Guide to Bachelor's in Data Analytics Programs

Data analysts sort through large sets of information to collect, organize, validate, and surface raw bits, turning them into useful material across industries. This fast-growing field offers an array of interesting and rewarding jobs.

Most of these careers require a bachelor's degree. This four-year program requires about 120 credits to complete. Students explore statistics, computer science, data analysis, and business subjects as they move toward graduation.

In this guide, you can find a list of schools that offer bachelor's degrees in data analytics. Discover information on typical coursework, financial aid, and available career pathways after graduation.

Where to Get a Bachelor's in Data Analytics Degree

Many schools offer bachelor's in data analytics programs. The following table includes institutions that report a graduation rate greater than 50%. Schools are listed alphabetically, and data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

How to Get a Bachelor's in Data Analytics Degree

Each school establishes distinct admissions criteria and standards, but many apply requirements like the following:

• A high school diploma with a college preparatory curriculum, a GED certificate or its equivalent, or proof of a comparable homeschooling experience
• A minimum GPA of 2.0
• Acceptable ACT/SAT scores
• A completed application, which may include:
• An essay
• Awards earned
• Community service experience
• Extracurricular activities

Schools that accept Common App allow you to submit the same application to multiple schools, saving you time and money.

If you do not have a strong educational background or scored poorly on a standardized test, you may still qualify for provisional acceptance into a four-year degree. Alternatively, you might secure admission to a community college and transfer in 1-2 years.

What to Expect From a Bachelor's in Data Analytics Degree

A bachelor's degree in data analytics prepares college students to serve as data engineers, data analysts, or business intelligence professionals. In this four-year degree, each student completes about 120 credits comprising general education, data analytics, and related coursework.

Courses may include the following:

• Data Analytics I & II: Students explore programming in Python and R to develop skills in data analysis, modeling, and visualization.
• People Analytics: This course focuses on applying the principles of data analysis to solving human resources problems.
• Advanced Techniques in Data Analysis: This course covers data wrangling, mining, cleaning, and validation. Learners engage with topics like cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and gradient analysis.
• Capstone: Students demonstrate knowledge and skill by applying classroom-based information to real-world data analysis scenarios.

Enrollees can pursue a bachelor of arts, which emphasizes critical thinking, or a bachelor of science, which focuses more on quantitative methods and tools. Most students complete 15-18 credits per semester. By enrolling in additional credits, taking summer classes, or pursuing accelerated enrollment, students can graduate more quickly.

How to Pay for a Bachelor's in Data Analytics Degree

College students need to budget for educational costs like tuition, fees, and learning resources, along with non-degree expenses relating to rent, groceries, and transportation.

The NCES reports that in 2020-21, in-state students at public universities spent an average of $9,375 on tuition and fees, $6,774 on room costs, and $5,189 on board. The numbers increase for non-resident students and private school enrollees.

Consider the following options to cover expenses:

• Federal Financial Aid
  • Grants: The U.S. government offers free money to students who fall below a certain income level.
  • Aid to Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the active branches of the military offer extensive support for service members seeking higher education.
  • Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans: The federal government provides access to low-interest student loans and helps pay interest on qualifying loans during deferment periods.
  • Applying for Federal Aid: Complete a FAFSA form to find out which federal programs may help pay for your education.
• Scholarships: Universities and private organizations offer scholarships to students who meet specific criteria. Scholarships do not require repayment.
• Work-Study Programs: Both individual schools and the federal government provide on-campus employment to qualifying students.
• Private Loans: Institutional lenders offer student loans separate from federal loans. These must be paid back and do not qualify for federal support or cancellation.

Where Data Analytics Graduates Work

Employers in industries like finance, telecommunications, healthcare, and marketing need data experts to help calculate risks, predict upcoming events, and provide valuable insights.

Data analysts can find employment with major corporations such as Amazon, IBM, and JP Morgan Chase. They can also work at small or mid-size companies or as independent contractors.

The job titles below represent just a few careers you can pursue as a data analytics graduate.

Popular Questions About Data Analytics

What is data analytics?

Data analytics is the process of analyzing raw information to discover trends and other insights that business leaders can use to make decisions. Data can inform you about the past, help forecast events, and allow you to become a confident decision-maker.

What's the difference between a business analyst and a data analyst?

Data analysts gather and manipulate sets of information to discover fresh insights, while business analysts use data to recommend strategically important options to corporate decision-makers. Both these professions work with data, but their roles have different emphases and purposes.

What is a data analytics bachelor's degree?

A data analytics bachelor's degree is a four-year undergraduate degree that includes a general education core, a data analytics major, and a selection of elective courses. A bachelor's degree can prepare you for entry-level roles in the field and is usually required to gain admission to a master's in data analytics.

Is a bachelor's in data analytics worth it?

The answer depends on your personal and professional ambitions. Four-year degrees require intensive time and financial investments. Selecting a more affordable or accelerated program can reduce your overall cost, and choosing a program with strong career services can offer a quick return on your investment.

How hard is it to get a bachelor's degree in data analytics?

A bachelor's degree in data analytics requires intense study of complex subjects such as statistics, computer science, and programming languages. Commitment and discipline can help you succeed as a data analytics student.

All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the TBS Rankings Team.