Master’s in Data Science Programs in South Dakota

Curious what Sioux Falls or Madison might hold for your future? Check out this quick guide to earning a data science degree in South Dakota. It has details on research & online degrees to jobs & salary numbers.

Sponsored Schools

Syracuse University

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Master of Science in Applied Data Science

Syracuse University’s online Master of Science in Data Science can be completed in as few as 18 months.

  • Complete in as little as 18 months
  • No GRE scores required to apply

Southern Methodist University

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Master of Science in Data Science

Earn your MS in Data Science at SMU, where you can specialize in Machine Learning or Business Analytics, and complete in as few as 20 months.

  • No GRE required.
  • Complete in as little as 20 months.

University of California, Berkeley

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Master of Information and Data Science

Earn your Master’s in Data Science online from UC Berkeley in as few as 12 months.

  • Complete in as few as 12 months
  • No GRE required

Syracuse University

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Master of Science in Business Analytics

Looking to become a data-savvy leader? Earn your online Master of Science in Business Analytics from Syracuse University.

  • As few as 18 months to complete 
  • No GRE required to apply

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Studying Data Science in South Dakota

The map of CompTIA’s Cyberstates ranks South Dakota as 41st in the country for percentage of the workforce in tech in 2020 (just 3.3%). It is not the biggest hotspot for data science meetups and conferences. And the entire state has fewer than 1 million people.

Sioux Falls is a boom town, with a business-friendly tax environment. The tech sector utilizes the city’s traditional strengths in agriculture, health, and finance, and new analytics companies are gradually taking root.

What’s more, organizations such as Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship and the South Dakota Enterprise Institute (SDEI) invest in early-stage companies.

Data Science Research & Initiatives at South Dakota Universities

In the realm of technology, South Dakota State University (SDSU) is exploring ways to transform data into growth:

Over at the University of South Dakota (USD), excitement is building around the USD Discovery District, a large corporate and academic research park in Sioux Falls. Designed to serve as a catalyst for high-tech industry growth, the district has the support of the city government and local businesses. Qualified tenants have full access to the incubator services provided by Zeal.

Online Data Science Programs in South Dakota

Dakota State University (DSU) is one distance learning option, but University of South Dakota (USD) and South Dakota State University (SDSU) also have skin in the game. If you’re concerned about the quality of a degree, have a gander at our bullet point list of what to look for in an online data science program.

Online Graduate Certificates in Data Science

Trying to get the fundamentals down? SDSU’s online Graduate Certificate in Data Science is a program with courses in statistics and statistical methods & programming. These are the core courses for SDSU’s campus-based MS in Data Science, so it’s very easy to transfer them.

Interested in acquiring business-ready skills? You have some options, including:

  • DSU’s online Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics is a program with courses in data mining, databases, business decision-making, and predictive analytics. It’s aimed at IT professionals and analysts who want to hone their technical and programming skills.
  • USD’s online Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics is a program with a similar curriculum. Coursework covers areas like quantitative analysis, data mining, data management, and operational analytics. Better yet, credits can be applied toward USD’s MBA with Business Analytics specialization.

Online Master’s Degrees in Data Science

DSU has an online degree to suit almost every goal. Depending on your career path, you could look at the:

  • Online Master of Science in Analytics (MSA): This degree is custom-built for aspiring data scientists & analysts. Core courses include data mining, predictive analytics, programming, and applied statistics.
  • Online Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI): This program includes a strong roster of classes, including training in analytics, network technology, data privacy, security, and data management. DSU’s Center of Advancement for Healthcare IT (CAHIT) can also help with internships and project possibilities.
  • Online Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS): The MSIS is geared toward wannabe IT managers and systems analysts. Though it’s not a true data science degree, you have the option to choose a career track specialization in your field (e.g. data management or healthcare information systems).

Business folks may also take a close look at USD’s online MBA with a specialization in Business Analytics and its program is AACSB-accredited.

The degree is founded on core business concepts (e.g. accounting, information systems, marketing, finance, etc.), but the business analytics specialization will allow you to get stuck into data analysis, data management, and operational analysis.

Data Science Bootcamps in South Dakota

Completing a data science or data analytics bootcamp is another option to consider if you’re interested in these fields. Bootcamps are relatively short-term, intensive educational programs meant to jump-start your career, often through hands-on experience. Data science and data analytics bootcamps in South Dakota may be exclusively dedicated to the former or latter, or combine study of both data science and data analytics. See our guides to learn more about data science bootcamps or data analytics bootcamps in South Dakota.

Data Science Scholarships in South Dakota

For this section, we chose to focus on university aid that could apply to your data science degree. But this is just the beginning! The university’s Office of Graduate Studies should be able to assist you with general scholarships and alternative financing options (e.g. low-interest loans). Don’t be afraid to reach out for advice.

Dakota State University

  • Graduate Assistantships: DSU assistantships are available for the MSIS (Information Systems), MSA (Analytics), and DScIS (Information Systems). In return for reduced tuition rates and a stipend, students must work for up to 19.5 hours per week and maintain a 3.25 GPA.

South Dakota State University

  • Department of Mathematics and Statistics Assistantships:
    • MSDS Assistantships: Because the MS in Data Science is a professional master’s degree program, designed to be completed in a year, graduate teaching assistantship (GTAs) and graduate research assistantships (GRAs) are only available in exceptional circumstances.
    • PhD in CSS Assistantships: Assistantships are available for the PhD in Computational Science and Statistics. Students receive a near-total waiver of tuition and fees. In return, they’re expected to complete 20 hours per week of either teaching or research duties.

Data Science Events in South Dakota

Data Science Meetups & Communities in South Dakota

Unfortunately, South Dakota doesn’t have a lot of data science meetups. There are some groups out there for those who are interested:

  1. Sioux Falls CIO Exchange: Created with the help of Sioux Fall leaders in finance & banking, this group provides local CIOs with opportunities for education and collaboration. All meetings are for accepted members only.

Data Science Conferences & Workshops in South Dakota

We’ve listed some industry-focused conferences below, but if you’re looking for a true data science forum, you may have more luck in Omaha and the Twin Cities area.

  1. Siouxland IT Symposium: This invitation-only event is open to IT executives, their respective management teams, and a few select vendors. Sessions focus on the latest industry advances & challenges.
  2. South Dakota Biotech Summit: Run by South Dakota BioTech, this one-day summit features South Dakota companies discussing their latest breakthroughs in biotech applications (e.g. human health, animal health, agriculture, etc.).
  3. Trendigital: Sponsored by Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship, Trendigital is a one-day marketing technology summit aimed at business owners and marketing professionals. It’s held in Sioux Falls every winter.

Data Science Jobs in South Dakota

Wondering where to find local companies with a significant stake in data science? Check out the membership list for Sioux Falls CIO Exchange. Here you’ll discover representatives from some of South Dakota’s key industry sectors. These sectors include:

Data Scientist Salaries in South Dakota

According to data from the O*NET OnLine in 2020, data scientists made an average $76,440 per year in South Dakota.

Last updated: April 2022

Interested in STEM Careers? 

If you’re looking for information on career paths that involve STEM, see our guides below:

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Compare Careers and STEM Fields:

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.