Master’s in Data Science Programs in Indiana

Studying Data Science in Indiana

Indiana’s life sciences cluster is a defensible starting point for understanding where data-skills demand is concentrated. A 2026 analysis from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business’s Indiana Business Research Center found that Indiana’s life sciences cluster, spanning pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical devices, agriculture, and biotechnology, employed roughly 573,000 workers and generated approximately $81.9 billion in GDP statewide in 2025, with real GDP up 25.5% since 2019. Central Indiana alone accounted for 211,000 of those jobs and more than half the cluster’s GDP, and life sciences workers there earn a wage premium of over $30,000 above the region’s all-industry average, evidence of a concentration in high-value work like pharmaceutical manufacturing rather than lower-wage clinical roles. That research base is now backed by state investment: in March 2026, Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation announced a $1 billion commitment, about a third of the IEDC’s available tax credits, specifically targeted at growing high-wage life sciences and agriculture jobs, with Central Indiana designated as the first region to execute a formal growth strategy. For data science students, the takeaway is specific: healthcare and life sciences, and the advanced manufacturing and logistics operations that support them, are where the state is actively directing growth and where demand for data skills is likely to keep expanding. That pattern plays out differently across the state’s regions:

• Indianapolis and Central Indiana. As the seat of state government and home to the state’s largest employers, Central Indiana anchors Indiana’s data economy. Eli Lilly and Company, headquartered in Indianapolis, and the North American headquarters of Roche Diagnostics both employ data scientists and analysts to support drug development, diagnostics, and clinical operations, while the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI), the nation’s first industry-led collaborative life sciences research institute, runs a Center for Applied Data Sciences focused on data integration and analytics for life sciences research. Health insurer Elevance Health is headquartered in Indianapolis, and Salesforce maintains a regional presence at Salesforce Tower in downtown Indianapolis. The 16 Tech innovation district and business accelerator, Elevate Ventures, supports the broader startup ecosystem, and TechPoint, the state’s technology trade association, runs talent, research, and innovation programming, including the annual Mira Awards, which recognize the state’s top technology companies. Data work here spans healthcare and pharmaceutical analytics, business intelligence, and applied AI.
• Northwest Indiana and the Chicago Metro. Known locally as “the Region,” Northwest Indiana’s economy has long been anchored by steel, with Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel operating some of the largest integrated steel mills in North America at Indiana Harbor, Burns Harbor, and Gary Works. That industrial base is now joined by a fast-growing data infrastructure sector: Microsoft broke ground in June 2026 on a data center campus in La Porte, part of a $1 billion-plus investment, and has since moved to expand it with a second campus. On the healthcare side, Franciscan Health operates multiple hospitals across the region. Purdue University Northwest (in Hammond and Westville), Indiana University Northwest (in Gary), and Valparaiso University anchor the region’s higher education base, and the area’s proximity to Chicago also gives residents access to that metro’s much larger data and analytics job market. Data work connected to this region includes industrial and manufacturing analytics, data center operations and infrastructure, and healthcare analytics.
• South Bend–Elkhart and North-Central Indiana. The University of Notre Dame anchors this region’s data economy, running its own online data science master’s program in partnership with AT&T. Beacon Health System is a major regional healthcare employer, and Saint Mary’s College, Indiana University South Bend, Bethel University, and Goshen College round out the area’s higher education base. Neighboring Elkhart County’s economy runs on recreational vehicle manufacturing, led by employers like Thor Industries and Forest River, where production and supply chain analytics roles are increasingly common. Warsaw, about an hour southeast, is known as the “orthopedics capital of the world” and is home to Zimmer Biomet, a global medical device manufacturer. Data work connected to this region spans healthcare analytics, medical device data, and manufacturing and supply chain analytics.
• Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana. Fort Wayne’s data-relevant economy centers on defense electronics and aerospace, healthcare, and insurance. Defense contractors, including BAE Systems, L3Harris Technologies, and Raytheon (RTX), collectively employ several thousand people in the region on satellite, radar, and electronic warfare systems that rely heavily on data and signal processing, and Google has announced plans for a data center in the metro area. On the healthcare side, Parkview Health is a major regional employer, and the region’s insurance roots (Lincoln Financial Group was founded in Fort Wayne) support ongoing demand for actuarial and risk analytics talent. Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana Tech, the University of Saint Francis, and Trine University support the region’s tech and engineering talent pipeline. Data work connected to this region includes defense signal and sensor data, healthcare analytics, and insurance and financial risk modeling.
• Greater Lafayette and West-Central Indiana. Home to Purdue University, this region’s data economy is shaped directly by the university’s research infrastructure and a major new semiconductor investment. SK hynix is building an approximately $4 billion advanced packaging plant at the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette to produce high-bandwidth memory chips used in AI systems, a project expected to create over 1,000 direct jobs by the time it reaches full production around 2028. Purdue’s Discovery Park District houses additional research centers spanning data science, engineering, and applied computing, and the Krenicki Center for Business Analytics and Machine Learning at the Daniels School of Business connects students and faculty with real-world business analytics projects. Data work connected to this region includes semiconductor and advanced manufacturing analytics, applied research, and business analytics.
• Bloomington and South-Central Indiana. Bloomington’s data economy centers on Indiana University’s research infrastructure. The Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering houses IU’s data science graduate programs and research centers, including the Indiana University Network Science Institute, which studies complex networks and data-driven systems. Nearby Columbus adds a different kind of data work: Cummins, the global diesel engine and power technology manufacturer headquartered there, relies on engineering and supply chain analytics at an industrial scale. Data work here spans academic and research-adjacent roles, such as bioinformatics and network science, as well as applied engineering and manufacturing analytics tied to Columbus.
• Evansville and Southwest Indiana. Evansville’s economy is more manufacturing- and healthcare-driven than tech-driven, but it supports real data roles. Deaconess Health System, the region’s largest employer, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana both generate substantial demand for operational and clinical data analysis. Berry Global, a Fortune 500 plastics manufacturer headquartered in Evansville, and AstraZeneca’s pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in nearby Mount Vernon add further demand for healthcare-adjacent and manufacturing analytics. The University of Southern Indiana, the University of Evansville, and Vincennes University anchor the region’s higher education base. Data work connected to this region includes manufacturing and quality-control analytics, as well as healthcare operations analytics.

Indiana’s in-person data science employment is concentrated heavily in Central Indiana, with Northwest Indiana’s access to the Chicago metro, Fort Wayne, Greater Lafayette, and the Bloomington and South Bend university towns forming smaller secondary hubs. For students living elsewhere in the state, or who aren’t positioned to relocate near one of these hubs, an online master’s program can be a practical way to build data science credentials without moving.

Online Data Science Master’s Degrees in Indiana

Online programs may suit Indiana students who want graduate-level training without relocating to Indianapolis, West Lafayette, or another campus hub, or who need to keep working while they study.

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 Indiana 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 Indiana Graduate Data Science Programs

Indiana participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, which serves as the state’s SARA portal entity. In practice, this means an Indiana resident can enroll in most accredited online master’s programs based in other SARA member states without encountering state-authorization barriers, though students should still confirm with their institution of choice that it accepts Indiana residents. Indiana is home to several fully online data science and analytics master’s programs, offered by research universities and smaller private colleges; students should confirm the current program modality, admissions requirements, and tuition directly with each school before applying.

• Purdue University: Master of Science in Data Science and Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) - West Lafayette, IN. Both are 30-credit, fully online programs that don’t require the GRE or GMAT. The Data Science degree, offered through Purdue Online, takes about 24 months and covers programming, data engineering, statistics, and machine learning, with credits from Purdue’s Foundations of Data Science Graduate Certificate applicable toward it. The MSBA, offered through the Mitch Daniels School of Business, takes 1.5 to 2.5 years and focuses on business-facing analytics, data modeling, and data-driven decision-making for working professionals.
• Indiana University: Master of Science in Data Science (Online) and Master of Science in Business Analytics - Bloomington, IN. The Data Science degree, delivered through IU Bloomington’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, is a 30-credit, fully asynchronous program letting students focus on one of three domain areas: data analytics and visualization, intelligent systems engineering, or cybersecurity; applicants should have a basic grounding in Python or R, math, and probability before starting, and a minimum 3.0 GPA. The MS in Business Analytics, delivered through the Kelley School of Business, is a 30-credit, 100% online program (roughly $25,500 total tuition) covering data warehousing, business econometrics, and predictive analytics, designed for professionals with an undergraduate background in business, economics, engineering, IT, or statistics; it does not list GRE or GMAT scores among its admissions requirements.
• University of Notre Dame: Master’s in Data Science - Notre Dame, IN. This 30-credit online program, developed in partnership with AT&T, takes about 21 months to complete and covers statistics, machine learning, storytelling, and data ethics; it does not require an undergraduate degree in a quantitative or technical field, and the GRE or GMAT is optional. The program includes exclusive, non-mandatory in-person immersion weekends in locations such as Silicon Valley and on campus.
• Saint Mary’s College: Master of Science in Data Science - Notre Dame, IN. This fully online Professional Science Master’s program combines data mining, machine learning, and programming coursework with business and communication skills and includes an optional practicum. Indiana residents and recent graduates of Indiana undergraduate programs may be eligible for the school’s Lilly Endowment Scholarship for Data Science, worth up to $1,000 per term for the first five terms.
• Butler University: Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) - Indianapolis, IN. Offered through the Lacy School of Business in a flexible online format (one seven-week course at a time), this program can be completed in about two years, covers AI, machine learning, data mining, and predictive modeling, and does not require prior coding or data analysis experience, making it accessible to career changers.

Learn more about what to look for in an online master’s in data science program in our guide, including what to look for in an online data science program.

In-State Data Science Master’s Programs and Related Degrees in Indiana

The programs below are verified options, not a ranked list, and vary in focus and delivery format. These are Indiana’s hybrid and in-person options, which require at least some on-campus presence.

• Purdue University: Master of Science in Business Analytics and Information Management (MSBAIM) - West Lafayette, IN. This full-time, in-person, 36-credit, STEM-designated program at the Daniels School of Business can be completed in 12 months and builds proficiency in Python, SAS, SQL, R, Hadoop, and other big data technologies through real-world consulting projects and case competitions. It reports a 92% employment rate within six months of graduation (three-year average).
• Indiana University Indianapolis: Master of Science in Applied Data Science - Indianapolis, IN. Offered through IU Indianapolis’s own Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, this program is delivered on campus or in a hybrid format rather than fully in person. Students can customize the degree with specializations in Crisis Informatics, User Experience Design, or Sports Analytics, and the GRE is optional. Recent graduates have gone on to employers including Cummins, Barclays, Progressive, Oracle, and the Cleveland Browns.

Data Science Programs in Indiana

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

Data Science Certificates, Bootcamps, and Courses

A master’s degree is not the only path into data science. Graduate certificates, bootcamps, and individual courses offer more targeted training for students who want to build specific skills quickly or test the field before committing to a full degree. These options vary widely in length, cost, and rigor, so students should compare carefully and confirm whether certificate credits can apply toward a future master’s degree.

Online Indiana Graduate Certificate Programs in Data Science and Related Fields

Indiana’s research universities offer online graduate certificates that can serve as standalone credentials or a pathway into a full master’s program. Students should confirm current admissions requirements, tuition, and credit-transfer policies directly with each school.

• Indiana University: Graduate Certificate in Data Science (Online) - Bloomington, IN. This 12-credit, 100% online certificate can be completed in as few as two semesters (up to four) and covers topics like data analysis, cloud computing, health and medicine, statistics, and data mining. Its credits can be applied toward IU’s online M.S. in Data Science, though transfer credits from other programs are not accepted.
• Purdue University: Foundations of Data Science Graduate Certificate - West Lafayette, IN. This 9-credit, fully online certificate (one required course, one core course, and an elective) does not require the GRE or GMAT and covers core competencies like data analytics, visualization, and applied machine learning. Its credits can be applied toward Purdue’s online M.S. in Data Science.

Data Science Boot Camps in Indiana

Data science and data analytics bootcamps are intensive, non-degree programs designed to build applied skills quickly, often through hands-on projects rather than semester-long coursework. Bootcamps may be offered through university continuing education or executive education divisions, or through third-party education partners, so students should confirm the credentials awarded, tuition, schedule, and career support before enrolling.

Private Data Science Bootcamps in Indiana

• Eleven Fifty Academy, a nonprofit tech bootcamp headquartered in Indianapolis, offers instructor-led coding, cybersecurity, and AI workshop tracks, along with CompTIA certification test prep, but does not currently offer a dedicated data science or data analytics track. Students specifically seeking data-focused training should confirm current course offerings directly with the school. Because private bootcamps vary widely, students should confirm all details directly with the provider

Learn more about data science boot camps and data analytics bootcamps and how they differ from graduate programs.

Data Science Courses in Indiana

Individual online courses can help students build specific skills before committing to a certificate or master’s program. Indiana Tech’s continuing education division, delivered in partnership with ed2go, and Ivy Tech Community College’s technical certificate offerings give students standalone, non-degree entry points into data work.

• Indiana Tech: Online Data Analytics Course, covering Excel, Python, SQL, Tableau, and machine learning fundamentals for building and querying data
• Indiana Tech: Online Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Course, covering Python programming, machine learning, data analysis, and SQL querying for building AI-powered applications
• Ivy Tech Community College: Data Analytics Technical Certificate, a 19-credit-hour, credit-bearing certificate offered at multiple campuses statewide and designed as an entry point into data analytics roles, with credits that can apply toward Ivy Tech’s Data Analytics associate degree

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

Data Science Scholarships in Indiana

The list below is not exhaustive. Students should also check each school’s graduate studies office, department pages, and program-specific scholarship pages for additional funding.

Indiana University Bloomington

• Kelley Direct Online Program Scholarships: Kelley’s online graduate programs, including the M.S. in Business Analytics, offer the ROMBA Fellowship for LGBTQ+ business leaders, an Expanding Access Scholarship, and a scholarship for military servicemembers and veterans; all applicants are automatically considered.

Indiana University Indianapolis

• Luddy Indianapolis Graduate Scholarships: Full-time students admitted to Luddy Indianapolis master’s programs, including the M.S. in Applied Data Science, are automatically considered for admission-based scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,250 per semester.

Purdue University

• MSBAIM Scholarship: All applicants to the Master of Science in Business Analytics and Information Management are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships during admission review, with no separate application. Students can also find paid research and consulting positions through centers like the Krenicki Center for Business Analytics and Machine Learning.

Saint Mary’s College

• Lilly Endowment Scholarship for Data Science: This merit-based award is available to students admitted to the Master of Science in Data Science program who are either Indiana residents or recent graduates of an Indiana undergraduate institution, and pays $1,000 per term for the first five terms.

Statewide or Regional Scholarship Resources

• Indiana Commission for Higher Education State Financial Aid: Indiana’s state financial aid portal, covering the Frank O’Bannon Grant (the state’s primary need-based aid program) and the 21st Century Scholarship, Indiana’s early college promise program. Indiana ranks fifth in the nation in need-based grant aid per full-time undergraduate student.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.

Data Science Events in Indiana

Central Indiana has the state’s most active data science and AI community, with additional general tech meetups available in Fort Wayne and other regional hubs for students outside Indianapolis.

Data Science Meetups and Communities in Indiana

• IndyML is Indianapolis’s longest-running machine learning meetup, covering everything from clustering and decision trees to text analysis and neural networks.
• IndyPy is a large, active Python users group that regularly features data science and AI presentations alongside general Python programming content, drawing attendees from across the Midwest both in person and online.
• Indy Big Data hosts an active monthly meetup (held the last Wednesday of each month at Launch Fishers) for professionals building large-scale data processing systems with tools like Hadoop, HBase, and MongoDB.
• TechPoint’s Indiana AI Innovation Network runs monthly meetings and a Slack community connecting AI practitioners across the state’s tech industry.

Data Science Conferences and Workshops in Indiana

• Indy Big Data hosts an annual conference in the Indianapolis area, featuring workshops and talks on analytics, data management, security, and IoT.
• The Kelley School of Business Institute for Business Analytics (IBA) Conferences covers forums devoted to specific aspects of analytics, such as marketing, supply chain, and finance.
• The University of Indianapolis AI Summit is an annual conference bringing industry leaders to campus to discuss applied AI.
• TechPoint’s Mira Awards is Indiana’s annual gala honoring the state’s top technology companies and innovators, useful for identifying up-and-coming employers in the state’s tech sector.

Data Science Jobs in Indiana

Data science roles can involve collecting, cleaning, analyzing, modeling, visualizing, and communicating data. In Indiana, these roles appear across life sciences and healthcare, advanced manufacturing and logistics, defense and aerospace, insurance and finance, and agriculture, often at large in-state employers or regional offices of national companies. 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 Indiana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, data scientists in Indiana earned a median annual wage of $91,470 in May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning $58,750 or less and the highest 10% earning $141,250 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 Indiana.

Interested in STEM Careers?

If you’re looking for information on career paths that involve data science, analytics, technology, and related STEM fields, see our guides below.

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

Indiana Data Science, Tech, and Career Resources

• Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE): State agency for institutional authorization, SARA participation, and state financial aid.
• Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC): State economic development agency and source for industry, workforce, and investment information, including the state’s life sciences initiative.
• Hoosiers by the Numbers: Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s labor market information portal, covering occupational wages, employment projections, and regional economic data.
• Indiana Data Hub: State-maintained open data portal covering a range of Indiana government subject areas, useful for portfolio projects.
• IndianaMap: The state’s largest publicly available collection of Indiana GIS data, maintained by a partnership of state, local, and university organizations.
• TechPoint: Indiana’s technology trade association, supporting talent development, innovation programming, and industry research.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.