2027 Notre Dame Online MS in Data Science vs. Boston University Online MSDS: Cost, Curriculum, Admissions, and Format
Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist
Notre Dame and Boston University both offer online data science master's degrees, but the better choice depends on more than the name on the diploma. Working professionals should compare the full cost, the courses they would actually take, and whether each program's schedule fits their week. This guide separates confirmed institutional facts from program details that require a current written answer from admissions, so you can make a decision without relying on an outdated tuition figure or an assumed course requirement.
Key Things You Should Know
- Compare a written, all-in cost estimate from each university; a tuition figure alone does not establish which degree is cheaper.
- Request each program's current course plan and attendance requirements before deciding whether its technical focus and weekly schedule fit your goals.
- Both universities have institutional accreditation, but accreditation does not establish that their online programs have identical requirements or career outcomes.
What are the key differences between Notre Dame and Boston University's online data science master's degrees?
The most useful comparison is not "Which university is better?" but "What will I study, pay, and need to attend?" Both degrees are online master's programs in data science. Their current prices, required courses, pacing rules, and live-session commitments should be checked against the same enrollment term before treating one as the better fit.
The table identifies the evidence to request from each school. A blank in a public program description should not be interpreted as a favorable policy.
| Decision factor | Notre Dame | Boston University |
| Academic fit | Request the current required-course and elective list. | Request the current required-course and elective list. |
| Full cost | Request a term-by-term estimate of tuition and mandatory charges. | Request a term-by-term estimate of tuition and mandatory charges. |
| Schedule | Confirm live attendance, deadlines, and any travel requirement. | Confirm live attendance, deadlines, and any travel requirement. |
| Applied work | Confirm whether a project is required and what it produces. | Confirm whether a project is required and what it produces. |
If your goal is primarily artificial intelligence rather than broad data science practice, use a guide to choosing an artificial intelligence program to decide whether either data science curriculum gives that subject enough depth.
How much do Notre Dame and Boston University online data science master's programs cost?
A current, comparable total cost for the two programs cannot be established here without each university's tuition and fee schedule for your intended start term. Do not substitute an older advertised program price for a 2026 offer. Ask both schools for the tuition charged to complete the required curriculum, mandatory fees, and an explanation of any charges that could change with your pace.
Budget separately for books or software, equipment, possible travel, and interest if you borrow. Employer tuition assistance can change your out-of-pocket cost, but its annual limits and repayment conditions matter. Compare the two universities using the same assumption about completion time and employer support; comparing one school's tuition alone with the other's full estimate is a common mistake.
If both quotes exceed your budget and your goal is specifically AI, online AI master's programs for cost-conscious students may be worth comparing as alternatives - not as substitutes for checking the curricula.
How do the online formats compare at Notre Dame and Boston University?
"Online" does not tell you whether lectures are recorded, discussions are live, group work occurs at fixed times, or exams require scheduled attendance. These distinctions matter more than the delivery label if you work irregular hours or live outside the schools' time zones.
Ask each program for a sample weekly schedule from a required course. Confirm whether attendance at live sessions is compulsory, how often teams meet, whether any campus visit is required, and whether deadlines accommodate your work hours. Choose the format whose required commitments you can meet consistently, rather than assuming recordings make every obligation flexible.
What courses are included in each university's online data science curriculum?
Use each university's current catalog and a sample degree plan to identify required courses, available electives, and the order in which they run. Course availability can matter as much as the catalog list: an appealing elective is less useful if it will not be offered while you are enrolled.
Compare substantive coverage of statistics, programming, machine learning, data engineering, and responsible use of data against the work you want to do. Then examine course descriptions and project requirements. A topic mentioned in one course description is not equivalent to a dedicated course or a substantial applied project. Ask both programs what portfolio-ready work students can complete and whether they can use a problem from their own industry.
What are the admission requirements for each online data science master's program?
Check the admissions page for your intended entry term at each university. Requirements for prior coursework, programming preparation, recommendations, essays, test scores, and work experience can differ, and a general graduate-admissions page may not reflect a program-specific rule. Do not assume professional experience waives an academic requirement unless the program confirms it.
Before paying an application fee, send admissions a short account of your mathematics, statistics, and programming background and ask which gaps, if any, must be addressed before enrollment. If application writing is a major constraint, essay-free application options for an ML master's offer alternatives; they do not establish either university's current essay policy.
How long does each online data science master's degree take to complete?
Neither program's completion time should be treated as a promise for every student. A published pace may assume a particular course load and uninterrupted enrollment. Ask both universities for a term-by-term plan at the number of courses you could realistically take while working, plus the maximum time allowed to finish.
Check whether required courses are offered every term and whether taking a break delays the next available course. The faster-looking option may not be faster for you if its assumed workload is unsustainable; the more flexible option may take longer than you want if courses must be taken in sequence.
Are Notre Dame and Boston University's online data science programs accredited?
Yes, both universities hold institutional accreditation: the University of Notre Dame is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Institutional accreditation applies to the universities; it should not be mistaken for a claim of separate, data-science-specific accreditation for either degree.
If accreditation matters for an employer's tuition benefit or a future academic application, ask that organization which form it recognizes. Also confirm that your state of residence is eligible for enrollment in the online program before committing.
What careers can graduates pursue after earning an online data science master's degree?
Depending on their prior experience and demonstrated skills, graduates may pursue data scientist, machine learning, analytics, or data-focused software roles. A master's degree alone does not qualify someone for every position: employers may also expect coding proficiency, relevant projects, and knowledge of their industry.
Match each program's projects and electives to actual job descriptions you would apply for. Someone targeting clinical applications, for example, should examine the treatment of healthcare data and domain constraints rather than assuming a general data science course supplies that preparation. AI graduate programs for healthcare career paths provide a more specialized comparison if that is your intended direction.
What salaries and job prospects can data science master's graduates expect?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 median annual wage of $120,230 for data scientists. That is a wage for people working in the occupation, not a starting salary or a measured outcome for graduates of either university. Your pay may differ substantially with experience, location, employer, and role.
BLS projects strong growth in data scientist employment over the coming decade, but demand does not guarantee an individual offer. For a financial decision, compare the full cost of each program with roles you could plausibly pursue given your existing experience. Ask the universities whether they publish program-specific employment results and how those results were collected; do not treat a national occupational median as evidence of either degree's return.
How should students choose between Notre Dame and Boston University's online data science programs?
Choose the program whose confirmed course plan addresses your skill gaps, whose required schedule you can maintain, and whose written total-cost estimate you can afford. Give the greatest weight to the factor that could prevent you from completing or using the degree - not to a small difference in a ranking or an unverified advertised price.
A practical next step is to request the same four items from both schools: a current degree plan, a sample required-course schedule, a term-by-term cost estimate, and the admissions criteria for your intended start term. Compare the replies side by side. If neither curriculum offers the AI depth you need at an acceptable cost, consider inexpensive online artificial intelligence programs as a separate path rather than forcing a choice between these two degrees.
Other Things You Should Know About Data Science
Python is common in data science work, but a course's starting level varies. Review the first required programming course and ask what students are expected to do on day one.
Possibly, but employer confidentiality and university project rules may restrict the data you can use. Get approval from both before planning a work-based project.
Do not assume either answer. Ask each registrar how the credential and transcript identify the program if that distinction matters to you.
Transfer policies are program-specific and may limit eligible courses or credits. Request a written evaluation before counting prior coursework toward either completion plan.
References
- Types of Financial Aid: Grants, Work-Study, and Loans | studentaid.gov https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types
- Academic Years, Academic Calendars, Payment Periods, and Disbursements | 2025-2026 Federal Student Aid Handbook https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/fsa-handbook/2025-2026/vol3/ch1-academic-years-academic-calendars-payment-periods-and-disbursements
- What Is An Accelerated Degree Program and How Does It Work? | Chatham University https://www.chatham.edu/news-and-stories/blog/what-is-an-accelerated-degree-program-and-how-does-it-work.html
- Tuition & Expenses | Student Financial Services https://financialaid.wsu.edu/tuition-and-expenses/
- Online Master of Data Science Admission Requirements at Rice https://csweb.rice.edu/academics/graduate-programs/online-mds/admissions
- MSBAi Requirements & Deadlines | umn.edu https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/graduate/masters/business-analytics-ai/admissions/requirements-deadlines
- MS in Data Science, Curriculum & Specializations | Northwestern University https://sps.northwestern.edu/masters/data-science/curriculum-specializations.html
- Prereqs, Prep Resources, and a 30-Day Readiness Plan | Indiana Wesleyan University https://www.indwes.edu/articles/2026/01/apply-confidence-prereqs-prep-resources-30-day-readiness-plan
- Academic and Application Requirements | ucmerced.edu https://graduatedivision.ucmerced.edu/admissions/prospective-students/apply-now/requirements
- Degree Requirements | Online Master of Science in... - OMSCS https://omscs.gatech.edu/degree-requirements
