Academics

Academics

students working at computer

Change the world with data science

What if you could solve the world's biggest problems because you can understand and interpret data? As a data scientist, you can make an impact in any field — and earn a degree with value at the same time! Glassdoor voted Data Scientist third in 'Best Jobs in America for 2022', with a median base salary of $104,000. 

Choose from three undergraduate program offerings below to start your adventure in data science.

 

Major

Intended for students with strong quantitative backgrounds, with the goal of educating students on the technical fundamentals of Data Science and a focus on developing the knowledge and skills needed to transform data into insights.

Major in data science

Minor

Intended for students all disciplines, the minor gives students an in-depth understanding of data science as it is applied to a variety of domains.

Minor in data science

Certificate

Intended for students of any discipline, the certificate is designed to prepare students for future work with significant data science components.

Certificate in data science

Jessie Bustin
Data Science at ISU has been a journey that has gone beyond honing my coding or statistical tools; it has been about applying them in ways to help communities.
— Jessie Bustin '22 Data Science
hand reaching for global data

A growing profession

"The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sees strong growth for data science jobs skills in its prediction that the data science field will grow about 28% through 2026."

— Forbes Magazine

Connections

You’ll find support from your peers, faculty, and staff when you join a learning community. Learn about your path of study, on-campus resources and activities, and future careers. You’ll connect with faculty and students through activities both in and outside the classroom and collaborate with a peer mentor.

Connect with other students developing innovative and entrepreneurial skills in the Start Something CALS or Start Something LAS Academy. Or find other students with similar interests in any of Iowa State’s hundreds of student organizations.

students with computers around a table

Connect and thrive

Iowa State is a big university with a close-knit, caring community that provides access to resources that support and enrich your learning, working, and living experience.

The university provides a comprehensive network of academic supporthealth and safety resources, and supportive communities.

Ready to join the data science program?