5 Best Data Science Degrees in North Carolina

Data science is a field that's quickly picking up steam, and as a result, more colleges and universities are offering data science degrees online. These programs mix elements of data analysis with computer science, information technology, and statistics.

If you're living in North Carolina and want to earn an online degree, you have a few options both in-state and out-of-state. Keep reading to discover the best online data science degree programs for students in North Carolina.

Best Online Data Science Degree Programs in North Carolina

The best data science degree programs provide skills for students to pursue various careers in the field. A few different colleges and universities in North Carolina offer online programs for data science or data analytics. Below, we've highlighted our top picks, including online master's data science degrees.

1. East Carolina University

East Carolina University is a public university in Greenville, NC. It offers a Master of Science in data science on campus and online that includes coursework on:

• big data analytics
• cloud computing
• health informatics
• machine learning

Students can conclude the program with a thesis or capstone project. This program is offered through the university's College of Engineering and Technology.

2. Montreat College

At Montreat College, students can earn an online Bachelor of Science in data analytics. Montreat College is a private, nonprofit Christian college in Montreat, NC.

This program includes courses that cover topics like programming languages, cybersecurity, data structures and algorithms, and data mining. The program concludes with a capstone project, and some students may be eligible to participate in an internship.

3. North Carolina A&T State University

The Master of Science in Data Science and Engineering program at North Carolina A&T State University is an interdisciplinary, flexible online program. It includes coursework on big data analysis, data engineering, and data visualization.

NCAT is a public Historically Black University in Greensboro, NC. While it doesn't have an online bachelor's in data science, its online Bachelor of Science in business technology shares overlap with the data science field.

4. North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University is a public research university in Raleigh, NC. It's the largest university in the state by enrollment and offers a master's degree with a major in foundations of data science that includes four core areas of study:

• computer science
• machine learning
• mathematics
• statistics

Students can also choose a specialization in computer science, mathematics, or statistics. This graduate program does not require a thesis or capstone project.

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the oldest universities in the U.S. The public research university offers an online Master of Applied Data Science that includes courses on topics like artificial intelligence, data management, machine learning, and data visualization.

This online data science master's program includes a capstone project in which students work on real-world data challenges. UNC-Chapel Hill's School of Data Science and Society also offers on-campus undergraduate degrees in data science.

Other Online Data Science Degrees

Online degrees are great because they're flexible, but they also allow you to pursue degree programs at colleges or universities in other states without requiring relocation. We've listed a few additional colleges and universities outside of North Carolina that offer online bachelor's degrees in data science.

1. National University

Across the country in California, you'll find National University. Geared toward adult learners, it offers an online Bachelor of Science in data science with three concentrations: bioinformatics, cybersecurity, and machine learning.

The private, nonprofit university also offers a Master of Science in data science online. This program includes specializations in artificial intelligence and optimization, business analytics, database analytics, and healthcare analytics.

2. Texas Woman's University

Texas Woman's University is a public university in Denton, TX. Despite the name, the school is co-ed, and it offers an online Bachelor of Science in data science and informatics that provides students with fundamental courses on:

• big data
• data mining
• data visualization
• information systems

The university also offers an online Master of Science in data science and informatics, as well as an online business analytics degree and healthcare analytics degree.

3. University of Maryland Global

At the University of Maryland Global Campus, students can earn an online bachelor's degree in data science. This program includes coursework on artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, business intelligence, and more.

UMGC is the online campus of the public University System of Maryland. It also offers an online graduate degree in data analytics and another in information technology with a specialization in database systems technology.

FAQs About Data Science Online Programs

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about online data science degree programs.

Is an Online Data Science Worth It?

Although different students have different definitions of ''worth it,'' many find that an online data science degree is worth the time, effort, and cost. These programs teach students the fundamentals of data science, including data mining, data management, and data storage, as well as using algorithms, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

A data science degree will also help you develop valuable soft skills, like critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving. Earning your degree online allows you to learn all these concepts in a flexible format that fits neatly into your schedule rather than dominating it.

With an online degree, you can pursue data science jobs like:

• data scientist
• data analyst
• data engineer
• software developer
• operations research manager
• statistician

How Much Does an Online Data Science Degree Cost?

It's impossible to say exactly how much an online data science degree will cost because several factors can influence the overall cost of your degree. These include whether you're earning an undergraduate or graduate degree, studying at a public university or a private one, and, if you're at a public university, whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student.

Additionally, your tuition can change depending on if you're a full-time or part-time student. The amount of credit hours you still need and your financial aid options will also impact your tuition costs.

Most schools charge about the same tuition rate for online learning as they do for in-person learning, but sometimes online programs are a little less. Per the Education Data Initiative, public schools usually charge in-state undergraduate students an average of $9,750 per year while private, nonprofit schools charge undergraduates an average of $38,421 per year.

How Can I Become a Data Scientist with an Online Degree?

Even though you'll be learning online, your program will still be just as rigorous as an in-person program. Your school may also be able to connect you to internship and networking opportunities.

Once you graduate, you'll be looking for entry-level data science roles. Some students opt to continue to graduate school to earn a master's or doctoral degree to help them further their career options.

Find an Online Data Science Bachelor's Degree Today

Start your journey to a data science career by checking out the online data science programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual colleges today for more information.