Modern organizations are inundated with data, driving record demand for skilled professionals who can analyze, interpret, and form actionable insights from this ballooning cache of information. Earning a respected data analytics associate degree is an excellent way to break into this lucrative and fast-growing field.
To start you on your journey, we analyzed over 50 leading programs in data analytics and data science, from community colleges to national universities, to identify the top five data analytics associate degrees you can take online. Our evaluation criteria included curricula alignment with workforce demands, accessibility, affordability, school reputation, and overall value.
Beyond its standalone value in identifying the top online programs in the U.S., use these ranked programs as a benchmark when searching for the best data analytics associate degrees near you, as many community colleges offer solid 2-year programs at a low cost for locals.
What makes our rankings valuable?
Most degree rankings online rely primarily on the National Center for Education Statistics, measuring school-wide rates for graduation, retention, class size, etc. The NCES has good data, and we use it too; however, we go beyond institutional stats to analyze the current and future relevance of the skills and certifications you’ll gain. We also list programs' actual tuition fees and delve deeper into value and flexibility to consider accelerated learning and certificate options.
These top-rated online degrees in data analytics are currently enrolling students.
Top Data Analytics Programs:
| The Best Online Data Analytics Associate Degrees | ||
| Rank | School | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern New Hampshire University | Associate of Science in Data Analytics |
| 2 | Wilmington University | A.S. in Data Analytics |
| 3 | Montgomery College | Associate of Science in Data Science |
| 4 | American Military University | Online Associate of Science in Data Science |
| 5 | St. Petersburg College | A.S. in Data Science |
The Best Online Associate's in Data Analytics
We selected the best online associate degrees in data analytics in the U.S. based on numerous factors, including curriculum relevance, accessibility, affordability, school reputation, and overall value.
Here are the best data analytics associate programs you can earn online in 2024:
Southern New Hampshire University
SNHU’s Associate of Science in Data Analytics provides essential data science skills in industry-relevant domains like applied statistics, database management, programming and scripting, data policy, and decision-making. Students in the A.S. in data analytics gain future-ready skills in emerging technologies impacting the data field, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Students in this 60-credit data analytics program can transfer up to 45 credits from previous education, experience, and certifications, drastically reducing the time and expense to graduation. Additionally, SNHU offers numerous data-centric bachelor’s and master’s programs to build on your data analytics associate degree.
- Format: Online
- Tuition Cost: $19,800 (60 credits at $330 per credit)
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Wilmington University
WilmU’s A.S. in Data Analytics provides the foundational knowledge to launch a career as a data analyst. Marketable courses in this degree include big data visualization, Python programming for data science, data analysis storytelling, and ethics for AI and data analytics. Students in the online data analytics associate program also get soft skills training in useful topics like oral and written communication, information literacy, and complex problem-solving.
Students in this online program gain hands-on experience in the latest data analysis platforms, including Power BI, SQL Database, Microsoft Excel, Tableau, and Python. This degree also includes a dual-credit certificate in data analytics, which can help with your job search and future education in the field.
- Format: Online
- Tuition Cost: $24,540 (20 courses at $1,227 per course)
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Montgomery College
Montgomery's Associate of Science in Data Science offers a solid foundation for those looking to boost their data literacy or begin a data science career. This 2-year degree focuses on practical mathematics, statistics, and data science applications to solve problems, analyze and visualize large datasets, and wield complex data sets to drive informed decisions.
The data science associate degree can be taken online or in person at one of the school’s Maryland campuses in Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park. This program includes career services like resume writing, interview prep, and personalized career coaching. Students can also choose Montgomery’s 16-credit data science certificate for a more affordable and targeted education.
- Format: Online or On-Campus (MD)
- Tuition Cost:
- Montgomery County residents: $8,040 (60 credits at $134 per credit)
- Maryland state residents: $16,380 (60 credits at $273 per credit)
- Non-Maryland residents: $22,800 (60 credits at $380 per credit)
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
American Military University
AMU's Online Associate of Science in Data Science provides a solid background in functional coding, advanced analytical methods, and machine learning, preparing students for careers in hot data sectors like business and healthcare. Students learn popular data analytics tools like RStudio, Matlab, SAS, and SPSS, along with widely used programming and scripting languages like R, Octave, Python, SQL, Java, JavaScript, and Julia.
A member of the American Public University System (APUS) - AMU features affordable tuition plans for all U.S. residents, including special discounts for military personnel and Veterans. Additionally, the data science associate degree seamlessly transitions into AMU’s bachelor’s in data science, offering a clear path for further education in the field.
- Format: Online
- Tuition Cost:
- Standard rate: $21,000 (60 credits at $350 per credit)
- Veteran grant rate: $18,900 (60 credits at $315 per credit)
- Preferred military rate: $15,000 (60 credits at $250 per credit)
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
St. Petersburg College
SPC’s A.S. in Data Science rounds out our list of the best online data analytics associate degrees for 2024. This program teaches students to locate, gather, and model data for predictive and big data analysis and generate custom stakeholder reports. Students get hands-on training in popular data analysis platforms like Python, Microsoft Excel, and SQL.
In addition to its affordable tuition - especially for Florida residents - St. Petersburg’s data science associate degree features a supervised and evaluated internship, ensuring students can go beyond theory to apply their knowledge in practical settings.
- Format: Online or On-Campus (FL)
- Tuition Cost:
- Florida residents: $6,705 (60 credits at $111.75 per credit)
- Out-of-state: $23,214 (60 credits at $386.90 per credit)
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Data Analytics Degree Programs
Admissions advisors can provide more information about data analytics programs, admissions and start dates, tuition costs, financial aid options, and more.
What skills should I look for in a data analytics associate degree?
Mastering the latest and greatest platforms is a big part of data analytics. As of 2024, valuable tools and technologies to look for in a data analytics associate degree include Python, SQL, Microsoft Excel, Tableau, Power BI, SAS, Apache Spark, R, and Knime.
How much does a data analytics associate’s degree cost?
The cost of a data analytics associate degree varies widely. Community colleges are typically the most affordable, with tuition ranging from $6,000 to $18,000 for county residents. Public state schools fall in the middle, typically costing $14,000 to $30,000 for state residents. Private universities are usually the most expensive, ranging from $20,000 to $50,000+ for U.S. residents. Financial aid, grants, and scholarships can drastically reduce the cost of your data science associate degree.
What are the admission requirements for a data science associate degree?
Most data science associate degrees require applicants to have completed high school or possess a GED (General Educational Development) certificate. If you plan to transfer credits from previous education or experience, you must provide proof of these achievements.
What is the cheapest data science associate degree online?
According to our 2024 ranking, the A.S. in Data Science from St. Petersburg College is the cheapest online associate degree in data analytics, with a $6,705 tuition for Florida residents. The most affordable data science associate degree available to all U.S. residents is America Military University’s Online Associate of Science in Data Science.
