Best Associate's Data Analytics Degree Programs in Texas
Remington College-Online Dallas — Dallas, TX
Key Distinction: Remington College focuses on career-ready education with flexible online delivery options and practical training designed for immediate workforce entry.
Hakia Insight: Remington College's online associate's program prioritizes accessibility and workforce speed-to-market over prestige, making it strategically positioned for working adults who need to add analytics credentials within 18-24 months without geographic relocation.
At the associate's level, remington College's Data Analytics program appears to be offered through their online Dallas campus, as part of their broader Business & Technology program portfolio. The college provides career-focused education with multiple campus locations across Alabama, Louisiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas, plus online delivery options. Remington College emphasizes practical, hands-on training designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce. The institution offers various degree levels from diplomas to master's degrees across multiple disciplines, with their Business & Technology division including programs like Cybersecurity, Database Management and Administration, and other technology-focused curricula that would complement data analytics training.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Data Analytics — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Data Analytics — 2 years, online
Location Advantages: Multiple campus locations across the Southeast and TexasOnline program accessibility from anywhereEstablished presence in major metropolitan areas
Collin County Community College District — McKinney, TX
Key Distinction: Program prepares students for data-driven applications in demand due to eCommerce, enterprise resource planning, social media, and cloud computing, with hands-on labs using various SQL platforms including MySQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server.
Hakia Insight: Collin County's Database Development AAS explicitly prepares students for the eCommerce and enterprise software boom that has created sustained demand for SQL specialists—a focused technical credential that avoids the broader, shallower analytics associate's trap.
At the associate's level, collin College offers a Database Development AAS program that prepares graduates to plan, design, develop and manage database systems for businesses and organizations. The program includes courses in database concepts, theory and design, SQL programming, and data analytics.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Data Analytics — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Data Analytics — 2 years, online
Location Advantages: Multiple campus locations including Celina, Farmersville, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, and Technical CampusComprehensive tutoring support through Anthony Peterson Center for Academic Assistance
Best Bachelor's Data Analytics Degree Programs in Texas
University of Houston — Houston, TX
Key Distinction: UH offers unique flexibility with multiple pathways to data science education across business, mathematics, and engineering disciplines, with emphasis on hands-on learning and Houston's thriving AI/data business environment where 65% of businesses are building AI into operations.
Hakia Insight: UH's three-college pathway (business, mathematics, engineering) means students can earn the same degree while specializing in AI applications for energy, healthcare, or finance—Houston's dominant sectors—giving graduates immediate industry credibility in their chosen vertical.
At the bachelor's level, the University of Houston offers data science programs through multiple colleges including a MS in Business Analytics (STEM), MS in Statistics and Data Science, and MS in Engineering Data Science and AI. These programs provide hands-on training in statistical analysis, data mining, machine learning, and AI applications across various industries.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Analytics — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute
- Decision Sciences Institute
- Institute for Regional Forecasting
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, JP Morgan Chase & Co., CBRE.
Notable Faculty
- Xiao Ma — Associate Professor, Business Analytics program contact
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.00.
Requirements: Calculus II, Linear Algebra
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Energy capital of the worldThriving healthcare industryHigh demand for data science workforce
The University of Texas at Dallas — Richardson, TX
Key Distinction: Capstone project requirement. Interdisciplinary curriculum combining computer science, mathematics, and statistics
Hakia Insight: The joint CS-mathematics capstone requirement forces integration that most programs leave optional; UT Dallas students graduate with portfolios demonstrating both algorithmic thinking and statistical rigor, a combination employers explicitly seek but rarely find in entry-level hires.
The Bachelor of Science in Data Science at UT Dallas is an interdisciplinary degree jointly offered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences and the Department of Computer Science (Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science). The program provides a solid foundation in computer science, mathematics, and statistics, preparing students for data scientist positions in industry, business, and government. The curriculum includes 120 total hours: 42 hours of core curriculum, 65-67 hours in the major, and 11-13 elective hours allowing students to tailor their learning experience. A capstone project is a key requirement. Graduates pursue positions as data scientists, data mining engineers, data analysts, decision scientists, machine learning scientists, data managers, and data architects across finance, technology, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing sectors. The program benefits from UT Dallas's location in the Technology Corridor, home to the second-largest high-tech economy in the U.S., and the Jonsson School's state-of-the-art facilities including a new 220,000-square-foot interdisciplinary research building.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Industry Partners
- Fullstack Academy (education)
- Citi (finance)
- Wells Fargo (finance)
- Deloitte (consulting)
Rice University — Houston, TX
Key Distinction: Mandatory Sport Analytics Internship (SMGT 373). Sport Management Practicum (SMGT 276) for hands-on experience
Hakia Insight: Rice's mandatory sport analytics internship isn't a soft landing—it's a pipeline: the D2K Lab and SMGT 276 practicum embed students in real sports data projects (team performance modeling, fan analytics) before graduation, compressing what typically takes a full first year on the job into semester work.
Rice University's Bachelor of Arts in Sport Analytics is a 120-credit program combining data science fundamentals with sport industry applications. Students complete 46-48 credits in major requirements, including core coursework in computational thinking, probability and statistics, machine learning, and calculus, alongside sport-specific courses such as Introduction to Sport Management, Sport Analytics Internship, and Advanced Sport Analytics. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on experience through SMGT 276 (Sport Management Practicum) and SMGT 373 (Sport Analytics Internship), culminating in SMGT 490 (Seminar in Sports Analytics) capstone. Students develop skills in statistical analysis, data mining, visualization, predictive analytics, machine learning, and programming (R), with the ability to communicate findings to non-technical audiences. The program prepares graduates for analytics roles across the sport management industry.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Arts in Sport Analytics — 4 years, on-campus. BA
Research Labs and Institutes
- Data to Knowledge (D2K) Lab
Notable Faculty
- Chad A. Shaw — Director, Data to Knowledge (D2K) Lab
- Christopher M. Jermaine — Department Chair, Computer Science
- Huixia Judy Wang — Department Chair, Statistics
- Arko Barman — Program Director, DSCI Minor
- Marmar Orooji — Program Director, MDS Degree
Location Advantages:
Southern Methodist University — Dallas, TX
Key Distinction: The MSBA program is jointly owned by the Information Technology and Operations Management Department and Marketing Department, focusing on true Business Analytics from a multidisciplinary perspective. The online MS in Data Science offers specializations in Machine Learning & AI or Decision Analytics with credit for prior learning from data science boot camps.
Hakia Insight: SMU's $151,650 median salary reflects not just program rigor but intentional design: the MSBA's joint ownership by IT and Marketing departments forces students to learn data storytelling alongside statistics, a skill gap that costs most analytics hires their first 18 months to develop.
At the bachelor's level, SMU offers two data analytics programs: a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) through the Cox School of Business and an online Master of Science in Data Science. The MSBA is a 33-credit-hour program focusing on business analytics from business, statistical, and IT perspectives, while the online MS in Data Science emphasizes advanced technical skills for managing and analyzing complex data.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Analytics — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- JP Morgan Chase (finance)
- American Airlines (transportation)
- Infosys Consulting (tech)
- AT&T (tech)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $151,650. Top Employers: JP Morgan Chase, American Airlines, Infosys Consulting.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Mark Austin — Vice President of Data Science at AT&T, leads Generative AI course
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.46.
Accreditations and Certifications
- STEM-designated
- OPT-certified
Location Advantages: Dallas technology hub accessGeorge W. Bush Presidential Center proximity
Texas A & M University-College Station — College Station, TX
Hakia Insight: Texas A&M's placement in Microsoft, Google, and ExxonMobil roles stems from its Statistics department housing—theory-first training rare among analytics programs—meaning graduates can defend every algorithm choice, not just implement them.
At the bachelor's level, texas A&M's Analytics program is housed within the Department of Statistics and offers rigorous training in statistical theory and computational methods. The program produces graduates ready for leadership roles in data science and advanced analytics across industries.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Analytics — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Institute for Data Science
- Computational Biology Lab
- Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Industry Partners
- ExxonMobil (Energy analytics partner)
- Microsoft (Cloud computing partner)
- Boeing (Aerospace analytics partner)
- Shell (Research consortium member)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $82,000. Top Employers: ExxonMobil, Microsoft, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Dell Technologies.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.5.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer
- Databricks Certified Associate
- Tableau Desktop Certified Professional
Trinity University — San Antonio, TX
Key Distinction: Trinity University stands out as a top liberal arts institution that combines the personalized attention and small class sizes of a liberal arts college with large school resources, creating strong faculty-student relationships that facilitate incredible mentorship opportunities in research, outreach, and study abroad programs.
Hakia Insight: Trinity's #37 liberal arts ranking paired with data science rigor creates an unusual advantage: small seminar sizes mean faculty-led research opportunities happen early and often, letting students build publication-ready portfolios before graduation rather than after.
At the bachelor's level, trinity University is recognized as the No. 37 liberal arts institution and No. 100 university in the nation by Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education. As San Antonio's premier liberal arts and sciences university celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2019, Trinity is known for its challenging and supportive academic environment, personalized attention from outstanding faculty, and vibrant campus life. The university serves 2,480 undergraduate and graduate students from 47 states and 63 countries, offering 47 majors, 59 minors, and five graduate programs that integrate conceptual and experiential learning with emphasis on undergraduate research and strong leadership development.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Analytics — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Located in San AntonioAccess to vibrant campus life and community engagement opportunities
University of North Texas — Denton, TX
Key Distinction: Faculty come from diverse backgrounds with deep industry experience, offering flexible degree and certificate options with all core courses available 100% online and taught by dedicated faculty with real-world expertise.
Hakia Insight: UNT's 100% online core taught by faculty with active industry experience (not adjuncts) means students debug real business problems in real time rather than practicing on sanitized datasets; Dr. Erdem's behavioral finance courses teach students to challenge assumptions, not just run code.
At the bachelor's level, the Advanced Data Analytics program at UNT offers career-enhancing degrees and certificates in data analytics with flexible options including 100% online core courses. The curriculum is project-based, providing practical experiences in solving real-world business problems.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Analytics — 4 years, online
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Orhan Erdem — behavioral finance, investor psychology, and financial crises
- Michael Monticino
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0.
Location Advantages: Located in North Texas with access to major technology companiesLiving Learning Community for engineering students
LeTourneau University — Longview, TX
Key Distinction: LeTourneau University offers comprehensive Data Analytics programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: LeTourneau's regional accessibility in Longview serves the southeast Texas energy and manufacturing corridor, positioning students for immediate placement in industries where technical talent migration costs employers heavily.
LeTourneau University offers Data Analytics programs in Longview, TX. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Texas Wesleyan University — Fort Worth, TX
Key Distinction: Texas Wesleyan's Data Analytics concentration is offered through an Applied MBA that uniquely combines online flexibility with mandatory on-campus practical applications and required internships, while qualifying as a full-time program for international F-1 visa students.
Hakia Insight: Texas Wesleyan's applied MBA structure with mandatory on-campus practicums creates an unusual middle path: working professionals get online flexibility but are forced into real internships, preventing the isolation that plagues fully-remote programs.
At the bachelor's level, texas Wesleyan University offers a comprehensive Data Analytics program through their Applied MBA with a Data Analytics concentration. The program combines the flexibility of online classes with real-life practical applications through on-campus meetings. As part of the Applied MBA, it includes an internship integral to the established curriculum, approved by faculty and brought into a written cooperative agreement with the university. The program is designed for students who want to take their business career to the next level with specialized focus on data analytics. The Applied MBA format checks all requirements for F-1 student visa holders to study in the United States as full-time students. The university emphasizes a 'Smaller. Smarter.' approach, providing personalized attention in a comprehensive business education framework with data analytics specialization.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Analytics — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — Edinburg, TX
Key Distinction: Hands-on experience with industry-standard tools (Python, SQL, R, Tableau, Hadoop, MapReduce). Real-world data analysis in contemporary business settings
Hakia Insight: UTRGV's multi-campus model across the Rio Grande Valley means students learn Hadoop and Python alongside regional energy, agriculture, and logistics companies desperate for data talent—placement often happens in home communities rather than requiring relocation.
The Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Analytics at UTRGV provides comprehensive training in statistical analysis, machine learning, and big data analytics. Students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools including Python, SQL, R, Tableau, Hadoop, and MapReduce. The program emphasizes practical application through real-world data analysis in contemporary business settings, preparing graduates to tackle business challenges using data-driven solutions. The Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship holds AACSB International accreditation, ensuring global education standards. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with strong business acumen development, focusing on analyzing complex datasets and identifying trends to drive organizational innovation and performance optimization. Students graduate ready to make immediate impact across various industries requiring data-driven decision-making capabilities.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Analytics — 4 years, on-campus. BBA
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Intel.
Location Advantages: Multiple campus locations including Rio Grande City, Edinburg, McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville, and South Padre IslandServes the Rio Grande Valley region with strong community engagement
Best Master's Data Analytics Degree Programs in Texas
Southern Methodist University — Dallas, TX
Key Distinction: Part-time evening classes available for working professionals. Flexible completion: 9 months full-time or 17 months part-time
Hakia Insight: SMU's 9-month full-time MSBA with evening part-time options and Dr. Mark Austin teaching generative AI means students can either sprint or stretch, but either way they're learning cutting-edge techniques from an AT&T executive, not a tenure-track theorist.
The M.S. in Business Analytics (MSBA) at SMU Cox is a 33-credit specialized master's degree designed for working professionals, offering both full-time (9 months) and part-time (17 months) options with evening classes available. Students choose between two specializations: Business Process Analytics or Customer Analytics, covering predictive analytics, data mining, decision models, and programming. The curriculum culminates in either a semester-long capstone project with real companies (including PWC, Southwest Airlines, SAP) or an internship, providing hands-on experience directly applicable to career advancement. The program includes a mandatory summer self-study component with DataCamp and career preparation boot camps. Part-time students can work while completing the degree, with classes structured across four semesters of seven-week modules. Faculty are nationally renowned experts with real-world business experience consulting for Fortune 500 companies. Graduates are positioned for advancement into business intelligence analyst and analytics leadership roles, with strong employer partnerships in Dallas and beyond.
Programs Offered
- M.S. in Business Analytics — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Industry Partners
- JP Morgan Chase (finance)
- American Airlines (transportation)
- Infosys Consulting (tech)
- AT&T (tech)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Intel.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Mark Austin — Vice President of Data Science at AT&T, leads Generative AI course
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.46.
Requirements: 25 credit hours of required courses, 8 hours of elective courses, Summer self-study (DataCamp, CMC Kickstart), Mandatory MSBA Orientation, Two boot camps, Business Analytics Capstone or Internship (Spring semester)
Accreditations and Certifications
- STEM-designated
- OPT-certified
Location Advantages: Dallas technology hub accessGeorge W. Bush Presidential Center proximity
Rice University — Houston, TX
Key Distinction: Part-time/flexible scheduling designed for working professionals. No thesis required; non-thesis (coursework-based) degree
Hakia Insight: Rice's online master requires no thesis but mandates specialization (ML or decision analytics), preventing the shallow breadth trap of thesis-free programs while keeping the flexibility working professionals need.
Rice University's Online Master of Data Science is a flexible, part-time program designed for working professionals. The 31+ credit hour curriculum offers two specialization tracks: Machine Learning and Business Analytics. Students complete a capstone project solving real-world problems with industry data. The non-thesis program can be completed part-time in 2-3.5 years or full-time in 18-24 months. While no graduate assistantships or tuition waivers are offered (non-thesis degree), $10K merit-based scholarships are available to early applicants, and Rice alumni receive 10% tuition discounts. Graduates earn median salaries of $108.6K annually, with data science employment projected to grow 35% through 2032. Career support includes 1:1 advising, networking events, hackathons, and access to Rice's Center for Career Development. The degree earns recognition from leading employers across tech, healthcare, energy, and professional services sectors.
Programs Offered
- Online Master of Data Science — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Data to Knowledge (D2K) Lab
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Notable Faculty
- Chad A. Shaw — Director, Data to Knowledge (D2K) Lab
- Christopher M. Jermaine — Department Chair, Computer Science
- Huixia Judy Wang — Department Chair, Statistics
- Arko Barman — Program Director, DSCI Minor
- Marmar Orooji — Program Director, MDS Degree
Location Advantages:
University of North Texas — Denton, TX
Key Distinction: Accelerated completion in fewer than two years. Online format with blended on-campus options at Denton and UNT Frisco
Hakia Insight: UNT's 30-credit accelerated format with hybrid Denton-Frisco options lets Dallas tech workers stay embedded in job networks during grad school rather than relocating, a structural advantage that community-based hiring never matches.
UNT's Master of Science in Advanced Data Analytics is a 30-credit accelerated program designed for working professionals seeking to advance their careers in data-driven roles. The online format allows completion in fewer than two years, with blended options available at the Denton campus and UNT at Frisco for Dallas-Fort-Worth professionals. The curriculum combines big data analytics, statistical learning, and data visualization with real business case studies. Students can choose existing specializations or develop customized tracks with their advisor. The program emphasizes applying advanced analytic techniques to current roles or launching careers in the expanding data analytics job market. Mid-career professionals report direct application of coursework to their positions, with alumni advancing to roles such as Remote Sensing Imagery Analyst at NASA.
Programs Offered
- Advanced Data Analytics, Master of Science — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Orhan Erdem — behavioral finance, investor psychology, and financial crises
- Michael Monticino
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0.
Location Advantages: Located in North Texas with access to major technology companiesLiving Learning Community for engineering students
The University of Texas at Austin — Austin, TX
Key Distinction: Capstone project (not thesis) as culminating experience. Flexible curriculum customizable through endorsements of specialization
Hakia Insight: UT iSchool's capstone-not-thesis model paired with Microsoft partnerships and UT's Discovery to Impact commercialization program means students graduate with portfolio projects that companies have already vetted as viable, eliminating the 'publish then maybe someone cares' academic delay.
The Master of Science in Information Studies (MSIS) at UT iSchool is a 36-semester-hour professional degree designed for working professionals seeking career advancement in information-focused roles. The program offers a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum with a capstone experience rather than a traditional thesis requirement. Students can customize their degree through endorsements of specialization, dual degree options, and portfolio programs. The program attracts professionals from diverse backgrounds and emphasizes practical skill development in information design, management, and innovation. Over 75% of graduates secure employment within two months of graduation with starting salaries exceeding $50,000. While specific part-time/evening scheduling details are not explicitly stated, the flexible curriculum design accommodates working professionals. Graduate funding is available through automatic scholarship consideration for new students and additional funding opportunities through the Graduate School and iSchool scholarships for full-time returning students.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Information Studies — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN. Top Employers: Amazon.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Microsoft PL-300 Power BI Data Analyst
Location Advantages: Austin technology hubAccess to UT Austin research resourcesConnection to Discovery to Impact commercialization program
The University of Texas at Dallas — Richardson, TX
Key Distinction: State-of-the-art computer laboratories with leading statistical and analysis software (R, STATA, SAS, Qualtrics, NVivo, ArcGIS, ENVI, EViews). World-class faculty from School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences with international recognition
Hakia Insight: UT Dallas's social data analytics specialization with STATA, NVivo, and ArcGIS—tools government and policy orgs mandate—trains students in software ecosystems most programs ignore, creating immediate hire-ability for non-tech sectors where data jobs are growing faster than tech itself.
The Master of Science in Social Data Analytics and Research at UT Dallas equips working professionals with advanced expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, research design, and social science methodologies. The program is taught by internationally recognized faculty and prepares graduates for roles as data scientists, analysts, and research specialists across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. Students gain access to state-of-the-art computer laboratories with leading software including R, STATA, SAS, Qualtrics, NVivo, and ArcGIS. The program benefits from UT Dallas's location in the Dallas region, rated by Forbes as the #1 'Best City for Jobs,' providing extensive internship and employment opportunities. Graduates pursue careers as Data Scientists, Data Analysts, Data Mining Specialists, Database Managers, Statisticians, Program Evaluation Analysts, and Research Analysts. The curriculum emphasizes applied social science in service of public policy and develops skills for both public and private sector careers.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Social Data Analytics and Research — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Industry Partners
- Fullstack Academy (education)
- Citi (finance)
- Wells Fargo (finance)
- Deloitte (consulting)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Intel.
Texas A & M University-College Station — College Station, TX
Hakia Insight: Texas A&M's analytics graduates command $82K median salaries despite competing in a market saturated with tech-school alternatives—a testament to the Department of Statistics' deep relationships with energy and defense contractors (ExxonMobil, Boeing, Shell) that value rigorous statistical theory over trendy machine learning.
At the master's level, texas A&M's Analytics program is housed within the Department of Statistics and offers rigorous training in statistical theory and computational methods. The program produces graduates ready for leadership roles in data science and advanced analytics across industries.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Data Analytics — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Data Analytics — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Institute for Data Science
- Computational Biology Lab
- Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Industry Partners
- ExxonMobil (Energy analytics partner)
- Microsoft (Cloud computing partner)
- Boeing (Aerospace analytics partner)
- Shell (Research consortium member)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $82,000. Top Employers: ExxonMobil, Microsoft, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Dell Technologies.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.5.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer
- Databricks Certified Associate
- Tableau Desktop Certified Professional
University of Houston — Houston, TX
Key Distinction: Both thesis and non-thesis track options available. Courses available online and face-to-face
Hakia Insight: University of Houston's dual thesis/non-thesis structure paired with full online availability turns the program into a de facto two-tier degree: thesis-track students gain research credibility for PhD pipelines, while non-thesis cohorts compress into 10 courses, making it ideal for Houston's energy sector workers seeking quick upskilling without relocation.
The MS in Engineering Data Science and AI at University of Houston offers both thesis and non-thesis track options, providing flexibility for working professionals. The 30-credit program (10 courses) includes core courses, prescribed electives, and specialization tracks in Manufacturing, Cybersecurity, Health, Robotics, or General studies. Courses are available both online and face-to-face, with fully online options through UH Extend. The program serves Houston's growing demand for data science professionals in the energy and healthcare industries. As a STEM degree, it qualifies for 24-month OPT extension for international students. Students typically complete the program in 1.5-2 years full-time. The curriculum covers cutting-edge areas like machine learning, neural networks, big data analytics, and AI applications in engineering. Career prospects are strong given the high demand for data science graduates across industries, particularly in Houston's energy sector and healthcare industry.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Engineering Data Science and AI — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute
- Decision Sciences Institute
- Institute for Regional Forecasting
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Google, Amazon.
Notable Faculty
- Xiao Ma — Associate Professor, Business Analytics program contact
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.00.
Requirements: Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to graduate, Must receive grade of C- and above to pass courses, Complete 4 core courses, Complete prescribed electives, Complete specialization track requirements
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Energy capital of the worldThriving healthcare industryHigh demand for data science workforce
Texas Tech University — Lubbock, TX
Hakia Insight: Texas Tech's $75K median salary underperforms peer institutions, but its partnership with SAS Institute and IBM—paired with a dedicated Data Analytics and Computational Statistics Lab—signals specialization in enterprise software mastery rather than startup-scale salaries, favoring students targeting Fortune 500 analytics roles.
At the master's level, texas Tech's Bachelor of Science in Data Science combines computer science, statistics, and domain expertise to prepare students for advanced analytics roles. The program emphasizes machine learning, big data processing, and ethical data practices.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Data Analytics — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Data Analytics — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- High Performance Computing Center
- Wind Science and Engineering Research Center
- Data Analytics and Computational Statistics Lab
Industry Partners
- IBM (Technology partner)
- SAS Institute (Software partner)
- Raytheon (Defense analytics partner)
- United Supermarkets (Retail analytics partner)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $75,000. Top Employers: IBM, Dell Technologies, American Express, Raytheon, AT&T.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0.
Accreditations and Certifications
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- SAS Certified Programmer
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — Edinburg, TX
Key Distinction: 100% online format. 7-week course length
Hakia Insight: UTRGV's 7-week course blocks and 100% online format appear designed for speed, but the real differentiator is geographic: serving the Rio Grande Valley's energy and border-region industries creates a tight employer feedback loop that larger programs miss, making graduates immediately relevant to regional employers.
The 100% online Master of Science in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence from UTRGV's AACSB-accredited business school is designed for working professionals seeking to advance their data analytics careers. The program offers flexible 7-week courses that can be completed in 12 months, making it ideal for part-time study. Students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools including R, Python, Tableau, and SQL through coursework-based curriculum focusing on machine learning, AI, data visualization, and business intelligence. The program is highly ranked (#2 Most Affordable Online Master's in Business Analytics by TechGuide, #17 by Fortune Education) and prepares graduates for diverse roles including data scientists, business analytics consultants, and predictive modelers. Career outcomes include positions as data analysts, business intelligence analysts, and big data specialists across various industries.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: intel.
Location Advantages: Multiple campus locations including Rio Grande City, Edinburg, McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville, and South Padre IslandServes the Rio Grande Valley region with strong community engagement
Dallas Baptist University — Dallas, TX
Key Distinction: The program uniquely integrates AI ethics and strategic decision-making through a Biblical worldview, with faculty recently earning first place at UNESCO's 3rd Global Forum on the Ethics of AI.
Hakia Insight: Dallas Baptist's UNESCO award for AI ethics instruction isn't ceremonial—Sharon Gorikapudi's faculty leadership in ethical AI creates a rare curricular advantage where students study algorithmic bias and responsible decision-making alongside technical analytics, positioning graduates for C-suite and governance roles competitors aren't training for.
At the master's level, dallas Baptist University's Data Analytics programs encompass multiple pathways including an Advanced Certificate in Business Intelligence and Analytics and a Master of Science in Ethical AI and Strategic Decision Sciences. The certificate program provides students with the ability to provide successful, intelligent, and targeted insights from data through Data Warehousing, Data Mining, and Business Intelligence concepts including descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. The MSAIS program is a disruptive leadership program that blends technical expertise with business acumen, preparing graduates for roles requiring innovative thinking and data-driven strategies. Uniquely, the program integrates AI ethics discussions through a Biblical worldview lens, addressing both technical and moral implications. DBU faculty and students recently gained international recognition for AI ethics research, receiving first place at UNESCO's 3rd Global Forum on the Ethics of AI. The programs are housed within the accredited Carter School of Business and emphasize service-learning, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Data Analytics — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Data Analytics — 1-2 years, online
Notable Faculty
- Sharon Gorikapudi — Ethical AI and Strategic Decision Sciences
Accreditations and Certifications
- SACSCOC accredited
- ACBSP accredited for business degrees
Location Advantages: Dallas location with access to major business hub3000 Mountain Creek Parkway campus
Best Doctoral Data Analytics Degree Programs in Texas
The University of Texas at Dallas — Richardson, TX
Key Distinction: Goes beyond traditional analytics by incorporating generative AI techniques for data processing, visualization, and decision-making, preparing students for the future of data analytics while offering multiple flexible scheduling options.
Hakia Insight: UT Dallas's Fullstack Academy partnership and explicit focus on generative AI—including for data processing itself—places this bootcamp-adjacent program ahead of traditional doctoral pipelines that still treat gen AI as peripheral; the $85,147 median salary reflects early-mover advantage in AI-native analytics roles.
At the doctoral level, the University of Texas at Dallas offers a comprehensive data analytics bootcamp through partnership with Fullstack Academy, focusing on Python, SQL, Excel, Tableau, and generative AI for data processing and visualization. The program is designed to train students for data analyst careers in 10-26 weeks with flexible scheduling options.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Data Analytics — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Data Analytics — 4-6 years, online
Industry Partners
- Fullstack Academy (education)
- Citi (finance)
- Wells Fargo (finance)
- Deloitte (consulting)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $85,147. Top Employers: Citi, Wells Fargo, Deloitte.
Texas A & M University-College Station — College Station, TX
Hakia Insight: Texas A&M's doctoral program maintains identical industry partner strength as its master's track (ExxonMobil, Microsoft, Google) and research lab access, creating an unusual value proposition: students can pursue PhD-level rigor without the salary penalty many doctoral degrees carry, suggesting faculty-led research translates directly into high-paying placements.
At the doctoral level, texas A&M's Analytics program is housed within the Department of Statistics and offers rigorous training in statistical theory and computational methods. The program produces graduates ready for leadership roles in data science and advanced analytics across industries.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Data Analytics — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Data Analytics — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Institute for Data Science
- Computational Biology Lab
- Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Industry Partners
- ExxonMobil (Energy analytics partner)
- Microsoft (Cloud computing partner)
- Boeing (Aerospace analytics partner)
- Shell (Research consortium member)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $82,000. Top Employers: ExxonMobil, Microsoft, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Dell Technologies.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.5.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer
- Databricks Certified Associate
- Tableau Desktop Certified Professional
The University of Texas at Austin — Austin, TX
Key Distinction: Certificate from a world-renowned university (#6 in MS Business Analytics rankings) with live mentorship from industry professionals, hands-on projects, and preparation for Microsoft PL-300 Power BI certification
Hakia Insight: UT Austin McCombs' $110K median salary—the highest among all programs analyzed—derives not from a full doctoral degree but a 3-month Microsoft-partnered certificate, signaling that credential scarcity (Power BI certification) combined with Texas's tech hub access generates outsized returns that justify the prestigious-university premium.
At the doctoral level, A 3-month online certificate program by the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin that teaches essential data analytics skills including Python, SQL, Excel, and Tableau. The program is designed for professionals looking to develop data-driven insights and transition into analytics roles.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Data Analytics — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Data Analytics — 4-6 years, online
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $110,000. Top Employers: Fulton Bank, Charles Schwab, FedEx.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Microsoft PL-300 Power BI Data Analyst
Location Advantages: Austin technology hubAccess to UT Austin research resourcesConnection to Discovery to Impact commercialization program
Rice University — Houston, TX
Key Distinction: Multidisciplinary, interdepartmental and intercollegiate instruction with customizable, specialized degrees and identical online & in-person degree credentials
Hakia Insight: Rice's identical online and in-person MDS credentials represent a quiet revolution: students get no discount for asynchronous learning, eliminating the stigma of online degrees while preserving full access to the D2K Lab and faculty like Christopher Jermaine—a structure that forces the institution to maintain parity rather than tier quality.
At the doctoral level, rice University's Master of Data Science (MDS) program is a professional, non-thesis degree designed to support the needs of interdisciplinary professionals. The program offers both online and on-campus options taught by world-class faculty.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Data Analytics — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Data Analytics — 4-6 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Data to Knowledge (D2K) Lab
Notable Faculty
- Chad A. Shaw — Director, Data to Knowledge (D2K) Lab
- Christopher M. Jermaine — Department Chair, Computer Science
- Huixia Judy Wang — Department Chair, Statistics
- Arko Barman — Program Director, DSCI Minor
- Marmar Orooji — Program Director, MDS Degree
Location Advantages:
Southern Methodist University — Dallas, TX
Key Distinction: The MSBA program is jointly owned by the Information Technology and Operations Management Department and Marketing Department, focusing on true Business Analytics from a multidisciplinary perspective. The online MS in Data Science offers specializations in Machine Learning & AI or Decision Analytics with credit for prior learning from data science boot camps.
Hakia Insight: SMU's $151,650 median salary—$40K+ above most competitors—stems from its dual-department ownership (IT/Ops Management + Marketing) that produces business analysts fluent in both operational efficiency and revenue impact; add Dr. Mark Austin's active role teaching generative AI, and you have a program optimized for C-suite trajectory rather than individual contributor roles.
At the doctoral level, SMU offers two data analytics programs: a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) through the Cox School of Business and an online Master of Science in Data Science. The MSBA is a 33-credit-hour program focusing on business analytics from business, statistical, and IT perspectives, while the online MS in Data Science emphasizes advanced technical skills for managing and analyzing complex data.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Data Analytics — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Data Analytics — 4-6 years, online
Industry Partners
- JP Morgan Chase (finance)
- American Airlines (transportation)
- Infosys Consulting (tech)
- AT&T (tech)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $151,650. Top Employers: JP Morgan Chase, American Airlines, Infosys Consulting.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Mark Austin — Vice President of Data Science at AT&T, leads Generative AI course
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.46.
Accreditations and Certifications
- STEM-designated
- OPT-certified
Location Advantages: Dallas technology hub accessGeorge W. Bush Presidential Center proximity
