CU Boulder MS in Data Science: Student Outcomes, Profiles & Program Stats
Wondering if the CU Boulder MS in Data Science is the right fit? This page gives you a transparent look at exactly who enrolls in our residential program, what they study, and where they go after graduation. Our cohort of approximately 100 students per year comes from 18 countries, spans 26 years of average age, and goes on to careers at companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta.
Who are our students?
65% Male Gender Identity
35% Female Gender Identity
26 Average Age
100 Average Cohort Size
What background do our students have?
The majority of students (91.2%) enter the program with a bachelor's degree, while 7.1% hold a prior master's degree.
Students arrive with a range of data science backgrounds: approximately one-third have full-time professional experience in the field, one-third are career-changers with no prior data science work experience, and about one-quarter completed internships before enrolling.
For students transitioning from other fields, the largest group comes from engineering backgrounds outside computer science (53.1%), followed by physical and natural sciences (23.1%), and business or finance (12.3%).
Majority Bachelor's Fields
Computer Science
Electronics and Communication
Information Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Mathematics/Statistics
Diverse Bachelor's Fields
Aeronautics and Astronautics
Biology and Biochemistry
Physics, Astrophysics or Astronomy
Psychology, Sociology or Political Science
Accounting, Business Administration or Finance
Where Do Our Graduates Work?
CU Boulder MS in Data Science graduates go on to careers at some of the world's leading technology, finance, and healthcare organizations. Graduates have been hired by companies including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Accenture, taking on roles in data science, AI engineering, machine learning, and analytics.
Top Industries of Employment
Technology
FinTech / Consulting
Healthcare
Education and Research
Manufacturing
Notable Employers
Amazon
Google
Microsoft
Meta
Accenture
Top 5 Job Roles
Data Scientist
Data Analyst
AI Engineer
Research Assistant
Machine Learning Engineer
Program Student Data Points
3
Average Courses taken per Semester
2
Average Years to Degree Completion
18
Countries students come from
Students typically take three courses per semester, balancing depth with a manageable workload.
The residential MS in Data Science is a two-year, full-time on-campus program. It features flexible options for accelerated or extended pathways.
Each cohort brings together students from a wide range of countries, creating a globally diverse learning environment on the CU Boulder campus.
Program Pathways
Bachelor's Accelerated Masters (BAM)
For CU Boulder undergraduate Computer Science students
Bridge to Data Science
For students developing core coding and quantitative fundamentals
Direct to Data Science
For students with established programming and quantitative readiness
Program Features
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the CU Boulder MS in Data Science take to complete?
Most students complete the residential MS in Data Science in two years, taking an average of three courses per semester. Some students pursue an accelerated pathway of 1.5 years.
What GPA or background do I need to apply?
There is no universal GPA cutoff. Competitive applicants will have a 3.0 or higher. The program welcomes students from engineering, mathematics, statistics, computer science, and related quantitative fields. Students without all core prerequisites may qualify for the Bridge to Data Science pathway. Visit the Admissions page for full requirements.
What jobs do CU Boulder data science graduates get?
Graduates work as Data Scientists, Data Analysts, AI Engineers, Machine Learning Engineers, and Research Assistants. Employers include, but are not limited to, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Accenture, across technology, fintech, healthcare, education, and manufacturing industries.
How many students are in each cohort?
Each residential cohort has anywhere from 50-100 students, drawn from 18+ countries.
Is there a part-time option?
The residential program is designed to support each learner journey. Choose from an accelerated pathway of 1.5 years completion time, the traditional 2-year journey, or a part-time journey. Students should plan on completing their MS in Data Science within 4 years.