Master’s Degree in Data Science Course Fees

Studying for a Master of Science (MSc) in Data Science at a university can be expensive, and it takes time to research courses and universities to find a well-priced option that also provides a good degree course and the recognition for studying at a reputable university. If you choose to pursue this degree course in data science, the number of available jobs within the analytics sector in India will continue to increase. According to a study by Imarticus, from 2021 to 2022, salaried positions that fall below the 50 lakhs tier have grown almost 20 times in that one year [1].

In this article, you will learn more about the average master’s in data science course fees and the price comparison between different universities while discovering the fees attached to full-time, part-time, and online study.

What is a master’s degree in data science?

The MSc data science course covers descriptive statistics, calculus, and programming to help learners understand data and solve problems through analysis. To earn a master’s degree in data science, you will need a two-year postgraduate course broken down into four semesters. 

It’s a popular course, and graduates gain employment in many industries, from education to health care to technology, in small businesses and international corporations. 

Master’s degree in data science course fees

The MSc data science entry fees vary depending on where and how you study. As well as choosing a university, you must consider whether you want to study full-time, part-time, or online, as this affects your fees. 

Entrance to institutions typically requires an entrance exam, so it’s also important to consider the fees for the exam you choose, as these also vary. The average in-person master’s in data science course fee falls between ₹2 and ₹4 lakhs [2]. 

Let’s take a look at course fees in more detail.

Full time

A full-time MSc in data science course lasts two years; teaching traditionally occurs in person. You will typically take an entrance exam to gain admittance, scoring at least 50 percent in combined marks while pursuing a relevant bachelor’s degree. The average fee is ₹2 to ₹4 lakhs for a full-time course [2].

Part-time

A part-time MSc course can be online, in-person, and sometimes a hybrid. You can often access part-time course content online, even using innovations such as virtual labs, but the college’s programme might schedule classes for attendance. Other institutions might offer a part-time degree course based strictly on distance learning, and because all the content is online, you can access it at any time, giving you the flexibility you might need. The average fee for a part-time distance learning course is around ₹2 LPA (lakhs per annum), which varies depending on your chosen university [3].

Online 

If traditional full-time and part-time in-person courses aren’t practical options, studying online for an MSc in data science is also possible. This is a great choice if you are a working professional and you need to maneuver your studies around your job. 

Additionally, online options typically cost you less than an in-person MSc degree course. The average online master’s degree in data science course fees range from ₹1.2 to ₹2.6 lakhs compared to ₹2 to ₹4 lakhs for an in-person course [2].

Data science course fees by university

As mentioned, an MSc in data science can be completed as a full-time or part-time programme, in-person or online. However, the real difference comes with the university you choose. You’ll find that there can be considerable variations in price. Below are the course fees for a master’s in data science at some of the top universities: 

1. Chandigarh University, Chandigarh (Online): ₹1,20,000

2. Manipal University, Jaipur (Online): ₹2,60,000

3. Christ University, Bangalore (In person): ₹2,16,000

4. Sastra University, Thanjavur (In person): ₹80,000

5. Amity University, Noida (In person): ₹2,40,000

6. GITAM, Visakhapatnam (In person): ₹3,87,400

7. Loyola College, Chennai (In person): ₹3,45,000

8. Fergusson College, Pune (In person): ₹4,68,000

9. Kalasalingam University, Tamil Nadu (In person): ₹1,00,000

You’ll note from this data that the two online courses are more expensive than some of the in-person courses. This is largely due to the reputation and quality of the university offering the course since online options are typically cheaper on average. It’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth paying higher fees to access a top-level university. 

Cheapest ways to study for a master’s degree in data science

Online courses generally offer lower fees than in-person courses; however, the university you study at also affects MSc data science entry fees, so this isn’t always the case. Picking a top university is expensive. If you’re on a budget, it’s a good idea to shop around for a university that offers courses at a cheaper rate.

Remember, if you’re considering an online course, you do not have to pick a university in India as long as you meet the admission requirements for your desired university. When choosing a university, you can take into account, along with the price, factors like the quality of teaching, ranking, and ability to place you in a job after graduation. 

If the course fees for a master’s degree in data science are too high, you may also consider an alternative. For example, an MSc in computer science is often cheaper, averaging ₹1 to ₹3 lakhs compared to ₹2 to ₹4 lakhs, and covers similar material, in many cases allowing you to access careers in the same industry [4]. 

Is a master’s degree in data science worth it?

As one of the top disciplines to study in 2024, an MSc in data science has many benefits. In a world of data, many industries are recruiting data science professionals in India and abroad, and the demand for skilled professionals is rising. The field is competitive, and many data scientist roles require a master’s degree. 

Possible career options and associated average annual salary after a master’s degree in data science include:

• Data scientist: ₹9,72,217 [5]

• Data analyst: ₹5,09,417 [6]

• Data engineer: ₹8,87,206[7]

• Machine learning engineer: ₹8,76,859 [8]

• Database developer: ₹6,90,363[9]

*Salary data as of May 2024

Alternatives options

If you’re wondering if a master’s degree is for you, you’ll find plenty of other options, including certifications, short courses, experience, or a lower-level qualification. 

Without a master’s degree, it’s possible to get into the field of data science with a bachelor’s degree and relevant professional experience, as well as demonstrating relevant practical skills through other means. This might include bootcamps to learn and practice programming skills, practising with data visualisation tools, and honing workplace skills such as communication skills to get an entry-level job in data science or data analysis. 

To enhance your resume, you may consider the following certifications and professional certificates:

• IBM Data Science Professional Certificate

• Microsoft Azure for Data Engineering 

• AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate

• SAS Data Science Certification

Get started with Coursera 

Are you considering enrolling for an MSc in data science and looking to lower your course fees? You’ll find many online options that cost less than studying in person while also being flexible so you can work according to your own schedule. One of these options is the Master of Data Science, delivered by the Illinois Institute of Technology.