Top 25 Data Science and Analytics Schools
January 4, 2016 11:00 PM
Recent studies have confirmed that CIOs plan to spend more on data analytics than any other technology category in 2016. They also reveal that salaries for data professionals are rising faster than most all other jobs in IT. These are indeed the best of times for data analysts and data scientists, if you have the right experience and education. For those that dont have a formal degree in analytics, here is a look at 25 of the top data-related degree programs in the United States, from INN sister brand Information Management.
Arizona State University
Location: Tempe, AZ School: W.P. Carey School of Business Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics Full-time program: 9 months Website: http://www.asu.edu/ More: This program focuses on how to use analytics in day-to-day business processes and how to manage it effectively. Required courses include data mining, applied regression models, analytical decision making tools and business analytics strategy.
Bentley University
Location: Waltham, MA School: Graduate School of Business Degree: Master of Science in Marketing Analytics Full-time program: 1-1.5 years Website: http://www.bentley.edu/ More: The program includes a core 10-class curriculum, with includes required classes in strategic marketing, statistics and marketing research. Students also complete three graduate-level elective courses in marketing and/or information technology. All classes are held at night.
Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Pittsburgh, PA School: Heinz College Degree: Master of Information Systems Management or Master of Science in Information Technology Full-time program: 16 months Website: http://www.cmu.edu/ More: There are three core areas of focus for both of these programs: Business intelligence; Data analytics; and Information technology. Students are cross-trained in business process analysis and taught skills in predictive modeling, GIS mapping, analytical reporting, and segmentation analysis and data visualization.
Columbia University
Location: New York, NY School: Data Science Institute Degree: Master of Science in Data Science Full-time program: 30 credits Website: http://www.columbia.edu/ More: The Data Science Institute is collaboration between nine of the universitys schools. Students can select an entrepreneurship track, or various elective tracks that concentrate on areas such as cyber security, health analytics, and smart cities.
DePaul University
Location: Chicago, IL School: The College of Computing and Digital Media Degree: Master of Science in Predictive Analytics Full-time program: 52 credit hours Website: http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Pages/default.aspx More: The program covers database processing for large scale analytics, decisions in marketing management. Electives include Monte Carlo algorithms, and designing for visualization.
Drexel University
Location: Philadelphia, PA School: LoBow College of Business Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics Full-time program: 45 credits Website: http://online.drexel.edu/ More: Students can earn an Online Masters in Health Informatics over the course of 45 credit hours. While a background in healthcare is preferred, students can complete electives and one term in a clinical healthcare setting to round out their graduate experience.
George Washington University
Location: Washington DC School: School of Business Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics Full-time program: 33 credits, 10-12 months Website: http://www.gwanalytics.org/ More: The curriculum combines foundational courses in descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, and elective courses in analytics applied to specific functional areas or industries. Students also get workshops in communication, team and project management skills; and hands-on exposure to industry standard analytics tools and software.
Georgia Tech
Location: Atlanta, GA School: College of Computing, College of Engineering, and Scheller College of Business Degree: Master of Science in Analytics Full-time program: 1 year Website: http://www.gatech.edu/ More: Depending on a students individual career goals, the program consists of a core curriculum, and three optional specialized tracks: Analytical Tools, Business Analytics, and Computational Data Analytics.
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Location: Harrisburg, PA School: School of Science and Technology Degree: Master of Science in Analytics Full-time program: 12-24 months Website: http://harrisburgu.edu/courses/m-s-degree-in-analytics/ More: This 36 credit-hour online degree program was designed with help from representatives from companies such as LinkedIn, IBM, and Versatile Systems. Its goal is to meet the growing demand for data scientists and big data professionals. Students explore real-world issues related to data science, information technology, and business of analytics.
Louisiana State University
Location: Baton Rouge, LA School: E. J. Ourso College of Business Degree: Master of Science in Analytics Full-time program: 1 year Website: http://www.lsu.edu/ More: This program is sponsored by SAS and is modeled on the Institute for Advanced Analytics at North Carolina State. The program works with real-world data, and has a focus on data mining, forecasting, customer segmentation and predictive analytics.
Michigan State University
Location: East Lansing, MI School: Broad College of Business Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics Fill-time program: 1 year Website: http://www.msu.edu/ More: The program has three core areas of focus: Business data management process and analytic approaches; Data management and analysis; and Experiential project management using live data sets for analysis and application.
New York University
Location: New York, NY School: Center for Data Science Degree: MS in Data Science Full-time program: 3 or 4 semesters Website: http://www.nyu.edu/ More: The Center for Data Science works closely with the Center for Urban Science and Progress and the Center for the Promotion of Research Involving Innovative Statistical Methodology. Students complete a capstone project where they apply what theyve learned to a real-world problem. Course requirements include Machine Learning & Computational Statistics; and Inference & Representation.
North Carolina State University
Location: Raleigh, NC School: Institute for Advanced Analytics Degree: Master of Science in Analytics Full-time program: 10 months Website: https://www.ncsu.edu/ More: Students are taught real-world skills in applied mathematics, statistics, computer science and business disciplines. Initial classes concentrate on tools and foundations. Subsequent classes focus on data mining, advanced modeling and geospatial analytics.
Northwestern University
Location: Evanston, IL School: School of Continuing Studies and McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science Degree: Online Master of Science in Predictive Analytics and Master of Science in Analytics Full-time program: The MSiA is full-time, lasting 15 months Website: http://sps.northwestern.edu/ More: This online program is composed of 10 courses and offers seven areas of specialization, including database and Internet technologies, information system security, project management, information systems management, medical informatics, information systems, and analytics and business intelligence.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Location: Troy, NY School: Lally School of Management Degree: Master in Business Analytics Full-time program: 12 months Website: http://lallyschool.rpi.edu/ More: This program is designed to provide hands-on experience through real-world problem solving. The curriculum offers a balance between foundational business concepts with skills in analytical and statistical modeling and data management. Academic partnerships with IBM and SAS will allow students to access a suite of software tools from these firms. A capstone course enables students to apply their learned skills to real-world problems in organizations
Rutgers University
Location: New Brunswick, NJ School: Graduate School, Professional Science Masters Programs Degree: Master of Business and Science, Concentration in Analytics Full-time program: 1.5-2 years Website: http://mbs.rutgers.edu/ More: Students can incorporate online learning into a Master of Business and Science Degree in Analytics Discovery Informatics and Data Science. Most of the classes are held in traditional classroom, but some online courses are available in this 42-credit-hour degree.
Stanford University
Location: Stanford, CA School: Department of Statistics Degree: Master of Science in Statistics: Data Science Full-time program: 45 credits Website: http://www.stanford.edu/ More: Because this program is collaboration between Stanfords Department of Statistics and Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering, the core curriculum is very heavy on mathematics and computer programming.
University of California
Location: Berkeley, CA School: School of Information Degree: Online Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) Full-time program: 12-20 months Website: https://datascience.berkeley.edu/ More: The degree is composed of 27 credit hours. Online classes include student-teacher interaction and students can learn at their own pace.
University of Cincinnati
Location: Cincinnati, OH School: Lindner College of Business Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics Full-time program: 9 months-1 year Website: http://mshi.uc.edu/ More: For those interested in healthcare analytics, the College of Allied Health Sciences at University of Cincinnati has a Master of Science in Health Informatics that can be completed in one year online. Core classes focus on project management, database modeling and design, and the degree is rounded out with a capstone project.
University of Connecticut
Location: Hartford, CT School: School of Business, Department of Operations and Information Management Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics and Project Management Full-time program: 1-1.5 years Website: http://uconn.edu/ More: Definitely targeted to the working IT professional, classes are held at night and on weekends. Some online courses are also available. The program currently has a technology partnership with SAS and works closely with IBM.
University of Maryland
Location: College Park, MD School: Robert H. Smith School of Business Degree: Master of Science in Business for Marketing Analytics Full-time program: 9 months Website: http://onlinems.umbc.edu/ More: This program was launched in the fall of 2013, and aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the mathematical and statistical models and tools needed to analyze customer data in marketing.
University of San Francisco
Location: San Francisco, CA School: College of Arts and Sciences Degree: Master of Science in Analytics Full-time program: 1 year Website: http://www.mastersindatascience.org/request-information/?schoolid=3966 More: This interdisciplinary program helps students master the methods and technologies related to strategic decisions; to develop technical skills such as software development and statistical analysis; and the skills needed to effectively communicate analytics insights.
University of Tennesee
Location: Knoxville, TN School: College of Business Administration, Statistics, Operations and Management Science Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics Full-time program: 17 months Website: http://www.utc.edu/ More: The program can be taken online anywhere, and completed in approximately 17 months. The business concentration covers databases and data warehouses, data mining, and advanced queries and business reports.
University of Texas
Location: Austin, TX School: Red McCombs School of Business Degree: Master of Science in Business Analytics Full-time program: 12 months Website: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/business-analytics More: This is an intensive one-year program intended for recent graduates with quantitative and technical backgrounds. The program has industry relationships with top companies such as Deloitte, Walmart, IBM, and AT&T. It offers workshops in applications for analytics, and electives choices in marketing, supply chain, and finance.
University of Virginia
Location: Charlottesville, VA School: Data Science Institute Degree: Master of Science in Data Science Full-time program: 11 months Website: http://www.virginia.edu/ More: This new program (launched in 2014) is an intensive Masters degree program designed to get students (back) into the workforce quickly. It runs from early July until mid-May of the next year. The Institute also has a Big Data Fellows program which enables students from other disciplines in the university to work on data-driven projects.