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One thing that’s inevitable in this modern world is the rapid growth of technology and innovation. Due to this, the need and demand to acquire and manage data is also thriving. Collecting them from various sources and storing them accordingly becomes more seamless through data science.
As a data scientist, you won’t be a generalist in information technology but rather adept at managing and utilizing data in business or everyday decisions. If you’re passionate about data science, enrolling in an online Bachelor’s in Data Science degree is a solid step toward paving a career.
Quick Summarization
The key to entering this thriving field is to earn an online Bachelor in Data Science first. Students in these online programs develop the skills they need to use the technologies, tools, and methodologies data professionals use. Almost every industry requires data scientists and analysts.
There are many specializations and occupations available through degrees in this field. By getting to know the industry with a Data Science and Data Analytics program, you can determine whether or not it aligns with your career aspirations.
Methodology
Finding the best online Bachelor’s in Data Science is easy when you have a list to depend on. We have concluded the best data science programs through this rank list. The following factors helped us choose each of the best five online Bachelor’s degrees in Data Science:
- Offers online or partially online/hybrid learning formats that allow adult students to pursue an undergraduate degree without disrupting their schedules and commitments,
- Provides foundational knowledge for Data Science that graduates can use in real work settings, featuring courses like Business Data Analytics, Data Structures, Computing, Programming, Cybersecurity, Data Mining, and more,
- May offer different specializations in Data Science that open more diversities in career options,
- Develops both technical and soft skills that complement tasks in Data Science,
- Features curricula and courses that are designed and structured by data scientists, industry experts, and other professionals,
- Uses top-rated virtual learning platforms or Learning Management Systems to facilitate online learners’ access to their Data Science courses,
- Offers reduced undergraduate tuition and fees through financial assistance and transfer credit programs,
- Received regional or institutional accreditation from academic agencies that establish Data Science and Data Analytics degree program standards,
- Affiliated with Data Science industry associations to help students network with professionals.
Visit our Methodology page for more program ranking information.
The Best Online Bachelor’s in Data Science
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota offers a Bachelor of Science in Data Science degree that prepares you for industry, government, healthcare, and education careers. Finding meaningful data and driving positive business decisions will put you in high demand. Enterprises of all shapes and sizes require data scientists.
There is a limited supply of professionals capable of effectively handling massive amounts of data. And because of these, you can expect hefty or reasonable salaries for data analysts, data scientists, data engineers, and statisticians.
Some of the courses included in this program are the following:
- Foundation of Programming
- Cloud computing
- Databases
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud computing
This course teaches you how to interpret and transform data into actionable insights using business analytics. As you progress through UND, your talent will develop, culminating in a two-semester senior design sequence in your senior year. During this time, you will create a data design or research plan, present it, and test it. You will gain practical experience before entering the workforce through these projects that industry partners and business leaders support.
Typically, data Science skills can be applied in any field. No matter what field you are passionate about, you can use data science to help you succeed. Additionally, you’ll be able to translate your skills into high-paying careers while earning a strong return on investment.
University of Maryland Global Campus
The University of Maryland Global Campus offers an online Bachelor’s in Data Science. This online degree is aimed at meeting the growing demand for highly skilled specialists who can transform data into possible outputs. It will allow you to learn about analytical tools and methods that are frequently used. This program also allows you to manage and handle data and create visualizations.
With this online degree, you can help businesses succeed through data-driven recommendations. Different machine learning techniques can be used to build predictive models, as well as artificial intelligence.
Some of the courses are the following:
- Mathematics for Data Science
- Data Visualization
- Introduction to Data Analytics
- Foundations of Data Science
- Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
- Cybersecurity for Leaders and Managers
As you study this online degree, you can take advantage of their respected faculty’s expertise and experience. You can extract and clean data using data science methodology. You’ll most likely contribute to businesses and offer realistic solutions. As you gain hands-on experience with hundreds of ubiquitous analytical tools and methods, you will be prepared to transform large amounts of data into valuable information.
Maryville University
Become a data scientist while studying the online Bachelor’s in Data Science at Maryville University. In this online degree, you’ll learn more than just how to analyze data. In addition to analyzing, observing, managing, and organizing large data sets, you’ll brush up your tech skills. Their modern data science also includes a business minor, preparing you for top industry data jobs.
The reality of this modern world is that businesses and technological devices have become giant data silos generating vast amounts of information every minute. Companies, institutions, and government agencies hire data experts to interpret and translate large amounts of data into actionable insights.
After graduating from an online data science program, you can work in these industries:
- Insurance agencies
- Large private corporations
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit firms
- Small businesses
- Manufacturing firms
- Financial firms
- Technology firms
- Marketing agencies
This online Bachelor’s in Data Science program will prepare you to enter any industry as a data expert.
Get ready to enroll in the following courses:
- R
- Python
- SQL
- Machine Learning
- Predictive Modeling
Students of this online degree can use statistical theory and technical expertise to uncover fresh business insights based on data. Become a data analyst with real-world experience and the knowledge to analyze trends.
Arizona State University
An online Bachelor of Science in Data Science is available at Arizona State University. This program teaches you how to solve practical issues in diverse work settings or businesses. This online degree combines data analysis, mathematics, and computer science. Earning this degree will prepare you to analyze data critically and use it effectively in various sectors, such as business, government, and research.
As part of this program, you will also learn how to produce and use data ethically. To understand how data works, you’ll use cutting-edge trends in data and have adept skills in mathematics. ASU boasts about its credible faculty, who have research backgrounds in math, statistics, probability, scientific computing, and math.
You can choose from six specific data science areas, each requiring 18 credits:
- Mathematics
- Behavioral science
- Social Science
- Bioscience
- Business Analytics
- Spatial science
You will acquire data-related skills to help you solve practical problems in many fields. This course teaches how modern science and technology analyze and extract patterns using advanced mathematical and computational systems. If you want to be an expert in artificial intelligence, data mining, and machine learning, this is the best online data science to go for.
Aside from enhancing your skills in coding, research, programming, and critical thinking, you’ll also expand your teamwork capabilities.
Thomas Edison State University
Thomas Edison State University has an online Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics degree program. This program focuses on enabling working adults to obtain the expertise required in today’s technological world and enjoy career stability.
Some of the core courses are:
- Forecasting Analytics
- Introduction to Network Analysis
- Optimization- Linear Programming
- Predictive Analytics III- Dimension Reduction
- Clustering and Association Rules
- Interactive Data Visualization
To graduate, students must complete 120 credits, of which 33 must be in the area of study.
California State University
At California State University, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Statistics with a concentration in Data Science. This online degree offers a small size and a more hands-on approach since their students are only 35 students per class.
Some courses to expect in this online data science degree are:
- Data Visualization
- R for Data Science
- Statistical Learning
- Applied Deep Learning
- Predictive Modeling
- Training and Test Data
- Statistical Natural Language Processing
- Bayesian Statistics
- Time Series
Learning from data is the goal of statistics. They study how to collect, analyze, and report data. Observational data collection is a common part of the business process, such as website analytics. Data is processed into visually appealing displays, and summarized statistics are produced for interpretation, decision-making, and reporting using statistical methods.
The field of statistics has been rapidly growing for many years. It can be applied to a wide range of fields. Businesses and governments can forecast future events by analyzing past data patterns and understanding how entities or industries change. From input variables, statistics predicts future output values based on relationships between them. Statistical methods make accurate inferences about large groups based on a representative sample from a group or population.
Bellevue University
You will be prepared for employment in virtually any industry by earning an online Bachelor of Science in Data Science from Bellevue University. This online degree emphasizes data science processes and how they can be applied to any job. Your statistical and analytical skills could help you land a new job or advance within your company.
The flexible nature of their online courses allows students to learn at their own pace while gaining meaningful faculty feedback and the opportunity to collaborate with other international or local students. As an online student, you will have access to a Student Coach who can be with you every step of the way.
Employers are collecting massive amounts of data around the globe. They need skilled employees who can analyze that data for better decision-making and strategic business moves. Their goal is to find qualified experts who can provide guidance. Fortunately, you will be the perfect person for their company. Graduates of the Data Science bachelor’s program can apply the data science approach to solving problems and formulating questions about data. You’ll learn to visualize and present data for various audiences.
With a Data Science degree, you’ll gain experience in statistics, computer science, and business analytics. Your knowledge will include tools, methodologies, and systems that can be applied across various industries. After graduation, you’ll be adept with R, data visualization, Tableau, Python, and PowerBI.
American Public University
Learn data science skills and go into business, or enter other industries such as healthcare, finance, physical sciences, or engineering when you enroll in an online Bachelor of Science in Data Science offered by American Public University. As you progress through the program, you will be exposed to more challenging tools, techniques, and methods in data science. This course aims to help you understand data requirements and develop your ability to collect and organize data from various sources efficiently.
Students learn how to analyze and present data through project-based coursework. Additionally, you learn how to use data visualization tools to tell a data story. An integral part of APU’s data science bachelor’s program is an examination of ethical considerations related to data collection, storage, and analysis. You’ll learn to evaluate the results of an analysis for a given situation and its data and identify the best way to conduct an analysis. You can explain the results of an analysis to non-technical audiences or technical audiences.
Colorado Technical University
Colorado Technical University has an online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Data Science and a 183-credit hours requirement. It comes with 51 general education credits, and computer science courses are combined with data science courses.
Discussions and scrutiny continue to focus on data. Study computer science with a data science concentration at CTU to better understand data science. The course covers extensive theoretical knowledge, processes, strategies, methods, and ways to create computer software.
Here are some courses that you’ll take for this Data Science concentration:
- Data Mining
- Data Warehousing
- Machine Learning
- Streaming Data Analytics
- NoSQL Databases
Students who plan to pursue a career in computer software engineering will benefit from this online data science degree. This online degree provides comprehensive knowledge about how computer software works and how to design and develop different kinds of computer software.
While the Computer Engineering program focuses on design, this computer science with a concentration in data science focuses on data. Furthermore, the curriculum of this program differs from the curriculum of the Information Technology program.
Berkeley College
Berkeley College offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Data Science degree. This multidisciplinary career field requires skills including data mining, programming, and analyzing large amounts of data, as well as cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence. Data scientists are crucial professionals in societies since they make crucial decisions and predictions through data.
Many benefits will benefit Data Science graduates! Check them out below:
- They promote small classes to provide more opportunities to learn in-demand skills.
- Alumni and faculty connections will provide you with exceptional networking opportunities.
- The curriculum focuses on translating program knowledge into real-world business situations.
- It is possible to gain invaluable experience through internships and job-related assignments.
As you graduate from this online data science degree, you will be able to convey scientific and quantitative data analysis and insights both orally and in writing. You can create, manage, and analyze databases and build data mining and machine learning models based on best practices.
Some technical skills you can develop include programming, big data management, and cloud computing. The application of learning to real-world business applications can be integrated into this online degree. In addition to analyzing and blending data, you can spot bias, evaluate source quality, and draw conclusions. All these provide value to any industry you work for.
Tips to Become a Data Scientist
Master the basics.
If you are considering becoming a data scientist, the first step is to assess what you already know and to consider mastering the basics. The field of data science is broad, and there would be a need to specialize later on.
But before doing so, it’s crucial to be an expert on the consistent fundamentals. Here are some basic data science topics that you should have a solid knowledge of:
Programming
Several areas of data science require writing code and building software.
Statistical Analysis
In this context, unbiased and accurate statistics are used to analyze data and present the findings.
Machine Learning
In the field of computers and technology, machine learning is vital. This allows the software to adapt spontaneously to emergent circumstances based on data fed to it.
Data Visualization
As a data scientist, you must be an expert in data visualization. This includes making tables, graphs, charts, and dashboards easy for non-technical and technical users to comprehend.
Graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
A bachelor’s degree is essential to become a successful data scientist. Many technical aspects are learned in classroom or learning settings. Note that the undergraduate degree needs to be in a related field, such as computer science, information technology, statistics, mathematics, or physics. A bachelor’s degree in data science is the most perfect choice.
Join organizations and communities.
Keeping up-to-date with a fast-moving industry is essential to become a data scientist. By engaging with a community that is often generous and dedicated to data science, you can stay updated with the latest developments. There are many ways to do this. You can choose either online or face-to-face networking.
As you check through different resources, you’ll discover many Data Science leaders who inspire you, and you can follow them. Find people who share your interests, ask for advice, participate in discussions, and get involved. This is beneficial in your education as well as your future career connections.
Acquire actual work experience.
Of course, this next tip is a given, especially if you’re serious about becoming a data scientist. Consider entry-level positions requiring you to work with a lot of data. Actual work experience allows you to work on data firsthand, which you won’t be able to do at school. Among the entry-level jobs you might find are data engineers, junior data scientists, or statisticians. Finally, these experiences would possibly lead to greater opportunities or promotions.
Create a portfolio.
In data science, having a portfolio is a strong point. You can be competitive in the job application when you have something to back up your resume. A sturdy and impressive portfolio is a great way to demonstrate your talent and passion for data science. Individualism and creativity are highly valued, so you can select any and all data science projects that interest you, and you won’t be limited to any particular portfolio.
Apply for internships.
Aside from entry-level jobs, applying for internships is also helpful in entering the field of data science. In fact, this is an earlier step before applying for an actual job. Internships allow you to network with professional data scientists during your college years. Furthermore, internships add more zest to your actual job applications later on.
Get certified.
You can demonstrate your skills in data science by obtaining a certification that shows you have continued your training and education. Becoming certified in a data-related field, such as business intelligence or data visualization, would be a great asset as a data scientist. Any certification at this point can give you an edge in your job search and graduate school applications.
Why Data Science Matters
Helps Make Decisions
Using the organization’s data, a data scientist recommends and prescribes actions to help the institution become more efficient, engaging, and profitable. Through accurate data, business leaders can make better decisions for the betterment of the entire organization.
Look Out for Opportunities
Data scientists research and develop additional analytical algorithms and methods based on the organization’s current analytics system. Data scientists are responsible for continuously and constantly improving the value of the organization’s data. Through these data, you won’t be able to lose or miss out on opportunities.
Improves Customer Service
Many businesses know that data science is closely linked to improving customer service. By anticipating customer behavior, organizations can offer more personalized customer experiences through data science.
Perfect Tool for Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing have become dependent on data somehow. And it is the primary way to provide customers with solutions and products that truly meet their needs. Both sales and marketing teams can gain more accurate insights by integrating data from different sources.
Targets Market and Audience More Effectively
There are several ways in which companies collect customer data. For instance, there are questionnaires or customer survey methods. Using data science is important because it helps organizations generate insights from existing data that isn’t necessarily useful alone and combine it with other data points to learn more about their customers and audiences.
A data scientist can assist in identifying the key groups with precision by analyzing disparate data sources. In addition to boosting profit margins, organizations can tailor services and products to specific customer groups with this in-depth knowledge.
Improves Data Security
Data Science contributes to data security in many aspects. It holds a lot of promises for cybersecurity. Data scientists can help your company keep its customers safer by developing fraud prevention systems. They can also look for architectural flaws in recurring behavior patterns within a company’s systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is an online Bachelor’s in Data Science better than boot camps?
Fortunately, with many diverse learning resources today, you can access boot camps and online learning. A data science boot camp is a career-focused education emphasizing practical skills rather than theory. On the other hand, an online Bachelor’s in Data Science emphasizes general education and theory. The resources and extracurricular activities available to degree-seekers may be greater than those available to boot camp students. The possibility of enrolling in graduate school is also available to graduates with bachelor’s degrees.
What is a data scientist?
Large amounts of data may be easily collected by businesses thanks to new technology. However, they frequently are unsure about how to use this knowledge. Due to this, data scientists are needed in many situations. They utilize cutting-edge techniques to help make data useful. They gather, arrange, visualize, and analyze data to identify patterns, make choices, and address issues.
Strong programming, data visualization, communication, and mathematical skills are essential for data scientists. Data collection, algorithm development, data cleansing and validation, and report writing are all common job duties. An experienced data scientist can add value to almost any firm. Healthcare, logistics, banking, and finance are potential career fields.
How do you choose an online Bachelor’s in Data Science?
There are a few factors you should take into account when looking for the finest online data science degree program. The best approach to ensure you receive the greatest education available is to select from a list of recognized data science schools. Accredited online programs in data science have complied with stringent industry criteria. A program’s accreditation indicates that it teaches the necessary skills for the student to succeed in their career.
The materials offered to students are regularly assessed to ensure they adhere to industry standards for online degree programs. Before enrolling, check with the school’s admissions advisor to check its curriculum and requirements. Some other factors to consider are their cost, financial aid options, specializations, and class sizes.
Key Points to Ponder
- Students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in data science can find employment as research assistants or interns in the financial, economic, or insurance sectors and get important expertise in these industries. You can put what you are learning to practice before you have a chance to forget it by working while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree.
- There are bound to be open doors in this developing industry, regardless of whether you complete a certification program or a full degree. Market researchers, statisticians, data miners, analysts, and information technology specialists are just a few of the many careers available in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
- Data science degree programs frequently include internships, fellowships, and capstone projects. These opportunities give graduates practical experience that may help them get a job offer.
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