Are you ready to develop data science skills surrounded by thought leaders and the world’s leading tech companies? If you’re interested in data science master’s programs, California offers a wide range of renowned universities located in hubs of innovation and academia.

From developing an AI system that identifies pneumonia to leveraging machine learning to predict the spread of COVID-19, leaders, researchers, and scholars in California are harnessing the power of data science to make the world a better place.

“Data science and artificial intelligence are playing an increasingly important and expansive role in the world today, including the rapid advancement in key research fields, like healthcare, agriculture, environment, and bioengineering,” Thomas Strohmer, professor in the UC Davis Department of Mathematics, told EurekAlert!, a service of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Data science is necessary for the success of organizations across all industries, too. In June 2020, Citibank launched a strategic advisory group for its clients focused solely on data science. Their goal is “to make data science a stronger part of its corporate finance advice” to further “empower Citi’s bankers to use their judgment with the help of data analytics,” reported the Institutional Investor.

Here’s everything you need to know about schools, job prospects, online alternatives, graduate scholarships, and networking opportunities. Read through for a list of data science programs in California.

California, home to tech giants like Apple, Google, and Facebook, and countless startups, is considered a tech hub in the United States. This can make California an appealing region to study and earn a master’s in data science.

These companies have graduates from California schools, like Stanford, Caltech, and the University of California (UC) system, among others. Some highlights:

Earning a master’s in data science can set you up for success by preparing you to analyze and leverage data to solve complex challenges. With a new set of analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills, you’ll be armed with advanced knowledge to pursue careers in data science.

While the skills and tools you’ll learn in a data science master’s program might be complex, the learning experience doesn’t have to be. Online degree programs are growing in popularity and an online master’s in data science may allow you to earn your degree without compromising your career or other obligations.

Getting an online data science master’s degree means you can earn your degree at your own pace, while still having access to dedicated faculty, mentors, and career development resources. Choosing the right program is key. Consider factors like the length of the program, the online experience, and faculty.

More universities across the United States offer online master’s degrees in data science. California offers several, including the University of California system.

Learn more about what to look for in an online data science program by visiting our online data science master’s degrees page.

Thanks to the UC system, California boasts a wide range of online master’s in data science programs.

In 2017, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that, due to global demand for data science degrees, more schools in the UC system had started adding online programs in the field. It signaled a growing desire for flexible and accessible online master’s in data science — one highlight includes UC Riverside’s data science specialization, added to its online Master of Science in Engineering in 2016.

University of California, Riverside’s online specialization in data science was supported by MUREP’s Fellowships and Internships in Extremely Large Data Sets (FIELDS) grant and jointly developed by UCR faculty and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory science staff. Those behind the program specifically chose to focus on technical skills rather than research.

As always, we recommend looking at a range of opinions to decide whether an online master’s in data science is the right choice for you.

Another way to develop your skills in data science is to earn an online graduate certificate in data science, which can be a flexible and cost-effective option. In California, you can find short, skills-focused certificate programs through various academic institutions.

These programs are often focused on data analysts, new data scientists, or mid-level professionals aiming to add needed specializations to their careers. It could help you land that first job, get the promotion you’ve been looking for, or eventually have the skills needed to pursue more rigorous master’s programs. These certificates also give you the chance to collaborate across disciplines. For example, San Jose State offers its online certificate in business analytics through its business school.

If you are in California and interested in breaking into the field of data science or data analytics, consider registering for a boot camp. A boot camp is a short-term, intensive introduction that may quickly equip you with the basics of data science or data analysis. Some boot camps in California focus on data science and others on data analytics, and yet others cover both. Learn more about data science boot camps or data analytics boot camps in California.

Individual online data science courses, outside of degree programs, are another great way for professionals to gain skills and knowledge needed to succeed. They are offered to students at all levels — beginner, intermediate, and advanced. You might also find courses tied to certificates that could be available to you for an additional fee. Topics could range from ETL (extract, transform, load) to programming languages like R and Python. Check out the websites of schools in the UC system as well as other institutions, like Stanford, for more information on what online data science courses are available.

The list below is not exhaustive, but a sample of scholarship options available to data science students at California schools. Your school’s Graduate Studies Office will have information on general scholarships and fellowships and info on financial options. Here’s an overview of scholarship assistance as you look to pursue your online data science degree:

Scholarships last updated July 2024.

California offers a range of events for networking, mentorship, and community building opportunities. Whether you’re a data scientist who has just earned your master’s degree or someone brand new to the field, it might make sense for you to check out these events. There is a wide range, from informal meetups to larger gatherings, like the Data Science Innovation Summit and the Women in Data Science (WiDS) event at Stanford.

Many of the groups below have listed virtual, online events on their Meetup pages. Beyond this, Facebook and social media have provided plenty of digital hubs for community and connection. Here are a few to check out:

Major data science conferences abound in California. (Think events like  Machine Learning Week, IEEE Conferences, SIGKDD, the Machine Learning Conference, among others). They tend to migrate around the world, but plenty are based in Silicon Valley or Los Angeles. Here are a few of the major events for data scientists in California:

The skills of a data scientist are in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), California has the highest employment level and second highest pay for computer and information research scientists, which include data scientists, as of May 2023. You could be helping to solve business problems, use analytical methods, and machine learning to make needed business predictions for a company, or enter academia and work on your own research. Earning an advanced degree or certifications in data science can help you upskill and prepare for further opportunities in your career.

According to data from the O*NET OnLine in 2023, data scientists made an average $133,690 per year in California.

Page last updated August 2024.

If you’re looking for information on career paths that involve STEM, see our guides below:

Data Science and Analytics Careers:

Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Information Careers:

Marketing and User Research Careers:

Compare Careers and STEM Fields:

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.