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Data Science and Analytics

Master of Science (M.S.)

Graduate Major

Grand Rapids • Face to face • Hybrid • Online (?) • 36 Credits

Data science and analytics involve extracting insights and knowledge from data through statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization techniques.

Overview

Grand Valley's Master of Science (M.S.) in Data Science and Analytics equips students with the essential skills to handle large and complex data sets across various disciplines, including health, social, political, environmental, science, and technological fields. The program combines technical training with business and communication skills development to offer students a holistic education. Designed for working professionals, this applied program prepares students to tackle real-world data challenges.

The Data Science and Analytics program includes coursework from both information systems and statistics. It covers topics such as data mining, data engineering, information visualization, high-performance computing, machine learning, statistical computing with R, multivariate data analysis, statistical modeling, ethics, professionalism, and practical experience through internships. 

This is an excellent choice for those looking to enter the data science field, with data-related jobs projected to increase by 36% by 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Designed with the working professional in mind, the program offers flexible evening classes and emphasizes experiential learning through field experiences and collaborative assignments and projects. The program is led by first-rate faculty members who are trained professionals with advanced degrees in data science, ensuring a strong foundation in the fundamentals of the field.

College of Computing

[email protected]
(616) 331-2060

Program Director

Robert Adams, Ph.D

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Deadlines for international students are May 1 for fall and October 15 for winter; domestic student deadlines are July 1 for fall and December 1 for winter. The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU.

Career Opportunities

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 59,112.68 10%
$ 77,669.94 25%
$ 98,818.91 50%
$124,506.02 75%
$147,608.24 90%

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

Top skills
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 50,854.37 10%
$ 65,998.36 25%
$ 97,160.49 50%
$124,000.32 75%
$151,295.45 90%

Manage web environment design, deployment, development and maintenance activities. Perform testing and quality assurance of web sites and web applications.

Top skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Monitoring
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 48,136.15 10%
$ 70,097.49 25%
$ 98,871.70 50%
$129,226.74 75%
$155,047.99 90%

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Programming
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 69,714.60 10%
$ 91,533.11 25%
$119,917.87 50%
$142,618.02 75%
$168,408.48 90%

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Systems Analysis
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 69,714.60 10%
$ 91,533.11 25%
$119,917.87 50%
$142,618.02 75%
$168,408.48 90%

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

Top skills
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 62,757.43 10%
$ 81,794.57 25%
$111,781.29 50%
$156,175.67 75%
$195,938.09 90%

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

Top skills
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 56,128.91 10%
$ 75,390.73 25%
$104,054.13 50%
$132,552.21 75%
$161,468.10 90%

Manage web environment design, deployment, development and maintenance activities. Perform testing and quality assurance of web sites and web applications.

Top skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Monitoring
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 50,647.74 10%
$ 73,970.74 25%
$106,279.21 50%
$145,330.84 75%
$178,951.49 90%

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Programming
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 80,441.54 10%
$106,685.20 25%
$135,116.05 50%
$169,093.97 75%
$210,884.69 90%

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Systems Analysis
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 80,441.54 10%
$106,685.20 25%
$135,116.05 50%
$169,093.97 75%
$210,884.69 90%
94%
Graduates Employed
4,963
Students Participated in Experiential Learning
A "Best Bang for Your Buck"
By Washington Monthly

Combined Computer Science B.S. and Data Science and Analytics M.S.

If you are a future undergraduate student who is already interested in graduate studies, our Data Science and Analytics combined degree programs will save you time and money.

Data Science and Analytics Program Overview

Watch GVSU Data Science and Analytics Professor Jonathan Leidig give an overview of the program.

Watch the video

Scholarships

Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU.

Grand Valley offers myScholarships (a scholarship matching tool) to help admitted students match with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities. myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you to scholarships for which you might qualify.

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Page last modified June 9, 2025