The Best Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs of 2021
If you’re determined to build a career in data science, consider attending a four-year college program. You’ll learn all about database management, machine learning, and other subjects related to data science. Completing a bachelor’s degree program allows you to get ahead of your competition when you look for a job.
The following degree programs prepare students to handle real-world data science challenges. Students will work with large amounts of data to learn how to analyze, organize, and interpret data. Take a look at the best data science bachelor’s degree programs of 2021.
Why You Should Study Data Science
Having a data science degree at the bachelor’s level has many advantages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), people working in computer and information research jobs earn an average salary of $126,830. This is more than double the national average.
Find Your Bootcamp Match
- Career Karma matches you with top tech bootcamps
- Access exclusive scholarships and prep courses
By continuing you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and you consent to receive offers and opportunities from Career Karma by telephone, text message, and email.
The BLS also reports that the projected growth rate for these jobs is 15 percent by 2029. As four percent is the average job growth, data science careers are growing much faster than other professions.
Data science professionals work full-time in an office environment. You will experience working with diverse organizations like banks, law firms, learning institutions, and health care facilities. In most cases, you will have a good amount of freedom when working.
At a Glance: Top 10 Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs of 2021
To earn your Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, you must study at a university. There are online and on-campus data science programs available too. However, online colleges don’t always offer the same student resources.
You should evaluate the program and provider you are interested in to ensure you make the most suitable choice for your career. These are the best data science bachelor’s degree programs in 2021. The data in this table is sourced from each learning institute.
| School and Program | State | In-State Tuition |
Out-of-State Tuition |
Online Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia University Bachelor of Arts in Data Science |
NY | $30,672 per semester | $30,672 per semester | No |
| Colorado Technical University Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Data Science |
CO | $62,220 total | $62,220 total | Yes |
| Maryville University Bachelor of Science in Data Science |
MO | $24,766 per year | $24,766 per year | Yes |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science |
MA | $55,510 per year | $55,510 per year | No |
| University of California, Berkeley Bachelor of Arts in Data Science |
CA | $5,721 per semester | $5,721 per semester | No |
| University of Michigan Bachelor of Science in Data Science |
MI | $15,948 per year | $52,266 per year | No |
| University of Maine Bachelor of Science in Data Science |
ME | $9,240 per year | $30,030 per year | No |
| University of North Dakota Bachelor of Science in Data Science |
ND | $395.58 per credit (on-campus) $631.32 per credit (online) |
$593.37 per credit (on-campus) $631.32 per credit (online) |
Yes |
| University of Washington Bachelor of Science in Statistics |
WA | $11,487 per year | $38,860 per year | No |
| Yale University Bachelor of Arts in Statistics and Data Science |
CT | $59,950 per year | $59,950 per year | No |
What Are the Requirements for a Data Science Bachelor’s Degree?
To be accepted by any of the universities mentioned, you should have some experience with computer science. You don’t need to have worked in the field, but familiarity can help you learn more quickly during your degree.
In most cases, your GPA should be at least 3.0, and international students must complete a TOEFL (English language) test. Many universities also request letters of recommendation, a CV, and academic transcripts from potential students.
Should You Pursue a Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Online?
Yes, pursuing an online data science major is a fantastic choice if you don’t have the money or time for university. Online learning is much more economical than on-campus programs. You can study at your own pace at times convenient to you.
However, students who enjoy social interaction and working among peers might not enjoy online learning. It is also not ideal for students who prefer one-on-one attention or struggle to work independently. Another drawback of studying online is that you can’t cultivate relationships as easily as in-person attendance allows.
Choosing the Right Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Program
Data science is a part of an extensive and tightly integrated industry. Determine what you want to specialize in before choosing a data science degree. Evaluate the delivery method and whether the school offers beneficial services such as career services and academic support.
Below are our top tips for choosing the best Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science.
Specialty
Not all data science degrees focus on data science as the primary topic. Some degree programs might offer a combination of data science, information technology (IT), business analytics, or other topics accompanying data science.
Choose one that aligns with your career ambitions to make specializing easier. For example, if you want to specialize in data research, a degree specializing in data science is ideal. However, if you want to expand into the business aspect of data science, consider earning a data science degree focusing on business analytics.
Delivery Method
Although online learning is convenient, not all students will benefit from it. Before applying for a program, check its delivery method.
If it’s only available on campus, determine if you can afford the fees. Your costs could include tuition, transport, and accommodation. Some on-campus students also have to pay additional service charges for the lab equipment they use.
Some programs offer hybrid learning, meaning that the program includes both in-person and online classes. If you can’t attend on-campus lessons often, consider degree programs with a hybrid delivery method. You can also find many degrees that are completely online.
Student Services
Universities don’t have to offer student services, but the option makes a great difference. These services help students stimulate their academic performance and break into the data science industry. A few student services include interview prep, resume building, and business conduct training.
Students who find a program challenging can access tutoring and one-on-one guidance from expert instructors. To find out if your program provider offers these services, check its website or contact a representative.
Top Data Science Bachelor’s Degrees in 2021
Having a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science will help you become an industry pro. These degree programs cover basic and advanced knowledge of data science. A bachelor’s degree can help you get a great job in the field.
Below are the best Bachelor’s Degrees in Data Science in 2021.
Columbia University | Bachelor of Arts in Data Science
This BA in Data Science program comprises eight core courses and five electives. The core topics include probability theory, machine learning, data structures, computer science, and discrete math.
Many of Columbia University’s alumni land jobs at Microsoft, Google, research facilities, and Wall Street firms. This program lacks career services, but students learn career-ready skills, meaning they can land an entry-level job in data science. This school also offers many internship opportunities.
Top Features
For-credit paid summer opportunities
Humanities and cultural perspectives
Specialization in data science
Colorado Technical University | Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Data Science
In this data science bachelor’s degree program, students learn how to build software solutions through programming. The program covers data fundamentals, machine learning, data warehousing, and data mining. Data science is a well-structured concentration in this program.
This program focuses on computer science primarily, so you will be proficient in IT too. The program comprises 183 credits, and you can learn at your own pace. To fast-track your degree, an accelerated option is available for two years. This Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science is offered completely online.
Top Features
Study flexibility
Broad range of skills outside of the fundamentals
Accredited by relevant bodies
Maryville University | Bachelor of Science in Data Science
Four different organizations have acknowledged and accredited this online data science program for its quality of education. This program will teach you how to explore, analyze, and monitor large amounts of data.
You’ll use the latest technology and work with Python, SQL, R, and machine learning. To boost your chances of excelling in the corporate world, take business as a minor. You can apply for financial aid or scholarships to study this data science major.
Top Features
Financial aid and scholarship options
Wide enrollment period
Minor and elective opportunities
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science
Students in this program will learn about probability, machine learning, econometric data science, business analytics, and optimization methods. If you want to veer into the business aspect of data science while learning computer science, this is the perfect program.
You will need to take up to 186 credits, and the school follows a “learning by doing” ideology. This allows students to gain hands-on experience, which increases their chances of finding a job.
Top Features
Economics and business skills
Hands-on expertise through practical learning
High reputation among tech degrees
University of California, Berkeley | Bachelor of Arts in Data Science
This data science major focuses on humanities and ethics and how these concepts influence data science. Students will learn accurate analysis, decision-making, problem-solving, inference, and causality. The courses also include tools like data mining, machine learning, and data warehousing.
Students who want to gain expertise in the data science specialization should attend this course. There is also a study abroad program available. If you want to opt for a different major, you can also choose a data science minor.
Top Features
Many study options
Humanities and art aspects of data science
More affordable fees than most universities
University of Michigan | Bachelor of Science in Data Science
Here, students will work with large amounts of data from various industries to learn how to analyze. You’ll learn the foundation of mathematics, statistics, and computer science for well-rounded skills to become a data scientist.
There is a capstone project to gain experience, and you have to complete five core courses. You only have to complete 11 credits for your electives. This data science bachelor’s program will suit professionals who want to specialize in data science.
Top Features
Flexible choice of elective courses
Capstone project for hands-on expertise
Comprehensive course content with valuable skills
University of Maine | Bachelor of Science in Data Science
The Bachelor of Science in Data Science is a fully on-campus course that offers real-world work experience and hands-on applications. This program covers database design and management, statistics, data storage, data mapping, information systems, and tools. It also teaches you how to learn SQL.
For internships, jobs, and apprenticeships, the University of Maine offers career services. You can choose a concentration in business analytics or social science. Students who perform well in this degree program will receive a transfer guarantee for particular master’s degree programs.
Top Features
Career services
Real-world work opportunities and projects
Guaranteed master’s for exceptional students
University of North Dakota | Bachelor of Science in Data Science
The University of North Dakota combines business analytics, computer science, and data in this data science program. The foundation of the curriculum is programming, and course content includes cyber security, cloud computing, databases, and statistics.
You can complete this program online or on-campus, and it requires 120 credits. Financial aid and scholarship options are available for students dealing with debt while in between jobs. On-campus students can also take part in athletic and cultural groups.
Top Features
Both on-campus and online
Student facilities like libraries and study spaces
Comprehensive expertise in areas besides data science
University of Washington | Bachelor of Science in Statistics
You can take this on-campus program in data science to help you achieve your academic goals. The program covers the theory of statistics, statistical modeling, probability, and applied statistics.
Your electives include data visualization, databases, data ethics, and statistics. You can choose three electives. The program also offers a summer internship choice and career and academic services. These services include tutoring, job search, and working groups.
Top Features
Mathematics-based content
Finance aspect of data science
Ample academic and career resources
Yale University | Bachelor of Arts in Statistics and Data Science
If you want to get your data science degree at one of the best universities in the world, this program is a great choice for you. You can learn statistics and data science for the modern industry under a team of renowned experts.
The Bachelor of Arts in Statistics and Data Science includes topics like machine learning, high-performance computing, data mining, and more. You will also be able to participate in dozens of elective courses.
Top Features
Strong reputation
Double major for greater breadth of education
Hands-on senior project
Career Options With a Data Science Bachelor’s Degree
Earning your data science degree will leave you with many career choices. You can choose to advance into business and become a business analyst. Alternatively, you can stick to technical expertise and become a machine learning engineer. Either way, you can earn a high salary in the field.
These are the best data science bachelor’s degree careers for 2021.
Top Data Science Bachelors Degree Careers
How Much Can I Expect to Earn With a Data Science Bachelor’s Degree?
PayScale reports that people with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science earn an average salary of $91,187 per year. However, many data science jobs pay more than this. This can be affected by your location, experience, position, and more. PayScale also reports that experienced data scientists earn $122,542 per year.
Min Salary
$
Average Salary
$
Max Salary
$
Should You Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science?
Yes. Obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science will teach advanced applied data science skills and computer science fundamentals. This degree program is excellent for students who want to learn data science and pursue this as a long-term career.
You can complete an online or on-campus data science degree. By picking from the best Bachelor’s Degrees in Data Science, you can rely on credible, professional, high-quality education. If you want to study data science in 2021, these programs are the best place to start.
