California is home to some of the best data science and analytics programs in the nation. The Golden State has a thriving tech culture, rife with opportunities for students at every level. The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that 18.47 percent of all US data scientists work in California.
And with an average pay of $103,500 for most data science jobs, the demand for data science courses in California shouldn’t be surprising. With hundreds of certifications, boot camps, on-campus and off-campus master’s degrees, and PhD programs, data science offers students a unique way to combine their software, statistics, and math interests to create innovative solutions.
If you plan to get into data science or analytics in California, you’ll need to know what courses will help you get there.
Read on about California’s top data science and analytics programs.
Data Master’s Programs in California
California offers online and on-campus master’s degree programs in business analytics, data analytics, and data science. If you are looking to change career paths or want to advance your undergraduate degree, consider enrolling in one of the following master’s degree programs offered by universities and colleges in California:
Masters of Business Analytics
Master of Business Analytics focuses on applying modern data science, machine learning, and optimization to solve real-world business problems.
Graduates often find well-paying jobs solving business challenges in technology companies and startups in California, where analytics plays a huge role in business success.
Some of the master of business analytics programs available in California include:
Online Master of Science in Business Analytics- Touro University
- Class type: 100 percent online
- Course duration: one year
- You can earn the degree in 12 months by taking two courses per term for six consecutive terms.
Master’s in Business Analytics – Hult International Business School
- Class type: Campus
- Course duration: 11 months
Master of Science in Business Analytics – UC Irvine – Merage School of Business
- Class Type: On-campus
- Course duration: 11-13 months
Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) – Golden Gate University
- Course type: Online and on-campus
- Course duration: 4 – 5 semesters
Master’s of Data Analytics
Master of data analytics empowers graduates with the skills of using big data for business decision-making and planning. This course builds students’ proficiency in data mining tools and data analysis methodologies.
Graduates can take roles such as big data architect, computer and information system manager, and logistician.
Some of the masters of data analytics programs available in California include:
Master of Analytics – University of California, Berkeley
- Course type: In-person
- Course duration: three semesters
- This course also includes a 10-week internship
MS in Data Analytics – Alliant International University
- Course type: Campus-based program
- Course duration: 14 months
MS in Healthcare Analytics – Alliant International University
- Course type: Full-time campus-based
- Course duration: one year
Master of Science in Big Data Analytics – San Diego State University
- Course type: Full-time on-campus
- Course duration: two years
Master’s of Data Science
Masters in data science earns you a broad skill set that you can apply to a vast array of tech-related careers such as computer programming, data architecture, and data engineering.
You learn essential concepts such as applied statistics, database systems and preparations, and practical machine learning. You also learn programming languages such as R, Python, and SQL.
Some of the masters in data science programs available in California include:
MS in Data Science -San Francisco University
- Course type: Full-time campus-based
- Course duration: one year
Master of Science in Engineering in Data Science – University of California, Riverside
- Course type: Online course
- Course duration: one year, one month.
Applied Data Science – University of Southern California
- Course type: On-campus and online
- Course duration: two years
Data Science Master – the University of California, Irvine (UCI)
- Course type: On-campus
- Course duration: 15 months
Online Data Science Programs in California
If you wanted to study at a university just a few years ago, you could only do so by attending physical classes. Evening classes were the only way that professionals could juggle work and study. But not anymore.
Today, if you want to get a master’s degree in data science, you can do so online.
Like on-campus programs, online data science programs prepare students for work as data analysts and data scientists. Students will learn to use programming, statistics, modeling, and machine learning to solve real-world problems.
If you are ready to learn data science from the comfort of your computer at home, below are online masters of data science programs to consider:
Master of Data Science, UC San Diego
- Course level: Beginner
- Course duration: 2 years
- Price: Approx. $15,820/year
The MDS program at UC San Diego is a joint degree between the School of Engineering and Computer Science and the Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute (HDSI). The program draws from the expertise of these two departments to equip students with data-handling and analysis skills through a rich course curriculum that includes:
- Three foundation courses: Python, probability and statistics, and machine learning
- Three core courses: Data management, big data analytics with Spark, and data mining
- Capstone project
Students can also choose between courses such as natural language processing (NLP), and unsupervised learning, among others.
The program culminates in a research project during the third year, giving students experience in data science research. This program is highly ranked and has many employees from large companies as alumni.
The coursework is rigorous, but the program is designed to be flexible so that students can fit their schedules around work and other responsibilities.
Master of Science in Data Science, National University
- Course duration: 14 months
- Price: $17,238
This program is designed for adult learners and covers 14 months. However, the National University offers a flexible timeline, spread over 4-week courses. You can thus start sooner or finish faster or have the flexibility to juggle between family, work, and studies.
This program offers career-focused specializations in the following fields:
- Artificial intelligence and optimization
- Business analytics
- Database analytics
- Health analytics
The prerequisite to enrolling in NU’s master of science in data science program is previous industry or study experience in statistics, math, engineering, computer programming, or science. You also need a minimum GPA of 2.50.
Master of Science in Data Science, Northcentral University
- Course duration: 30 credit hours | 23 months normal duration
- Price: $30,420
The Master of Science in Data Science at Northcentral University is a very flexible online program covering a comprehensive curriculum. It supports adult and non-traditional learners, with accessibility and educational flexibility being the private university’s biggest aims.
To enroll in the MS in Data Science program, you must hold an undergraduate degree. However, no test scores, prerequisite courses, or minimum GPA are required.
Students can start the program every week on Monday. The required courses to complete the program include:
- Principles of data science
- Quantitative research design
- Databases and business intelligence
- Big data integration
- Data mining
- Quantitative methods for data analytics and business intelligence
- Inferential statistics and predictive analysis
- Critical analysis, interpreting, and reporting data
- Data visualization
- Strategic management of data, information, and knowledge for data science
The admissions into this program are very flexible, and the course favors students with less academic preparation.
Online Master’s in Data Science, UC Berkeley
- Course level: Beginner
- Course duration: 2 years
- Price: Approx. $2,712 per unit (fee is not inclusive of campus fees)
The Master of Data Science (MDS) at the University of California, San Diego is a top-ranked online master’s degree program in data science. With an emphasis on hands-on training, students learn to apply best practices and techniques from data science in real-world settings.
Students can expect to learn how to set up data pipelines, work with big data, and think like data scientists. The curriculum also includes courses in statistics and probability theory.
There are two tracks within the MDS:
- Machine learning
- Data mining/Business intelligence
The courses within these tracks vary widely. For example, ML tracks include Bayesian models, machine learning algorithms, and statistical modeling courses. On the other hand, BI tracks focus on data mining tools such as R and SQL.
Some electives allow students to choose topics such as Python for data science, designing data scraping pipelines with Scrapy, and visualizing data with D3.
This course equips students in the following areas:
- Data cleansing
- Research design
- Data visualization
- Data engineering
- Data mining and exploring
- Machine learning
- Information ethics and privacy
- Statistical analysis
Master of Science in Applied Data Science, University of Southern California
Students with bachelor’s degrees in computer science, engineering, social science, and other scientific disciplines can get the training to pursue a data science career via this program.
Upon course completion, students will have learned:
- Data handling techniques
- Data science programming with Python
- Machine learning
- Data mining
- Working with big data
- How to handle data within databases
The program offers a completely immersive experience in data science and prepares students to embrace their future roles as data scientists or analysts.
Example Data Science Courses in California
| Course | Focus | Audience | Availability |
| UC San Diego -MicroMasters – Program in Data Science -eDx | Machine learning, data visualization, and data analysis with Apache Spark | Professionals with work experience | Enrollment currently ongoing |
| ACP Data Analytics for Business – the University of California, Irvine (UCI) | Predictive analytics, descriptive analytics, prescriptive analytics, python programming, Data analysis for business | University degree graduates, professionals with work experience | Available on a summer and winter schedule |
| Data Science 101 – Stanford University | Statistical computing and data visualization with Jupyter, R | High School, undergraduate, graduate | Ongoing availability |
| Data Sciences Minor – California Baptist University | Software engineering, database systems, data mining, enterprise data communications | Undergraduate, Graduate | Ongoing availability |
Data Science and Analytics Bootcamps in California
Are you interested in learning about data science but don’t have the time or budget for an advanced degree? A bootcamp will provide the technical training you need to land your first data science job.
Tech bootcamps are short-term courses designed to teach technical skills and knowledge in a specific domain. Data science boot camps offer career training and can help you get a job as a data scientist or data engineer after graduation. Bootcamps are typically three months long, shorter than most other programs.
While boot camps are not for everyone, they can be a good fit for some people. If you’re looking for hands-on experience and some programming experience, a boot camp might be right for you.
We have compiled a list of popular data science boot camps below:
| Bootcamp Provider | Name of Program | Focus Area | Time |
| General Assembly | General Assembly | Data Science and Analytics | 9 weeks |
| Berkeley | Berkeley data analytics boot camp | Data analytics | 24 weeks |
| Long Beach | Data Science analytics boot camp | Data science and analytics | 30-hour introductory course370-hour extended program |
| Metis | Online Data Science Program | Data Analytics with Python and SQL, Linear regression, Business Analysis, Machine Learning, NLP & Unsupervised Learning | 12 weeks |
| Learn the Skills Guarantee | Data Science Certificate | Python, SQL, automation, and machine learning | 84 hours |
Data Science PhD Programs in California
Many people understand what data science is, but they aren’t always sure where or how it’s used.
To better understand the field, you should look at where data PhDs work and what research they conduct. Data science PhDs are researchers who use data to address real-world problems.
There are two main reasons why data PhDs are essential:
- The amount of data being generated is increasing dramatically. Hence there is a growing demand for skilled data scientists to help analyze and make sense of the data.
- Data is becoming increasingly important in all research fields, including health care, business, social sciences, and law enforcement.
That said, there are many different types of PhDs in data science:
- Some focus on specific areas such as machine learning and deep learning.
- Others are focused on more general topics like data mining or data visualization.
- There are also interdisciplinary areas where PhDs cut across fields like engineering, mathematics, and statistics.
Most PhDs work in academia, government research facilities, or industry. Data PhDs tend to be found in disciplines that use data, such as science and engineering. Other PhDs work full-time or part-time with other researchers or by themselves, or as consultants.
Regardless of their position, they will likely spend most of their time working with computers and software. Some also conduct field research as part of their work duties. The pace of their work usually depends on the task at hand and how quickly they need results.
Examples of data science Ph.D. programs in California include USC Data Science and Operations and PhD in Computational and Data Sciences from Chapman University.
Five In-Demand Analytics Jobs in California
Suppose you have a solid quantitative background and a passion for data. In that case, you have the potential to be an analytics expert at a startup, medium-sized business, or even a large corporation.
Currently, there are many available positions for analytics professionals in California. This could be the right place to look for a challenging and rewarding career. Here are some of the most in-demand jobs in California:
1. Data Analyst
- Education level: Bachelor’s degree or master’s.
- Average salary/year: $90,307 (about 5 percent above national average)
- Work environment: From freelance, remote to full-time in the office
- Data analysts are responsible for analyzing data to produce actionable insights that help businesses make informed decisions about their operations. They perform complex mathematical and statistical calculations to extract meaning from large numerical data sets. They also develop models to predict future outcomes based on previous events and trends.
2. Analytics Consultant
Education level: Bachelor’s degree or master’s in a related field.
- Average salary/ year: $107,892
- Work environment: remote or part-time/full-time in the office
- An analytics consultant plays a vital role in helping businesses understand their customers’ needs, analyze their data, and use it to improve their products and services. They work with clients to design custom solutions to solve individual problems or optimize existing ones. They also advise organizations on building better customer relationships through data collection, analysis, and information sharing.
3. Data Visualization Expert
- Education level: Bachelor’s degree or master’s in data science, statistics, or related field
- Average salary/ year: $111,345
- Work environment: remote or part-time/full-time in the office
- Becoming a data visualization expert will require artistic talent and a solid understanding of data analysis. The goal is to create graphics and charts to help your employer make better decisions. This could be anything from infographics used on your company website or presentations for investors or clients.
- The best way to become a data visualization expert is by taking classes at your local college or university. The University of California – Berkeley (UCB) offers courses for free online that teach you how to use various data visualization tools like Tableau.
4. Data Visualization Assistant:
- Education level: Bachelor’s degree. Masters preferred
- Average salary/ year: Hourly pay ($25.96to $77.64)
- Work environment: remote or part-time/full-time in the office
- If you don’t have prior work experience, you should consider becoming a data visualization assistant. This position requires little experience, but it does require strong analytical skills and an eye for design.
- As a data visualization assistant, your primary responsibilities will involve creating high-quality visualizations using software such as Excel or Photoshop. If you can do this well, you might get promoted to a full-time data analyst position at the same company.
5. Data Visualization Designer:
- Education level: Bachelor’s degree or master’s.
- Average salary/ year: $87,000
- Work environment: Freelance, remote, or in-office
- If you already have experience creating visualizations or a degree in computer science, you might consider becoming a designer. This position requires strong analytical skills and strong communication skills, especially when presenting your findings to clients or investors. As a data visualization designer, your primary responsibilities will involve creating high-quality visualizations using various software such as Tableau. You should also communicate well with other team members about what kind of data needs to be collected and analyzed so that the company can make the best decisions possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
California is renowned for its thriving tech culture and hosts some of the top data science and analytics programs in the U.S. This makes it an ideal place for students interested in these fields.
California offers a range of programs including online and on-campus master’s degrees, PhD programs, and bootcamps in business analytics, data analytics, and data science.
Data science bootcamps in California are short-term, intensive courses designed to provide technical training for those looking to enter the data science field quickly. They are ideal for individuals without the time or resources for an advanced degree
Data science PhD graduates often engage in research to solve real-world problems and find opportunities in various sectors where data analysis is crucial.
There are many available positions for analytics professionals in California, spanning startups, medium-sized businesses, and large corporations.