It’s important to consider the cost of master's in data science and survey science programs as you're choosing the right graduate school. Learn more about the ways in which the U-M survey and data science master's program helps you invest in your education.
At the University of Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science, we help you to inform decision makers in order to understand public opinion, preferences, and beliefs. It’s the kind of graduate education that will help you harness the power of survey data — and other data — to gain insights, uncover new findings, and innovate in your career.
While earning an advanced degree may be extremely important to your professional aspirations, one of the deciding factors in choosing the right school may be the cost of master’s in data science and survey methodology programs.
So, you might be thinking, “Do you get financial aid for master’s degree programs?”
At the University of Michigan, we are committed to helping you invest in your future by providing some financial aid for master’s degree students. While our tuition and fees are competitive with other data science master’s degrees, your first step should be completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By submitting a FAFSA, you will be clear on what support you might receive in terms of grants and loans for master’s programs, as well as scholarships for graduate school.
Financial Aid for Master’s Degree Students
The University of Michigan does offer some financial aid for master’s degree students, including scholarships for graduate school. Here are a few ways you can reduce the cost of master’s in data science and survey science studies.
Research Assistantship
In addition to providing valuable hands-on training, research assistantships can help defray the cost of a master’s in data science and survey science degree. Most assistantships involve working on research projects with U-M survey and data science faculty who have obtained sponsored research funding. You may also work with faculty elsewhere in the Institute for Social Research — the oldest academic survey research organizations in the world.
Assistantships are provided to as many master’s degree students as possible.
Achievement Fellowships
The Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science Achievement Fellowship provides full tuition support to one or two eligible master’s students each year. Achievement fellows are also appointed to a research assistant position with a U-M master’s in survey and data science faculty member or another U-M faculty member.
Traineeships
The Survey Research Operations (SRO) Unit within the U-M Institute for Social Research provides traineeship opportunities on a yearly basis to a small number of our master’s students. Trainees are hired as Graduate Student Research Assistants and receive competitive salary, health care coverage, and tuition for fall and winter semesters.
In addition to receiving financial aid for master’s studies, the trainee is guaranteed a job at SRO for a minimum of two years following graduation. Trainees must be in good standing during the two-year course of study.
Work Study Positions
When looking into the question of, “Do you get financial aid for master’s degree studies?”, you may want to consider on-campus employment.
As a U-M graduate student, you may be eligible for on-campus work study opportunities, allowing you to earn additional support to pay for your educational expenses. For more information, check out the U-M Work-Study Program website.
Federal Loans
You may know this already, but federal loans for master’s students such as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Staff Loan or a Federal Direct PLUS Loan are another way to finance your survey and data science master’s degree.
For master’s degree in survey and data science students, federal loans require full time graduate student status. You can learn more — and apply — for educational loans for master’s degrees through the U-M Office of Student Aid.
Grants
There may be a full range of grants available for graduate school. Grants are based on need. These funds do not need to be repaid. If you do not currently reside in the state of Michigan, be sure to check with your home state regarding the availability of grants for graduate school.
Employer Reimbursement
If you are currently employed, an additional way to lower the cost of master’s in data science and survey methodology studies may be tuition reimbursement through your employer. This means your employer may be willing to cover the costs — either partially or fully — for attending the U-M survey and data science master’s program.
Funding for International Students
During the last two decades, U-M’s survey and data science program has attracted graduate students from around the world — from Chile to China, Costa Rica to Germany, South Africa to Korea, Turkey to Peru, and beyond. If you are coming to U-M from outside of the United States, see if you qualify for the Fulbright Scholar Program or other international student financial aid for master’s degree survey and data science studies options.
“As a recipient of the Achievement Fellowship, I work with Dr. James Wagner and Dr. Brady West on a project with the National Science Foundation. This is a unique experience because of the hands-on work I was able to work on from the first week I was here. It is also a fantastic opportunity to network and work with others in the field while also learning those professional skills that will be useful later. This position allowed me to really apply the coursework to real world problems and even start learning more advanced topics that I would not otherwise learn until later in the program.”
-Robert Schultz, MS in Survey and Data Science, 2022
Get started on your survey and data science master’s degree
Take the next step toward earning your Master of Survey and Data Science. If you have questions, please call us at 734-647-0038 or fill out a request for more information.
Apply today
Submit your graduate school application online today for the Master of Survey and Data Science from the University of Michigan.
Financial aid for master’s degree students
Now you know the answer to “Do you get financial aid for master’s degree programs?” Learn more about U-M financial aid for master’s degree students and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for scholarships for graduate school.