Master's in Data Science Programs in Louisiana

Studying Data Science in Louisiana

Louisiana Economic Development reports that software and digital media clusters are emerging in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette, and Shreveport, with total technology job growth in the state running at roughly three times the national average. That momentum is backed by hard numbers: the state closed 2025 with more than $61 billion in new capital investment and over 9,500 new jobs announced statewide, at an average salary of about $91,000, roughly $30,000 above the state average. Several of the largest announcements were AI data center projects: Meta said on July 13, 2026 that it is expanding its Richland Parish AI supercluster to 5 gigawatts of compute capacity at a cost of more than $50 billion, up from its original $10 billion announcement in December 2024, and Hut 8 is separately building a $10 billion AI data center campus in West Feliciana Parish near Baton Rouge, backed in part by a 15-year, $7 billion lease from Google. For data science students, the practical takeaway is that technology infrastructure and applied AI, not the state's traditional energy and tourism industries, are the parts of Louisiana's economy generating the fastest-growing demand for data skills right now. Healthcare remains the state's largest employment sector, with roughly 320,000 people employed statewide, according to the Louisiana Works 2025 Workforce Development Report, making healthcare analytics a meaningful and complementary source of demand. That pattern plays out differently across the state:

• New Orleans (Southeast Louisiana). Home to LSU New Orleans (formerly the University of New Orleans, which rejoined the LSU System and adopted its current name on July 1, 2026) and Tulane University, New Orleans anchors the state's healthcare and applied-AI research base. Ochsner Health System, headquartered in Jefferson Parish just outside the city, operates innovationOchsner (iO), an in-house innovation lab founded in 2015 that builds AI-driven clinical tools, including a deterioration-prediction model developed with Microsoft and Epic. The city's BioDistrict clusters biosciences research and commercialization around the medical schools of Tulane and LSU Health New Orleans (a separate LSU System institution from LSU New Orleans). On the software side, GNO, Inc. identifies a growing cluster of technology firms in the city, from established players like DXC Technology to homegrown software companies, supported by the state's digital media tax incentive. Data work connected to this region includes clinical and health-outcomes analytics, biosciences research computing, and applied software and AI development.
• Baton Rouge (Capital Region). As the seat of LSU, Louisiana's flagship research university, Baton Rouge is home to IBM's Client Innovation Center, which has grown to more than 800 employees since 2015 and now applies AI and cloud computing through IBM's watsonx platform, staffed in part through a public-private partnership that helped LSU double its computer science faculty. The Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership counts more than 7,600 tech professionals in the region and highlights an NSF-backed high-performance computing partnership between LSU and Southern University, a historically Black university with its own concentrations in data analytics and cybersecurity. The region is also home to Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a nutrition and metabolic disease research institute, and the LIGO Livingston Observatory, a gravitational-wave physics facility that generates large volumes of scientific data. Data work here spans enterprise IT consulting, biomedical research computing, and applied physics data analysis.
• Lafayette (Acadiana). Long an epicenter for offshore energy services, Lafayette's economy is increasingly layering data science and AI atop its energy and healthcare base. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a Carnegie R1 research institution, leads the Accessible Healthcare through AI-Augmented Decisions (AHeAD) Center, an NSF-funded research center announced in late 2025 that develops AI-based clinical decision-support tools with partners including Tulane, Georgia Tech, and Ochsner Health System, and its Research Park hosts additional labs and a tech incubator. Drone Institute, a Louisiana-grown company that turns aerial imagery into data products for the energy and industrial sectors, is expanding its Lafayette headquarters with more than 600 new jobs. Data work connected to this region includes healthcare AI research, applied AI in the energy sector, and geospatial and drone data processing.
• Shreveport-Bossier (Northwest Louisiana). Anchored by Barksdale Air Force Base and a concentration of defense contractors, Shreveport-Bossier is Louisiana's strongest cybersecurity and defense-data hub. General Dynamics Information Technology employs more than 1,100 people in the region on enterprise IT, cloud, AI, and cybersecurity work for federal defense and intelligence clients, supported by the Cyber Innovation Center, anchor of the 3,000-acre National Cyber Research Park in Bossier City. LSU Health Shreveport, the region's academic medical center, and LSU Shreveport's cybersecurity programs supply talent to the region's health system and defense contractors alike. Data work here includes defense and intelligence data analysis, cybersecurity analytics, and health informatics.
• Monroe-Ruston (Northeast Louisiana). This historically rural, lower-income region is undergoing the most dramatic single change in Louisiana's tech landscape: Meta's AI-optimized data center in Richland Parish, which the company said on July 13, 2026 it is expanding to 5 gigawatts of compute capacity at a cost of more than $50 billion, up from its original $10 billion announcement in December 2024, with the expanded project expected to support roughly 7,500 construction jobs and about 1,000 operational roles. Louisiana Tech University in nearby Ruston supplies engineering and health informatics talent to the region, and Meta is donating $5 million to Louisiana Delta Community College to fund scholarships and training for data center-related jobs, including full trade-certificate scholarships for graduating Richland Parish high school seniors. Data work connected to this region is still emerging, but is expected to include data center operations, facilities, energy systems monitoring, and related technical support roles.

Most in-person data science and analytics employment in Louisiana is concentrated along the New Orleans-Baton Rouge-Lafayette corridor and, more recently, around the defense sector in Shreveport-Bossier, while opportunities in northeast and rural Louisiana remain limited outside the emerging data center economy. For students living outside these hubs, or who want to build skills ahead of the northeast Louisiana data center buildout, an online master's program can be a practical way to gain a technical credential without relocating.

Online Data Science Master's Degrees in Louisiana

Online programs may suit Louisiana students who want graduate-level training without relocating to Baton Rouge or New Orleans or leaving a current job, and they're also a practical option for students in regions of the state with few in-person programs nearby.

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 a Louisiana 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 Louisiana Graduate Data Science Programs

Louisiana has a small number of fully online, Louisiana-based graduate programs with meaningful data science or analytics content, spanning three campuses in the LSU System; students who want more options will likely need to also consider accredited out-of-state programs. Louisiana participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the Louisiana Board of Regents, the state's designated SARA portal entity. In practice, this means a Louisiana resident can enroll in most accredited online master's programs based outside the state without encountering state-authorization barriers, though students should still confirm with their institution of choice that it accepts Louisiana residents. Students should confirm current program modality, admissions requirements, tuition, and state availability directly with each school.

• Louisiana State University: Online Master of Science in Analytics - Baton Rouge, LA. This 36-credit, fully online, AACSB-accredited program from the Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems covers SAS, SQL, R, SPSS, and Tableau and includes two practicum courses that provide students with a team-based, applied project. A GRE or GMAT score is not required to apply, though the department may request one at its discretion, which makes this a practical option for working professionals across the state.
• Louisiana State University Shreveport: Online MBA with a Concentration in Data Analytics - Shreveport, LA. This 30-credit, fully online, AACSB-accredited program can be completed in as few as 10 months and pairs a standard MBA core with three data-focused concentration courses covering quantitative methods, data-driven decision making, and business data visualization. A GMAT/GRE waiver is available to qualified applicants, and the program suits students who want an analytics credential embedded in a general business degree rather than a standalone technical program.
• Louisiana Tech University: Master of Health Informatics - Ruston, LA. This 100% online, CAHIIM-accredited program is designed for working professionals and covers healthcare data management, systems, and technology through asynchronous coursework. It does not require the GRE for applicants with a healthcare background or relevant work experience, and it is a related-field option worth considering for students interested in health data specifically, rather than general-purpose data science.

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

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

Louisiana's hybrid and in-person options are concentrated at three research universities: in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette. The programs below are verified options, not a ranked list.

• Louisiana State University: Master of Science in Analytics - Baton Rouge, LA. This 36-credit, STEM-designated program from the E.J. Ourso College of Business combines classroom instruction with hands-on exercises and a team-based practicum project, and is offered in a hybrid, on-campus format alongside LSU's separate online track. As of mid-2026, new applications to the on-campus track were closed, while the online MSA continued to accept applicants, so students interested in on-campus study should confirm their current admission status directly with the department.
• Tulane University: Master of Science in Data Science - New Orleans, LA. Jointly offered by Tulane's Mathematics and Computer Science departments, this 33-credit, in-person, non-thesis program combines rigorous training in statistics and mathematics with hands-on coursework in machine learning and AI. The GRE is not required, and applicants must have a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, or a closely related field, with demonstrated coursework in calculus, linear algebra, and probability or statistics.
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Master of Science in Informatics - Lafayette, LA. This 33-credit, interdisciplinary program from the School of Computing and Informatics covers data analytics and visualization, data science and machine learning, database management, cybersecurity, and UX design, with both thesis and non-thesis tracks. The GRE is not required, and the same curriculum is also offered fully online for students who prefer that format. On campus, students have access to internships with Lafayette-area tech employers through the School's industry partnerships.

Data Science Programs in Louisiana

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 individual courses offer more targeted training for working professionals who want to build specific skills without committing to a full degree. These options vary widely in cost, format, and rigor, so students should compare carefully and confirm whether certificate credits can apply toward a future master's degree.

Online Louisiana Graduate Certificate Programs in Data Science and Related Fields

Louisiana's online certificate options are concentrated at LSU's Baton Rouge campus. Students should confirm current course delivery, admissions requirements, tuition, and whether certificate credits may apply toward a future master's degree directly with the school.

• Louisiana State University: Graduate Certificate in Analytics and Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Analytics. Both are 12-credit, fully online certificates from LSU that can be completed in less than a year and do not require GRE or GMAT scores for qualified applicants. The general Analytics certificate, offered through the Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems, covers data warehousing, predictive analytics, and data visualization. The Healthcare Analytics certificate applies statistical methods, machine learning, and tools such as Python, SQL, and Tableau specifically to healthcare quality and operations, making it a relevant option given that much of Louisiana's data-related hiring runs through its hospital systems.

Data Science Boot Camps in Louisiana

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

University Affiliated Bootcamps in Louisiana

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Data Science & AI Program. Offered in partnership with the Institute of Data, this program can be completed in 12 weeks full-time or 24 weeks part-time, remote or in person on UL Lafayette's campus, and covers Python, machine learning, and generative AI through hands-on projects and a capstone. It results in a UL Lafayette certificate of completion plus an Institute of Data industry certification.
• LSU New Orleans (formerly the University of New Orleans): Data Science and Analytics Boot Camp. This 28-week, fully online program run through the university's Professional, Adult, and Continuing Education division covers Python programming, machine learning fundamentals, and data visualization, and prepares students for Microsoft's PL-300 Power BI Data Analyst certification, with optional bonus coursework toward several Azure certifications.

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 Louisiana

Individual online courses can help students build specific skills before committing to a certificate or master's program. Louisiana's community colleges offer standalone data analytics training through continuing education platforms.

• Baton Rouge Community College: Data Analytics Course. A foundational, self-paced course covering Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, and introductory machine learning for students building general-purpose data analytics skills.
• Bossier Parish Community College: Python Data Analysis with JupyterLab. A more advanced, self-paced course for students who already know Python, focused on the NumPy, pandas, and matplotlib libraries for data manipulation and visualization in Jupyter Notebook.

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

Data Science Scholarships in Louisiana

The list below is not exhaustive. Students should also check each school's graduate division, financial aid office, department pages, and program-specific scholarship pages.

Louisiana State University

• MS in Analytics Tuition Awards: The Graduate School awards tuition exemptions to students from underrepresented groups who are admitted to and nominated by the Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems for the MS in Analytics.

Louisiana State University Shreveport

• Scholarships: Covers guaranteed academic scholarships and general institutional funding available to graduate students, including those in the online MBA with a Data Analytics concentration.

Louisiana Tech University

• Financial Aid: Scholarships: Outlines the university's general and departmental scholarship programs that graduate students in the Master of Health Informatics program can apply for, along with federal aid.

Tulane University

• School of Science and Engineering Graduate Admissions: Outlines partial scholarships, discounted tuition rates, and financial support options available to admitted master's students in the School of Science and Engineering, which houses the Data Science program.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

• Awards & Funding: Covers graduate assistantships, fellowships, and departmental scholarships available to students in the Master of Science in Informatics program.

LSU New Orleans (formerly the University of New Orleans)

• Scholarships and Awards: The university's graduate financial aid resources cover scholarships and awards open to graduate students across programs, including the Data Analytics certificate.

Service-for-Tuition Programs

• CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service at LSU: A federally funded program that covers full tuition plus a $37,000 annual stipend for graduate students (M.S. or Ph.D.) in computer science, computer engineering, or information and decision sciences, in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment with a federal agency. Given how much of Louisiana's data-related hiring runs through defense and government contracting in the Shreveport-Bossier and Baton Rouge regions, this kind of scholarship-for-service structure is worth knowing about. Louisiana Tech also participates in CyberCorps SFS, though its published program has focused on undergraduate juniors and seniors rather than graduate students; students interested there should confirm current graduate eligibility directly with the College of Engineering and Science.

Statewide Resources

• Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA): The state's primary financial aid agency, administering FAFSA support, the TOPS merit scholarship program, and the START 529 college savings plan for Louisiana residents.
• Louisiana's State Loan Repayment Program is restricted to healthcare professionals working in designated shortage areas and does not extend to data science, analytics, or other computing roles; the state has no general-purpose student loan forgiveness program.
• NC-SARA: Can help students understand state authorization for distance education programs based outside of Louisiana.

Data Science Events in Louisiana

Louisiana's data science community includes general tech and AI-focused communities, as well as more specialized options.

Data Science Meetups and Communities in Louisiana

• NOLA Coders meets on the second Tuesday of every month in New Orleans and is confirmed active as of spring 2026, with a general programming focus that includes data-adjacent lightning talks and project show-and-tells.
• The Louisiana Chapter of the American Statistical Association holds a statewide meeting each academic year, rotating among Louisiana universities; its most recent meeting was hosted by LSU Health Sciences Center's Biostatistics and Data Science program in May 2025 and drew statisticians and data scientists from across the state.
• Opportunity Machine, a Lafayette-based innovation hub, hosts regular tech meetups and mixers for the Acadiana region's technologists and founder community.

Data Science Conferences and Workshops in Louisiana

• Current New Orleans, hosted by Confluent, was held in October 2025 as a conference on real-time data streaming and AI; students should confirm the 2026 host city directly with Confluent, as it hasn't yet been confirmed to return to New Orleans as of this writing.
• Innovate South, hosted by Opportunity Machine in Lafayette, is a three-day gathering for founders, technologists, and innovators held April 22–24, 2026.
• New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW), produced by Loyola University New Orleans in partnership with The Idea Village, is a weeklong celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation held each March.
• AI Across America: Baton Rouge, held May 11, 2026, at LSU's College of Engineering, brought together speakers from LSU, Louisiana Tech, Tulane, and LSU New Orleans to examine AI adoption across the state's industries and startup ecosystem.

Data Science Jobs in Louisiana

Data science roles can involve collecting, cleaning, analyzing, modeling, visualizing, and communicating data. In Louisiana, these roles appear across healthcare, technology infrastructure and AI, defense and government contracting, and energy, often concentrated in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Shreveport-Bossier. 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 Louisiana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, data scientists in Louisiana earned a median annual wage of $78,760 in May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning $53,050 or less and the highest 10% earning $128,210 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 Louisiana.

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

Louisiana Data Science, Tech, and Career Resources

• Louisiana Board of Regents: State agency coordinating public higher education, institutional licensure, and Louisiana's SARA participation for distance education.
• Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA): State agency administering FAFSA support, TOPS, and other financial aid programs for Louisiana students.
• Louisiana Workforce Commission: State source for labor market information, occupational wage data, and long-term employment projections.
• Louisiana Economic Development: The state's economic development agency that tracks major investment projects, target industries, and workforce initiatives, including the state's technology sector.
• Atlas: The Louisiana Statewide GIS: Public geospatial datasets hosted by LSU, useful for portfolio projects and geographic data analysis.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.