Data Science has become one of the fastest-growing graduate programs at NJIT, run jointly through the Ying Wu College of Computing's Department of Data Science, with tracks offered at both the Newark main campus and NJIT's Jersey City graduate campus. For international students, the appeal is direct: a 30-credit, STEM-designated master's that lets you choose between a computational track (programming- and systems-heavy) or a statistics track (modeling- and analytics-heavy), at a public-university price point, with access to the New York metro area's data and analytics job market.
This article covers what it takes to get into NJIT's MS in Data Science: acceptance rate, cost, requirements, English-test rules, and career outcomes.
Acceptance Rate
NJIT does not publish a program-specific acceptance rate for the MS in Data Science. The closest available figures:
- A third-party estimate (Niche) puts the Ying Wu College of Computing's overall graduate acceptance rate at around 66%, across all its master's programs (Data Science included, but not broken out separately). Treat this as a third-party estimate, not an NJIT-confirmed figure.
- NJIT's general graduate admissions policy for the college states that applicants with a 3.0 GPA or higher and a relevant academic background are typically well-positioned for admission; Data Science specifically requires an undergraduate background in computing, with exposure to object-oriented programming and a mix of at least four foundational courses spanning areas like data structures, algorithms, probability, and statistics.
Bottom line: NJIT Data Science is realistically attainable for applicants with a genuine quantitative or computing undergraduate background and a GPA at or above 3.0, but it is not a program you can enter from an unrelated field without first closing specific prerequisite gaps.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
NJIT's MS in Data Science runs 30 credits, and NJIT publishes an annual tuition figure specifically for this program:
| Cost item | Amount (USD/year, estimate) |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees (published for MS Data Science) | ~$39,020/year |
| Living expenses (Newark/NY metro area) | ~$21,650-$24,836/year (NJIT's own published living-cost range) |
| Health insurance | |
| Total estimated cost of attendance | ~$62,000-66,000/year (Gabble estimate combining the components above; NJIT does not publish one combined graduate total) |
Because the degree requires only 30 credits, total program tuition cost (excluding living expenses) for the full MS is roughly in the $39,000-45,000 range depending on your exact per-credit rate and campus/track, again well below comparable data science master's programs at private universities in the same region. The international graduate application fee is $75. International students aren't eligible for US federal aid, but should ask departments directly about research or teaching assistantship openings, since data-heavy departments frequently have grant-funded research positions tied to faculty projects.
Admission Requirements
- Completed graduate application through NJIT's application portal
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- An undergraduate degree with a computing background: exposure to object-oriented programming languages is required, along with materials from at least four of the program's listed foundational course areas (data structures and algorithms, probability and statistics, databases, and related quantitative coursework)
- Choice of track at admission time: computational track (systems- and programming-oriented) or statistics track (modeling- and analytics-oriented); at most two courses can be taken outside your chosen track, with approval from the program's co-directors
- Statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV
- English proficiency scores (unless exempt; see below)
- $75 international graduate application fee
Because the program explicitly checks for specific prerequisite coursework rather than just a general computing degree, applicants coming from a non-CS quantitative background (math, statistics, economics with strong programming exposure) should be prepared to document exactly which foundational areas their coursework covered.
How to Get Into NJIT's Data Science Program
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Map your undergraduate coursework against the program's four foundational areas before applying. NJIT is explicit that admission depends on exposure to object-oriented languages plus material from at least four specific foundational course categories; a strong overall GPA does not substitute for missing prerequisite exposure.
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Pick a track (computational vs. statistics) that matches your actual background and career goal, and say so clearly in your statement. Applicants who frame their fit for a specific track, rather than applying generically to "Data Science," present a clearer and more credible narrative to admissions reviewers.
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If you're coming from a non-CS quantitative degree, highlight programming exposure explicitly. Math, statistics, and economics graduates are realistic applicants for the statistics track, but need to demonstrate genuine programming competency (coursework, projects, or professional experience), since the department's stated prerequisite is exposure to object-oriented programming specifically.
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Target a GPA of 3.0 or higher, in line with NJIT's general Ying Wu College of Computing admission guidance, and treat this as a floor rather than a target if you're also seeking assistantship funding, since funded positions are more competitive than admission alone.
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Apply early enough to allow time for visa processing after admission, particularly if you're targeting the Jersey City campus track or a specific intake term, since NJIT's international deadlines vary by term and campus.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
NJIT's graduate-level English proficiency policy applies to Data Science applicants:
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 79
- IELTS Academic: minimum 6.5, with no individual band below 6.0
- Duolingo English Test: minimum 120
- PTE Academic: minimum 57
Waiver: the requirement is waived for applicants holding a degree from an accredited US institution, and for applicants from specific English-speaking countries on NJIT's official exemption list.
For the full breakdown of NJIT's testing policy at both the undergraduate and graduate level, see the NJIT university guide.
Career Outcomes
NJIT does not publish outcomes broken out specifically for the MS in Data Science, but broader NJIT master's-level outcomes and the strength of data-related hiring in the New York metro area serve as a reasonable proxy:
- Master's-level job placement rate (university-wide): approximately 89.7%, per NJIT's own Career Development Services outcomes reporting
- Average master's starting salary (university-wide): approximately $83,494; data science-specific roles (data analyst, data scientist, machine learning engineer) in the NY metro market frequently command salaries at or above this blended university-wide average, though NJIT does not publish a data-science-specific figure to confirm this precisely
- Top recruiters of NJIT graduates generally: Amazon, Google, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Goldman Sachs, and Apple, all of which hire heavily for data and analytics roles
- STEM OPT: the MS in Data Science is STEM-designated, qualifying graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of the standard 12-month OPT period, for up to three years of US work authorization post-graduation
Because NJIT does not break out Data Science-specific salary or placement data publicly, treat the university-wide figures above as a directional proxy rather than a program-specific guarantee, and verify current outcomes with the department or recent graduates where possible.
FAQ
Does NJIT publish a separate acceptance rate for the MS in Data Science? No. NJIT does not release a program-level acceptance rate for Data Science. A third-party estimate (Niche) puts the broader Ying Wu College of Computing graduate acceptance rate at around 66%, but this is not Data-Science-specific.
Do I need a Computer Science degree to apply? Not necessarily, but you need documented exposure to object-oriented programming and coursework from at least four of the program's listed foundational areas. Math, statistics, or economics graduates with strong programming backgrounds are realistic applicants, especially for the statistics track.
What's the difference between the computational and statistics tracks? The computational track is more systems- and programming-oriented; the statistics track is more modeling- and analytics-oriented. You choose your track at admission, and can take at most two courses outside it with program approval.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for NJIT Data Science? The graduate minimum is IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL 79. Duolingo (120) and PTE (57) are also accepted.
How much does NJIT's MS in Data Science cost? Published annual tuition is approximately $39,020, with total program cost for the 30-credit degree in the roughly $39,000-45,000 range excluding living expenses, which NJIT estimates separately at about $21,650-$24,836/year.
Is NJIT's Data Science degree STEM-OPT eligible? Yes. It is STEM-designated, qualifying international graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension in addition to the standard 12-month OPT period.