Americans may have doubts about higher education, but an online master’s in data analytics can open doors to jobs in many industries. Big Data, after all, rules the world now. This degree can help you get promoted or move into more specialized roles. The right master’s program can give you the skills you need to stand out from other job applicants.
Choosing an online data science program lets you keep working in your field while you’re in school. Today, the best online data science master’s programs are flexible and can help you advance your career. Earning an online data analytics degree is just one way to start a career in data science. Online learning can also help you find a job in your industry where you can continue to learn.
Why You Can Trust College Consensus
College Consensus has been committed to producing unbiased and comprehensive college rankings that combine expert opinions and student reviews since 2017. Our transparent methodology aggregates data from trusted rankings experts, verified student reviews, and the National Center for Education Statistics. This combination ensures that our rankings are uniquely balanced, reflecting professional assessments, real experiences of students, and the objec. Our editorial team and subject matter experts rigorously review all content to ensure that users receive accurate, up-to-date information. Advertisers have no influence over our rankings or editorial decisions.
- Over 3,000 accredited colleges and universities evaluated for our rankings.
- Data from multiple well-regarded ranking sources and student review platforms.
- All rankings are updated regularly and undergo strict verification.
- A transparent methodology that balances expert opinions and student feedback.
- Only a select few top-rated institutions based on a combination of criteria make the cut.
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Online Data Analytics Masters
For our rankings of online programs, we consider several :
- Is the program accredited?
- Is the program truly online?
- Is the program fully online?
- Is the program flexible?
From those fundamentals, we consider two other factors:
- Affordability
- Reputation
We measure reputation according to our own unique College Consensus method.
- Unigo
- My Plan
- Niche
- Grad Reports
- U.S. News Reviews
- Unigo
- U.S. News
- My Plan
- Washington Monthly
- Niche
- Forbes
- Grad Reports
- Wall Street Journal
- U.S. News Reviews
- Wallet Hub
| Rank | School | Cost | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $24,054 | 81.9 |
| 2. | Georgia Tech | $29,140 | 84.4 |
| 3. | CSU Global | $12,150 | N/A |
| 4. | University of Maryland Global Campus | $11,862 | 74.8 |
| 5. | Penn State World Campus | $24,406 | 61.7 |
| 6. | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | $28,980 | 66.3 |
| 7. | University of Missouri | $30,000 | 66.7 |
| 8. | University of Illinois at Springfield | $16,146 | N/A |
| 9. | Robert Morris University | $19,167 | N/A |
| 10. | Oregon State University | $29,349 | 61 |
1
University of Wisconsin – Madison
The online MS in Engineering degree with a Data Analytics ((MEDA) concentration at the University of Wisconsin is part of the Interdisciplinary Professional Programs of this nationally ranked College of Engineering. You can choose a concentration in sustainable systems, leadership, or manufacturing. This is a 30-credit-hour program that combines engineering applications with data science to prepare you for leadership positions improving the design, testing, products, and processes.
What the Experts Say
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is highly regarded, with an 81.9 Consensus score.
What Students Say
Student reviews are as high as 99%, with an average Student Consensus of 84.5.
What the Data Says
University of Wisconsin-Madison is the largest public research institution in Wisconsin, with a research budget of over $1 billion.
2
Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech’s Online Master’s in Analytics (OMS Analytics) program combines the powers three colleges: Engineering, Scheller College of Business, and Computing. The 30-hour program offers courses 100% online and includes a practicum. There are three specialty tracks:
- Business Analytics
- Computational Data Analytics
- Analytical Tools
Topics covered include data storage, machine learning/AI, business analytics/applications, etc. You can complete the degree in 24-72 months. No GRE/GMAT scores are required, and admission is in August and January.
What the Experts Say
Georgia Tech is one of the most highly-regarded research institutions in the US, with a Consensus score of 84.4.
What Students Say
An average Student Consensus of 84 puts Georgia Tech well above competition for students satisfaction.
What the Data Says
Georgia Tech is competitive, with an acceptance rate of just 16%.
3
CSU Global
The online master’s programs at CSU Global rank among U.S. News and World Report’s Best in Computer Technology Programs. This MS in Data Analytics is a 36-credit hour degree and offers flexible scheduling with its 100%. Beyond the standard curriculum, you’ll take 12 hours from the impressive roster of accounting and information technology specializations. Once completed, you’ll be prepared to assume a leadership position in business using data analytics. If you’re not sure this is the best program for you, the school offers an online test drive of a sample course to help determine if this is your online program.
What the Experts Say
CSU Global is widely considered a pioneering leader in online higher education.
What Students Say
Students are largely happy with their experience at CSU Global, including Niche score of 86.6.
What the Data Says
88% of CSU Global students receive financial aid.
4
University of Maryland Global Campus
When you apply for the University of Maryland Global Campus online MS in Data Analytics UMGC will waive your application fee. This is a 36-credit hour program that offers core courses in machine learning, decision management systems, and predictive modeling, as well as a capstone project. You can transfer up to 6 graduate hours toward this curriculum. UMGC used input from employers to design a curriculum to train leaders who can develop assets from institutional data. You’ll develop tools and evaluations, apply technology, meld business and tech into an analytical project.
What the Experts Say
UMGC has been ranked among top regional schools, and is highly respected in distance education.
What Students Say
What the Data Says
UMGC graduates have a 0% student loan default rate.
5
Penn State World Campus
You have two options with PennState World Campus’ online MS in Professional Studies with concentrations in Data Analytics with an option in Business Analytics or Data Analytics with an option in Marketing Analytics. The program is ideal for research analysts, data scientists, data architects, and/or data engineers. On earning this degree, you’ll be able to design and maintain data analytics in data mining, business intelligence, data modeling, etc. This is a 30-credit-hour curriculum.
What the Experts Say
Penn State has a solid 61.7 Consensus Score.
What Students Say
Students rate Penn State much higher than publishers, with a 84.8 satisfaction score.
What the Data Says
80% of students who apply to Penn State are accepted.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s online MS in Data Science takes an interdisciplinary approach to the problem of data. Students can specialize in either Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning or Big Data. WPI also supports students exceptionally. A bridge program allows students to jump into the Master’s without a computer science bachelor’s. Meanwhile, the master’s program can also prepare you for a PhD.
What the Experts Say
WPI has a respectable 66.3 Consensus score.
What Students Say
96.6% of students on U.S. News gave WPI a favorable review.
What the Data Says
96% of Worcester students receive financial aid, and 95% get institutional grants or scholarships.
7
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri’s hybrid MS in Data Science degree requires online courses and two required Columbia campus visits. This program, described by the school as, “The Way Beyond” allows you to customize this degree to suit your interests. You’re offered a choice in five areas of specialization: high-performance computing, strategic computing and data journalism, biohealth analysis, human centered science design, or geospatial analytics. The curriculum is designed to help you graduate in as little as two years. You’ll enhance your problem-solving skills and current analytic tools.
What the Experts Say
Mizzou’s Consensus score includes high marks from Washington Monthly.
What Students Say
Mizzou has exceptional student reviews, including 90% at U.S. News.
What the Data Says
The University of Missouri offers more than 100 fully online degrees.
8
University of Illinois Springfield
The University of Illinois-Springfield’s Computer Science and Mathematics departments have joined forces in offering an online MS in Data Analytics. Applications are accepted in the spring and fall semesters for this graduate program. You may be able to transfer up to 8 graduate hours toward this 36-credit hour curriculum. To be considered for admission, you need to have completed courses in algorithms and data structures. You’ll be assigned an academic advisor when admitted to help you chart your courses.
What the Experts Say
U.S. News rates UIS a 91 among regional universities.
What Students Say
The Student Consensus rates UIS at 65.6.
What the Data Says
98% of UIS students receive financial aid.
9
Robert Morris University
The Robert Morris University School of Informatics, Humanities and Social Sciences awards on online MS in Data Analytics. You can enroll in a three or 4-semester course plan that’s taught by the same faculty who teaches the on-campus courses. The program will improve your skills in system analysis and information systems.
What the Experts Say
Robert Morris University is widely known as a best value college.
What Students Say
Students rate RMU at 76.9 in the Student Consensus.
What the Data Says
RMU awards institutional grants and scholarships to 98% of students.
10
Oregon State University
This MS in Data Analytics degree from Oregon State University combines studies in computer science, statistics, mathematics, policy, and applied sciences. OSU is on the quarter system, and this degree requires 45 quarter hours of study. This curriculum is designed by OSU faculty, and you’ll study various data analytics topics from the foundation, multivariate analytics, applied machine learning, and a capstone project. The degree is completed with an oral exam explaining your capstone project. Cohorts are admitted only in the fall quarter, and you don’t need GRE/GMAT scores for admission.
What the Experts Say
U.S. News has called Oregon State one of the best global universities.
What Students Say
The Student Consensus score of 78 shows that graduates are satisfied with Oregon State.
What the Data Says
The majority of OSU students are Oregon residents.
What is Data Analytics?
IBM suggests the world generates a mind-boggling 2.5 quintillion bytes of data each day, each week, month, and year. That’s a lot of data to sort, analyze, understand, and use.
Enter data analytics. It’s about collecting raw data and processes and statistically analyzing large datasets into useful segments to address questions and propose solutions.
Data Engineers are the beginning of the “data pipeline.” These engineers are similar to software engineers in that they gather data from numerous sources and make it usable to be analyzed. Data Engineers work with raw data to design, build, test, and manage the infrastructure that controls the data using programming concepts and algorithms. Without data engineering, data science and analytics would be difficult, if not impossible.
Understanding data allows organizations to understand past and future trends and behaviors. This is where analysts come in to decipher data and transcribe it into information that can be used in various areas, from healthcare to business to politics to industry and more.
Data are basically either qualitative or quantitative and classified into four categories:
- Nominal – variables without order (can act as continuous and discrete)
- Ordinal – has natural ordering based on a scale
- Discrete – is distinct and/or separate, only contains specific values
- Continuous – is in fractional numbers that can be divided into smaller sections
A Forbes article categorizes 13 types of data that moves beyond the “how” of data analysis to understand what it means, where it’s used, and when it’s necessary. The categories are:
| Big Data – huge information created by humans or machine-generated | Time Stamped Data – data captured at specific time or processed (collected) |
| Structured, Unstructured, Semi-Structured Data – predefined model or organized in a predefined manner | Spatiotemporal Data – describes time and location of the data |
| Machine Data – digital information created by a variety of unpredictable formats | Dark Data – unused available data |
| Open Data – available for anyone to use without restrictions | Genomics Data – specialized analysis of patient DNA |
| Operational Data – presenting big data as nontechnical information useful to leaders and staff | Translytic Data – real-time processing available on demand |
| Unverified Outdated Data – collected data but with relevancy or usefulness is undetermined |
What’s the Difference Between Analytics vs. Data Science?
The names Data Analytics and Data Science go hand in hand and are frequently used interchangeably. However, there are specific differences, but the two areas work together to provide useful information.
Data Science
Data Science is an area of study that combines computer programming, domain skills, artificial intelligence, mathematics, and statistics in order to understand massive amounts of data.
Data science uses and develops new technologies to gather a massive amount of data from emails, texts, images, video, and audio. It is the foundation of data mining from finance, healthcare, recreation, and all other possible sources.
Data Scientists consider what issues or questions the organization could ask of its data. These professionals then write algorithms, create predictive models, and run analyses. Using that information, data scientists will develop new technology to incorporate new trends to optimize that technology as needed.
Knowledge of Java, Python, machine learning, combined with data mining and analysis, as well as software are key for the data scientist.
Data Analytics
As described above, data analysts identify and answer questions about the data as requested. Data Analysts should be proficient in software programs like SQL, Python, Excel, etc. in order to statistically analyze, mine, and report.
Why Get Your Data Analytics Masters Online?
What better way to earn a master’s in data analytics than online?
You probably need to work. You could have family obligations. You’re trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Maybe you need a flexible schedule. The good news is, online degrees let you earn your degree on your terms.
Online courses and degrees are identical to what on-campus students study and are taught by the same faculty. Online programs are usually provided in accelerated, shorter terms allowing you to move through the curriculum quickly. The less time you spend in school, the more money you save on tuition costs, transportation and parking, meal plans, and housing.
An added benefit to pursuing your degree on your own schedule means your employer won’t see a disruption to your work. More employers are showing support for employees enrolling in online degrees and have incorporated educational assistance as a regular part of an employee’s benefits package, especially if the degree is related to your work.
What Will You Study in a Data Analytics Masters Program?
As a general rule, MS degrees in data science or data analytics will be heavy in mathematics, statistics, computer science, and engineering. An MS in this field usually requires 30-36 credit hours that you typically can complete in 24 months or less and may include a practicum, Capstone Project, and/or final oral exams. Several programs have thesis or non-thesis options.
If you have a specific interest in data analytics, you can find programs that offer concentrations. Some specialties include healthcare data, management, business, data engineering and warehousing, geospatial analytics, artificial intelligence, data mining, and others.
Of course, the core curriculum will vary, but in general, sample core studies may include:
| Multivariate Analytics | Various Databases (T-SQL, PL/SQL, PostreSQL, Java, Python, etc.) |
| Data Mining & Visualization | Cloud Computing |
| Applied Statistics | Predictive Modeling |
| Programming | Machine Learning |
| Data Science Tools | Communications |
In addition to the required coursework, programs usually provide a full roster of elective courses in such topics as:
| Critical Thinking | Computational Data |
| Time Series Analysis | Demography |
| Deep Learning | Market Research |
| Statistics and Probabilities | Blockchain Technologies |
What Can You Do With an MS in Data Analytics?
Data Analytics is a field that offers careers in almost any area of 21st-century society. As mentioned earlier, the amount of data generated daily globally is an incomprehensible 2.5 quintillion bytes or a billion billions. This information must be developed, extracted, analyzed, understood, and used. Data analysis is used in virtually every aspect of our lives. Although not exhaustive, some areas of employment may be found in:
Companies that heavily rely on data to make operational decisions and supply chain, such as Amazon, FedEx, UPS, etc., are always hiring. Financial institutions, retail businesses, employment services, and communications companies (think cell phones, streaming services, computer companies, and more.)
Government agencies such as Homeland Security, U.S. Military, FBI/CIA, and others rely heavily on data analysis to track and investigate national security concerns. You’ll also find numerous jobs working with the Centers for Disease Control, Veterans Affairs, U.S. Federal Reserve System, etc. Local and state governments employ data analytics as well.
Healthcare systems find data analysis to be a critical component of providing safe healthcare decisions. The information analysis touches all aspects of healthcare, from patients, physicians, nurses, and technicians, to quality assurance, finance, marketing, food services, and more.
Science and Technology data scientists work in biology, chemistry, physics, and other investigative laboratories, gathering information to be analyzed. Every area of Industry, from food and nutrition to pharmaceutical, medicine, automotive, climatology, and more, relies on data scientists to provide workable data to advance studies and services.
Social Networking as we maneuver through Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Google searches, and other websites, we’re providing usable data to be mined and analyzed. Jobs can be found analyzing personal data for companies and industries to target consumers in advertising and product placement.
Telecommunications use data analytics to analyze cell phone services, track usage through smartphones and GPS services, reduce drop call rates, and more. Corporations such as T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and others use this information to improve services. Law enforcement and governments rely on this type of information.
Again, this list isn’t exhaustive but hopefully gives you an idea of the variety of positions for data analytics.
Is Earning a Degree in Data Analytics Worth It?
If you want a career with a solid future, you’ll not find one with a more promising job outlook than this one. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) separates data analysis and data science careers in their projections.
Compensation for this profession is as solid as its job growth. What you can earn will depend, in great part, on where you work, live, and what your job requires. You can certainly find well-paying entry-level employment in this field with a bachelor’s degree; a master’s degree will position you for leadership and managerial positions.
As you consider your compensation in this field, you’ll want to factor in your employee benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, 401k, bonuses, educational benefits, and other allowances offered by your employer.
Data Analyst
Some of the largest areas of employment for a Data Analyst range from manufacturing, local, state, and federal governments, finance and insurance, corporate management, and scientific, technical, and professional services.
This career ranks in the top 10th in Best Business Jobs, 28th in Best 100 Jobs, and 14th in best STEM Jobs (U.S. News and World Report, 2023.)
Data Scientist
U.S. News and World Report surveys showed this career ranks #6 in Best Technology Jobs, #22 in 100 Best Jobs, and #11 in Best STEM Jobs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, due to the increased volume of data-driven information in various fields, this career has a reassuring 36% job growth expectation from 2021-2031. As more organizations gather more data, more data science professionals will be required to mine the information to be analyzed.
15% of Data Scientists work in the computer systems design field (BLS, 2023), with other employment found in management, scientific and tech consulting, scientific research and development, companies, and enterprises (BLS, 2023.)
College Consensus relied on online services that provide salary information based on national employee surveys and compensation listings.
Data Scientist
| BLS | $100k-$103k |
| Salary | $51k-$63k |
| Zippia | $84k-$120k |
| ZipRecruiter | $75k-$145k |
| PayScale | $69k-$122k |
Data Analytics
| BLS | $80k-$121k |
| PayScale | $92k – $144k |
| Salary | $65k – $69k |
| Indeed | $73k-$112k |
Is Data Science Accreditation Important?
It’s probably obvious, but any online program you choose should be accredited. Accreditation is the best way to guarantee that the graduate program satisfies specific standards for career professionals in Data Analytics. It also assures you that your program curriculum could lead to certification and licensure.
There are two types of accreditation: institutional or program. Data analytic programs can be accredited by a professional organization such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or the Data Science Council of America (DASCA).
Institutional accreditation is awarded to a college or university and is determined by a regional accrediting organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Accrediting surveys and visits examine a school’s programs and educational quality, faculty expertise, facilities, student services, etc.
Regional accreditation for institutions is conducted by designated non-profit agencies approved by the DOE or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). You’ll see accreditation by agencies such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This is your guarantee the institution is qualified to award online degrees.
Professional Organizations, Certifications and Licensure
This profession has numerous organizations depending on your field of expertise. Whether your Data Analytics concentration is in healthcare, data mining, web development, machine learning, or other specialization, there’s probably going to be an organization for you. Here’s a sampling:
Digital Analytics Association (DAA) – Established in 2003, DAA advocates for professional development and provides survey information, job openings, community development, resources, mentoring, etc.
INFORMS – an international association INFORMS provides Operations Research, and Analytics professionals Certified Analytics Professional certification resources for government officials, educators, and organizations. Provides scholarships, prizes, and awards. Offers a career center, mentor program, continuing education opportunities, publications, and conferences.
Healthcare Data & Analytics Association – nonprofit organization that hosts annual conferences, networking opportunities, webinars, and more.
Certification
Data Analytics is part of the dynamic field of computer science and technology field that constantly changes. Certification will keep your skills sharp and current.
Here’s a small sampling of available certificates
- Certified Analytics Professional
- Google Data Analytics
- Wharton Business Analytics Program
- BrainStation Data Analytics
- Harvard University Business Analytics
Depending on where you work, you may also be asked to certify in a vendor-specific product.
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