Master’s in data science programs in California

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 AI systems that can help spot wildfires to tools that can help map cancer mutations, leaders, researchers, and scholars in California are harnessing the power of data science to make the world a better place.

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.

Browse data science master’s, California programs, and more below.

Studying data science 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.

California employers across tech, biotech, aerospace, and entertainment have graduates from California schools, like Stanford, Caltech, USC, and the University of California (UC) system, among others.

• Stanford’s BD2K-linked center: Stanford’s Mobilize Center traces its foundation to NIH’s BD2K “Center of Excellence” work and continues as an NIH-funded biomedical technology resource center focused on mobility data and analytics.
• UC Riverside + NASA MUREP: NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) supports research and education initiatives at Minority-Serving Institutions, and NASA reporting specifically references UCR’s establishment of a new Data Science Center (including multiple faculty hires) as part of MUREP-related activity.
• UC San Diego + SDSC:UC San Diego’s San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) remains a major hub for advanced computing and data-intensive research, with continued investment such as NSF support for new systems (e.g., SDSC’s Cosmos award).

Online data science programs in California

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.

Online data science master's programs in California

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

In a report published in August 2024, UC Berkeley was named the #1 Online Master’s in Data Science program in the country by Fortune Magazine. With the demand for data scientists projected to grow by 34% over the next decade, there are a plethora of online data science programs in California to jumpstart your career.

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.

Online graduate certificates in data science

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.

Online data science boot camps in California

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.

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Online data science courses 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.

Data science scholarships in California

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:

California State University-Fullerton

• The CSUF Extension Scholarship: Given to continuing learning of students in Professional Certificate or EIP certificate programs. The maximum award is $400.

California State University-San Bernardino

• Graduate Business Grant (GBG): Graduate students in MBA programs are eligible for a GBG award. Students must demonstrate financial need and meet eligibility criteria applied to other CSU students who are considered for a State University Grant, including classification as a California resident for tuition fee-paying purposes.
• Janice Tillema Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is open to full-time undergraduates or graduates. Students must be living within a Citizens Business Bank service area (e.g. Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley or Orange County) and be enrolled in a business major (e.g. the MBA with a Business Intelligence and Information Technology focus).
• Noel and Amanda Massie Scholarship: Open to undergraduates and graduates in the College of Business and Public Administration, this scholarship is awarded to students who are making progress toward their degree. Graduate students must have a minimum 3.25 GPA.

Claremont Graduate University

• The Fletcher Jones Information Science Scholars Fellowship: This fellowship provides scholarship funds to students in the Center for Information Systems & Technology.

Stanford University

• PhD Fellowships: If you’re thinking about earning a PhD, Stanford has a number of fellowships for doctoral students, including the Stanford Graduate Fellowship in Science and Engineering (SGF).

University of California, Berkeley

• Graduate Fellowships: UC Berkeley offers graduate fellowships, including ones that are open to students focusing on research in science and data.
• Jack Larson Data for Good Fellowship: This fellowship is designed to support MIDS students in pursuit of a career that will allow them to use data science to improve human life and benefit society as a whole.
• School of Information (I School) Fellowships: The I School awards a limited number of merit-based fellowships to domestic and international students in the Master of Information Management & Systems (MIMS) and PhD programs. MIMS applicants may receive merit fellowships in a range rather than a registration-fee promise.

University of California, Davis

• Graduate School of Management (GSM) Scholarships: The GSM, which offers an MBA with a business analytics concentration and an MSBA, distributes a number of awards each year. GSM scholarships and admissions-based awards vary by program/year.

University of California, San Diego

• Rady School of Management Fellowships: Rady, which offers the MSBA degree, provides a limited number of merit-based fellowships to exceptional students (domestic and international). Rady funding may include scholarships/program specific awards, and some scholarships may have separate applications.

University of Southern California

• Marshall School of Business PhD Fellowships: Marshall, which administers the PhD in Data Sciences & Operations, offers full financial support (fellowship or assistantship) to accepted PhD students for up to five years.
• Viterbi School of Engineering Scholarships: Viterbi, which offers the MSCS in Data Science, offers merit-based scholarships in a number of categories.

University of San Francisco

• MS in Data Science Scholarships: Through the College of Arts & Sciences, the MS in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MS-DSAI) program awards a limited number of merit-based partial scholarships to incoming students. These scholarships do not require a separate application.

University of the Pacific

• School of Engineering & Computer Science (SoECS) Scholarships: Check the university scholarship portal and program office for the most up to date information on any SoECS scholarships.

Scholarships last updated: December 2025.

Data science events in California

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.

Data science meetups & communities in California

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:

• UC San Diego's Data Science Student Society (DS3): There are many student groups that foster connection and interdisciplinary collaboration for data scientists. One example is this one — out of UCSD. Do a simple search for your school and “data science” and you’ll find other examples.
• Bay Area Women in Machine Learning & Data Science: The Bay Area chapter is described as founded in 2013. This meetup welcomes anyone who identifies as female, genderqueer, or non-binary. Meetups can range from workshops and hack nights to discussions on the state of wage inequality.
• DataKind SF Bay Area Facebook Group: DataKind was launched in 2011 as a community of data scientists driven by the mission to use “data science in the service of humanity.” This page is dedicated to the San Francisco/Bay Area branch of the organization. If you are interested in using your skills to give back, check out this page or the one corresponding to your location.

Data science conferences & workshops in California

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:

1. Open Data Science Conference (ODSC) West: ODSC AI West is known for having an industry/business focus. Along with training sessions and skills workshops, the conference includes a career fair with a job lounge and plenty of opportunities to network.
2. Women in Data Science (WiDS) is a one-day technical conference hosted by Stanford. WiDS is now a global program with over 200+ events, 150,000 participants per year, and a reach of 160+ countries. Put simply, it’s an excellent place for networking opportunities.

Data science jobs 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 average pay for data scientists as of May 2024. 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.

Data scientist salaries in California

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), data scientists made an average $155,450 per year in California.

Page last updated December 2025.

Interested in STEM Careers?

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:

• Computer Engineer
• Computer Scientist
• Information Security Analyst
• Computer and Information Research Scientist
• Computer Systems Analyst

Marketing and User Research Careers:

• Marketing Analyst
• Market Research Analyst
• Digital Marketer
• UX Designer

Compare Careers and STEM Fields:

• Data Analyst vs. Data Scientist
• Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering
• Cybersecurity vs. Computer Science
• Data Analytics vs. Business Analytics
• Data Science vs. Machine Learning

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• Sponsored: Computer Science at Simmons