Northwestern University offers a Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science (MLDS) through the McCormick School of Engineering in Evanston. The program was previously named the MS in Analytics.
The full-time, on-campus program runs for 15 months across five consecutive quarters. A cohort of about 55 to 60 students follows a set curriculum that includes two machine learning courses, deep learning, natural language processing, and data mining, along with an industry practicum, a summer internship, and an industry capstone.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Facts
| Degree | MS in Machine Learning and Data Science |
| Former Name | MS in Analytics |
| School | McCormick School of Engineering |
| Location | Evanston, Illinois |
| Format | Campus, full time |
| Length | Five quarters (15 months) |
| Culminating Experience | Industry practicum and capstone |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| GRE | Not required |
| Priority Deadline | December 1 |
| Regular Deadline | January 15 |
| Entry Term | Fall only |
| STEM Designated | Yes |
Official MS in Machine Learning and Data Science page
Curriculum
The program is housed in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, with faculty also drawn from computer science, the Kellogg School of Management, and industry. Students move through the curriculum together as a cohort.
The program spans five consecutive quarters consisting of:
- Three quarters of required courses alongside an eight-month industry practicum
- A summer quarter for an internship or similar experiential learning
- A final fall quarter of remaining coursework and a ten-week industry capstone
Northwestern does not publish a total unit count on the program pages.
Machine Learning and AI Courses
- MLDS 401 – Machine Learning I
- MLDS 420 – Machine Learning II
- MLDS 432 – Deep Learning
- MLDS 414 – Natural Language Processing
- MLDS 421 – Data Mining & Knowledge Discovery
- MLDS 424 – Generative & Agentic AI
Machine Learning I covers regression and classification models in R. Machine Learning II moves to neural networks, tree-based methods, boosting, random forests, and support vector machines.
Data Engineering and Business Courses
- MLDS 400 – Topics in Data Engineering
- MLDS 413 – Databases & Information Retrieval
- MLDS 422 – Programming for Data Science
- MLDS 423 – Cloud Engineering for Data Science
- MLDS 430 – Data Visualization & Warehousing
- MLDS 431 – Big Data Systems
- MLDS 410 – Generating Business Value with Data Science
Electives
The 2026–27 schedule lists these electives:
- MLDS 440 – Optimization and Heuristics
- MLDS 490 – Advanced Algorithms for Machine Learning
- MLDS 490 – Bayesian Methods for Inference and Decision Making
- MLDS 490 – Human-AI Collaboration for Decision-Making
- MLDS 490 – Time Series
- MLDS 490 – Sports Analytics
- MLDS 490 – Interpretable Machine Learning for Finance
- MLDS 490 – Software Engineering
- MLDS 490 – Explainable AI
Practicum, Internship, and Capstone
Students complete two projects supplied by industry clients, working in small teams with a faculty advisor:
- MLDS 491-493 – Industry Practicum: an eight-month project across the first three quarters
- MLDS 499 – Industry Capstone: a ten-week project in the final fall quarter
Every student must also meet an experiential learning requirement. A full-time, ten-week summer internship is the most common way to do so. The program has no thesis.
Cost and Tuition
Northwestern is a private university and charges the same tuition regardless of residency. The program bills a flat rate per quarter.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the program lists:
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $23,662 per quarter |
| Health services fee | $287 per quarter |
| Student activity fee | $125 per quarter |
| Student health insurance (can be waived with comparable coverage) | $5,996 per year |
Tuition is billed for four quarters: fall, winter, and spring of the first year and the final fall quarter. The summer quarter is not billed.
At the 2026–27 rate, four quarters of tuition come to about $94,648 before fees. Northwestern tells students to expect an increase of about 5 percent for the final fall quarter, which would bring the total to roughly $95,800.
The program awards a small number of scholarships each year, and students are not eligible for teaching or research assistant positions through the department. Rates can change each year, so students should confirm current costs with the program.
View MLDS tuition and financial aid
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the international equivalent. Graduates of any academic background may apply.
The program requires a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
There are no strict prerequisite courses. Northwestern suggests preparation in calculus, linear algebra, probability, and statistics, plus programming experience in a language such as Python, R, Java, or C++. A week-long bootcamp before the first quarter introduces the systems used in the program.
Application Materials
Applicants submit:
- online application
- unofficial transcripts from all degree-granting institutions
- three letters of recommendation
- personal statement
- resume or CV
- optional candidate video
- TOEFL (minimum 100) or IELTS (minimum 7.5) scores when required
GRE and GMAT scores are not required. Applicants with coding projects can include portfolio or GitHub links.
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2027 (scholarship priority) | December 1, 2026 |
| Fall 2027 (regular decision) | January 15, 2027 |
The program admits students for fall only. Decisions are released from March to May, and deferrals are rarely granted.
Program Format
Northwestern describes the MS in Machine Learning and Data Science as a full-time, on-campus, day program. There are no online or part-time options.
Classes meet on weekdays on the Evanston campus, starting in September. The program takes 15 months, ending in the fall quarter of the following year.
The program is STEM designated, which qualifies international students for the OPT extension.
Who Is This Program Best For?
Northwestern’s MS in Machine Learning and Data Science is a strong option for students who can study full time and want an applied program built around industry projects.
It may be especially appealing to students interested in:
- machine learning and deep learning
- natural language processing and generative AI
- data mining
- data engineering, cloud, and big data systems
- industry practicum, internship, and capstone experience
- a small cohort
- admission without the GRE
The program is a professional degree with no thesis, and it cannot be taken online or part time. Tuition is also high compared with public universities. Students who want a research track, a flexible schedule, or a lower-cost degree may want to compare other Illinois schools. Northwestern also offers a separate MS in Artificial Intelligence for students who want a degree centered on AI systems.
Official Northwestern University Program Links
- MS in Machine Learning and Data Science program page
- Curriculum overview
- Course listings
- Admissions overview
- Tuition and financial aid
- MS in Artificial Intelligence program page
Related Machine Learning Programs in Illinois
Students can also compare Northwestern University with other master’s programs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields offered in Illinois.
- Bradley University – Peoria
- DePaul University – Chicago
- Elmhurst University – Elmhurst
- Illinois Institute of Technology – Chicago
- Lewis University – Romeoville
- University of Chicago – Chicago
- University of Illinois Chicago – Online
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Urbana-Champaign