Florida emerges as a prime destination for data science and analytics training in the Southeast, powered by dynamic tech corridors in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville, plus robust industries in healthcare, finance, tourism, and aerospace.
These programs sync with Florida’s economic surge, where data expertise fuels breakthroughs at firms like Disney, Lockheed Martin, and rising fintech ventures, aligning with a national job boom projected through 2033.
Florida’s thriving landscape for data science and analytics education caters to beginners and experienced professionals alike, emphasizing practical skills in programming, machine learning, big data tools, and visualization platforms amid Florida’s expanding tech ecosystem.
This guide equips you to select the best data science and analytics programs in Florida tailored to your goals—whether launching a new career or advancing in tech.
Degree Programs Overview
Florida’s universities deliver comprehensive degree pathways across levels, blending theoretical foundations with hands-on projects and industry partnerships.
- Associate and Bachelor’s Degrees: Entry points include associate programs in data analytics at institutions like Miami Dade College and Valencia College, leading into bachelor’s options. University of Central Florida (UCF) provides a BS in Data Science (120 credits) integrating statistics, computer science, and domain applications, with co-op opportunities at nearby tech firms. Florida Atlantic University (FAU) offers a BS in Data Science and Analytics focusing on AI ethics, algorithms, and real-world datasets from healthcare and finance.
- Master’s Programs: Standouts include FSU’s Interdisciplinary MS in Data Science (30 credits, thesis or non-thesis), emphasizing computational statistics and AI specializations; UWF’s MS in Data Science with tracks in business analytics, health informatics, or predictive modeling (30 credits, fully online option); and USF’s MS in Business Analytics and Information Systems for strategic decision-making.
- PhD and Advanced Research: University of Florida (UF) and FSU offer PhDs in related fields like Statistics or Computer Science with data science concentrations, ideal for academia or R&D roles in AI and big data.
Bootcamps and Short Courses
Bootcamps provide accelerated training (3–12 months) for career switchers, often with job placement support exceeding 80 percent.
- USF’s online Data Analytics Bootcamp (powered by Microsoft) spans 24 weeks part-time, covering Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, Power BI, and machine learning via 20+ projects and a portfolio capstone; cost ~$11,000 with flexible payments.
- UNF’s 6-month Data Analytics Bootcamp offers 1:1 mentorship, career services, and skills in data wrangling and visualization; completers earn a certificate and access alumni networks.
- Additional options: UCF Continuing Education bootcamps and platforms like General Assembly or Springboard with Florida cohorts, focusing on portfolio-building hackathons.
Standalone courses abound on Coursera/edX via UF/FSU partnerships, like Google’s Data Analytics Certificate adapted locally.
Certifications and Micro-Credentials
Stackable certifications enhance resumes quickly (3–12 months) and often articulate into degrees.
- USF’s Tableau Citizen Data Science Certificate (embedded in business programs) teaches dashboarding for finance/marketing analytics.
- UWF’s Online Graduate Certificate in Data Science (12 credits) covers advanced R/Python/SQL/Spark, machine learning, and data engineering—an ideal precursor to MS.
- Popular vendor certs: AWS Certified Data Analytics, Google Professional Data Engineer, Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate, with Florida testing centers.
These cost $500–$5,000 and boost employability by 20–30 percent per industry reports.
Top Jobs and Salary Landscape
Florida’s data roles thrive in healthcare (e.g., Mayo Clinic), finance (Citizens Property), tourism (Disney), and aerospace (Lockheed Martin), with 5,000+ openings statewide.
| Role | Avg. Salary (FL) | Range | Top Cities | Job Portals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | $91,721 | $28k-$146k | Miami, Tampa | ZipRecruiter |
| Data Analyst | $93,000 | $72k–$121k | Orlando, Jax | Glassdoor |
| ML Engineer | $121,283 | $70k–$207k | Miami Beach | Indeed |
| BI Analyst | $82,000 | $65k–$105k | West Palm | BLS |
Miami premiums reach $121k for data scientists; entry-level starts at $65k with bootcamp certs.
Career Outlook
Florida mirrors the national surge in data science demand, with the BLS projecting 34 percent growth for data scientists from 2023 to 2033.
Statewide, IT occupations grow at 17 percent through 2032, fueled by 471,000 total job openings reported in early 2026, including thousands in data roles across Miami’s fintech boom, Orlando’s simulation and tourism analytics, Tampa’s healthcare hubs like Mayo Clinic, and Jacksonville’s logistics and finance sectors.
Remote and hybrid positions now comprise 40 percent of listings, broadening access, while an aging population drives health informatics needs and AI adoption accelerates demand for machine learning specialists.
Entry-level analysts face competition, but bootcamp grads secure roles quickly, with mid-career professionals earning premiums in high-growth areas; overall, Florida’s lower cost of living enhances salary value compared to coastal tech hubs.
Future for Aspiring Data Professionals
Florida’s data science landscape promises explosive growth through 2030 and beyond, as programs integrate cutting-edge AI, generative models, and quantum computing tracks by 2027, alongside expanded online/hybrid formats reaching rural areas and working adults statewide.
Aspiring students can launch via affordable bootcamps (6–12 months to first job at $70k+), while degree seekers position for senior roles like lead data scientists or AI directors earning $150k–$200k amid persistent talent shortages.
Professionals should stack certifications in cloud analytics (AWS, Azure) and pursue specializations in high-demand niches like climate modeling for tourism resilience or personalized health analytics for Florida’s senior boom. Emerging trends—edge computing, ethical AI governance, and real-time IoT data from smart cities—will create 10,000+ new roles, amplified by state incentives like tech tax credits and partnerships with national labs.
Begin today with portfolio projects on GitHub, network via Florida Data Science Meetups, and leverage university career fairs to ride this decade’s salary surges to $120k+ averages, turning career pivots into six-figure trajectories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Florida offers strong options across associate, bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, and bootcamp pathways—especially in hubs like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville—so the “best” program depends on whether you want a fast career pivot (bootcamp/certificate) or long-term advancement (BS/MS/PhD).
Yes. Several Florida schools offer online or hybrid formats, and many students combine online master’s programs or graduate certificates with local networking, internships, and employer partnerships for real-world experience.
Data science programs typically go deeper into programming, statistics, machine learning, and data engineering, while business analytics emphasizes decision-making, reporting, dashboards, and applying analytics to business strategy (often with tools like SQL, Tableau, and Power BI).
Bootcamps can be worthwhile if you need speed and structure: most focus on job-ready skills (such as SQL, Python, and visualization) and career support, making them a popular option for transitioning into entry-level analyst roles.
Common outcomes include data analyst, BI analyst, data scientist, and machine learning roles—especially in healthcare, finance, tourism, and aerospace—where employers consistently prioritize SQL, Python, visualization tools, and the ability to clearly communicate insights.