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Bachelor of Science

Online Data Analytics Degree

3rd Party Certifications Included in this Degree

OVERVIEW

Effect Change and Make an Impact in any Industry with this Data Analytics Degree Program


 

Increase your earning potential and opportunities for advancement, and put yourself at the center of turning raw data into usable information. WGU's Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics is unlike any other analytics program, focused on helping students learn to take data and turn it into meaningful stories that help leaders make decisions. Skills that students will learn include:

  • Data management
  • Data wrangling
  • Statistical analysis
  • Visualization
  • Leadership and management 
  • Model deployment & storytelling

This degree is fully online with certifications built into this degree program that do not add time or additional costs—but do add to your résumé as soon as you've earned them, even before you complete your degree!

Have questions? Attend our prospective student webinar to learn more about our programs.

In the industry, many data analytics degree programs are too heavily focused on technical learning, or too heavily focused on business processes. Our online data analytics degree program utilizes a ‘three-lever’ approach to data analytics, surgically incorporating programming, math, and business influence skills. This allows our program to strike the perfect balance to prepare our graduates to drive measurable value with data insights. Our unique approach to data analytics means that you will be equipped with the experience you need to make an impact with data and decision-making in any industry.

71% of graduates finish within 

42 Months*

WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.

*WGU Internal Data

Tuition per six-month term is

$3,735

Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps you control the ultimate cost of their degree. Finish faster, pay less!

On average, students transfer

27 credits

Nothing is standing in your way. Find out how many courses you can waive. A transcript review will determine your transfer credits.

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COURSES

Data Analytics Courses

Program consists of 42 courses

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.

This unique Bachelor of Science Data Analytics degree program perfectly balances three main skills to help students find success:

  • Programming skills: Scripting, data management, data wrangling, Python, R, and machine learning, and systems thinking.
  • Math skills: Statistical analysis, probability, discrete math, and data science techniques.
  • Business influence skills: Leadership, communication, critical thinking, visualization, change management, design thinking, and storytelling.

The B.S. Data Analytics program is an all-online program. You’ll complete program requirements independently, with instruction and support from WGU faculty. You’ll be expected to complete at least 12 competency units for each 6-month term. Each course is typically three or four units. There’s no limit on the number of units you can complete each term, so the more courses you complete, the quicker you can finish your program. This program was designed, and is regularly updated, with input from key experts on our WGU Analytics Advisory Board—a group committed to ensuring that the courses at WGU are industry-relevant, timely, and impactful.

Data Management
Scripting and Programming
Network and Security
Full Stack Engineering
Computer Science
Web Development
Information Technology Management
Business of IT
Data Analytics
Data Science
Business Management
Software
Business Core
General Education

42 Courses

Program consists of 42 courses

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.

Capstone Project

Special requirements for this program

At the end of your program, you will complete a capstone project that represents the culmination of all your hard work—a project that allows you to take what you’ve learned and apply it to a real-world situation, proposing a solution to an actual issue faced in an actual place of business. 

Skills For Your Résumé

As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for. 

  • Data Analysis:
    • Performed data analysis on data generated by reports or queries, providing valuable insights and actionable recommendations based on the analysis.
    • Evaluated the relationship between two variables through interpretation of visual displays, enabling data-driven decision-making and identifying meaningful patterns and trends.
  • Communications: Crafted the content of communications, translating technical jargon into easily understandable language for diverse audiences, facilitating effective communication and knowledge transfer.
  • SQL (Programming Language):
    • Created structured query language (SQL) queries that search, modify, and create new databases and database elements, streamlining data management processes and ensuring efficient data manipulation.
    • Manipulated data with structured query language (SQL) statements, demonstrating strong SQL skills.
  • Data Management: Designed policies and systems that control data ingress and egress, security, storage, and growth, ensuring robust data governance and compliance with data management best practices.

“WGU was an awesome time. The counselor was very persistent in ensuring I was staying on track understood life circumstances come up. The instructors made sure I knew where to look for answers and assisted in knowing the information. The faculty was helpful in providing their specialized support."

—Edward Carter
Undergraduate Analytics Student

WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference

Traditional Universities

 

AVG. cost
For 3RD PARTY IT CERTIFICATIONS

$350*

Included with your tuition cost

TUITION STRUCTURE

Per credit hour

Flat rate per 6-month term

SUPPORT

Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors

Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one

EXAMS

Scheduled time

Whenever you feel ready

SCHEDULE

Professor led lectures at a certain time and place

Courses available anytime, from anywhere

TIME TO FINISH

Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options

As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years

TRANSFER CREDITS

Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses

A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation

*The cost of valuable industry certification exams can range from $150 to $400. At WGU, we offer vouchers for certification exams, so the cost is included in your tuition price. Students may have to pay additional fees for membership to complete the certification requirements.

Traditional Universities

 

AVG. cost
For 3RD PARTY IT CERTIFICATIONS

$350*

AVG. cost
For 3RD PARTY IT CERTIFICATIONS

Included with your tuition cost

TUITION STRUCTURE

Per credit hour

TUITION STRUCTURE

Flat rate per 6-month term

SUPPORT

Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors

SUPPORT

Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one

EXAMS

Scheduled time

EXAMS

Whenever you feel ready

SCHEDULE

Professor led lectures at a certain time and place

SCHEDULE

Courses available anytime, from anywhere

TIME TO FINISH

Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options

TIME TO FINISH

As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years

TRANSFER CREDITS

Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses

TRANSFER CREDITS

A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation

*The cost of valuable industry certification exams can range from $150 to $400. At WGU, we offer vouchers for certification exams, so the cost is included in your tuition price. Students may have to pay additional fees for membership to complete the certification requirements.

Why WGU?

Affordability

WGU tuition is charged per six-month term, not per credit. That means if you want to move faster through the online computer science degree program, you'll pay less.

On Your Schedule

No class times, no assignment deadlines. You are in charge of your learning and schedule. You can move through your courses as quickly as you master the material, meaning you can graduate faster.
 

Entirely Online

The data analytics bachelor's degree at WGU is 100% online, which means it works wherever you are. You can do your coursework at night after working at your full-time job, on weekends, while you're traveling the world or on vacation—it's entirely up to you.

Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™

One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.

CERTIFICATIONS

3rd Party Data Analytics Certifications Included


 

Industry-recognized certifications from organizations such as CompTIA, Udacity, and AWS are included in the degree program. Udacity Nanodegree holders enjoy ongoing support from Udacity that includes employment placement, résumé support, networking and LinkedIn guidance, and more.

The B.S. in Data Analytics will also spotlight student choice to balance business influence skills, expand occupation set and ensure strong market alignment. These optional industry certifications are in design thinking and change management.

Earning certifications on the path to your degree gives you the knowledge, skills, and credentials that will immediately boost your résumé—even before you complete your degree program—without adding additional cost or time.

Additionally, this program includes two WGU certificates, Data Analyst Practitioner and Data Engineering Practitioner. These WGU certificates are embedded within your coursework and can be added to your résumé before you even finish your degree program.

  • Data+
  • Project+
  • WGU Data Analyst Nanodegree from Udacity
  • Cloud Practitioner

Optional Certification:

  • MSI Change Management 
  • Certiprof Design Thinking Professional Certificate
  • Data Analyst Practitioner
  • Data Engineering Practitioner

“Analytics is the creative use of data and statistical modeling to tell a compelling story that not only drives strategic action, but also results in business value”

-Joe Dery, Dean of Data Analytics, Computer Science, and Software Engineering | WGU

COST & TIME

An Affordable Online Data Analytics Degree

By charging per six-month term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.

Tuition Calculator
Pay less by completing your program faster
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A College Degree Within Reach

There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.

Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits. 

Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.

*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE

A Different Way to Learn: Degree Programs Designed to Fit Your Life—and All the Demands on Your Time

Professional responsibilities. Family obligations. Personal commitments. At WGU, we understand schedules are tight and often unpredictable for adult students. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalized approach to how education should be. No rigid class schedules. Just a solid, career-focused teaching program that meshes with your current lifestyle. You'll be challenged. You'll work hard. But if you commit yourself and put in the hours needed, WGU makes it possible for you to earn a highly respected degree as a busy working adult.

"WGU was a blessing for me. I had been going to school for 4 years already when I switched to WGU. Instead of having to go to school part time and only complete a few courses a year, I was able to complete my work at my own pace. I transferred in 45 credits to WGU, and in a year completed about 70 more. I don't know if I ever would have finished my degree without WGU. On top of all that, the faculty were amazing, my mentor was always looking out for me, and I learned a ton.”

—Jessica
Undergraduate Analytics

CAREER OUTLOOK

Use this Online Data Analytics Degree to Turn Data into Meaningful Metrics

The world of data analytics is transforming—nearly every transaction, whether it's social, commercial, medical, or academic, requires expert management and in-depth analysis of data. Analytics is becoming an umbrella discipline, impacting every industry in a variety of ways. Organizations need experts who can manage the tremendous amount of data they gather. WGU's online data analytics degree is designed to be a springboard, preparing you to move into a wide variety of analytics career paths.  

Earning a degree and top industry certifications in data analytics will give you the necessary skills and training to tell stories with raw data, drive decisions, and impact your organization. When you’ve completed your data analytics degree online, you’ll find that your skills and certifications as a data analyst are in high demand. Your degree from WGU will provide you with all the tools necessary for a successful career.

Return on Your Investment

On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation

Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2022 Harris Poll Survey of 1,542 WGU graduates.

Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.

23%

The number of positions for operations and data analysts is set to grow by a staggering 23% from 2021 to 2031.

—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A Data Analytics Degree Program Designed to Help You Excel

Some of the job titles a graduate of this data analytics bachelor’s degree program are qualified for include:

  • Data Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Data Visualization Specialist
  • Business Analyst
  • AI Trainer
  • Tableau Report Developer
  • QA Analyst
  • Python Programmer
  • Analytics Manager
  • Automation Architect
  • Database Administrator
  • Statistician

WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers

ADMISSIONS

Data Analytics Admissions Requirements

To be considered for enrollment into this program, you must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND demonstrate program readiness through one of the following:

  • Option 1: Submit transcripts documenting completion of college-level coursework with a minimum of 2.75 GPA or higher. 
  • Option 2: Possess a bachelors or associate degree (A.A, A.S. or A.A.S. acceptable) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
  • Option 3: Submit official record of completion of a transferable IT certification, some of which may provide transfer credit  into various programs.
  • Option 4: Submit high school transcripts with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Option 5: Submit transcripts documenting completion of previous IT coursework. IT coursework must be 300 level or higher.

NOTE: You do not need to take the ACT or SAT to be admitted to this program. Learn why we don't require these tests.

Get Your Enrollment Checklist

Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.

Get Your Questions Answered

Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.

Transfer Credits

Get Added Support and Flexibility as You Start Your Degree 
Take a course or two at your pace before committing to a full degree program. Strengthen your study habits, gain essential learning skills and, best of all, each completed course counts toward your degree requirements. 

Learn More about Pathways to Starting

FAQs about Data Analytics

You should speak with an Enrollment Counselor. WGU can often provide advice or resources to help a prospective student fulfill enrollment prerequisites.

When you enroll in a WGU degree program, our goal is to see you through to graduation. Admission requirements are designed to increase your likelihood of success. Years of data and experience with the nontraditional students WGU serves have shown us how various types of academic and professional experience can be highly important in helping a student persist to graduation. Industry certifications are one of many ways a student can meet eligibility.

WGU has an obligation to our graduates—and their current and future employers—to ensure WGU alumni have mastered the most up-to-date, current competencies and skills needed in the workplace. Recency of certifications helps us ensure that students have demonstrated competency in skills as they are needed in today's working world.

As a full-time student, you will be required to maintain a minimum pace of 12 competency units (CUs) per term for undergraduate programs or 8 CUs per term for graduate programs. However, there is no maximum speed—once you complete a course, you move immediately to the next, and you complete a course not by waiting for the syllabus, the professor, or the rest of the class. You progress by learning the material and proving it—so you can move through your coursework at the speed of your own learning and experience.

Instructors are highly educated, experienced experts in the subject matter of a course. Unlike in a traditional university where going to class means listening to an instructor lecture while you take notes and try to learn in a group setting, WGU's Instructors provide one-on-one instruction and support when you need it—tailoring the instruction to your precise needs when you need it. Instructors also provide additional resources, lead topical discussions in online communities, and find countless other ways to bring a specific course to life for students.

The best data analytics course will entirely depend on what you are hoping to learn! When you pursue a degree in data analysis you will learn a wide variety of things, including: 

  • IT Leadership
  • Data Governance
  • Data Systems Administration
  • Advanced Data Management
  • Introduction to Data Science
  • Data Wrangling
  • Analysis
  • Data Analysis with R
  • Machine Learning
  • Data Visualization
  • Introduction to Programming in Python
  • Networks
  • Scripting and Programming
  • Spreadsheets
  • Web Development Foundations

A degree in data analytics is well worth the time and cost for students. When you earn a bachelor's degree in data analytics you gain valuable credentials and experience that can prepare you for a wide variety exciting careers. Earning a degree can help you earn more money, be prepared for a promotion or career move, and give you increased stability in your career. 

On average data analysts earn more than $70,000 per year, and the industry is expected to grow 20% by the year 2029. Both of these factors point to strong salary levels and high stability in the career, making it a good choice for many.

Data science and data analytics as IT fields are expected to grow 15-20% in the next few years. These professions are in high demand, especially when compared to the national average for job growth which is about 5%. More industries and organizations are understanding the need for highly trained data analysts and scientists to help drive decision-making, contributing to the high growth of these professions. 

A bachelor’s degree in data analytics and management will qualify you for a number of entry-level data analyst positions. These positions include data engineer, operations analyst, data analyst, analytics engineer, and digital marketing analyst. You will need strong analytical skills with competencies in areas including statistics, finance, math, computer science, and economics. A data analyst degree will give you the skills and expertise you need to excel and progress in your career in data analytics.

A data analytics degree may qualify you for the following jobs:

  • Data engineer
  • Operations analyst
  • Data analyst
  • Analytics engineer
  • Digital marketing analyst

Data Analytics Advisory Board Members

  • Boaz Hillebrand, Senior BI Manager, Recruiting Analytics, Expedia Group
  • John Smits, VP of Worldwide Revenue Operations – Juniper Networks
  • Ken Yu Zhang, PhD, Executive Director of Research Technology Data Science – Morgan Stanley
  • Mandy Plante, Senior Director of Global Analytics – eBay
  • Mohican Laine, Customer Engineer, Google
  • Nolan Hill, SVP of HR Analytics & Data Governance – Bank of America
  • Stephen Gatchell, Director of Data Advisory – BigID
  • Martijn Theuwissen, CCO and Co-Founder of DataCamp

Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?