Considering a data science degree in the heart of the nation’s capital? We’ve put together a short guide for those looking to earn a master’s in data science in D.C. It has details on schools, scholarship opportunities and job prospects.

Already have a university in mind? Feel free to skip ahead to our list of all the data science programs in Washington, D.C.

CBRE’s 2021 “Scoring Tech Talent” Report ranked Washington, D.C. third on its list of top U.S. cities for tech growth. Within the capital, there are federal agencies, offices and research institutes involved in data science projects. For example, there is:

As the above list shows, opportunities for studying and practicing data science in Washington, D.C. are plentiful.

As you might expect, many Washington, D.C. schools focus on government, public affairs and international policy. American University (AU), George Washington University (GW) and Georgetown are often ranked in the top 25 Best Public Affairs Schools by U.S. News & World Report.

This has led to interest in interdisciplinary partnerships. For example, Georgetown’s most prominent data project is the Massive Data Institute (MDI), one of only 31 federal statistical research data centers in the country. Those interested in biodata may also want to check out the Innovation Center for Biomedical Informatics at the Georgetown University Medical Center.

GW has developed initiatives such as:

It’s equally important to note that GW’s Virginia Science and Technology Campus is involved in D.C. data science research and initiatives, with a commitment to the Institute for Nuclear Studies Data Analysis Center (DAC) and investment in Colonial One (a high performance computing center).

At AU, the Kogod School of Business also runs the American University Center for Innovation which provides students and alumni with a business incubator and entrepreneurial funds. The Kogod School has also created an education and research initiative, the Kogod Blockchain Hub, which focuses on the applications of emerging technologies.

Compared to larger states (e.g., California and Illinois), the District of Columbia has fewer options for distance learners. Read our guide to online master’s in data science programs for more information about what to look for in an online program. Below, we explore a few options for data science programs in Washington, D.C.

If you’re looking for a data science course in D.C., there are plenty of respected schools throughout the country that offer online certificates in all kinds of specialties (e.g., data mining, healthcare informatics, etc.). We’ve compiled a list of them in our directory of online graduate certificates in data science.

For those in Washington, D.C. looking to enter the field of data science or data analytics, a bootcamp may be useful. Bootcamps are intensive training courses that can quickly introduce you to data science, the study of extracting information from data, or data analysis, the process of pulling practical conclusions from data.

Data science bootcamps in D.C. may focus exclusively on data science or data analytics, or they may cover both subject matters. See our guides to learn more about data science bootcamps or data analytics bootcamps in Washington, D.C.

We’ve highlighted scholarships and assistantships (i.e., institutional aid) with direct relevance to data science degree programs in Washington, D.C. However, the graduate studies office of whichever school you are interested in will have more information on general aid and alternative financing options (e.g., outside awards, low-interest loans, etc.).

As the hub of the capital region, Washington, D.C. is a great place to network. One active organization in the region is Data Community DC, which connects folks to jobs and promotes the work of data professionals. We’ve highlighted a few of the organization’s many meetups in our list of D.C. data science meetups, but please check their website for a full list of Data Community DC’s meetups.

Major data science conferences occasionally land in D.C. For example, the IEEE International Conference in Big Data was held in the nation’s capital in 2016. D.C. also hosts a number of data science conferences and summits focused on the federal government.

You likely will not have to look hard to find data scientist jobs in the Washington, D.C. area. In addition to federal job opportunities, there are also opportunities within organizations that rely on government data.

Along with the examples we’ve already mentioned, D.C. is home to the Pew Research Center, American Institutes for Research, Gallup and a global office of the Berkeley Research Group. The capital is also the headquarters of major unions, which are increasingly relying on data.

There are also consultancy firms that are taking advantage of available data to further the causes of their clients. For instance:

Other notable data-driven companies in the D.C. area include Aquicore (energy data), AgSquared (agricultural data), Morning Consult (decision intelligence) and many, many more.

According to O*NET OnLine data, the median 2021 data scientist salary in Washington, D.C. was $102,700. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned $74,970, while the highest 10% of workers earned $168,520 or more.

Data scientists who work in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria region can expect to make slightly more than those who work directly in the District of Columbia. According to O*NET OnLine, the median annual salary for the D.C. metropolitan area was $120,660 as of 2021. The top 10% of workers earned an average of $168,520.

On the whole, data scientist salaries in D.C. are higher than the national median salary for data scientists, which sits around $100,910.

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:

We found three universities offering master’s in data science in Washington, D.C., (or closely related programs, such as master’s programs in analytics or business analytics). The university’s websites will have the most up-to-date information on specific programs.

If you represent a university and would like to contact us about editing any of our listings, or adding new programs, please send an email to info@mastersindatascience.org.

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.

American University

info

Kogod School of Business

Master of Science in Analytics

Washington, D.C.

Description:

Analytics@American is the online Master of Science in Analytics (MSAn) from American University’s Kogod School of Business. Through a combination of collaborative online classes, self-paced coursework, and hands-on learning experiences, Analytics@American students become experts in evidence-based data gathering, data modeling, and quantitative analysis. They will also learn how to implement these tools to make strong business decisions and provide organizations with competitive advantages. Analytics@American does not require GMAT or GRE scores to apply.

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: As few as 12 months

Credits: 33

Concentrations:

Analytics

Admission Requirements:

• No minimum work experience required
• No GMAT/GRE required
• No programing requirement
• Two personal essays
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts
• Resume

Request more info from American University.

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