Master’s in Data Science Programs in Rhode Island

Studying Data Science in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s 2022–2032 industry projections show Health Care and Social Assistance adding more jobs than any other sector in the state, over 8,200 positions, a 10.2% increase, while Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, the category that includes computer systems design and data-related consulting, is projected to grow at a nearly identical 10.3% rate and add roughly 3,000 jobs. That pattern is echoed in the Executive Office of Commerce’s 2026 Overview of the Rhode Island Economy, which names defense, ocean technology, and life sciences as the state’s official strategic investment priorities and specifically lists data analytics among the industries a proposed $115 million economic development bond is meant to support. For data science students, the takeaway is specific: healthcare and life sciences, layered atop the state’s defense and maritime technology cluster, are where Rhode Island’s demand for data skills is concentrated and growing. That pattern plays out differently across the state’s regions:

• Providence Metro and Northern Rhode Island. Home to most of the state’s colleges, hospitals, and employers, this region runs from downtown Providence north through Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, Smithfield, and Woonsocket, an area locally known as the Blackstone Valley. Citizens Financial Group, one of the country’s oldest and largest banks, is headquartered downtown and runs enterprise data and analytics teams there, and CVS Health, headquartered in Woonsocket, employs data scientists supporting pharmacy operations and clinical decision-making. Fidelity Investments operates a major analytics and customer-insights campus in Smithfield, directly across from Bryant University, which has built its own data science and business analytics hub on campus. The Providence Innovation and Design District, built on land freed up when I-195 was rerouted, is being developed specifically around life sciences, anchored by Wexford Science & Technology’s Point225 building and the state-backed Rhode Island Life Science Hub’s biotech incubator. Brown University’s Data Science Institute coordinates data science research and graduate programs on its city campus. Data work here spans banking and financial analytics, healthcare and pharmacy analytics, biotech data, and applied AI research.
• Kingston, South County, and Southern Rhode Island. The University of Rhode Island’s main campus in Kingston anchors this region’s data economy, with the Graduate School of Oceanography in nearby Narragansett generating substantial ocean and environmental data, and the university’s AI Lab running data science and machine learning workshops each semester. The region is also home to two of Rhode Island’s largest data-relevant manufacturers: General Dynamics Electric Boat is rapidly expanding its submarine manufacturing campus at Quonset Point in North Kingstown, work that increasingly relies on production, quality, and supply chain data, while Amgen’s West Greenwich biomanufacturing facility uses AI-driven predictive models and process data to monitor drug production. Data work connected to this region includes academic and research-adjacent data science, oceanographic and environmental data, and manufacturing, quality, and biomanufacturing analytics.
• Newport and the East Bay. Newport’s data economy centers on the U.S. Navy. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport is the Navy’s full-spectrum research, development, and engineering center for submarine and undersea warfare systems, employing roughly 3,000 scientists and engineers who work on sonar, sensor, and signal-processing data, and it regularly recruits computer science and data-focused graduates. The U.S. Naval War College, also based on Aquidneck Island, adds to the region’s government and defense research presence. Roger Williams University, based across the bay in Bristol, offers a Business Analytics concentration within its MBA program, delivered through its Providence Metro Campus. Data work connected to this region includes defense signal and sensor data, systems engineering data, and government analytics.

Rhode Island’s in-person data science employment concentrates most heavily in the Providence metro area, with URI’s Kingston research corridor and the Quonset-to-West Greenwich defense and biotech cluster forming a substantial secondary hub, and Newport and the East Bay adding a smaller, defense-focused presence. For students living outside these clusters or who aren’t able to commute regularly, an online master’s program can be a practical way to build data science credentials without relocating.

Online Data Science Master’s Degrees in Rhode Island

Online programs may suit Rhode Island students who want graduate-level training without relocating 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Graduate Data Science Programs

Rhode Island participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement through the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (OPC), which serves as the state’s SARA portal agency. In practice, this means a Rhode Island resident can enroll in most 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 Rhode Island residents. Rhode Island is also home to a genuinely deep bench of its own fully online programs, spanning an Ivy League research university, the state’s public flagship, and a specialized business university; students should confirm current program modality, admissions requirements, and tuition directly with each school before applying.

• Brown University: Online Master’s in Data Science: Policy, Governance & Society - Providence, RI. Launched in 2025, this 16-month, fully online program pairs core data science skills with a focus on AI governance, ethics, and public policy, and is designed for professionals from both technical and non-technical backgrounds. It’s a separate credential from Brown’s campus-based Master’s in Data Science, described in the in-state section below.
• University of Rhode Island: Master of Science in Data Science, Master of Science in Health Outcomes and Data Analytics, and Professional Master of Science in Supply Chain Management and Applied Analytics - Kingston, RI. URI Online offers three fully online master’s degrees built around data analysis. The 30-credit M.S. in Data Science is non-thesis and lets students choose a focus area such as business, biology, or the environment, culminating in a capstone project; applicants should have prior coursework or experience in R, Python, calculus, linear algebra, and introductory statistics, or have completed URI’s Data Science Graduate Certificate. The M.S. in Health Outcomes and Data Analytics combines URI’s Data Science and Medication Outcomes graduate certificates with a capstone, training students to apply data analytics methods specifically to healthcare and medication outcomes questions. The Professional M.S. in Supply Chain Management and Applied Analytics is a 30-credit, seven-week module program, the first Master of Science in Supply Chain Management to be recognized by the National Professional Science Master’s Association, and pairs supply chain strategy coursework with a required course in analytics and data mining.
• Johnson & Wales University: Master of Science in Data Analytics and MBA in Data Analytics - Providence, RI. JWU Online offers both a technical M.S. in Data Analytics, covering data management, statistical analysis, data mining, visualization, and predictive modeling, and a business-facing MBA with a Data Analytics concentration for students who want a managerial rather than purely technical credential. Neither program requires the GRE or GMAT for admission.
• Salve Regina University and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth: 3+2 Dual-Degree Pathway in Mathematics and Data Science - Newport, RI, and Dartmouth, MA. Salve Regina undergraduates complete three years of a mathematics major with a data analytics minor in Newport, then transfer to UMass Dartmouth for two years to earn a Master of Science in Data Science, graduating with both degrees in five years. Since the master’s is conferred by UMass Dartmouth and the pathway starts at the undergraduate level, it suits prospective freshmen more than students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.

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 Rhode Island

The programs below are verified options, not a ranked list, and vary in focus and format. These are Rhode Island’s hybrid and in-person options, which require at least some on-campus presence in Providence, Smithfield, or Bristol.

• Brown University: Master’s in Data Science (ScM) - Providence, RI. Brown’s original, entirely in-person data science master’s is a research-collaboration program spanning Applied Mathematics, Biostatistics, Computer Science, and Mathematics, and can be completed in as little as 12 months or extended over 16 to 24 months. It requires prior coursework in calculus, linear algebra, and calculus-based probability and statistics, and does not require the GRE.
• Bryant University: Master of Science in Data Science and AI, and Master of Science in Business Analytics and AI - Smithfield, RI. Both STEM-designated, in-person cohort programs, these degrees are split into a more technical track, covering machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and large-scale data analytics, and a business-facing track focused on the full analytics life cycle from data gathering through visualization. Both include access to Bryant’s dedicated Data Science, Data Visualization, and Artificial Intelligence labs and culminate in a capstone project with a corporate partner.
• Providence College: Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) - Providence, RI. This 30-credit program is open to students from any undergraduate background and is taught in a mix of online, hybrid, and in-person formats on PC’s campus; students choose between a one-year full-time track or a two-year part-time track. It does not require the GRE or GMAT.
• Roger Williams University: Business Analytics (M.B.A.) - Providence, RI. This 39-credit, on-campus program at RWU’s Providence campus can be completed in one year and pairs core business management coursework with data visualization, predictive analytics, and data mining. It’s STEM-designated, open to students from any undergraduate background, and does not require the GMAT for admission, though applicants with a GPA below 3.0 are encouraged to submit GMAT or GRE scores.

Data Science Programs in Rhode Island

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

Data Science Certificates, Bootcamps, and Courses

A master’s degree is not the only path into data science. Graduate certificates, bootcamps, and individual courses offer more targeted training for students who want to build specific skills quickly or test the field before committing to a full degree. These options vary widely in length, cost, and rigor, so students should compare carefully and confirm whether certificate credits can apply toward a future master’s degree. Our directory of online graduate certificates covers additional programs offered by schools around the country that Rhode Island residents can enroll in.

Online Rhode Island Graduate Certificate Programs in Data Science and Related Fields

Rhode Island’s research universities and business schools offer several online graduate certificates that can serve as standalone credentials or a pathway into a full master’s program. Students should confirm current admissions requirements, tuition, and credit-transfer policies directly with each school.

• University of Rhode Island: Data Science Graduate Certificate - Kingston, RI. This fully online, 12-credit certificate is open to applicants from any academic background and builds skills in large-scale datasets, data programming, visualization, and communication. Two of its courses can be applied toward URI’s online M.S. in Data Science, and the certificate’s coursework forms half of the curriculum for URI’s M.S. in Health Outcomes and Data Analytics.
• University of Rhode Island: Graduate Certificate in Econometrics and Data Analysis - Kingston, RI. Launched in 2025 and described by URI as the first program of its kind in New England, this 12-credit, three-course certificate can be completed fully online or on campus in as little as nine months, building skills in econometrics, data processing, database management, and coding for students working in public policy, finance, or environmental and natural resource management.
• Providence College: Business Analytics Graduate Certificate - Providence, RI. Developed with employer input from companies including CVS and Johnson & Johnson, this 9-credit, 3-course certificate is taught online, in hybrid formats, and on campus, and its credits can apply toward PC’s MBA program.
• Bryant University: Online Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics - Smithfield, RI. Delivered fully online in an asynchronous, 10-week-per-course format, this 13-credit certificate covers data visualization, AI and machine learning fundamentals, and data management, plus an elective in a focus area such as marketing analytics or business strategy. It’s distinct from Bryant’s separate on-campus business analytics certificate, which feeds into its in-person MBA program.

Data Science Boot Camps in Rhode Island

Data science and data analytics bootcamps are intensive, non-degree programs designed 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, and career support before enrolling.

University Affiliated Bootcamps in Rhode Island

• Bryant University: Data Analytics Bootcamp - Smithfield, RI. Delivered online through Bryant’s Executive Education and Career Accelerator, in partnership with Upright Education, this 15-week, live-online bootcamp meets twice weekly and teaches Excel, SQL, Python, and Tableau, as well as AI tools like ChatGPT. It includes career coaching and a university-backed, non-credit certificate, with new cohorts starting several times a year.

Private Data Science Bootcamps in Rhode Island

General Assembly offers live online data analytics and data science bootcamps that Rhode Island students can enroll in remotely, including a full-time Data Science Immersive and a more introductory Data Analytics Bootcamp built around Excel, SQL, Tableau, and Python. Because private bootcamps vary widely, and because the bootcamp market has consolidated significantly in the last two years, students should confirm a program’s current status, format, and outcomes directly with the provider before enrolling.

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

Data Science Courses in Rhode Island

Individual online courses can help students build specific skills before committing to a certificate or master’s program. Rhode Island’s research universities offer standalone course options alongside their degree and certificate programs.

• University of Rhode Island: AI Lab workshops, covering machine learning, deep learning, data science, generative AI, and R and Python programming, are offered each semester and are open to the public.
• Brown University: Applied AI & Data Science, a three-month, self-paced, non-credit online course through Brown’s School of Professional Studies covering Python, predictive modeling, and applied machine learning, open to the public and awarding a Certificate of Completion from Brown.

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

Data Science Scholarships in Rhode Island

The list below is not exhaustive. Students should also check each school’s graduate studies office, department pages, and program-specific scholarship pages for additional funding.

Brown University

• Data Science Institute Scholarships: The DSI offers a limited number of full- and half-tuition merit-based scholarships to admitted students in its campus-based data science master’s programs who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, along with need-based aid available through the FAFSA.

Bryant University

• Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships: All applicants to Bryant’s on-campus graduate programs, including the M.S. in Data Science and AI and the M.S. in Business Analytics and AI, are automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship, with priority consideration for applications submitted by February 1 for fall admission. On-campus graduate assistantships offering tuition remission are also available. Bryant does not currently award scholarships for its online graduate programs or certificates.

University of Rhode Island

• URI Graduate School Financial Aid: URI’s Graduate School directs students to graduate assistantships, federal loans, and program-specific funding; students in URI Online programs, including its data science offerings, should confirm funding eligibility directly with the program, since online-program aid options can differ from on-campus assistantships.

Providence College

• PC Business Graduate Admissions: MSBA applicants are not required to take the GMAT or GRE, and students can inquire about merit-based financial aid through the PC School of Business graduate programs office.

Service-for-Tuition Programs

• The Wavemaker Fellowship, a Rhode Island Commerce program, awards refundable state tax credits of up to $6,000 per year for up to four years to graduates working in STEM, certain design fields, healthcare, or education, and defrays student loan payments. The program’s 2026 list of in-demand roles explicitly names “IT, cyber and data analytics” as a priority category, making it directly relevant to data science graduates. Applications for the current round are open through July 31, 2026, and eligibility does not depend on where a Fellow earned their degree. Rhode Island does not appear to have a separate loan-repayment program specific only to data or computing roles; Wavemaker is the state’s primary tool for this purpose.

Statewide or Regional Scholarship Resources

• Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (OPC): State agency for institutional authorization, SARA participation, and student financial aid resources, including the Rhode Island Reconnect program for adult learners returning to school.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.

Data Science Events in Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s data science community isn’t large enough to sustain a dedicated meetup for every topic, so students may need to look to general tech, innovation, and government data communities alongside more specialized options.

Data Science Meetups and Communities in Rhode Island

• Venture Café Providence hosts a free, weekly Thursday Gathering at District Hall in downtown Providence, connecting entrepreneurs, technologists, academics, and corporate innovators; past sessions have featured data and tech leaders from CVS Health, Citizens, and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
• Tech Collective, Rhode Island’s information technology and bioscience industry association, supports the state’s tech workforce through membership programming and industry partnerships; students should confirm current event offerings directly, as its public event calendar was not independently verifiable at the time of writing.

Data Science Conferences and Workshops in Rhode Island

• The Rhode Island Digital Government Summit, held annually each spring, brings together state and local government leaders to discuss data governance, AI, and digital transformation, including sessions led by the state’s Data, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence.
• Providence Business News’ Cybersecurity, AI & Tech Summit, held most recently on October 9, 2025, brings together technology, education, legal, insurance, and accounting leaders for panels on cybersecurity and applied AI; recent panelists have included representatives from Rhode Island College, Amgen Rhode Island, and local IT firms.

Data Science Jobs in Rhode Island

Data science roles can involve collecting, cleaning, analyzing, modeling, visualizing, and communicating data. In Rhode Island, these roles appear across healthcare and pharmacy, financial services, defense and government contracting, biomanufacturing, and academic research, often at large in-state employers or regional offices of national organizations rather than a large standalone tech sector. 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 Rhode Island

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, data scientists in Rhode Island earned a median annual wage of $102,440 in May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning $75,310 or less and the highest 10% earning $158,820 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 Rhode Island.

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
• 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

Rhode Island Data Science, Tech, and Career Resources

• Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (OPC): State agency for institutional authorization, SARA participation, and distance-education student resources.
• Rhode Island Executive Office of Commerce: State economic development source for labor-market, industry, and strategic-priority information, including the state’s defense, ocean technology, and life sciences initiatives.
• Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Labor Market Information Division: State source for occupational wage data, industry and occupational employment projections, and regional labor-market reports.
• Rhode Island GIS (RIGIS) Data Distribution System: Public geospatial datasets useful for portfolio projects and civic data exploration.
• Tech Collective: Rhode Island’s information technology and bioscience industry association, supporting workforce development and industry networking.
• Rhode Island Life Science Hub: State-backed organization coordinating investment and infrastructure for Rhode Island’s life sciences sector, including biotech incubator space in Providence.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.