Finances
Top Roles + Industries
- Top Roles: Data Scientist, ML Engineer, Data Analyst
- Industries: Technology, Finance, Healthcare, Sports, Government, Transportation
Average Salary
Average Salary: ´Ê$120,000Ìý
(August 2025 MS-DS Career Outcomes Survey)
Job Placement
90% employed within six months of graduationÌý
(November 2025 MS-DS Career Outcomes)
Program Cost
For the most up-to-date tuition rates, please visit the ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder Bursar's Office.Ìý
Tuition is billed per term, allowing costs to be spread across the program.​ Students may enroll in university-administered tuition payment plans to spread the cost of each semester over multiple installments.
Financing Your Masters in Data Science
Residential MS-DS students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may apply for federal graduate financial aid.
Federal aid options for graduate students may include:
To determine eligibility and begin the process, submit the FAFSA and review the university’s financial aid guidance for graduate students.
Important: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required for federal financial aid eligibility.
Beginning Fall 2026, the MS-DS program will award:
- Three one-time $5,000 scholarships
- Available to newly enrolled domestic and international Residential MS-DS studentsÌý
- In other words, no Online through Coursera MS-DS students are eligible for this award.
Admitted students will receive access to eligibility criteria and application instructions. Funded through industry participation in the MS-DS Capstone program, these awards enhance access for students pursuing data science through both traditional and non-traditional pathways.Ìý
ÌýÌýBoth domestic and international students are invited to apply!
ÌýÌýAdmitted students may review eligibility criteria and apply .
Students are encouraged to pursue private and external scholarship opportunities. Many professional organizations, foundations, and employers offer funding for graduate study in data science and related fields.
We recommend:
- Starting your search early
- Applying broadly
- Tailoring application materials to each opportunity
External scholarships can be combined with other funding sources when permitted by the awarding organization.
Search for private scholarships and improve your chances of success with our tips to apply!
Students who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces may be eligible for federal education benefits, including:
- GI Bill® programs
- Yellow Ribbon Program participation
- Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E)
¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder provides dedicated support services to help military-connected students navigate certification, benefits processing, and academic planning. You should know ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder grants an unlimited number of Yellow Ribbon awards.Ìý
ÌýÌý We encourage eligible students to connect with the university’s Veterans & Military Affairs office for guidance.
¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder hosts abundant roles across departments which are hourly and flexible. These roles:
- Provide supplemental income
- Offer professional experience
- Accommodate academic schedules
Because the MS-DS is a professional program, Residential students are not eligible for teaching or research assistantships, but they are eligible for hourly campus employment.
ÌýÌýInternational Students (F-1 Visa)
International students in F-1 status may work on campus without additional employment authorization when employed by ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder.
ÌýÌý For detailed guidance, please consult the university’s ISSS Campus Employment Overview.
Some employers support graduate education through:
- Tuition reimbursement
- Fellowship or sponsorship programs
- Forgivable loans tied to continued employment
If you are currently employed, we encourage you to speak with your HR department about available education benefits. Many employers are eager to support advanced training in data science and analytics.
Do you work for the University of Colorado as a full-time employee? You may be eligible to use the to obtain your Masters in Data Science.Ìý
Eligible ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder employees and their dependents may qualify for up to 12 credit hours for themselves per academic year and a 40% discount for dependent(s) each semester.
Through this benefit, eligible participants may receive:
- Partial or full tuition coverage
- Access to graduate-level coursework at reduced cost
- Professional development support aligned with career advancement
ÌýÌýConfirm whether you're able to use the Tuition Assistance Benefit with our .
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MS-DS students may earn academic credit through approved industry-aligned experiences, including:
- Internships
- Applied industry projects
- Research collaborations
These opportunities allow students to:
- Build applied, portfolio-ready skills
- Strengthen professional networks
- Enhance career mobility
In some cases, paid internships or industry roles may also help offset educational costs while advancing your professional trajectory.