Master of Science [MS] (Data Science)
Field of Study:
$68,800 /Yr
University of Rochester Master of Science (MS) Data Science is a 30-credit STEM-designated graduate programme in Rochester, New York. It can be completed in two to three semesters of full-time study. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, mathematics through basic calculus and prior programming, while a STEM degree is preferred but not required. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished; 2026-27 tuition was US$71,488 (INR 68.33 Lakhs), as a prior-cycle reference.
The programme combines data mining, databases, computational statistics and statistical machine learning with a sponsor-facing practicum and at least 10 application-area credits. It suits applicants with quantitative preparation who can manage an intensive full-time schedule. Students without data structures may need the five-week summer bridge before the main curriculum.
- Students can explore business, computational methods, genomics, health and biomedical sciences or statistical methodology through the application-area component.
- The final practicum uses a sponsoring organisation’s business problem and a faculty-evaluated presentation as the master’s exit examination.
- International students with related off-campus internship offers can receive departmental academic credit for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Not Yet Open. International student deadline: 15 March 2027.
The portal is expected to reopen by 15 September 2026, and full-time applicants can also use the 5 January or 15 February rounds. Indian applicants should prepare transcripts, three recommendations and valid English scores before the portal opens because the final round leaves less time for visa planning.
Also Check: University of Rochester Data Science Admission
U Rochester Data Science Fees and Living Costs 2027
Fall 2027 tuition has not been published. The latest official Data Science fee page gives a 2026-27 prior-cycle reference and separates the programme estimate from semester charges, insurance and living costs.
Fee context: The table labels each amount by its publication basis, so Indian applicants do not mistake an older tuition total for a confirmed Fall 2027 price.
| Fee or cost item | Amount (USD) | INR equivalent | Cycle or basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Data Science tuition | US$71,488 | INR 68.33 Lakhs | 2026-27 prior-cycle reference based on 32 SAS/Hajim credits |
| SAS/Hajim graduate tuition rate | US$2,234 per credit | INR 2.14 Lakhs per credit | 2026-27 prior-cycle rate |
| Master’s application fee | US$30 | INR 2,868 | Current published fee |
| Mandatory health fee | US$552 per semester | INR 52,764 per semester | 2026-27 |
| Graduate activity fee | US$20 per semester | INR 1,912 per semester | 2026-27 |
| International student fee | US$100 per semester | INR 9,559 per semester | 2026-27 |
| Student health insurance | US$2,154 per semester | INR 2.06 Lakhs per semester | 2026-27 |
| Full-time offer deposit | US$500 | INR 47,794 | Due by 15 April 2027 or the offer deadline; applied to first tuition payment |
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.5872 as of 20 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
The programme page describes a 30-credit STEM degree. The fee page says the typical estimate assumes 32 SAS/Hajim credits and notes that some students finish with 30. This difference makes the final credit plan a material cost variable.
- The 2026-27 tuition reference already exceeds INR 68 Lakhs before living costs, so do not borrow against a lower 30-credit assumption without written confirmation.
- The university may offer a partial tuition waiver in the admission letter, but the waiver amount is not known before the target-cycle offer.
- A full-time offer deposit is applied to tuition, so budget it as an early cash requirement rather than an additional programme charge.
Cost of Living in Rochester for Data Science Students
The official 2026-27 estimate is US$11,000 per semester (INR 10.51 Lakhs). Rochester publishes this as a combined estimate rather than a separate rent, food, transport and personal-expense schedule.
The two-semester figure below is calculated from the university’s published semester estimate. It is a planning baseline, not a guaranteed twelve-month budget or a visa-maintenance substitution.
| Expense | Published basis (USD) | Published basis (INR) | Two-semester planning total (USD) | Two-semester planning total (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Rochester living estimate | US$11,000 per semester | INR 10.51 Lakhs per semester | US$22,000 calculated | INR 21.03 Lakhs calculated |
The prior-cycle two-semester planning illustration is calculated as US$71,488 tuition plus US$22,000 living costs. It adds US$4,308 insurance and US$1,344 semester fees, giving US$99,140 (INR 94.77 Lakhs). It excludes target-cycle tuition changes, a summer bridge, a third semester, travel and personal funding choices.
Check Out: Cost of Living in the USA
Fee verification
Fall 2027 tuition remains unpublished and the 2026-27 estimate assumes 32 credits. Verify the target rate and final credit plan on the Rochester Data Science fee page before accepting an offer.
Key insight: The confirmed planning risk is not only tuition inflation because the credit count, bridge course and study duration can also change the final bill.
U Rochester Data Science Admission 2027
Rochester does not publish a numeric grade point average (GPA) cutoff for the MS in Data Science. The admissions committee considers GPA, past coursework, transcripts, data-science experience, recommendations, the statement of purpose, resume and standardized test scores.
The programme welcomes applicants from science, engineering, mathematics and business backgrounds because a STEM bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required. The tradeoff is that every applicant still needs basic calculus and programming evidence, while missing data structures can trigger a summer bridge.
Academic eligibility context: The table separates published preparation expectations from selection evidence, so Indian applicants can identify what must be demonstrated before applying.
| Requirement or selection factor | Current official position | Indian applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree and academic field | A STEM bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required; backgrounds in science, engineering, mathematics or business are considered. | Show how the degree supplies quantitative, computational or domain preparation for data science. |
| Mathematics | Undergraduate mathematics through basic calculus is expected. | Mark calculus coursework clearly in the transcript and explain equivalent Indian course titles when needed. |
| Programming | Some prior programming experience is expected. | Use projects, coursework or employment evidence to show practical programming rather than listing a language without context. |
| Data structures | Admitted students without data structures must complete a summer bridging course. | Complete a credible data-structures course before applying when the transcript does not show this preparation. |
| Minimum GPA | No numeric minimum or Indian percentage conversion is published. | The university makes the official equivalency decision from the complete academic record. |
| Three-year bachelor’s degree | A World Education Services (WES) evaluation is required to certify equivalence to a US bachelor’s degree. | Arrange the evaluation if your Indian qualification is three years and is not an in-progress fourth-year degree. |
| Selection evidence | The committee considers coursework, data-science experience, letters, statement of purpose, resume and test scores. | Connect each document to a specific data-science preparation claim. |
A strong applicant can come from outside computer science, but the record must make the transition credible. Because the course moves quickly through databases, statistics and machine learning, applicants should resolve missing mathematics or programming evidence before choosing the early round.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
The university accepts the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Duolingo English Test (DET). These scores must be official for an offer and cannot be more than two years old at the application deadline.
Indian applicants normally need an English test. The listed waiver countries do not include India, and an English-taught Indian degree alone does not waive the requirement.
| Test or route | Published requirement | Indian applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Minimum score 7; IELTS Indicator is not accepted. | Send the official result to Rochester and confirm validity on the selected deadline. |
| TOEFL | 620 paper-based, 260 computer-based or 100 Internet-based; exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 require TOEFL iBT 5. | Use the score scale printed for your test date and do not self-convert the 1.0 to 6.0 scale. |
| Duolingo English Test | Minimum score 120, sent directly from Duolingo. | Check that the score report reaches the university before the application review deadline. |
| Waiver | Automatic waiver applies to listed countries or qualifying full-time in-person study in those countries. | Do not rely on an English-medium Indian degree as a waiver because India is not listed. |
- Book an accepted test early enough to retake it if the result is below the published minimum.
- Submit a one-page English narrative when your academic record does not show sustained English writing or speaking experience.
- Do not combine section scores from separate sittings because Rochester does not superscore and does not accept TOEFL MyBest Score.
Tip for Indian students: Rochester has no GPA cutoff, so strengthen calculus and programming evidence before relying on a late round.
U Rochester Data Science Application 2027
The 15 January 2027 early-action round is the best working target for a full-time international applicant who wants an earlier decision. The programme also lists 15 February and 15 March full-time Fall rounds, while Spring entry is limited to part-time applicants.
Rochester publishes dates without a clock time or named time zone. Indian applicants should follow the portal timestamp and upload every required document before submission because the university requires scores and recommendations for review.
Fall 2027 application stages: The table includes every published MS Data Science route and marks the part-time rows that do not match the full-time international target.
| Entry route | Application deadline | Decision timing | Applicant meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2027 early action, full-time | 5 January 2027 | No earlier than 15 February 2027 | Preferred planning round for an international applicant seeking earlier certainty. |
| Fall 2027 regular, full-time | 15 February 2027 | By 15 March 2027 | Valid full-time route with less time for funding and visa preparation. |
| Fall 2027 late round, full-time | 15 March 2027 | By 15 April 2027 | Final published full-time round; use it only when the file is complete. |
| Fall 2027, part-time | 15 March 2027 | By 15 April 2027 | Published part-time route, not the full-time international target. |
| Spring 2027, part-time | 30 November 2026 | By 15 December 2026 | Full-time students from outside Rochester are not eligible for this route. |
Full-time applicants should not treat the Spring deadline as an alternative intake because Rochester excludes external full-time applicants from Spring admission. The 15 March late round remains open on the published schedule, but the April decision leaves a shorter visa and relocation window.
Application Materials
The application fee is US$30 (INR 2,868) and the online file should be started several weeks before the selected deadline. The application asks for a statement of purpose, Curriculum Vitae (CV), three recommendations, transcripts and English scores.
The CV should be targeted to data science rather than copied from a general job search. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are optional, so submit them only when they add relevant evidence to the academic record.
| Application component | Official requirement | Indian applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | Complete the University of Rochester graduate application and its short-answer questions. | Select the MS in Data Science and Fall 2027 full-time entry. |
| Academic transcripts | Submit transcripts from every post-secondary institution; certified English translations are required when records are not in English. | Upload readable records with grading explanations and retain final documents for enrolment. |
| Three-year bachelor’s degree | A WES evaluation is required for a foreign three-year degree unless the applicant is completing a fourth year. | Order the evaluation early because it can become the document that controls file completion. |
| Statement of purpose | Explain motivation, graduate-level preparation, study or research interests, career plans and relevant background; most statements are one to three pages. | Connect mathematics, programming and data projects to a specific application area. |
| Curriculum Vitae | Most resumes are one or two pages and should highlight experience relevant to the programme. | Show measurable analytical work, tools used and the result of each project. |
| Recommendations | Data Science MS applicants require three letters; all letters must arrive before the review deadline. | Choose referees who can discuss quantitative coursework, coding or research potential. |
| English proficiency | Official IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo scores are required unless an approved waiver applies. | Upload a self-reported copy for review and arrange verified scores for an offer. |
| GRE and additional documents | GRE reporting and a one-page explanation for unusual academic history are optional. | Use optional material only to clarify a specific weakness or relevant preparation. |
- Ask recommenders at least four weeks before the selected round because letters must arrive by the review deadline.
- Use the early-action round when the file already shows calculus, programming and data-science preparation.
- Keep a visa and funding plan ready before the late round because its decision date is 15 April 2027.
Read More: University of Rochester Graduate Programs
Application tip: Submit by 15 January 2027 when your file is complete because the early round gives an earlier decision and more time to arrange funding and immigration documents.
U Rochester Data Science Scholarships 2027
Full-time MS Data Science students typically receive partial merit scholarship consideration in the admission offer. Rochester states that the average award is 33% of tuition and is applied directly each semester.
Because Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished, the 33% figure should remain a percentage rather than a calculated award. The university does not publish a separate Data Science scholarship deadline, so the application rounds remain the practical funding timeline.
Funding routes: The table distinguishes scholarship consideration from assistantships and external sponsorship because each route has a different timing and certainty.
| Funding route | Published value or condition | Eligibility and timing | Fall 2027 action |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Data Science merit scholarship | Partial tuition scholarship; average award is 33% of tuition. | Typically communicated in the full-time admission offer and applied each semester. | Apply by the early round and wait for the written award before reducing the budget. |
| Teaching assistantship | One or two paid opportunities are typical; amount is not published. | Usually available in the second or third semester, not the first, and not guaranteed. | Do not use an assistantship to fund the first semester or to justify a loan approval. |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | International master’s funding route; value and deadline vary by country. | Rochester welcomes Fulbright candidates, but the route requires a separate country-specific process. | Check the India-specific route independently and align its deadline with the Rochester application. |
| New York State Center of Excellence in Data Science internship | Paid summer internship opportunities may be available; no guarantee. | University students can seek placements with New York State small businesses and startups. | Treat earnings as possible summer support rather than confirmed scholarship funding. |
The genomics fellowship is not a general MS Data Science award for Indian applicants. Rochester says its full funding is open to US citizens and permanent residents, while international students may participate in genomics programming without full funding or guaranteed internships.
- Use the 33% average only as offer-stage evidence because the university does not guarantee the same award for every applicant.
- Build the first-semester budget without assistantship income because Rochester does not normally offer those positions to new students.
- Keep external scholarship applications separate from Rochester merit review because a country-specific award may require an earlier submission.
Also Check: University of Rochester Scholarships
Scholarship reality: The average 33% merit figure can reduce tuition, but the unpublished award for Fall 2027 and delayed assistantship timing require a workable self-funded first-semester plan.
U Rochester Data Science Salary 2027
No course-cohort salary, offer rate or placement rate is published for the MS in Data Science. The official outcomes page instead reports graduate role titles, employer destinations and internship examples without a named cohort or salary measure.
This evidence still helps with fit because the listed roles span data science, engineering, analytics and research. It does not show typical hiring probability, so Indian applicants should treat employer names as reported destinations rather than recruitment promises.
Published MS Data Science Outcomes
The programme reports broad career destinations and technical roles. The table keeps those claims within the scope stated by Rochester and identifies what remains unpublished.
| Evidence scope | Published evidence | Decision meaning |
|---|---|---|
| MS Data Science outcomes page | Listed roles include Data Scientist, Data Engineer, Data Analyst, Artificial Intelligence Engineer, Machine Learning Modeling Engineer and Software Engineer. | The curriculum can support several technical directions, but role allocation and frequency are not published. |
| MS Data Science outcomes page | Reported destination categories include large technology, healthcare, finance, education and research, manufacturing, retail and services. | Domain choice can shape application-area electives and practicum targeting, but the list is not an offer-rate report. |
| University internship guidance | Paid summer internships may be available through the New York State Center of Excellence in Data Science, with no guarantee. | Plan the internship as a possible portfolio and income opportunity, not as a confirmed outcome. |
Salary Evidence and ROI for Indian Applicants
The closest salary figure is an external US market benchmark. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a May 2024 median wage for data scientists, not a Rochester graduate salary.
| Salary measure | Published cohort or scope | Amount (USD) | INR equivalent | How to use it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data scientists median wage | External US market benchmark, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 | US$112,590 | INR 1.08 Crore | Market context only, not a graduate outcome or repayment guarantee. |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data scientists profile.
The prior-cycle two-semester baseline was US$99,140 (INR 94.77 Lakhs), calculated from tuition, living costs, insurance and semester fees. It is not a Fall 2027 total because the target tuition and any award remain unconfirmed.
- The prior-cycle baseline exceeds INR 94 Lakhs before travel and bridge costs, so obtain the 2027-28 rate before approving a large education loan.
- The missing course salary and offer report makes employer lists insufficient for a payback calculation, so request current outcome detail before treating the programme as a US-placement investment.
- The external median is US$112,590 (INR 1.08 Crore) for all US data scientists, not expected starting pay, so compare actual entry roles.
- A 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension may follow the standard 12-month period, subject to degree-code and immigration conditions.
- An India-return plan needs a separate repayment model because a US market median does not establish an Indian salary or employer outcome.
Gross salary is not take-home pay because taxes, benefits and location change net income. Use the official Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Withholding Estimator when modelling repayment capacity.
The programme’s practicum and application-area choices can improve portfolio relevance, but the financial tradeoff remains material when the award amount and graduate salary evidence are both incomplete. Applicants should choose a domain, practicum direction and funding limit before accepting an offer.
Read More: USA Post-Study Work Options
ROI reality: Rochester offers a technically broad route with sponsor-facing practice, but the unpublished target tuition and missing course salary report require a conservative funding decision.
United States Visa for U Rochester Data Science Students 2027
Full-time international students normally use F-1 student status. If admitted, Rochester uses Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, after financial review. The university recommends showing US$62,000 (INR 59.26 Lakhs) in financial resources by the end of May. This financial document is separate from the official Rochester living estimate and does not confirm a visa decision.
- The F-1 visa fee is US$185 (INR 17,684), and the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee is US$350 (INR 33,456).
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) normally provides 12 months, while a 24-month STEM extension depends on the degree code and immigration rules.
- F-2 status may cover a spouse and unmarried children under 21, but F-2 dependants are not authorised to work.
- H-1B sponsorship has no single course salary threshold, while permanent residence has no fixed course-linked timeline because employer and visa rules control.
Check Out: USA Student Visa Requirements
Visa reality: The STEM designation may extend the work window, but the I-20 funding proof, degree classification and employer sponsorship conditions must be verified before using U.S. employment in the repayment plan.
Rochester’s MS Data Science fits applicants who want a fast, cross-disciplinary programme with a sponsor-facing practicum and a chosen application area. It is strongest for students who can show calculus, programming and a clear technical direction before enrolment. The material tradeoff is a high prior-cycle cost baseline combined with unpublished Fall 2027 tuition and no course-level salary report. Prepare the complete file for the 15 January 2027 early-action round, then confirm the written award, credit plan and I-20 funding requirement before committing.
University of Rochester MS Data Science FAQs
Ques. Can an applicant without a STEM bachelor’s degree apply to the University of Rochester MS Data Science?
Ans. Yes, Rochester considers science, engineering, mathematics and business backgrounds, but applicants still need basic calculus and prior programming. Students without data structures may need the summer bridge.
Ques. Which Fall 2027 deadline should an international applicant choose?
Ans. Use 15 January 2027 when the file is ready because it is the early-action round. The 15 February and 15 March rounds remain published, but later decisions leave less visa-planning time.
Ques. What should an Indian applicant budget for the Rochester MS Data Science?
Ans. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished, while the 2026-27 tuition and two-semester cost illustration totals US$99,140 (INR 94.77 Lakhs) before travel and bridge costs. Confirm the target rate before accepting a loan.
Ques. Is a scholarship guaranteed for international MS Data Science applicants?
Ans. No, Rochester typically considers full-time students for partial merit support and reports an average award of 33% tuition. Assistantships are not guaranteed and usually appear in the second or third semester.
Ques. Does the MS Data Science guarantee a US data science job after graduation?
Ans. No, the outcomes page lists roles and employers but publishes no course salary or offer rate. The STEM designation may support a conditional 24-month extension after 12-month OPT, subject to immigration rules.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $68800 |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Living Expenses | $22000 |
| Health Insurance | $3720 |
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $61500 |
| 2023 | $56700 |
| 2021 | $60480 |
Important Dates
| Event | Application Date |
|---|---|
| Early Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake | |
| Regular Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake | |
Reviews
5 Reviews Found
Likes
- Smaller class size (compared to other unis)
- Good professor to student ratio
- Great coordinator who keeps us informed about campus jobs opportunities (seminars/events)
Dislikes
- Location not as big as NYC (although just 5 hours away)
- Companies in career expo not that big since it's a small city
- Still growing
- There are student housing even for grad students. Apart from that, you have apps and groups if one wants to live off campus. people are putting up rent postings all the time; you just have to look for it at the right place
- I have a 2-bedroom apartment, rent $1200, so it comes down to $600/person, which is very good with student housing
- I had no challenges since I secured a graduate housing apartment
- My recommendation would be to go for graduate housing (its a lottery system, but most get it). make sure to opt in when they release it and you're good to go
- 20-minute walk to uni from my place, but you don't have to walk since there are university shuttles every 20 minutes. Indian students mostly stay at grad housing.



Scores Required
TOP Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Award amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Merit Based Scholarship | Average of 33% Tuition fee | Depends on Merit. |
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