Best Online Data Analytics Masters Degree Programs

The overall price of a master’s degree in data analytics varies widely. Because different educational institutions charge varying amounts for tuition, it’s difficult to pin down one price point for all data analytics master’s programs. Before expenses like school fees, books, and housing enter the equation, colleges and universities in the U.S. charge anywhere from $6,000 to over $50,000 a year for tuition. However, it is worth noting that about half of all students are charged in the range of $6,000 to $12,000 a year.

It’s also important for new students to understand that many schools tend to charge students from outside the state a higher tuition than those who are state residents. When considering educational institutions, be sure to keep your residence in mind to determine the cost of your tuition.

Finally, be advised that financial concerns don’t have to bar you from attending college or university. There are an abundance of financial aid options available to help lower the cost of your schooling. For one, there are a great many scholarship programs that you might qualify for without even realizing. With scholarships earmarked for students of certain socioeconomic statuses, ethnic backgrounds, fields of study, academic achievements, team sports, school clubs, and many other qualifiers, there’s bound to be a scholarship pertaining to you. Some are even offered for offbeat achievements and contest winnings, so keep an eye out and don’t be afraid to apply to any that you can. Another type of financial aid comes in the form of federal grants. Through FAFSA.gov, students can enter some key data about their socioeconomic status and receive federal grants that can greatly reduce final tuition payments. Neither scholarships nor grants require repayment, so they are generally risk-free.

Though your actual course load may vary depending on the institution, most data analytics master’s programs cover many of the following topics.

Data Visualization

These courses provide students with an understanding of visual communication and how best to present data in a way that is readable, accurate, and striking. These skills and tools allow data analytics professionals to effectively communicate the implications of the data they’ve gathered to key stakeholders and suggest plans, solutions, and responses to the data at hand.

Data Cleaning

Data cleaning explores the topic of simplifying data in a way that still gives an accurate representation of the data while disregarding inconsequential outlying data points.

Predictive Modeling

These classes teach students the methods of extrapolating from statistics in order to predict outcomes from certain sets of data.

Data Mining

Data mining is the process of extracting relevant and useful data from within a large set of raw data. This can be done through a variety of different software, including those with machine learning and AI capabilities.

Data Management

In data management courses, students gain an understanding of how large quantities of data are gathered, stored, and effectively organized. These methods allow organizations to pool their knowledge and more easily retrieve and analyze data at will.

Data Analyst

Data analysts gather and analyze data to help organizations uncover important or interesting trends and make predictions about future business outcomes. Data analysts also interpret the data they uncover to help others in the organization understand its implications. This allows organizations to better utilize their time, tools, and resources, using strategies that prioritize efficiency and better results.

Data Administrator

Also referred to as “database managers,” data administrators are responsible for the computer systems that organizations use for data storage. These professionals configure and manage database systems, troubleshoot problems in operation, and otherwise ensure the database’s continued function and security.

Business Analyst

Business analysts take a deep look at a company’s performance, combing through hard numbers and data to identify trends, comparing the company against its competitors, and providing consultations and suggestions to the company to improve performance.

Data Engineer

Data engineers are tasked with converting data into a form that can be easily used and understood by their organization. They analyze raw data and compile the important items in a way that can be easily read and used by the organization’s software.

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business intelligence analysts analyze the huge swaths of data produced within their organization, identifying trends and communicating their findings to the team in a way that allows for improved performance and opportunities for growth.

• Cybersecurity and information assurance bachelor’s degree
• Cybersecurity information assurance master’s degree
• Information technology management, MBA
• Master of business administration (MBA)

With excellent career prospects, flexibility, and fulfilling work, a data analytics master’s degree prepares students for a great working situation upon graduation. Among other things, these degrees offer:

In-Demand Careers

Every part of the economy uses data in some way or another, so companies in every industry need to employ professionals with data analytics backgrounds. The current market demand for these professionals exceeds the supply, so qualified job seekers with data analytics degrees are in a favorable position. Because of the demand and utility for these positions, graduates with a master’s degree in data analytics bring home higher-than-average salaries, with a median base around $90,000.

Career Stability

At this point in time, it’s clear that big data is an enduring concept of computing that isn’t going away any time soon. Data analysts and other related careers have longevity that allow job security for years to come.

Wide Range of Careers

Because of the variety of industries that benefit from data analytics, and the many different roles that operate using its principles, data analytics degrees open the door to a wide selection of career opportunities.

Freelance Opportunities

Because many of the positions that data analytics professionals hold require them to act as consultants, careers in this realm are easily freelanced. Professionals can earn a comfortable income on their own schedule without a long-term commitment, if they choose to do so.

Mentally Stimulating and Informative

These careers require professionals to sift through large amounts of data in order to understand and contextualize the trends and insights hidden among the noise. As such, this field can offer satisfying roles to individuals who enjoy combing through data and interpreting key information for others.