Master’s in Data Science Programs in Maryland

Studying Data Science in Maryland

Maryland’s data science landscape is closely tied to its federal footprint, research universities, and regional industry clusters. The Maryland Department of Commerce’s “Winning the Decade” roadmap identifies life sciences, information technology, and aerospace and defense as the state’s lighthouse industries, alongside emerging subsectors such as computational biology, quantum technology, and position, navigation, and timing (PNT). For data science students, those sectors create practical settings for work involving bioinformatics, machine learning, cybersecurity analytics, geospatial and defense data, and applied statistics.

• In the Capital Region and Montgomery County, data science connects to life sciences, biotech, and federal research. The county anchors the third-largest biopharma hub in the country, and the Rockville Biotech Corridor sits minutes from the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Data roles in this region can involve genomic data, clinical trial analytics, regulatory science, drug discovery modeling, and health data visualization.
• In the Annapolis Junction and Fort Meade Corridor, spanning Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, data science overlaps heavily with cybersecurity, signals intelligence, and defense analytics. Fort George G. Meade is home to the National Security Agency, U.S. Cyber Command, and the Defense Information Systems Agency, and the surrounding National Business Park hosts defense contractors and research facilities such as MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Fort Meade Field Site. Students interested in cryptography, threat detection, geospatial intelligence, and large-scale secure data systems will find this corridor especially relevant.
• In Baltimore, data science is tied to healthcare, financial services, and applied AI research. Johns Hopkins University’s planned Data Science and Translation Institute is intended to anchor the city’s growing AI ecosystem, and major employers such as the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, T. Rowe Price, and Northrop Grumman drive demand for data talent in health informatics, fintech, and national security. Baltimore’s federally designated Tech Hub status for AI and biotechnology reflects this growing concentration of data-related work.
• In College Park and Prince George’s County, the University of Maryland anchors the state’s data science and AI research. UMD’s Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute (AIM) and the Discovery District research park bring together university labs, federal partners, and more than 60 companies focused on AI, machine learning, and quantum computing. Students interested in trustworthy AI, computational science, and applied machine learning will find strong ties to campus research here.

Maryland’s proximity to Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia also means many data science employers, federal agencies, and contractors in the broader capital region draw on Maryland’s university and workforce pipeline, so students researching programs and employers in Maryland may find it useful to also look at opportunities across the immediate D.C. metro area.

Online Data Science Master’s Degrees in Maryland

Online master’s programs in data science may suit Maryland students who want graduate-level training without relocating or pausing their careers.

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 Maryland 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 Maryland Graduate Data Science Programs

Maryland students and out-of-state distance learners can find several Maryland-based online and hybrid master’s programs in data science and closely related fields. Maryland participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) through the Maryland Higher Education Commission, which administers SARA participation for the state’s colleges and universities. Students should still confirm current program modality, admissions requirements, tuition, and state availability directly with each school.

University System of Maryland and Public Institutions

• Johns Hopkins University. Johns Hopkins offers two relevant online master’s programs. The Online Master of Science in Data Science, offered through Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals, is a 30-credit, part-time program that draws on Johns Hopkins Engineering and the Applied Physics Laboratory to build skills in computer science, applied mathematics, and statistical modeling; no GRE is required, and courses are asynchronous with optional live office hours. The Online Master of Science in Data Analytics and Policy is a 30-credit, fully online program designed for students who want to apply data analytics to policy questions, with optional focus areas in data science and quantitative research methods, politics and policy analysis, or geospatial analysis.
• University of Maryland, College Park. UMD offers three relevant online programs across its science and business schools. The Online Master of Science in Data Science is a 30-credit program covering mathematical and statistical foundations, computational approaches, machine learning, and communication skills for data science. The Master of Professional Studies in Survey and Data Science, offered through UMD’s Joint Program in Survey Methodology, combines survey methodology with applied data science. The Robert H. Smith School of Business also offers an Online Master of Science in Business Analytics & AI, a 30-credit, cohort-based program that blends live and asynchronous coursework and includes tracks in marketing analytics, financial analytics, and general business analytics, culminating in a capstone project with a corporate sponsor.
• University of Maryland Global Campus: Online Master of Science in Data Analytics. UMGC’s 30-credit online M.S. in Data Analytics emphasizes machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing alongside predictive modeling and includes a capstone project with an industry mentor.
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Master of Professional Studies in Data Science. UMBC’s 30-credit M.P.S. in Data Science is offered at both the Catonsville and Shady Grove campuses, with evening and some online course sections. Students choose from domain-specific pathways such as bioinformatics, cybersecurity, policy analysis, and healthcare analytics after completing the core data science curriculum.
• Morgan State University: Master of Science in Data Analytics and Visualization. This AACSB-accredited, STEM-designated program from the Earl G. Graves School of Business & Management has been offered face-to-face since fall 2024, with a fully online section added in fall 2025. Students complete a core curriculum in analytics tools such as Python, R, and SQL, then choose a nine-credit concentration track such as computer science/advanced computing, health informatics, or engineering.

Private Institutions

• Loyola University Maryland: Online Master of Science in Data Science. Loyola’s 31- to 34-credit online M.S. in Data Science offers Technical and Business Analytics specializations, blending computer science, statistics, and business coursework, and includes a two-semester applied practicum with a local industry, government, or nonprofit partner.
• Notre Dame of Maryland University: Online Master of Science in Analytics in Knowledge Management. This 36-credit online program develops multidisciplinary analytics competencies for careers in medical, government, nonprofit, and corporate organizations by combining coursework in computer studies, mathematics, and business economics.

Learn more about what to look for in an online master’s in data science program in our guide.

In-State Data Science Master’s Programs and Related Degrees in Maryland

Maryland students can compare a broad set of in-state master’s programs in data science and related fields. The programs below are examples of verified options, not a ranked list. Some are data science degrees, while others focus on analytics, computer science, cybersecurity, or applied statistics.

• Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins offers three relevant master’s programs. The Master of Science in Data Science, offered through the Whiting School of Engineering, is a full-time residential program combining applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science, with concentrations such as computational machine learning, computer vision, and computational medicine; select master’s students can work alongside researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. Johns Hopkins also offers this program as an online Master of Science in Data Science through Engineering for Professionals, and a fully online Master of Science in Data Analytics and Policy for students focused on applying data analytics to policy questions. No GRE is required for any of the three.
• University of Maryland, College Park - College Park, MD. UMD offers three relevant programs across its science and business schools. The Master of Science in Data Science, offered through the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, is a 30-credit program that combines face-to-face evening instruction with at least one online course and emphasizes machine learning, big data systems, and data mining. The Master of Professional Studies in Survey and Data Science, offered through UMD’s Joint Program in Survey Methodology, is fully online. The Robert H. Smith School of Business also offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics & AI, available both in-person on the College Park campus and in a separate online format, with tracks in marketing and finance analytics.
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Master of Professional Studies in Data Science - Baltimore and Rockville, MD. Offered at UMBC’s Catonsville and Shady Grove campuses, this 30-credit program builds foundational data science skills before students choose a domain-specific pathway developed with academic departments across the university.
• Morgan State University: Master of Science in Data Analytics and Visualization - Baltimore, MD. This AACSB-accredited, STEM-designated program from the Earl G. Graves School of Business & Management combines a core analytics curriculum with a nine-credit concentration track, such as computer science/advanced computing, health informatics, or engineering, and is offered face-to-face and, as of fall 2025, fully online.
• Towson University: Master of Science in Computer Science, Data Science Track - Towson, MD. This track within Towson’s computer science master’s program focuses on data mining and big data analytics and includes a thesis option alongside flexible evening and summer coursework.
• Loyola University Maryland: Master of Science in Data Science - Baltimore, MD. Loyola’s program blends computer science, statistics, and business coursework and can be completed with a Technical or Business Analytics specialization, culminating in an applied capstone practicum.
• University of Baltimore: Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence for Business - Baltimore, MD. This 30-credit program from the Merrick School of Business focuses on designing, training, and evaluating AI and machine learning models for business applications, with courses held primarily on campus and limited online options.
• Capitol Technology University: Master of Science in Cyber Analytics - Laurel, MD. This program applies data science and quantitative methods to cybersecurity, covering risk management, vulnerability analysis, and digital forensics; it may appeal to students who want to combine data science training with Maryland’s defense and intelligence sector.
• Notre Dame of Maryland University: Master of Science in Analytics in Knowledge Management - Baltimore, MD. This fully online program develops multidisciplinary analytics competencies for medical, government, nonprofit, and corporate careers, combining computer studies, mathematics, and business economics coursework.
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore: Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics Engineering - Princess Anne, MD. UMES offers this online program through its Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences, focused on applied data science and analytics engineering skills.
• Bowie State University: Master of Science in Information Systems & Sciences - Bowie, MD. This 36-credit program, available online, includes a data analytics focus area alongside cybersecurity, IT project management, and health informatics options, and may suit students interested in a broader information systems degree with data analytics coursework.

Data Science Programs in Maryland

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

Data Science Certificates, Bootcamps, and Courses

Data science master’s programs are not the only way to build data skills. Maryland students may also consider graduate certificates, bootcamps, and individual courses for targeted training in areas such as Python, SQL, statistics, machine learning, data visualization, business analytics, cybersecurity, or AI. These options vary widely in depth, cost, admissions requirements, credit value, and career support, so students should compare them carefully and verify whether any certificate credits can apply toward a future master’s degree.

Online Maryland Graduate Certificate Programs in Data Science and Related Fields

Maryland institutions also offer online graduate certificate options for students who want to build focused skills in data science, data analytics, machine learning, or related areas without committing to a full master’s program. Students should confirm current course delivery, admissions requirements, tuition, and whether certificate credits may apply toward a future master’s degree directly with each school.

• Johns Hopkins University: Data Science Graduate Certificate. This four-course, 12-credit certificate draws on the same core and elective courses as JHU’s online M.S. in Data Science and can be completed within five years, with some required courses eligible for waiver based on prior coursework.
• University of Maryland, College Park: Machine Learning Graduate Certificate. UMD offers an online graduate certificate focused on the foundations of machine learning and software tools for students seeking targeted training without a full master’s commitment.
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Science. UMBC’s data science certificate uses the same core curriculum as its M.P.S. in Data Science and can later be applied toward the full master’s degree for students who choose to continue.
• University of Maryland Global Campus: Business Analytics Graduate Certificate. This online certificate focuses on integrating technical and business disciplines to develop strategic, data-driven decision-making skills, and its coursework may apply toward UMGC’s M.S. in Data Analytics.
• University of Baltimore: Graduate Certificates in Artificial Intelligence for Business. The Merrick School of Business offers two 12-credit certificates — Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and Applications of AI for Business — both of which apply toward the full M.S. in Artificial Intelligence for Business.
• Capitol Technology University: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Business Analytics and Data Science Principles. This certificate builds foundational skills in data science, statistics, and machine learning for business applications, and can fulfill up to 40% of the coursework for Capitol’s M.S. in Cyber Analytics.

Data Science Boot Camps in Maryland

Maryland students may also find university-affiliated bootcamps, community college workforce training, and career-training programs in data science, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. These programs are generally shorter than graduate degrees or graduate certificates and are often designed for career changers, working adults, or professionals who want applied technical training. Because bootcamps may be offered through university continuing education divisions, community colleges, or third-party education partners, students should confirm the credentials awarded, tuition, schedule, refund policies, career support, and whether the program carries academic credit.

University Affiliated Bootcamps in Maryland

• University of Maryland, Baltimore County: UMBC Training Centers. UMBC’s non-credit professional training arm offers data science and data engineering courses for working professionals, alongside cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software development training, and has a long history of delivering technical training to military and government audiences near Fort Meade. UMBC also offers an online Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Course covering Python programming, machine learning, data analysis, and SQL querying.
• University of Maryland Global Campus: Online Data Analytics, Data Science, and Machine Learning Engineering & AI Bootcamps. Delivered through a partnership with Springboard, these fully online, mentor-led bootcamps run 24 to 36 weeks and pair a portfolio-focused curriculum with a 1-on-1 industry mentor and career coach. Depending on completion dates, students may be able to apply bootcamp coursework toward UMGC undergraduate credit.
• Towson University: Data Analytics and Visualization Boot Camp and Data Analytics Course. Offered through Towson’s continuing education partnership, this six-month, self-paced bootcamp prepares students for the Microsoft PL-300 certification, while the shorter standalone course covers fundamentals of Excel, SQL, Tableau, and Python.

Community College and Workforce Training Programs in Maryland

Maryland’s community colleges also offer credit and non-credit data science and analytics training, often at a lower cost than university bootcamps and with pathways into apprenticeships or transfer degrees.

• Prince George’s Community College: Data Science and Analysis A.A.S. and Certificate. This credit-bearing associate degree and standalone certificate build technical and analytical skills in data collection, cleaning, modeling, and visualization, preparing students for the CompTIA Data+, Microsoft Power BI Analyst, and Tableau Certified Data Analyst certification exams. PGCC also offers a Data Analyst Apprenticeship, a Department of Labor–registered apprenticeship combining hands-on training in Excel, Tableau, Power BI, Python, and SQL with employer mentorship.
• Community College of Baltimore County: Data Science, A.S. This transfer-oriented associate degree covers data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning, and is designed to prepare students to continue into a bachelor’s program in data science or a related field.
• Howard Community College: Data Business Analytics Certificate. This career certificate develops skills in data mining, visualization, interpretation, and data storytelling for students looking to build data literacy or advance an existing career. HCC also offers a self-paced online Data Analysis course series through its continuing education division.
• Montgomery College: ITI Boot Camps. Montgomery College’s Data Analytics Practitioner boot camp covers SQL basics, Python for data analysis, Power BI dashboards, and an introduction to machine learning, alongside a separate cloud computing track.
• Anne Arundel Community College: Data Literacy Certificate. Located near the Fort Meade and Annapolis Junction corridor, this certificate builds foundational data literacy skills relevant to the region’s cybersecurity and defense-adjacent employers.

Private Data Science Bootcamps in Maryland

Students may also find private, non-university bootcamps with a presence in Maryland. In the Baltimore area, providers such as Nucamp offer part-time coding and data-focused bootcamps, and organizations such as Per Scholas, Code in the Schools, and Year Up Baltimore offer tuition-free or low-cost technology training programs aimed at career changers and young adults, with direct connections to local employer partners. These programs are typically shorter than graduate degrees or graduate certificates and are usually designed around applied technical training, portfolio projects, mentorship, or career support. Because private bootcamps vary widely, students should confirm all details directly with the provider.

Learn more about data science bootcamps and data analytics bootcamps and how they differ from graduate programs.

Data Science Courses in Maryland

Individual online courses can help students build specific skills before committing to a certificate or master’s program. Courses may cover Python, R, SQL, statistics, machine learning, data visualization, cloud computing, or AI applications.

Examples of Maryland institutions with online short courses or standalone training options in data science and related areas include:

• Towson University: Data Analytics Course
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Course
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Data Science and Data Engineering for Architects
• Howard Community College: Data Analysis course series

Learn more about individual course options in our guide to online data science courses.

Data Science Scholarships in Maryland

The list below is not exhaustive, but it can help students begin researching financial aid options. Students should also check each school’s graduate studies office, financial aid office, department pages, and program-specific scholarship pages.

Johns Hopkins University

• JHU Graduate Student Funding Opportunities is a continuously updated repository of federal and private funding opportunities for graduate students, searchable by amount and subject.

University of Maryland, College Park

• UMD Graduate School funding explains that funding support may include assistantships, fellowships, and other awards administered by individual departments and programs, as well as needs-based financial aid.

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

• UMBC Graduate School funding and financial aid point students to scholarships, graduate assistantships, and other financial aid opportunities available through the Graduate School and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Loyola University Maryland

• Loyola’s graduate admissions office can direct prospective data science students to program-specific financial aid and assistantship information.

Statewide or Regional Scholarship Resources

• The Maryland Higher Education Commission’s scholarship and grant deadlines page is the state portal for Maryland financial aid programs, deadlines, and resources.
• MHEC’s State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement page can help distance education students understand which out-of-state programs are authorized to enroll Maryland residents.

Data Science Events in Maryland

Networking can help students learn about local employers, technical communities, research opportunities, and project ideas. Maryland students may find events through university departments, professional associations, meetups, technology councils, and conferences based in Maryland or the broader Baltimore-Washington region.

Data Science Meetups and Communities in Maryland

• Data Works MD brings together professionals, students, and enthusiasts across Maryland who are interested in data science, data analytics, data products, and machine learning, featuring monthly presentations by local experts.
• Data and Analytics Baltimore focuses on how organizations use data and analytics to drive decision-making, emphasizing how to overcome common challenges in these areas.
• Artificial Intelligence Maryland (MD-AI) is a Baltimore-based community focused on AI and machine learning topics relevant to the region’s growing AI ecosystem.
• Data Science DC is a regional professional group, based in the Washington, D.C., area and relevant to Maryland’s Capital Region, that meets approximately monthly to discuss machine learning, AI, and data science topics.

Data Science Conferences and Workshops in Maryland

• The CyberMaryland Conference brings together federal, state, and local government personnel, industry, and aspiring professionals for training sessions on cybersecurity and data topics relevant to Maryland’s defense and intelligence sector.
• The Maryland Tech Council’s Technology Transformation Conference covers AI, medtech, quantum innovation, and cybersecurity strategy for Maryland’s technology and life sciences community.
• The Maryland Digital Government Summit covers public-sector technology topics, including AI, data governance, and digital service delivery, for Maryland state and local government technologists.

Data Science Jobs in Maryland

Data science roles can involve collecting, cleaning, analyzing, modeling, visualizing, and communicating data. Depending on the employer, roles may focus more on analytics, machine learning, business intelligence, data engineering, research, cybersecurity analytics, or decision support.

In Maryland, data science and analytics roles may be found in organizations across the federal government, defense and intelligence, biotechnology and life sciences, finance, healthcare, and cybersecurity. Students should review job postings in their target region to understand which skills employers request. 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. Prior experience, technical projects, internships, networking, portfolio work, security clearance eligibility, and interview preparation can also affect job opportunities. Explore related paths in our data science careers and data scientist career guide.

Data Scientist Salaries in Maryland

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, data scientists in Maryland earned a median annual wage of $136,370 in May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning $77,930 or less and the highest 10% earning $213,270 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 May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data for Maryland. For some occupations, BLS does not publish state-level median wage data due to sample size limitations; in those cases, the entry notes the omission. Students can access the current state-level OEWS data directly through the Maryland Department of Labor and Workforce Development OEWS page.

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.

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

Maryland Data Science, Tech, and Career Resources

• Maryland Higher Education Commission: State higher education regulatory and coordinating board for financial aid, institutional approval, and student resources.
• Maryland Department of Commerce: State economic development agency for industry, workforce, and business resources.
• Maryland Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: State labor market information source for Maryland-specific wage and employment data.
• Maryland’s Open Data Portal: Statewide open data catalog, including Maryland’s GIS mapping data, useful for portfolio projects and civic data exploration.
• MDOT GIS Open Data Portal: Transportation datasets for projects involving mobility, infrastructure, and public-sector analytics.
• Maryland Tech Council: Statewide technology and life sciences industry association offering events, advocacy, and networking for Maryland’s tech sector.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.