CU Boulder MS in Data Science: Student Outcomes, Profiles & Program Stats
Wondering if the CU Boulder MS in Data Science is the right fit? This page gives you a transparent look at exactly who enrolls in our residential program, what they study, and where they go after graduation. Our cohort of approximately 60 students per year comes from 18 countries, spans 26 years of average age, and goes on to careers at companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta.
Who are our students?
Each cohort brings together professionals, recent graduates, and career-changers from across the globe. Here's a snapshot of the people you'd be learning alongside.
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65%Ìý
Male Gender Identity
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35%Ìý
Female Gender Identity
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26Ìý
Average Age
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60 Students
Average Cohort Size
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18+Ìý
Countries Represented
What background do our students have?
Students arrive from engineering, science, business, and beyond. There's no single path into the world of data science.
The majority of students (91.2%) enter the program with a bachelor's degree, while 7.1% hold a prior master's degree.
Students arrive with a range of data science backgrounds: approximately one-third have full-time professional experience in the field, one-third are career-changers with no prior data science work experience, and about one-quarter completed internships before enrolling.
For students transitioning from other fields, the largest group comes from engineering backgrounds outside computer science (53.1%), followed by physical and natural sciences (23.1%), and business or finance (12.3%).
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Majority Bachelor's Fields
Computer Science
Electronics and Communication
Information Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Mathematics/Statistics
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Diverse Bachelor's Fields
Aeronautics and Astronautics
Biology and Biochemistry
Physics, Astrophysics or Astronomy
Psychology, Sociology or Political Science
Accounting, Business Administration or Finance
Choose your program pathway
The MS-DS meets you where you are. Current University of Colorado students pursuing Computer Science can select an accelerated pathway. Those coming from alternative fields may enjoy the Bridge program. And, of course, you're able to select the timeline of your program.Ìý
Bachelor's Accelerated Masters (BAM)
For CU Boulder Computer Science undergraduates. Earn graduate credits before you finish your bachelor's and complete both degrees faster and for less.
Bridge to Data Science
For students developing core coding and quantitative fundamentals. Bridge coursework builds the readiness to thrive in the full MS-DS curriculum.
Direct to Data Science
For students with established programming and quantitative readiness: choose an accelerated, traditional, or extended pathway.
The MS-DS experience
A curriculum built for depth, flexibility, and real-world application — across multiple partner departments and housed in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Spanning machine learning, data engineering, AI, visualization, and statistics — enough breadth to build the specialization that fits your goals.
Tailor your degree toward your industry. Whether you're heading into fintech, healthcare, or AI and ML, the elective range supports your direction.
Prep courses in math, programming, and data fundamentals help ensure every student feels ready to engage with graduate-level material from day one.
Students typically take three courses per semester, balancing depth with a manageable workload.
The residential MS in Data Science is a two-year, full-time on-campus program. It features flexible options for accelerated or extended pathways for those hoping to graduate early, or extend the timeline.
9 out of 10 MS-DS students gained hands-on applied learning experience through industry internships, faculty-mentored independent studies, or real-world capstone projects. (2025-2026 academic year)
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Where do our graduates work?
CU Boulder MS in Data Science graduates go on to careers at some of the world's leading technology, finance, and healthcare organizations. Graduates have been hired by companies including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Accenture, taking on roles in data science, AI engineering, machine learning, and analytics.
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Top Industries of Employment
Technology
FinTech / Consulting
Healthcare
Education and Research
Manufacturing
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Notable EmployersÌý
Amazon
Google
Microsoft
Meta
Accenture
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Top 5 Job Roles
Data Scientist
Data Analyst
AI Engineer
Research Assistant
Machine Learning Engineer
What Our Students Are Saying
Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds that go beyond any stat. Read more about their experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
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ÌýÌýHow long does the CU Boulder MS in Data Science take to complete?
Most students complete the residential MS in Data Science in two years, taking an average of three courses per semester. Some students pursue an accelerated pathway of 1.5 years.Ìý
ÌýÌýWhat GPA or background do I need to apply?
There is no universal GPA cutoff. Competitive applicants will have a 3.0 or higher. The program welcomes students from engineering, mathematics, statistics, computer science, and related quantitative fields. Students without all core prerequisites may qualify for the Bridge to Data Science pathway. Visit the Admissions page for full requirements.
ÌýÌýWhat jobs do CU Boulder data science graduates get?
Graduates work as Data Scientists, Data Analysts, AI Engineers, Machine Learning Engineers, and Research Assistants. Employers include, but are not limited to, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Accenture, across technology, fintech, healthcare, education, and manufacturing industries.
ÌýÌýHow many students are in each cohort?
Each residential cohort has anywhere from 50-100 students, drawn from 18+ countries.
ÌýÌýIs there a part-time option?
The residential program is designed to support each learner journey. Choose from an accelerated pathway of 1.5 years completion time, the traditional 2-year journey, or a part-time journey. Students should plan on completing their MS in Data Science within 4 years.