Data Analytics Degree Online Bachelor of Science (BS) Program

The BS in Data Analytics is an online degree program from SNHU – a private, nonprofit, accredited university. It's specifically designed for students looking to break into a data analysis role.

According to Susan McKenzie, senior associate dean of STEM programs at Southern New Hampshire University, data analysts play an important role in today's workforce.

"Ultimately, the work of a data analyst provides insights to the organization that can transform how the business moves forward and grows successfully," she said.

Read more about what data analytics is.

Depending on your desired career track, a data analyst degree could help you build both the technical and soft skills employers want to see.

For Paulitia Sheldon, a data analytics instructor at Southern New Hampshire University, a degree is important – not just for the credential, but as a way to establish a lifelong habit of exploration and learning.

"One thing I tell students is that these programs give you a terrific foundation of knowledge you need to succeed," Sheldon said. "However, as with most things, to differentiate, you have to commit to yourself that you will keep learning. There is so much information and places online you can practice and grow your skills. I think that is how you continue to separate from others. Find what you love and do it well."

For Chelsey Blowe '23, a degree in data analytics presented an opportunity to open up her future.

"I was drawn to the BS in Data Analytics at SNHU because I see data as the way of the future," Blowe said. "Companies are relying on data now more than ever to find innovative ways to help consumers. I want to be a part of that innovation."

Earning a degree hasn't always been easy for Blowe, a working mom who's struggled with school in the past. But with a supportive faculty and flexible class times, she discovered new ways to start unlocking her full potential.

"My proudest accomplishment so far is being on the dean’s list and then being invited to be a part of the honor society at SNHU. School was a struggle for me when I was growing up, and being recognized for my grades while working and being a mom is such a rewarding feeling."

"With the increase in the amount of data available and advanced technical skills, obtaining a university degree specifically in data analytics provides the ability to master the necessary skills for the current marketplace," said Susan McKenzie, senior associate dean of STEM programs at Southern New Hampshire University.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reaffirms this, reporting that the typical entry-level education for operations research analysts and market research analysts is a bachelor's degree.¹ For mathematicians and statisticians, typical entry-level education is a master's.¹

Successful data analysts must possess strong mathematical and statistical skills, as well as:

• Analysis skills to gather, view and analyze information
• Numerical skills to measure and statistically analyze data
• Technical skills including software and scripting languages to organize and present data
• Communication skills to relay findings and possible solutions to company stakeholders and leadership
• Critical thinking skills to identify and interpret trends or opportunities for improvement within data

As a data analyst, you can use data to make an impact in nearly any industry. For example, you might use data and statistics to help recruit talented up-and-comers for a professional soccer team. On the other hand, you might work for a large financial institution, helping to manage and assess consumer databases.

Massive amounts of data are becoming a reality for large and small businesses alike. For this reason, the need for data analysts appears to be on the rise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts significant job growth for market research analysts (13%) and operations research analysts (23%) through 2032.¹

Along with data analysts, many organizations are introducing information analyst teams, with data-focused roles such as database administrators, data scientists, data architects, database managers and data engineers.

While the terms data analyst and data scientist are often used interchangeably, the roles do differ significantly.

Put in simple terms:

• Data analysts gather, analyze and present data
• Data scientists develop statistical models and apply scientific methods to make predictions

Weather indicators are one good example. In this case, the data analyst will likely be responsible for gathering temperature, humidity or barometric pressure. On the other hand, the data scientist would likely be tasked to use that data to predict an incoming weather event, like a tropical storm.

"They're looking at the data to identify patterns and to decide scientifically what the result is," said Susan McKenzie, associate dean of STEM programs at Southern New Hampshire University. "The data analyst works on a subset of what the data scientist does."

Dr. Brian Letort, adjunct instructor of data analytics at SNHU, adds another key differentiator: “A data analyst is a storyteller. When you look at the data, you look for ways to present it visually to other stakeholders as a narrative, considering the visuals you might use to make the data accessible to them,” he said.

He breaks it down this way: “If you like programming and writing code and learning about machine learning and algorithms you’ll probably like data science better. If you like visualization, storytelling, people and business processes in addition to working with data, you’ll probably like data analytics better.”

Another important distinction between the two is that data scientists are often expected to have a minimum master's-level education. By contrast, many entry-level data analyst roles typically require a bachelor's – although graduates of a master's program may open doors to roles in leadership.

In many cases, entry-level education for a data scientist is a master's degree in data or a related field.

Fortunately, if you know you'd like to work your way up to a data science role, SNHU offers an online MS in Data Analytics. There are several benefits to starting and continuing your education at SNHU, including:

• Some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation
• A seamless admission process, with no GMAT or GRE scores required
• The ability to earn a master's in as few as 15 months – saving you time and tuition
• Multiple term starts per year

Not necessarily. IT jobs often require several skills that aren't always part of a data analyst's toolkit. Typical skills for IT professionals include:

• Computer programming
• UX and systems design
• Systems security, evaluation and risk management
• Web-oriented services
• Computing as a service

It's important to note that the BS in Data Analytics program is laser-focused on data skills, including data collection, validation, analysis and visualization – none of which are mandatory for a typical IT job. If, however, you're specifically looking for a program that combines a foundation in information technology with data analysis concepts, check out our online IT degree with a concentration in data analytics.

Like any occupation, the salary of a data analyst will vary by industry, region, education and experience.

That said, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, reported that the median annual pay for mathematicians and statisticians was $104,860 in 2023.¹ In that same time frame, the median annual salary was $83,640 for operations research analysts and $74,680 for market research analysts.¹

With promising salary prospects and faster-than-average projected job growth, data analysts look to have a bright future.

While data analysts and business analysts share similar roles and responsibilities, there are key differences between the two.

While data analysts are hunter-gatherers of data tasked with telling stories via reports and data visualization software, they often don't take an active role in what happens next. In many cases, their insights are handed off to another team that can use the information to solve various business challenges.

A business analyst, on the other hand, uses data findings to push initiatives that can help make organizations run smoother. They are agents of change – whether it's providing support for a new product, measuring and improving the success of a marketing campaign, or identifying ways to optimize processes. At the end of the day, their bottom line is to actively make their business better.

With an increased demand for those who can source, interpret and tell stories through data, both data analysts and business analysts are finding opportunities in many different industries – including information technology, finance, business and consulting, public sector and healthcare.