Texas has grown to become a major data science hub in the US. According to the latest BLS data, Texas currently hosts 3.4 percent of the U.S. data science workforce.
That places the number of data science positions in the state, at the time of the research, at 5,040, with an average salary of $108,090.
With more people getting into data science as a career, more institutions have opened their doors to students willing to pursue various programs in the discipline. These include bootcamps, certifications, master’s and Ph.D. programs.
Let’s look into the various data science and analytics programs you can enroll in Texas to kickstart your data career.
Data Science Master’s Programs in Texas
Texas has a broad selection of data science master’s programs for individuals interested in furthering their studies in the discipline. Several institutions, from San Antonio to Austin, and Denton to Houston, offer graduate programs for long-time industry professionals and recent undergraduates from related fields.
Texas institutions offer two ways of completing your Master’s in Data Science program. You can do the course on-campus or online.
Online Master’s in Data Science programs put the student on course for a career in information technology. It is an excellent option for many millennials who’ve been flocking the Lone Star State since 2019.
According to statistics, there are over 17,600 technology firms in Texas, with SmartAsset reporting that over 120,000 millennials moved to Texas recently.
Other institutions, such as Texas State University, offer a Master of Science in Data Analytics & Information Systems program. The course’s designed to equip graduates with proficient data analytics and information systems skills by teaching them how to use quantitative skills and information systems to analyze data.
Graduates of data science master’s programs in Texas often progress to working on an organization’s data and transforming it into actionable information using skills in information systems and data analytics.
How to Choose the Best Master’s in Data Science Program in Texas
Various institutions offer varying curriculums, class structures, and scholarships for Master’s in Data Science programs. When searching for the right program, the goal is to find one that aligns with your professional goals.
You might also want to find sponsored Master’s in Data Science programs with a GRE/GMAT waiver offered to eligible students.
One institution that offers sponsored programs is Southern Methodist University. The institution offers an online Master of Science in Data Science course. You can complete the course in about 20 months.
Online Data Science Programs in Texas
Texas has several institutions offering online data science programs. Each institution has a unique curriculum, set of resources, and access to faculty and mentors. Thus, you should consider all these offerings before enrolling in a Texan online data science program.
Online Texas data science schools also offer various flexibility options for distance learning. Choosing an institution that aligns best with your work and personal commitments is advisable.
Schools also offer varying opportunities for internships, employment, and research opportunities. Other institutions may also offer career counseling as part of the package.
Generally, you’ll want to check the following concerning your online data science program in Texas:
- How long the program has been around? – The longer an online data science program has been around, the more likely it has better offerings. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an online course quite old.
- Demos of the online student experience – Institutions offer different online learning experiences. Some use face-to-face real-time interactions with classmates to facilitate learning, while others use discussions and post interactions through asynchronous learning. All offerings are excellent. Your choice here is largely dependent on personal preference.
- The datasets/resources you’ll have access to – Several high-quality online data science programs in Texas have research centers with public/private partnerships, entrepreneur programs, sponsored competitions, incubators, and labs.
- Whether you will be working with companies on real-world problems – Top schools offering online data science programs in Texas have agreements or partnerships with companies aimed at helping students thrive in the industry. These companies include Coca-Cola, Toyota, and Amazon.
Examples of institutions offering online data science programs in Texas include:
Southern Methodist University
- Program: Online Master of Science in Data Science
- GRE Requirements: No GRE required
- Duration: 20 months
- Cost: $57,084
- Southern Methodist University, located in Dallas, Texas, offers an online Masters of Science in Data Science course where students can specialize in Business Analytics or Machine Learning.
Texas A&M University
- Program: Online Master of Science in Data Science
- Duration: 20 months/5 semesters
- Cost: $25,878 – $42,275
- Texas A&M University offers an online Masters of Science in Data Science program through the College of Science and Mays Business School. The course teaches statistics, database management, and programming tools used for marketing, business management, and financial accounting.
Example Data Science Courses in Texas
Several Texas institutions offer great data science courses, especially Master’s programs. These include:
| Course | Focus | Audience | Availability |
| Online Master of Science in Data Science – Southern Methodist University | Data mining, data analysis | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | January, May, and August |
| Online Master of Science in Data Science – Texas A&M Unive rsity | Statistical modeling, database management, and computer programming | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Fall |
| Master of Science in Business Analytics – University of North Texas, College of Business | Data Science, Business Analytics, Business Intelligence, Data Engineering | Students who want a specialist degree in business analytics | Ongoing |
| Master of Science Data Analytics – University of Texas at San Antonio | Data science, big data | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Fall (Late August) |
| Master of Science in Mathematics with Emphasis in Data Mining – Tarleton State University | Data science, data warehousing, statistical models | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Master of Science in Analytics – Texas A&M University | Regression analysis, time series, python programming, DevOps | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Fall |
| Master of Science in Data Science – Texas Tech University | Data science and data analysis | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Summer |
| Master of Science in Informatics – Texas Woman’s University | Data science/data analytics | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Ongoing |
| Master of Science in Business Analytics – The University of Texas at Arlington | Big data analytics, data warehousing, statistics, business acumen/intelligence, web, and social media analytics, AI and machine learning | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Fall and Spring |
| Master of Science in Business Analytics – The University of Texas at Austin | Statistical analysis and data mining | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Fall |
| Master of Science in Information Technology and Management – The University of Texas at Austin | Big data, deep learning, blockchain | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Fall |
| Master of Computer Science – Data Science – The University of Texas, Dallas | Data Science, Program analysis, database administration | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Fall, Spring, and Summer |
| Master of Science in Business Analytics – The University of Texas, Dallas | Data engineering, data science | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Fall, Spring, and Summer |
| Master in Data Analytics – University of Houston – Downtown | Data science/data analytics | Data science professionals and undergraduates in a related field | Summer, Fall, and Spring |
Data Science and Analytics Bootcamps in Texas
Data science and data analytics bootcamps in Texas offer a great opportunity for individuals interested in data science. However, they can’t afford a master’s degree to still pursue a career in data science.
These bootcamps are relatively short and intense. This is designed to help the students get ready faster for work in the data science field.
Some bootcamps in Texas are solely dedicated to data science or data analytics. Bootcamps tailored solely to data science teach how knowledge is extracted from raw data. Data analytics bootcamps, on the other hand, teach how insights are arrived at from the data.
Other bootcamps teach both data science and data analytics.
You can attend bootcamps in-person, online, or hybrid. The hybrid approach combines online and campus learning. Many Texas data science and analytics bootcamps offer flexible schedules to fit your work and personal commitments.
Some bootcamps offer evening or weekend classes that appeal to students working full-time.
While most bootcamps are targeted at beginners, Texas has several data science and analytics bootcamps targeting advanced learners. These may be individuals with experience in object-oriented programming, statistics, math, or databases.
Ensure you’ve gauged a boot camp’s curriculum to determine the job opportunities it will unlock for you.
Here are examples of data science and analytics bootcamps you can enroll in Texas.
| Bootcamp Provider | Name of Program | Focus Area | Time |
| The University of Texas at Austin | Online Data Analysis and Visualization Boot Camp | Data analysis, data visualization, big data | 24 weeks |
| General Assembly | Data Science Immersive | Data analytics, SQL, Tableau, Excel | 10 weeks |
| Data Science Dojo | Data Science Boot Camp | Data science | 5 days |
| Rice University | Online Data Analytics and Visualization Boot Camp | Data analytics | 24 weeks |
| Flatiron | Data Science Boot Camp | Data Science | 15 weeks |
| Southern Methodist University | Online Data Science Boot Camp | Data Science | 24 weeks |
| Colaberry | Data Analytics Boot Camp | Data Science | 6 – 12 weeks |
Data Science PhD Programs in Texas
Getting a Ph.D. as a data scientist is the best way of securing a successful career and huge earnings. Data science doctorates get a better view of the data science academic world than undergraduate students. At this level, you get exposed to more research and innovation within the industry.
However, whether you want to do a data science Ph.D. program depends entirely on you. Despite being the top accolade for a data scientist, data science is still a very new discipline that’s constantly changing with research and innovation.
Thus, experience may triumph academic accolades in several cases.
The actual research for a Ph.D. may quickly get outdated, given the fast-paced nature of the industry. However, the exposure to research may be advantageous if you want to dive into the research facet of data science.
Thus, consider getting a data science Ph.D. if research is your stronghold.
One institution that offers Ph.D. programs in data science is the University of Texas at Dallas. They offer the course under the Ph.D. in Computer Science program. In the program, students can take the course and research opportunities in data science.
Five In-Demand Analytics Jobs in Texas
You can apply for numerous analytics jobs after going through a data science bootcamp, Master’s degree, or Ph.D. data science program in a Texas institution. These include:
Data Scientist – Sports Analytics
You can land a junior or senior data scientist sports analytics role in companies located in Texas having qualified from a certified institution. This role requires data scientists who are also passionate about sports to help in sports analytics.
The salary for this role often lands on the Texas average, ranging from $110,000 to $124,000 annually, with the option of working remotely.
Machine Learning Engineer
You can land a role as a machine learning engineer in a reputable Texan company after completing a data science program in Texas. This role covers several industries, from sports to technology.
Machine learning engineers develop, validate, and automate quantitative models while applying machine learning, statistics, simulation, and optimization. The role pays between $120,000 to $135,000 annually and often takes junior and senior data scientists.
Risk Analyst
Data scientists in Texas can work as risk analysts for big companies like TikTok. A risk analyst identifies risks in an organization’s system and finds a way to navigate them with minimal impact. Data analysts come in handy by offering the tools and processes to assess an organization’s data risk and suggest ways the risks can be mitigated.
This role also pays within the Texas average, ranging from $80,00 to $90,000 annually.
Data Visualization and Analytics
There are several full-time data visualization and analytics roles for data scientists in Texas. The role requires the data scientist to use their skills to develop and provide rich data insights to drive decisions in an organization. Most companies need this input through their full-cycle product development.
This role pays between $103,000 to $113,000 annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Texas offers a variety of programs including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, certificates, and bootcamps in data science and analytics. These programs are available at numerous universities and colleges throughout the state, as well as through online platforms.
Notable universities in Texas offering reputable data science and analytics programs include the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, Rice University, and Southern Methodist University, among others.
Yes, many Texas universities and colleges offer online programs in data science and analytics, providing flexibility for students who cannot attend on-campus classes.
Graduates can pursue careers in various sectors including technology, healthcare, finance, energy, and government. Roles might include data scientist, data analyst, business intelligence analyst, and machine learning engineer, among others.
Financial aid, scholarships, and grants are often available for eligible students. Prospective students should check with the specific institution for available financial support options.
Consider factors such as your career goals, the program’s curriculum, faculty expertise, the institution’s reputation, alumni network, location, and the balance between theoretical and practical learning.