Best Associate's Database Management Degree Programs in Minnesota
Normandale Community College — Bloomington, MN
Hakia Insight: Normandale's top employer list (UnitedHealth Group, Target, Blue Cross Blue Shield) reveals a deliberate regional specialization: the program optimizes for the Twin Cities' health insurance and retail data ecosystem, meaning SQL Server and Oracle labs are explicitly calibrated to problems these employers actually solve, not generic enterprise scenarios.
At the associate's level, you'll gain hands-on experience with SQL Server, Oracle, and database design through Normandale's lab-intensive curriculum, preparing you to step directly into junior database administrator roles. The program emphasizes practical problem-solving—students build real databases, manage backups, and troubleshoot performance issues before graduation. Many graduates land positions at Twin Cities healthcare systems and financial institutions that actively recruit from Normandale's program. The college's location in Bloomington puts you minutes from major employers, and the transfer agreement with Minnesota State University, Mankato makes it easy to earn your bachelor's if you want to advance into senior DBA or data architect roles.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Database Management — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Database Management — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: UnitedHealth Group, Target Corporation, TCF Financial, Allianz Life, Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Walden University
- Minnesota State University, St. Cloud
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Database Administrator
- Data Technician
- SQL Developer (Entry-Level)
- Database Support Specialist
- Business Analyst (Data-focused)
Included Certifications
- Microsoft SQL Server Certification
- Oracle Database Associate
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- CompTIA A+
Location Advantages:
Century College — White Bear Lake, MN
Hakia Insight: Century College's integration of cybersecurity from day one of the database curriculum addresses a gap most community colleges miss: associate's graduates typically enter junior DBA roles where they immediately inherit security audit responsibilities, yet they've never seen a threat model—Century eliminates that dangerous onboarding friction.
At the associate's level, century's database program stands out because it integrates cybersecurity from day one—you don't just learn to manage databases, you learn to protect them from the threats that matter in 2024. The curriculum includes secure database design, access control, encryption, and compliance basics, making graduates more competitive for senior-level entry positions. Students work with current versions of SQL Server, Oracle, and MySQL in fully equipped labs on White Bear Lake campus. The program feeds directly into several Minnesota State system universities and has strong placement rates with financial services firms that need security-conscious DBAs.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Database Management — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Database Management — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Wells Fargo, US Bank, Xcel Energy, Financial services firms, Healthcare IT departments.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
- Saint Cloud State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Database Administrator
- Database Security Specialist
- Database Support Technician
- SQL Developer (entry-level)
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Security+
- Microsoft SQL Server Certification
- Oracle Database Associate
Location Advantages:
Rasmussen University-Minnesota — St. Cloud, MN
Key Distinction: Rasmussen University-Minnesota offers comprehensive Database Management programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Rasmussen University-Minnesota's private model in St. Cloud positions it as the region's accessible alternative to state community colleges, particularly for working adults who need evening or accelerated options that public institutions often cannot staff.
Rasmussen University-Minnesota offers Database Management programs in St. Cloud, MN. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
North Hennepin Community College — Brooklyn Park, MN
Hakia Insight: North Hennepin's explicit design around hybrid and evening delivery for full-time workers creates an unusual competitive advantage: employers like Hennepin Healthcare and northwest Twin Cities startups can hire graduates who've spent two years solving real database problems during the day while learning architecture at night—they're not onboarding a student, they're promoting a practitioner.
At the associate's level, if you're serious about database work but want to keep your schedule flexible, North Hennepin's hybrid and evening options let you work full-time while earning your AAS. The program covers database fundamentals, SQL optimization, and basic system administration with real equipment, not simulations. Graduates commonly move into support roles at health systems and tech companies across the Twin Cities. The college's partnership with local employers means internship opportunities often turn into permanent positions—several cohorts have placed 80%+ of graduates within three months of finishing the program.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Database Management — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Database Management — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Hennepin Healthcare, Allina Health, Tech startups in northwest Twin Cities, Insurance companies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Capella University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Database Administrator
- Database Support Technician
- Help Desk Technician (database team)
- SQL Support Specialist
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- Microsoft SQL Server Certification
- Oracle Database Associate
Location Advantages:
Dakota County Technical College — Rosemount, MN
Key Distinction: Dakota County Technical College offers comprehensive Database Management programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Dakota County Technical College's Rosemount location captures the overlooked suburban tech market south of Minneapolis, where employers face database hiring challenges precisely because most talent pipeline programs concentrate on downtown Twin Cities institutions.
Dakota County Technical College offers Database Management programs in Rosemount, MN. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Rochester Community and Technical College — Rochester, MN
Hakia Insight: Rochester Community and Technical College's curriculum is architected around IBM Rochester and Mayo Clinic's specific data infrastructure needs—two anchors that define Minnesota's second-largest tech economy—meaning graduates face minimal ramp-up time because coursework mirrors the actual systems they'll manage.
At the associate's level, working in or near Rochester gives you access to one of Minnesota's strongest tech job markets outside the Twin Cities, and RCTC's database program is built around that regional opportunity. You'll learn database administration, backup and recovery procedures, and performance tuning with hands-on labs that mirror what you'll face on the job. IBM and other major employers actively recruit RCTC graduates for entry-level DBA roles. The program's small cohort sizes mean you get real attention from instructors—they know you by name, write detailed recommendations, and often connect you directly to hiring managers before you graduate.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Database Management — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Database Management — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: IBM Rochester, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, Rochester-area healthcare systems, Tech companies in southeast Minnesota.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Rochester University (locally)
- Saint Cloud State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Database Administrator
- Database Operator
- Database Support Technician
- Systems Support Specialist
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- Microsoft SQL Server Certification
- IBM Database Fundamentals
Location Advantages:
Saint Paul College — Saint Paul, MN
Hakia Insight: Pine Technical & Community College serves rural Minnesota with a portable credential that transfers cleanly to four-year programs, allowing students in underserved regions to avoid the false choice between immediate employment and credential advancement.
At the associate's level, saint Paul College's database track emphasizes data-driven decision making, so you're learning databases in the context of business analytics and reporting—not just administration. This angle makes you more valuable to employers who need DBAs who can communicate with business teams and understand what the data actually means. The program's strong ties to the Minnesota business community bring in guest speakers and mentors from real companies. Graduates report high satisfaction with the job market; many land positions within weeks of finishing, and the college's career services team actively matches students with employers before graduation.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Database Management — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Database Management — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Allianz Life, Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota, Health Partners, Twin Cities-based financial firms, Insurance companies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Saint Cloud State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Database Administrator
- Database Analyst
- SQL Developer (entry-level)
- Database Support Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- Microsoft SQL Server Certification
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Location Advantages:
Pine Technical & Community College — Pine City, MN
Key Distinction: Pine Technical & Community College provides affordable Database Management education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: Saint Paul College's deliberate framing of databases through data-driven decision-making and reporting means students graduate understanding how to architect systems that stakeholders actually query, not just systems that technically work—a distinction that separates candidates who get promoted from those who get replaced by analytics platforms.
Pine Technical & Community College offers Database Management programs in Pine City, MN. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College — Fergus Falls, MN
Hakia Insight: Minnesota State Community and Technical College's rural and small-town focus creates an unusual market position: databases managing regional healthcare, government, and agriculture are fundamentally different problems than enterprise systems, yet students graduate with credentials that scale to any market if they relocate.
At the associate's level, MSCtc serves rural and small-town Minnesota, so the database program is designed for students who may not have immediate access to big-city job markets but want portable, in-demand skills. You'll earn the same industry-recognized certifications and learn the same tools as Twin Cities programs, but in a smaller, more personal learning environment. The college has strong connections with regional employers—healthcare systems, manufacturers, and government agencies—and many graduates stay in their communities while earning Twin Cities-level salaries. The program includes online components so even students in remote areas can access the education.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Database Management — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Database Management — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Regional healthcare systems, Manufacturing companies, Government agencies (state and local), Community banks, Regional tech firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Saint Cloud State University
- University of Minnesota Duluth
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Database Administrator
- Database Support Technician
- Help Desk Technician (database focus)
- Systems Support Specialist
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- Microsoft SQL Server Certification
- Oracle Database Associate
Location Advantages:
Alexandria Technical & Community College — Alexandria, MN
Key Distinction: Alexandria Technical & Community College provides affordable Database Management education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: Alexandria Technical & Community College offers rural Minnesota students affordable pathways with structured transfer agreements, addressing the persistent credential gap in regions where database jobs exist but pipeline institutions don't.
Alexandria Technical & Community College offers Database Management programs in Alexandria, MN. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Bachelor's Database Management Degree Programs in Minnesota
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — Minneapolis, MN
Key Distinction: Minnesota combines research-active faculty investigating distributed and cloud-scale database challenges with proximity to major data-intensive employers, offering academic rigor paired with practical industry relevance.
Hakia Insight: Minnesota's computer science database systems courses sit at the intersection of research (faculty investigating distributed systems at scale) and immediate regional hiring (Target, Best Buy, 3M all recruit heavily from the program), meaning undergraduates effectively co-develop solutions to problems their future employers are already trying to solve.
At the bachelor's level, the University of Minnesota's database systems courses, housed within the School of Computer Science & Engineering, engage with cutting-edge research alongside rigorous graduate training, positioning students at the intersection of academic innovation and enterprise database demands. The graduate-level curriculum spans classical database theory—transaction processing, concurrency control, query optimization—while simultaneously exposing students to contemporary challenges like distributed databases, cloud-native data systems, and large-scale analytics platforms. What sets Minnesota apart is its research-active faculty who publish in top venues and involve graduate students in funded projects addressing real scalability and consistency problems in modern data systems; many PhD students work on problems directly relevant to how companies like Target and Best Buy (both headquartered in the Twin Cities) manage petabyte-scale data infrastructure. The program attracts strong students who pursue both industry careers and academic research paths, and the combination of theoretical depth with proximity to major tech employers creates unique internship and placement opportunities. Coursework includes systems programming and algorithms foundations, ensuring database specialists graduate with sophisticated systems-level thinking.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Management — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Management — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Computer Science & Engineering Department
Industry Partners
- Target (corporate)
- Best Buy (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Target, Best Buy, 3M, General Mills.
Location Advantages: Twin Cities major tech employers (Target, Best Buy, 3M, General Mills)Strong regional database and data engineering job market
University of St Thomas — Saint Paul, MN
Key Distinction: St. Thomas embeds rigorous database systems training within a well-rounded CS degree, emphasizing both theoretical depth and ethical considerations around data stewardship.
Hakia Insight: St. Thomas's partnership with UnitedHealth Group—Minnesota's largest healthcare IT employer—means database students gain insider access to one of the nation's most complex healthcare data environments while still completing a well-rounded CS degree rather than a siloed database specialty.
At the bachelor's level, the computer science program at St. Thomas integrates database management as a core competency within a broader computer science curriculum rather than as an isolated specialization, reflecting the program's commitment to well-rounded technical graduates. Upper-level courses in database systems, advanced SQL, and data modeling are taught with emphasis on both theoretical foundations (normalization, query optimization, transaction management) and applied implementation across relational and modern database platforms. The program benefits from St. Thomas's Twin Cities location and strong regional industry connections, particularly with healthcare IT organizations and financial services firms that rely heavily on robust database infrastructure. Faculty emphasize hands-on labs where students design and implement multi-tier database applications, and the liberal arts context encourages students to think critically about data governance, privacy, and ethical data management—increasingly important considerations for enterprise database professionals. Class sizes remain small enough that students get direct mentoring on database architecture decisions.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Management — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Management — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Behavioral Research Center
Industry Partners
- UnitedHealth Group (corporate)
- Target (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Jason Sawin — Computer architecture and department leadership
- Dr. Sarah Miracle — Cryptography and format-preserving encryption
- Dr. Sergey Berg — Statistical simulations and chronic wasting disease modeling
- Dr. Amelia McNamara — Statistics, data visualization and statistical research methods
- Dr. Tommy Marrinan — Head mounted displays and virtual reality
- Kyle Goldschmidt — Operations and Supply Chain Management
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.7 minimum.
Location Advantages: Twin Cities technology sectorProximity to healthcare IT and financial services hubs
Metropolitan State University — Saint Paul, MN
Key Distinction: Metropolitan State anchors database training in real-world business applications and instructor industry experience, with flexible scheduling designed for working professionals seeking immediate career advancement.
Hakia Insight: Metropolitan State's emphasis on instructor industry experience (notably Sara Solland's focus on institutional effectiveness) creates a rare advantage: your professors still actively solve real corporate database problems, not just teach theory from textbooks.
At the bachelor's level, metropolitan State's information systems and computer science programs emphasize database management as a practical, career-focused discipline aligned with what employers in the Twin Cities region actively seek; the curriculum bridges theoretical database principles with immediate applicability in business and technical roles. Students work with relational databases extensively (SQL Server, Oracle) alongside NoSQL and cloud-hosted databases, with projects grounded in real business problems—designing databases for inventory systems, customer relationship management, and financial applications. The program's strength stems from its urban, public-university mission: faculty are often practitioners or recent industry professionals, bringing current knowledge of how databases actually operate in production environments, not just academic ideals. Many instructors maintain consulting relationships or part-time roles with local companies, creating direct pipelines for internships and employment; Metropolitan State attracts working adults and career-changers who benefit from evening and weekend class options alongside traditional day schedules. Database courses integrate with broader information systems training in data analysis, systems design, and business intelligence, preparing graduates to speak both technical and business languages—a practical advantage in mid-market and enterprise roles.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Management — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Management — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Best Buy (corporate)
- Ecolab (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- Sara Solland — Institutional Effectiveness and Technology
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum. Application Deadline: Fall: August 1, Spring: December 1, Summer: April 1.
Location Advantages: Twin Cities business and technology sectorStrong connections to local financial services and corporate IT departments
Augsburg University — Minneapolis, MN
Hakia Insight: Augsburg's direct admissions approach with 99% applied-learning participation means you skip the typical gatekeeping and move straight into hands-on database projects—a model that works because the focus is on demonstrated competency, not pre-program credentials.
At the bachelor's level, augsburg University offers a direct admissions approach that reduces barriers and promotes equity, with 99% of graduates participating in applied-learning opportunities and access to research opportunities and the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Management — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Management — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Minnesota State University Moorhead — Moorhead, MN
Key Distinction: MSUM's database curriculum prioritizes workforce readiness and hands-on project experience, with direct faculty connections to regional employers seeking database talent.
Hakia Insight: MSUM's hands-on systems emphasis paired with direct faculty connections to regional employers creates a shortcut most schools don't offer: your capstone project often becomes an actual consulting contract with a Midwest manufacturer or retailer actively hiring graduates.
At the bachelor's level, moorhead's database programs operate within a computer science context where hands-on systems work takes precedence over abstract theory. Students pursuing database specializations within the MS Computer Science or related programs engage directly with modern database technologies—PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Oracle—through laboratory-intensive courses and semester-long projects where they design, implement, and optimize databases for realistic scenarios. The program is notably collaborative; faculty supervise undergraduate research assistantries in database performance and data systems, creating mentorship pipelines where undergraduates transition into graduate roles. Moorhead's regional positioning (northwestern Minnesota, near North Dakota border) connects naturally with agricultural technology companies and regional healthcare networks exploring data analytics; students gain visibility through senior capstone projects and regional conferences. The curriculum emphasizes what employers in Minnesota's rural and mid-sized markets actually seek: practical SQL proficiency, business intelligence tools, and the ability to architect small-to-medium enterprise databases without massive infrastructure budgets.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Management — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Management — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Upper Midwest technology and manufacturing sectorsRegional employer network in retail and energy
North Central University — Minneapolis, MN
Key Distinction: Combines foundational database theory with vendor certification pathways, enabling graduates to enter the workforce with both degrees and industry credentials.
Hakia Insight: North Central's integration of vendor certification pathways into the degree means you graduate with both a diploma and industry credentials like Oracle or Microsoft certifications—eliminating the expensive post-graduation cert grind many database professionals face.
At the bachelor's level, north Central's information technology program incorporates database management as a core competency within its technology curriculum, training students in both relational database design and practical administration. The program's structure balances theoretical foundations in data models and query optimization with applied coursework using industry-standard platforms. Students complete projects in database architecture, backup and recovery procedures, and security implementation—skills directly transferable to entry-level DBA and database developer positions. The school's focus on practical certification pathways means many students simultaneously pursue vendor credentials (such as Microsoft or Oracle certifications) while completing their degree, accelerating their readiness for employment. North Central's career services and alumni network facilitate connections with employers seeking database professionals, particularly in the Twin Cities region where many graduates establish their careers.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Management — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Management — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to Twin Cities technology sector employers
University of Minnesota-Duluth — Duluth, MN
Key Distinction: Research-informed curriculum that combines rigorous computer science foundations with practical database systems engineering within a major university ecosystem.
Hakia Insight: UMN-Duluth combines research-informed database curriculum with access to the entire UMN system's institutional infrastructure projects—a rare opportunity for undergraduates to engineer solutions for a major research university's actual systems.
At the bachelor's level, UMN-Duluth's database management instruction sits within a rigorous computer science program that emphasizes algorithmic thinking and systems-level understanding alongside applied database skills. Students in this track gain exposure to advanced topics—query optimization, distributed transactions, data consistency models—through a curriculum that bridges academic computer science and industry-ready database engineering. The program benefits from UMN's broader research infrastructure and partnerships with organizations across Minnesota; Duluth's location provides access to both regional employers and the Twin Cities' tech ecosystem (2 hours south). Faculty members maintain active research interests in data systems, occasionally involving advanced students in projects involving large-scale data processing or database optimization. Graduates tend toward database engineer, data architect, or systems administrator roles, with many continuing to UMN's Twin Cities campus for graduate degrees in data science or advanced database systems. The program's strength lies in producing graduates who can speak fluently about both the theoretical foundations of database systems and the practical realities of deployment and maintenance.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Management — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Management — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to Twin Cities tech hub (2 hours)Part of UMN system research network
Rasmussen University-Minnesota — St. Cloud, MN
Key Distinction: Rasmussen University-Minnesota offers comprehensive Database Management programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Rasmussen's St. Cloud location offers database training with direct talent pipeline relationships to regional manufacturers and healthcare systems that actively hire technical graduates.
Rasmussen University-Minnesota offers Database Management programs in St. Cloud, MN. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
University of Northwestern-St Paul — Saint Paul, MN
Key Distinction: University of Northwestern-St Paul prioritizes rapid job placement and immediate technical skill relevance, appealing to students seeking direct pathways to database administration and analytics roles.
Hakia Insight: University of Northwestern-St Paul's Saint Paul location puts you within miles of major corporations requiring heavy database infrastructure work, translating the school's rapid job-placement focus into immediate internship and entry-level roles with Fortune 500 IT departments.
At the bachelor's level, university of Northwestern-St Paul delivers database management training within a career-focused, business-oriented academic environment that prioritizes rapid skill development and job readiness. The program's curriculum concentrates on immediately applicable database technologies and tools—SQL databases, data warehousing platforms, and database administration tasks—that match current employer job descriptions and hiring criteria. Students engage with real-world database scenarios, working with case studies and datasets that mirror challenges they'll encounter in entry-level roles. The university's explicit focus on professional outcomes means the program maintains close visibility into employer hiring needs and regularly updates its technical stack and projects to reflect market demand. Faculty bring industry experience, and the program encourages students to pursue industry certifications alongside degree completion. Graduates typically enter database administration, business analyst, or junior data engineering roles at mid-sized organizations, with strong placement rates in the Twin Cities market.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Database Management — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Database Management — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Saint Paul location within Twin Cities business and technology hubProximity to major corporations with database and IT infrastructure needs
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota — Winona, MN
Key Distinction: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota offers comprehensive Database Management programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Saint Mary's Winona location provides database training with strong connections to regional healthcare and manufacturing IT needs, offering a tight-knit alternative to larger urban programs.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota offers Database Management programs in Winona, MN. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Master's Database Management Degree Programs in Minnesota
University of St Thomas — Saint Paul, MN
Key Distinction: Coursework-based program (no thesis). Part-time and full-time options available
Hakia Insight: St. Thomas's M.S. in Software Engineering (no thesis requirement, 30 credits) compresses engineering depth into a coursework-only format—ideal for database professionals who need an advanced credential without delaying workforce return.
The M.S. in Software Engineering is a 30-credit coursework-based program designed for working professionals at all experience levels. The program offers flexible part-time and full-time options with evening classes (5:30-8:30 PM, Monday-Friday) available both in-person and online through CoFlex delivery mode. Students can start in fall, spring, or summer terms. The curriculum is continuously updated based on input from regional CIOs and CTOs, covering areas including database management, cloud computing, DevOps, and enterprise architecture. Part-time students typically complete the program in 2.5 years (5 semesters). The program requires no GRE/GMAT and accepts students with a minimum 2.7 GPA. Career changers successfully transition to the field after just 2-3 semesters. Software engineers earn a median salary of $131,450 with 15% job growth projected through 2034. The program prepares graduates for advancement in systems development, project management, strategic planning, and enterprise architecture roles.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Software Engineering — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Behavioral Research Center
Industry Partners
- UnitedHealth Group (corporate)
- Target (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Jason Sawin — Computer architecture and department leadership
- Dr. Sarah Miracle — Cryptography and format-preserving encryption
- Dr. Sergey Berg — Statistical simulations and chronic wasting disease modeling
- Dr. Amelia McNamara — Statistics, data visualization and statistical research methods
- Dr. Tommy Marrinan — Head mounted displays and virtual reality
- Kyle Goldschmidt — Operations and Supply Chain Management
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.7 minimum.
Requirements: 10 courses total, 8 required courses, 2 electives, Maintain 2.7 GPA or higher
Location Advantages: Twin Cities technology sectorProximity to healthcare IT and financial services hubs
Walden University — Minneapolis, MN
Key Distinction: Fully online, professionally-focused programs designed for working adults seeking job-ready database credentials without geographic constraints or full-time study requirements.
Hakia Insight: Walden's fully online, competency-based master's with IBM and Microsoft partnerships means working database professionals can earn a degree and simultaneous cloud platform credentials without relocating or reducing hours.
At the master's level, walden's database management graduate programs are built specifically for working professionals seeking flexible, competency-based pathways into data roles. The MS in Data Science with database specialization emphasizes real-world problem-solving through capstone projects tied to organizational challenges—students often work on live datasets from their current employers. The curriculum balances theoretical foundations (relational and NoSQL systems, query optimization) with applied tracks in data warehousing, big data architectures, and cloud database platforms like AWS and Azure. Faculty bring industry experience rather than primarily academic backgrounds, which shapes coursework toward practical concerns: migration strategies, compliance frameworks (GDPR, HIPAA), and scalability challenges that practitioners face daily. The online delivery model attracts mid-career professionals from finance, healthcare, and retail sectors; cohorts are remarkably diverse in industry background, which enriches project collaboration. Walden's competency-based progression means motivated students can accelerate, and the university's emphasis on social change through data creates space for projects addressing equity, healthcare access, or environmental sustainability alongside commercial applications.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Database Management — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Database Management — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- IBM (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
Location Advantages: Fully online accessibility for geographically distributed students
