Master's in Data Science Programs in D.C.

Studying Data Science in Washington, D.C.

The D.C. Department of Employment Services' long-term industry projections for 2024 to 2034 show total District employment growing only 1.7% over the decade, well below the healthcare and social assistance sector's projected 10.2% growth and roughly 7,400 added jobs, the largest numeric gain of any major non-government sector. Legal services (7.6%) and educational services (7.4%, about 4,200 jobs) are also projected to expand, while total federal government employment in the District is projected to shrink by nearly 9,500 jobs (-4.9%), and the computer systems design and related services industry specifically is projected to contract by more than 15%. That long-term forecast is already showing up in the most current economic data. Earnings in D.C. fell at an annualized rate of 1.5% in the first quarter of 2026, the weakest performance among the 50 states and the District, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. BEA defines earnings as employee compensation plus proprietors’ income. For data science students, the practical takeaway is that healthcare systems, law firms, and universities are where the fastest-growing demand for data skills is likely to emerge inside the District over the next decade.

• Government, policy, and public-sector data. Washington is headquarters to most federal cabinet departments and dozens of independent agencies, and a meaningful share of that work is built around data and quantitative analysis rather than only administration. The Department of Homeland Security runs a dedicated Data Analytics Technology Center out of its St. Elizabeths headquarters in Southeast D.C. and hires directly into its Science and Technology Directorate. The Treasury Department, headquartered in the historic Treasury Building next to the White House, employs economists in its Office of Economic Policy who analyze financial markets and help forecast economic conditions. The Department of Health and Human Services, headquartered in the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, houses the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, which leads the Department's policy research, program evaluation, and economic analysis. Nonpartisan and independent research organizations round out this cluster: the Government Accountability Office, Congress's independent watchdog agency, includes a dedicated Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics team; the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank, hires data scientists and survey methodologists to study public opinion and demographic trends; and Gallup, the polling and analytics company founded in 1935 and headquartered at 901 F Street NW, hires data scientists and AI research scientists to build its public opinion and workplace-analytics products. K Street's consulting and lobbying firms, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Library of Congress's Congressional Research Service add further depth in public administration, program evaluation, and economic and demographic research.
• Financial regulation and economic policy. Washington is headquarters to several of the country's leading financial regulators, and their work relies heavily on quantitative and economic analysis. The Federal Reserve Board of Governors, based near Foggy Bottom, hires economists, research assistants, and data specialists into roles supporting monetary policy and financial stability research. The Securities and Exchange Commission, headquartered near Union Station, runs a Division of Economic and Risk Analysis that recruits financial economists and data specialists for market-structure research and enforcement analytics. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, headquartered a few blocks from the White House, runs a Division of Insurance and Research that studies bank risk, deposit insurance pricing, and financial stability. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which regulates derivatives markets, employs economists in its Office of the Chief Economist and technologists in its Office of Data and Technology. The private sector adds further depth: Fannie Mae, the government-sponsored mortgage finance corporation headquartered downtown, runs sizable data science, engineering, and modeling teams focused on credit risk and housing analytics, and The Carlyle Group, one of the world's largest private equity firms headquartered on Pennsylvania Avenue, employs analysts across investment research, data, and technology roles. Data roles connected to this cluster include econometric modeling, risk analysis, and applied financial research.
• Healthcare and academic medicine. D.C.'s own hospital systems generate clinical and health-services data work inside the District, distinct from the federal health agencies based in suburban Maryland. MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Children's National Hospital, Howard University Hospital, and the George Washington University Hospital, all teaching hospitals affiliated with the city's research universities, employ analysts and data scientists who support clinical operations, population health, and health services research.

Washington's job market extends well beyond the District's own borders. Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland host major concentrations of technology, defense, and biomedical research employment, including federal science agencies, defense contractors, and university research parks that many D.C.-based students and professionals draw on. Students weighing programs and employers across the broader region should also check our separate guides for Virginia and Maryland.

Online Data Science Master's Degrees in D.C.

Online programs may suit students who want a technical credential without relocating to D.C. or leaving a job, especially given how concentrated the District's in-person data science employers are in Northwest.

How to Compare Online Data Science Master's Degrees

When comparing online programs, there is a lot to consider. To start, cover the basics by understanding the following 5 key factors:

• Can you enroll as a D.C. resident? Is the school authorized to enroll students from your area, and does it hold institutional accreditation?
• What does the curriculum cover? Are there any specialties you're interested in? Look for statistics, programming, machine learning, databases, visualization, ethics, and applied projects.
• What prerequisites are required? This might include prior coursework in programming, statistics, calculus, linear algebra, or computer science.
• How are classes delivered? Synchronous, asynchronous, or a blend of both? Does the schedule work with your lifestyle and other obligations?
• What support is available to online students? Does this include career services, faculty access, technical resources, and networking opportunities?

Online D.C. Graduate Data Science Programs

Two D.C.-based programs are genuinely fully online, with no required campus visits; most of the District's other "online"-branded options require in-person residencies and are covered in the next section instead. The District of Columbia participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), administered locally by the DC Higher Education Licensure Commission, which means accredited SARA-member institutions elsewhere can generally enroll D.C. residents without separate state authorization, though students should confirm current program modality, admissions requirements, and availability directly with each school before applying.

• American University: Master of Science in Data Science (Online) - Washington, DC. This 30-credit-hour program, plus a six-month capstone practicum, does not require the GRE or GMAT and can be completed in 18 months or on a self-paced schedule. Applicants need one prior statistics course (waivable for comparable experience) and complete a required pre-program math bootcamp. Students choose between the Business Analytics and Specialized Methods tracks. The same underlying curriculum is also offered on AU's campus for students who prefer in-person delivery.
• Howard University: Master of Science in Applied Data Science and Analytics - Washington, DC. Offered through Howard's Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics, this 30-credit, fully online program is available full-time or part-time and does not require the GRE. Applicants need a minimum GPA of 3.0; no specific programming background is required, though familiarity with Python and R is preferred. The program offers specializations in minority health and health disparities, social justice, environmental justice, and economic empowerment, culminating in a capstone project.

Learn more about what to look for in an online master's in data science program, including our dedicated guide to online programs.

In-State Data Science Master's Programs and Related Degrees in D.C.

The programs below are verified options, not a ranked list, and range from fully in-person degrees to hybrid formats that combine online coursework with required campus residencies; all require at least some time in Washington.

• George Washington University - Washington, DC. GW offers two separate STEM-designated, in-person master's programs:
  • Master of Science in the Field of Data Science (Columbian College of Arts and Sciences). Run jointly by the Departments of Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Geography and Environment, and Political Science, this 30-credit program is based at GW's Foggy Bottom campus and culminates in a three-credit capstone. Applicants should confirm the current GRE and prerequisite policy directly with the program.
  • Master of Science in the Field of Data Analytics (School of Engineering & Applied Science). Offered in small cohorts, this 30-credit program lets students choose a Computer Science or an Engineering Management and Systems Engineering track. The GRE is optional with no minimum score required, though prior coursework in calculus, programming, probability, and statistics is expected.
• Georgetown University - Washington, DC. Georgetown offers three distinct master's programs across different schools:
  • Master of Science in Data Science & Analytics (DSAN). This 30-credit, in-person program on Georgetown's Main Campus can be completed in as little as 16 months full-time or up to three years part-time and does not require the GRE or GMAT, though a minimum 3.0 GPA and intermediate R/Python proficiency are expected. International applicants must submit TOEFL (100+) or IELTS (7.5+) scores.
  • Master of Science in Data Science for Public Policy (McCourt School of Public Policy). This 39-credit, full-time, in-person, two-year program requires an official GRE or GMAT score (the GRE is strongly preferred, with no minimum score and case-by-case hardship waivers available) and includes a mandatory 120-hour internship, which can be waived based on prior work experience.
  • Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) (McDonough School of Business). Georgetown's STEM-designated MSBA is offered in two formats: a 10-month full-time program delivered entirely on campus with no residencies, or a 16-month part-time program with most coursework online, plus two required week-long residencies on campus, making that track hybrid rather than fully remote. Both formats share a 30-credit curriculum covering AI, programming, and cloud computing.
• American University - Washington, DC. Beyond the fully online MS in Data Science described in the Online section above, AU offers two more programs requiring time in Washington:
  • Master of Science in Data Science (On Campus). The same 30-credit curriculum described in the Online section above is also offered as a fully in-person, on-campus track for students who prefer to study in Washington; no GRE or technical background is required.
  • Master of Science in Analytics (Analytics@American) (Kogod School of Business). This 33-credit program does not require the GRE or GMAT (though scores are encouraged and may help with funding) and can be completed in as few as 12 to 15 months, but requires two in-person immersion sessions on AU's D.C. campus. The curriculum emphasizes business applications of analytics over technical model building, with concentration options in financial analytics and cybersecurity.

Data Science Programs in D.C.

Programs included in this table were last reviewed in July 2026.

Data Science Certificates, Bootcamps, and Courses

A master's degree isn't the only path into data work. Certificates, bootcamps, and individual courses offer more targeted, faster training for students who want specific skills rather than a full graduate degree. These options vary widely in cost, depth, and credential value, so students should compare carefully and confirm directly with each provider whether certificate credits can later be applied toward a master's degree.

Online D.C. Graduate Certificate Programs in Data Science and Related Fields

• Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies: Online Certificate in Data Analytics. This open-enrollment, 12-week live online program (9.5 continuing education units, $6,995 tuition) meets Friday evenings and Saturdays and covers Python, SQL, statistics, and data visualization, culminating in a capstone project. No application is required, and students have up to two years to complete all coursework.

Georgetown's companion Online Certificate in Data Science is currently paused for a curricular review, with its Fall 2025 cohort canceled and no confirmed relaunch date. It isn't included above until that status is resolved, but it's worth checking back on periodically, since Georgetown may relaunch it with updated content.

Data Science Boot Camps in D.C.

Data science and data analytics bootcamps are intensive, non-degree programs intended to build applied skills quickly, often through hands-on projects rather than semester-long coursework. Bootcamps may be offered through university continuing education divisions or third-party education partners, so students should confirm the credentials awarded, tuition, schedule, refund policies, and career support before enrolling.

Private Data Science Bootcamps in D.C.

General Assembly maintains a physical campus in Washington, D.C. Rather than a single flagship bootcamp, General Assembly has restructured its offerings into shorter, modular courses and "pathways" that students can combine, including Data Analytics and Visualization and Python for AI & Data. Because private bootcamp offerings change frequently, students should confirm the current format, tuition, and in-person availability directly with the provider.

Learn more about data science boot camps and how they differ from graduate programs. See also our dedicated guide to data analytics bootcamps.

Data Science Scholarships in D.C.

The list below is not exhaustive. Students should also check each school's graduate division, financial aid office, and department pages for additional funding, since most data-science-specific aid in D.C. comes through departmental merit awards and assistantships rather than a dedicated citywide scholarship.

American University

• The Susan Dweck STEM Scholarship, administered through the School of Public Affairs, is reserved specifically for students enrolled in AU's Master's in Data Science program who maintain a 3.5 GPA or better; the page notes this summary covers residential, master's-level students specifically, so online-track applicants should confirm eligibility directly with the program.
• College of Arts and Sciences graduate funding includes merit awards, partial-tuition scholarships, and assistantship stipends available to CAS graduate students, including those in the Data Science program.

George Washington University

• Columbian College of Arts and Sciences graduate funding covers tuition fellowships, stipends, and graduate assistantships available to CCAS graduate students, including those in the Data Science program; all admitted applicants are automatically considered, with no separate application required.

Georgetown University

• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences merit-based financial aid covers scholarships and master's stipends available to a limited number of graduate students on a competitive basis, including those in the MS in Data Science & Analytics program; students are automatically considered by answering "yes" to the scholarship question on their application.
• McCourt School of Public Policy offers merit-based scholarships and assistantships to students in the MS Data Science for Public Policy program with no separate application required, along with a distinctive option worth flagging: the Howard Scholar award provides a full tuition scholarship to one qualified Howard University degree-seeking student or alumnus per year to attend a McCourt program, including the MS-DSPP.

Howard University

• Howard University Graduate School funding covers merit-based support for graduate students, including research and teaching assistantships, fellowships, and tuition scholarships, available to students in the M.S. in Applied Data Science and Analytics program.

Service-for-Tuition Programs

Both George Washington University and Georgetown University participate in CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service, a federally funded program covering tuition and a stipend in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment in a federal, state, local, or tribal government cybersecurity position. GW's version, GW CyberCorps, and Georgetown's version, Georgetown Cyberfellows, are both focused specifically on cybersecurity rather than data science broadly, but they are worth knowing about given how much of D.C.'s technical hiring runs through federal and government-adjacent employers; students in a qualifying computing-related program should contact the program directly to ask whether their degree fits.

Statewide or Regional Scholarship Resources

• DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG), the District's flagship tuition support program, is worth flagging as a negative finding for graduate students: its 2026–27 eligibility criteria explicitly exclude anyone who is "a professional or graduate-level degree candidate," so it does not fund master's study of any kind.
• OSSE Scholarships and Grants for Students is the District's central hub for state-administered financial aid programs and application deadlines.
• NC-SARA can help students understand state authorization for distance education programs based outside of D.C.

Data Science Events in D.C.

Washington's dense concentration of federal agencies, contractors, and policy organizations supports one of the more active data science meetup and conference scenes in the country, spanning both general data science topics and government-specific applications.

Data Science Meetups and Communities in D.C.

• Data Science DC, a program of the nonprofit Data Community DC, meets roughly monthly to cover machine learning, AI, and data science tools and best practices, and remains active with regular 2026 events.
• Data Visualization DC, also organized under Data Community DC, focuses on tutorials, case studies, and tools for presenting data visually, with a confirmed active event as recently as June 2026.
• Generative AI DC, another Data Community DC program, covers generative AI tools and applications for the DMV professional community, with its most recent confirmed event in January 2026.
• Power BI DC, a currently active meetup with over 2,500 members, focuses on Microsoft's Power BI and Fabric platforms for business intelligence and data visualization, with a confirmed event as recently as February 2026.

Data Science Conferences and Workshops in D.C.

• ATARC (Advanced Technology Academic Research Center), a nonprofit forum connecting government, industry, and academic leaders, runs a full calendar of federal data and AI summits confirmed through the end of 2026.
• GovCIO Media & Research's AI Summit is a 2026 conference bringing together federal IT and data leaders to discuss AI adoption, data governance, and interoperability across government.

Data Science Jobs in D.C.

Data science roles can involve collecting, cleaning, analyzing, modeling, visualizing, and communicating data. In Washington, these roles appear across federal agencies and their contractors, healthcare systems, policy research organizations and think tanks, financial institutions, and a growing information technology sector, though official projections indicate federal government employment will contract over the next decade even as other sectors add jobs. A master's degree may help students build advanced skills, but it does not guarantee employment, a specific salary, or the title of data scientist. Explore related paths in our data science careers and data scientist career guide.

Data Scientist Salaries in D.C.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, data scientists in D.C. earned a median annual wage of $126,490 in May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning $89,750 or less and the highest 10% earning $209,730 or more.

Students may also want to compare related occupations. Salary data can vary by location, industry, experience, education, and employer. The figures below are occupational wage figures, not guarantees of outcomes for graduates.

The table below uses the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data for D.C.

Interested in STEM Careers?

If you're looking for information on career paths that involve data science, analytics, technology, and related STEM fields, see our guides below.

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

Related Graduate STEM Degrees

Related Undergraduate STEM Degrees

• Online Bachelor's in Data Science
• Online Bachelor's in Computer Science

D.C. Data Science, Tech, and Career Resources

• DC Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC): State agency for institutional authorization, SARA participation, and distance-education student complaints.
• Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE): D.C.'s state education agency, overseeing K-12 and postsecondary education policy and student financial aid programs.
• DC Department of Employment Services (DOES): Labor-market and workforce data source, including the District's long-term industry and occupational employment projections.
• Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP): Public-private economic development organization tracking D.C.'s technology sector, including data, cybersecurity, and AI employers.
• OSSE Scholarships and Grants for Students: Central hub for D.C.-administered financial aid programs.
• DC Open Data Portal: District government open data, useful for student portfolio projects and civic data exploration.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.