The World Economic Forum estimates that in 2023, businesses will create 130 zettabytes of data. That's the equivalent of 6.5 million pieces of paper. Who's going to sort all that data, organize it, clean it, retrieve, make sense of it, and present it to decision-makers in a helpful way?
Data analysts will. It's what they do every day. Becoming a data analyst requires having a command of complex subjects and languages like SQL, Python, R, and statistics along with industry-specific knowledge in data modeling, statistics, and data visualization.
If you love technology, hold a bachelor's degree, and have a knack for solving statistical problems, a graduate degree in this field might be your ticket to an innovative and rewarding career. Find out more about the best master's degrees in data analytics using our guide below.
Why Get a Master's Degree in Data Analytics?
A master's degree offers you a competitive edge in the fast-growing world of data analytics. This complex field demands problem-solvers and critical thinkers who can both manipulate data and draw actionable insights from it.
People who value logic, technology, and information — and who enjoy balancing the art and science of data analysis — may find their professional home in this field.
Data-oriented jobs include statistician, data analyst, operations analyst, data engineer, risk manager, and data scientist. Employers in nearly all industries are seeking these professionals.
While a self-study program or a cybersecurity bootcamp can get you started, earning a master's degree in the field can help you skirt entry-level positions and move straight into a mid-tier role.
If you come from a business or other non-technical background, a degree's importance only magnifies. The structured, disciplined curriculum of a graduate program can give you the foundational knowledge you need in rigorous disciplines like statistics and analytics.
Specialized Knowledge: Master's-level students dive deep into statistical analysis, data mining, machine learning, and data visualization. This specialized expertise can open up leadership opportunities or a chance to pursue a doctorate in the field.
Networking Opportunities: Graduate school offers an ideal networking environment. Networking within your academic program can lead to collaborations, access to job opportunities, and insights into emerging trends and technologies in data analytics.
Research and Development: Graduate-level research fosters innovation and critical thinking. Student-led learning can also help expand the body of knowledge and lead to groundbreaking advancements in the field.
What to Expect From a Data Analytics Master's Program
Data analytics master's degrees prepare students for careers in data by providing foundational education in mathematics, statistics, programming, machine learning, data analysis. Although most master's programs call for two years of study, some schools offer an accelerated MS in data science, allowing learners to finish in as little as 10 months.
The typical program requires at least 30 credits and includes coursework in data science theory, R, Python, machine learning, and industry-standard tools. Most degrees conclude with a capstone experience. Depending on the school you choose, you may pay less than $10,000 or more than $60,000 for the entire program.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Admission Requirements
Each school establishes its own admissions policy, but most data analytics programs share common expectations. Applications should hold a bachelor's degree with coursework in computer science, statistics, electrical engineering, or data analytics.
Many schools also set a minimum overall GPA or a minimum GPA in the last two years of study. While GRE or GMAT scores may increase some applicants' chances for admission, fewer schools require test scores after the COVID pandemic.
Degree and Concentration Options
Data analytics degrees are not uniform in structure, delivery, or emphasis. For example, you can pursue your degree online or in person, as a stand-alone program or with a specialization, as its own degree or as part of a dual master's program. Consider the following data analytics programs:
MBA in Data Analytics: This degree combines the business management and marketing curriculum of an MBA with technical coursework in data analytics.
Master of Computer Science in Data Analytics: Building on a core curriculum in computer theory, languages, and algorithms, a computer science degree emphasizes database systems, data mining tools, data visualization tools, and cloud services.
Master of Science in Data Analytics: Exclusively focused on data science, this degree probes deeply into coding, machine learning, data analysis, manipulation, and statistics.
Popular Master's in Data Analytics Courses
Each graduate program in data analytics presents its own unique curriculum. The following list of courses represent a cross-section of the types of classes you might take in a data analytics degree.
Presentation and Visualization of Data: Students explore techniques for data visualization, including charting, and graph creation, as well as best practices for data presentation. This course also covers various tools and software data analysts use to create informative data-driven presentations and reports.
Predictive Analytics: This course delves into the world of data-driven decision-making. Students discover statistical and machine learning techniques to analyze historical data and make predictions about future events or outcomes. Topics include data preprocessing, model selection, and evaluation.
Visual Design and Storytelling: This course combines principles of graphic design with storytelling techniques in order to communicate data-driven insights effectively. Topics include layout design, typography, color theory, and the psychology of visual communication.
Computational Math and Statistics: This foundational course covers key mathematical principles, including linear algebra, calculus, and probability theory, and applies those concepts using computational tools such as programming languages and software packages.
How Much Do Data Analytics Programs Cost?
While the NCES states that the average graduate school charges $19,749 in tuition each year, averages can be misleading. Some schools may charge more while others can offer an entire master's degree in data analytics for less than $10,000.
Various factors affect a school's price, including school prestige, its status as a public or private institution, and whether you are a state resident.
Adding tuition to cost of living can present a challenge, but most students rely on some form of financial aid. Graduate students can access scholarships, grants, fellowships, private or federal loans, or employer reimbursements.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Jobs for Master's in Data Analytics Graduates
Data analytics graduates can do a lot with their degrees. Jobs are open in data science, operations analysis, financial analysis, mathematics, and statistics. The following careers represent just a few of the positions available.
Data Analyst
Data analysts look for insights in data that can help solve business problems. They identify data they want to use, collect the data, clean it, analyze it for insights, and interpret the results. These professionals may work in healthcare, business, market research, or another field.
Required Education: Bachelor's Degree
Average Annual Salary: $66,085 (2023)
Job Outlook (2022-32): Not available
Operations Research Analyst
Operations research analysts use their knowledge of data, statistics, and analysis to help organizations make sound business decisions. These professionals often work for federal agencies, finance organizations, or professional services providers. They need extensive knowledge of mathematics and computer science.
Required Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Annual Salary: $85,720 (2022)
Job Outlook (2022-32): +23%
Statistician
Statisticians solve problems by analyzing data. These mathematical experts often work on teams with engineers or scientists, and many of them hold employment with government agencies or scientific research companies.
Required Education: Master's Degree
Median/Average Annual Salary: $98,920 (2022)
Job Outlook (2022-32): +30%
Data Engineer
Data engineers create the systems that data managers use to store, process, and retrieve information. They may build databases, data warehouses, or data pipelines. Data and operations analysts typically build on an engineer's work by creating dashboards.
Required Education: Bachelor's Degree
Average Annual Salary: $95,960
Job Outlook (2022-32): Not available
Data Scientist
Charged with extracting meaningful insights from raw data, these professionals run full data projects from selecting the data and creating models to presenting findings and making business recommendations. Data scientists can focus on specific industries or types of data.
Required Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Annual Salary: $103,500 (2022)
Job Outlook (2022-32): +25%
Selecting the Right Master's in Data Analytics Program for You
When considering data analytics programs, it's tempting to look only at cost and time to graduation. To make the best choice, however, you want to consider several other factors, such as:
School Size: A big school often provides better name recognition, but a small school may offer more intimate, one-on-one learning options.
Available Concentrations: Does the program you are considering offer the concentration you need to advance in your career?
Career Services: What specific career development services does the school offer to online students in this major? How large and well connected is their alumni network?
Earning Potential: Universities keep data on how many graduates are employed in the field within six months of graduation and the average salary they earn. This information can help you know what to expect for yourself.
Future Education Opportunities: Could you easily add on an MBA or a certificate in a related field? Can this school seamlessly transition you into a Ph.D. or DBA program with an emphasis in data analytics or data science?
Accreditation: The school you select should hold institutional accreditation from the appropriate regional accrediting body.
Should You Get Your Graduate Degree Online?
Online degrees are expanding, diversifying, and improving. In 2018, Learning House, Inc. and Aslanian Market Research found that 60% of students who had a choice between online and on-campus learning picked the online option.
The same survey found that computer science was one of the fastest-growing fields for online study.
Choosing to learn online is a personal decision, however. If you prefer the structure and interaction of a brick-and-mortar classroom, that approach may be your best option.
Top Master's in Data Analytics Programs
Want to work with big data? The five master's in data analytics programs we feature here help prepare you for in-demand data analysis careers. Learn about admission requirements, tuition costs, and course offerings at the top data analytics master's programs. Check out our ranking methodology to learn how we ranked these schools.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
FAQ About Master's Degrees in Data Analytics
What can you do with a data analytics master's?
A master's in data analytics can open the door to a career as a statistician, data engineer, or senior data analyst. This degree can also help you qualify for admission to a Ph.D. in data science or a related field, ultimately leading to work as a researcher or professor.
Can you get a master's in data analytics degree online?
Yes, many schools offer a master's in data analytics degree online. Some programs allow you to take classes on campus and online, giving you access to the best of both educational delivery systems.
How long does it take to get a master's in data analytics?
Typically, a master's degree takes 1-2 years, but some schools offer accelerated programs that students can finish in just 10 months. This approach usually requires taking classes on back-to-back eight-week schedules.
What's the difference between data analytics and data science?
Data analytics is closely related to data science. The key difference is that a data scientist deals with data models, often projecting into the future. Data analysts use those models to analyze existing data, what's already happened in the past.
