A rigorous, STEM-designated master's at the heart of New York City. NYU's Center for Data Science blends machine learning, statistics and big-data engineering — and qualifies you for up to three years of work in the US on OPT.
2 years
Full-time duration
$42,000
Tuition / year (intl.)
Aug 2026
Next intake (Fall)
TOEFL 100
English requirement
Overview
✓ Study at NYU — ranked #38 in the world(QS 2025), in the heart of NYC's tech and finance scene
✓ A STEM-designated master's — qualify for 36-month OPT work authorisation
✓ Learn from world-leading faculty in machine learning, statistics and data engineering
This master's builds a rigorous foundation in data science — machine learning, statistical modelling, big-data systems and their real-world application. You'll work on capstone projects with real datasets and industry partners across NYC's tech, finance and media sectors.
Graduates move into data-scientist, ML-engineer and research roles across the US and the GCC — and, because the program is STEM-designated, qualify to work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Not sure your quantitative background is strong enough? Your counsellor reviews your profile and suggests bridging options — at no cost.
What you'll study
Core modules
01 Machine Learning
02 Statistical & Mathematical Foundations
03 Big Data & Distributed Systems
04 Deep Learning
05 NLP & Computer Vision
06 Data Science Capstone
After you graduate
Career outcomes
$120,000+
Median starting salary for NYC data scientists
3-year OPT
STEM-designated work authorisation
94%
Employed within 6 months of graduating
Top recruiters
Google, Meta, Two Sigma, Bloomberg, Spotify
How to apply
Application timeline
June – September 2025
Prepare your application
Take GMAT/GRE (or request a waiver), draft your essays, update your resume, and gather two recommendations. Your counsellor reviews everything free of charge.
October 2025 (R1) / January 2026 (R2) / April 2026 (R3)
Submit your application
NYU reviews applications in rounds with a priority deadline (typically early February). Applying early gives the best funding consideration. Your counsellor submits and tracks your application.
4–6 weeks after submission
Interview & decision
Selected candidates are invited for an interview (virtual or in-person). Decisions and scholarship offers follow within 2–3 weeks.
April – July 2026
Accept, I-20 & F-1 visa
Accept your offer, pay your deposit, receive your I-20 from NYU, pay the SEVIS fee ($350), and attend your F-1 visa interview.
August 2026
Orientation & start
Arrive in New York City for orientation, then begin your first semester at NYU.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees & costs
Tuition (international)
Per annum
$42,000
Total programme cost
2 years (~36 credits)
~$84,000
Enrolment deposit
Required to confirm seat & I-20
$500
SEVIS fee (I-901)
One-time US government fee
$350
Scholarships
Funding you may be eligible for
NYU CDS Partial Scholarship
New York University · Merit-based
$5,000–$20,000
Coverage: Tuition fee reduction per year
Eligibility: Admitted students with outstanding quantitative records
Duration: Full programme (2 years)
Deadline: Round 1 applicants get best consideration
Source: cds.nyu.edu funding, 2026
Graduate Assistantship / TA
New York University · Merit-based
Varies
Coverage: Partial tuition remission + stipend
Eligibility: Continuing students supporting teaching/research
Duration: Full programme
Deadline: Automatic consideration on admission
Source: cds.nyu.edu, 2026
Government Scholarships (home country)
Saudi SACM, Kuwaiti MOHE, etc.
Full award
Coverage: Tuition + living expenses + flights
Eligibility: Varies by country — master's at a ranked US school
Duration: Full programme
Deadline: Varies — your counsellor checks eligibility
Source: sacm.org.sa / mohe.gov.kw, 2026
Loans & financing
Alternative funding options
Prodigy / MPOWER Finance
International student loan · No cosigner
Up to $100,000
Designed for international STEM master's students at top-ranked US universities. No cosigner required; rates based on future earning potential. NYU is an eligible school.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Paid internship during your master's
Full-time in summer
Data science students can do paid internships via CPT. Summer data-science internships in NYC pay $8,000–$12,000/month at tech and finance firms — offsetting costs and building your US resume.
Living costs
Monthly budget in New York City
New York City is one of the most expensive US cities, but places you at the centre of the tech, finance and media industries — with unmatched internship and career access.
Rent (shared apartment)$1,400–$2,400
Food & groceries$400–$650
Transport (MetroCard)$132
Health insurance (univ.)$200–$280
Books & supplies$50–$100
Personal & leisure$250–$500
Estimated total$2,480–$4,000/month
F-1 visa financial proof: NYC living expenses run ~$35,000–$45,000/year in addition to tuition — shown via bank statements or a sponsor letter.
Student visa
F-1 visa requirements
Visa type
F-1 Student Visa
I-20 required
Certificate of Eligibility issued by NYU
SEVIS fee (I-901)
$350 (one-time, paid before interview)
Visa application fee
$185
Financial proof
~$85,000/year (tuition + NYC living expenses)
Post-graduation (OPT)
12 months + 24 months STEM extension = 36 months
📋
Your counsellor guides you through the full F-1 process — from I-20 to embassy interview preparation.
Student stories
Hear from our students
"NYU's Data Science master's put me right in the middle of NYC's tech scene. The STEM designation gives me 3 years to work in the US. My summer internship at a hedge fund turned into a full-time offer. My counsellor guided the whole application."
TK
Tariq K.
MS Data Science, NYU — Class of 2026 · 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
"NYC is the ultimate place to study data science — every major tech and finance firm is here. The capstone project gave me real-world experience with a real company that made all the difference in interviews."
SM
Salma M.
MS Data Science, NYU — Class of 2025 · 🇪🇬 Egypt
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the GRE?
The GRE is recommended for NYU's Data Science MS, especially a strong quantitative score. Some applicants are competitive without it, but a good GRE strengthens a quantitative-heavy profile. Your counsellor advises whether to submit a score.
What does STEM-designated mean for me?
A STEM-designated degree qualifies graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension — giving you 36 months total to work in the US after graduation (vs 12 months otherwise). Data science is STEM, so you get the full 3 years — a major advantage for international students.
What background do I need?
You need a quantitative bachelor's (CS, maths, statistics, engineering or similar), solid Python programming, and a foundation in linear algebra, calculus and probability. Your counsellor helps you present your background to strengthen your application.
Can I do a paid internship during the master's?
Yes. Data science students do paid internships via CPT (Curricular Practical Training). NYC summer data-science internships pay $8,000–$12,000/month at tech and finance firms — and many full-time offers come from internships.
Why study data science at NYU?
NYU combines a world-class, research-led data science faculty with an unbeatable location — every major tech, finance and media employer recruits in NYC. The STEM designation, strong internship pipeline, and NYC network make it one of the best launchpads for a US data-science career.
