Master's in Data Science Programs in Michigan

Michigan's reputation still runs through the auto industry, but the state's own labor projections show healthcare and professional, scientific, and technical services, not manufacturing, generating the fastest-growing demand for data skills over the next decade. Michigan is home to major research universities, a concentrated automotive and mobility technology sector, and a growing base of healthcare systems and financial institutions that all rely on data science, data analytics, and business analytics talent. Students can choose from campus-based, hybrid, and fully online master's programs in data science, applied data science, data analytics, and business analytics offered by public universities across the state. This guide covers data science master's programs in Michigan, online alternatives, certificates and bootcamps, scholarships, networking opportunities, salary data, and career resources.

Studying Data Science in Michigan

The Michigan Center for Data and Analytics' 2022–2032 statewide employment projections show healthcare and social assistance adding more jobs than any other sector, 46,600 jobs, a 7.5% increase, while professional, scientific, and technical services (the sector that includes computer systems design and data-related consulting) is projected to add the second-most jobs statewide, 19,900, growing 6.3% against a statewide average of just 0.6% overall job growth. That pattern lines up with what the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis has tracked at the national level: professional, scientific, and technical services have been named a leading contributor to real GDP growth in nearly every quarterly and annual state GDP release BEA has published since 2022, alongside health care and social assistance. Together, these projections point to expanding opportunities for data professionals in healthcare and in professional and technical services. Michigan's manufacturing and mobility industries remain important sources of demand, as employers apply analytics, artificial intelligence, and automation to vehicle development, production, supply chains, and other operations.

• Detroit Metro and Southeast Michigan. Southeast Michigan, including Dearborn, Troy, Auburn Hills, Southfield, and Warren, remains the state's largest employment center, with data science roles clustered around automotive and mobility, healthcare, and financial services. Ford Motor Company lists Global Data Insight & Analytics roles based at its Dearborn headquarters, applying data science and AI to vehicle design, manufacturing, and mobility; General Motors and Stellantis also employ data, artificial intelligence, and analytics professionals across operations connected to vehicle development, manufacturing, purchasing, and mobility. Rocket Companies runs data science and analytics teams out of downtown Detroit, supporting its mortgage and fintech businesses. On the healthcare side, Henry Ford Health is a major academic medical system with dedicated data and analytics functions, and is in the middle of a $3 billion Future of Health: Detroit campus expansion. TechTown Detroit and Automation Alley, a Troy-based nonprofit and Industry 4.0 knowledge center, both support the region's broader data-driven business and manufacturing ecosystem through accelerators, training, and industry programming. Data work connected to this region spans automotive and mobility analytics, healthcare analytics, fintech, and industrial data science.
• Ann Arbor. Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor combines a major research university with a growing corporate tech presence. The university's Michigan Institute for Data & AI in Society (MIDAS) coordinates data science research, training, and industry partnerships across the U-M Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses. On the employer side, Google maintains an Ann Arbor office with technology, engineering, and business operations, and Toyota Motor North America's research and development operations are centered in the Ann Arbor area, including its North American R&D headquarters in nearby York Township; homegrown security company Duo Security (acquired by Cisco) remains a well-known local success story. Data roles here range from healthcare and life sciences analytics to mobility engineering and machine learning research.
• Grand Rapids and West Michigan. Corewell Health, one of Michigan's largest health systems with more than 64,000 team members statewide, has major operations and administrative functions headquartered in Grand Rapids, with dedicated data analytics and digital services teams. West Michigan is also home to major employers such as Steelcase and Meijer, as well as a broader manufacturing and logistics base. Data work in this region concentrates on healthcare analytics, supply chain and retail analytics, and manufacturing data systems.
• Lansing and Mid-Michigan. As the state capital and home to Michigan State University, the Lansing–East Lansing area combines state government data and workforce analytics (including the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, the state's own labor market information division) with university research activity. Michigan State University conducts research in fields including computational science, biomedical research, and nuclear physics through facilities such as the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, a major scientific user facility supporting computationally intensive research. University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is the region's largest health system and a major source of healthcare analytics roles. Lansing is also the headquarters of two named insurers, Auto-Owners Insurance and Jackson National Life, adding actuarial and insurance analytics work to the mix.
• Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan. The Kalamazoo–Portage area is home to Stryker, a global medical technology company headquartered in Kalamazoo with major operations extending into neighboring Portage, and hosts a major Pfizer manufacturing and research site, alongside animal health company Zoetis. These life sciences and medtech employers drive demand for data roles in clinical data analysis, manufacturing analytics, and R&D data science, with support from Western Michigan University.
• Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. This region is smaller and more dispersed, but it is not without data-relevant opportunity. Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan Technological University in Houghton, and Northern Michigan University in Marquette all anchor regional economies that include healthcare systems, state and local government, utilities, and natural resource management, several of which increasingly rely on data and analytics work. Students based in this part of the state, or considering it, may find that remote and online options extend access to programs and employers that would otherwise require relocating downstate.

Detroit Metro and Ann Arbor offer some of Michigan's most visible concentrations of employers and research institutions connected to data science. Students in West Michigan, Southwest Michigan, Mid-Michigan, or the Upper Peninsula may find that an online master's program provides access to a broader range of programs without requiring relocation.

Online Data Science Master's Degrees in Michigan

Online programs may suit Michigan students who want graduate-level data science training without relocating to Ann Arbor, Detroit, or East Lansing, or who need to keep working while they study.

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 Michigan 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 Michigan Graduate Data Science Programs

Michigan participates in the Midwestern State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (M-SARA) through the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). In practice, this means a Michigan resident can generally enroll in accredited online master's programs based in other SARA member states without encountering state-authorization barriers, though students should still confirm with their institution of choice that it accepts Michigan residents. Michigan itself offers several fully online, Michigan-based programs, so residents don't need to look out of state to find remote-friendly options. Students should confirm current program modality, admissions requirements, tuition, and state availability directly with each school before applying.

• University of Michigan, School of Information: Master of Applied Data Science (MADS) - Ann Arbor, MI. This fully online, asynchronous program teaches the full data science lifecycle, from data collection and computation to visualization and communication, with optional concentrations in Artificial Intelligence or Data Analytics. There is no application fee, no GRE requirement, and no minimum GPA cutoff; applicants need only basic Python skills to apply. Students can study full- or part-time, with admissions three times per year, making it a practical option for working professionals and career changers anywhere in Michigan.
• University of Michigan-Dearborn: MS in Data Science - Dearborn, MI. This interdisciplinary program, which blends mathematics, statistics, computer science, and information science, can be completed fully online, entirely in person, or through a mix of both, with courses scheduled in the late afternoon and evening for working students. It does not require the GRE and welcomes students from any STEM background who have completed coursework in probability and statistics, programming, and calculus.
• University of Michigan-Flint: MS in Data Science - Flint, MI. Offered both in-person and 100% online through a mix of synchronous and asynchronous coursework, this program has an average completion time of 16 to 20 months. Applicants without a computing background can complete non-credit Fast Track certificates in programming, object-oriented programming, and data structures to meet prerequisites.
• Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business: MS in Business Data Science & Analytics - East Lansing, MI. This fully online, STEM-certified program focuses on business analytics, data management, machine learning, and AI governance, and students automatically earn stacked graduate certificates in business essentials or organizational leadership, advanced analytics, and data-decision making as they progress. It suits working professionals aiming for roles like business intelligence developer, data analyst, or analytics consultant rather than a purely technical data science track.
• Davenport University: MS in Data Analytics - Grand Rapids, MI. This 30-credit program is delivered 100% online through Davenport's Global Campus with no required campus visits and is built jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences with the Colleges of Business, Technology, and Health Professions. Students are admitted as a single cohort each fall and progress together through two courses per semester over five semesters (about two and a half years). Neither a data background nor the GRE/GMAT is required to apply.
• Baker College: MS in Data Science - Owosso, MI. This fully online, 31-credit program integrates computer science, data management, and statistics across roughly 10 courses, typically completed in about two years of full-time study. The GRE and GMAT are not required, though applicants may submit scores if they have them.
• Ferris State University, College of Business: MS in Data Science and Analytics - Big Rapids, MI. Offered both face-to-face at the Big Rapids campus and fully online, this 30-credit program pairs a 21-credit core with a 9-credit concentration in Information Security and Intelligence, Autonomous Vehicles, or Project Management, letting online students specialize without relocating.

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 Michigan

These are Michigan's hybrid and in-person options, each requiring at least some on-campus presence. The programs below are not ranked and they vary in technical depth, format, and specialization.

• University of Michigan, LSA/College of Engineering: Master of Science in Data Science (MDS) - Ann Arbor, MI. This in-person, on-campus program is jointly run by the Department of Statistics, the Computer Science and Engineering Division, the School of Information, and the Department of Biostatistics, and typically takes two years (four semesters) to complete. Importantly, it is a dual-degree program only: applicants must already be enrolled in another U-M graduate program at Ann Arbor and cannot apply to the MDS as a standalone degree.
• Michigan State University: MS in Data Science (MSDS) - East Lansing, MI. A collaboration among the Department of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and the Department of Statistics and Probability, this 30-credit, in-person program covers statistical and computational methods for data-driven decision making.
• Wayne State University: MS in Data Science and Business Analytics (MSDSBA) - Detroit, MI. This 30-credit, in-person program, offered jointly by the College of Engineering and the Mike Ilitch School of Business, can be completed in as little as one year full-time or two years part-time, and includes three specialization tracks (advanced analytics, data-driven business, and data computing) plus a six-credit applied practicum or internship in the final semester.
• Grand Valley State University: MS in Data Science and Analytics - Grand Rapids, MI. This 36-credit Professional Science Master's program, offered jointly by the School of Computing and Information Systems and the Statistics Department, holds its graduate classes downtown on GVSU's Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus rather than the main Allendale campus. It's designed for working professionals with evening classes and requires a hands-on internship as part of the curriculum.
• Western Michigan University: MS in Data Science - Kalamazoo, MI. This in-person, 30-to-32-credit program is offered jointly by the Department of Statistics and the Department of Computer Science, with coursework split evenly between the two disciplines. No graduate admissions test is required.
• Michigan Technological University: MS in Data Science - Houghton, MI. This program lets students specialize across areas like sensor data, pattern recognition, and predictive modeling, and offers both thesis and non-thesis tracks, plus an accelerated option for current Michigan Tech undergraduates. It does not currently offer a complete online option, and the GRE is not required for admission.
• Central Michigan University: MS in Applied Statistics and Analytics - Mount Pleasant, MI. Housed in CMU's Department of Statistics, Actuarial and Data Sciences, this on-campus program prepares students for careers in statistical and actuarial analytics and requires either a three-credit non-teaching internship or a Plan B project to complete the degree.

Data Science Programs in Michigan

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

Data Science Certificates, Bootcamps, and Courses

A full master's degree isn't the only path into data science. Graduate certificates, bootcamps, and individual courses offer more targeted, often faster training for students who want to build specific skills or test the field before committing to a two-year program. These options vary widely in cost, depth, and format, so students should confirm current course delivery, admissions requirements, tuition, and whether certificate credits may apply toward a future master's degree directly with the school.

Online Michigan Graduate Certificate Programs in Data Science and Related Fields

• Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business: The Master Certificate in Business Analytics targets professionals who need to master core data analytics tools and business decision-making fundamentals, and its credits stack directly into MSU's MS in Business Data Science & Analytics for students who choose to continue. The Graduate Certificate in Accounting Analytics is a separate 9-credit, fully online certificate aimed at accounting professionals who want to build data analytics skills, and it can also count toward the 150-hour coursework requirement for CPA licensure.
• Davenport University: offers two stackable, 100%-online certificates through its Global Campus. The Data Analytics Certificate is a 12-credit, four-course program with no required prerequisites that can be completed in about a year and applies directly toward Davenport's MS in Data Analytics. The Data Mining and Visualization Certificate is also 12 credits and can be completed as a standalone credential or alongside MBA coursework.
• Oakland University: Business Analytics Graduate Certificate. This 15-credit certificate is available on-campus or 100% online, with online applicants assessed at in-state tuition rates regardless of residency; credits earned can later apply toward Oakland's MS in Business Analytics or MS in IT Management.

Data Science Boot Camps in Michigan

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.

University Affiliated Bootcamps in Michigan

• University of Michigan: AI & Machine Learning Bootcamp. Delivered through Michigan Engineering Pro-Ed in partnership with Fullstack Academy, this part-time, live-online bootcamp covers practical and theoretical AI and machine learning skills through project-based learning. No University of Michigan enrollment or prior tech experience is required to apply.
• Central Michigan University: Data Analytics and Visualization Boot Camp. This 6-month, self-paced program delivered through CMU's continuing education platform builds data science, analytics, and visualization skills while preparing students for the Microsoft PL-300 (Power BI) certification exam.

Private Data Science Bootcamps in Michigan

• Grand Circus, headquartered in Detroit with a presence in Grand Rapids, runs live-online Data Analytics & Engineering cohorts covering Python, SQL, and related tools, offered in both full-time and after-hours formats.
• General Assembly offers Detroit-focused data science and data analytics workshops and courses covering tools like Excel, SQL, and Tableau, delivered as part of its broader shift toward shorter workshops and skills pathways rather than a fixed physical campus.

Because private bootcamps vary widely and this market changes quickly, students should confirm current offerings, format, and enrollment status directly with the provider before applying.

Learn more about data science boot camps and how they differ from graduate programs.

Data Science Courses in Michigan

Individual online courses can help students build specific skills before committing to a certificate or master's program. Several Michigan universities offer standalone data science and programming preparation through continuing education platforms.

• Central Michigan University: Data Analytics Course — a self-paced course covering Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, and machine learning fundamentals, delivered through CMU's continuing education platform.
• University of Michigan-Flint (College of Innovation & Technology): Noncredit Certificates in Programming, Object-Oriented Programming, and Data Structures, designed as prerequisite preparation for UM-Flint's MS in Data Science and its other computing graduate programs.

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

Data Science Scholarships in Michigan

The list below is not exhaustive. Students should also check each school's graduate division, financial aid office, department pages, and program-specific scholarship pages.

University of Michigan

• Rackham Graduate School financial aid covers fellowships, graduate student research and instructor positions, and general funding guidance available to graduate students across U-M programs, including the Data Science master's.

Michigan State University

• MSU Graduate School fellowships cover Graduate School–administered fellowships available to students across MSU's graduate programs, including data science and business analytics.

Wayne State University

• Wayne State Graduate School funding outlines scholarships, teaching and research assistantships, and other financial support available to students in the MS in Data Science and Business Analytics program.

Grand Valley State University

• GVSU Graduate School financial support covers academic conference funds, presidential research grants, and other funding available to graduate students, including those in the MS in Data Science and Analytics program.

Service-for-Tuition Programs

• CyberAI: Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS), Michigan Technological University's NSF-funded successor to its former CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, covers full tuition and an annual stipend (up to $37,000 for graduate students) for an accelerated B.S. + M.S. pathway that explicitly includes the MS in Data Science, in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment with a federal, state, local, or tribal government agency in cybersecurity, AI, or related work.

Statewide Resources

• MI Student Aid, administered by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), is the state's central hub for financial aid programs; most listed state scholarships (like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship) target undergraduates, so graduate students should treat it as a starting point and lean more heavily on institutional aid.
• NC-SARA can help students understand state authorization for distance education programs based outside of Michigan.

Data Science Events in Michigan

Michigan's data science community is active but spread across a few hubs, so students may want to combine data-science-specific meetups with the state's broader AI and tech communities in whichever region they're based.

Data Science Meetups and Communities in Michigan

• Ann Arbor AI/ML Meetup is an active, in-person group that meets the first Thursday of every month and welcomes members at all experience levels, from self-learners to PhDs.
• Data in the D (formerly the Detroit Low-Key Data Science Meetup) rotates monthly among Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Dearborn, with confirmed 2026 gatherings, and is built around informal networking among data professionals.
• TechTown Detroit hosts recurring AI and Automation Build Nights and First Thursdays networking events for the region's broader tech and startup community.
• SoftwareGR, based in Grand Rapids, meets monthly (typically 30–60 attendees) and covers the full spectrum of software development topics, including data and AI work, for the West Michigan tech community.
• MITN Lansing (Michigan Technology Network, also known as Lansing Codes) has organized the Greater Lansing tech community since 2014, with monthly mixers, demo nights, and educational events.
• Kalamazoo Software Developers Meetup runs regular co-working sessions and informal meetups for Southwest Michigan's software and tech community, with machine learning and AI among its recurring topics.

Data Science Conferences and Workshops in Michigan

• The Great Lakes Data, AI & Analytics Summit, hosted annually each April in Troy by WIT and running since 2013, is billed as the only event of its kind in Michigan, drawing roughly 300 analytics, IT, and business professionals with case studies from employers like General Motors, DTE Energy, and Corewell Health.
• The University of Michigan Data Science and AI Summit, hosted annually by MIDAS each November, is the largest data science and AI event on the U-M campus, drawing attendees from more than 100 university departments and more than 80 industry, government, and community organizations; it's free and open to external partners, not just enrolled students.
• The WCX SAE World Congress Experience, held annually in Detroit (April 14–16, 2026 at Huntington Place), brings together mobility, automotive, and AI professionals and is directly relevant given how much of Michigan's data science hiring runs through the automotive and mobility sector.
• Merge, an annual one-day conference in Grand Rapids organized by SoftwareGR, brings together West Michigan developers, designers, and tech leaders; its 2026 theme, "AI at Work," focuses on practical AI integration for software teams.

Data Science Jobs in Michigan

Data science roles can involve collecting, cleaning, analyzing, modeling, visualizing, and communicating data. In Michigan, these roles appear across automotive and mobility, healthcare, financial services, life sciences and medical technology, manufacturing, and state and local government. The largest concentration of employers sits in the Detroit metro area and Ann Arbor, but meaningful pockets extend statewide, from health systems in Grand Rapids to insurers and state government in Lansing to medical device and pharmaceutical employers in Kalamazoo. 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, 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 Michigan

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, data scientists in Michigan earned a median annual wage of $100,590 in May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning $60,830 or less and the highest 10% earning $162,670 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 Michigan.

Interested in STEM 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

Related Graduate STEM Degrees

Related Undergraduate STEM Degrees

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

Michigan Data Science, Tech, and Career Resources

• Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP): State agency overseeing higher education policy, financial aid, and postsecondary credential goals.
• Michigan Center for Data and Analytics (MCDA): Official state source for labor market, occupational, and industry employment data.
• MI Student Aid: State financial aid portal for scholarships, grants, and FAFSA resources.
• Michigan GIS Open Data Portal: Public geospatial datasets useful for portfolio projects and civic data analysis.
• Michigan Open Data Portal: Statewide open data hub covering government, economic, and public datasets.
• Automation Alley: Nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center connecting Michigan's technology and manufacturing businesses.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.