Is it worth it to get a Ph.D. in data science?

The value of a Ph.D. in data science depends on your individual career goals. A doctorate offers expertise, research opportunities, and potential for high-level roles in academia, research, or industry. However, for some data science careers, a master's degree may be enough, and industry experience can also be valuable for your career.

Do you need a master’s or Ph.D. to become a data scientist?

A master's degree is often sufficient to become a data scientist. Many professionals work as data scientists with a master's in data science, computer science, statistics, or related fields. However, a Ph.D. can lead to specialized roles, research opportunities, and higher-level positions.

Will a Ph.D. in data science pay more?

A Ph.D. in data science can lead to higher-paying positions, but there is not always a correlation between education and pay levels. Industry salaries can also be influenced by experience, job responsibilities, and the specific demands of the job, regardless of the degree level. This is particularly true in tech, where experience and alternative education methods like certifications hold a lot of weight.

Best Online Doctorate in Data Science Programs

A Ph.D. is a lot of work, but is it worth it? Specializing in data science might be the key to opening new opportunities.

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Updated April 24, 2024

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Deciding to get a Ph.D. is a big commitment. While there are always huge benefits to learning and becoming better in your industry, going back to school can also be challenging. Studying data science requires a list of skills, but if you find an online doctorate that fits your interests and needs, it can also be highly rewarding.

There are numerous things to keep in mind in order to pick the right online Ph.D. in data science. With the amount of time and resources it takes to finish a doctorate, it is important to choose a program that you are going to enjoy and that will fit your needs.

Featured Online PhD in Data Science Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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In this Article

Best Online Doctorate in Data Science Programs

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Springs, CO4 yearOnline

$13,683

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,683

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

100%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,939

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,939

Retention Rate

44%

Students Enrolled

24,016

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,683

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,683

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Springs, CO4 yearOnline

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,683

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,683

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

100%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,939

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,939

Retention Rate

44%

Students Enrolled

24,016

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

National University

La Jolla, CA4 yearOnline

$16,881

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,881

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,064

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,064

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

12,648

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,881

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,881

National University

La Jolla, CA4 yearOnline

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,881

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,881

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,064

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,064

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

12,648

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

The Pros and Cons of an Online Doctorate in Data Science

Undertaking a Ph.D. is a big decision. While a positive experience for many as well as a good career step, it is also a lot of work and a time and financial commitment.

Only you can decide whether now is the right time for you to get a Ph.D. Consider the pros and cons before deciding to get an online doctorate in data science.

Pros

Expertise and Specialization: A Ph.D. allows you to become an expert in a specific area of data science, giving you a deep understanding of the subject matter and its applications.
Research Opportunities: Pursuing a Ph.D. opens doors for you to conduct cutting-edge research, contribute to the field’s advancement, and potentially publish influential papers.
Career Advancement: A doctorate can enhance your career prospects, making you a valuable asset for academia, research institutions, or government agencies.

Cons

Narrow Focus: Specializing in a specific area of data science may limit job opportunities compared to a broader skill set.
Time: Completing a Ph.D. takes several years, demanding substantial time commitment and potentially impacting your work-life balance.
Stress: The research process can be mentally and emotionally taxing, with pressure to produce original and impactful work.

Career and Salary Outlook for Data Science Careers

A doctorate in data science can help you expand your career choices and land a high-level data science job. Graduates can become data scientists, research scientists, data analysts, or work in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Other career options include roles as a researcher or professor in academia, industry roles as a data engineering or machine learning specialist, and leadership roles as a data science manager or director.

With continuing education and certifications, there is a lot of movement and flexibility in the tech space. Data science is also an important aspect of many other careers, so there is a lot of possibility for career movement and development. Here are some common career options for data science graduates.

Note: Wages marked with an asterisk symbol are current as of April 2024.

Data Science Careers and Wages
Data Science Career	Average Annual Wage (2023)
Market Research Analyst	$83,190
Data Science Professor	$106,380
Business Intelligence Developer	$86,970*
Statistician	$109,190
Senior Data Scientist	$132,260*
Business Intelligence Architect	$116,510*
Database Administrator and Architect	$104,810
Machine Learning Engineer	$118,350*
Information Security Analyst	$124,740
AI Specialist	$133,470*
Chief Data Officer	$171,860*

Source: BLS and Payscale

Joining a Data Science Professional Organization

Joining a community or professional organization and getting involved can have many important benefits in terms of technical skills and interpersonal relationships. Whether it is a local organization or a national one, it’s a good idea to get involved — both for you and your career.

Advantages of joining a professional organization include access to educational courses and workshops, networking opportunities with industry experts and potential employers, grant and funding opportunities for research projects, conferences and events to stay updated on the latest trends, and collaborative projects and research initiatives.

Popular data science professional organizations include the Data Science Association, the Special Interest Group on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining, and the Computation Intelligence Society. Make sure to also search for any local associations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Doctorate in Data Science Degrees

A Ph.D. in data science typically takes 3-5 years to complete, depending on the program, research topic, and your individual progress. It will also depend on whether you are studying full-time or if you have work or other personal commitments that will limit the time you can dedicate to your Ph.D.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed April 22, 2024.

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