A master's in data analytics can prepare you to solve business problems using data. You can apply the knowledge you gain from this degree to advanced roles like data engineer, senior data analyst, and business intelligence consultant. A master's in data analytics can also serve as a stepping stone to a Ph.D., which can help you qualify for careers in research and higher education.
Our guide offers a ranking of the top master's in data analytics programs. You can also discover more about data analytics careers, what to expect from your degree, and how to choose the right program.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top 5 Master's in Data Analytics Programs
#1 Best Master’s Degrees in Data Analytics
CUNY Queens College
- Queens, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
CUNY Queens College, with an 80-acre campus in Flushing, Queens, offers more than 100 master's degrees, including 40 accelerated programs. Established over 85 years ago, QC is part of the 25-college City University of New York system.
Master of Arts in Data Analytics and Applied Social Research
Queens College delivers a master's in data analytics degree through its sociology department, which employs 34 faculty. Enrollees can pursue concentrations in applied social research, program evaluation and policy analysis, market research, media and marketing, and data science.
Students have opportunities like social research internships and faculty assistantships to explore topics like migration or public health. To finish the degree, learners write a thesis or research project.
Applying to Queens College
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a 3.2 minimum GPA, including a B+ or higher in a statistics or research methodology class. In addition to the online application, prospective students submit a statement of purpose and three letters of recommendation.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $470/credit (in state); $855/credit (out of state)
- Required Credits: 35-38 credits
- Delivery Format: On campus
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 Best Master’s Degrees in Data Analytics
Long Island University
- Brookville, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Founded in 1926, Long Island University offers more than 220 programs. The school maintains two brick-and-mortar campuses and the LIU Global campus for online learning.
Master of Science in Data Analytics and Strategic Business Intelligence
Long Island University's College of Management offers a flexible master's in data analytics degree for students of all experience levels. Learners can study full time or part time over 1-2 years. Classes run on evenings and weekends at the LIU Post campus.
Coursework covers topics like data analytics and machine learning, data privacy and regulatory compliance, and data management. Students also learn to use R and Python in data science contexts. The program culminates with an internship — upon finishing the 100 supervised internship hours, learners complete a capstone project about their experience. The program qualifies as an Optional Practical Training program for F-1 visa students.
Applying to Long Island University
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Prospective students submit a resume, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. Though not required, candidates with GMAT or GRE scores and at least two years of full-time career experience receive admission preference.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $1,352/credit
- Required Credits: 30 credits
- Program Length: 1-2 years
- Delivery Format: On campus
Percent Online Enrollment
20%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#3 Best Master’s Degrees in Data Analytics
SUNY Buffalo State
- Buffalo, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Established in 1871, Buffalo State offers 60 graduate programs. The school belongs to the State University of New York system, which includes 64 institutions.
Data Science and Analytics Master of Science
Buffalo State offers an MS in data science and analytics. Learners take evening classes on campus and can complete the degree in 15 months of full-time enrollment. The program qualifies as an Optional Practical Training program for F-1 visa students.
Core courses cover topics like machine learning, analytics, and statistics. Elective options include data strategy and governance, geospatial programming, and communication for leaders and managers. Learners also complete a master's project to finish the degree.
Applying to SUNY Buffalo State
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA from an accredited school. They submit a two- to three-page statement of intent that outlines their educational and career aspirations. Candidates also interview with a faculty member.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $5,655/semester (in state); $11,895/semester (out of state)
- Required Credits: 30 credits
- Program Length: 15 months
- Delivery Format: On campus
Percent Online Enrollment
95%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#4 Best Master’s Degrees in Data Analytics
Texas State University
- San Marcos, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Founded in 1899, Texas State boasts a student body of 38,000 across two campuses — San Marcos and Round Rock. The institution offers 92 master's programs and 14 doctoral degrees across ten colleges.
Data Analytics and Information Systems M.S.
Texas State's McCoy College of Business offers an MS in data analytics and information systems with accreditation from AACSB International. Full-time learners can complete the degree in three semesters. Courses run in the evenings. Students can take classes online or in person at both of the university's campuses.
Students take core courses like data warehousing, forecasting and simulation, and machine learning. The program offers two tracks: In the thesis version, enrollees complete a research thesis. In the non-thesis track, students take electives like Agile project management for business professionals, supply chain management, and healthcare informatics. The degree also offers independent study and internship options. All learners must pass a written comprehensive exam to graduate.
Applying to Texas State
Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited school. Prospective students submit GMAT or GRE scores, responses to essay questions, a personal statement, a resume, and three letters of recommendation.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; AACSB International
- Tuition: $357/credit (in state); $777/credit (out of state)
- Required Credits: 30 credits
- Delivery Format: Online, On campus
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Best Master’s Degrees in Data Analytics
The University of Texas at San Antonio
- San Antonio, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Texas at San Antonio was founded in 1969. The school offers 73 master's degrees and 27 doctoral degrees. The school received R1 Carnegie research status in 2022.
Data Analytics Master's Degree
The University of Texas at San Antonio offers a master of science in data analytics with two tracks: The standard option requires 30 credits. The 33-credit track focuses on critical technology studies and intelligence studies and requires enrollees to take national security-related courses. Students choose a daytime class or evening class cohort. The program qualifies as an Optional Practical Training program for F-1 visa students.
In both tracks, enrollees take classes like deep learning on cloud platforms, data-driven decision-making and design, and predictive modeling. Learners in the critical technology studies version of the program also take courses like national security and human-digital technology relationships; analytic methods, interpretation, writing, and briefing of intelligence; and the role of U.S. intelligence in national security. All students complete a two-course practicum sequence and a statistics-related comprehensive exam.
Applying to UTSA
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, including 18 credit hours related to the data analytics field. Prospective students submit a statement of purpose and a resume. Letters of recommendation are optional.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; AACSB International
- Tuition: $1,217/credit (in state); $3,278/credit (out of state)
- Required Credits: 30-33 credits
- Program Length: 12-24 months
- Delivery Format: On campus
Percent Online Enrollment
98%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
How We Rank Colleges And Bootcamps
ComputerScience.org uses trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to rank computer science degree programs. To help you find the best possible fit for your education, we focus on factors like return on investment, academic quality, and affordability. Our research also considers metrics such as graduation rate, student debt, and potential earnings.
This ranking is not from 2024. Explore our rankings methodology page to learn more about how we rank programs.
Why Get a Master's in Data Analytics Degree?
Scientists have been analyzing data for centuries, but it was during the 1950s that organizations like the U.S. Census Bureau began to use computers for data processing. Almost 75 years later, organizations in nearly every industry use data to improve decision-making, internal performance, and customer relations.
Companies hire data analysts in many industries, including market and operations research, finance, and supply chain management. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are more than 168,000 data scientists in the United States as of 2023.
As our technologies continue growing and we find more practical applications for data, this field is poised to continue its upward trajectory. Data analytics students, including those at the graduate level, can benefit from the demand for their skills, as demand often drives salaries up.
Other benefits of earning a master's in data analytics include:
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Strong Growth Outlook Between 2022 and 2032, the BLS projects 23% growth in operations research analysts and 35% growth for data scientists, making them two of the fastest-growing fields in the country.
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Competitive Wages Jobs in the data analytics field offer higher-than-average wages. For example, the BLS reports operations research analysts made a median annual salary of $83,640 in 2023.
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Diverse Career Options A master's in data analytics provides you with the skills to work with data technologies and business insights across diverse industries and roles. For example, you can pursue careers in data engineering, operations research, market research, and business intelligence.
Jobs for MS in Data Analytics Graduates
Though you may be able to pursue the careers below without a master's degree in data analytics, holding a graduate-level credential in the field can help you stand out in the job application process, especially for advanced and managerial roles. With a data analytics master's degree, you can pursue tech jobs like:
Data scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to help companies solve business problems. Specifically, these professionals may spot trends in information, create data models, or use machine learning techniques to improve products. Often, data scientists begin their careers as data analysts, data engineers, or statisticians.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree
- 2023 Median Annual Salary: $108,020
- Job Outlook (2022-32): +35%
Operations Research Analyst
Operations research analysts gather data by running diagnostics, interviewing workers, and using companies' databases to learn about operational efficiency. They use this data to make recommendations for improvements, collaborating with management to reallocate resources and create more effective schedules and timelines.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree
- 2023 Median Annual Salary: $83,640
- Job Outlook (2022-32): +23%
Data Engineer
Data engineers convert raw data into useful information. These professionals function as a bridge between data systems and decision-makers. They work with database pipeline architectures; develop usable algorithms; and ensure compliance with state, federal, and corporate data security guidelines.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree
- Average Annual Salary: $96,980 (June 2024)
Senior Data Analyst
Senior data analysts oversee teams of analysts — the professionals who convert data into insights. They may work with in-house teams, third-party providers, or tools that help extract data. These professionals usually need several years of experience and/or advanced educational credentials.
Business Intelligence Analyst
Business intelligence analysts break down and interpret data, create visuals, and present information to key corporate decision-makers. Crucial skills for succeeding as a business intelligence analyst include data visualization, coding, business domain knowledge, and communication.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree
- Average Annual Salary: $74,940 (June 2024)
What to Expect From Master's in Data Analytics Programs
Every master's in data analytics is different, but you can expect some commonalities across programs. For example, most degrees require 30-45 credits and take about two years of full-time study. Some programs may also require a thesis, but project-based capstones are more typical in this field.
Though most data analytics master's degrees aim to give students the skills and know-how to change how organizations use data, programs can take different approaches. For instance, some degrees focus on using data modeling, data visualizations, and predictive analytics for problem-solving applications, while others center on developing programs and algorithms to collect and analyze data.
Admission Requirements
Graduate data analytics programs generally require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree in data analytics or a related field. They may also expect a 2.5-3.0 minimum GPA. Generally, incoming master's students need a strong academic background in mathematics, electrical engineering, computer science, or computer engineering. In addition to materials like letters of recommendation and personal statements, schools may also require standardized test scores.
Degree and Specialization Options
At some institutions, data analytics may be its own program. At other schools, data analytics may be a specialization within a computer science or business program. Some degrees take a comprehensive approach to data analytics, while others offer specializations in areas like data engineering, data technologies, or generative AI models. These concentrations let you develop expertise in specific subfields and can help you qualify for niche careers.
Popular Master's in Data Analytics Courses
Each school sets its own curriculum. However, common courses you may encounter during your data analytics master's degree include:
- Data Analytics in R: Building on the principles of statistical modeling, this course covers linear and logistic regression. Students learn to apply additional regression and classification techniques in R.
- Data Manipulation: Learners use Python and/or SQL to load, manipulate, process, clean, aggregate, and group data. In this advanced class, students also explore NumPy and Pandas libraries.
- Regression and Predictive Modeling: This course introduces participants to relationships among variables. Enrollees learn to test hypotheses, select models, and make predictions.
- Deep Learning: Learners in this class build and apply networks by using AI. Topics include optimization, computer graphics, deep language models, computer vision, and unsupervised feature learning.
How Much Will a Master's in Data Analytics Cost?
What you pay in tuition for a master's in data analytics depends on where you live, what type of school you attend, and the program's reputation. According to NCES data, the average annual graduate school tuition for the 2021-22 academic year was $20,513. On top of that price, you should also budget for costs like books, software licenses, and transportation.
Research financial aid to help pay for your degree. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid can qualify you for grants and low-interest federal loans. You can also apply to scholarship programs within your state, industry, and school.
Choosing the Right MS in Data Analytics Program
It's tempting to look only at prestige, cost, or timeline as you review master's degrees. When comparing data analytics programs, however, consider other factors such as:
- Student-Teacher Ratio: According to the NCES, the ratio of full-time students to full-time faculty at four-year institutions stands at about 15-to-1. Smaller ratios indicate more opportunities for individualized instruction.
- Staff Credentials: What percentage of the teaching staff hold a terminal degree such as a Ph.D? What areas of research do they specialize in? Do any of them hold experience in industry jobs outside academia?
- Location: Research schools in your area and investigate whether they have strong professional networks with local companies. For online programs, determine whether you have to travel to campus for residencies or orientations.
- Alumni Network: A robust alumni network where graduates maintain strong connections to both the university and data analytics employers can be an indicator of a valuable program.
- Admission Requirements: Do you meet the school's admission requirements? Do you need to satisfy prerequisites for coursework or attain higher test scores?
- Accreditation: Look for schools with institutional accreditation, which verifies that the college or university meets standards of academic excellence. You must attend an institutionally accredited school to qualify for federal financial aid.
Should You Get Your MS in Data Analytics Online?
Part of what makes online learning appealing to many students is the increased flexibility and accessibility of these degrees. Because data analytics integrates so much technology and relies on computer-based tasks, programs in this field may be well-suited to the online format.
However, distance education may not be the solution for every learner. As you research online programs, consider your learning style and the classroom environments where you thrive. Typically, online classes are less structured than on-campus courses, requiring more self-sufficiency and less real-time interaction with instructors and peers.
If you need maximum flexibility, look for asynchronous classes, which do not require set meeting times and typically feature less rigid schedules. In contrast, synchronous courses mimic in-person learning through videoconferencing during specific time slots each week. Some online programs also require occasional on-campus components, so research these requirements.
Explore More Ways to Learn Data Analytics
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FAQ About Earning a Master's in Data Analytics
What can you do with a master's degree in data analytics?
With a master's degree in data analytics, you can pursue careers like data scientist, data analyst, and data engineer. You can also qualify for jobs like software engineer, analytics manager, and business intelligence analyst. After graduation, you can also pursue a Ph.D. program in data analytics or data science.
Is a master's in data analytics hard to get?
Whether getting a master's in data analytics is hard depends on your academic strengths. To thrive in these programs, you need strong analytical skills and a solid understanding of math and statistics. You also need to know programming languages.
Is coding required for data analytics?
Data analysis typically requires at least basic knowledge of coding languages such as R, Python, or SQL. You can learn these programming skills through classes, bootcamps, or self-training.
Is an MS in data analytics worth it?
A master's degree in data analytics can prepare you for careers like data engineer, senior data analyst, and business intelligence consultant. These jobs pay higher-than-average wages, which means they can offer a positive return on investment for the degree.
The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by ComputerScience.org. Page last reviewed September 22, 2023.
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