Data Science and Analytics Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Data Science and Analytics major combines statistics, programming and domain knowledge to find insights in data. Data science majors learn statistics, programming, data management, machine learning and visualization, then apply them to real data sets.

A Data Science and Analytics major includes coursework in statistics and probability, programming in Python or R, databases and SQL, machine learning, and data visualization and more. You build skills such as statistical analysis, programming, data cleaning, and visualization. Typical degrees: bachelor's and master's degrees, plus certificates.

Typical courses include statistics and probability, programming in Python or R, databases and SQL, machine learning, data visualization, and data ethics. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Data Science and Analytics is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Bachelor's and master's degrees, plus certificates. In the latest federal data, 180 colleges reported certificate awards, 46 colleges reported associate awards, 176 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 148 colleges reported master’s awards, and 7 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to data science and analytics include data scientist, statistician, database administrator, operations research analyst, management analyst, and survey researcher. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include data scientist (typical training: 4–6 years), statistician (typical training: 2 years after a bachelor’s), database administrator (typical training: 4 years plus experience), operations research analyst (typical training: Entry-level with a quantitative degree), management analyst (typical training: Less than 5 years of experience), and survey researcher (typical training: 2 years after a bachelor’s).

Data Science and Analytics majors build skills such as statistical analysis, programming, data cleaning, visualization, and communicating findings.

Good pairings include Business (helps you apply data to business decisions), Mathematics (supports advanced statistics and modeling), and Public Health (applies data science to health questions).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as data scientist, statistician, and database administrator, and enjoy subjects like statistics and probability and programming in Python or R. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes statistics and probability, programming in Python or R, and databases and SQL; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

408 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (30), Pennsylvania (27), Ohio (18), Michigan (17), and Minnesota (17), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

365 of the colleges that offer data science and analytics also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Data Science and Analytics combines statistics, programming and domain knowledge to find insights in data. Computer Science studies how computers and software work and how to design programs that solve problems. Data Science and Analytics leads to careers such as data scientist and statistician, while Computer Science leads to careers such as software developer and web developer.

Data Science and Analytics combines statistics, programming and domain knowledge to find insights in data. Information Technology focuses on setting up, running and supporting the computer systems organizations depend on. Data Science and Analytics leads to careers such as data scientist and statistician, while Information Technology leads to careers such as IT support specialist and network administrator.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to data science and analytics, such as Data Scientist Training.