some Coursera Specializations, you can get credit for up to 6 units and get the Master's for about $12,300. Performance-based, no application, no transcripts, just need Bachelor's. But with CU, the 1-unit granularity, being an AAU school, and more recognized here out West (I'm in Cali), I'm going to attempt the CU program first.

Thanks for sharing your experience. You have given me much to think about. (I actually already have those coursera certs to transfer to Illinois).

So an update in my progress on the CU Boulder program. Had to drop the course    . The probability course was just as demanding as the data structures. It felt like I was doing a 3-unit course for just one unit of credit. So now if I finish the program, it's going to be almost $17k for me as I'm out $1,050 now. Also, if every course is like this, then I just don't see myself doing 90 units of effort to earn 30 units. But I don't know, maybe I'm the problem    . I checked online to see if anyone else did this program, and apparently one person has a Medium post back in 2021 saying he started the program. I then Googled his name and checked his LinkedIn and looks he completed the degree in 2023, so it does look doable.  And now he has a nice position in data science.  I don't know, I might look elsewhere. I won't go back to Eastern. If a dumb person like me says Eastern was too easy, that tells a lot about the program.