University of Illinois: Master’s of Data Science Review (2025)

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s MCS-DS program offers a flexible, fully online curriculum tailored to working professionals. The program consists of 8 courses, totaling 32 credit hours, which can be completed in 12 to 36 months, depending on the student’s pace. Delivered entirely through Coursera, the program enables students to balance learning with personal and professional commitments.

In this article, we’ll explore what the course offers and review each component based on feedback from our candidates. Later in the article, we’ll also discuss the particular experience of one of our candidates who completed the online course. So, without further ado, let’s get going.

The MCS-DS program features a combination of core and elective courses tailored to provide a strong foundation in data science while allowing for specialization. Below is a breakdown of key courses:

Core Courses:

1. Machine Learning (CS 598 AML): Covers supervised and unsupervised learning, neural networks, and deep learning principles.
2. Data Mining (CS 412): Teaches advanced techniques for pattern discovery in large datasets.
3. Cloud Computing (CS 498 CC): Introduces distributed systems and cloud platforms like AWS and Hadoop.

Elective Courses:

• Data Visualization (CS 519 DV): Focuses on creating insightful visual representations of data.
• Statistical Learning (STAT 598): Covers regression, classification, and other statistical modeling methods.
• Data Curation (CS 598 DC): Explores strategies for organizing and maintaining high-quality datasets.
• Computer Vision (CS 445): Introduces image processing and object recognition techniques.

Capstone Project

Students complete a capstone project to apply their knowledge to real-world data science problems, often in collaboration with specific industries. The MS in Computer Science at UIC offers a project option, which is a capstone experience bridging coursework and a full thesis. The project replaces 4 credits of coursework and involves independent work, a final report, and an evaluation by the advisor and another faculty member. This option is ideal for those aiming for industry roles.

Tuition & Financing

Included in the Fortune Top 10 Affordable Online Master’s in Data Science Programs, the MCS-DS is competitively priced at $19,840 – $24,128. The MCS-DS program offers a “pay-as-you-go” tuition model, allowing students to pay for their courses incrementally rather than up-front. This flexible structure makes tuition more manageable, as payments are spread out throughout the program.

To be considered for the MCS-DS program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Bachelor’s Degree:
   • A 4-year undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field from an accredited institution.
   • A minimum GPA of 3.²⁄₄.0 is required.
2. Prerequisite Knowledge:
   • Proficiency in data structures, algorithms, linear algebra, and probability/statistics.
   • Experience with at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java, or C++).
3. Test Scores:
   • GRE scores are optional but recommended for applicants without strong academic or professional backgrounds.
4. English Proficiency (for International Students):
   • TOEFL (minimum score: 103) or IELTS (minimum score: 7.5) is required unless the applicant holds a degree from an English-speaking institution.
5. Application Materials:
   • A completed application form.
   • Statement of Purpose outlining academic goals and career aspirations.
   • Resume/CV highlighting relevant experience and skills.
   • Letters of Recommendation (up to 3 letters).
6. Work Experience:
   • While not mandatory, relevant professional experience in data science, programming, or related fields is a plus.

Graduates of the program are well-prepared for in-demand roles such as:

• Data Scientist
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Data Analyst
• AI Researcher

The program emphasizes practical, hands-on learning, which enhances employability. Additionally, students join a vast alumni network of over 800,000 members, providing access to career connections and opportunities worldwide.

Key Benefits of the UIUC Program

Here are a few reasons why this is such a popular master’s of data science program:

• Flexible Scheduling: You can enroll as a full- or part-time student and have up to five years to complete the program.
• Affordability: The program costs about $670 per credit hour, and students pay as they go. It’s much more affordable than on-campus alternatives.
• 100% Online: Complete the course online and access the course content on any device via Coursera.

One potential drawback is the limited course selection. The data science track focuses on four areas: machine learning, data mining, data visualization, and cloud computing. If you’re looking for in-depth courses on deep learning or computer vision, you might be underwhelmed.

We talked with Apurva Hari, a San Francisco-based AI consultant currently working on the chatbot team for a large national bank. Apurva was a part of the first UIUC cohort in 2016 and graduated from the program in 2018.

What was your background before starting the program?

I graduated from a college in India with a degree in computer science, and my first job was with a company called Franklin Templeton Investments. I was a part of the security and customer experience/networks teams.

I was an analyst on that team. I moved to the Bay Area in 2015. I took up a certification course at UC Berkeley Extension, Big Data Analysis, and took courses in Python programming and the fundamentals of machine learning. When I joined the master’s program, I worked as a lead data analyst on the data governance team at Silicon Valley Bank.

What made you want to pursue the MCS-DS program? How did you apply?

It was online and part-time. I applied to a few on-campus programs before that and was admitted, but this program allowed me to continue working while I studied.

When I applied, I had to take a GRE and TOEFL exam since I’m not a U.S. citizen. I had applied to other programs, so I already had those credentials. I also had to submit a statement of purpose, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and certificates.

Note: The GRE is no longer required for the UIUC program.

What UIUC courses have been most helpful in your career?

My coursework was primarily focused on statistics and data science. I was taking courses in statistics at a basic level, advanced stats, Bayesian statistics, applied machine learning, data visualization, and data cleaning.

One course that is very close to the work that I do now was Text Information Systems (see a sample syllabus). This covered the basics of text mining all the way to advanced concepts like building classifiers and text retrieval algorithms.

Another course that was helpful was Data Visualization. I do a lot of data visualization at work, and in this course, I learned how to connect databases with the D3 JavaScript library and also worked with Tableau, which I had prior experience with.

These concepts have been really, really helpful. The course gave me a theoretical perspective on data visualization, as we covered things like building better dashboards, design fundamentals, and color theory.

How did the program help with your career?

When I had completed about 75% of the program, I started applying for jobs. And I joined Wells Fargo, initially on the AI team. I think part of why they hired me was this degree and my background in data science from the program.

Any drawbacks to the program?

I really enjoyed the program, but if someone is going down this path, I’d say that it’s a lot of work, especially if they’re not from a technical background. Also, if you’re working, you really have to know how to manage your time well.

At the time, there were some technical issues with the videos and exams, but typically those were resolved.

Another drawback was that, at the time, they didn’t really have any location-based career services. As I was based in the Bay Area, I had to navigate the job market myself.

I would also say that the course selection was limited. There’s a lot of helpful machine learning content, but deep learning was only touched on in a few courses.

What other benefits did you enjoy from the program?

I had all the typical benefits of an on-campus master’s student, but they were all virtual. I had access to recorded seminars and the e-library, and one great benefit was that I received discounts for conferences. I was able to attend several conferences in the Bay Area.

Would you recommend the program to others in the field?

I would definitely recommend this program. The degree has helped me successfully transition to a career in data science. Plus, I got the opportunity to interact and learn from a talented, motivated, and extremely supportive team of peers and staff (professors, TAs).

And the most special reason: I graduated with an advanced degree from one of the top universities for computer science (which has been a dream) despite having a baby around that time.

The University of Illinois’ MCS-DS program offers a comprehensive, flexible online education for aspiring data scientists. With a mix of core and elective courses, students can tailor their learning while gaining practical experience through a capstone project. The program’s competitive pricing, flexible tuition options, and strong career prospects make it a compelling choice for professionals seeking to advance in the field of data science. All the best!