Best Online Bachelor’s in Data Analytics Degrees

Looking for a respected bachelor’s degree in analytics but can’t afford the trips to campus? Use our rankings of the best online undergraduate programs in data analytics to save money and impress future employers! You’ll find a slew of intriguing majors from regionally accredited public & private universities. Interested in the possibility of local tuition breaks for distance learners? Skip ahead to our database of online bachelor’s programs in every state.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Data Analytics: Overview

How to Use Our Best Online Rankings

To simplify your life, we’ve organized our rankings of the best online bachelor’s degrees in data analytics into skimmable sections. You’ll be able to see—at a glance—if the program is going to work for your particular needs.

• Degree Title: We’ve listed the degree title and core concepts in our overview. Every degree in data analytics is different, so we wanted to give you a sense of its level of difficulty. Some degrees in our rankings are fairly tech-heavy, with a lot of foundation work in computer science, and some are much broader in scope.
• Department: The department and/or school that offers a program can tell you a lot about the content of the degree. You’ll notice that many online bachelor’s programs in data analytics are offered by the College of Professional Studies (or similar). These types of colleges usually cater to adult learners & working professionals.
• Online Availability: All of the programs in our rankings are 100% online—you don’t have to visit the campus. However, in some programs, you may be expected to attend synchronous “real-time” meetings or classes. If you’re in a different time zone, this can require careful scheduling! Check with the program coordinator.
• Length: The standard length of an online undergraduate degree in analytics is 4 years. But this time can be shortened considerably if you have previous college-level credits, an associate’s degree, or industry certifications. Ask about options before you apply!
• Tuition & Costs: Use the tuition link under each profile to estimate your costs. Private universities charge the same online rate for all students. But that’s not always the rule for public universities. Some schools have one online rate for everyone; others have separate rates for in-state residents and out-of-state residents.
• Networking & Career Planning: We particularly favor online programs that include a senior-year capstone project and analytics internship. These two elements involve real-world training with industry partners. Be sure to ask the program coordinator about these kinds of opportunities, as well as other career services for distance learners.

Our rankings aren’t the final word on the matter! After assessing the curricula & tuition prices, you may decide none of these online offerings feel quite right. If that’s the case, you always have the option to consider an affordable data analytics degree that has evening or weekend classes. Use our state-by-state listings to search for hybrid or in-person programs in your area.

Rankings Methodology

Our rankings of the best online bachelor’s degrees in data analytics are based on a weighted algorithm that considers factors such as quality, affordability, and real-life deliverables. Here are the elements that went into our calculations:

• Focus: The rankings below focus squarely on data analytics—we excluded any programs that had a strong corporate feel. If you’re interested in business applications, check out our separate rankings of the best online undergraduate programs in business analytics.
• Accreditation: To be considered for our online bachelor’s degree rankings, universities had to be a) non-profit; and b) regionally accredited. Learn why regional accreditation is important.
• Reputation: Programs that achieved strong US News & World Report undergraduate rankings in Data Analytics/Science, Business Schools, and Computer Science Schools were given extra points.
• Cost: Affordability is a key aspect of our algorithm! Our rankings factor in the university’s standard tuition rate for online students. In cases where in-state and out-of-state tuition rates were different, we averaged the prices so our rankings didn’t favor local students.
• Outcomes: Degrees must deliver. Our algorithm also includes student completions and salary numbers of recent graduates in pertinent fields (e.g. computer science and business). These data points told us whether graduates of each university had found jobs and were earning enough to live & pay off their student loans.

9 Best Online Data Analytics Degrees (Bachelor’s)

#1 University of Pennsylvania

Overview | Online BAAS in Data Analytics: Social Sciences or Psychological Sciences

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS)
• Accreditation: MSCHE
• Credit Hours: 120
• Program Length: 4-Year Path
• Core Concepts: Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, Data Analysis in R, Statistical Methods, Data Visualization

Program Summary

With UPenn’s interdisciplinary Online BAAS, you have the choice of two analytics concentrations: Data Analytics & Psychological Sciences or Data Analytics & Social Sciences. These unusual offerings will help you apply analytics tools & techniques to psychology research (e.g. well-being in the workplace) or social sciences (e.g. globalization, disaster management, organizational anthropology, etc.). You’ll also be challenged to complete a capstone project, senior portfolio, and one virtual campus learning experience.

UPenn is a strong choice for older learners—the Online BAAS is tailored to working adults, associate degree holders & non-traditional students. You can follow a standard admission process or prove your way in by taking certain university-level courses & earning a minimum GPA. Bear in mind that it’s not as tech-heavy as some of the other programs in our rankings.

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UPenn’s Online BAAS in Data Analytics: Social Sciences or Psychological Sciences

#2 Northeastern University

Overview | Online BS in Analytics

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: College of Professional Studies (CPS)
• Accreditation: NECHE
• Credit Hours: 120
• Program Length: 4-Year Path (Part-Time Plans Also Available)
• Core Concepts: Database Management Systems, Data Mining, Big Data, Analytics Using R, Predictive Analytics Using R & Python, Data Visualization

Program Summary

Northeastern’s Online BS in Analytics is a STEM-designated program that’s laser-focused on analytics methods & techniques. You’ll be required to take 200-level courses in data structures & algorithms, programming, and statistics before you’ll be allowed to tackle 300- and 400-level credits in the analytics major and electives (e.g. Financial Accounting, Macroeconomics, E-Commerce Systems, etc.). If you’re looking for a degree that doesn’t mess around, you’ve found it.

Northeastern is a private research university with well-known name recognition in New England. Better yet, the CPS offers a number of scholarships for undergraduate students, including scholarships for students who work with its industry partners in Massachusetts. You can study full-time or part-time and you may be able to participate in real-world co-op experiences & workplace projects. Talk to the program coordinator about your options.

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Northeastern’s Online BS in Analytics

#3 Syracuse University

Overview | Online BPS in Applied Data & Predictive Analytics

• Format: 100% Online
• Department:  College of Professional Studies (CPS); iSchool
• Accreditation: MSCHE
• Credit Hours: 120
• Program Length: Flexible on the Part-Time Plan
• Core Concepts: Data Mining, Data Visualization, Predictive Analytics, Intro to Applied Data Science, Computer Programming Basics, Intro to Computing Systems

Program Summary

Syracuse’s Online BPS in Applied Data & Predictive Analytics is set up for convenience. It’s available in a part-time plan of study. Courses are only 8 weeks long. And you can choose one of 6 start dates. The curriculum doesn’t do a deep dive into the field, but it does cover important fundamentals in data analytics and introductory concepts in programming & computing systems. You can also select electives in areas like project management and business organizations.

Unlike the BA or BS, BPS degrees are geared toward the workplace—75% of your credits will be professionally focused and 25% will be in the liberal arts. Programs at this private research university are not cheap, but undergraduate scholarships are available for CPS students and you can space your learning out over a number of years.

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Syracuse’s Online BPS in Applied Data & Predictive Analytics

#4 Washington State University – Global Campus

Overview | Online BS in Data Analytics

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: College of Arts and Sciences; Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
• Accreditation: NWCCU
• Credit Hours: 120
• Program Length: 4-Year Path
• Core Concepts: Big Data, Data Mining, Database Systems, Statistical Modeling, Data Visualization + Concentrations

Program Summary

Looking for a comprehensive undergraduate analytics degree with a practical flavor? Look no further than WSU Global’s Online BS in Data Analytics! We love the fact that it includes a strong core of math & computer science prerequisites, as well as advanced coursework in analytics, data science & ethics. You’ll be able to impress employers with your senior-year internship and a capstone. And you’ll have the option to tackle a 30-credit Business Concentration.

Online students are eligible for distance learning awards and general university scholarships—visit the WSU Global Awards & Scholarships section for more info. If you’re looking for job connections, you may also wish to investigate WSU Data Analytics’s mentorship program and industry-focused events.

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WSU’s Online BS in Data Analytics

#5 DePaul University

Overview | Online BA in Decision Analytics for Adult Students

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS)
• Accreditation: HLC
• Credit Hours: 120
• Program Length: 4-Year Path; 5-Year Combined BA & Master’s
• Core Concepts: Data Mining, Database Programming, Advanced Data Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Foundations of Data Science + Concentrations

Program Summary

As the title suggests, DePaul’s Online BA in Decision Analytics for Adult Students is designed for working professionals over the age of 24. With the transfer of previous college credits and assessments of prior experiential learning, some students finish in as little as 2 years. This tech-focused program is available in two concentrations: Computing or General. That means you can lean a little heavier on computer science coursework or allow for business & marketing credits.

Or you could aim higher! If you’re really motivated, DePaul offers a combined BA and master’s degree pathway (e.g. Data Science, Finance, AI, Business Analytics, etc.). DePaul is a big Catholic university in Chicago, so it has a comprehensive career center and its own internship platform. Be sure to ask the program coordinator about your eligibility for SCPS scholarships.

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DePaul’s Online BA in Decision Analytics for Adult Students

#6 Ball State University

Overview | Online BS in Data Analytics: Environmental Systems Analytics

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: College of Science and Humanities
• Accreditation: HLC
• Credit Hours: 120
• Program Length: 4-Year Path
• Core Concepts: Data Visualization, Data Mining & Machine Learning, Programming Fundamentals, Computational Data Analytics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Topics, Spatial Data, Remote Sensing

Program Summary

One for the specialists! BSU’s Online BS in Data Analytics: Environmental Systems Analytics is designed for students who wish to specialize in areas like environmental planning & analysis. The curriculum contains a healthy mix of analytics coursework, advanced statistics credits, and environmental systems subjects, and it comes with an optional certificate in Geographic Information Science (GISc). Other concentrations are available, but only in a hybrid format.

BSU is a public university, so online tuition rates for this degree are lower for Indiana residents and higher for out-of-state students. But the program is super-flexible—all coursework is asynchronous—and completely open to transfers. Over 90% of bachelor’s degree seekers at BSU transfer some or all of their previous credits. You may even wish to pursue an Online MS in Data Science later down the line.

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BSU’s Online BS in Data Analytics: Environmental Systems Analytics

#7 San Jose State University

Overview | Online BS in Information Science & Data Analytics

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: School of Information (iSchool)
• Accreditation: WSCUC
• Credit Hours: 120
• Program Length: 4-Year Path
• Core Concepts: Big Data Analytics & Management, Data Visualization, Data Science, Information Assurance, Information Architecture, Information Security

Program Summary

At SJSU, you can choose to pursue the Online BS in Information Science & Data Analytics as a freshman or a transfer student. Whichever path you end up choosing, you’ll be studying a mix of analytics and advanced information science—you’ll notice that this curriculum contains courses in areas like information security & assurance. However, you can choose to focus on analytics with your senior-year capstone and a variety of electives (e.g. Health Data Analytics, Digital Forensics, Crisis/Disaster Informatics, etc.).

Although SJSU is a public university, it offers the same affordable online tuition rate to all students, regardless of their state of residence. Distance learners are eligible for SJSU scholarships and career support at the San José State University Career Center. Take a look at the faculty profiles to learn more about your potential professors.

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SJSU’s Online BS in Information Science & Data Analytics

#8 Eastern Oregon University

Overview | Online BS, BA or BAS in Data Analytics

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: College of Science, Technology, Mathematics, & Health Sciences
• Accreditation: NWCCU
• Credit Hours: 180 (Quarter Term System)
• Program Length: 4-Year Path
• Core Concepts: Statistical Computing, Database Management Systems, Big Data Systems and Analytics, Machine Learning (ML), Data Science Methods, Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Program Summary

EOU’s Online BS, BA or BAS in Data Analytics revolves around 3 core areas: Mathematics/Statistics, Computer Science, and Data Analytics. So you’ll graduate with a thorough understanding of core concepts (e.g. Data Structures) and key analytics tools & technologies. Unlike some other undergraduate programs, EOU also includes higher-level coursework in Machine Learning and GIS. It’s a traditional 4-year degree, but transfers are available—EOU accepts up to 135 credits for the 180-credit program.

Oregon students get the best tuition rates; out-of-state rates will be higher. Check the section on Tuition & Aid for info on financing your degree. You should also ask the program coordinator for examples of senior-year capstone projects—EOU has ties to a number of corporate partners. In the capstone, you’ll be challenged to solve one of their industry problems using real-world data.

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EOU’s Online BS, BA or BAS in Data Analytics

#9 Western Governors University

Overview | Online BS in Data Analytics & Data Management

• Format: 100% Online
• Department: College of Information Technology
• Accreditation: NWCCU
• Credit Hours: ~120 Competency Units (CUs)
• Program Length: Competency-Based
• Core Concepts: Data Management, Data Analysis with R, Data Visualization, Intro to Data Science, Machine Learning, Intro to Programming in Python

Program Summary

WGU is a bit of a rebel in the world of academics. Instead of offering a traditional 4-year pathway, it allows students to complete their degree at their own pace. So you can earn the Online BS in Data Analytics & Data Management in short order—most students finish within 3 years. The curriculum is packed with tech-heavy coursework in analytics, data management, IT fundamentals, scripting & programming, and tools. It also includes a capstone and optional industry certifications from CompTIA, Udacity, and CIW.

The cost of your degree will depend on how fast you’re willing to go—WGU charges by six-month terms instead of by credit. The College of IT has done a good job of offering industry-focused courses, but we recommend you talk to the program coordinator and recent alumni to see if competency-based learning is right for you. It’s very self-directed. You may wish to have more time in standard classes with other students & faculty.

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WGU’s Online BS in Data Analytics & Data Management