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The Best Online Data Analytics Programs

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The Best Online Data Analytics Programs | Ranked for Students

We have ranked these online Data Analytics programs to help online students make sense of the best online college and degree options. These programs include online Bachelor’s degrees and online Master’s degrees in Data Analytics (also known as Data Science).

What is Data Analytics?

Data Analytics involves data collection and analysis. Big data is in many endeavors, such as in business, science, non-profits, governments, and others. Data Analysts take big data sets and makes them meaningful.

The data informs next steps and decisions. We live in the age of big data. Data generation is occurring at an ever-increasing rate of speed. The need for harnessing and analyzing it is increasing for businesses. A degree in Data Analytics opens up a broad range of cutting-edge career opportunities. Data Analytics is Business Intelligence if used for business analysis.

Business Intelligence is more concerned with specific data sets relevant to the business model that’s employing it. Business Intelligence is data analysis used for business decisions, such as improving profitability and understanding the marketplace.

Career positions such as computer programmers, software developers, and statisticians, all use the concepts taught in Data Analytics programs. Tech companies such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon rely on Data Analytics (Business Intelligence) in making decisions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Featured Online Colleges:

The 12 Best Online Data Analytics Degree Programs

1.Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

University Park, Pennsylvania

Penn State offers an online Master of Professional Studies in Data Analytics degree with the option to specialize in Business Analytics. With or without the specialization, students will need to complete a total of 30 course credits including:

  • nine credits of core courses
  • nine credits of of prescribed courses
  • nine credits of electives
  • three credit capstone experience
Class material will cover an in depth study of concepts such as:
  • data mining
  • data modeling
  • data architecture
  • extraction, transformation, loading (ETL) development
  • business intelligence (BI) development
Other related programs offered at Penn State include two graduate certificates in Business Analytics or Marketing Analytics.

2.Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

At Boston University, two degrees are available on campus and online:

  • Master of Science in Computer Information Systems: concentration in Data Analytics
  • Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics
Students can expect a comprehensive curriculum taught by knowledgeable and field experienced professors. From either program, students may graduate with a confidence in the education they have received. The Master’s track necessitates a total of 10 courses, or 40 credits, for graduation. Students have 18 to 24 months to complete all requirements. The Graduate Certificate entails four courses, or 16 credits, and students have eight to 12 months to complete all expectations.

3.Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York

With a completely customizable and flexible online Master of Science in Data Science, Syracuse University caters to the working professional who wishes to advance his or her career. Provided through the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, students may qualify for GMAT waivers for the degree. Students have 18 months to complete the degree once accepted to the program. The curriculum covers a broad range of topics including the following core classes:

  • Data Analysis and Decision Making
  • Business Analytics
  • Accounting Analytics
  • Financial Services Analytics
  • Marketing Analytics
  • Principles of Management Science

4.Southern Methodist University

Dallas, Texas

SMU offers the Online Master of Science in Data Science degree, which has two specialization options: Machine Learning and Business Analytics. The Machine Learning specialization teaches students how to create self-optimized systems that can solve problems and fix processes for businesses. The process of creating self-optimized systems involves inputting advanced algorithms, so that the machine can think and handle the data appropriately. The Machine Learning specialization involves eight core courses, two electives, and a capstone course. Courses include:

  • Data Mining
  • Visualization of Information
  • Machine Learning
  • Natural Language Processes
The Business Intelligence specialization involves analyzing data and communicating the results for business purposes (such as optimizing profit, improving processes, informed decision making, etc.). Courses include:
  • Statistical Foundations for Data Science
  • Quantifying the World
  • Applied Statistics: Inference and Modeling
  • Business Intelligence
GRE waivers are available to qualifying students.

5.Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, Georgia

The Master of Science in Analytics offered at Georgia Tech can be completed in one to two years with a total of 36 credit hours required. The credit hours consist of 15 credits of core courses, 15 credits of electives, and six credit hours dedicated to an applied analytics practicum. The practicum allows students to apply the theory of the classroom to real world scenarios and in the process gain valuable hands-on experience. Students will cover in detail the topics of:

  • Business
  • Visual Analytics
  • Computing
  • Statistics
  • Operations Research Essentials
Online students will have access to the same faculty and academic support as students on campus.

6.Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania

The 36 credit hour Master of Science in Analytics is offered through the Villanova School of Business. The curriculum consists of 11 foundation and core courses and a final capstone course. Core courses include:

  • Enterprise Data Management
  • Business Intelligence
  • Analytical Methods for Data Mining
  • Analytical Methods for Text and Web Mining
  • Analytical Methods for Optimization and Simulation I and II
  • Advanced Business Applications
  • Final Capstone/Analytics Practicum
Student can complete this degree in as little as 24 months. The quality and comprehensiveness of the programs in the Villanova School of Business have earned the rank of #4 by U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Online Graduate Business Programs ranking.

7.Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia

At Regent University, the curriculum in all classes is presented from an ethical Christian worldview. As such, the M.S. in Business Analytics program ’emphasizes ethical uses of data and specific strategies to protect the integrity of data and privacy of individuals and organizations’. This in-depth 30 credit program includes classes such as:

  • Corporate Ethics and Data Privacy
  • Enterprise Data Management
  • Data Mining and Web Analytics
  • Analytics Capstone Project
The similar MBA – Small Business Data Analytics program is also available online and requires 42 credit hours for completion. Students from each program have gone on to achieve successful careers as:
  • Database Analyst
  • SAS Programmer
  • Security Analyst
  • Fraud/Risk Manager
  • Predictive Analytics Specialist

8.Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire

Before enrolling in the Online Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics at Southern New Hampshire, students may elect to take a free math assessment which may earn them up to six credits towards graduation. Once accepted to the program students will find a comprehensive curriculum which ‘combines data mining and structure with modeling and communication to build a broad and thorough education’. SAS and SQL modeling techniques are offered as electives. In total students will complete 120 credits for this degree. The bachelor’s program prepares students for entry level positions, but they may also continue for further education in programs, such as SNHU’s Online Master of Science in Data Analytics.

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Get More Information from Southern New Hampshire University

9.Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a not-for-profit Christian college that leads in online education. GCU offers online Data Analytics and related degrees for undergraduate and graduate online students.

  • Online Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics
  • Online Bachelor of Science in Applied Business Analytics
  • Online Master of Science in Business Analytics
  • Online Master of Science in Data Science

The Online Bachelor’s in Business Analytics and the Online Bachelor’s in Applied Business Analytics

The online bachelor’s in Business Analytics gives a business education with understanding how data can inform business practices, whereas the online bachelor’s in Applied Business Analytics teaches students more about how to make and use data models to harness and interpret big data, and then use it to make business decisions. The Business Analytics degree teaches students business intelligence using data. The Applied Business Analytics program teaches more fundamentals of data analytics. Both programs are available online, and both can prepare students for working in the fields of business and/or data analytics.

The Online Master’s in Business Analytics and the Online Master’s in Data Science

Similar to the difference between the two bachelor’s programs mentioned above, the online master’s in Business Analytics teaches students how to make business decisions using data, whereas the online master’s in Data Science teachers students the science of capturing big data and making it meaningful and interpreting it usefully.

Request more information from Grand Canyon University

Get More Information from Grand Canyon University

10.Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

Maryville University offers the fully online Master of Science in Data Science. This online program in Data science can teach students the graduate level abilities in Machine Learning, Experiential Learning, Data Mining and Computer Coding and Programming. Students of this online program can learn how to use big data, deep learning, machine learning, and data mining, to make this data meaningful. Students can develop coding skills using R, Python, SAS, and SQL languages. This online master’s program is 36-credit-hours. Courses Include:

  • Big Data Analytics
  • Deep Learning
  • Machine Learning
  • Data Visualization
  • Experimental Design
Maryville may accept incoming transfer courses (students will need to determine this with an enrollment counselor). There are no fees to apply, and Maryville doesn’t require entrance exams.

11.Full Sail University

Winter Park, Florida

Though typically a 12 month degree, for students with a minimum of five years of management and/or leadership experience the Online Business Intelligence Master of Science degree may be completed in as few as seven months. Throughout the curriculum students will find an emphasis on creating well-organized visual representations of the Big Data essential to any number of potential business clients. Possible courses include:

  • Enterprise Data Management
  • Patterns and Recognition
  • Data Visualization and Creative Reporting
  • Business Intelligence Case Studies
Students will finish the degree with a detailed capstone project applying the theories of the classroom to a practical hands-on scenario.

12.Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University offers the Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology: Data Analytics degree through the School of Business and Technology. The school year is based on a 10-week quarter system. Students will typically take one to three courses per quarter. Sample courses include:

  • Data Governance and Stewardship
  • ETL and Data Transformation
  • Data Distribution and Virtualization
  • Data Interpretation and Statistical Analysis in Information Technology

Best Online Data Analytics Programs | Ranking Methodology

Successful Student ranks schools and programs from the point of view of students, taking into consideration factors that would be most beneficial to students. In this regard, the ranking is a bottom-up approach, designed for students. The ranking factors are: having an online program in data science (data analytics), academic reputation, and scope of coursework.

Data Analytics | Degree and Career Information

Though a bachelor’s degree may suffice for entry level positions, the majority of employers will expect the minimum of a master’s degree in Data Analytics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary is $100,560. With new data emerging all the time with the advent of new technology, this is a rapidly expanding field, holding untold potential.

Data Analytics Degrees Online | Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best data analytics course?

There are many ways to start your professional career in data analytics without earning a degree. If you want to work in data analytics, there are many great courses you can complete to gain experience!

This data analytics course is perfect for beginners! With no prerequisites and in-depth video lectures, this course provides you with foundational knowledge in data analysis. This course is completely free and can be completed in 24 hours. To ensure your success, there is time at the end of each video lecture to ask your instructor questions. While this course lacks hands-on projects and interactive content, it is great for those getting started in data analytics.

Thinkful’s course is great for those who want personalized instruction and support as they learn data analytics. Students receive a personal mentor, career coach, and academic advisor to guide them through the program. This course will teach you the foundations of Excel, Python, and SQL. At the end of the data analytics course, you will complete a final project and career-enhancing interviews.

While Thinkful’s course will take you from a beginner to data analytics expert in less than six months, it is very expensive, costing more than $10,000. This course also requires many hours of extra studying and a lengthy admissions process. Yet, Thinkful allows students to hold off on paying for the course until they are earning $40,000 a year in the field of data analytics.

The data analytics program offered by Udacity is great for students who already have experience with Python and SQL programs. Within four months you will be comfortable managing large sets of data and have the skills to solve real-world data problems. This course offers a lot of hands-on projects as well as a helpful chat feature to help you interact with other students and instructors.

While this course requires previous knowledge, it is a great opportunity to advance and refine your skills as a data analyst. Additionally, students will receive personalized feedback and career coaching to help transfer their experience into a career in data analytics.

If you are ready to commit to a career in data analytics, Springboard’s bootcamp is the course for you! In partnership with Microsoft, this unique course guarantees you will find a job as a data analyst within six months of graduation. The course takes roughly six months to complete. Students learn fundamental concepts as well as advanced data analysis skills.

Admission into this course is competitive. Students must have previous experience in Microsoft Office and Google programs. Yet, graduates of this program go on to be successful data analysts, earning a salary increase of at least $25,000.

2. Is a Data Analytics degree worth it?

Earning a degree in data analytics prepares professionals for entry-level positions. Analysts can also begin working in the industry without a specific degree. Many professionals in the field have backgrounds in computer science, statistics, and mathematics. As the demand for trained data analysts grows, this degree prepares professionals to earn a great salary and work in a growing industry.

3. Earning a degree in Data Analytics

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in data analytics. Earning a degree in data analytics will begin with admission to an accredited college or university. After beginning the program, students complete foundational classes in programming and data science. Every bachelor’s program varies in degree requirements, course content, and internship opportunities. Upon graduating, students will have an expert knowledge in data analysis and ready for entry-level careers.

4. What are the careers in data analytics?

5. What are top 3 skills for data analyst?

6. Is Data Analytics a good career?

Careers in data analytics range across many different industries. Data analysts have the opportunity to work in many different sectors. This career field is growing, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting an above average rate of growth compared to other industries. Additionally, wages in data analytics continue to rise compared to wages in other occupations. Data analysts can earn a reported median annual income of $75,000.

7. What is the eligibility for Data Analyst?

As a data analyst, professionals will need to have some formal training and a unique set of skills. Data analysts will need experience in SQL, Python, and other programming languages, as well as the ability to accurately analyze data sets. Besides these skills, successful candidates should be methodical and have the ability to problem solve. Data analysts should have close attention to detail and approach data in a methodical way. To advance as a data analyst, many professionals choose to earn extra certifications or pursue an advanced degree.

A bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics (Data Science) may suffice for entry-level positions, employers will prefer and likely hire graduates with a master’s degree in Data Analytics (Data Science).