Data Science Degree Programs in Michigan

Michigan has been at the cutting edge of industrial development since the early 20th century. You may be familiar with the role of automakers in making cars affordable and factories more efficient. The state continues that trend with an emerging data science sector boosted by public universities, major corporations, and a low cost of living.

Scientists-to-be benefit from research facilities at Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and dozens of other public four-year schools. Michigan is not only the home of Ford and General Motors but employers like Dow, Kellogg, and Meijer in need of data scientists. The state is also perfectly situated for access to midwestern, northeastern, and international locales. You can easily access the Chicago metro area from the state’s western cities, while the Detroit metro area is close to Toronto and Cleveland. Michigan is an emerging data science center that bridges industries of the past with jobs of the future.

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Career Outlook for Data Scientists in Michigan

The job market for data scientists in Michigan is not as robust as the national average according to a May 2017 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Michigan received a location quotient of 0.24 compared to the national average of 1.0, indicating a lower concentration of jobs in the state compared to the nation as a whole. The average data scientist in Michigan receives a salary of $99,930 per year, which falls below the national average of $119,570. Data scientists in Michigan earn comparable salaries to computer network architects ($99,980), advertising managers ($99,130), and physics professors ($98,440).

If you can find data science work in Michigan, you can stretch your salary further than other states thanks to a low cost of living. The state’s cost of living was rated 96.7 in March 2019 compared to a 100 rating for the nation as a whole. Inexpensive housing helps Michigan professionals keep more of their money than other states. The median home cost in Michigan is $142,100, well below the $216,200 national average cost. A one-bedroom apartment in Michigan has an average rent of $697 compared to a national average rent of $930.

Michigan may not be spilling over with data science jobs but there were opportunities available at major employers in March 2019. There were 382 data science jobs listed throughout Michigan on Indeed including positions with Ford and TD Ameritrade. Jobs with Ciber Global and the Toyota Research Institute are among the 291 jobs listed on LinkedIn. Glassdoor listed 395 jobs including data science positions with Domino’s and Northpointe Bank.

Once you decide on a data science career in Michigan, you will need to develop the skills necessary to succeed. Michigan hosts enough undergraduate and graduate options to turn your enthusiasm into a career.

On-Campus Undergraduate Data Science Programs in Michigan

Michigan contains enough undergraduate programs to meet the needs of aspiring data scientists. Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo trains future data scientists with a program that melds computer science and statistics. The University of Michigan-Dearborn draws on the university’s world-class faculty to produce data science professionals. The bachelor’s degree program at Eastern Michigan University provides a good sample of undergraduate data science courses in Michigan.

Eastern Michigan University B.S. in Data Science and Analytics

Eastern Michigan University offers a small-campus setting close to Ann Arbor and the Detroit metro area. The university’s B.S. in Data Science and Analytics draws on math, computer science, and information systems courses to prepare graduates for the data science field. This 74-credit major requires students to complete 59 credits of required courses before pursuing specialized paths. The core coursework includes introductory classes like Intro to Business, Intro to Programming, and Intro to Web Application Development. Required courses also delve into topics like internet-based computing, network administration, and data warehousing.

Upon completing the required courses, a data science student selects from three four-course concentrations. The theory concentration covers macro-level topics like computer organization, probability, and operating systems. Students in the web analytics concentration develop skills in web content mining, social media analytics, and landing page optimization. The advanced data analysis concentration delves into big data, applied statistics, and biostatistics.

To gain admission to Eastern Michigan University, you can fill out an online application along with a $35 application fee. Students need to submit their official high school transcripts and official versions of their SAT or ACT score with their applications. The admissions team looks at high school GPA and test scores with high scores in either area beneficial to an applicant’s cause. The application process differs slightly for tranfer students with a 2.0 GPA minimum on at least 12 transferable credits required for admission. Eastern Michigan University notes that the average first-year student entered with a 3.28 high school GPA, a 22 on the ACT, and an 1100 on the SAT.

Eastern Michigan University charged $10,686 per year in tuition for a full-time domestic student during the 2018-2019 school year. The tuition for an international undergraduate student during the same year was $26,104. Data science students have multiple funding options if they want to avoid taking out student loans. The university awards select grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. Scholarships like the Richard Albrecht Memorial Scholarship and Pursell Scholarship help offset tuition for students with high GPAs.

On-Campus Graduate Data Science Programs in Michigan

Your data science job may require an advanced degree or certificate to ensure advancement. Michigan is a good option for anyone looking for a master’s degree in data science. Schools ranging from the private Davenport University to the public Wayne State University help data scientists refine their crafts. Western Michigan University and Michigan Tech University provide examples of graduate courses available in Michigan.

Western Michigan University M.S. in Data Science

Western Michigan University combines its computer science and statistics courses to award master’s degrees in data science. This merger includes an even divide between course courses in each discipline, offering a solid foundation for future data scientists. The first semester of the data science program includes courses in applied linear models, applied data mining, and advanced processing of big data. In the second semester, students complete coursework in computer-based data analysis, advanced R programming, and machine learning.

Students are expected to complete master’s projects over their second year in the program after submitting proposals in the first year. The two required courses in the program’s second year are SAS programming and database systems. Western Michigan University expects program participants to complete one computer science elective and one statistical elective before completing their master’s projects. These electives include topics like experimental design, statistical inference, parallel computations, and network programming.

The application process for the M.S. in data science at Western Michigan is straightforward compared to other universities. Applicants submit their applications, resumes, and official transcripts demonstrating skills necessary to pursue graduate degrees. The data science program requires previous coursework in statistics, programming, and calculus. You can discuss your personal and professional journey while demonstrating interest in data science in the required written statement. The admissions process for this program does not require a program-specific test, recommendation letters, or other materials.

Western Michigan University charged $651.57 per graduate credit during the 2018-2019 school year. A first-year graduate student in data science was able to complete their work for $11,728.26 plus fees. The university offers myriad avenues for graduate students to complete their work without worrying about finances. Promising students may be offered teaching or research assistantships that come with partial tuition coverage. The Graduate Student Research Grant provides assistance up to $1,000 to cover research expenses. Scholarships like the Dames Endowed Scholarship and the Stapleton-Reinhold Scholarship chip away at expenses for data science studies.

On-Campus Data Science Ph.D. Programs in Michigan

There are no Ph.D. programs specific to data science in Michigan. You can learn about data science Ph.D. programs throughout the country by clicking here.

On-Campus Graduate Certificate Programs in Michigan

Michigan Tech University trains future engineers, scientists, and tech developers in the picturesque setting of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Data Science Department caters to students at various points in their developments with master’s and accelerated master’s degrees programs. The department also augments student interest in data science with a graduate certificate path. This certificate is designed for data scientists who want to strengthen their skills before entering the public and private sectors.

This five-course certificate program requires completion of four core courses. Introduction to data science sets the table with discussions of how data science interact with business, science, and society. Students learn how information systems are integrated into the business world in information systems management and data analytics. The data mining course delves into theories, applications, and methodologies critical to pulling data from sources. A predictive modeling course helps students learn how to turn mined data into analytical outputs.

Michigan Tech University allows certificate students to specialize with their one elective course. Students can continue development of their data science skills with courses in machine learning, statistical analysis, and time series analysis. The certificate caters to scientists in other fields with computer simulation in physics and programming skills for bioinformatics.

The graduate certificate in data science can act as a supplement to a master’s program or a standalone path. The Data Science Department requires certificate applicants to complete the same application requirements as master’s degree candidates. Each applicant need to demonstrate completion of a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0. The application should also prove completion of programming and statistics courses via transcripts. Michigan Tech University also requires submission of two recommendation letters, a personal statement, and a statement of purpose.

You can complete Michigan Tech’s graduate certificate in data science in as little as one year. The 2018-2019 tuition for a graduate student in data science was $1,143 per credit. This means that a certificate student could complete the program for $17,145 before fees. You can pay for some or all of this expense by seeking teaching, research, or administrative assistantships along with graduate fellowships.

Online Data Science Degree Programs in Michigan

You don’t need to sit in a classroom to complete a data science degree program in Michigan. The University of Michigan offers one of several online degree programs in the field. The Master of Applied Data Science (MADS) run by the School of Information was built to train students in various academic backgrounds. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to incorporate their professional experiences and studies into their understanding of data science.

Students in the MADS program can choose a one-year route for full-time study or two-year and three-year routes for part-time study. The university’s information faculty train students in topics like data visualization, machine learning, and social media analytics. The program teaches each course over a four-week period with full-time students combining up to three courses at a time. The typical MADS graduate leaves the program with three data science projects that demonstrate real-world uses.

The MADS application process allows each applicant to demonstrate their interest and professional skills. The University of Michigan requires standard elements like an application form, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and a $75 fee. MADS applicants include their resume and recent college transcripts to support their application. Each applicant must complete five essay questions of up to 250 words each that demonstrate interest and understanding of the data science field. The School of Information also requires applicants to pass tests on introductory statistics and intro-level Python before enrolling in courses.

The University of Michigan provides preferred pricing to students who live in the state. During the 2018-2019 school year, the MADS program charged $932 per credit for Michigan-based students and $1,243 per credit for students living in other states. The School of Information maintains a comprehensive resource for external funding options and graduate students may also receive matching funds from the school for outside scholarships.