San Francisco State University

How this program compares

Budget-wise, $12.6K puts this master's program at the 8th percentile on cost — roughly 71% below the $42.9K average across 394 comparable listings. It runs on a full-time schedule (on-campus).

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in a quantitative or computing field such as computer science, mathematics, statistics, or engineering, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrated knowledge in data structures, programming, algorithms, databases, and statistics; conditional admission may require completing prerequisite undergraduate courses.

About This Program

This rigorous master’s program prepares students for high-demand industry roles by combining computer science, statistics, and machine learning through a broad curriculum and hands-on research. Coursework concentrates on Deep Learning and MLOps/AI Engineering. Most students complete it in about 1.5 years.

Estimated total tuition is $12.6K, below the $42.9K average for AI master's programs in our database and in the 8th percentile on cost at this level. That makes it one of the more affordable options for students weighing return on investment.

It is one of 65 AI-related programs we track in California, of which about 37% offer an online option. On price, it comes in cheaper than about 83% of the California programs in our data, where typical tuition runs near $63.3K.

Graduates frequently move into roles such as Data Scientist, with reported salaries around $130,000.

Develop machine learning models for predictive analytics and pattern recognition.

Career Outcomes

San Francisco State University positions this master track for Data Scientist careers — typical offers cluster around $130,000. Its focus on Deep Learning and MLOps/AI Engineering maps directly to how employers screen for specialized skills rather than generic degrees. Federal projections for this occupational area point to roughly 36% growth this decade — verify the current figure on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook before you rely on it.

• 1. Data Scientist
• 2. Machine Learning Engineer
• 3. AI Researcher
• 4. Data Analyst

What You'll Learn

• Develop machine learning models for predictive analytics and pattern recognition.
• Analyze and process big data using platforms and statistical methods.
• Build AI systems including deep learning and neural networks.
• Apply data visualization techniques to communicate insights effectively.

Curriculum Highlights

The 30-unit curriculum features core courses in algorithms, data mining, and statistical learning, with application areas in natural language technologies, cloud computing, and AI ethics.

Top Employers

Top employers include tech giants like Google, Meta, Amazon, and industry leaders in finance and healthcare such as BlackRock and UCSF.

Admissions

Admission to San Francisco State University's MS in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence generally expects a bachelor's degree. Plan for the GRE, which this program lists as required. Deadlines, testing policies and funding change year to year, so confirm the current requirements on the official program page before applying.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 2
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Frequently Asked Questions