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Best Schools for Data Analytics Master’s Degrees

Students graduate from the strongest data analytics programs with the technical knowledge and specialized skills necessary to help companies and organizations leverage vast quantities of data. Image from Unsplash

Christa Terry September 10, 2020

The best data analytics programs do more than just confer degrees. Students graduate from these colleges and universities with technical skills, professional connections, and the tools they'll need to advance in analytics—or data science.

In this course, participants learn core principles, concepts, and methods of continuous improvement and explore the history of continuous improvement efforts. In a series of lectures, Master Black Belt in Six Sigma Shane Wentz, Ph.D., enables learners to enhance, optimize, and stabilize business processes and to augment quality control through varied methodologies. Participants gain the skills and knowledge to reimagine internal processes, engage in advanced problem-solving, and empower employees. The course covers high-level foundational principles of Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC processes before diving deep into Lean Six Sigma methods. Learners will analyze the tools of process mapping, Kaizen (a continuous improvement method/tool deemed a prerequisite for Lean transformation success), Lean (a continuous improvement philosophy that emphasizes streamlined workflows and reducing waste), and the process improvement methodology driving DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

Entrepreneurs fostering new ventures outside of well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystems like Silicon Valley face significant challenges. These markets are unlike Silicon Valley, and they will likely remain so. That doesn't mean they can't nurture and sustain new businesses. In transitioning markets that lack abundant private sector financing, creative approaches from government officials, donors, and business leaders can fill the void to support entrepreneurial activity. Northeast Ohio (where Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University are located) has become a laboratory for such innovative solutions. During our time together in this course, we will explore some of these creative approaches to promoting regional entrepreneurship. Northeast Ohio has seen a massive infusion of government and donor resources for over ten years. In that time, Northeast Ohio has promoted regional development (including job creation and follow-on funding) through alternative methods of financing startups. It has not been easy. The region has made progress, but it remains to be seen whether it has struck upon an enduring formula. A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem takes many years, even decades, to develop. Government policymakers and donors typically seek quicker returns on their support programs, which makes long-term support for entrepreneurship challenging. This course includes case studies and first-person testimonials from entrepreneurs who have launched products and services ranging from medical devices to LED lights to whiskey. You will learn how these entrepreneurs discovered and procured resources from various programs and intermediary organizations. You will hear from business people still in the process of developing their companies as well as those whose ventures have flourished. Our focus will extend beyond Cleveland to selected markets around the world, including Greece, Vietnam, Tunisia, Argentina, Rwanda and China. You will learn about international incentives and other supports available to developing startups and small businesses across the globe. This course examines how different communities around the world approach implementing strategies and methods to support businesses. I will ask you to reflect on how to apply the principles we learn to growing entrepreneurship where you live. The social interactive features of the online platform will enable students from around the world to share ideas and learn from one another. Most MOOCs rebroadcast professors’ lectures; this course is different. Don’t expect to see me standing in front of the camera, talking and lecturing every module. Instead, the lectures will be relatively short in length. They have more of the feel of an engaging documentary than a static classroom setting. ## __What type of person takes the *Beyond Silicon Valley* course?__ - Active and aspiring businesspeople in communities looking to initiate new startup ecosystems or bolster existing ones - Current and prospective entrepreneurs who want to learn about funding sources, risk management, and the lifecycle of startups - Professionals who work in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic institutions, and various private funds that fund startups - Anyone curious about how to create and grow startup ecosystems outside the major tech hubs - The principles Beyond Silicon Valley teaches have been drawn from and applied to startups worldwide, from small villages to megalopolises. You'll study success stories spanning the globe from Vietnam to Kosovo to Botswana. ## __What will you learn in *Beyond Silicon Valley*?__ - How and where startups can find funding to get their businesses off the ground - What role government can play in encouraging startups and a healthy startup ecosystem - How anchor institutions such as universities and healthcare systems participate in startup ecosystems - How nongovernmental organizations support startups - How to raise funds from venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators - How to navigate challenging periods in the startup lifecycle - The importance of mentoring in successful startups

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Headlines have been predicting the demise of data analytics and the discipline's inevitable replacement by machine learning systems for some time. Given that, you could be forgiven for assuming that a data analytics master's is less valuable than a more technical data science degree.

But while it's true that automation is playing an ever-bigger role in analytics, data analytics continues to thrive. A Master of Science in Data Analytics—or any of the many closely related analytics degrees—can still lead to lucrative careers in data science, business intelligence, data engineering, or management.

In many ways, the degree actually looks like a safe bet. Experts predict that humans will create 175 zettabytes of digital data by 2025 (a zettabyte is one trillion gigabytes). That's a lot of data to sift through.

The key is choosing the right data analytics master's program. Programs at the top schools with data analytics master's degrees tend to prioritize what might be called "advanced analytics" and Big Data analytics over business intelligence. The online Master's in Data Analytics and Visualization at Yeshiva University, for example, includes topics like predictive analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and machine learning. Students graduate from the strongest data analytics programs with the technical knowledge and specialized skills necessary to help companies and organizations leverage vast quantities of data.

In this article about the best schools for data analytics master's programs, we cover:

What is a data analytics master's degree, and what career paths does it support?
Is a master's degree necessary to work in analytics?
Which schools are known for having the best data analytics master's programs?
Are the top colleges and universities for data analytics master's expensive?
What sets the top data analytics master's programs apart?
Are the programs above more selective than other programs?
Do the top data analytics master's programs include data science in their curricula?
How can I determine which master's in data analytics program is right for me?

What is a data analytics master's degree, and what career paths does it support?

Because colleges and universities use different naming conventions for similar degrees, the Master of Science (MS) in Data Analytics is just one of many data analytics master's degrees. This is important to keep in mind when searching for the best data analytics master's programs. Some schools confer the MS or the similarly named Master of Data Analytics. Others offer degrees like the:

Master of Computer Science with a concentration in Data Analytics
Master of Professional Studies in Data Analytics
Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics
Master of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Data Analytics
Master of Science in Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
Master of Science in Data Science and Data Analytics
Master of Science in Statistics and Data Analytics

Core courses in all of these technically advanced analytics master's programs typically cover topics like:

Applied statistics
Artificial intelligence
Data management
Data mining
Data structures and algorithms
Data visualization
Information systems
Machine learning
Operations research
Predictive modeling
Programming languages like Python, SQL, and R
Quantitative analysis
Reporting
Statistical analysis
Systems architecture
Tools like Tableau and Hadoop
Visual analytics
Working with structured and unstructured data

Some programs require students to complete an internship, practicum, capstone project, or thesis. Non-thesis graduate programs may devote more credit hours to in-class coursework than to research.

After graduation, data analytics master's degree holders become data analysts, data architects, and analytics managers, as well as data scientists and data engineers. They work in almost every field, though one report put together by IBM and Burning Glass Technologies found that more data analytics professionals work in finance, insurance, information management, manufacturing, scientific services, and technology than in any other industries.

Is a master's degree necessary to work in analytics?

It's possible to launch a successful analytics career without a graduate degree—for now—but you may advance more slowly without a master's and hit a wall when it comes to advancement and earning potential. While only twenty five percent of hiring managers in this space are looking for candidates with graduate degrees, nearly 40 percent of job listings for advanced analytics positions require applicants to have a master's degree or PhD in analytics, data science, or a related discipline.

You may also need a data analytics master's if your goal is to move into senior-level or management and leadership positions. It's also worth noting that a master's degree can maximize your earning potential in this field. While the average salary associated with a Master of Science in Data Analytics is about $77,000, senior data analytics managers can earn well over $100,000.

Which schools are known for having the best data analytics master's programs?

The colleges and universities below boast well-regarded data analytics programs:

Carnegie Mellon University, which offers a Master of Science in Information Technology in Business Intelligence & Data Analytics (MSIT-BIDA)
Columbia University, which offers a Master of Science in Applied Analytics
Georgia Institute of Technology (Main Campus), which offers a Master of Science in Analytics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which offers a master's in business analytics through the Sloan School of Management
North Carolina State University at Raleigh, which offers a 10-month Master of Science in Analytics
Purdue University (Main Campus), which offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics and Information Management through the Krannert School of Management
Texas A & M University - College Station, which offers a Master of Science in Analytics through Mays Business School
University of Chicago, which offers a Master of Science in Analytics
University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus, which offers a Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics through the Data Science and Analytics Institute

There are also strong online data analytics master's programs at the following schools:

Arizona State University - Tempe, which offers a Master of Science in Program Evaluation and Data Analytics online
Boston University, which offers a Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics online
Colorado State University - Global Campus, which offers a Master of Science in Data Analytics online
Columbia University, which offers its part-time Master of Science in Applied Analytics online
Georgia Institute of Technology, which offers a Master of Science in Analytics online
Northeastern University, which offers a Master of Professional Studies in Analytics online
Northwestern University, which offers a Master of Science in Analytics online
Pennsylvania State University - World Campus, which offers a Master of Professional Studies in Data Analytics online

Are the top colleges and universities for data analytics master's expensive?

Cost is almost always a factor when choosing a master's degree program, which is why it's somewhat frustrating that tuition for the above programs is all over the map. Tuition for most data analytics master's programs falls somewhere between $35,000 and $45,000, but the MIT tuition is significantly higher at between $66,000 and $88,000 (depending on the analytics capstone course sponsor offset), while tuition for the Georgia Tech program is just $9,900 total. No hard-and-fast rules dictate how graduate schools price their programs, so never assume that shorter programs or online programs are less expensive. Some colleges and universities actually charge slightly more when you factor in the additional fees distance learners pay.

What sets the top data analytics master's programs apart?

The schools with the best graduate-level data analytics master's programs provide the tools to hone problem-solving skills, think analytically, use the latest analytics and data science technologies, and confidently work with various stakeholders. They also offer:

Faculty members who bring industry experience to the classroom: Data analytics is a rapidly changing discipline; the most effective professors have current industry knowledge.
A curriculum that includes both statistics and comp sci: Well-rounded data analytics master's programs teach programming techniques and concepts related to data science along with statistical problem-solving and analytical decision-making.
Soft skills as part of the curriculum: Schools with strong data analytics master's programs make sure students graduate with robust communications, presentation, project management, and leadership skills.
Numerous opportunities for curriculum customization: Not all data analytics master's programs have concentration or specialization options. Still, many allow students to customize their educational experience by choosing electives.
Hands-on experiential learning projects: Students in the above programs work with real-world data-sets and even real-world companies, so graduates emerge with refined analytics skills.
Built-in, comprehensive career support: The best data analytics master's programs are offered by colleges and universities that have relationships with employers and researchers and can provide students with professional connections that lead to future opportunities.

Are the programs above more selective than other programs?

It should come as no surprise that data analytics master's programs offered by schools like MIT and Columbia are more selective when it comes to admitting applicants.

The programs we identify in this article are, for the most part, geared toward experienced professionals who already have analytics skills. The online Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics program at Boston University, for instance, looks for "mid-career IT professionals or students with a computer science background who seek to train their focus on analytics." Admissions officers will look as closely at your work experience as at your college transcripts.

Surprisingly, the best schools for data analytics master's usually don't require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Some don't even require applicants to submit GRE scores. Instead, they require applicants to have an academic or professional background in information systems, cloud computing, computer science, analytics, or statistics. Some data analytics schools expect applicants to know the most common programming languages analytics (e.g., Python, SQL, and R).

Do the top data analytics master's programs include data science in their curricula?

Modern on-campus and online data analytics degree programs have a lot in common with data science master's degree programs; the gulf between these two disciplines is narrowing rapidly. Some schools have even transformed their data analytics programs into data science programs instead of maintaining two distinct programs.

When colleges and universities offer both a Master of Science in Data Analytics and a Master of Science in Data Science, one is typically administered by a college of business while the latter is administered by a school of engineering. The curricula in these programs may be largely the same, which may be why students who graduate from analytics programs frequently go on to work in data science careers. At North Carolina State University's Institute for Advanced Analytics, about 30 percent of students who graduate with a Master of Science in Analytics become data scientists. Only 20 percent become data analysts.

How can I determine which master's in data analytics program is right for me?

Any of the programs we identify will give you a solid education in advanced analytics, but choosing a degree program isn't as easy as enrolling in the highest-ranking one. You'll also need to think about your finances, personal and professional commitments, and location. Keep in mind, too, that each program we've listed here has unique curriculum and features, which you should review carefully. What may be most important of all is whether you'll enjoy the work you'll do over the one or two years you're enrolled in a data analytics master's program.

If you want to spend your career doing more technical work or eventually transition into data science, look for STEM-designated programs or programs that touch on high-tech topics like predictive analytics. On the other hand, if you're dreaming of becoming a business analytics consultant or you're fascinated by business intelligence, a business-focused program may be the better fit. In both cases, make sure the program you choose includes plenty of project work and lots of internship opportunities. The more practical experience you have upon graduating, the better your career prospects will be—regardless of which school you attend.

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