Is a Master’s Degree in Data Science Worth It?

Key takeaways:

A master’s degree in data science may be worth it if you want to advance in your career and earn a higher salary.

• Master’s degree holders earn an average of $297 more per week compared to bachelor’s degree holders [1].

• Explore roles like data scientist, data architect, and structured query language (SQL) developer with a master’s in data science.

• You can also learn about data science by pursuing credentials and courses to build your skills.

Explore the benefits and costs of earning your master’s degree in data science so you can determine whether it’s the best choice for you. 

Is a master's in data science worth it? Pivoting vs. advancing 

Your goal of earning a master’s in data science can strongly indicate whether a graduate education is the best course of action. Think about what you hope to get from a master’s program: Are you aiming to change careers or advance in your current one? 

Pivoting vs. Advancing:

• Pivoting: Earning a master’s can help those changing careers gain foundational knowledge in data science.

• Advancing: Helps those already in the field to specialize and advance to higher roles.

Considerations:

• Evaluate your career goals.

• Identify if you need general foundational knowledge or specialized expertise.

Learn more about whether a master’s degree is worth it for your needs.

Is a master’s in data science useful? 6 benefits to consider

Many benefits come with earning your master’s degree in data science. While the benefits you experience will be specific to your specialty and career interests, a few common benefits you might find include:

1. Advanced roles

Becoming a data scientist typically requires a bachelor’s degree. Still, given the demand for this work across sectors, you may find that earning your master’s degree qualifies you for advanced roles that require more in-depth knowledge. 

2. Higher salary

While earning a master’s degree, in general, has been shown to increase your earning power—a median of $297 more per week in the US compared to bachelor’s degree holders—data science as a field tends to pay more [1]. That means earning a graduate degree may lead to higher salaries because you qualify for senior-level or managerial roles.

Read more: What Is a Good Salary?

What is the average master’s in data science salary?

A master’s in data science can help you land a role as a data scientist, which brings in a median total salary of $154,000 in 2026, according to Glassdoor [2]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation. While this is just an estimate and your salary for a master's in data science will vary depending on your location, industry, and title, earning a master’s degree often sets you up for more senior positions with a higher earning potential.

3. In demand

The demand for data scientists is extremely high, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data scientist openings are expected to grow 34 percent between 2024 and 2034 [3].

In fact, on US News’ list of best jobs in 2026, which ranks occupations based on advancement opportunities, good salaries, and work-life balance satisfaction, data scientists and software developers rank in the top 10 [4].

4. Resume credentials 

A graduate degree can be a strong way to stand out as a job candidate. Fifty-one percent of data scientists hold a bachelor’s degree, while 34 percent hold a master’s, according to Zippia [5]. Not only does a master’s degree add a notable credential to your resume, but it also shows the time you’ve committed to furthering your knowledge. 

5. Specialized knowledge

Master’s degree programs tend to be more rigorous and focused than bachelor’s degree programs. Whereas bachelor’s degrees take between four and five years, with half of your coursework dedicated to gaining a general knowledge of many subjects, a master’s degree takes two years and concentrates exclusively on your area. What’s more, you may have the opportunity to specialize in an aspect of data science, such as bioinformatics or big data.

6. Network 

Enrolling in a master’s degree program can also be a great way to expand your network through the peers you meet and the faculty you work with. 

Master’s degree in data science costs

The average total cost of a master’s degree is $62,820, according to the Education Data Initiative, though degrees can range anywhere from $44,640 to $71,140 [6].

It takes around two years to earn a master’s degree when you’re able to attend full-time, though several online master’s degrees in data science are optimized to take less time (around one year) when you’re able to commit a certain amount of hours per week to your studies. 

What can you do with a master’s in data science? 

With your master’s degree in data science, you can explore many data science jobs or continue your educational pursuits by applying for a PhD in data science. Take a closer look at each option. 

Master’s in data science job prospects

While a master’s in data science won’t automatically land you a role, it does provide baseline credentials for a number of exciting careers. The roles below illustrate some of the jobs you can pursue once you’ve earned your master’s degree in data science. Learn more about the kinds of salaries you may qualify for once you earn your master’s degree in data science:

• Senior data scientist: Working as a data scientist typically requires a bachelor’s degree, but you may qualify for more senior-level roles with a master’s. Data scientists typically design algorithms to collect and interpret data.

• Data engineer: A data engineer designs and builds systems to handle a lot of data so that data scientists and data analysts can work with it.

• Data architect: A data architect drafts frameworks businesses can use to handle data, often with the goal of making sure it meets any compliance requirements.

• Machine learning engineer: Machine learning engineers often sit on data science teams. They design, build, and maintain machine learning algorithms and systems.

• Statistician: Statisticians can work for public or private organizations and often look for trends in data by collecting and interpreting it.

• SQL developer: This role sits in between software development and database engineering. SQL developers often work to create or maintain SQL-specific databases. 

PhD in data science

A PhD in data science is a terminal degree, or the highest academic degree you can earn in a field. Many data science professionals go on to earn their PhD to pursue cutting-edge research or teach at the university level. These degrees tend to take around five years to complete, though it can be longer depending on your area of research. 

Best master’s in data science alternate education pathways 

Whether you’re interested in beginning or advancing your career in data science, you may find that completing projects, taking individual courses, and other self-guided learning can help you achieve your goals.

• Certificates: Earn a Professional Certificate in data science or an area of data science to strengthen your skill set. Professional Certificates typically take one year or less to earn, focusing on practical knowledge and skills development.

• Courses: You can take massive open online courses (MOOCs), many for free, to acquire or improve your knowledge in data science.

• Projects: Find projects to build your skills in a particular area and demonstrate your knowledge. You can find ideas on YouTube or enroll in a Guided Project on Coursera.

• Books: Read books on the area of data science you’re interested in learning. Not sure where to start? We’ve compiled lists of books on data analysis and books on machine learning to help point you in the right direction. 

No-fluff help for when you’re stuck

Join Career Chat on LinkedIn to stay current with the latest trends in your career field. Continue your learning journey in data science with our other free digital resources:

• Watch on YouTube: 7 Must-Have Skills for Becoming a Data Science Rockstar

• Find a course: Which Data Science Course Should You Take? Find Out in 1 Minute

• Learn from experts: 6 Questions with an IBM Data Scientist and AI Engineer

Consider pursuing your master’s degree with flexible programs from esteemed university partners on Coursera.