Who is eligible for a bachelor’s degree in data science?

You can apply for a bachelor’s in data science program with a high school diploma or the equivalent. Programs may also require SAT or ACT scores. After getting accepted to college, you may need to complete math and data science prerequisites and hold your school's required minimum GPA.

Which bachelor degree is best for data science?

A bachelor’s in data science offers the most direct path to careers in the fast-growing data science field. Other related majors to consider include data analytics, computer science, business analytics, and statistics.

Is BS data science hard?

A bachelor of science (BS) in data science can be challenging since it requires advanced math and computer science courses. You’ll study applied statistics, programming languages, and other technical subjects while earning a data science degree.

What does a data scientist do on a daily basis?

Data scientists collect and evaluate data to ensure its reliability. Then, they apply statistical tools and algorithms to analyze the data and draw conclusions. Data scientists may also create data visualizations and reports to showcase their recommendations.

Is data science math heavy?

Yes, data science is a math-heavy degree. Required mathematics courses cover probabilistic modeling, statistical inference, and other applied mathematics topics. Data science majors may also take advanced statistics and computer science courses, which require strong math skills.

Bachelor's degrees in data science

Want to work in data science? Learn how earning a bachelor’s in data science can launch your career.

Explore the degrees

Man in graduation cap and gown at his graduation ceremony.

Why pursue an online bachelor's in data science?

Join a fast-growing field

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientists are one of the fastest growing jobs, and a bachelor's in the field prepares you for entry-level roles.

Apply data science across many industries

Work in diverse fields such as business, medicine, fintech, and marketing.

Earn higher-than-average salaries

Many career paths that require you to hold a data science bachelor's degree report six-figure median salaries.

Browse online data and computer science programs

What jobs can you get with an online bachelor's in data science?

Across industries, organizations increasingly rely on data science to make data-driven decisions. Data science blends statistics, , and applied . Earning this degree prepares you for roles in business, finance, biomedicine, and tech.

As a data scientist, your job responsibilities might include analyzing big data, evaluating algorithms to refine their output, or creating data visualizations. Data scientists also recommend business strategies based on their analyses.

You'll need technical knowledge, including programming and statistical modeling skills to work in data science. You'll also need soft skills such as communication and teamwork.

Salary expectations and career outlook for data science professionals

Data science careers report higher salaries and projected job growth rates than the average for all occupations. Many bachelor's programs allow you to specialize in finance, healthcare, business analytics, and other high-paying, in-demand fields. With a bachelor's in data science, you may be eligible for entry-level positions in the field.

Below are a few roles you can pursue, with salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Salary and career outlook for data science professionals
Job	BLS median annual salary (2023)	BLS projected job growth (2023-33)
Data scientist	$108,020	+36%
Financial analyst	$99,890	+9%
Management analyst	$99,410	+11%

What can you learn in an online bachelor's in data science program?

An online bachelor's in data science program can help you strengthen your mathematical and analytical skills. You'll explore topics like applied statistics and data analytics while building statistical modeling and probability forecasting skills.

Common undergraduate data science classes may include:

Probability theory
Applied statistics
Computer programming
Machine learning
Business analytics

In addition to core data science courses, you'll take general education classes and may choose a minor or electives. Some data science bachelor's programs also offer specializations in business analytics, computer science, behavioral science, finance, biomedicine, and other areas.

Most bachelor's degree programs require you to complete a minimum of 120 credits. Full-time students can earn their degree in around four years. If you have qualifying transfer credits, you may be able to graduate sooner.

Related bachelor's degrees in data science

Bachelor's in business administration: Business administration majors study finance, marketing, and management to develop analytical and decision-making skills. These programs emphasize applied knowledge and may incorporate a hands-on internship.
Bachelor's in data analytics: Data analytics majors strengthen their analytical, computational, and applied statistics skills through coursework that often overlaps with a data science major.
Bachelor's in computer science: Computer science majors take programming, data science, and machine learning courses to strengthen theoretical and applied computing skills.

Further education in data science

With a bachelor's in data science, graduates can consider an advanced degree in diverse fields.

In addition to earning a master's in data science, a bachelor's in data science can prepare you for , artificial intelligence, or data analytics. You can also specialize in or a .