Bradley University offers a Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics with a Computational Data Science concentration. The concentration is taught by the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems on the Peoria campus.
The 30-credit program pairs a shared analytics core with concentration courses in machine learning, data mining, and big data. Students finish with a team capstone project or a thesis.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Data Science and Analytics |
| Concentration | Computational Data Science |
| Department | Computer Science and Information Systems |
| Location | Peoria, Illinois |
| Format | Campus |
| Credits | 30 |
| Culminating Experience | Capstone or thesis |
| Typical GPA | 3.0 in the last 60 hours |
| GRE | Optional |
| Fall Deadline | June 15 |
| Spring Deadline | November 1 |
Official MS in Data Science and Analytics, Computational Data Science page
Curriculum
The MS in Data Science and Analytics is an interdisciplinary degree shared by Bradley’s business, engineering, and liberal arts and sciences colleges. It has four concentrations, and Computational Data Science is the most technical of them. Bradley describes it as covering the theory and algorithms used in data science and how to implement and apply them.
Students complete 30 graduate credits consisting of:
- 15 credits of core courses, including the capstone or thesis
- 15 credits in the concentration, made up of 9 required credits and 6 elective credits
Core Courses
- IME 511 – Probability and Statistics for Analytics
- CS 541 – Python Programming for Data Science or CS 560 – Fundamentals of Data Science
- CS 571 – Database Management Systems or IME 568 – Engineering Analytics 1
- MIS 573 – Data Visualization for Business Analytics
- a capstone or thesis course
The core is shared with students in the business, engineering, and logistics analytics concentrations.
Computational Data Science Courses
Students take three of the following four courses, choosing from those not already used for the core:
- CS 560 – Fundamentals of Data Science
- CS 562 – Machine Learning
- CS 563 – Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
- CS 572 – Distributed Databases and Big Data
Students who take CS 560 in the core complete all three of the remaining courses, including Machine Learning. Students who take CS 541 in the core must take CS 560 and then choose two of the other three.
The catalog describes CS 562 as covering neural networks and deep learning, regression, Bayesian networks, decision trees, and clustering. Bradley notes that students work with Python, R, TensorFlow, and Hadoop.
Electives
Students choose two electives with advisor approval. Options include:
- CS 561 – Artificial Intelligence
- ECE 565 – Engineering Applications of Machine Learning
- CIS 576 – Data Management
- IME 578 – Engineering Analytics 2
- ECO 519 – Introduction to Econometrics
- MTH 510 – Numerical Methods I
- Q M 526 – Business Forecasting
- MTG 506 – Marketing Analytics
Any of the four concentration courses not already taken can also count as an elective.
Capstone or Thesis
Most students finish with CS 594 – Capstone Project for Data Science, a team project taken in the final semester. Students also take a comprehensive assessment set by the department.
Qualified students can write a thesis instead. The thesis takes 6 credits of CS 699 across two consecutive terms, replaces one elective, and ends with an oral defense. It requires a 3.5 GPA in Bradley graduate courses.
Cost and Tuition
Bradley is a private university and charges the same graduate tuition regardless of residency.
For the 2026–27 academic year, Bradley lists:
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Graduate tuition | $1,158 per semester hour |
| University fees | $880 |
| Engineering course surcharge | $50 per semester hour |
| Business graduate course surcharge | $25 per credit hour |
At 30 credits, tuition comes to about $34,740 before fees and surcharges. The surcharges apply to courses taught by the engineering and business colleges, which include IME 511 and MIS 573 in the core.
University fees cover a $30 activity fee, a $160 health center fee, and a $250 technology fee each semester, depending on enrollment. Rates can change each year, so students should confirm current costs with Bradley.
View Bradley University tuition and fees
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or the international equivalent.
The program requires at least one semester of calculus. Bradley does not list a computer science degree as a requirement, and the core includes a Python programming course for students who need it.
Bradley states that successful graduate applicants typically have a GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework. Applicants with a lower GPA may be considered on other factors, but those below 2.5 are not admitted to a degree program.
Some courses carry their own prerequisites. CS 562 – Machine Learning requires CS 560 and two semesters of calculus.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- online application and $40 application fee
- unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- statement of interest
- two recommendations
- resume or CV (recommended)
- proof of English proficiency when required
GRE scores are optional for this concentration.
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term | Domestic Deadline | International Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | June 15 | April 15 |
| Spring | November 1 | August 15 |
The international dates apply to applicants without a SEVIS record. Bradley notes that some programs have earlier deadlines or do not admit every term, so applicants should confirm start terms with Graduate Admissions.
Program Format
Bradley lists the Computational Data Science concentration among its campus-based graduate programs in Peoria. Bradley does not list an online option for this concentration.
Students may register for no more than three courses per semester without department approval. At that pace, the 30 credits take at least four semesters unless summer courses are used.
All degree requirements should be completed within five years.
Who Is This Program Best For?
Bradley’s Computational Data Science concentration is a good option for students who want an applied data science master’s with machine learning and data mining courses but who do not have a computer science degree.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- machine learning and data mining
- big data and distributed databases
- statistics, Python, and data visualization foundations
- a capstone or thesis choice
- admission with one semester of calculus and no GRE requirement
- a small private university setting
Half of the degree is a general analytics core, and the program has no dedicated courses in deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision. Machine Learning is also one of several concentration choices rather than a course every student must take. Students who want a deeper machine learning curriculum, an online format, or public university tuition may want to compare other Illinois schools.
Official Bradley University Program Links
- Computational Data Science program page
- Graduate catalog entry
- Graduate admissions requirements and deadlines
- Tuition and fees
Related Machine Learning Programs in Illinois
Students can also compare Bradley University with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Illinois.
- DePaul University – Chicago
- Elmhurst University – Elmhurst
- Illinois Institute of Technology – Chicago
- Lewis University – Romeoville
- Northwestern University – Evanston
- University of Chicago – Chicago
- University of Illinois Chicago – Online
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Urbana-Champaign