- 1.Data Analysts earn a median salary of $103,500 with 35% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Data Analytics programs include University of California-Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of California-Berkeley offers data analytics education at $11,834/year with 96% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Data Analytics programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Data Analytics Programs - Top 10 Master's
University of California-Berkeley
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.
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
Research Labs & Institutes
Promotes scientific breakthroughs by advancing interdisciplinary, data-driven discovery
Computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, planning, and robotics
Brings together world's leading researchers to explore nature and limits of computation
Catalyzing innovation in cloud computing and distributed systems
Industry Partners
Admissions
Carnegie Mellon University
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.
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
Research Labs & Institutes
AI system evaluation, testing, and monitoring in partnership with NIST
World leader in high-performance computing and data analytics, hosts large scientific datasets
Public policy and managerial questions in digital distribution of entertainment content
Decision sciences research building on psychology, economics, neuroscience, and public policy
Industry Partners
Admissions
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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.
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
Research Labs & Institutes
Interdisciplinary research combining data science with systems thinking and societal applications
AI and machine learning research with data analytics applications
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of Southern California
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.
Stanford University
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.
Cornell University
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.
University of California-Los Angeles
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.
Northwestern University
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.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
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.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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.
Best Data Analytics Programs - Compare Top 5 Master's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | 100/100 |
| #2 Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | 97.2/100 |
| #3 Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | Private | $59,750 | N/A | 92.7/100 |
| #4 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 92.5/100 |
| #5 Stanford University | Stanford, CA | Private | $61,731 | N/A | 89.4/100 |
Top 50 Data Analytics Master's Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | — | 100 |
| 2 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | — | 97.2 |
| 3 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | Private | $59,750 | — | — | 92.7 |
| 4 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | — | 92.5 |
| 5 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA | Private | $61,731 | — | — | 89.4 |
| 6 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | Private | $65,204 | 95% | — | 88.6 |
| 7 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Public | $11,834 | 92% | — | 87.4 |
| 8 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | Private | $64,887 | 90% | — | 84 |
| 9 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | — | 84 |
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | Public | $7,019 | 93% | — | 82.7 |
| 11 | New York University | New York, NY | Private | $60,438 | — | — | 80.6 |
| 12 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | Private | $64,526 | 100% | — | 80.3 |
| 13 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | Public | $17,977 | 92% | — | 80.3 |
| 14 | University of California-Davis | Davis, CA | Public | $11,834 | 91% | — | 80.1 |
| 15 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Private | $58,620 | 100% | — | 78.5 |
| 16 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $11,834 | 81% | — | 78 |
| 17 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | Public | $6,535 | 85% | — | 77.1 |
| 18 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | — | 76.8 |
| 19 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville, VA | Public | $18,823 | 96% | — | 76.5 |
| 20 | Southern Methodist University | Dallas, TX | Private | $57,212 | 89% | — | 76.2 |
| 21 | Georgetown University | Washington, DC | Private | $64,896 | 100% | — | 75.8 |
| 22 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | Public | $10,095 | 80% | — | 75.1 |
| 23 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | Private | $62,840 | — | — | 74.5 |
| 24 | University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Private | $63,801 | — | — | 74.1 |
| 25 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | Tempe, AZ | Public | $11,308 | 81% | — | 73 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Data Analytics Master's Degree Overview
Data analytics has emerged as one of the fastest-growing fields in technology, with master's degree programs experiencing 35% enrollment growth between 2020-2023 (IPEDS 2023). These programs prepare graduates for careers as data scientists, business intelligence analysts, and machine learning engineers in industries ranging from finance to healthcare to technology.
Our comprehensive analysis of 247 accredited data analytics master's programs reveals significant variations in curriculum focus, career outcomes, and cost. Top-tier programs like Northwestern and UC Berkeley combine theoretical foundations with hands-on experience using tools like Python, R, SQL, and Tableau. Many programs also offer specializations in areas such as artificial intelligence, business analytics, or healthcare informatics.
The field offers excellent career prospects, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 35% job growth for data scientists through 2032 - much faster than average. Graduates typically start at salaries between $75,000-$110,000, with potential to reach $150,000+ with experience. Strong programs also provide pathways to specialized roles in AI/ML engineering and cybersecurity analytics.
Career Paths
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Develop predictive models and extract insights from complex datasets using statistical methods and machine learning algorithms.
Business Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2098Create dashboards and reports to help organizations make data-driven business decisions using tools like Tableau and Power BI.
Data Engineer
SOC 15-1243Design and maintain data infrastructure, pipelines, and warehouses to support analytics and machine learning initiatives.
Quantitative Analyst
SOC 15-2098Apply mathematical and statistical methods to financial and risk management problems in investment firms and banks.
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-1252Deploy and maintain ML models in production environments, bridging the gap between data science research and software engineering.
Marketing Data Analyst
SOC 15-2098Analyze customer behavior, campaign performance, and market trends to optimize marketing strategies and ROI.
Healthcare Data Analyst
SOC 15-2098Analyze clinical and operational healthcare data to improve patient outcomes and organizational efficiency.
Operations Research Analyst
SOC 15-2031Use advanced analytical methods to solve complex business problems and optimize organizational operations.
Top States for Data Analytics Master's Programs
New York
Texas
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Florida
Massachusetts
Georgia
Washington
North Carolina
Financial Aid and Funding Options
Graduate students in data analytics programs have access to various funding sources that can significantly reduce program costs. Research assistantships are common at major universities, providing tuition remission plus $20,000-$30,000 annual stipends in exchange for 20 hours/week of research work. Teaching assistantships offer similar benefits for students interested in academic careers.
Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for relevant graduate education. Technology companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon provide up to $12,000-$25,000 annually for employees pursuing analytics degrees. Professional development programs at consulting firms (McKinsey, Deloitte, PwC) often cover full tuition for high-performing employees. For comprehensive funding strategies, see our FAFSA and grants guide and employer tuition reimbursement resources.
- Graduate Research/Teaching Assistantships: $20,000-$30,000 + tuition remission
- Employer Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $25,000/year at major tech companies
- Federal Student Loans: Up to $20,500/year (unsubsidized)
- Professional Association Scholarships: $2,000-$10,000 (ASA, INFORMS)
- Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships: Various amounts for underrepresented groups
- Merit-based Departmental Funding: Varies by program and academic credentials
Program Selection Framework
- You want maximum career prestige and earning potential
- Budget allows for premium tuition ($65,000+)
- You prefer small cohorts and intensive faculty mentorship
- Career goals include consulting or investment banking
- You want top-tier education at public university pricing
- Research opportunities and academic rigor are priorities
- Location preferences favor California or Southeast
- You value strong technical foundations with business applications
- Currently employed and need scheduling flexibility
- Geographic constraints limit on-campus options
- Self-directed learning style works well for you
- Budget constraints favor lower-cost options
- Clear industry focus (healthcare, finance, marketing)
- Existing domain expertise you want to complement
- Specific technical interests (AI/ML, visualization, etc.)
- Career goals align with program specialization
Frequently Asked Questions About Data Analytics Master's Programs
Based on 247 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Data Sources and Methodology
Institutional completion data, graduation rates, tuition, and enrollment statistics
Occupational employment and wage statistics for data science roles
Job growth projections for data science and analytics occupations
Graduate school enrollment trends and completion rates
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.