IIT Madras BS in Data Science: Salaries, Career Growth for 2024 & 2025 Job Outcomes
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IIT Madras BS in Data Science: Salaries, Career Growth for 2024 & 2025 Job Outcomes

Vivek KumarUpdated on 22 Aug 2025, 01:09 PM IST
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Getting into an IIT and earning a degree has always been challenging yet rewarding. A degree from an IIT is also considered a gateway to a high earning career path. However, the digital transformation in education has enabled students to get into IITs without qualifying for JEE.

This Story also Contains

  1. IIT Madras BS Data Science 2024 Batch Highlights
  2. Students Pursuing Other UG Degree
  3. Post-Graduation Career Growth - Salary Range (2024)
  4. Higher Education Opportunities – PG Admissions
  5. IIT Madras BS Data Science – Salaries and Job Outcomes (2025)
  6. Quantitative Career Progression (Survey Highlights)
  7. The Final Verdict
IIT Madras BS in Data Science: Salaries, Career Growth for 2024 & 2025 Job Outcomes
IIT Madras BS in Data Science: Salaries, Career Growth and 2024 & 2025 Job Outcomes

IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme is an undergraduate degree that does not require JEE scores or rank. You just need to be a class 12th pass out from any stream. It is an easy entry course while passing the exam requires rigour, discipline and a committed study plan. Candidates need to clear the qualifier process to join the Foundation level of the programme.

As the programme has drawn a diverse group of students from various academic backgrounds, it is important to understand the career outcomes, salary expectations, and batch outcomes of the IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme.

IIT Madras BS Data Science 2024 Batch Highlights

The 2024 batch of IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme consisted of 131 students. This batch is defined as the group of students who completed a BSc degree in 2023 and were tracked by December 2024.

Batch 2024

Level CompletedDual DegreeStandaloneTotal

BSc Completed

26

6

32

BS Completed

72

27

99

Grand Total

98

33

131


The data reflects 131 students, where 98 students pursued a dual degree (BS and another degree) and 33 students took the standalone BS programme. Out of the total, 32 students completed a BSc or 114 credits, while 99 students finished the full BS programme.

Status of Graduates

Current StatusTotal Students

Working

91

Pursuing PG (Postgraduate studies)

18

Currently looking for full-time jobs

10

Doing an Internship

5

Preparing for GATE/UPSC

4

Pursuing UG/Planning for Masters

3


As we can see, a large portion of the batch is already employed, with 91 students working in various domains. The number of students continuing their education by pursuing postgraduate programmes is 18, followed by 10 students who are currently looking for full-time jobs. 5 students are doing an internship, while 4 students are preparing for exams like GATE and UPSC and 3 students are planning for further undergraduate studies or master’s programmes.

Students Pursuing Other UG Degree

The IIT Madras BS Data Science 2024 batch has diverse backgrounds of students, with majority of students pursuing this programme alongside another degree.

Students with Dual Degree

UG DegreeBSc CompletedBS CompletedTotal

B.E / B.Tech

17

41

58

BSc

5

23

28

BA

2

2

4

BBA

0

2

2

BCA

0

2

2

BCom

0

1

1

BPharm

1

0

1

Diploma

1

0

1

MBBS

0

1

1

Total

26

72

98


The table shows that out of 98 dual degree pursuant, 58 students held a B.E./B.Tech degree, followed by 28 students from a BSc background completing the both degree levels (BSc and BS). This indicates a strong interest in engineering fields among the students.

Income Level During the Programme

Income Level (INR)

BS CompletedBSc Completed

Total

<1 LPA

9

3

12

1-5 LPA

4

3

7

>5 LPA

86

26

112

Total

99

32

131


When doing the programme, students had varying levels of income. The majority of students already had an income of over Rs 5 LPA during the programme, indicating the growing demand for data science professionals, even during their academic training.

Age and Gender Demographic

Age GroupFemaleMaleGrand Total

20-25

23

71

94

26-30

25

25

50

31-35

1

4

5

36-40

1

4

5

41-45

2

2

4

Grand Total

25

106

b


The majority of students fall within the 20-25 age group, which reflects the programme’s popularity among young professionals or fresh graduates. The data further reveals 106 students are male and 25 students are female.

Geographic Diversity

States

Total

Maharashtra

21

Uttar Pradesh

14

Tamil Nadu

14

Telangana

11

West Bengal

10

Kerala

10

Delhi

9

Karnataka

8

Madhya Pradesh

6

Bihar

5

Jharkhan

4

Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana

3 (each)

Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Udisha

2 (each)

Meghalaya, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh

1 (each)


The table shows that most students are from Maharashtra (21), Uttar Pradesh (14), and Tamil Nadu (14), followed by other states. This demonstrates that the programme attracts a diverse background of students from different parts of India.

Post-Graduation Career Growth - Salary Range (2024)

The students’ salary range after the IIT Madras Data Science programme indicates a healthy career progress, with a majority earning competitive salaries.

Salary Distribution

Salary Package RangeNumber of Students

< 5 LPA

12

Rs 5-10 LPA

21

Rs 10-15 LPA

14

Rs 15-25 LPA

4

Rs 25-50 LPA

5

Not Willing to Disclose

27

Grand Total

83


The salary distribution reflects that most students (21) fall within the Rs 5-10 LPA salary range. Most impressive data is that 5 students land careers within a Rs 25-50 LPA salary range, followed by 4 students within the Rs 15-25 LPA salary range.

Higher Education Opportunities – PG Admissions

After completing the BS Data Science from IIT Madras, many graduates chose to pursue postgraduate studies in India and abroad. This shows the programme’s effectiveness in the acceptance into top institutions in India and abroad and in preparing graduates for a dynamic career in data science.

Admission to Abroad Universities

Universities Chosen for PG admissionTotal Students

Georgia Institute of Technology

1

HEC Paris

1

Ludwig-Maximilians-University

1

University of Sydney

1

Stony Brook University

1

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

1

University of North Carolina

1

University of Southern California

1

Total

8


The data shows that 8 students of IIT Madras BS Data Science programme have opted for postgraduate programmes in foreign universities, such as the Georgia Institute of Technology, HEC Paris, University of Sydney, and University of North Carolina.

Admission to Indian Universities

Universities Chosen for PG admissionTotal Students

CMI /IIT Hyderabad /IIT Bombay /IIT Madras/ IIT Kanpur/ IIT Gandhinagar / IISc Bangalore/ IIT Indore

8

NIELIT

1

OP Jindal Global University

1

Shiv Nadar University, Chennai

1

XLRI Jamshedpur

1

Total

12


This means 12 students chose to pursue higher education within India. Of those, 8 students opted for institutions like CMI, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Bombay, and IIT Madras itself. Four IIT Madras Data Science students went to universities, such as OP Jindal Global University, Shiv Nadar University, Chennai, and XLRI Jamshedpur.

Also Read: IIT Madras BS in Data Science Completion vs Dropout Trends: What Numbers Tell?

IIT Madras BS Data Science – Salaries and Job Outcomes (2025)

The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme has created substantial career opportunities, both in terms of higher education and employment, for its students. The students have not only secured internships and jobs through the institute’s placement cell but also on their own.

IIC Facilitated Placement Statistics (May-Sep 2024 & Jan 2025)

MetricInternshipsFull-Time Jobs

Median Stipend / Salary

Rs 27,705 per month

Rs 8,09,230 per annum

Highest Stipend / Salary

Rs 60,000 per month

Rs 15,00,000 per annum

Lowest Stipend / Salary

Rs 10,000 per month

Rs 3,60,000 per annum

Number of Offers

(IIC facilitated)

118 internships (across May–Sep 2024 & Jan 2025)

16 jobs (across May–Sep 2024 & Jan 2025)

Number of Companies (IIC facilitated)

Up to 60 in Sep ‘24 (48 in May ‘24; 35 in Jan ‘25)

Up to 15 in Jan ‘25 (12 in May ‘24; 14 in Sep ‘24)


The stipend offered during internships fall within Rs 10-60K/month range. The salary package offered to BS in Data Science and Applications students ranges between Rs 3.6 LPA and Rs 15 LPA.

Note: The high salary packages were generally secured by working professionals with prior industry experience.

Internships Secured Through IIC

TermNo. of companies / positions advertised No. of students applied to at least 1 internshipNo. of students secured internship

May 2024

48 / 66

85

40

September 2024

60 / 196

88

49

January 2025

35 / 151

63

29

Total

143 / 413

236

118


Across May-September 2024 and January 2025, 236 students applied for at least one internship, and 118 students secured internships through the IIT Madras’ Industry Interaction Cell (IIC).

Note: 50% students received internships, with an average stipend of Rs 27,705 per month.

Jobs Through IIC

TermNo. of companies / positions advertised No. of students applied to at least 1 jobNo. of students secured job

May 2024

12 / 29

16

5

September 2024

14 / 44

12

3

January 2025

15 / 47

11

8

Total

41 / 120

39

16


The data shows a total of 41 companies advertised 120 positions for jobs across May-September 2024 and January 2025. The number of students applied to at least 1 job is 39, of those 16 students secured jobs.

Note: 41% students secured jobs, with the highest package of Rs 15 LPA and average package of Rs 8.09 LPA.

Quantitative Career Progression (Survey Highlights)

A large number of students have leveraged the knowledge acquired from the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme to secure internships and jobs on their own.

Self-Secured Internships and Jobs

LevelMay 2024 Internships / Jobs

Sep 2024 Internships / Jobs

Jan 2025 Internships / Jobs

Foundation

299

105

380

134

313

108

Diploma

653

205

701

353

462

303

Degree

182

48

156

80

87

60

Total

1134

358

1237

567

862

471


From May 2024 – January 2025, 3,233 students secured internships and 1,396 students received job offers through independent applications or networking. This indicates growing confidence and demand in students' abilities.

Stipend Insights

Stipend RangeMay 2024Sep 2024Jan 2025

< Rs 10,000

0

0

0

Rs 10,001 - Rs 30,000

390

373

187

Rs 30,001 - Rs 50,000

78

102

50

Rs 1,00,000+

33

35

19

Total

501

510

256


The number shows a majority of students earned Rs 10-30K/month, with some landing Rs 50-60K/month offers.

Salary Insights

Salary Range (LPA)May 2024Sep 2024Jan 2025

< Rs 5 LPA

210

349

225

Rs 5 - Rs 10 LPA

90

166

144

Rs 10 - Rs 20 LPA

68

105

60

> Rs 20 LPA

29

38

26

Total

397

658

455


This means most students landed jobs within Rs 5 LPA - Rs 10 LPA salary range, with higher salaries (> Rs 20 LPA) basically secured by working professionals with prior experience.

Post-Graduation Career Growth

Many IIT Madras BS Data Science students applied for masters and PhD programmes within and outside India.

Total Students Applied for Higher Education

Term

Admission Outside India

Admissions to IITs/IISERs/IIMs

Admissions to Other Indian universities

May 2024

117

121

353

Sep 2024

96

186

475

Jan 2025

471

135

359

Total

684

442

1187


About 684 students applied for higher education such as Masters or PhD programmes abroad across all three terms (May-September 2024, and January 2025). 442 students went to IITs, IISERs and IIMs and 1,187 students received admissions to other Indian universities.

Note: This data highlights about 2,313 students opted for higher education after the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme, with significant interest in both domestic and international institutions.

The Final Verdict

The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme opens the room for career development through its internships and job placements. Additionally, the programme prepares learners for competitive academic pursuits, whether they want to pursue masters or PhD programs abroad or in top Indian institutes like IITs, IISc, and IISERs, promising its high academic standing.

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Questions related to IIT Madras (IITM)

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to IIT Madras (IITM) ?

Hello Aspirant,

When applying to BS in Medical Sciences and Engineering at IIT Madras via the IAT (IISER Aptitude Test) for the OBC-NCL Female category, the suggested ranks and marks can differ every year depending on the level of difficulty or how many took the exam. However, based on the trends from year-to-year:

  • Safe Rank: Within the overall OBC-NCL Female rank of the top 850–1000 would be classified as a competitive rank.
  • Safe Marks: With a mark of around 120–140 marks out of 180 will increase your chances very significantly.

Hello aspirant,

To get admission in the Dual Degree Aerospace Engineering (B.Tech + M.Tech) program at IIT Madras through JEE Advanced under the female quota, you should aim for a rank around 6000 to 6300 based on the previous year’s trends. In 2025, the closing rank for female supernumerary seats for this program was approximately 6279.  It’s always advisable to aim for a better rank to increase your chances of getting into this prestigious program. Keep an eye on the official JoSAA counselling schedule for updated cutoffs.

All the best for your preparation and future!

Hello,

Yes, If you work hard and study regularly, you can definitely crack JEE Main and JEE Advanced.

IIT Madras is tough, but many students from state boards have made it with good preparation. Focus on understanding concepts well, practice lots of questions, and solve previous years’ papers.

Also, try to join a good coaching or online classes if possible. Believe in yourself and stay consistent. You have a good chance!

Hope it helps !

With a preparatory rank of 3935, your chances of getting a seat at IIT Madras are unlikely. While a preparatory rank can sometimes lead to admission in less competitive IITs or specific courses, 3935 is a high rank within the preparatory category, and IIT Madras is one of the most sought-after IITs.

Preparatory Courses:

IITs offer preparatory courses for SC, ST, and PwD students who didn't qualify for regular IIT programs but have a qualifying rank in JEE Advanced.

Limited Seats:

The number of seats in preparatory courses is limited, and the competition for these seats can be high, especially for the most prestigious IITs.

Rank Significance:

A rank of 3935 within the preparatory category means you're among the lower-ranked candidates within that group, and IIT Madras is highly selective even within the preparatory program.

Factors Influencing Admission:

Besides rank, other factors like category, branch preferences, and the specific IIT's admission policies can influence seat allocation.

Alternative Options:

If you don't get a seat at IIT Madras, explore other IITs with more lenient admission criteria or consider NITs or other engineering colleges where you might have better chances.

Hello Aspirant,

If you get admitted into the B.S. program at IIT Madras this year and this year happens to be your first JEE Advanced attempt, then yes, you will remain eligible to take JEE Advanced again next year if you satisfy the other eligibility norms laid down by the conducting authorities of the exam. The important thing is that the candidate gets two chances at JEE Advanced at the most, and these chances have to come within two successive years from the year when they first appeared for the test. Since you are trying for the first time, you have one chance remaining for the next year.

But once you are admitted into an IIT undergraduate course, you cannot sit for JEE Advanced again to get into the same course. But if you are interested in a different course or a double degree (such as B.Tech + M.Tech), you may want to look up the particular rules from the JEE Advanced official website or the IITs.