Getting a Master’s in Data Analytics: What You Need to Know

Key takeaways

• A master’s in data analytics is a two-year program that introduces you to advanced data analytics concepts, including coding, data warehousing, and data visualization.

• Earning a master’s in data analytics online offers more flexibility and reduced costs compared to traditional in-person degree programs.

• A master’s degree in data analytics can help you prepare for roles as a data analyst, business analyst, data scientist, statistician, or business systems analyst.

Consider a Master of Science in Data Analytics if you earned a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as statistics or computer science. Learn more about master’s degrees in data analytics, whether you should consider pursuing one, and the different types of degree programs in this article.

What is a master’s in data analytics?

A master’s in data analytics helps prepare you for a career in data analytics, whether you’re an established professional or someone looking to start a new career. As a result, a Master of Science (MS) in Data Analytics program can cover introductory to advanced courses, allowing you to learn new skills or deepen existing ones.

In this program, you’ll have the chance to learn how to use code to work with data, understand modern databases and warehouses, and create data visualizations. A master’s in data analytics typically requires 30 to 36 credits to graduate, which takes about two years of full-time study or three years of part-time study.

What can you do with a master’s in data analytics?

A master's degree in data analytics can help you enter the field, shift your career, or advance your current professional path by attaining a higher educational qualification. In effect, a master's degree in data analytics can either supplement undergraduate work in the field or provide the groundwork for a career shift if you study another discipline.

Bachelor’s vs. master’s degree in data analytics

While both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in data analytics will cover much of the same material, such as data analysis, computer science, and statistics, some master's programs may cover these topics in greater depth than you would encounter in an undergraduate course. Additionally, master’s degree programs may allow you to focus your studies, with some offering specializations in areas such as data science, data engineering, or data process engineering.

However, while the programs might cover much of the same material, they usually do so within very different timelines. For example, while a bachelor's degree usually takes four or more years to complete, a master's degree can take just one to two years, depending on the program, your course load, and whether you're a full- or part-time learner. To enroll in a master's program, you'll already need a bachelor's degree.

MS data analytics curriculum

The exact curriculum that you’ll follow as a graduate learner in data analytics will vary from program to program. Still, you can expect to take courses in such common topics as data analysis, statistics, computer science, and machine learning.

To help you better understand what you can expect from a master’s program, consider the curriculum for Oregon State University’s Master of Science in Data Analytics program [1]:

This program requires 45 quarter credits, which are equivalent to 30 semester credits, on topics such as computer science, statistics, and statistics electives. Required courses include:

• Foundations of Data Analytics

• Data Analytics

• Data Analytics II

• Multivariate Analytics

• Time Series Analytics

• Capstone Project

• Programming and Data Structures

• Data Science Tools and Programming

• Applied Machine Learning

• Plus 12 credits of electives

• Oral examination in which you will defend your capstone project

Is a master’s in data analytics worth it?

Depending on your own goals, resources, and background, an MS in data analytics could be well worth the effort. Or, it could be an unnecessary detour you don’t need to get where you want to be. Typically, a master’s is well-suited for individuals who don’t already possess a bachelor’s degree in data analytics or who wish to continue studying data analytics from an academic perspective. Individuals who previously received a bachelor’s degree in a related field, like statistics or computer science, might consider obtaining a master’s in data analytics to gain a deeper understanding of the field and to market their skill set to potential employers.

According to Zippia, the percentages of data scientists with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree are as follows [2]:

• Bachelor’s degree: 51 percent

• Master’s degree: 34 percent

• Doctoral degree: 13 percent

This educational breakdown suggests that a bachelor’s degree could be sufficient for job seekers to land a role. However, a master’s could positively highlight your skills and abilities to employers, making you a more competitive applicant overall. Sometimes, an employer may even explicitly require a master’s degree for senior positions.

Master’s in data analytics salary

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the higher a degree someone holds, the more they’re likely to earn. In its Education Pays, 2025 study, for instance, the BLS breaks down the median weekly pay for various degrees as follows [3]:

While this research does not specifically focus on master’s degrees in data analytics or a related profession, it does suggest that a graduate degree could positively impact your earning potential.

Are data analysts in demand?

Yes, data analysts are in high demand. The BLS predicts that the job outlook for data scientists will grow by 35 percent between 2025 and 2035, which is much faster than average. Further, the BLS anticipates 24,800 job openings in the field every year during that same period. ​Many of those openings will stem from the need to replace workers who move into different roles or leave the labor force, often through retirement [4].

Data analytics jobs

A degree in data analytics can prepare you for a variety of jobs across industries, ranging from technology and insurance to the social, behavioral, or health sciences. While you can attain some of these jobs with a bachelor’s degree in data analytics, more senior roles may require an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree.

Consider these positions to pursue with a master’s in data analytics:

• Data analyst

• Business analyst

• Data scientist

• Statistician

• Business systems analyst

• Business intelligence analyst

Master’s in data analytics program comparisons

When choosing a master’s in data analytics program, you’ll want to consider how well the curriculum aligns with your career goals and how the program structure suits your schedule, lifestyle, and budget. If you’re considering a master’s degree in data analytics, then you’ll want to consider these three types of programs before applying:

In-person master’s degree in data analytics

An in-person master’s degree program is where you attend classes alongside your peers in a real-world classroom. As a result, this option provides a more traditional college experience, including more face-to-face time with your peers and instructors, often allowing you more direct guidance and networking opportunities. In-person programs may also include hands-on practice in applying data analytics skills to business scenarios, often in collaboration with other students. However, in-person degrees often cost more and are more rigidly structured than other program types.

Master’s in data analytics online

Online master’s programs are becoming increasingly popular due to the flexibility they provide course takers and their often lower cost of attendance. While some programs may follow traditional application timelines, others might have more relaxed admissions requirements that allow applicants to apply on a rolling basis.

Online master’s in data analytics programs offer equally rigorous coursework, often with opportunities to participate in real-world projects, work in software like Tableau or SAS, or engage with industry leaders. However, while these programs usually provide more flexible schedules and cost less, you may experience fewer opportunities for networking and mentorship than more traditional options.

Read more: 10 Surprising Benefits of Online Learning

Hybrid programs

A hybrid graduate program pairs elements of in-person and online programs to provide greater flexibility in completing course material while allowing for more networking opportunities. Depending on your circumstances and personal objectives, a program of this nature could either offer the best of both worlds or be a more compromised version of your ideal program.. During in-person classes, you may complete hands-on projects focused on exploratory data analysis and statistical modeling to build your data analytics skills.

Explore free data analytics resources

Discover career advice and expert insights by subscribing to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat. If you want to learn more about courses, skills, and career paths related to data analytics, check out these resources:

• Take the quiz: Which Data Analysis Course Should You Take?

• Watch on YouTube: 7 Essential Data Analytics Skills for Beginners

• Hear from an expert: 7 Questions with a Data Analytics Professor

Complete your master’s degree with flexible programs from esteemed university partners on Coursera.