Best Data Analytics Degree Programs

Best Data Analytics Programs - Top 10 — Complete Program Data

1. #1. University of California-Berkeley Data Analytics Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Berkeley as the #1 in data analytics degree program. Location: Berkeley, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 100.0

   What makes University of California-Berkeley stand out: Berkeley pioneered human-centered data science education, with MIDS being the first major online data science program to integrate ethics and policy throughout the curriculum, while MAnalytics achieves 100% internship placement and operates in the heart of Silicon Valley with constant industry engagement.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-Berkeley leverages partnerships with Amazon and Apple to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.

   Program Overview: UC Berkeley offers two premier data analytics programs that represent different approaches to the field. The Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) is a 27-unit online program delivered by the School of Information, designed specifically for working professionals with flexible completion paths ranging from 12 months (accelerated) to 32 months (decelerated). Fortune magazine has nationally recognized this as the No. 1-ranked online data science program. The curriculum uniquely integrates computer science, AI, machine learning, social sciences, statistics, management, and law, with a strong emphasis on human-centered values and ethical implications of data science. The Master of Analytics (MAnalytics) is a 12-month, on-campus STEM-designated program housed in the Industrial Engineering & Operations Research department, ranked No. 3 nationally. This intensive program follows a structured timeline: Python intensive (months 0-1), core analytical methods (months 2-6), electives and analytics lab (months 7-10), and a 200-hour summer internship (months 11-12). Both programs benefit from Berkeley's location in the innovation hub of the San Francisco Bay Area, with direct access to Silicon Valley companies and a robust research ecosystem including the Berkeley Institute for Data Science (BIDS), Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) Lab, and the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing.

   Degree Programs: Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) (20 months standard); Master of Analytics (MAnalytics) (12 months)

   Research Labs: Berkeley Institute for Data Science (BIDS) - Promotes scientific breakthroughs by advancing interdisciplinary, data-driven discovery; Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) - Computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, planning, and robotics; Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing - Brings together world's leading researchers to explore nature and limits of computation; Sky Computing Lab - Catalyzing innovation in cloud computing and distributed systems

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Tesla, Uber, 2U

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 100% secured internships for MAnalytics program | Top Employers: Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Tesla, Uber | Common Roles: Business Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, Data Architect, Solutions Architect, Systems Engineer

   Notable Faculty: Alper Atamturk (Program Director for MAnalytics, Industrial Engineering and Operations Research); Ilan Adler (Industrial Engineering and Operations Research); Paul Grigas (Associate Professor, Industrial Engineering and Operations Research); Ying Cui (Assistant Professor, Industrial Engineering and Operations Research)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: WASC-accredited (MIDS), STEM-designated (MAnalytics)

2. #2. Carnegie Mellon University Data Analytics Program

   Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University as the #2 in data analytics degree program. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,260/year | Graduation Rate: 98% | Score: 97.2

   What makes Carnegie Mellon University stand out: CMU pioneered data-informed business decision-making at the Tepper School and houses the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, a world leader in high-performance computing, giving students unprecedented access to cutting-edge computational resources and real scientific datasets.

   Hakia Insight: Carnegie Mellon University leverages partnerships with NIST and PwC to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.

   Program Overview: Carnegie Mellon University offers a comprehensive ecosystem of data analytics programs spread across multiple prestigious schools, each tailored to specific career trajectories. The flagship Master of Science in Data Analytics for Science (MS-DAS) is housed in the Mellon College of Science as an intensive one-year program that combines rigorous coursework in applied linear algebra, machine learning, and statistical methods with hands-on experience using datasets from biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics hosted by the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center. Students complete a semester-long industry capstone project and a required communications and professional development component, totaling 99 units. The Tepper School of Business offers both full-time (9-month) and part-time online (20-month) Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) programs, ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report for Business Analytics. These STEM-designated programs emphasize strategic business applications of analytics, featuring experiential learning courses where students manage real company datasets and present findings to executives. The Heinz College contributes through its robust research infrastructure, including the AI Measurement Science & Engineering Cooperative Research Center (AIMSEC) in partnership with NIST, and multiple specialized research centers focusing on behavioral decision research, digital entertainment analytics, and teaching & education analytics.

   Degree Programs: MS in Data Analytics for Science (MS-DAS) (1 year); MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) - Full-Time (9 months); MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) - Part-Time Online (20 months)

   Research Labs: AI Measurement Science & Engineering Cooperative Research Center (AIMSEC) - AI system evaluation, testing, and monitoring in partnership with NIST; Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center - World leader in high-performance computing and data analytics, hosts large scientific datasets; Initiative for Digital Entertainment Analytics (IDEA) - Public policy and managerial questions in digital distribution of entertainment content; Center for Behavioral Decision Research (CBDR) - Decision sciences research building on psychology, economics, neuroscience, and public policy

   Industry Partners: NIST, PwC, Singapore Management University

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Consulting firms, Financial services, Healthcare, Technology, Government agencies, Energy sector | Common Roles: Director of Business Development, Global Development Analyst, Data Analyst, Senior Consultant, Strategic Pricing Leadership Development Associate, Policy Analyst, Research Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Professor Rayid Ghani (data analytics for public policy)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: STEM-designated programs (MSBA), ABET accredited engineering programs available

3. #3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Data Analytics Program

   Hakia ranks Massachusetts Institute of Technology as the #3 in data analytics degree program. Location: Cambridge, MA | Type: Private | Tuition: $59,750/year | Score: 92.7

   What makes Massachusetts Institute of Technology stand out: MIT created one of the first rigorous online MicroMasters programs that delivers authentic MIT-level education remotely, while IDSS represents a unique interdisciplinary approach combining data science with systems thinking and societal impact.

   Hakia Insight: Massachusetts Institute of Technology's industry network — including Shell and Chromatan — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.

   Program Overview: MIT offers several data analytics pathways, with the flagship being the MicroMasters® program in Statistics and Data Science (SDS) developed by MITx and the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS). This rigorous online program provides four specialized tracks: General, Methods, Time Series and Social Sciences, and Social Sciences, each comprising four courses plus a capstone exam. The program delivers MIT-level rigor without requiring students to leave their jobs, covering everything from probability and statistics to machine learning and domain-specific applications. For those seeking residential programs, MIT Sloan offers a Master of Business Analytics (MBAn) - a 12-month intensive program focused on applying modern data science, optimization, and machine learning tools to real-world business problems. The Institute also houses the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS), which serves as MIT's hub for interdisciplinary data science research, bringing together faculty from across engineering, management, and social sciences.

   Degree Programs: MicroMasters in Statistics and Data Science (1-2 years); Master of Business Analytics (12 months)

   Research Labs: Laboratory for Infrastructure Science and Sustainability (LISS) - Infrastructure sensing and vision-based monitoring through data analytics and AI in engineering mechanics; Braatz Group - Applied mathematics and control theory with data analytics applications in manufacturing systems; MIT Auto-ID Laboratory - RFID, Internet of Things (IoT), and predictive data analytics; Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) - Artificial intelligence and computer science research

   Industry Partners: Shell, Chromatan, Takeda, Novartis Basel, McKinsey & Company, IBM Innovation Center, Biogen, Toyota Research Institute (TRI), Gates Foundation, FDA

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Business Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, Policy Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Oral Buyukozturk (Infrastructure sensing and vision-based monitoring through data analytics and AI); Dr. Richard D. Braatz (Applied mathematics and control theory for manufacturing data analytics); Dr. Shoumen Palit Austin Datta (RFID, IoT, and predictive data analytics)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: MITx MicroMasters Certificate, Pathways to graduate programs available

4. #4. University of Southern California Data Analytics Program

   Hakia ranks University of Southern California as the #4 in data analytics degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $66,640/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 92.5

   What makes University of Southern California stand out: USC uniquely offers data analytics training across three world-class schools - Viterbi Engineering, Marshall Business, and through extensive research at the Information Sciences Institute - creating the only comprehensive ecosystem where students can pursue analytics from pure engineering, business strategy, or applied research perspectives.

   Hakia Insight: Students at University of Southern California benefit from active collaborations with Amazon and Google, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: USC offers three distinct data analytics pathways that showcase the university's comprehensive approach to data education. The MS in Analytics, housed in the Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (recently ranked top 10 by U.S. News), is a 28-unit program that blends engineering rigor with cutting-edge analytics. Students master tools like Python, R, SQL, Snowflake, and Google Cloud Platform while choosing from four specialization tracks: Data Engineering/ML Engineering, Data Science, Data Analysis, and AI Engineering. The MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) at Marshall School of Business is a 2-year, full-time STEM program ranked #8 in the U.S. by QS, combining technical training with business strategy in the heart of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the MS in Applied Data Science from Viterbi is a 32-unit program designed for students from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing hands-on experience with the goal of having students 'live in the data' through extensive practical projects and a unique professional practicum.

   Degree Programs: MS in Analytics (1.5-2 years); MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) (2 years); MS in Applied Data Science (1.5-2 years)

   Research Labs: Information Sciences Institute (ISI) - World leader in AI, machine learning, and computational systems research; Data Science Lab - Machine learning and data mining research; Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society - AI applications for social good

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Google, Salesforce, Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: Strong placement across multiple industries | Top Employers: Amazon, Google, Salesforce, Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, Tencent, Meta | Common Roles: Data Scientist, ML Engineer, Business Intelligence Analyst, Analytics Consultant, Product Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Dawn Porter (Statistics, Academic Director of MS Business Analytics); Dr. Mohammed Alyakoob (Digital marketplaces and economic impact); Dr. Arif Ansari (Data mining, business intelligence, data warehousing); Dr. Cosimo Arnesano (AI/ML applications to business processes)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: STEM OPT extension eligible, DEN@Viterbi online delivery available

5. #5. Stanford University Data Analytics Program

   Hakia ranks Stanford University as the #5 in data analytics degree program. Location: Stanford, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $61,731/year | Score: 89.4

   What makes Stanford University stand out: Stanford's Statistics and Data Science program sits at the epicenter of Silicon Valley, offering unmatched access to tech giants and startups while being backed by one of the world's most prestigious statistics departments with deep ties to industry innovation.

   Hakia Insight: Stanford University's Golub Capital Social Impact Lab creates a direct research-to-career pipeline with DeepLearning.AI, bridging academic research and industry practice.

   Program Overview: Stanford University offers a rigorous M.S. in Statistics and Data Science, a terminal master's program designed for immediate career placement in the rapidly expanding data science field. The program typically takes 5-6 quarters to complete (excluding summer), requiring 45 units of coursework that blends theoretical statistical foundations with practical machine learning applications. Students begin with core courses like Probability Theory for Statistical Inference (STATS 118) and Statistical Learning and Data Science (STATS 202), progressing through advanced topics including causal inference, matrix theory, and specialized electives. The curriculum emphasizes both R and Python programming skills, with hands-on experience analyzing real datasets of moderate size. What sets Stanford's program apart is its location in the heart of Silicon Valley and deep integration with the broader Stanford ecosystem. Students benefit from mandatory orientations, close faculty mentoring through assigned advisors, and access to Stanford's renowned research infrastructure. The program attracts a diverse cohort from around the world, with students expected to live within commuting distance to ensure significant engagement with the department and faculty. Career prospects are exceptionally strong, with graduates finding positions across technology, finance, healthcare, and government sectors, particularly in the Bay Area where Stanford's Silicon Valley location provides unparalleled industry access.

   Degree Programs: Bachelors in Data Analytics; Data Science Scholars Program; Data Science Postdoctoral Fellows; MBA with Analytics Focus (2 years)

   Research Labs: Golub Capital Social Impact Lab - Machine Learning and Causal Inference for social impact; Data, Analytics, and Research Computing (DARC) - Analytics support, machine learning, text processing, and cloud services; Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory - Artificial intelligence research and applications; Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) - AI research, education, policy, and practice to improve human condition; Center for Neural Data Science - Neural data science research and applications; Center for Decoding the Universe - Data science and AI applications in cosmic discovery; Mobilize Center - Data science for mobile health applications; RESTORE Center - Mobile sensing in rehabilitation research; Computational Services and Bioinformatics Facility (CSBF) - Sequence analysis, molecular modeling, mathematical and statistical analysis

   Industry Partners: DeepLearning.AI, Coursera

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Technology sector companies, Finance industry, Government services, Healthcare organizations | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Research Analyst, Software Engineer, Program Manager, Business Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Wah Chiu (Cryo-electron microscopy and tomography); Paul Yock (Medical technology innovation); Stephen Quake (Microfluidics and bioengineering)

   Admissions:

6. #6. Cornell University Data Analytics Program

   Hakia ranks Cornell University as the #6 in data analytics degree program. Location: Ithaca, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $65,204/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 88.6

   What makes Cornell University stand out: Cornell is the only Ivy League university offering a Master of Professional Studies in Data Science and Applied Statistics, and its MSBA program uniquely integrates the 'ABCs' framework - Advanced Analytics & AI Tools, Business Fundamentals, and Communication & Leadership - across three flexible delivery formats.

   Hakia Insight: Students at Cornell University benefit from active collaborations with Various Fortune 500 Companies and NYC Tech Ecosystem, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: Cornell University offers a comprehensive portfolio of data analytics programs spanning multiple schools and formats. The flagship Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) through the Johnson Graduate School of Management bridges advanced analytics with Ivy League business education in three distinct formats: a 16-month Online+ program with two immersive residencies, a 10-month accelerated full-time program in NYC, and a part-time evening program for working professionals. Students can specialize in Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, or Operations & Supply Chains. Additionally, Cornell's Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science offers a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Data Science and Applied Statistics, which can be completed in just two semesters with options for either applied statistics or data science concentration. Cornell Tech in New York City provides a Master of Engineering in Data Science and Decision Analytics, combining technical depth with the innovative Studio curriculum where students build real solutions for industry partners.

   Degree Programs: MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) (10-16 months); Master of Professional Studies in Data Science and Applied Statistics (2 semesters); Master of Engineering in Data Science and Decision Analytics (1 year)

   Research Labs: Cornell Center for Data Science for Enterprise and Society - Unifying Cornell data science programs with emphasis on human-generated data; Cornell Statistical Consulting Unit - Statistical research and consultation services

   Industry Partners: Various Fortune 500 Companies, NYC Tech Ecosystem

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 72% of MPS graduates employed | Top Employers: Amazon, Bloomberg, Google, Microsoft, Banking, Consulting, Technology, E-commerce | Common Roles: Senior Analyst, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, Business Analyst, Financial Analyst, Insights Manager, Operations Analyst, Analytics Consultant, Director of Analytics

   Notable Faculty: undefined (Professors work at the forefront of data and business innovation)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: STEM-designated degrees for OPT eligibility

7. #7. University of California-Los Angeles Data Analytics Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Los Angeles as the #7 in data analytics degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 87.4

   What makes University of California-Los Angeles stand out: UCLA Anderson's MSBA is the only program ranked #1 globally that specifically trains data scientists to communicate compelling 'data stories' to non-technical business leaders, bridging the critical gap between analytics and C-suite decision making.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-Los Angeles's direct partnerships with Intuit and Nextdoor give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.

   Program Overview: UCLA offers a standout Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program through the prestigious Anderson School of Management, ranked #1 globally by QS World University Rankings in 2026. This 15-month, STEM-certified on-campus program is designed to bridge the critical gap between technical data skills and business strategy, training students to translate massive datasets into actionable business insights. The program features an exceptional 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio and is led by renowned faculty like Professor Felipe Caro, who helped Zara revolutionize its supply chain into a fast-fashion empire. Students gain hands-on experience through Applied Analytics Projects with top companies, industry seminars, and specialized workshops in data storytelling and business communication. The curriculum combines rigorous quantitative training with business acumen, preparing graduates to become invaluable assets who can speak both the language of data science and executive strategy.

   Degree Programs: MSBA (15 months); Data Science Certificate (10 weeks intensive or self-paced)

   Research Labs: Morrison Center for Marketing and Data Analytics - marketing analytics and data science; Information Systems Research Program - information systems and data analytics

   Industry Partners: Intuit, Nextdoor, Uber, Zara

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 98% full-time placement within 6 months | Top Employers: Boston Consulting Group, Nextdoor, Big Tech companies, Entertainment industry, E-commerce/Retail, Finance/Fintech | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Product Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, Product Manager, Data Engineer, Analytics Consultant

   Notable Faculty: Felipe Caro (Supply chain optimization and operations research); Francisco Castro (Market operations and spatial analytics); Paola Giuliano (Cultural economics and political economy); Auyon Siddiq (Urban mobility and healthcare analytics)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: STEM-certified program

8. #8. University of Washington-Seattle Campus Data Analytics Program

   Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #8 in data analytics degree program. Location: Seattle, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,524/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 84.0

   What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus stand out: UW offers one of the fastest business analytics tracks nationally at just 12 months through Foster, while simultaneously providing deep technical data science education through MSDS - creating dual pathways that serve both business-focused and technically-oriented career trajectories in Seattle's booming tech market.

   Hakia Insight: Students at University of Washington-Seattle Campus benefit from active collaborations with Amazon and Microsoft, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: The University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers multiple pathways into data analytics through two distinct programs housed in different schools. The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) is a 12-month, STEM-designated professional program through the Foster School of Business, designed specifically for career acceleration with a focus on extracting business value from data. Simultaneously, the Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) provides a more comprehensive 1.5-year full-time or 2.5-year part-time program that covers statistical modeling, machine learning, data visualization, and software engineering with evening classes accommodating working professionals. Both programs leverage UW's position in Seattle's thriving tech ecosystem, with the MSBA program featuring direct industry engagement through faculty like Professor Oliver Rutz (O'Dell Award winner from the American Marketing Association) and Professor Hema Yoganarasimhan (Director of Foster Customer Analytics Center). The MSDS program emphasizes practical application through capstone projects with external organizations, connecting students directly with companies like JP Morgan Chase, IBM, Costco IT, Toyota, and local healthcare organizations like Seattle Children's Hospital.

   Degree Programs: MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) (12 months); MS in Data Science (MSDS) (1.5 years full-time)

   Research Labs: Foster Customer Analytics Center - Database marketing, e-commerce, and big data social influence models; eScience Institute - Data-intensive discovery across disciplines, serving as campus hub for data science innovation

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Microsoft, Google

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: Strong outcomes with dedicated career services including annual Data Science Career Fair | Top Employers: JP Morgan Chase & Co., IBM, Costco IT, Toyota, Northrop Grumman, Zillow, T-Mobile | Common Roles: Business Analysis Manager, Data Scientist, Operations Research Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Professor Oliver Rutz (Customer Analytics, database marketing and e-commerce); Professor Hema Yoganarasimhan (Big data and social influence models); Professor Lalit Jain (Experimental design and artificial intelligence in marketing)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

9. #9. Northwestern University Data Analytics Program

   Hakia ranks Northwestern University as the #9 in data analytics degree program. Location: Evanston, IL | Type: Private | Tuition: $64,887/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 84.0

   What makes Northwestern University stand out: Northwestern pioneered the integration of Go programming language into data science education and operates the Program for Data Analytics at Kellogg (PDAK), the first business school program specifically designed to teach analytics leadership to business executives rather than technical implementation.

   Hakia Insight: Students at Northwestern University benefit from active collaborations with Amazon and Google, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: Northwestern University's Data Analytics ecosystem spans multiple schools, offering diverse pathways into the data science field. The School of Professional Studies houses the fully online Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS), a part-time program designed for working professionals that can be completed in as little as two years. This comprehensive program features five specializations including Analytics and Modeling, Analytics Management, Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, and Technology Entrepreneurship. The curriculum uniquely incorporates three programming languages—Python, R, and Go—with Go being particularly notable as a systems programming language for high-performance data science applications. Meanwhile, McCormick Engineering offers the Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science (MLDS), a more traditional on-campus program.

   Degree Programs: BS Data Science (4 years); Combined BA/BS/MS; MS in Machine Learning and Data Science (15 months); MS in Statistics and Data Science; MSDS; PhD

   Research Labs: Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO) - Computational social science, science of science, bio informatics, and data visualization; NSF-Simons AI Institute for the Sky (SkAI) - AI tools for astronomical data analysis with over 100 team members from 25 partner organizations; Institute for Quantum Information Research and Engineering (INQUIRE) - Quantum computing, communications, and sensing applications

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, JP Morgan

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 98% of MLDS students receive offers within 3 months of graduation | Top Employers: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, JP Morgan, Boeing, Capital One, Disney | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Analytics Manager, AI Engineer

   Notable Faculty: Florian Zettelmeyer (Faculty Director of PDAK, Nancy L. Ertle Professor of Marketing); Luis Amaral (Complex systems and data science); Brian Uzzi (Science of science and data analytics)

   Admissions:

10. #10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Data Analytics Program

    Hakia ranks University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the #10 in data analytics degree program. Location: Chapel Hill, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,019/year | Graduation Rate: 93% | Score: 82.7

    What makes University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stand out: UNC created the School of Data Science and Society as an interdisciplinary hub that uniquely positions data science within societal impact, emphasizing ethical governance and collaborative partnerships with industry, government, and community organizations through every stage of learning.

    Hakia Insight: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leverages partnerships with Industry Partners and Government Agencies to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.

    Program Overview: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's data analytics ecosystem spans multiple programs across the newly established School of Data Science and Society. The flagship offering is the online Master of Applied Data Science (MADS), a 16-month intensive program that Fortune Education ranked as one of the best online master's in data science for 2024. This practice-oriented program emphasizes real-world application through industry partnerships and collaborative capstone projects. For undergraduates, the Statistics and Analytics major provides a comprehensive foundation in statistical data science, operations research, and actuarial science, while the Kenan-Flagler Business School offers an MBA concentration in Data Analytics and Decision Making for those seeking strategic leadership roles. The programs benefit from UNC's deep interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing faculty from the School of Information and Library Science, Department of Biostatistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics and Operations Research. Notable faculty include Dr. David Gotz, who leads the Visual Analysis and Communications Lab (VACLab) and directs the Carolina Health Informatics Program. The curriculum emphasizes ethical data governance throughout the data lifecycle, from collection and curation to visualization and communication, preparing graduates to translate complex insights into actionable business strategies.

    Degree Programs: Master of Applied Data Science (MADS) (16 months); Statistics and Analytics Major (4 years); MBA - Data Analytics and Decision Making Concentration (2 years)

    Research Labs: Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) - Data analytics, high-end computing for modeling and simulation, advanced computational tools; Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP) - Health informatics, information visualization, clinical data science; Society-Centered AI Lab (SAIL) - Society-centered AI, machine learning, human-AI interaction, AI fairness and ethics; Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research - Health services research, healthcare data analytics, population health; Carolina Population Center - Population research methods, demographic analysis

    Industry Partners: Industry Partners, Government Agencies, Nonprofit Organizations

    Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 95% employment or further education within 6 months (university-wide) | Top Employers: Google, Amazon, Apple, PayPal, Akamai, Coca-Cola | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Business Analyst, Operations Research Analyst, Management Analyst

    Notable Faculty: Dr. Stan Ahalt (Signal, image, and video processing, high-performance scientific computing); Dr. Steve Marron (Statistics, data science and machine learning, genomics and imaging data analysis); Dr. Melissa Haendel (Semantic engineering, ontologies, knowledge graphs, real-world data analytics); Dr. David Gotz (Data science, health informatics, information visualization); Dr. Ashok Krishnamurthy (Data analytics with applications in healthcare and social science, high-end computing); Dr. Iain Carmichael (Computational pathology, deep learning for medical imaging, multimodal data analysis)

    Admissions: GPA: Bachelor's degree required