Do Undergraduate Data Science Program Competencies Vary by College Rankings?
Elizabeth Milonas, Qiping Zhang, Duo Li · 2024
Abstract The data science domain has increased exponentially due to advances in technology, including in infrastructure, storage, and analytical tools and techniques. The demand for data science technologies and skills is evident in various industries, such as retail, health care, finance, and all areas of economy and society. Data science careers are the top careers in the U.S. across many disciplines. The need for skilled workers in this domain will only continue to grow, requiring college graduates who can support this growth. Many colleges across the United States have already adopted undergraduate data science curriculum and programs. However, it is not clear whether undergraduate data science programs offered by colleges with different rankings provide similar or dissimilar data science competencies. The goal of this study is to compare program structure and competencies of undergraduate data science programs offered by colleges in the three US News ranking categories: National, Regional and National Liberal Arts. The research questions answered as a result of this study are: Do undergraduate data science program profiles vary by college ranking? Do undergraduate data science program competencies vary by college ranking?