Top universities for Data Science in 2026
Global #1
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Boston, USA · QS #1
Best universities for Data Science, Analytics and Business Intelligence masters programs. The list below is ranked globally by QS, then grouped by country so you can shortlist by destination. Click any university to see its full IELTS / tuition / intake profile.
Global top 50 for Data Science
Ranked by QS where available; unranked direct partners are listed alphabetically below the QS-ranked tier.
USA (22)
| University | QS | IELTS | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Boston | #1 | 6.5 | View → |
New York Universityk New York | #26 | 6.5 | View → |
Hult International Business School Shanghai | #51 | 6.5 | View → |
Barcelona Graduate School of Economics Barcelona | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Berkel Bergen | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Finlandia University | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Harbour Space University Barcelona | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon | #99 | — | View → |
Jheronimus Academy Of Data Science | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Louisiana Tech University Ruston | #99 | — | View → |
Manhattan College New York | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
New York University (NYU) School Of Global Health | #99 | 7.0 | View → |
Newman University Wichita | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Nova Southeastern University Davie | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
NYU GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH | #99 | 7.0 | View → |
Saint Marys University of Minnesota | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
San Francisco State University San Francisco | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Stanford University Stanford | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Texas A&M University at Galveston | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
University Of Arizona | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
UK (14)
| University | QS | IELTS | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Arden University Coventry | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Arts University Bournemouth Poole | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Bangor University Gwynedd | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
BENHAM & REEVES (ACCOMMODATION PROVIDER) ALL | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Birkbeck London | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
City St Georges | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
De Montfort University Leicester | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Glasgow Caledonian University Glasgow | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
Goldsmiths University of London London | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
LSE MPhil/PhD Management - Information Systems | #99 | 7.0 | View → |
Queen Mary University London London | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
University of Bedfordshire Luton | #99 | 6.0 | View → |
University of Chester Chester | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
France (6)
| University | QS | IELTS | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
Institut Polytechnique De Paris | #46 | 6.5 | View → |
Esaip School Engineers | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Jean Monnet University Saint-Étienne | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
KEDGE Business School Marseille, Bordeaux, Paris, Toulon | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Paris School of Business (PSB) Paris | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Toulouse Business School - Toulouse Toulouse | #99 | 6.5 | View → |
Canada (4)
Germany (2)
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Drill into a single destination for full tuition / visa / intake context.
Frequently asked questions
- What IELTS score is required for Data Science programs abroad?
- IELTS requirements for Data Science typically range from 6.0 to 7.5 overall, with 6.0 in each band the most common minimum. Top-tier universities like Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health usually require 7.0+. See each university's row in the table above for the exact band, or look up any university by name on /ielts-score-for.
- Do I need GRE or GMAT for Data Science masters programs?
- GRE is required by most US universities for technical masters in the USA but waived by many programs post-pandemic. Universities in UK, Canada, Australia and Europe rarely require GRE. Check each program for the current policy.
- Which countries are best for Data Science?
- Top destinations for Data Science in 2026 include USA, France, UK, Ireland, Canada. Choice depends on tuition tier, post-study work rights, and the cost-of-living math for your budget. Use the "Shortlist by country" rail above to compare.
- Is Data Science in demand globally?
- Best universities for Data Science, Analytics and Business Intelligence masters programs. The roles linked to Data Science have appeared on every major industry skills-shortage list since 2020 (LinkedIn Emerging Jobs, World Economic Forum Future of Jobs, US BLS occupational outlook), and most destination countries fast-track post-study work permits for graduates of these programs. Check the country-specific PR pathway pages on /studyabroad for the visa-to-PR math.
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