Data Science Bachelor’s Degrees: Best Programs, Jobs, and Salaries

With technology’s continuous advancements, it is no surprise that the demand for data scientists is increasing. Everything in technology and business today involves data. With such an in-demand career field, it’s not surprising that more people want to pursue a career in data science.

The purpose of this article is to help prospective students in the

data science field

find the best programs and schools to get their education. You will become familiar with some of the top data science bachelor’s degree programs. It will cover important aspects of the field to help you decide if a data science major is the right path for you.

What Is Data Science?

Data science is the use of advanced analytics techniques and scientific principles to draw useful information from raw data. This information is used to make well-informed business decisions, strategic plans, and promote business growth. It can be used to give a business a competitive advantage.

What Is a Data Science Bachelor’s Degree?

A data science

bachelor’s degree

is a program that trains students in statistics, math, and computer science to prepare them to work in IT, business, government, economics, healthcare, and many other fields. It typically takes four years to complete undergraduate programs.

The program introduces data science students to fields of digital information and big data. The school may also collaborate with other departments to enable the students to properly understand how different fields work. The skills they learn help students understand how to develop strategies and make informed business decisions.

Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Each school’s admission requirements will vary, but they typically include SAT/ACT scores, an essay, good high school grades, and letters of recommendation. A bachelor’s degree is intended for students who have no previous advanced educational or professional experience.

A strong background in math, statistics, computer science, and other related fields is recommended. To learn more about a university’s educational requirements, go to the school’s website and speak with the admissions team or an advisor.

How Much Does a Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Cost?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual tuition cost of all

four-year institutions is $28,775

which covers tuition, dorm, and board fees. The average cost of public four-year schools is $21,035, the average cost of private schools is $27,696, while the average cost of nonprofit universities is $48,965.

Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Financing Options: How to Pay for Your Data Science  Degree

The cost of a bachelor’s degree might seem overwhelming, however, there are different financing options to help ease the payment. Some of those options are financial aid, private loans, scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and federal loans.

Best Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Data Science: Top Data Science Bachelor’s  Degree Programs

Each university has its area of specialty even if they offer several other programs. This is why there are schools that stand out for their excellence in certain fields. The list above contains the best schools for a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science and below is a brief description of each school and its program curriculum.

Bachelor of Science in Data Science | Boston University

Boston University is a large institution with 17 schools and colleges, 33,500 students from over 130 countries, over 10,000 faculty and staff, and more than 300 programs of study.

The data science program covers the foundation and applied dimensions of data science with a focus on mathematics, statistics, algorithmics, informatics, and software engineering. The program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to work as professional data scientists in real-life settings.

Bachelor of Arts in Information Science, Data Science Concentration | Cornell University

The Cornell University program of Information Science was founded as an interdisciplinary minor in 2002 and grew into a major in 2005. The department now offers undergraduate degrees through three departments and offers advanced degrees as well. This program is taught by faculty who have done relevant research in the field.

Bachelor of Science in Data Science | Drexel University

Drexel College of Computing and Informatics was established in 2013 in response to the growing demand for computing and informatics in the economy. The Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science program teaches students how to find meaning in mountains of data and present useful information in ways that others can understand.

Bachelor of Science in Data Science | Northeastern University

Northeastern University was the first college of computer science in the United States,  established in the 1980s. The Bachelor of Science in Data Science program is designed to teach students about the collection, manipulation, storage, retrieval, and computational analysis of data. The program includes a combination of computer science, mathematics, and statistics.

Bachelor of Science in Data Sciences | Pennsylvania State University

The Penn State University School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science was established in 2015 to allow better access to courses offered by the departments at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department offers degrees in computer science, computer engineering, data science, and electrical engineering.

The data science degree is designed to meet the needs of professionals in data and teaches students the technical fundamentals of data science with a focus on developing the knowledge and skills needed to work as data scientists. Data science graduates of Penn State will possess the necessary problem-solving skills required to work in various fields.

Bachelor of Science in Data Science | Purdue University

Purdue University’s department of computer sciences was established in October 1962 as the first of its kind. The data science program will give students a solid foundation and teach them the fundamental computational techniques and statistical methods, and the deep analytical thinking skills required to reason reliably, intelligently, and creatively from data.

Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematical and Computational Science, Data Science Minor | Stanford University

The Stanford University School of Humanities and Sciences was founded in 1948 and had a faculty of five in 1950. The data science minor is designed for majors in humanities and social sciences who want to gain a practical understanding of data analytic methods. The program will give students the knowledge needed to take on any data science role.

Bachelor of Arts Data Science | University of California, Berkeley

The data science program is designed to instill deep technical knowledge and expertise of data in students to enable them to apply that knowledge in their preferred field. Through this, they gain a better understanding of the social and human contexts, as well as the ethical implications, of how data is collected, analyzed, and used.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Data Science Minor | University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania was established in 1740. The data science minor program targets students with strong analytical abilities and some programming experience. The curriculum covers statistics, data-centric programming, data management, and data analysis. The minor is available for students of the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Bachelor of Arts in Statistics and Data Science | Yale University

Yale University’s data science program is designed to teach students the fundamental techniques in the field and prepare them to participate in research efforts and eventually pursue a graduate program. The program covers courses in both mathematical and practical foundations, spread evenly among probability, statistics, computational skills, and electives.

Best Online Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Data Science: Top Online Data Science  Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Not everyone can afford the full-time commitment of in-person programs due to tight scheduling and other reasons. That doesn’t mean those people can’t earn their degrees. There are several other alternatives, one of them being

online bachelor’s degrees

. The list below includes descriptions of different online degrees in data science.

Bachelor of Science in Data Science | Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university dedicated to advancing public-value research and discovery for the benefit of the community it serves. This online program is designed to prepare students to be critical analysts and users of data in a variety of fields. The curriculum covers mathematics, statistics, data mining, and machine learning.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Data Analytics Concentration | Baker College

Baker College was founded in 1965 when two institutions were joined together to form one academic group. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science offers a concentration in data analytics with courses that include data structures and algorithms, programming languages, computer architecture, database administration and programming, and a senior project.

Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics | Norwich University

Norwich University was founded in 1819 as the first private military college in the United States. This online degree program includes coursework that explores the mathematical skills and programming languages needed to analyze and interpret data. The curriculum includes a capstone project that allows students to apply the skills they have learned.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems | Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University was founded in 1818 and prides itself on being one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems program provides its students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be professional data analysts in today’s world.

The program is a 120-credit online degree program and allows students to take two additional courses for a certificate with an emphasis on data analytics or cyber security. The fully online program encourages flexible learning options for students to make advanced education more accessible for working professionals.

Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics | Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University was established in 1963 and became a nonprofit institution in September 1968. This university online degree program is designed to train students to become professionals in the data science field and help them become vital to finding solutions for organizational challenges within companies.

Bachelor of Science in Informatics | SUNY at Albany

The University at Albany was founded in 1844 as a normal school to train teachers. It went through a series of changes and growth before earning a national distinction in 1962 and joined the system as one of four University Centers. It is now a major public research institution with over 17,000 students.

This program will help students learn how to store and retrieve data, employ emerging technologies, and build user-centered systems. The curriculum encourages team-based activities and hands-on exercises. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to lead complex digital projects from beginning to end.

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Data Science Concentration | University of Massachusetts Global

University of Massachusetts Global was established in 1958 as Chapman University College. It was renamed Brandman University in 2009 and changed to UMass Global in September 2021 when it became a nonprofit affiliate of the University of Massachusetts.

The online data science MyPath program allows students to learn at their own pace and move quickly through topics they are already familiar with. It addresses the GIS skills shortage and prepares you for a data science career with nonprofit organizations.

Bachelor of Science in Data Science | University of Maine at Augusta

Founded in 1865, the University of Maine is the third-largest public university in Maine. The school first introduced distance learning in 1989 and has now grown significantly over the years. The online Bachelor of Science in Data Science program is a standalone program that is a combination of core computing classes and core mathematics classes.

The curriculum includes courses that focus on teaching students using a hands-on approach and covers computer science and information systems, database design and management, statistical analysis, data transformation, data storage, information theory, and digital mapping.

Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics | Webster University

Webster University is a nonprofit institution established in 1915 by the Sisters of Loretto who sought to make education accessible to everyone. The school has over 10,000 students across 50 residential, metro, military, and international locations.

The Data Analytics program is designed to help students understand the methods, concepts, and processes of data analytics. Students in the program will learn various technologies that support effective business decision-making and experience a broad category of applications and techniques involved in data analysis.

Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics and Data Management | Western Governors University

Western Governors University was established in 1997. The Data Management and Data Analytics program is designed to provide a solid background in database management for students by giving them training in both fields.

The program will also train students in leadership and management skills and includes multiple industry-recognized certifications from organizations like CompTIA and CIW. Students can also work while learning as the program is fully online. The program also offers a WGU Data Analyst Nanodegree from Udacity that comes with career services for the students.

What’s the Average Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Salary?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for

data scientists is $103,930

. Most computer and information research scientists

need at least a bachelor’s degree

, if not a master’s or other advanced degrees.

Top Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview

Best Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Jobs Explained

Solutions Architect

A solutions architect evaluates an organization’s business needs and determines how IT can meet those needs. They design the overall architecture of a software solution and provide strategic guidance throughout the development process.

Applications Architect

Applications architects are in charge of the design and development of software applications. To work as an applications architect, you need to have a high level of technical expertise, excellent planning skills, project management skills, teamwork, and effective communication skills.

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine learning scientists are professionals who develop independent software using artificial intelligence to automate predictive models for recommendation algorithms, virtual assistants, translation apps, chatbots, and driverless cars.

Data Architect

Data architects analyze the data needs of a company, apply their coding skills to draw conclusions based on their findings, and ensure that the company’s database is secure.

Data Engineer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $92,503
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  8%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  168,000*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New Jersey, Washington, California*

A

data engineer

is in charge of collecting, processing, and storing data from different sources and transforming it into a format that can be easily analyzed. Data engineers need to have strong programming skills, analytical skills, and communication skills.

Statistician

Statisticians

gather, analyze, and interpret numerical data then display it to help businesses in their decision-making process by spotting trends and making predictions. They can work in a variety of industries.

Data Warehouse Analyst

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $80,331
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  8%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  168,000*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New Jersey, Washington, California*

A data warehouse analyst works to collect, analyze, and mine data stored in data warehouses. They are also expected to create new data warehouses and ensure that existing warehouses are functional.

Database Developer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $75,738
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  8%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  168,000*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New Jersey, Washington, California*

Database developers

design database systems by firstly analyzing a business’s needs and designing the systems accordingly. These systems can be used to hold large amounts of information.

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business intelligence analysts

are responsible for the management and analysis of data recovery within the company and the identification of improvement opportunities. They identify trends, identify potential problems and offer solutions.

Data Analyst

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $61,822
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  25%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  104,100**
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New Jersey, California, Virginia**

A data analyst collects and stores research data to provide technical expertise by developing statistical models and applying scientific methods to make predictions for organizations to make well-informed decisions.

*These job statistics are listed under the umbrella of Database Administrators and Architects by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

**These job statistics are listed under the umbrella of Operations Research Analysts by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Data Science Bootcamp vs Data Science Bachelor’s Degree: Which Is Better?

A bootcamp and a bachelor’s degree both have their benefits. To decide on which is right for you, you should weigh the pros and cons of each. The list below shows you the benefits of each and will help to guide you when making a decision.

Benefits of a Data Science Bachelor’s Degree

• 
  Education requirements.
  
  A bachelor’s degree is often the minimum education requirement for entry-level positions in the data science field. They are ideal for students with little or no advanced knowledge and experience. A bachelor’s degree is accessible to anyone with a high school diploma or equivalency.
• 
  In-depth knowledge.
  
  Universities offer a wide range of knowledge in a specific field.
• 
  Opportunity to specialize.
  
  College allows undergraduate students to explore and choose their area of specialty in their chosen field of study.
• 
  Opportunity to build a professional network.
  
  With the diversity of students, professionals, clubs, and organizations that you can find in colleges, it is easy to begin building a professional network while still in school.
• 
  Increased earning potential.
  
  The earning potential of college graduates is much higher than those without an undergraduate degree as degrees are highly valued by employers.

Benefits of a Data Science Bootcamp

• 
  Length of program.
  
  The most popular benefit of a bootcamp is the length of its programs. Most bootcamps typically take between three to nine months to complete.
• 
  Cost.
  
  The cost of a coding bootcamp is significantly less expensive than a four-year college degree program.
• 
  Approach to learning.
  
  Bootcamps give their students hands-on experience and intensive training. The programs are designed to provide students with a real-world experience while they study.
• 
  Career services.
  
  The majority of bootcamps offer career services to their students to help them become job-ready soon after graduation.
• 
  Curriculum.
  
  The curriculum of coding bootcamps is designed to provide in-depth learning on a specific topic. They teach students the skills that are in high demand in the labor market.

Should You Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science?

You should get a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science if it benefits you. A college degree is a good option for those who are freshly out of high school and are finding it difficult to choose their specialty. Going to college will open them up to a world of opportunities and make it easier to choose their field of specialty.

However, for those who are looking to transition from a different career or advance their data science skills, it is best to attend a bootcamp as they are shorter and more flexible.

Data Science Bachelor’s Degree FAQ