What is Data Science?: Courses, Fees, Top Colleges, Careers & Salary 2025

Data Science courses provide you with a detailed understanding of how to extract meaningful insights from data sourced via multiple sources. It involves exploratory data analysis, data cleaning, visualization, and database management to help businesses make strategic decisions and solve problems quickly. You should have a strong hold over mathematics, computer science, and statistics to excel in your career after pursuing Data Science courses.

Data Science courses teach you various technical skills for you to do well in the professional workspace in the future. In the digitalized world that we're living in at present, learning important data Science skills can lead to very promising career prospects and earning potential. You can check the important skills taught as a part of the Data Science coursework given here:

• Excellent Programming Knowledge
• Data Analysis & Statistical Applications
• AI & ML Tools and Techniques
• Data Analytics and Big Data Technologies
• Deep Learning and NLP
• Business Acumen

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 skills first to move towards the specialised areas.
• Learn about the core concepts like machine learning, data visualization, deep learning, prompting etc.
• After the theoretical learning, you should then move to the practical side of project work and internships. Take up projects as a freelancer maybe, put your work on platforms like LinkedIn and prepare a strong portfolio.
• Start making professional connections and stay updated about all the new developments in the field.

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, duration and cost to choose the right course.

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 fees combine tuition fees and extra charges like hostel fees, college application fees, semester exam fees, lab fees and other charges.

You can go to the college websites to check the detailed fee structure for Data Science courses to have better clarity.

Of course yes. Data Science freshers can surely land good job opportunities without any work experience. Since the competition is high in the market for this field, you need to work on your skills in programming, machine learning, and statistics and prepare a solid portfolio to showcase your value-add including all the internships, certificate courses, or project work you've been a part of in college.

Take up internships and focus on networking and building more connections through social media and offline events. Check companies that actively hire freshers and keep a tab on job portals like Naukri, iimjobs.com, and platforms like LinkedIn.

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 frameworks that are highly valuable in a field like Data Science.

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:

Note: This information is taken from official website and may vary.

Passing Class 12 board exams with decent marks, at least 50 to 60%, is important for Data Science admissions. There are UG degree, Diploma and certificate courses available for you to enter the field of data Science and analytics. Most of the top-ranked colleges need a Science background, while others generally need Mathematics as a core subject.
You can crosscheck the eligibility criteria for your preferred colleges or e-learning platforms by visiting their official websites, which may involve entrance exams, aptitude tests, or GD/PI rounds.

For Data Science course admissions, you should start by checking the eligibility criteria for your various courses as set by various colleges or course providers. Plus, you need to give relevant entrance exams or aptitude tests and get excellent marks in the same to grab a seat for admission.
Another important step is to fill out the college application forms before the last date to enjoy a hassle-free admission process. After the exam results are out and you've got your marks and rank, you must participate in the college counseling process meant for seat allotment.
After getting the seat based on your entrance exam merit, you have to go to the college and pay the Data Science course fees after which you can start attending classes.
Many colleges and e-learning course providers also give admission on the basis of Class 12 merit and may take GD/PI rounds for admission. You should check the official websites of the course providers to avoid any confusion at the time of admission.

You should start preparing for entrance exams for the best Data Science courses after 12th as early as possible to make sure you have enough time in hand to cover the entire exam syllabus. Though the exam preparation time and strategy differ on the basis of the specific exam you're planning to appear for, you should start at least 6 months before the final exam is scheduled to take place. This would ensure timely completion of the exam syllabus, practicing last year' question papers and taking mock tests, and doing a thorough revision in the final month.

The competitiveness and difficulty level for Data Science courses usually vary on the basis of the specific entrance exam, whether conducted at the national, state, or college level, and the course level. The Data Science entrance exams are quite competitive because of the cutthroat competition for seats for the course.

Since Data Science courses are in high demand these days, the cutoffs are quite high at top colleges. You should put in extra effort to get excellent marks and rank and grab a seat for yourself in your desired college and program.

You can choose from a variety of Data Science courses available at the UG level in India, both in the offline and online modes. Some of the popular course options for students include:

• BTech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science
• BTech in CSE (Data Science)
• BTech in Data Science
• BSc in Data Science
• BCA in Data Science
• BBA in Data Science & AI
• Diploma or Certification in Data Science

Most of these courses are 3 to 4 years long. In the case of the Diploma or certification courses, the duration ranges from a few weeks to 2 years. Data Science courses will provide you a lot of knowledge about the collection, analysis, and exploration of high volumes of data.

There are a lot of PG-level Data Science courses to choose from. Taking into account past admission trends, some of the most popular choices among students include:

• MTech in CSE (Data Science)
• MSc in Data Science
• MBA in Data Science
• MCA in Data Science & AI
• PG Diploma and Advanced Certifications in Data Science

The duration of the PG degree courses is generally 2 years in India, while the PG Diploma and advanced certifications take around 1 year for completion. These Data Science courses will equip you with the advanced set of skills to do well in the professional world. Every industry is looking for an upgrade with the help of new technologies and the demand for data scientists and analysts is on the rise.

The syllabus for Data Science courses after 12^th differs on the basis of the college/course provider offering the course and the course level. The curriculum includes core subjects, specialised programme electives, project work, lab sessions, and internships. Some of the main subjects are given here:

• Statistics and Numerical Methods
• Database Design and Management
• Data Exploration and Visualization
• Fundamentals of Data Science and Analytics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Warehousing and Data Mining
• Machine Learning Algorithms
• Deep Learning

Not at all. The syllabus for Data Science courses is not the same for all colleges; instead, it differs based on the course level and the college offering the course. The syllabus includes core subjects, programme electives, lab work, research projects, and internships. Each college follows a certain coursework structure and makes sure to provide the students with the best available tech resources and quality education for them to excel in this technologically advancing work industry.

There are 290+ Data Science colleges in India where students can study. It includes 70+ private, 1 public-private, and 20+ government colleges that offer the Data Science course. Admission to the top Data Science colleges in India is based on merit. Some colleges also accept JEE MAIN, CAT, GATE, CUET, etc. scores.

The college ranking surely plays an extremely important role when you're selecting the college for pursuing Data Science courses because a good college ranking speaks volumes of the excellent networking opportunities and placement records. But it is not the only important factor; rather, your focus should also be on the curriculum quality, practical opportunities, teaching faculty, and the course fee structure.

Only after assessing the college on these parameters should you make the final decision for admission.

India boasts several prestigious institutions that offer excellent programs in Data Science and related fields. Here are some of the top colleges and universities for Data Science in India:

1. Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs): IITs, such as IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Kharagpur, offer comprehensive data Science and analytics programs with world-class faculty and research opportunities.

2. Indian Statistical Institute (ISI): ISI, with its campuses in Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore, is renowned for statistics and data Science education. They offer programs like M.Tech in Data Science and M.Stat.

3. Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (IIITM): IIITM institutions like IIITM Gwalior and IIITM Bangalore offer specialised courses in data Science and analytics, preparing students for industry demands.

4. Indian School of Business (ISB): ISB offers a Certificate Program in Business Analytics (CBA) and has collaborations with top global universities, making it a sought-after institution for data analytics education.

5. Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS): TISS offers a Master's programme in Business Analytics and Intelligence (BAI) that equips students with analytical skills for decision-making.

6. Xavier School of Management (XLRI): XLRI offers a Business Analytics Program, focusing on data-driven decision-making in management and leadership roles.

7. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS): NMIMS offers a Master's in Business Analytics programme with a strong industry orientation.

8. International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad: IIIT Hyderabad provides M.Tech and Ph.D. programs in Data Science and Machine Learning.

9. Great Lakes Institute of Management: It offers a comprehensive Post Graduate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics.

10. University of Delhi: The university offers various data science-related courses and has research opportunities in data analytics.

Remember that the specific programme quality may vary across campuses and over time, so it's essential to research each institution's current offerings, faculty expertise, and placement opportunities when considering a data Science programme in India. Additionally, admission criteria, fees, and course structures can vary significantly, so make sure to align your preferences and goals with the programme that suits you best.

Pursuing full-fledged courses in Data Science after Class 12 can serve as a gateway to exciting earning opportunities in the IT and software industry, data analytics, finance, banking, healthcare, AI, cloud computing, etc. The data-driven and technologically advanced nature of the work field has resulted in a boom for data Science jobs. You can find some top career options after Data Science courses given below:

• Data Scientist
• Data Architect
• Statistician
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Data Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst

The average starting Data Science salary for freshers ranges is around INR 6 LPA to INR 8 LPA, which may differ based on your academic results, skill set, internship experience (if applicable), job type, recruiter, and the company location. With everyday technological innovations and new AI tools being introduced in the job market, you must pull up your socks and keep brushing up your skills, learning and exploring new techniques for better data analysis to help businesses drive growth.

Top recruiters look for highly skilled, creative, and analytical minds, for which it is important for you to have practical skills, leading to healthy salary packages. After gaining a few years of experience, you can definitely earn more than INR 10 LPA in this field.

The top companies that hire students from some of the most popular Data Science colleges in India are listed below, along with their average placement salary-

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

Sure! You can take a look at the table below for an overview of the top Data Science colleges in India:

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

Yes, you can study at the top private Data Science colleges in India. Take a look at the table below for the names and course fees of these colleges:

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

The average tuition fee for Data Science courses is approximately INR 50,000 to INR 8 lakh, which differs on the basis of the course level, the college where you're planning to pursue the course, and the college's all-India ranking, reputation, and location. Besides the tuition fee, you also have to pay an extra amount for the hostel facilities, college application, exam fee, backlog fee (if applicable), caution money, lab fee, and other miscellaneous charges.

You can check the detailed Data Science courses fee structure on the official websites of the colleges you're targeting to have better clarity.

The popular specializations that students commonly choose to pursue at the Data Science colleges in India are listed below, along with the number of colleges offering them:

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.