Best Bachelor's Data Science Degree Programs in Nebraska
University of Nebraska at Omaha — Omaha, NE
Key Distinction: Data Science concentration track. Student organizations including Pi Mu Epsilon and NE STEM 4U
Hakia Insight: UNO's proximity to U.S. Strategic Command headquarters and its partnerships with NSA and DOD create a rare undergraduate pipeline where data science students can transition directly into cleared defense contractor roles—a career acceleration unavailable at most state schools without top-secret clearance sponsorship.
The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a Data Science concentration at University of Nebraska at Omaha prepares students for careers in data analysis, predictive modeling, and quantitative research. The program combines core mathematics coursework with specialized data science training, enabling students to analyze complex datasets and make data-driven decisions for organizations across retail, finance, and technology sectors. Students benefit from a flexible curriculum structure that allows concentration in data science while maintaining breadth in mathematical foundations. The program prepares graduates for immediate employment in data science roles or advanced study in related fields, with career paths including data scientist positions at major retailers and tech companies.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematics - Data Science Concentration — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Cybersecurity Research Lab
Industry Partners
- U.S. Department of Defense (government)
- U.S. National Security Agency (government)
Location Advantages: Proximity to U.S. Strategic Command headquarters in OmahaStrong regional defense contractor ecosystem
University of Nebraska-Lincoln — Lincoln, NE
Key Distinction: Mandatory Experiential Learning (EL) designated course for all CASNR undergraduates. Dual degree option: students can earn both data science degree and their chosen discipline's degree
Hakia Insight: Nebraska-Lincoln's dual degree option—earning both your data science degree and your chosen discipline (e.g., agricultural economics)—lets students graduate as domain experts with technical chops rather than generalist data scientists, a structural advantage that justifies employer preference for their graduates at John Deere and Ameritas.
The Bachelor of Science in Data Science at University of Nebraska-Lincoln is an interdisciplinary program offered through the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources (CASNR), Department of Statistics. The program prepares students with skills in data analysis and interpretation, algorithm design and implementation, and interdisciplinary problem-solving for data-rich systems. Students develop competencies across diverse fields and can leverage career opportunities in data-driven industries. The program emphasizes flexibility, allowing students to earn dual degrees combining data science with their chosen discipline or add complementary minors. All undergraduates in CASNR must complete an Experiential Learning (EL) designated course, providing hands-on experience. The curriculum integrates ACE (Achievement-Centered Education) requirements, college core courses, and degree-specific coursework. At least 9 hours in the major, including the capstone course, must be completed at UNL. The program addresses the growing societal and economic need for qualified professionals in the digital age workforce.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience
- NIMBUS Lab
- Central Plains Federal Statistical Research Data Center
Industry Partners
- Ameritas (employer)
- John Deere (employer)
- Sandhills Global (employer)
- Microsoft (employer)
- Lockheed Martin (employer)
- Buildertrend (employer)
- Hudl (employer)
- The North Jackson Company (employer)
- Experian (employer)
- Epic (employer)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Petronela Radu — Mathematical modeling and interdisciplinary data science applications
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 high school GPA.
Requirements: Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C) throughout studies and for graduation, Two units of world language requirement, ACE (Achievement-Centered Education) requirements, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Core requirements, Degree Program requirements and electives, Experiential Learning (EL) designated course, At least 9 hours in major field, including capstone course, completed at UNL
Location Advantages: Access to agricultural data and domain expertise through university partnershipsConnection to agricultural technology companies in the region
Hastings College — Hastings, NE
Hakia Insight: Hastings College offers both B.S. and B.A. tracks in data science—a distinction that signals flexibility for students uncertain whether they're statistics-focused or communications-adjacent, yet the provided data lacks detail on outcomes and differentiation.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Concordia University-Nebraska — Seward, NE
Key Distinction: Two dedicated computer science labs with hands-on learning. Programming Team with national/international competition participation
Hakia Insight: Concordia's Programming Team competing at national and international levels means undergraduates sharpen algorithmic thinking through real competition rather than homework problems, an advantage that directly translates to faster hiring at Intel and other technical employers who screen for competitive programming backgrounds.
Concordia University, Nebraska's Bachelor of Science in Data Science is a 120-credit interdisciplinary program combining computer science, statistics, and domain-specific knowledge. The program emphasizes hands-on learning in two dedicated computer science labs within the innovative Dunklau Center, featuring Dell and Apple devices with ultra-wide monitors. Students gain practical experience through internships, extracurricular activities, and the Programming Team which competes nationally and internationally while developing real campus software systems. The curriculum covers Python programming, data manipulation, visualization, machine learning, and applications across business, finance, healthcare, and technology. Students can supplement their studies with minors in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or Mathematics. Career outcomes include roles as Data Scientists, Data Engineers, Data Analysts, Machine Learning Engineers, and Business Intelligence Analysts across diverse industries. The program maintains a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and offers Programming Team scholarships for qualified freshmen maintaining 3.0+ GPA.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Intel.
Location Advantages:
Creighton University — Omaha, NE
Key Distinction: Interdisciplinary curriculum combining mathematics, computer science, journalism, and media. Collaborative, service-learning-based capstone project with real-world experience
Hakia Insight: Creighton's capstone integrating journalism and media alongside mathematics and computer science is unusual; positioning Omaha-based data scientists to move between healthcare analytics (Methodist Health System), insurance data (regional firms), and investigative storytelling—a rare tri-domain flexibility in a single degree.
Creighton's Bachelor of Science in Data Science is an interdisciplinary program combining mathematics, computer science, journalism, and media with a collaborative, service-learning-based capstone project. The 47-credit curriculum prepares students to work across the entire data lifecycle—planning, acquiring, managing, analyzing, modeling, and drawing inferences from data. Students choose between two specialization tracks: Advanced Computing (Algorithm Design, Artificial Intelligence, Social Media Analytics) or Advanced Mathematics and Statistics (Advanced Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, Mathematical Statistics). The program emphasizes real-world problem-solving, teaching students to design algorithms, build software systems for complex data analysis, and communicate technical ideas effectively. Graduates are well-prepared for roles as data scientists, data engineers, machine learning engineers, or statisticians, with job growth projected at 15-33% over two decades according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Location Advantages: Omaha, Nebraska—proximity to major healthcare systems (Methodist Health System, CHI Health), insurance companies, and regional financial services firms
Bellevue University — Bellevue, NE
Key Distinction: Bellevue's data science program prioritizes accessibility and applied business analytics for working professionals seeking career transition without sacrificing rigor.
Hakia Insight: Bellevue's 2.5 GPA floor from recent coursework—rather than cumulative GPA—explicitly welcomes career-switchers and allows transcript recovery, a structural admission choice that compounds across the program (no GRE/GMAT required for their master's either), creating a throughline for working adults to reach data roles without credential burnishing.
At the bachelor's level, bellevue University's data science offerings emphasize applied analytics and business intelligence in a format designed for working professionals. The curriculum integrates real-world data challenges with practical tools and techniques that immediately transfer to industry settings. With a focus on predictive analytics, statistical modeling, and data-driven decision making, students gain hands-on experience through capstone projects grounded in current business problems. The program's flexibility—available in hybrid and online formats—allows professionals to balance career advancement with degree completion. Faculty bring substantial industry experience, ensuring coursework reflects contemporary business analytics demands rather than purely theoretical frameworks. Graduates commonly move into data analyst and business intelligence roles, with many employers actively recruiting from Bellevue's working-professional student base.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for Cybersecurity Education
- Natural Science Center of Excellence
- Project Management Center of Excellence
- MathX Lab
- Courtnage Intelligence Systems Lab
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Mary Dobransky — Higher education administration and technology leadership
- James Lewis — Academic administration and accreditation standards
- Phillip Fitzpatrick — Technology, Cybersecurity, and Science programs
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.5 minimum from most recent 60 credits or 3.0 in previous graduate coursework.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Higher Learning Commission
Location Advantages: Nebraska's growing tech sectorOmaha metro area business and finance networks
Doane University — Crete, NE
Key Distinction: Doane stands apart through its early and intensive focus on technical coding and statistical programming, preparing students to contribute immediately in engineering and analyst roles.
Hakia Insight: Doane's front-loaded immersion in Python, R, and SQL before statistical theory lets students contribute as junior analysts by sophomore year, a sequencing choice that trades theoretical depth for immediate job-market readiness—valuable in regional healthcare and agriculture sectors where employers need analysts who can write queries on day one.
At the bachelor's level, doane University's data science program prioritizes hands-on technical mastery from day one, with early immersion in programming (Python, R, SQL) and statistical foundations before branching into machine learning and data engineering specializations. The curriculum is explicitly designed for students who want to hit the ground running in technical roles, with problem-solving and coding skills emphasized throughout. Labs and projects use real datasets from public sources and partner organizations, so students develop portfolios with tangible analytics work from their first year. Faculty bring academic research backgrounds and consulting experience, creating a mentoring environment where students learn not just what to code but how to think like data scientists. The program's geographic location and regional partnerships create internship opportunities in healthcare systems, agricultural cooperatives, and mid-market technology companies—sectors where data science talent is in acute demand but competition is less intense than in major tech hubs.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Regional demand for data science talent in healthcare and agriculture sectors
Best Master's Data Science Degree Programs in Nebraska
Bellevue University — Bellevue, NE
Key Distinction: 100% online, fully asynchronous format designed for working professionals. No GRE/GMAT required for admission
Hakia Insight: Bellevue's fully asynchronous 100% online master's with no GRE/GMAT removes three traditional gatekeeping barriers simultaneously, a rare combination that lets working professionals pivot into data science without pausing careers—the 30-credit coursework-only track (no thesis) ensures completion in under two years even with full-time work.
Bellevue University's MS in Data Science is a fully online, flexible master's program designed for working professionals. The 30-credit coursework-based track (no thesis option) can be completed entirely online with asynchronous learning, allowing students to balance career advancement with education. The curriculum emphasizes practical tools like Python, R, Tableau, and Power BI, with hands-on projects in data analysis, predictive analytics, and visualization. A dedicated Student Coach supports learners from enrollment through graduation. The program covers ethical data modeling, business intelligence applications, and emerging AI techniques. While specific salary data isn't provided, data science professionals are positioned for significant career advancement across industries seeking skilled data analysts. Employer tuition reimbursement partnerships are available, and graduate students may access up to $20,500 annually in unsubsidized Direct Student Loans. No graduate assistantships are mentioned. The program is ideal for mid-career professionals seeking flexible, affordable credential advancement without thesis requirements.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Data Science — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for Cybersecurity Education
- Natural Science Center of Excellence
- Project Management Center of Excellence
- MathX Lab
- Courtnage Intelligence Systems Lab
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Intel.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Mary Dobransky — Higher education administration and technology leadership
- James Lewis — Academic administration and accreditation standards
- Phillip Fitzpatrick — Technology, Cybersecurity, and Science programs
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.5 minimum from most recent 60 credits or 3.0 in previous graduate coursework.
Requirements: DSC 500 Introduction to Data Science, DSC 510 Introduction to Programming, DSC 520 Statistics for Data Science, DSC 530 Data Exploration and Analysis, DSC 540 Data Preparation, DSC 550 Data Mining, DSC 630 Predictive Analytics, DSC 640 Data Presentation and Visualization, DSC 680 Applied Data Science, One elective from: DSC 650 Big Data, CIS 535 Database Systems, or DSC 670 Advanced Uses of Generative AI
Accreditations and Certifications
- Higher Learning Commission
Location Advantages: Nebraska's growing tech sectorOmaha metro area business and finance networks
University of Nebraska at Omaha — Omaha, NE
Key Distinction: Multiple concentration tracks for specialization. Interdisciplinary curriculum across College of Business Administration, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Information Science & Technology
Hakia Insight: UNO's multiple concentration tracks across three colleges—Business, Arts & Sciences, and Information Science & Technology—combined with its NSA/DOD partnerships means students can specialize in cybersecurity analytics or government data work while staying embedded in regional defense contractor hiring pipelines.
The Master of Science in Data Science at University of Nebraska at Omaha prepares working professionals to transform raw data into actionable business insights. The program offers multiple concentrations including Business Data Science, Health Sciences, Information Technology, and Statistical and Decision Sciences, allowing students to tailor their studies to career goals. Available in traditional format with flexible scheduling options, this interdisciplinary program combines coursework across business, arts and sciences, and information technology. Graduates develop expertise in data analysis, visualization, and strategic decision-making for corporate and government sectors. The program supports career advancement by equipping professionals with in-demand data science skills that command higher salaries in competitive markets.
Programs Offered
- Data Science, Master of Science — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Cybersecurity Research Lab
Industry Partners
- U.S. Department of Defense (government)
- U.S. National Security Agency (government)
Location Advantages: Proximity to U.S. Strategic Command headquarters in OmahaStrong regional defense contractor ecosystem
University of Nebraska-Lincoln — Lincoln, NE
Key Distinction: Part-time completion in 5 semesters with flexible scheduling. Three start dates per year (May, August, January)
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Ameritas and John Deere, University of Nebraska-Lincoln bridges the gap between academic data science training and industry practice in Nebraska.
The Master of Science in Business Analytics from University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a 30-credit online program designed for working professionals seeking career advancement through data-driven decision-making. The program offers flexible part-time completion in as quickly as 5 semesters with three start dates per year (May, August, January). The curriculum combines 8 core courses in financial accounting, managerial marketing, supply chain management, and advanced analytics with 2 electives allowing specialization in marketing analytics, econometrics, big data, prescriptive analytics, project management, or operations innovation. No GRE/GMAT required for admission, making it accessible to mid-career professionals. Graduates join a Big Ten institution with #3 Career Services ranking (Financial Times, 2022) and #35 best online master's programs (U.S. News, 2025). The 12% job growth forecast for analytics roles supports strong salary advancement potential. Employer tuition partnerships available; students encouraged to verify employer financial support.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Business Analytics — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience
- NIMBUS Lab
- Central Plains Federal Statistical Research Data Center
Industry Partners
- Ameritas (employer)
- John Deere (employer)
- Sandhills Global (employer)
- Microsoft (employer)
- Lockheed Martin (employer)
- Buildertrend (employer)
- Hudl (employer)
- The North Jackson Company (employer)
- Experian (employer)
- Epic (employer)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Petronela Radu — Mathematical modeling and interdisciplinary data science applications
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 high school GPA.
Requirements: 8 core courses (24 credit hours), 2 elective courses (6 credit hours), Graduate school application and application fee, Official transcripts from all institutions, English proficiency verification if non-native speaker, Current resume, Three professional or academic references, 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA
Location Advantages: Access to agricultural data and domain expertise through university partnershipsConnection to agricultural technology companies in the region
