Breaking Down the 2024–25 Placement Statistics: The Remarkable ROI of IIT Madras' Data Science Degree

What is the situation of Placements in BS Degree ! Latest Stats

Thu May 8, 2025

Introduction

In today’s world, data science is one of the most in-demand skills. More and more companies are hiring people who can work with data, understand it, and use it to make smart decisions. One of the most exciting and affordable programs in this field is the BS Degree in Data Science and Applications from IIT Madras. What makes it special is that it’s online, flexible, and offered by one of India’s top institutions. Now that the 2024–25 placement season has ended, let’s take a detailed look at the numbers and what they mean for students who are planning to join or are already part of this program.

🔍What Is This Program All About?

The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications is a completely online degree. You don’t need to crack the tough JEE exam to get in. Anyone who has passed Class 12 can apply. The course is built in four stages—Foundational, Diploma (in Programming or Data Science), and finally the Degree stage. Students learn a mix of important subjects like:

  • Programming (Python, SQL)
  • Math and Statistics
  • Machine Learning
  • Big Data
  • Business and Data Analytics
The program is self-paced, meaning students can learn at their own speed. Many students even work or do other college degrees alongside this one.

📊 Key Placement Statistics (2024–25

Here are the major numbers from this year’s placement report:

  • Total students who registered for placements: 552
  • Students eligible (as per company rules): 395
  • Students who got placed: 210
  • Students who got apprenticeships: 35
  • Average salary package: ₹10 lakh per annum (LPA)
  • Highest salary package: ₹25 LPA
  • Average internship stipend: ₹30,000 per month
These numbers are impressive—especially for a program that is just a few years old and runs completely online.

✅ Placement Success Rate

The on-campus placement rate is around 60%, which is great for a new online degree. If you also count off-campus jobs and freelance roles that students get on their own, the real success rate is even higher. Also, students can get help from the Industry Interaction Cell (IIC), which supports placement preparation and brings in top companies for recruitment.

🏢 Top Recruiters and Job Roles

Over 240 companies took part in this year’s placement drive. Some well-known names include:

  • Amazon
  • Aditya Birla
  • TCS (Tata Consultancy Services)
  • L&T
  • Syngenta
  • Aspire
  • Symphony AI
  • Buckman
These companies hired students for different roles like:
  • Data Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Software Developer
  • Business Analyst
  • Research Assistant
These jobs are all related to data, coding, and decision-making using data, which are exactly the skills this degree teaches.

💼 Internships: A Big Plus

Internships are super important because they help students get real-world experience. In the 2024–25 batch:

  • About 90–100% of students got internship opportunities.
  • The stipend (monthly pay) ranged from ₹10,000 to ₹80,000, with an average of around ₹30,000 per month.
Many students did internships at banks, software companies, and even startups. These internships often lead to full-time job offers later.

🎓 Beyond Jobs: Higher Education & Career Growth

The benefits of this program go beyond just jobs:

  • 850+ students have been admitted to top international universities for their Master’s or PhD. Places include Cornell University, Georgia Tech, and Aalto University.
  • 2,500+ students have received new job offers or promotions in their current jobs—just because of the skills they gained through this course.
This shows that the program helps both freshers and working professionals level up in their careers

💰 Return on Investment (ROI): Is It Worth It?

Yes, absolutely! Here’s why this degree gives you great value for your money:

  • Affordable Fees: The total cost of the full degree is much lower than traditional IIT degrees. You can complete the entire program for less than ₹4 lakh, and pay per term.
  • Job Ready Skills: Students are getting jobs with ₹10 LPA average salary, which is 2x or more than what they pay for the course.
  • Flexibility: Since it’s online, students can study while working or even while doing other college programs.
  • Earn While You Learn: Many students do internships or jobs alongside their studies, which means they start earning early.
This makes the degree a great investment for the future—especially for students who can’t afford expensive private college fees.

📢 What Do Students and Companies Say

Students love the freedom to study anytime, anywhere. They also appreciate the industry-focused curriculum, helpful teachers, and strong placement support. The course material is updated regularly to match what companies are looking for. Some students did wish there were more hands-on experiences and team projects. The program team is already improving this by adding more practical learning, live classes, and industry projects. Recruiters are happy with how well-prepared students are. Many say that the candidates from this program are as good as a traditional degree but still improvement in practical skills are required as per the recruiters. So focus on skills rather than numbers.

🧠 Final Thoughts

The IIT Madras BS Degree in Data Science and Applications is proving to be a game-changer. In just a few years, it has created thousands of success stories. With strong placement results, international admits, and real career growth, this online-first degree is showing that quality education doesn’t need to be expensive or limited to campus classrooms. If you're a student who wants to build a career in data, coding, or analytics, and you want a flexible and affordable option, this program is definitely worth looking into. As the course grows and gets even better, more companies will recognize its value. That means even more opportunities for students.

Note: The above information is based on available data as of May 2025. For the most current details, please refer to the official IIT Madras BS Data Science program website.

Anas Khan
Student at IIT Madras (BS) and a Tech Geek.