Best Online Master’s in Data Analytics Programs

Take the next step in your analytics career without sacrificing your job! Using our rankings of the best online master’s programs in data analytics, you can earn a top-of-the-line graduate degree from home. Browse through accredited distance learning options from prestigious public & private universities throughout the country. Looking for in-state tuition breaks? Skip ahead to our state-by-state database of online master’s programs in data analytics.

Best Online Master’s in Data Analytics: Overview

2024 Online Rankings Highlights

This year’s list of the 20 best online graduate degrees in data analytics was full of delightful surprises! Universities are stepping up their data game and coming up with distance learning programs that match almost anyone’s needs. Here are a few 2024 highlights:

• Money Talks: Quality still comes with a price. If you’re fortunate enough to get into a well-known private university like Columbia or UChicago, you will need to have a solid finance plan in place (e.g. savings, loans, employer sponsorship, etc.). Programs toward the lower end of the rankings tend to be more affordable.
• It’s All About the Department: Every university in our rankings is playing to their strengths. Programs created by Departments of Computer Science or Data Science Institutes go hard on technical coursework. Degrees from Departments of Statistics love applied stats. To help you get a “feel” for the program, we’ve also highlighted research work and faculty profiles.
• Data Analytics & Data Science Merge: A quick skim through the online rankings will tell you that many schools now offer interdisciplinary data science & data analytics degrees. You might start with data analytics and customize your studies with data science electives. Or you can begin with a grounding in data science and then focus on advanced analytics topics.
• Social Sciences Makes a Play: Schools like Arizona State University, UMass Amherst, and even Ohio State University are now offering online analytics degrees that are aimed at professionals in the public sector, government, and non-profit organizations. These unusual degrees are often open to candidates from many academic backgrounds.
• Experiential Learning Rules: Smart universities realize that online master’s students still need to build an analytics portfolio, forge industry ties, and network remotely. You’ll see that almost every program in our rankings includes a real-world capstone project. A number of them also have internship opportunities, additional practicums, workshops, and even virtual seminars.
• Admissions Requirements Can Be Quirky: Some universities expect analytics applicants to have relevant work experience. Some schools want to see specific undergraduate credits (e.g. calculus, statistics, etc.). Some will want you to take prerequisites if they’re not satisfied with your transcripts. Use the Admissions links in our rankings to learn if you fit the bill.

Rankings Methodology

To come up with our rankings of the best online master’s degrees in data analytics, we created a weighted algorithm that prioritized quality, affordability, and results. The following factors were key to our calculations:

• Focus: These rankings are devoted to master’s programs that specialize in data analytics & data science—we excluded analytics degrees in super-niche topics (e.g. criminal justice, weather & climate risk, healthcare, etc.). Corporate-focused degrees can be found in our rankings of the best online graduate programs in business analytics or best online MBA in analytics degrees.
• Accreditation: To ensure a base level of quality, we limited our online rankings to non-profit and regionally accredited public & private universities. (In fact, you’ll discover that some of them are top-tier research schools.) Discover why regional accreditation is important.
• Reputation: Programs that achieved sturdy U.S. News & World Report graduate rankings in Computer Science, Statistics, and Business were given extra points in our algorithm.
• Affordability: To factor in the cost of your degree, we analyzed IPEDS graduate student tuition data. Most online tuition rates are the same at public universities. However, if in-state and out-of-state rates were different, we averaged the prices so our rankings didn’t favor local students.
• Outcomes: Our algorithm also includes student completion IPEDS data for Business and Computer Science graduate students. If schools reported Data Analytics completion data, they received an additional boost.
  

20 Best Online Master’s in Data Analytics Degree Programs

#1 Columbia University

Overview | Online MS in Applied Analytics

• Format: 100% Online or On-Campus
• Department: School of Professional Studies
• Accreditation: MSCHE
• Credit Hours: 36
• Program Length: 2 Years (Part-Time Only)
• Core Concepts: Applied Analytics, Storytelling with Data, Research Design, Managing Data, Strategy & Analytics + Internship & Electives + Capstone

Program Summary

Make your name in the world of analytics leadership by aiming for the Ivy League. Columbia University’s part-time Online MS in Applied Analytics is open to a wide range of candidates—you don’t have to be a statistical genius to apply—and it contains a judicious blend of management & technical coursework. Better yet, you can customize the program with an industry internship or relevant electives (e.g. Python, Machine Learning, Text & Natural Language Analytics, etc.).

You get what you pay for—Columbia is very expensive. But it’s known for having excellent analytics faculty, a network of global alumni, and outstanding career connections. In your capstone, you’ll be working on a real-world analytics project that’s sponsored by one of several major organizations. It’s also a STEM-designated program, which means international degree-holders may be eligible for an F1 STEM OPT Extension. Attend an Online Information Session to learn more about the program.

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Columbia University’s Online MS in Applied Analytics

#2 Arizona State University

Overview | Online MS in Program Evaluation & Data Analytics

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions
• Accreditation: HLC
• Credit Hours: 33
• Program Length: 1 Year (Full-Tiime); 2 Years (Part-Time)
• Core Concepts: Regression Models, Research Design, Programming in R, Data Wrangling, Project Management, Program Evaluation + Practicum + Electives + Capstone

Program Summary

Are you committed to public service? Consider ASU’s unique Online MS in Program Evaluation & Data Analytics (MS-PEDA). It’s designed for data-driven leaders in public & non-profit sectors—ideal MS candidates have a background in social sciences. You’ll learn how to analyze data, create actionable plans, assess program performance, and improve policies. For instance, the practicum will give you the opportunity to build & analyze research databases. And the capstone takes the form of a real-world analytics consulting project.

Graduates of ASU’s program tend to work for governmental agencies, think tanks, universities, non-profits, and consulting firms. If this sounds like the right career path for you, be sure to ask the MS program coordinator about electives—ASU has specific courses in higher education and healthcare analytics (e.g. health informatics database modeling). You may also wish to visit the Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions to learn more about its research work. In particular, check out the data-focused projects within the Center on Technology, Data & Society.

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ASU’s Online MS-PEDA

#3 Pennsylvania State University – World Campus

Overview | Online MPS in Data Analytics

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: School of Graduate Professional Studies
• Accreditation: MSCHE
• Credit Hours: 30
• Program Length: 1.5 Years (Full-Time); 3-4 Years (Part-Time)
• Core Concepts: Predictive Analytics, Applied Statistics, Data Mining, Database Management, Database Design + Electives + Capstone

Program Summary

At Penn State, it’s all about the data. The efficient Online MPS in Data Analytics is packed with coursework in applied statistics & advanced data analytics. Once you’ve covered the bases, you can customize this technical degree with all kinds of electives in high-level statistics & data science (e.g. Natural Language Processing, Foundations of AI, Deep Learning, Programming in Python, GIS, etc.). As you might expect, MPS applicants with an undergraduate degree in a quantitative discipline are given preferred consideration.

Interested? Browse through the MPS faculty profiles to learn more about your potential analytics instructors. You’ll see plenty of doctorates in Computer Science, IT, and Industrial Engineering listed below their names. If you want to go one step farther, take a look at Penn State Great Valley’s research labs, including faculty projects within the Big Data Lab. The Big Data Lab organizes regular networking events and has connections to useful industry partners.

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Penn State’s Online MPS in Data Analytics

#4 University of Chicago

Overview | Online MS in Analytics (MScA)

• Format: 100% Online with Optional Immersion Weekends or On-Campus
• Department: Data Science Institute (DSI)
• Accreditation: HLC
• Credit Hours: 1,200 Units/12 Courses
• Program Length: 1 Year (Full-Time); 1.5 Years (Part-Time)
• Core Concepts: Time Series Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Data Mining, Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Data Engineering, Leadership Skills + Electives + Capstone

Program Summary

UChicago’s practical Online MS in Analytics (MScA) is designed for working professionals who aspire to become analytics experts—typical MScA candidates have 2+ years of relevant career experience. It’s a deep-dive, hands-on technical program with a solid number of prerequisites for those who need them (e.g. Stats Boot Camp, R Workshop, etc.). And it’s interactive. You’ll be expected to participate in live, synchronous meetings with instructors & peers on a weekly basis. Plus you have the option to participate in workshops, tours, and career events during immersion weekends.

You can learn more about UChicago’s approach by inspecting the instructor profiles and skimming through recent examples of MScA team-based capstone projects. We also recommend a visit to the website of the Data Science Institute (DSI), which is part of the Physical Sciences Division. You’ll notice that the DSI has forged ties with a number of industry partners and has multiple research initiatives in play. The price tag for the MScA is high, but partial tuition scholarships are available. See the FAQs section for more details.

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UChicago’s Online MScA

#5 Northwestern University

Overview | Online MS in Data Science (MSDS): Analytics Specialization

• Format: 100% Online or Hybrid
• Department: School of Professional Studies (SPS)
• Accreditation: HLC
• Credit Hours: 12 Units (1 Unit Per Course)
• Program Length: 2-5 Years (Part-Time Only)
• Core Concepts: Data Science, Applied Statistics with R, Database Systems, Practical Machine Learning, Decision Analytics + Specialization + Electives + Capstone or Thesis

Program Summary

Have your cake & eat it, too! Northwestern’s Online MS in Data Science (MSDS) follows the popular model of combining graduate coursework in both data science and analytics. It’s strong on programming languages—you’ll be schooled in Python, R, and Go—but it also includes specializations in Analytics & Modeling and Analytics Management. Plus, unlike other degrees, you have the option to finish with a capstone OR thesis. Keep in mind that the 100% online version is only available in a part-time format; the hybrid version can be pursued in a 1-year plan of study.

Northwestern makes a point of stating that it welcomes adult students who are entering the field from other professions—many candidates don’t have a typical IT background. If you’re curious about the curriculum, check out the bios of MSDS faculty and explore the opportunities & networking events organized by the MSDS Student Leadership Council (SLC). A number of graduate-level data science meetings and seminars are offered virtually.

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Northwestern’s Online MSDS: Analytics Specialization

#6 Texas A&M University – College Station

Overview | Online MS Analytics (MSA)

• Format: Online with Campus Visits
• Department: Mays Business School
• Accreditation: SACSCOC
• Credit Hours: 36
• Program Length: 5 Semesters/1.75 Years
• Core Concepts: Data Visualization, Predictive Analytics, Programming with R, Business Database Systems, Regression & Time Series Analysis, Machine Learning, Enterprise Data Models & Optimization + Electives + Capstone

Program Summary

Ready for something a little unusual? TAMU’s Online MS Analytics (MSA) is available through live video streaming on weekday evenings. That means all MSA candidates must reside & work in a North American time zone. Plus there’s an on-campus bootcamp at the beginning of the degree and in-person presentations in the final semester (view examples of capstone projects). But if you can afford the trips to Houston, you’ll be in good company—around 50% of students in this 5-semester, cohort-based program participate remotely.

You can learn more about TAMU’s degree by examining the faculty profiles, alumni stories, and FAQ. The MSA bills itself as a mid-career program—candidates must have 3+ years of full-time work experience and be employed at the time of applying. And it’s far from cheap. To help cover costs, TAMU notes that 75% of MSA students are financially sponsored by their organization. Scholarships for non-profit employees may also be available.

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TAMU’s Online MSA

#7 Georgia Institute of Technology

Overview | Online MS in Analytics (OMSA)

• Format: 100% Online or Hybrid
• Department: College of Computing; College of Engineering; Scheller College of Business
• Accreditation: SACSCOC
• Credit Hours: 36
• Program Length: 2-6 Years
• Core Concepts: Computing for Data Analytics, Analytics Modeling, Business Fundamentals, Data Visualization, Data Analytics in Business + Specialization + Practicum

Program Summary

Be kind to your wallet with Georgia Tech’s super-affordable Online MS in Analytics (OMSA). This interdisciplinary degree is evenly split between technical coursework in statistics, analytics & data science and real-world specializations. You can concentrate on Analytical Tools (e.g. Regression Analysis, Machine Learning, etc.), Business Analytics (e.g. Digital Marketing, Financial Modeling, etc), or Computational Data Analytics (e.g. Database Systems, AI, Deep Learning, etc.). You’ll finish with a 6-credit practicum within your current organization or a Georgia Tech-sponsored company.

Another bonus? Georgia Tech’s program is self-paced. That means you can go as quickly or as slowly as you like (up to 6 years). However, it doesn’t have all the bells & whistles of the Hybrid MS in Analytics. If you live near Atlanta, the blended degree comes with career services, internship opportunities, access to Georgia Tech’s computing infrastructures, assistantships & fellowships, and professional development funding. It’s significantly more expensive than the online version, but graduates go on to work in impressive companies.

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Georgia Tech’s Online MS in Analytics

#8 University of Wisconsin-Madison

Overview | Online Master of Engineering in Data Analytics (MEDA)

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: College of Engineering; Wisconsin Applied Computing Center
• Accreditation: HLC
• Credit Hours: 30
• Program Length: 2-3 Years
• Core Concepts: Industrial Data Analytics, Engineering Applications of Statistics, Machine Learning, Interactive Data Visualization, Computing Concepts for Applications in Engineering + Electives + Concentrations

Program Summary

Unlike degrees that are targeted at data engineers, UW-Madison’s Online Master of Engineering in Data Analytics (MEDA) is designed for actual engineers. Think of those who are responsible for researching, designing, testing, and improving products & processes. That’s why you’ll see core coursework in areas like Industrial Data Analytics & Quality Control and electives in topics such as Technical Project Management (TPM), Quality Engineering, and Sustainable Systems. In fact, you can take the online TPM course as a “try-out” to learn if the program is right for you.

Thinking about networking opportunities? The MEDA program is offered by the highly ranked College of Engineering, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Applied Computing Center (WACC). Explore the section on Engineering Career Services and consider attending the university’s annual Wisconsin Forum on Advanced Computing in Engineering. We might also mention that the College has forged ties with some useful industry partners in the Midwest.

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UW Madison’s Online MEDA

#9 University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Overview | Online MS in Data Analytics and Computational Social Science (DACSS)

• Format: 100% Online or On-Campus
• Department: College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) + Other Departments
• Accreditation: NECHE
• Credit Hours: 30
• Program Length: 1 Year (Fast Track); 1.5 Years (Standard Plan); 2-3 Years (Part-Time)
• Core Concepts: Fundamentals of Data Science, Introduction to Quantitative Analysis, Research Design, Advanced Data-Driven Storytelling + Electives + Optional Research or Internship

Program Summary

Social scientists, take note! UMass Amherst’s Online MS in Data Analytics and Computational Social Science (DACSS) is devoted to applying analytics & data science techniques to the field. You’ll learn how to gather & organize social science data, measure & analyze social behaviors, and convey your findings through data-driven storytelling. Once you’ve got the fundamentals down, you can use the electives or an independent research project to expand on your area of interest (e.g. Machine Learning for Social Scientists, Political Networks Analysis, Social Life of Algorithms, etc.).

UMass Amherst is an unconventional choice. It’s a specialist program with an efficient one-year plan of study or more conventional part-time plans. It’s inexpensively priced for in-state students in Massachusetts. It includes optional Professional Development Seminars/Practicums. And it’s backed by a College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) with plenty of active research centers, including the interdisciplinary Computational Social Science Institute (CSSI). See the FAQ section for more info.

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UMass Amherst’s Online MS in DACSS

#10 Ohio State University

Overview | Online Masters in Translational Data Analytics (MTDA)

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: Translational Data Analytics Institute (TDAI)
• Accreditation: HLC
• Credit Hours: 33
• Program Length: 1.75 Years (Full-Time); 2.75-3.75 Years (Part-Time)
• Core Concepts: Data Analytics Foundations, Big Data Computing, Data Mining, Machine Learning, Data Governance, Information Design, Data Visualization + Capstone

Program Summary

Use data in the service of good. OSU is breaking new ground with its interdisciplinary Online Masters in Translational Data Analytics (MTDA). It’s a “data storytelling” degree that combines technical training in analytics tools & techniques with work in information design, visualization, and interactive arts media. It welcomes applicants from a range of backgrounds; it contains a real-world capstone project; and it’s available in full-time or part-time plans of study.

This unique program is the brainchild of OSU’s Translational Data Analytics Institute (TDAI), which is doing some groundbreaking research work in the realms of healthcare & life sciences, computational social sciences, sustainability, and environmental engineering. You can stay connected to the institute by attending the monthly hybrid TDAI Speaker Series or paying a visit to the campus for the Interdisciplinary Fall Forum.

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OSU’s Online MTDA

#11 Boston University

Overview | Online MS in Applied Data Analytics (MSADA)

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: Department of Computer Science; Metropolitan College
• Accreditation: NECHE
• Credit Hours: 32
• Program Length: 1.5-2 Years
• Core Concepts: Analytics, Data Visualization, Machine Learning, Data Science with Python, Analysis of Algorithms, Data Mining, Web Mining and Graph Analytics + Electives

Program Summary

BU’s Online MS in Applied Data Analytics (MSADA) is a pragmatic choice for mid-career IT professionals or computer science degree holders who wish to prioritize analytics. It’s offered by the Department of Computer Science and it’s packed with technical core coursework & electives. Once you’ve grounded yourself in areas like Analysis of Algorithms, Data Mining, and Python, you can dig into more advanced topics like Machine Learning and Neural Networks.

If you choose BU, you’ll choose a school with a powerful academic reputation in New England. Faculty are experienced and diverse, and graduate scholarships are available through the Metropolitan College. Plus the degree can be completed efficiently in 16-24 months. Unlike other programs in our rankings, it doesn’t include a capstone. However, you will be able to build a portfolio of analytics work through real-world class projects.

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BU’s Online MSADA

#12 Clemson University

Overview | Online MS in Data Science & Analytics (DSA)

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences; Department of Management
• Accreditation: SACSCOC
• Credit Hours: 30
• Program Length: 1.5 Years (Full-Time); 3-5 Years (Part-Time)
• Core Concepts: Analytics Bootcamp + Statistical Methods, Statistical Computing, Programming in Data Science, Business Analytics, Multivariate Analysis, Advanced Mathematical Programming, Data Management & Warehousing

Program Summary

Mix business management with analytics pleasure! Clemson’s cohort-based Online MS in Data Science & Analytics (DSA) blends credits in statistics, programming, and data science with coursework in business & decision sciences. To keep up with the math, DSA applicants should have quantitative reasoning skills, some programming experience, and an academic background that includes Intro Calculus. You can opt for a part-time or full-time schedule, but you’ll always begin with an Analytics Bootcamp in the summer.

For more on Clemson’s offering, have a look at research initiatives within the School of the Mathematical and Statistical Sciences—faculty are actively involved in areas such as operations research, biostatistics, environmental statistics, and more. Although Clemson is a public research university, tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. And the DSA program organizes virtual networking presentations with industry partners/potential employers.

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Clemson’s Online MS in DSA

#13 Oregon State University

Overview | Online MS in Data Analytics

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: Department of Statistics; College of Science
• Accreditation: NWCCU
• Credit Hours: 45 Quarter Credits
• Program Length: 2 Years
• Core Concepts: Data Analytics, Multivariate Analytics, Time Series Analytics, Programming & Data Structures, Data Science Tools, Applied Machine Learning + Electives + Capstone

Program Summary

Oregon State’s affordable Online MS in Data Analytics will fit almost any career plan. Alumni have entered the program from fields such as engineering, healthcare, insurance, and even wildlife biology. The curriculum goes hard on analytics, programming, and data science concepts, and it includes electives in advanced statistics (e.g. Data Visualization, Introduction to Quantitative Genomics, Applied Survival Analysis, etc.). You’ll finish up with a team-based capstone project and a mandatory oral exam.

Price is a big tick in Oregon State’s favor. This program is half the price of some of the other master’s degrees in our rankings and online tuition rates are the same for all students, regardless of their state of residence. The College of Science has interdisciplinary research strengths in data science and the Department of Statistics is the only one of its kind in Oregon. If you’re on the look-out for career opportunities, check out the list of companies & organizations that have hired statistics graduates.

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Oregon State’s Online MS in Data Analytics

#14 Colorado State University – Global

Overview | Online MS in Data Analytics

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: CSU Global
• Accreditation: HLC
• Credit Hours: 36
• Program Length: ~2 Years
• Core Concepts: Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Data Mining, Predictive Analytics, Data Warehousing, Business Analytics, Enterprise Performance Management + Specialization + Capstone

Program Summary

Looking to save money? CSU Global’s business-oriented Online MS in Data Analytics has one of the lowest tuition rates in our rankings! It blends the major fundamentals of analytics with a fair amount of coursework in corporate concerns. You can customize your learning with all kinds of relevant 12-credit specializations (e.g. AI & Machine Learning, Finance, Fraud Management, etc.) and use the capstone to focus on the marriage of Business Intelligence & Data Analytics.

CSU Global doesn’t have the name recognition of some of the other research universities in our rankings, but it’s a regionally accredited school with a flexible approach to distance learning. Depending on your state of residence, you may also be able to include the optional Data Analytics Practicum in your plan of study and gain some extra real-world experience.

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CSU Global’s Online MS in Data Analytics

#15 George Mason University

Overview | Online MS in Data Analytics Engineering

• Format: 100% Online or On-Campus
• Department: College of Engineering and Computing
• Accreditation: SACSCOC
• Credit Hours: 30
• Program Length: 2 Years
• Core Concepts: Big Data to Information, Applied Statistics & Visualization, Analytics & Decision Analysis, Data Management & Mining + Electives + Capstone

Program Summary

Prepare yourself for a future as a data engineer or architect! Mason’s experiential Online MS in Data Analytics Engineering is focused on the construction side of analytics. In addition to learning how to analyze vast quantities of data for business purposes, you’ll have opportunities to create the frameworks, systems & processes required to handle them. The program culminates in a team-based capstone project, complete with a final technical report & oral briefing.

Mason’s program impresses us for a number of reasons. It’s a reasonably priced degree with sturdy faculty. It’s offered by the tech-savvy Volgenau School of Engineering. It includes real-time meetings. And it can lead to multiple job titles. Be sure to ask the MS program coordinator about career opportunities & industry partnerships. Mason is strategically located in the Northern Virginia Technology Corridor and many big players in technology, security & government are a stone’s throw away.

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Mason’s Online MS in Data Analytics Engineering

#16 University of Kansas

Overview | Online MS in Applied Statistics, Analytics & Data Science

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: Department of Biostatistics & Data Science
• Accreditation: HLC
• Credit Hours: 30
• Program Length: 1.25 Years (Full-Time); 2-3 Years (Part-Time)
• Core Concepts: Data Analysis, Linear Regression, Multivariate Statistics + Emphasis in Analytics, Data Science, or Statistics + Electives

Program Summary

KU’s Online MS in Applied Statistics, Analytics & Data Science is another savvy pick for graduate students on a tight budget. This highly affordable master’s degree contains a statistics core that you can customize with a data-focused emphasis and relevant electives (e.g. R, SAS Programming, Python, SQL, Data Mining, Tableau, etc.). Coursework is primarily asynchronous, which means you can learn on your own time and at your own pace.

When you look through the online program’s faculty profiles, you’ll notice that they all come from KUMC’s Department of Biostatistics & Data Science. You don’t have to be interested in areas like computational genomics or biostatistics to enroll in KU’s degree—it’s a qualification that can be applied to multiple fields, including business areas. But you’ll have plenty to talk about with your professors if you are!

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KU’s Online MS in Applied Statistics, Analytics & Data Science

#17 Northeastern University

Overview | Online MPS in Analytics

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: College of Professional Studies
• Accreditation: NECHE
• Credit Hours: 45 Quarter Credits
• Program Length: 1-1.5 Years
• Core Concepts: Data Analytics, Enterprise Analytics, Probability Theory & Introductory Statistics, Data Visualization, Database Management Systems + Practicum + Concentration or Electives + Capstone

Program Summary

In fewer than 2 years, you can earn an Online MPS in Analytics that’s packed with all kinds of practical benefits. In addition to coursework in analytics & statistics fundamentals, Northeastern’s degree includes a practicum in predictive analytics, a capstone with a sponsoring organization, and a wide variety of relevant electives (e.g. AI, Advanced Spatial Analysis, Risk Management, etc.). You also have the option to choose a concentration in Applied Machine Intelligence, Evidence-Based Management, or Statistical Modeling.

Northeastern is a Tier 1 Research University with considerable clout in the New England area. The College of Professional Studies (CPS) likes to emphasize “experiential” learning, which means that you can expect a lot of real-world problems & projects. Be sure to ask the MS program coordinator about networking opportunities during the program. Northeastern claims to have ties to 3,350+ employer partners in over 131 countries.

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Northeastern’s Online MPS in Analytics

#18 Syracuse University

Overview | Online MS in Applied Data Science: Analytics Track

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: iSchool
• Accreditation: MSCHE
• Credit Hours: 34
• Program Length: 1.5 Years
• Core Concepts: Data Science, Database Administration, Applied Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Quantitative Reasoning for Data Science, Business Analytics + Electives + Analytics Track + Portfolio

Program Summary

Craving flexibility? Make Syracuse’s interdisciplinary Online MS in Applied Data Science your own by choosing an analytics-focused track in Data & Business Analytics, Language Analytics, or Data Pipelines & Platforms. The program also includes electives in related IT subjects (e.g. Cloud Management) and the option to add a Certificate of Advanced Study in Information Security Management or Enterprise Technology Management. You’ll finish with a portfolio of completed projects to show to employers.

Syracuse is expensive. But the iSchool has its own Center for Computational and Data Science (CCDS) and switched-on faculty who are working on intriguing projects. There may also be opportunities for motivated students to connect with industry clients or collaborate with faculty. If you’re worried about the price tag, talk to the MS program coordinator about financing options. The university provides Employer Sponsorship Guides to help prepare you for conversations with your current company.

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Syracuse’s Online MS in Applied Data Science: Analytics Track

#19 University of Oklahoma – Norman

Overview | Online MS in Data Science & Analytics

• Format: 100% Online, Hybrid or On-Campus
• Department: OU Data Science and Analytics Institute (OU DSAI); Gallogly College of Engineering
• Accreditation: HLC
• Credit Hours: 33
• Program Length: 2 Years
• Core Concepts: Computing Structures, Algorithm Analysis, Advanced Analytics & Metaheuristics, Fundamentals of Engineering Statistical Analysis, Database Management Systems, Intelligent Data Analytics + Electives + Internship/Practicum

Program Summary

OU’s Online MS in Data Science & Analytics is a comprehensive degree that leans heavily on faculty expertise within the OU Data Science and Analytics Institute (OU DSAI). You’ll be schooled in analytics skills like statistical modeling, data mining, and advanced programming, but you’ll also have the opportunity to tackle a number of electives and a final internship or practicum with an approved sponsor (Professional Practice).

Have a look through the OU DSAI faculty profiles and course & elective syllabi to get a sense of the program’s approach. OU DSAI is a little scant on details about its industry partnerships, but its parent, the Gallogly College of Engineering, has plenty of connections. If you’d like to test the waters, you could also consider the DSA Graduate Certificate.

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OU’s Online MS in Data Science & Analytics

#20 Kansas State University

Overview | Online MS in Data Analytics (MSDA)

• Format: 100% Online or On-Campus
• Department: College of Business Administration
• Accreditation: HLC
• Credit Hours: 30
• Program Length: Unknown
• Core Concepts: Programming Techniques, Econometrics, Big Data Analytics, IT Strategy, Business Analytics & Data Mining, Social Media Analytics, Applied Marketing Analytics + Track

Program Summary

Inject a little bit of business management into your graduate plans. You’ll notice that K-State’s Online MS in Data Analytics (MSDA) includes core coursework in areas like applied marketing, social media, and econometrics. This means it has more of a “business analytics” feel than many of the other programs in our rankings. To help you dig deeper, this degree also has specific tracks in Data Science (e.g. AI, Machine Learning, etc.) or Applied Analytics (e.g. Business Capstone, Accounting Analytics, etc.).

Curious? Visit the website for the AACSB-accredited College of Business Administration to learn more about the folks who created the degree. The College has strong ties to industry partners through the Graduate Studies Advisory Council—you’ll notice some big company names among the list of members. And the FAQ section has more details on career opportunities, typical job titles, and workshop topics.

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K-State’s Online MSDA