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Data science combines machine learning, statistics, computer science, and mathematics to gather, evaluate, and interpret data. It seeks to present actionable insights that key personnel can utilize to make well-informed decisions.
Numerous industries benefit from Data Science applications, including education, government and public service, energy and utilities, transportation and logistics, telecommunications, advertising and marketing, healthcare, and finance.
The future is bright for graduates of Data Science Bachelor’s degree. The market for data science platforms is expected to soar to $942.76 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate forecasted at 29% within 2023-2030. In 2022, the market was valued at $122.94 billion.
The substantial growth means that there’s always an increase in demand for data science professionals, especially when they enroll in a degree program today and graduate in 3.5 to four years.
The Labor Statistics says the employment of computer and information research scientists (including data scientists) will demonstrate a 23% growth from 2022 to 2032.
The Lowdown
By enrolling in on-campus and online degrees in Data Science at the bachelor’s level, students are trained to develop their analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to effectively and efficiently harness complex data. They are also introduced to the practical techniques, tools, and technologies required to complete their tasks.
Most online Data Science degrees also provide experiential learning through laboratory work, simulations, practicum, internship, and capstone projects to ensure students have job-ready skills once they graduate. Ethics are also highlighted in the Data Science and Data Analytics program to ensure students uphold professional integrity, trustworthiness, legal compliance, responsible data use, and accountability throughout their careers.
Methodology
If you love working with data, uncovering insights, and solving complex problems using analytical tools and techniques, enrolling in a Bachelor in Data Science degree program may be perfect!
Our list of online Bachelor in Data Science degree programs is based on certain criteria. Each program on this list meets these parameters:
- Offered as a 100% online or hybrid learning program,
- Has a comprehensive curriculum covering foundational topics as well as core data science courses,
- Incorporates industry collaboration and partnerships to expose students to real-world data science scenarios and networking opportunities,
- Emphasizes problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and adaptability to evolving data science technologies and techniques,
- Includes opportunities for internships, cooperative education, and practical work experiences to bridge the gap between academia and industry,
- Taught by data scientists and industry experts,
- Regionally accredited, guaranteeing high-quality Data Science undergraduate education
Check out our Methodology for more information.
10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Data Science Programs
Arizona State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Data Science
Arizona State University offers a web-based BS in Data Science degree program that equips students with the knowledge and techniques to solve practical issues in lucrative and high-demand careers.
The program, delivered by ASU Online, requires a total of 120 credit hours and has a total of 40 classes, each of which is 7.5 weeks long. Examples of courses in this program include:
- Principles of Programming
- Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures
- Data Science and Society
- Mathematical Tools for Data Science
- Exploring Data in R and Python
- Statistical Modeling and Inference for Data Science
- Machine Learning for Data Science
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has accredited Arizona State University to offer all of its online degree programs through ASU Online. It is also a participant in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).
What Makes this Program Unique:
This degree program offers students with six data science tracks that they can focus on, namely:
- Behavioral Science
- Bioscience
- Business Analytics
- Mathematics
- Social Science
- Spatial Science
The quality of education is the same for both online and on-campus students, as the program is taught by the same exemplary faculty. Furthermore, transcripts and diplomas for both types of students bear the name “Arizona State University” without distinction of being earned through an “online” program.
Faculty members of the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences are members of prestigious organizations, including:
- The American Association of the Advancement of Science Fellows
- Fulbright American Scholars
- National Science Foundation Graduate Fellows
- Association for Women in Mathematics Fellows
Did You Know?
The Earned Admission program provides an opportunity for students who do not meet admission requirements to showcase their potential for success at the University. This can be accomplished by achieving a GPA of 2.75 or higher in online courses.
University of North Dakota
Data Science (B.S.) Online
The Data Science (B.S.) from the University of North Dakota is a degree program that students can complete entirely online, and thus, it is perfect for learners who need to juggle work and personal responsibilities while still obtaining a prestigious degree. The program provides asynchronous classes, making learning convenient for students.
This Bachelor’s degree program requires students to complete 124 credits toward graduation, including 30 credits which must be earned from the University.
The Higher Learning Commission has fully accredited all the online programs offered by UND.
What Makes this Program Unique:
All diplomas and transcripts bear the same UND prestige for both online and on-campus students.
A variety of support services are available to online students, including access to a dedicated academic advisor, free online tutoring, unlimited academic coaching, and 24/7 technical support, as well as full online access to Chester Fritz Library, UND Writing Center, and career services, among others.
Did You Know?
UND has gained recognition as among the country’s best online colleges for various categories, including affordability, student satisfaction based on retention rate, academic quality based on four-year graduation rate, and student outcomes based on 20-year return on investment.
Maryville University
Online Bachelor’s in Data Science
Maryville University offers a 100% online Bachelor’s in Data Science program that not only provides theories but also intensely focuses on practical techniques and tools as well as hands-on experiences to ensure students will become data specialists with employment-ready skills that are sought-after in the industry once they graduate.
The degree program requires a total of 128 credit hours, including 46 credit hours from Data Science Major courses.
An optional field experience is also available for online students who want to further gain practical knowledge.
Maryville University holds regional accreditation from the HLC.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The curriculum’s general elective courses provide two options for students to personalize their data science degree:
- Minor in Business
- Concentration in Actuarial Science
Online students also have access to a variety of support services, including a dedicated advisor and 24/7 technical support.
The Data Science, Mathematics, and Actuarial Science Programs are spearheaded by a Director who’s also a published author and industry-leading scholar.
Data Science graduates can take advantage of the University’s extensive network of resources like actively employed alumni, data science faculty mentors, clubs, career fairs, and industry partners.
Did You Know?
The University’s Early Access Program allows qualified undergraduate students to take graduate-level courses, which are billed at the undergraduate tuition rate. Students may earn up to 12 credits toward their graduate degree, which is also counted toward their Bachelor’s degree. Some of the University’s Master’s programs offering Early Access include an M.S. in Data Science and an M.S. in Analytics.
Indiana University
Bachelor of Science in Data Science (Online)
Indiana University offers a 100% online Bachelor of Science in Data Science degree program for students who want to take advantage of the fast-emerging, high-paying field of data mining, analysis, and management.
Delivered through IU Online, this Bachelor’s degree program requires 120 credits to complete, including 33 credit hours of core Data Science courses, nine credit hours of Mathematics, and nine credit hours of Statistics.
The Higher Learning Commission has approved the regional accreditation of each Indiana University campus.
What Makes this Program Unique:
- Online students have access to a variety of personalized support services such as Tutoring, Success Coaching, Math and Writing Support, Advising, and Peer Mentorship.
- Students may transfer up to 90 credit hours from a four-year college or university with accreditation or 64 credit hours from an accredited community college.
Did You Know?
The IU’s BS in Data Science is one of the IU Online Programs with accelerated courses, which means the curriculum comprises courses that are six or eight weeks long and are ideal for students who need valued credentials quickly.
University of Maryland Global Campus
Bachelor of Science in Data Science (Online and Hybrid)
To answer the growing demand for highly skilled data scientists who can convert data into practical findings, the University of Maryland Global Campus offers a BS in Data Science degree program that students can complete wherever they are, as all courses are available online. Some courses in this program are also available in hybrid formats for students who prefer a mix of online and face-to-face learning environments.
This Bachelor’s degree program requires a total of 120 credits for completion, including 36 credits from Major courses.
The Pre-Calculus (or a more advanced Math course) and the Data Literacy Foundations are required courses that can also be applied to the student’s General Education requirement.
A Data Science Capstone (3 credits) is also part of the curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge, critical skills, and technical skills to showcase their data science abilities.
The MSCHE-Middle States Commission on Higher Education has institutionally accredited UMGC.
What Makes this Program Unique:
This degree program is designed to help students in certification exams, including:
- AWS Certified Machine Learning
- Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
- Tableau Desktop Certified Associate
- Tableau Desktop Specialist
The Accelerated Pathway allows Bachelor in Data Science students to reduce as many as 6 credits on their required coursework in the Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics or the Master of Science in Data Analytics.
Did You Know?
- UMGC is the largest public university in the country and has more than 75 years of experience in educating working adults.
- UMGC is part of the University System of Maryland, and thus, all UMGC degree programs carry the same prestige and recognition throughout the U.S. and the world.
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science in Data Science (Online)
The web-based Bachelor of Science in Data Science degree program offered by the Arizona-based University of Phoenix equips students with the solid foundation to efficiently and effectively process, analyze, and manipulate data sets with statistical software and business intelligence platforms.
Students are required to complete 120 credits toward their graduation to attain their Data Science degree. This requirement includes core courses like:
- Foundations for Data Analytics
- Data Programming Languages
- Programming in Python
- R for Data Science
- SQL
- Analyzing and Mining Data
- Big Data
- Machine Learning
The program also includes the Data Science Capstone course (3 units), where students team up to apply their skills and knowledge to create a data science project that represents real-world application to be presented to decision-making executives.
The HLC has continually approved the accreditation of the University of Phoenix since 1978.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Students can personalize their Data Science degree by adding an undergraduate information technology or business certificate such as:
- Business Analytics
- Human Resource Management
- Financial Planning
- Operations Management
- General Management
- Project Management
- Marketing
The online program allows students the flexibility to focus on one 5-week course at a time and still obtain their degree on time.
Students get access to a variety of online learning resources, including test prep as well as data science and programming labs.
A variety of student support services are also available to those enrolled in online programs, including access to academic counselors.
The program allows eligible students to transfer a generous number of credits to cover as much as 75% of their Bachelor’s degree in Data Science.
Qualified students can earn a scholarship worth up to either $1K or $3K, whichever is the best offer they’re qualified for, starting with their first course.
Did You Know?
Admission to the University of Phoenix doesn’t require the SAT, GMAT, or an essay. Students can apply for free with no obligation.
University of Maine at Augusta
Bachelor of Science in Data Science (Online)
The University of Maine at Augusta offers its Bachelor of Science in Data Science as one of the degree programs delivered by UMA Online. The BS in Data Science degree is also offered in the University’s locations in Augusta, in Bangor, and in UMA Centers across the country.
The Data Science program at UMA combines core computing and mathematics courses with hands-on execution of computer science and information systems, data storage, data transformation, database design and management, digital mapping, information theory, and statistical analysis.
This degree program requires students to complete at least 120 credit hours, including 54-55 credits from Program Core courses.
The curriculum also includes a required internship for students to gain practical experience where they apply their knowledge and skills to real-life industry scenarios.
UMA is approved by the Maine Department of Higher Education to participate in NC-SARA. It is also accredited by the NECHE or New England Commission of Higher Education as part of the Commission’s accreditation of the University of Maine System.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The UMA’s BS in Data Science offers the following concentrations:
- Business Analytics
- Social Science
- Crime Analysis
- Cyber Forensics
- Fraud Examinations
- Social Media
- Self-Designed Concentration
Did You Know?
The university has, for eight consecutive years, been ranked among the country’s top online business degree and best bachelor’s degree programs for veterans.
City University of Seattle
Bachelor of Science in Data Science (Online and Hybrid)
The City University of Seattle offers its Bachelor of Science in Data Science degree program in online, hybrid, and in-person formats that are designed for students to complete at their own pace, even as early as two years. The program equips students with the skills necessary for success in the field of data science, including ethical and critical thinking, communication, quantitative literacy, general computer knowledge, and data science principles.
This Data Science degree program requires 180 credits toward completion, including 45 credits of Core Requirements and 30 credits of Data Science courses.
The coursework is highlighted with five credit hours of Internship and five credits of Capstone, which provide learners the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they learned to real-world data science experiences.
The NWCCU or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredited the City University of Seattle.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Networking opportunities are available to students for their educational, personal, and professional growth. Students can connect with fellow students for collaboration, faculty members with considerable experience in the industry, and alumni employed at the top companies in Seattle.
Did You Know?
The DHS and NSA have both recognized the City University of Seattle as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
Berkeley College
Bachelor of Science in Business Data Science (Online)
Berkeley College offers its Bachelor of Science in Business Data Science as an online program as well as an on-campus program in its New Jersey location. The program focuses on providing students with practical experiences by applying knowledge to real-world business issues while equipping learners with communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
MSCHE has approved the accreditation of Berkeley College.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The program offers the following areas of concentration:
- Business Analytics
- Artificial Intelligence
Students learn in small classes for more personal attention from exemplary instructors with professional experience in the industry.
Did You Know?
The U.S. Distance Learning Association has awarded Berkeley College Online with the USDLA Quality Standards certification.
Colorado Technical University
(Online) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science: Data Science
Colorado Technical University offers an online degree program for its BS in Computer Science – Data Science. The degree program requires 183 total credits toward graduation, including 88 credit hours in the Computer Science core, as well as 44 credit hours in the Data Science concentration.
This program is not designed to provide prerequisites for certification or licensure. It is, however, aligned with the educational standards of ABET.
CTU is a Higher Learning Commission (HLC)-accredited university.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Students can take the CTU Fast Track exams, which allow them to earn college credit for what they already know.
Did You Know?
The U.S. News & World Report has been recognized for nine consecutive years as one of the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should students be technically adept and computer savvy to consider enrolling in a Bachelor in Data Science?
No, they don’t. Being highly technically adept and computer savvy aren’t necessarily prerequisites for enrolling in a Bachelor’s in Data Science program. However, having some level of comfort with technology and a willingness to learn is beneficial.
A Data Science and Data Analytics degree program is designed to teach students the technical skills required for the field, including programming, statistical analysis, and data manipulation. While prior experience in these areas can give students a head start, the ideal Bachelor’s degree programs are designed to accommodate learners with limited or no prior knowledge.
If you’re enthusiastic about data analysis, are willing to learn, and are ready to put in the effort to develop your technical skills, you can certainly succeed in a Bachelor’s in Data Science program. Remember that the program’s curriculum is designed to guide you through the learning process, starting from the basics and gradually building up your expertise.
What skills will students develop in an online Data Science Bachelor’s program?
An online Bachelor’s in Data Science produces the most competent data scientist and data analyst who possesses these attributes:
- Proficiency in programming languages, including Python and R, which are essential for data manipulation and analysis
- Mastery of statistical techniques, machine learning algorithms, and data visualization tools
- A holistic understanding of the data science field through courses in database management, data cleaning, and data ethics
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication attributes, among other skills, are essential for interpreting complex data and conveying insights to non-technical stakeholders.
What technical requirements do students need for an online Data Science program?
To succeed in an online Data Science Bachelor’s program, students need access to certain technical requirements like the following:
- A reliable high-speed internet connection for accessing online lectures, resources, and interactive platforms
- A computer capable of running software for programming and data analysis, like Python, R, and data visualization tools. Also, ensure that the computer can handle data-intensive tasks
- A comfortable and distraction-free study space will contribute to your overall learning experience.
Summary Points
- Data Science combines Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, and Machine Learning to extract and interpret valuable information and use these to make well-informed decisions in finance, banking, healthcare, marketing, telecommunications, manufacturing, and a variety of other industries.
- When it comes to an online Data Science degree, the bachelor’s curriculum will either focus on a broad scope to provide students with a holistic view of the industry or on a specific field to enhance specialization. Students are advised to research the program they’re considering to ensure it suits their educational and career goals.
- A bachelor’s degree in Data Science, which is closely related to the Data Management and Data Analytics degree, is worth pursuing! It is a valuable discipline, considering the expected massive market growth of the Data Science Industry.
Additional Information:
