Michigan State University offers a Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS), a professional degree shared by the College of Natural Science and the College of Engineering.
The 30-credit, non-thesis program is based on the East Lansing campus. Data Mining is a required course, alongside big data analysis, optimization, and statistics. Machine learning is not required of every student. It enters the degree through the 9 credits of electives, which include Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and statistical learning courses.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Data Science (MSDS) |
| School | College of Natural Science and College of Engineering |
| Location | East Lansing, Michigan |
| Format | Campus |
| Credits | 30 |
| Culminating Experience | 3-credit capstone project, no thesis |
| GRE | Not required |
| Tuition | $39,000 flat program fee for residents and nonresidents |
| Entry Term | Fall |
| Typical Length | Four semesters |
| STEM Designated | Yes |
Official MS in Data Science page
Curriculum
Michigan State does not offer a standalone master’s degree in machine learning or artificial intelligence. The MS in Data Science is a collaboration among three departments: Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering (CMSE), Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), and Statistics and Probability (STT). The catalog lists it under the Department of Statistics and Probability.
Students complete 30 graduate credits consisting of:
- 18 credits of required courses, two from each department
- 9 credits of electives
- 3 credits of capstone
Each student’s program of study is approved by a guidance committee, and a 3.0 grade point average is required for the degree.
Required Courses
- CMSE 830 – Foundations of Data Science
- CMSE 831 – Computational Optimization
- CSE 482 – Big Data Analysis
- CSE 881 – Data Mining
- STT 810 – Mathematical Statistics for Data Scientists
- STT 811 – Applied Statistical Modeling for Data Scientists
The student handbook notes that the program director may waive a required course in unusual circumstances.
Electives
Students select 9 credits. The catalog lists:
- CMSE 402 – Data Visualization Principles and Techniques
- CMSE 822 – Parallel Computing
- CMSE 890 – Selected Topics in Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering
- CSE 802 – Pattern Recognition and Analysis
- CSE 830 – Design and Theory of Algorithms
- CSE 847 – Machine Learning
- STT 802 – Statistical Computation
- STT 812 – Statistical Learning and Data Analysis
- STT 873 – Statistical Learning and Data Mining
- STT 874 – Introduction to Bayesian Analysis
- STT 875 – R Programming for Data Sciences
Other courses can count with advisor approval. The program’s course page and handbook name several of these, including:
- CSE 840 – Computational Foundations in Artificial Intelligence
- CSE 842 – Natural Language Processing
- CSE 849 – Deep Learning
Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Natural Language Processing are electives rather than required courses, and the standard plan has room for three electives in total.
Capstone
The capstone is a semester-length applied, industrial, or governmental data science project, taken as CSE 890, CMSE 890, or STT 890. Students work independently and give a public presentation at the end, which serves as the program’s final examination. The degree is offered only under Plan B, so there is no thesis option.
Cost and Tuition
The MS in Data Science is not billed at Michigan State’s standard per-credit graduate rates. It carries a flat program fee that is the same for Michigan residents, nonresidents, and international students.
For fall 2026 and spring 2027, the Office of the Controller lists:
| Category | Michigan Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| MS in Data Science, entire program | $39,000 | $39,000 |
| Typical charge per semester (1 to 9 credits) | $9,750 | $9,750 |
| Standard graduate rate per credit, for comparison* | $978.25 | $1,814.75 |
*The standard rate shown is for master’s students in core units such as the College of Natural Science. It does not apply to this program.
The fee is usually paid in four equal semester charges. Spread over 30 credits, $39,000 works out to about $1,300 per credit. That is more than a Michigan resident would pay at the standard rate and less than a nonresident would pay.
The program states that other payment options are available for self-supported Michigan residents and for students who take longer than two years, without publishing details. The student handbook also notes that an assistantship tuition waiver covers most but not all of the flat fee.
The university charges some smaller per-semester fees and student taxes in addition to tuition. Rates can change each year, so students should confirm current costs with the program.
View MS in Data Science tuition
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a four-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant quantitative discipline, or must show sufficient quantitative preparation through work or other relevant experience.
The program requires some background in calculus and in programming, in any language. An introduction to probability and statistics is strongly recommended. Multivariable calculus and linear algebra are described as helpful but not required.
The program does not publish a minimum GPA. It describes its students as a mix of recent graduates and working professionals, including people from fields such as healthcare, supply chain, marketing, and the social sciences.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- online application through the MSU Graduate School
- one combined letter of motivation of about two pages
- detailed CV or resume
- transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions
- at least three letters of recommendation
- a technical background survey, sent after the application is submitted
- proof of English proficiency when required
The GRE is not required, though scores can be submitted for consideration. The admissions committee may request an optional phone or video interview. The program does not provide application fee waivers.
Application Deadlines
The program admits students for fall. It generally does not offer spring admission.
The most recent dates published are for the fall 2026 cycle:
| Fall 2026 Cycle | Date |
|---|---|
| Priority deadline | January 15, 2026 |
| Rolling review, as space allows | January 16 to March 15, 2026 |
Dates for fall 2027 had not been posted at the time of this review, so applicants should confirm the current deadline with the program.
Program Format
The MS in Data Science is a campus program in East Lansing. The program does not describe an online option, and new students attend two required orientation meetings before the fall semester.
Most students complete the degree over four semesters. Students can finish earlier by taking summer courses or more than 9 credits in a semester, which changes how the flat fee is billed. Part-time arrangements are decided case by case.
The program is STEM designated and eligible for Optional Practical Training, according to the program’s FAQ.
Teaching and graduate assistantships are open to MSDS students but are competitive and not guaranteed.
Who Is This Program Best For?
Michigan State’s MS in Data Science is a strong option for students who want a structured data science degree that draws equally on statistics, computer science, and computational mathematics.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- data mining and big data analysis
- statistical modeling and statistical learning
- computational optimization
- adding machine learning or deep learning through electives
- moving into data science from another field, with no GRE required
- a STEM-designated degree with one price for residents and nonresidents
The degree is a data science master’s first. Machine learning is an elective, there is no thesis, and the flat fee costs Michigan residents more than the university’s standard graduate rate would. Students who want a degree built around machine learning or AI, a research thesis, online study, or lower resident pricing may want to compare other Michigan schools or the university’s MS in Computer Science.
Official Michigan State University Program Links
- MS in Data Science program page
- MSDS courses
- Academic Programs Catalog entry
- How to apply
- Frequently asked questions
- MSDS tuition
- Graduate tuition rates, fall 2026 and spring 2027
Related Machine Learning Programs in Michigan
Students can also compare Michigan State University with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Michigan.
- Eastern Michigan University – Ypsilanti
- Grand Valley State University – Grand Rapids
- Lawrence Technological University – Southfield
- Michigan Technological University – Houghton
- Oakland University – Rochester
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- University of Michigan-Dearborn – Dearborn
- Wayne State University – Detroit
- Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo