Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN DATA SCIENCE

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski

Updated: Nov 20, 2024

Find top-ranked online master’s in data science and analytics degree programs in the US to prepare students to qualify for positions as management analysts, big data architects, and logisticians.

Key Takeaways

Data science is a rapidly growing professional field that can lead to a wide variety of high paying jobs including network architect, data analyst, and cybersecurity specialist.

The field of data science is also increasingly competitive. Earning a graduate degree in data science can improve your qualifications and eligibility for leadership opportunities and areas of specialization within the broader data science sector.

A growing number of highly reputable, fully accredited grad schools now offer both on-campus and online master’s degrees in data science.

Table of Contents

Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs in 2025

Johns Hopkins University
+1
University of Southern California
–1
Boston University
+1
Syracuse University
+1
University of Massachusetts Amherst
–2
University of Missouri
+4
Arizona State University
–1
Yeshiva University
+7
University of Oklahoma
+3
Southern Methodist University
+9

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best online master’s in data science programs saw a substantial amount of movement. Southern Methodist University gained the most ranking positions as the university has introduced several enhancements to its online Master of Science in Data Science program to better serve students. The program now offers two specialized tracks: Machine Learning and Business Analytics, allowing students to tailor their studies to align with specific career goals.

Additionally, the curriculum has been updated to include courses in natural language processing and cloud computing, providing a comprehensive foundation in data science principles. The university has also expanded its online course offerings, enabling students to complete the degree entirely online, providing greater flexibility for those balancing work and personal commitments.

Featured Programs

Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Data Science Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Data Science

Degree Level: Master's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $17,332
Avg. Expenses*: $17,847
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 7 years
Job Growth: 17.59%
Number of Jobs: 2,941,500
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Computer and Information Systems Managers	17.42%	$169,510
Natural Sciences Managers	7.49%	$157,740
Computer and Information Research Scientists	25.68%	$145,080
Database Architects	10.75%	$134,700
Software Developers	17.94%	$132,270
Data Scientists	36.03%	$108,020
Statisticians	11.73%	$104,110
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other	3.21%	$79,870

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$169,510
Natural Sciences Managers	$157,740
Computer and Information Research Scientists	$145,080
Database Architects	$134,700
Software Developers	$132,270
Data Scientists	$108,020
Statisticians	$104,110
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other	$79,870

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

The online master’s in data science program is a convenient and accessible way to earn an extremely valuable advanced degree. Graduates with an online master’s in data science are among the best paid working professionals, enjoying excellent career opportunities in areas like computer science, big data analysis, business intelligence and much more.

What is the online master’s in data science?

The online master’s in data science is a great option for working data science professionals. The online master’s in data allows you to balance current work responsibilities with highly current data science courses.

Earning the online master’s degree without disrupting your day to day work is a great way to advance to a leadership role in the data science field. And the online master’s is a great way to gain specialized data science skills in areas like data mining, business analytics management, and data engineering. In other words, getting an online data science master’s degree could significantly improve your salary potential.

Read on to find out how these online data science programs can help you take the next step in your career...

10 Best Data Science Online Master's Programs in 2025

Johns Hopkins University
+1
University of Southern California
–1
Boston University
+1
Syracuse University
+1
University of Massachusetts Amherst
–2
University of Missouri
+4
Arizona State University
–1
Yeshiva University
+7
University of Oklahoma
+3
Southern Methodist University
+9

Table of Contents

Online Data Science Master’s Degrees

Why get a master’s in data science and analytics?

A master’s degree in data science and analytics provides an opportunity for advanced study in big data, artificial intelligence, business analytics, and more. Data scientists are in high demand in numerous fields including finance, cybersecurity, computer science, and more.

How long does it take to get a master’s in data science and analytics?

Students can complete the 30- to 45-credit data science program either online or on campus. Whether students study on campus or online, graduate data science programs take about two years to complete. It may also be possible to complete the online master’s in data science at an accelerated pace.

What are the requirements for getting a master’s in data science and analytics?

Most master’s in data science programs require a capstone project or thesis research alongside classes like social network analytics, artificial intelligence, and risk simulation and queuing. Students may be required to visit campus to complete some portion of this data science project, even those completing online data science programs. This is one good reason to search for your online master’s degree in state.

What can I do with a master’s in data science and analytics?

A master’s degree in data science and analytics can prepare you for a variety of well-paying careers in data science; computer science; computing and digital media; intelligence systems engineering and much more. Many data science professionals will pursue an online data science degree in order to balance work responsibilities and the completion of their master’s degree.

What are the best paying data science jobs?

The data science master’s degree is a basic threshold for many of the top roles in the data science field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students with a master’s in data science earned a median salary of $100,910 in 2021. The following are some of the top paying jobs for data science graduates:

Computer and Information Systems Managers–2021 Median Pay: $159,010
Computer and Information Research Scientists–2021 Median Pay: $131,490
Computer Network Architects–2021 Median Pay: $120,520
Information Systems Analysts–2021 Median Pay: $102,600
Database Administrators and Architects–2021 Median Pay: $98,860

What’s the difference between data science vs data analytics?

Data Analysts vs Data Scientists

The key difference between data scientist and data analyst job duties is how the data is manipulated.

Data scientists collect new data and look for meaning by using tools like algorithms and models to predict future events. By contrast, data analysts work with existing data to answer specific questions. The data they analyze is often already structured.

This is a simplistic overview of data analysts vs data scientists. Let’s do a deeper dive into the key differences between these two careers.

Data Scientist vs Analyst

A data scientist gathers new data for analysis. They clean and process vast amounts of raw data. This data is often unstructured, though data scientists might also work with structured data.

Additionally, data scientists often perform data modeling. For example, a data scientist could develop algorithms or predictive models for examining large amounts of information.

Data science applies to all manner of businesses and industries. Financial institutions, universities, and government agencies all employ data scientists, to name but a few examples.

On the other hand, a data analyst often works with data that has already been cleaned and organized. They then examine that data for useful information.

For example, suppose you’re a data analyst that works for a manufacturing company. You might analyze data sets on production times and look for patterns that can translate into actionable steps for reducing those production times.

Additionally, a data science vs analyst comparison should note that data analysts are usually responsible for disseminating information to those without data science expertise.

To do so, data analysts offer summaries of what the data says and provide insights into its meaning. Data analysts communicate these findings by using data visualization tools. These tools - like graphs and charts - help stakeholders understand the importance of what the data reveals.

From Data Analyst to Data Scientist

Data analysts and data scientists usually work independently of one another. But, in some cases, data scientists and analysts might be part of the same team.

In this case, a data scientist might spearhead the processes of collecting, cleaning, and organizing data. From there, a data analyst might take over to provide insights into the information contained in the data and report on their findings.

Data Analyst to Data Scientist Toward the Same Goal

Our discussion of data analyst vs data science should highlight that these professionals work to achieve the same basic goal - answer critical questions based on data. This just happens in different ways.

Data scientists deal with the unknown. They make predictions based on the data they collect. Meanwhile, data analysts seek to find answers to specific, tangible questions based on data from events that have already occurred.

The meaning derived from data can be immensely useful to organizations. Organizations can use meaningful data to adapt to changing conditions. It can also be used to improve the customer experience. There are more applications, of course. In any case, data scientists and data analysts are critical for extracting as much meaning from data as possible.

Learn more about what you can do with a master’s in computer science.

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs 2025

Key Takeaways

Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs in 2025

2025 Ranking Update

Featured Programs

Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs

Last Year’s Ranking:

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Career Outlook for Students with Data Science Degree

Data Science

Degree Level: Master's

Career Salaries

Top Industries

What is the online master’s in data science?

10 Best Data Science Online Master's Programs in 2025

Online Data Science Master’s Degrees

Why get a master’s in data science and analytics?

How long does it take to get a master’s in data science and analytics?

What are the requirements for getting a master’s in data science and analytics?

What can I do with a master’s in data science and analytics?

What are the best paying data science jobs?

What’s the difference between data science vs data analytics?

Data Analysts vs Data Scientists

Data Scientist vs Analyst

From Data Analyst to Data Scientist

Data Analyst to Data Scientist Toward the Same Goal

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

What are the disadvantages of online classes?+

What are the advantages of online classes?+

Resources for Prospective Grad Students