Master’s in Data Science and Applied Statistics

Cornell’s MPS in Applied Statistics and Data Science prioritizes practical application of statistical methods through hands-on experiences and real-world case studies. The program incorporates several experiential learning components:

Capstone Project

At the heart of the MPS program is a semester-long capstone project, where students work in teams to solve a real data challenge in partnership with an industry, academic, or non-profit client. This experience includes:

• Problem scoping and data cleaning

• Exploratory and inferential analysis

• Predictive modeling or machine learning

• Visualization and executive-level reporting

Clients often include companies in healthcare, finance, tech, government, and research labs, giving students exposure to high-stakes environments and collaborative workflows.

Industry-Embedded Curriculum

Coursework integrates case-based learning from fields like:

• Marketing analytics

• Financial risk modeling

• Public health and epidemiology

• Agricultural economics

• Environmental policy

Tech Tools and Coding Practice

Students develop proficiency in:

• R and Python for statistical programming and machine learning

• SQL for data extraction

• Tableau, Power BI, or D3.js for visualization

• GitHub and version control for collaborative workflows

Professional Development Workshops

The program also includes:

• Resume and interview prep for data roles

• Networking sessions with alumni and recruiters

• Communication workshops for presenting to technical and non-technical audiences

Cornell’s MPS graduates emerge as industry-ready data professionals with both theoretical insight and practical experience. They are well-positioned for roles that require advanced analytical capabilities, business acumen, and ethical data handling.

Career Outcomes

Graduates typically take up roles in:

Data Analytics & Science

• Data Scientist
• Data Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Data Engineer (with computing electives)
• Statistical Consultant

Machine Learning & AI

• Machine Learning Engineer
• NLP Analyst
• Predictive Modeler

Quantitative Roles in Industry

• Quantitative Analyst (Finance/Insurance)
• Risk Analyst
• Marketing Analytics Manager
• Supply Chain Analyst

Policy, Research & Non-Profit

• Health Data Analyst
• Environmental Statistician
• Education or Policy Evaluation Analyst
• Research Associate in academic centers or think tanks

Industries Hiring MPS Graduates

• Technology (e.g., Amazon, Meta, IBM)
• Financial services (e.g., JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Capital One)
• Healthcare & Pharma (e.g., Pfizer, UnitedHealth, GSK)
• Consulting (e.g., McKinsey, Deloitte, EY)
• Government (e.g., Census Bureau, CDC)
• NGOs and international organizations (e.g., World Bank, WHO)

Further Education

While the MPS is a terminal degree, students interested in academia or specialized research occasionally pursue:

• PhD in Statistics, Data Science, or Economics
• Graduate certificates in AI, cybersecurity, or policy
• MBAs with a data strategy focus

Salary Overview-

• Average starting salary is $72241
• Typical range is $55000 to $100000
• Nearly half of graduates receive a signing bonus averaging $6350
• Seventy-nine percent are employed within six months of graduation

Top Employers-

• Graduates have joined leading employers across the United States
• Examples include
• American Express
• Citi Group
• Food and Drug Administration
• Top consulting firms
• Major tech companies
• These organizations actively recruit through strong partnerships with the program

Geographic Placement-

• Most graduates find roles in major U S cities
• New York City sees the highest concentration with 32 percent
• Boston follows with 11 percent
• Chicago accounts for 8 percent
• While some pursue international roles the program strongly supports U S based employment

Industry Sectors-

• Graduates work across several fields including
• Finance and Banking
• Technology and Software
• Government and Public Health
• Consulting
• Healthcare and Biotech
• Each sector offers a range of analytics and data science opportunities

Career Growth and Progression-

• Graduates often begin in analyst roles such as
• Data Analyst
• Statistician
• Statistical Programmer
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Analytics Consultant
• Quantitative Analyst
• Over time, some take on leadership or specialist roles within their industry

What This Means for You-

• This program gives you a strong launch into the data science field
• Starting salaries are competitive and often include signing bonuses
• You can explore a variety of industries and career paths
• Locations like New York Boston and Chicago offer strong hiring activity
• Graduates see steady career growth in analytics machine learning and consulting roles