MBA in Data Science: Course Fees, Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Top Colleges, Salary & Scope

Rashmi KaranManager - Content
The MBA in data science course is rapidly becoming a highly coveted specialization in management to leverage data effectively in a business context. As industries increasingly adopt technology and scientific methods for their operations, the ability to assess and manage data has become crucial. This professional program equips individuals with the skills to drive business innovations through data. Data science merges various disciplines, including Statistics, Mathematics, Information Science, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. This makes the MBA in Data Science particularly suitable for those with an Engineering or Technical background.
By 2025, it's projected that the world will generate 463 exabytes of data daily, highlighting the growing demand for skilled data science experts and managers. Key sectors offering career opportunities in Data Science include IT, e-commerce, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance). This article provides comprehensive details about the MBA in Data Science, including eligibility criteria, admission processes, course content, syllabus, top MBA in data science colleges, career prospects, potential salaries, and recruiters.
Also Read: Kick Start Your Career in Data Science without Coding Knowledge
What is Data Science?
Data science transforms vast amounts of data into actionable insights and informed predictions. It's the art of deciphering complex data sets to guide decision-making and forecast future trends.
Imagine data science as a form of investigative work. Data scientists gather, scrutinize, and interpret data to uncover answers to critical questions. Their analyses range from identifying consumer purchasing trends to detecting health-related patterns that could aid in disease prevention.
At its core, data science aims to mine data for valuable insights, enabling informed decisions based on predictive analysis. This rapidly evolving field is pivotal across various sectors.
Data science encompasses several key activities, including:
- Define the Problem
- Collect and Clean Data
- Explore and Visualize Data
- Model and Analyze Data
- Communicate Result
- Implement and Evaluate the Result
MBA in Data Science Highlights
Given below are the key highlights of the MBA in Data Science course:
Features |
MBA in Data Science Details |
---|---|
Degree Name |
MBA in Data Science |
Degree Type |
Postgraduate |
Course duration |
2 years |
Education modes |
Full-time, part-time, distance learning modes, and online MBA in data science |
MBA in data science eligibility criteria |
Bachelor’s degree in any stream |
Admission process |
Entrance exam + GD/PI |
Course fee |
INR 1 lakh to INR 15 lakh and above |
Average MBA in data science salary |
INR 8 Lakh Per Annum (LPA) |
Job profiles |
Risk Analyst, Business Analyst, Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Stock Analyst, Project Manager |
MBA in Data Science Eligibility Criteria
- The basic eligibility criteria to pursue an MBA in Data Science is graduation. However, since Data Science is all about data crunching, having an academic background in Mathematics, Statistics, Information Science, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will be valuable.
- Some of the MBA programs in data science colleges have minimum score criteria of 50 percent aggregate in graduation.
MBA in Data Science Skill Set
Apart from academic eligibility, one must have a flair for Data Science, as it is a niche and a highly specialised field. Some of the skill sets one must possess for an MBA in Data Science are listed below:
- Strong base in Mathematics and Statistics
- Analytical thinking
- Critical thinking
- Interpretive skills
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Team management
- Decisive
- Adaptive
- Eye for detail
MBA in Data Science Entrance Exams & Admission
The data science for MBA admission process includes an entrance exam, Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). Given below are some of the top national-level MBA entrance exams for MBA in Data Science:
Entrance Exams for MBA in Data Science |
|
---|---|
The admission process for an MBA in Data Science course is the same as the MBA General course. The institutes shortlist candidates for Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) based on an entrance exam score. Admission criteria include academic record (class 10, 12 & graduation), entrance exam score, GD/PI round performance, and work experience (not mandatory).
MBA in Data Science Syllabus
The MBA in Data Science syllabus includes general management subjects, business analytics and technical topics such as Machine Learning, Spreadsheet Modelling, Data Visualization, etc. Given below are the topics commonly included in the MBA in data science course:
Semester 1: Core Management and Data Science Fundamentals
Subject |
Topics |
Subtopics |
Management Concepts |
Business Functions, External Environment, SWOT Analysis |
|
Motivation, Leadership, Team Dynamics |
||
Strategic Management |
Corporate Strategy, Competitive Advantage, Strategy Formulation |
|
Mathematics for Data Science |
Linear Algebra |
Vectors, Matrices, Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors |
Probability & Statistics |
Probability Distributions, Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Inference |
|
Data Science Basics |
Introduction to Data Science |
Data Collection, Data Types, Data Wrangling |
Data Cleaning, Handling Missing Data, Data Transformation |
Semester 2: Data Analysis and Machine Learning
Subject |
Topics |
Subtopics |
Data Analysis Techniques |
Descriptive Statistics, Identifying Patterns |
|
Tools (Matplotlib, Seaborn, Tableau), Graphical Representations |
||
Machine Learning I |
Linear Regression, Logistic Regression, Decision Trees |
|
K-Means Clustering, Principal Component Analysis, Hierarchical Clustering |
||
Model Evaluation |
Cross-validation, Bias-Variance Tradeoff, Performance Metrics |
|
Business Analytics |
Predictive Analytics |
Forecasting, Time Series Analysis, Demand Forecasting |
Data-driven Decision Making |
KPIs, Data Interpretation, Decision Support Systems |
Semester 3: Advanced Data Science and Big Data
Subject |
Topics |
Subtopics |
Machine Learning II |
Advanced Supervised Learning |
SVM, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost |
ANN, CNN, RNN, Backpropagation |
||
Reinforcement Learning |
Q-Learning, Policy Gradients, Applications in Business |
|
Big Data Technologies |
HDFS, MapReduce, YARN, Pig, Hive |
|
Apache Spark |
Spark RDDs, DataFrames, Spark MLlib |
|
NoSQL Databases |
MongoDB, Cassandra, Data Modeling in NoSQL |
|
Advanced Business Analytics |
Prescriptive Analytics |
Optimization Models, Simulation Techniques |
BI Tools (Power BI, Tableau), Data Warehousing |
Semester 4: Data Science in Business and Emerging Trends
Subject |
Topics |
Subtopics |
Natural Language Processing |
Text Mining and Sentiment Analysis |
Tokenization, NLP Tools (NLTK, spaCy), Text Classification, Sentiment Analysis |
Speech Recognition |
Voice Data, Acoustic Models, Deep Learning for Speech Recognition |
|
AI and Data Science in Business |
AI for Business Solutions |
Chatbots, Personalization, Recommendation Systems |
Ethical AI and Data Science |
Bias in AI, Fairness in Machine Learning, Ethical Implications |
|
Data Science Capstone Project |
Project Development & Presentation |
Data Collection, Model Building, Final Report, Presentation to Stakeholders |
Electives (Optional) |
Blockchain and Data Science |
Blockchain Fundamentals, Smart Contracts, Cryptography |
Cloud Computing for Data Science |
AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Cloud-based Data Solutions |
Top MBA in Data Science Colleges in India
Given below are some of the best colleges for MBA in data science programme along with the course fee:
MBA in Data Science Colleges |
MBA in Data Science Course Fee (INR) |
---|---|
4.50 lakh |
|
5.25 lakh |
|
12.20 lakh |
|
16.29 lakh |
|
24.00 lakh |
|
15.98 lakh |
|
2.75 lakh |
|
4.00 lakh |
|
1.20 lakh |
|
18.07 lakh |
MBA in Data Science Career Prospects: Jobs and Salary
Data Science jobs are highly responsible roles that require excellent analytical and data interpretation skills and knowledge of the latest technology and tools. Since it is a highly specialised job and critical to the good health of a business enterprise, the remuneration offered is also high, thus drawing professionals to take up an MBA in data science for working professionals. Given below are the Data Science job roles and average salaries:
MBA in Data Science Job Roles |
MBA in Data Science Average Salary (INR) |
---|---|
Data Science Manager |
21 LPA |
Data Architect |
19 LPA |
Product Manager |
17 LPA |
Data Science Consultant |
10 LPA |
Data Engineer |
8.38 LPA |
Product Analyst |
6.20 LPA |
Business Intelligence Analyst |
5.94 LPA |
Operations Research Analyst |
4.00 LPA |
Clinical Data Analyst |
3.50 LPA |
Check out data science interview questions to ace your next data science interview.
MBA in Data Science: Top Recruiters
The demand for MBA in data science graduates is high in sectors such as e-commerce, manufacturing, healthcare, banking and finance, transport and information technology. Some of the top recruiters are listed below:
Top MBA in Data Science Recruiters |
|
---|---|
1. Amazon |
2. IBM |
3. Deloitte |
4. Accenture |
5. Fractal Analytics |
6. Citrix |
7. LinkedIn |
8. Myntra |
9. MuSigma |
10. Dexlock |
11. Flipkart |
12. Rudder Analytics |
Check out data analytics interview questions to ace the interview round.
MBA in Data Science FAQs
Q: Which are the top B-Schools for MBA in Data Science?
Q: What is the eligibility criteria for MBA in Data Science?
Q: What is taught in MBA in Data Science?
Q: What are the job roles offered to MBA in data science graduates?
Q: Which companies hire MBA in Data Science degree holders?
Q: What is the admission process for MBA in Data Science?
Q: What is the average fees of MBA in Data Science course in India?
Q: I want to pursue MBA in Data Science. Do I need to clear an entrance exam for it?
Q: Does IIM offer MBA in Data Science?
Q: What is the course duration of MBA in Data Science?
Q: I have a BTech Computer Science degree, can I go for MBA in Data Science?
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UG Courses
- B.E. / B.Tech
1 College
Popular MBA in Data Science PG Courses
PG Courses
- MBA/PGDM
37 Colleges
- PG Diploma
1 College
Popular Exams
Important Exam Dates
Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
---|---|
29 Sep ' 25 - 03 Oct ' 25 | PGCET Counselling: Facility to Edit Exercised Options ONGOING |
01 Aug ' 25 - 10 Oct ' 25 | NMAT 2025 Registration Window ONGOING |
16 Sep ' 25 - 12 Oct ' 25 | KMAT 2025 registrations (session 2) ONGOING |
01 Aug ' 25 - 20 Nov ' 25 | SNAP 2025 Registration Process ONGOING |
03 Oct ' 25 | Karnataka PGCET First Round Allotment Results (Provisional) |
04 Oct ' 25 | Karnataka PGCET First Round Allotment Results (Final) |
04 Oct ' 25 - 07 Oct ' 25 | Exercising of choices by candidates with an allotment |
Dates | Past Exam Dates |
---|---|
20 Sep ' 25 | TG ICET Final Phase Counselling 2025: Seat Allotment |
16 Sep ' 25 | TG ICET Final Phase Counselling 2025: Certification Verification |
16 Sep ' 25 - 17 Sep ' 25 | TG ICET Final Phase Counselling 2025: Web Options Entry |
5 Nov ' 25 - 30 Nov ' 25 | CAT 2025 admit card download |
30 Nov ' 25 | CAT 2025 exam |
5 Oct ' 25 | TG ICET Special Phase Counselling 2025: Slot Book... |
6 Oct ' 25 | TG ICET Special Phase Counselling 2025: Certifica... |
29 Sep ' 25 - 3 Oct ' 25 | PGCET Counselling: Facility to Edit Exercised Opt... |
3 Oct ' 25 | Karnataka PGCET First Round Allotment Results (Pr... |
28 Sep ' 25 | MAT CBT Exam 2025 (Sept ) |
25 Sep ' 25 - 28 Sep ' 25 | MAT CBT Admit Card 2025 (Sept ) |
News & Updates
Student Forum
Answered 2 weeks ago
The GATE pattern and structure for data Science and artificial intelligence can be checked below -
- The exam mode is online and the question paper will be available in English language.
- The general aptitude section carries 15 marks and the remining 85 marks are reserved for the subject-based questions.
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
If you complete MBA in Data Science and AI with SAS at Chandigarh University, you can expect placements that are both diverse and future-ready. The programme is designed in such a way that we don't just learn theory but also apply it through live projects, capstone assignments, and industry workshop
V
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 2 weeks ago
The GATE paper code of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence is DA. Here are the eligible paper combinations for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence -
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (CS)
- Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC)
- Electrical Engineering (EE)
- Mathematics (MA)
- Mech
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
For international students, Australia Macquarie University Ms in Data Science course duration is 2 years. The estimated international student fee is AUD 46,300 (Around INR 27 lakh). The interdisciplinary Data Science course shall provide students with the technical skills to work in Data Science acr
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, the National University of Singapore, NUS-ISS, can be considered a great choice for students seeking courses that offer in-demand skills and a less theoretical and more hands-on experience.
The institute specialises in delivering programs across AI, ML, and Business Analytics and maintains str
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, NUS-IOSS can be considered a great choice for students seeking courses that offer in-demand skills and a less theoretical and more hands-on experience.
The institute specialises in delivering programs across AI, ML, and Business Analytics and maintains strong connections within the industry to
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
The MS in Data Science program is one of the most popular Vanderbilt courses, which lasts for 2 years. This course requires 36 credits and is focused on intensive Data Science modules. International students are typically required to meet GPA, standardized test scores, and English language proficien
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 4 weeks ago
Yes, it is possible to get admission to IIIT Lucknow for candidates belonging to the General AI category. For other categories also, such as OBC AI and SC AI, this rank is enough to grant admission to the MSc in Data Science. The cutoff for the same among the General AI category candidates was close
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
With a rank of 2000 in CCMN, it is possible to get admission to NIT Arunachal Pradesh. The last round closing rank for admission to the college among the General AI category candidates was 1972. Thus with rank, there is high chance of getting admission to the course.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
A deep knowledge of AI and ML is not a mandatory requirement for pursuing Data Engineering courses but you should be familiar with the basic fundamentals that further come in handy in the optimization of AI models along with the implementation of efficient data systems.
No doubt traditional Data Engi
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
You will come across several Data Engineering courses at the intermediate and advanced levels that actively include real projects with big data tools. The projects usually revolve around building ETL pipelines, data processing systems and pipelines.
Project work actually allows you to apply your theo
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Data Engineering jobs will not get fully replaced by AI or automation in the future but rather AI will transform the nature of jobs by automating mundane, repetitive tasks and letting data engineers focus on building more sophisticated data systems, AI models and infrastructure to power businesses.
I
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Programming languages are foundational in building, managing, and optimizing data pipelines, data set processing and working with multiple data systems. Some important programming languages mostly covered in the Data Engineering coursework include Python, SQL, Java, Scala, R, etc. You must pay atte
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Well, you can do well as a data engineer with basic mathematical knowledge like linear algebra, arithmetic, and a strong understanding of statistics and set theory. Data Engineering is more about data infrastructure and software development, along with database management and data pipelines rather t
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Data Engineering is not only coding but rather a whole lot of other skills are required to excel in the field. No doubt programming language proficiency in Python and SQL are the backbone for building robust data pipelines and infrastructure, but you should also know what data warehousing is, how da
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Candidates who have passed BE/ BTech/ BSc/ BCA with Mathematics/ Statistics as one of the subjects with a minimum of 60% aggregate from a recognised university can apply for MSc Data Science at Women's Christian College. Besides, admission to MSc Data Science is merit-based.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a month ago
According to the last round's closing rank for NIT Andhra Pradesh CCMN cutoff, it is not possible for General, OBC, ST, and EWS category candidates to secure admission to the MSc in Data Science program. However, for candidates belonging to the ST AI category, admission is possible at 7000 rank. For
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The MSc in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence prepares students to become future-ready AI professionals with expertise in machine learning, generative models, data engineering, and data science. The programme combines theoretical foundations with practical experience, enabling students to desi
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The University of Oklahoma offers an MS in Data Science and Analytics programme which prepares students with computer Science foundations with industrial and systems engineering. The coursework equally focuses on theoretical and practical approach towards real world projects. The programs consists o
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The University of Newcastle provides an MS in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence that teaches students the foundational courses in Statistics, machine learning, and industry collaboration. The programme is divided into two major streams, namely: Computational Intelligence, which includes data
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
SFSU offers an MS in Data Science and AI program designed to teach students the fundamentals of computer science, statistics, machine learning, and AI theory and its application. Graduates of this course are well prepared for roles like Data Scientists, AI Engineers, or Machine Learning Specialists.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
For the OBC category, All India Quota, MSc. in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, CCMN cutoff 2025, ranged from 1068 to 1958. Aspirants aiming for admission to IIITM Gwalior should aim to achieve a rank of at least 1958 or lower to avail this course. MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Data Sc
N
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science at IIITM Gwalior, last round cutoff 2025 is 2486 for students belonging to the SC All India Quota. Both the first round and last round cutoffs were the same. MSc in AI and Data Science is the most sought-after course specialisation at IIITM Gwalior for
N
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
M.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science at IIITDM Kurnool, last round cutoff 2025 is 413 for students belonging to the General All India Quota. This is the most sought-after course specialisation at IIITDM Kurnool for this year. For the OBC AI quota, the same course had a cutoff score of 36
N
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
M.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science at IIITDM Kurnool, last round cutoff 2025 is 413 for students belonging to the General All India Quota. This is the most sought-after course specialisation at IIITDM Kurnool for this year. For the OBC AI quota, the same course had a cutoff score of 36
N
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
There are around 11 colleges where you can find the best Data Science course in Delhi in full time or online learning modes. You can check the table below for more details:
Colleges offering Data Science course in Delhi | Data Science Course Fees in Delhi | Data Science Course & Learning Mode |
---|---|---|
IIIT Delhi | INR 1.21 lakh | PG Diploma (Online Mode) |
Manav Rachna Centre for Distance and Online Education | INR 1 lakh | MCA in Data Science and Big Data Analytics (Online Mode) |
NIELIT Delhi | INR 2,360 | Certificate Course (Online Mode) |
Jamia Hamdard | INR 20,000 | Certificate Course (Full-Time Mode) |
Teri School of Advanced Studies (TSAS) | INR 15.03 lakh | Integrated B.Sc. + M.Sc. in Data Science (Full-Time Mode) |
IMS Proschool, Connaught Place | NA | PG Diploma (Online Mode) |
Note: This information is taken from official website and may vary.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
There are so many platforms that offer budget friendly and convenient Data Science courses online for beginners as well as advanced learners. Some top options include upGrad, Great Learning, Udemy, Coursera, edX and Internshala. You can look up the courses offered by them, the course content, durati
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
You must be confused about how to start your career journey in the field of Data Science. A solid Data Science roadmap for beginners like you is here:
- Begin with the foundational skills in programming, statistics, mathematics and data manipulation. It is highly desirable to master these foundational
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The Data Science course fees on an average in India is approximately INR 50,000 to INR 8 lakh, which differs on the basis of the college where you're planning to pursue the course, the course type, the course level, the specialization, the college ranking, and the location. The Data Science course f
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
A big yes! Extra certifications definitely give a solid boost to Data Science salary packages as they are synonymous with better expertise and a competent skill set, which is highly valuable for potential employers. Certifications lead to high paying job roles, proving your proficiency in tools and
V
Contributor-Level 10
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