Data science is a data-driven field that requires experts to collect, analyze, and store data sets. It’s a field that requires strong technical and decision-making skills, and as a result, many employers prefer their data scientists to have some type of related degree.
Unfortunately, some of the best data science degrees can be expensive, even online degrees, and it can be especially tricky to find affordable online master’s degrees. Keep reading to discover some of the best online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in data science that you can afford to become a data scientist.
Affordable Online Data Science Degree Programs
Students who are watching their wallets can find online data science degrees through several low-cost colleges and universities. We’ve highlighted ten affordable online data science programs below.
1. Bellevue University
Bellevue University is a private university in Bellevue, NE. It offers online bachelor’s and online data science master’s programs that cover topics like:
- business analytics
- computer science
- data mining
- predictive analytics
The bachelor’s degree program costs $449 per credit, while the master’s degree is $660 per credit. The university has a generous transfer credit policy and offers financial aid options to online students.
2. Franklin University
Franklin University is a private university in Columbus, OH. It caters specifically to adult learners, meaning it offers a lot of online degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in data analytics with a concentration in applied data science. This degree covers topics like:
- data engineering
- data visualization
- programming languages
- project management
This program costs $398 per credit. The university offers several ways for students to save money, including accepting up to 90 transfer credits, guaranteeing a locked-in tuition rate, and offering scholarships and grants, including one specifically for STEM students.
3. Indiana University
Indiana University is a public university in Bloomington, IN. It offers online Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in data science that include courses on:
- big data analytics
- data mining
- data visualization
- machine learning
In-state tuition for the bachelor’s degree is $290 per credit and $490 per credit hour for the master’s degree. IU offers several scholarship opportunities for both bachelor’s and master’s students.
4. Maryville University
Maryville University is a private university in Town and Country, MO. It offers a bachelor’s and a master’s degree program in data science online, both of which cover topics like:
- coding with Python, R, and SQL
- data mining
- machine learning
- predictive modeling
The bachelor’s degree program costs $540 per credit, while the online master’s program is $825 per credit. While this is the highest-priced school on this list, Maryville accepts a high number of transfer credits and offers scholarships and other types of financial aid.
5. Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a public research university in Norfolk, VA. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in data science and an online Master of Science in data science and analytics, which include coursework on:
- artificial intelligence and machine learning
- big data analytics
- business intelligence
- data visualization
Virginia residents pay $408 per credit hour for the bachelor’s program and $620 per credit hour for the online master’s degree. ODU offers multiple scholarship opportunities, including the Future Shapers Scholarship for students pursuing technology-based majors.
6. Southwestern College
Southwestern College is a private Methodist college in Winfield, KS. It offers an online data science bachelor’s degree that combines core concepts of computer science and information technology with concepts like:
- cloud computing
- data analysis
- data management
- machine learning
This program costs $336 per credit hour. The university offers scholarships to help students pay for school, including some scholarships for online students.
7. Texas Woman’s University
Texas Woman’s University is a public, co-ed university in Denton, TX. It offers a bachelor’s and master’s degree in data science and informatics online. These programs include coursework that covers:
- big data
- data mining
- data visualization
- machine learning
Full-time, in-state students pay $7,140 per semester for undergraduate programs and $5,184 for graduate programs. TWU offers several scholarships and the Zero Tuition Guarantee, which pays any remaining tuition for Pell Grant-eligible Texas students after all scholarships and grants are applied.
8. Thomas Edison State University
Thomas Edison State University is a public university in Trenton, NJ. It offers a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in data science and analytics that cover topics like:
- network analysis
- predictive analytics
- programming languages
- risk simulation
Full-time undergraduate students who are New Jersey residents pay $3,419 per term while graduate students pay $675 per credit hour. TESU offers multiple scholarships to help students pay for their online learning.
9. University of Houston
The University of Houston is a public university system based in Houston. Its Victoria campus offers a bachelor’s and a master’s in computer information systems with specializations in data science online. These programs include coursework on:
- data structures and algorithms
- data visualization
- database systems
- software engineering
Undergraduate Texas residents pay $212.94 per credit hour while graduate residents pay $390. UHV offers numerous scholarships, as well as the JAG Promise, which covers tuition and mandatory fees for eight semesters for eligible undergraduate students from Texas.
10. University of Maine Augusta
The University of Maine at Augusta is a public college in Augusta, ME. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in data science with two specializations: social science and business analytics. Both include course courses that cover:
- computer science
- algorithms and data structures
- programming languages
- machine learning
Maine residents pay $260 per credit hour. The university offers several financial aid programs, including the Pine Tree State Pledge, which covers tuition costs for in-state, full-time first-year students.
How To Find an Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degree Program
There are a few things to look for when trying to find an affordable online degree program. These include:
- Public vs. private: Public schools are often, but not always less expensive.
- In-state vs. out-of-state: Public universities often charge in-state students less, though sometimes they charge the same rate for online courses.
- Full-time vs. part-time: Some colleges and universities offer a flat tuition rate for twelve or more credits, meaning you could pay less if you take more than twelve credits a semester.
- Financial aid: Many colleges and universities offer financial aid programs to online students.
What Can I Do With an Online Data Science Degree?
There are several high-demand career paths you can pursue with an online data science degree, including:
- data analyst
- data scientist
- cybersecurity consultant
- healthcare analyst
- statistician
- network administrator
Learn more: What Can I Do With a Data Science Degree?
Pursue Your Online Data Science Degree Today
If you’re interested in a career as a data science professional, search the online programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools today to learn more about their online data science programs, prerequisites, and how to enroll.A