Communications of the ACM
Data Science Major Takes Off
Roles for data science reach beyond the tech industry.
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The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics reported a 968 percent jump in data science bachelor's degrees awarded, from 84 in 2020 to 897 in 2022. The job market also shows increasing demand for data science skills, with the U.S. Department of Labor projecting 36 percent growth in jobs for data scientists over the next decade, outpacing statisticians, logisticians, and research analysts.
"There are a lot of jobs — and very well-compensated jobs — but it also cuts across different industry sectors," says Frederick Bonato, provost at Saint Peter's University. "You could be a data scientist and specialize in higher ed, or transportation, or commerce. That's attractive, because you can get the degree but also follow what you're particularly interested in."
As data science degree programs crop up at colleges and universities, women in particular are pursuing data science in greater numbers compared to other computer-related and STEM fields. The interest is likely due, in part, to the field's cross-disciplinary focus, allowing students to pursue their interests while having the safety net of an in-demand field, says Stuart Zweben, chair of the ACM task force on enrollment and retention.
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