Master's in Data Science Programs in Arkansas

Arkansas doesn't have a reputation as a tech state, but the headquarters of the world's largest retailer sits in Bentonville, and Walmart's data science and machine learning teams are the biggest reason the state has a real data science job market outside its two flagship research campuses. Arkansas students interested in data science master's programs will find a modest but genuine set of in-state choices, including technical data science, statistics, and business-facing analytics degrees at the University of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and Southern Arkansas University. Some of these programs are fully online, while others are hybrid or require regular time on campus.

This guide covers data science master's programs in Arkansas, online alternatives, graduate certificates, bootcamps, scholarships, networking opportunities, salary data, and statewide career resources.

Studying Data Science in Arkansas

Arkansas's civilian labor force and nonfarm payrolls have been hitting record highs, and the Private Education and Health Services category posted the most significant recent job growth in the state, adding 8,800 jobs year over year, with Professional and Business Services also adding 3,500 jobs over the same period. Arkansas's professional and business services sector, the category that includes computer systems design and data-related consulting, has been the state's fastest-growing major contributor to GDP over the past decade. The professional and business services industry contributed the most to Arkansas's GDP in 2025, generating $22.4 billion, more than manufacturing or real estate, and it grew faster than any other sector, with 2025 GDP nearly double its 2015 level. For data science students, the practical takeaway is that healthcare and professional/business services, not any single flagship industry, are the parts of Arkansas's economy generating the most durable demand for data skills right now. That pattern plays out differently across the state:

• Northwest Arkansas. Home to Walmart's global headquarters, this region has by far the state's largest concentration of data science employment. Walmart Global Tech in Bentonville runs dedicated data science, machine learning, and AI teams supporting Walmart and Sam's Club's retail, supply chain, and e-commerce operations, and regularly hires data scientists at every level, from entry-level analysts to PhD-level staff scientists. Tyson Foods (Springdale) and J.B. Hunt Transport (Lowell) also maintain sizable analytics and technology operations supporting food-supply and logistics data. Fayetteville's Innovation District is home to Startup Junkie Consulting and the NWA Fab Lab, and the University of Arkansas's Arkansas Research & Technology Park, including its GENESIS Technology Incubator, supports startups working with applied data and engineering research. Data work here spans retail and supply chain analytics, machine learning, food safety and agtech data, and logistics optimization.
• Central Arkansas. Little Rock and North Little Rock host a mix of healthcare, financial, and marketing-data employers. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) runs the Department of Biomedical Informatics, the Translational Research Institute, and a Creativity Hub for Artificial Intelligence in Health, which together generate steady demand for healthcare data analysts and biomedical informaticists. Acxiom, a homegrown Central Arkansas data-driven marketing company now based in nearby Conway, is one of the country's largest data-marketing firms and a major employer of data analysts and engineers. Dillard's and Windstream are headquartered in Little Rock, and the Little Rock Technology Park, The Venture Center, and Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub support the city's fintech and startup ecosystem. At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), the Emerging Analytics Center works on data visualization and interactive technologies, and the Institute for Chief Data Officers focuses on data governance leadership.
• Northeast Arkansas. Centered on Jonesboro, this region is anchored by Arkansas State University's College of Engineering and Computer Science, which supports both technical and business-facing analytics training. Regional healthcare systems, including NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital and St. Bernards Healthcare, generate demand for healthcare data and reporting roles. Data work connected to this region skews toward healthcare analytics, institutional research, and agricultural data tied to the region's farming economy.
• Arkansas River Valley. Centered on Russellville, this region is smaller but distinct. Arkansas Tech University (ATU) is the area's largest employer, alongside Arkansas Nuclear One, the state's only nuclear power plant, operated by Entergy, which relies on plant instrumentation and operations data to run its reactors safely. ATU offers one of the state's few dedicated pairings of health information management and health informatics programs. Data work here includes energy systems and grid data, health information management, and applied business analytics.

Northwest Arkansas holds the large majority of the state's in-person data science and analytics jobs, particularly at Walmart Global Tech. For students living in Central, Northeast, or River Valley, Arkansas, or anywhere outside the Fayetteville–Bentonville–Springdale–Rogers corridor, that concentration is a real constraint on where in-person data science work happens, which is part of why an online or hybrid master's program can be worth exploring.

Online Data Science Master's Degrees in Arkansas

Online programs may suit Arkansas students who want graduate-level training without relocating to Northwest Arkansas or leaving a job.

How to Compare Online Data Science Master's Degrees

When comparing online programs, there is a lot to consider. To start, cover the basics by understanding the following 5 key factors:

• Can you enroll as an Arkansas resident? Is the school authorized to enroll students from your area, and does it hold institutional accreditation?
• What does the curriculum cover? Are there any specialties you're interested in? Look for statistics, programming, machine learning, databases, visualization, ethics, and applied projects.
• What prerequisites are required? This might include prior coursework in programming, statistics, calculus, linear algebra, or computer science.
• How are classes delivered? Synchronous, asynchronous, or a blend of both? Does the schedule work with your lifestyle and other obligations?
• What support is available to online students? Does this include career services, faculty access, technical resources, and networking opportunities?

Online Arkansas Graduate Data Science Programs

Arkansas participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE). In practice, this means an Arkansas resident can enroll in most accredited online master's programs based in other states without encountering state-authorization barriers. Arkansas also has a small number of online, or online-optional, in-state programs of its own. Students should still confirm current program modality, admissions requirements, tuition, and state availability directly with each school.

• Southern Arkansas University: Master of Science in Computer and Information Science, Data Science Option - Magnolia, AR. This 30-credit program can be completed 100% online, on campus in Magnolia, or in a hybrid format, and its Data Science option focuses on data analytics, decision theory, and big data. Applicants generally need a background in programming and basic statistics; students from other majors may be required to complete two foundational bridge courses in programming and computing concepts. It's a practical option for working professionals who want a technical data science credential without relocating.
• University of Arkansas: Master of Science in Operations Analytics - Fayetteville, AR. This fully online, 30-credit-hour program, offered through the Statistics and Analytics (STAN) program, focuses on quantitative modeling of enterprise operations, including optimization, statistical modeling, machine learning, and simulation, and does not require the GRE. It's designed for students with an engineering or quantitative background; applicants without an ABET-accredited industrial engineering degree may need prerequisite coursework in calculus, linear algebra, and probability and statistics.
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock: Master of Science in Information Science - Little Rock, AR. This 33-credit program is offered in person, online, or in a hybrid format at the student's discretion, with lectures webcast live and recorded for later viewing. The curriculum covers information retrieval, storage, processing, and analysis, and includes coursework in self-selected technical areas such as AI, business intelligence, or virtual reality. A data science graduate certificate can be earned as part of the degree, which can also serve as a stepping stone toward UALR's Ph.D. in Computer and Information Science.
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock: Master of Science in Information Quality - Little Rock, AR. This 33-credit program is offered both on campus and online at the student's discretion and prepares students for careers in information quality and data governance, such as Chief Data Officer, Data Steward, and Information Quality Analyst. The GRE or GMAT is required for regular admission, though this requirement is waived for applicants who complete UALR's Information Quality graduate certificate with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Arkansas Tech University: Master of Science in Health Informatics - Russellville, AR. This 35-credit-hour program may be completed online. The curriculum covers healthcare data privacy and security, health IT leadership and policy, and emerging health information technology concepts, and requires prior coursework or work experience in health information management and computer programming.

Learn more about what to look for in an online master's in data science program, including our specific guide on evaluating online data science degrees.

In-State Data Science Master's Programs and Related Degrees in Arkansas

Arkansas's hybrid and in-person options all require at least some regular on-campus time. The programs below are not a ranked list, and formats and technical depth vary widely.

• University of Arkansas: Master of Science in Statistics and Analytics - Fayetteville, AR. This cross-college interdisciplinary program offers several concentrations, including Statistics, Business Analytics, and Computational Analytics. Most coursework is face-to-face on the Fayetteville campus; some courses in the Business Analytics and Operations Analytics concentrations have online offerings, but the degree as a whole (outside the fully online Operations Analytics track above) cannot be completed remotely.
• University of Arkansas, Sam M. Walton College of Business: Professional Master of Information Systems - Fayetteville, AR. This blended-delivery program is built for working professionals, combining online coursework with in-person class sessions one Saturday per month. Coursework covers business analytics, data management, data mining, and enterprise computing platforms, and uses real-world datasets from Sam's Club, Tyson Foods, Dillard's, and Acxiom. A three-semester Ph.D. Prep pathway is also available.

Data Science Programs in Arkansas

Programs included in this table were last reviewed in July 2026.

Data Science Certificates, Bootcamps, and Courses

A master's degree isn't the only path into data science. Graduate certificates, bootcamps, and standalone courses offer more targeted, often faster ways to build specific skills, whether as a first step toward a degree or as standalone professional development. These options vary widely in cost, format, and rigor, so students should compare carefully and confirm with the school whether certificate credits can apply toward a future master's degree.

Online Arkansas Graduate Certificate Programs in Data Science and Related Fields

Arkansas's certificate options are concentrated at the University of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and the University of Central Arkansas. Students should confirm current course delivery, admissions requirements, tuition, and stacking options directly with each school.

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock: Graduate Certificate in Data Science. This certificate, offered both in-person and online, teaches students to work with complex information systems and data analytics, and its credits are generally applicable toward UALR's Master of Science in Information Science.
• University of Arkansas, Walton College of Business: Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics. Offered largely online, this certificate covers data analytics fundamentals, data management and mining, and prepares students for SAS® certification; credit hours can generally be applied to the Professional MIS or M.S. in Statistics and Analytics.
• University of Arkansas: Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Technologies. This fully online certificate helps students build programming and spatial database skills alongside core geospatial and remote sensing competencies.
• University of Central Arkansas: Data Analytics Graduate Certificate - Conway, AR. This 12-credit-hour, online certificate is offered through UCA's Computer Information Systems & Analytics department and requires a Business Statistics prerequisite. It stacks toward UCA's M.S. in Applied Data Analytics for students who choose to continue.

If none of the above suit your needs, our directory of online graduate certificates in data science has listings from schools around the country.

Data Science Boot Camps in Arkansas

Bootcamps are intensive, non-degree programs intended to build applied data science or data analytics skills quickly, often through hands-on projects rather than semester-long coursework. University-affiliated bootcamps may be offered through continuing education divisions, while others are run by third-party education partners; students should confirm the credentials awarded, tuition, schedule, refund policies, and career support before enrolling.

University Affiliated Bootcamps in Arkansas

• University of Central Arkansas: Arkansas Coding Academy - Conway, AR. Run through UCA's continuing education division, this live, instructor-led virtual bootcamp is best known for its 24-week full-stack development track, but also offers a standalone SQL Bootcamp focused on data manipulation and database management, along with shorter AI workshops.
• NorthWest Arkansas Community College: Data Analytics and Visualization Boot Camp - Bentonville, AR. This online, self-paced, roughly 6-month program covers data science, analytics, and visualization tools and includes dedicated study time for the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) certification exam. The same licensed curriculum is also offered through North Arkansas College, giving Arkansas students a second point of access.
• University of Arkansas: Data Science Certificate Program - Fayetteville, AR. Offered through UARK's Global Campus and Professional and Workforce Development division, this live-streamed, 8-week/32-hour crash course covers data manipulation, descriptive and inferential statistics, and model selection.

Learn more about data science boot camps and how they differ from graduate programs. See also our dedicated guides to data science bootcamps and data analytics bootcamps.

Data Science Courses in Arkansas

Individual online courses can help students build specific skills before committing to a certificate or master's program. Arkansas's community colleges offer a small number of these standalone courses, mostly through licensed continuing education content rather than locally developed curriculum, so students may also want to look at national online course providers for additional options.

• NorthWest Arkansas Community College: Data Analytics Course, Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Course, Python for Machine Learning & Data Science Course
• North Arkansas College: Python for Machine Learning & Data Science Course, a second access point for the same licensed curriculum available through NWACC.

Learn more about individual course options in our guide to online data science courses.

Data Science Scholarships in Arkansas

The list below is not exhaustive. Students should also check each school's graduate division, financial aid office, and department pages for additional scholarship and assistantship opportunities.

University of Arkansas

• Department of Mathematical Sciences Scholarships and Teaching Assistantships: Students in the M.S. in Statistics and Analytics program can apply for departmental scholarships, typically ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 annually, and many students receive teaching assistantships.
• Cost and Funding, Graduate School of Business: At this time, only the full-time MBA offers assistantship funding at the master's level at Walton College; other Walton master's programs, including the Professional MIS, do not provide direct funding, and certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid.
• CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service (ASCENT): Hosted by the University of Arkansas's Security Research and Education Institute, this program provides academic-year stipends of $37,000 for graduate students plus a $6,000 professional allowance, in exchange for post-graduation service with a federal, state, local, or tribal government agency. It's open to students in Computer Science and Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Industrial Engineering.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

• Graduate Assistantships: Full-time assistantships (20 hours/week) provide a minimum $8,000 annual stipend plus a tuition waiver; part-time assistantships (10 hours/week) provide a minimum $4,000 annual stipend plus a partial tuition waiver.

Arkansas Tech University

• Graduate Assistantships: Contracted graduate students, including those in Health Informatics, can receive a tuition waiver for up to 18 graduate credit hours per year plus a monthly stipend in exchange for on-campus work.

Southern Arkansas University

• Scholarships & Financial Aid: Graduate assistantships are available to MCIS Data Science students, though SAU notes these opportunities are very limited.

Statewide Resources

Arkansas does not have a dedicated, statewide data-science-specific scholarship, and it's worth being direct about the state's broader loan-repayment landscape: Arkansas is one of only four states without an active federal-state Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) State Loan Repayment Program grant, so it has no state-run loan repayment program for healthcare roles at all. The one state loan repayment program Arkansas does run, the State Teacher Education Program (STEP), is restricted to licensed K-12 teachers working in subject- or geographic-shortage areas and does not apply to data or computing roles.

Statewide or Regional Scholarship Resources

• The Arkansas Division of Higher Education's financial aid resources coordinate statewide student aid and FAFSA support across Arkansas's public colleges and universities.
• NC-SARA can help students understand state authorization for distance education programs based outside of Arkansas.

Data Science Events in Arkansas

Arkansas's data science community is concentrated in Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock, and it isn't large enough to sustain a dedicated data-science-only meetup in most parts of the state, so students may need to look at general AI and tech communities alongside more specialized options.

Data Science Meetups and Communities in Arkansas

• NWA AI Meetup is an active, Fayetteville/Bentonville-based group with monthly in-person meetups covering machine learning, AI safety, and applied AI topics, open to students, community members, and industry professionals alike.
• NWA TechFest is a volunteer-led nonprofit that hosts monthly social meetups for STEM professionals in Northwest Arkansas, as well as its annual conference (see below).
• AI in the Rock is a monthly Little Rock meetup that draws 80 to 100 attendees for talks, lightning presentations, and networking on applied AI across industries, including finance, healthcare, and the arts.

Data Science Conferences and Workshops in Arkansas

• The Arkansas Digital Government Summit, now in its 16th year, brings together state and local IT and data leaders in Little Rock for sessions on data governance, statewide data sharing, and the state's AI Working Group, with participation from the state's Chief Data Officer and Chief Information Officers across multiple agencies.
• The NWA Tech Summit, hosted annually in Bentonville by the Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, focuses on AI's impact on retail, supply chain, and business operations across Northwest Arkansas.
• The NWA TechFest Conference, organized by the same nonprofit behind the monthly NWA TechFest meetups, is a low-cost annual technology conference for developers and STEM professionals in the region.
• UAMS's Innovations in Artificial Intelligence Conference, now in its third year, examines the emerging impact of AI on clinical, research, and educational work at Arkansas's academic health center in Little Rock.

Data Science Jobs in Arkansas

Data science roles can involve collecting, cleaning, analyzing, modeling, visualizing, and communicating data. In Arkansas, these roles appear across retail and supply-chain analytics, healthcare, financial and marketing data, energy, and agriculture, concentrated heavily around Walmart's Northwest Arkansas ecosystem but present statewide in smaller pockets. A master's degree may help students build advanced skills, but it does not guarantee employment, a specific salary, or the title of data scientist. Prior experience, technical projects, internships, networking, portfolio work, and interview preparation can also affect job opportunities. Explore related paths in our data science careers and data scientist career guide.

Data Scientist Salaries in Arkansas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, data scientists in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of $109,390 in May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning $67,090 or less and the highest 10% earning $169,110 or more.

Students may also want to compare related occupations. Salary data can vary by location, industry, experience, education, and employer. The figures below are occupational wage figures, not guarantees of outcomes for graduates.

The table below uses the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data for Arkansas.

Interested in STEM Careers?

Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Information Careers

• Computer Engineer
• Computer Scientist
• Information Security Analyst
• Computer and Information Research Scientist
• Computer Systems Analyst

Marketing and User Research Careers

• Marketing Analyst
• Market Research Analyst
• Digital Marketer
• UX Designer

Compare Careers and STEM Fields

• Data Analyst vs. Data Scientist
• Data Analytics vs. Business Analytics
• Data Science vs. Machine Learning
• Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering
• Cybersecurity vs. Computer Science

Related Graduate STEM Degrees

Related Undergraduate STEM Degrees

• Online Bachelor's in Data Science
• Online Bachelor's in Computer Science

Arkansas Data Science, Tech, and Career Resources

• Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE): State agency for institutional authorization, SARA participation, and distance-education student complaints.
• Arkansas Department of Commerce: State economic development and labor-market source, including the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
• Discover Arkansas: The state's labor market information portal, run by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, featuring occupational wage and employment projections.
• Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC): Statewide network offering free consulting, market research, and technology commercialization support for entrepreneurs, based at UA Little Rock with regional offices statewide.
• Arkansas Economic Development Commission Technology Report: State source for workforce, education, and incentive information related to Arkansas's technology sector.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.