North Carolina A&T State University offers an online Master of Science in Data Science and Engineering through its Department of Computational Data Science and Engineering.
The 30-credit program is a strong fit for students interested in machine learning because NC A&T specifically identifies artificial intelligence and machine learning among the program’s research areas. Students also study big data analysis, data processing and visualization, analytics, scalable algorithms, and related computing topics.
NC A&T lists a full-time completion time of 2–3 semesters. The program offers both project and course-only options.
Quick Facts
| Degree | M.S. in Data Science and Engineering |
| Location | Greensboro, North Carolina |
| Format | Online |
| Credits | 30 |
| Program Length | 2–3 semesters full time |
| 2026–27 Tuition | $303/credit in-state; $1,035.45/credit out-of-state |
| Estimated Base Tuition | $9,090 in-state; $31,063.50 out-of-state |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| Completion Options | Project or course-only |
Program Overview
NC A&T’s M.S. in Data Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary graduate program that combines data science, computational methods, engineering applications, and advanced computing.
The university highlights research areas that include artificial intelligence and machine learning, autonomous vehicles, bioinformatics, computational statistics, image and video processing, the Internet of Things, remote sensing, scalable algorithms, and virtual and augmented reality.
The program is housed in the College of Engineering and gives students access to faculty and research activity across multiple departments.
Visit the official NC A&T M.S. in Data Science and Engineering program page.
Machine Learning and Data Science Curriculum
The M.S. in Data Science and Engineering requires 30 credit hours, or 10 courses. NC A&T identifies four required courses totaling 12 credits:
- CSE 620: Introduction to Computational Software Tools
- CSE 704: Data Processing and Visualization
- CSE 708: Data Analytics and Engineering Applications
- CSE 817: Fundamentals of Big Data Analysis
The broader program gives students room to build expertise in areas such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, computational statistics, image processing, scalable algorithms, and other data-intensive computing fields.
Students can choose a project option or complete the degree through coursework only, which gives the program flexibility for both applied and academically focused goals.
Review the official NC A&T graduate catalog entry.
Online MS in Data Science and Engineering
NC A&T offers this master’s degree through A&T Online, allowing students to complete the program without relocating to Greensboro.
The online format is especially attractive for working professionals who want graduate-level training in data science, machine learning, and computational engineering while continuing their careers.
NC A&T lists a full-time completion time of 2–3 semesters, making this one of the shorter 30-credit options among machine learning-related master’s programs.
Tuition and Cost
For distance education graduate students, NC A&T currently lists tuition of $303 per credit for North Carolina residents and $1,035.45 per credit for out-of-state students.
Based on the 30-credit program requirement, estimated base tuition is:
- In-state: 30 credits × $303 = $9,090
- Out-of-state: 30 credits × $1,035.45 = $31,063.50
These estimates cover base tuition only and do not include any applicable fees, insurance, books, or other expenses. NC A&T updates tuition rates by academic year, so students should confirm current charges before enrolling.
View NC A&T’s current distance education tuition and fees.
Admissions
Applicants can come from several academic backgrounds, including engineering, mathematics, basic sciences, business, and economics.
NC A&T requires an approved bachelor’s degree in science or engineering with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The university also says that knowledge of statistics, matrices or linear algebra, and programming experience are desirable.
The online program page lists a January 15 priority deadline for fall admission, a July 1 general fall deadline, and a November 1 spring deadline.
What Makes NC A&T’s Program Different?
Strong Machine Learning Fit
Machine learning is a clear part of the program rather than an incidental elective. NC A&T lists artificial intelligence and machine learning among its core research areas, along with big data, computational statistics, image processing, and scalable algorithms.
Short 30-Credit Structure
The degree requires 30 credits, and NC A&T says full-time students can finish in 2–3 semesters.
Project or Course-Only Options
Students can choose a project-based path or complete the program entirely through coursework. This gives students some control over how applied they want the final portion of the degree to be.
Low In-State Tuition
At the current distance education rate, estimated base tuition for a North Carolina resident is about $9,090 for the full 30-credit program, before fees and other charges.
Is NC A&T’s MS in Data Science and Engineering Worth Considering?
NC A&T’s M.S. in Data Science and Engineering is worth considering for students who want an online, engineering-based data science master’s with a clear machine learning connection.
The combination of AI and machine learning research, big data coursework, a 30-credit curriculum, project and course-only options, and a short full-time completion window makes the program especially appealing.
North Carolina residents also benefit from a comparatively low published distance education tuition rate. Out-of-state students face a much higher rate, so cost may be a larger factor for students living outside North Carolina.
Who Is This Program Best For?
Best for: Students who want an online master’s that combines data science, machine learning, big data, and engineering applications in a 30-credit format.
Consider another program if: You want a degree focused primarily on deep learning, NLP, or computer vision rather than a broader data science and engineering curriculum.
Related Machine Learning Programs
Students comparing NC A&T with other programs can also review machine learning master’s programs in North Carolina.
- UNC Charlotte - Charlotte