The average starting salary for graduates of the MLDS program in 2014 was $103,250, and the average starting bonus was $12,000.

Admissions
Tuition & Financial Aid

The Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is $22,304 per quarter, plus an added $276 health services fee and a $125 student activity fee per quarter. Our program spans five quarters: the first fall, winter, spring, summer, and a second fall quarter. Students graduate in December after their second fall quarter. Students graduate in December after their second fall quarter is completed.

Health Insurance
Health Insurance is a requirement for all degree-seeking students at Northwestern University, which will cost each student an additional $5,571 for coverage from September 1, 2024-August 31, 2025. Students can fulfill the insurance requirement by:

The Northwestern Student Health Insurance Office is available to assist students in making appropriate insurance selections for their healthcare needs. Please contact them directly with health insurance questions.

Master of Science in Machine Learning And Data Science Scholarships

The Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science program awards a small number of scholarships each year. Some of our scholarships are reserved for applicants participating in the GEM (Graduate Education for Minorities) Fellowship Program.

Be sure to complete your application by the Scholarship Priority Deadline (December 1) to receive full consideration for scholarship funding. Applications completed by the Regular Deadline (January 15) may be considered for scholarship funding if any is still available.

Additional Funding Resources

In addition to scholarships offered directly through the program, Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science students may be eligible for other types of funding. Resources may be found at the McCormick School of Engineering Fellowships and Internships page or at Northwestern University's Office of Fellowships.

Unfortunately, students in the Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science program are not able to apply for teaching assistant or research assistant positions through our department. Opportunities in other programs occasionally present themselves, though we cannot guarantee their availability in a given year.

Financial Aid

Many master’s students find funding through a variety of loan options or through other scholarship and resource opportunities, some of which are listed on McCormick’s website.

Students in the Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science program are eligible for financial aid. Prospective students should familiarize themselves with the alternatives for financial aid and contact the Evanston Office of Graduate Financial Aid with any questions.

Students using financial aid to fund their graduate degree must comply with the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy to maintain eligibility.