Master's in Data Science Programs in Oregon
Oregon's reputation runs on Nike, craft beer, and the outdoors, but its fastest-growing source of demand for data skills is showing up somewhere quieter: professional and business services, the sector that includes computer systems design and consulting work. Oregon is home to research universities, a concentrated hardware and semiconductor industry around Portland, and a growing health informatics sector anchored by Oregon Health & Science University, all of which create demand for data-focused careers beyond the state's most visible industries. Prospective students can choose from master's programs in data science, data analytics, business analytics, and health informatics at public and private universities across the state, with options ranging from fully online degrees to evening programs for working professionals in Portland and Salem.
This guide covers data science master's programs in Oregon, online alternatives, certificates and bootcamps, scholarships, networking opportunities, salary data, and career resources across the state.
Studying Data Science in Oregon
Oregon's economy is projected to add 140,600 jobs between 2024 and 2034, a modest 6% increase overall, but that growth is not evenly spread. The Oregon Employment Department's December 2025 employment projections show that professional and business services will add 25,900 jobs (10% growth) over the decade, the second-fastest-growing broad sector in the state. More specifically, the same occupational projections name computer and mathematical occupations, including data scientists, information security analysts, and operations research analysts, among the state's 15 fastest-growing occupations through 2034, driven by the expanding volume of business and consumer data and rising demand for AI development and integration. That pattern is corroborated by current output data too: in a review of Oregon's first-quarter 2025 GDP report, Business Oregon (the state's economic development department) identified professional and technical services as one of the few broad sectors posting a notable positive contribution to the state's output that quarter, even as several other sectors dragged growth down. For data science students, the practical takeaway is that professional and business services, not any single flagship employer, are part of Oregon's economy and are generating the fastest-growing demand for data skills right now. That pattern plays out differently across the state's regions:
- Portland Tri-County (Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties). Home to the "Silicon Forest," a Washington County technology corridor anchored by Intel's Hillsboro campus, which Intel describes as one of its largest and most complex sites worldwide, and the largest private employer in the state. Nike is headquartered in nearby Beaverton and applies data science to digital retail, supply chain, and consumer analytics. On the healthcare side, Oregon Health & Science University and Providence Health & Services anchor a large health data and clinical informatics workforce, and OCHIN, a Portland-headquartered nonprofit, provides electronic health record and data analytics services to hundreds of community health centers nationwide. The Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) supports the broader tech and startup ecosystem through events, workforce programs, and industry connections. Data work connected to this region includes semiconductor and hardware analytics, consumer and retail data science, and health data and clinical informatics.
- Willamette Valley / Salem. As the seat of state government, Salem is home to Oregon's executive branch data and IT operations, including the Oregon Department of Transportation's data and GIS programs and the state's Enterprise Information Services Chief Data Office. Salem Health is the region's largest private employer and conducts its own clinical and operational data analytics work. Willamette University, based in Salem with an additional classroom location in Portland, trains data scientists locally for roles across the region's public and private sectors. Data work connected to this region includes public-sector data and policy analytics, GIS, and healthcare analytics.
- Mid-Valley / Corvallis. Oregon State University anchors this region as both the state's largest research university and a major employer, with active research groups in statistics, computer science, and business analytics, and its own Chief Data Officer leading a campus-wide data integration strategy. HP operates a hybrid R&D and manufacturing site in Corvallis focused on inkjet and 3D-printing technology, with dedicated roles supporting data analytics for its printing business. OSU's College of Business and College of Science jointly support graduate programs in data analytics and business analytics, and the university's Ecampus division is a large-scale online education provider in its own right. Data work connected to this region includes agricultural and environmental data science, industrial process and manufacturing analytics, and university research computing.
- Lane County / Eugene. The University of Oregon is the anchor employer and institution here, with a newly formed Department of Data Science inside the School of Computer and Data Sciences, launching new master's programs in data science and cybersecurity starting fall 2026. PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, in neighboring Springfield, is the largest hospital between Portland and San Francisco and is a major driver of clinical data work. Eugene is also home to smaller, homegrown tech employers such as Palo Alto Software, maker of the LivePlan business-planning platform. Data work connected to this region includes university research, healthcare analytics, and applied software and machine learning.
- Central Oregon / Bend. Oregon State University-Cascades gives Central Oregon a public university presence, and the region's small but distinctive biotech sector, including drug-delivery and formulation companies such as Bend Bioscience (a successor to the longtime Bend Research), relies on lab and process data alongside chemistry expertise. St. Charles Health System is the region's dominant healthcare employer and generates clinical and operational data analytics work. Data work connected to this region includes pharmaceutical process data, healthcare analytics, and small-business data roles supporting Bend's tourism and outdoor recreation economy.
Portland's Silicon Forest and its surrounding healthcare systems concentrate most of Oregon's in-person data science employment in the Portland Tri-County area, leaving students in Central, Southern, and Eastern Oregon with a narrower set of local, in-person options. For students living outside the Portland metro, an online or hybrid master's program can be a practical way to build data science credentials without relocating.
Online Data Science Master's Degrees in Oregon
Online programs may suit Oregon students who want graduate-level training without relocating to Portland, Salem, or Corvallis, or who need to keep working full-time 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 Oregon 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 Oregon Graduate Data Science Programs
Oregon offers a small number of Oregon-based, fully online graduate options in data science and analytics, in addition to accredited out-of-state programs authorized to enroll Oregon residents. Oregon participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) Office of Degree Authorization, which means most accredited online programs based in other SARA member states can legally enroll Oregon residents. Students should still confirm current program modality, admissions requirements, tuition, and Oregon availability directly with each school before applying.
- Oregon State University - Corvallis, OR. OSU offers two fully online graduate options in this space through OSU Ecampus. The Master of Science in Data Analytics is a 45-credit program that combines core coursework in statistics and computer science with electives in areas such as quantitative genomics. It is taught by full-time OSU faculty, and culminates in a capstone project; it suits students who want a technical, statistics-forward degree. The MBA in Business Analytics is a 60-credit, AACSB-accredited track that can be completed fully online, or as a hybrid program combining online coursework with periodic evening classes at Portland's South Waterfront campus; it blends core MBA coursework with technical training in data mining, data management, and machine learning for working professionals who want a business-facing analytics credential.
- Portland State University: Master of Science in Applied Data Science for Business (MSADSB) - Portland, OR. This STEM-designated, 45-credit program is offered as two distinct tracks: fully online, or a hybrid in-person/online mix; both include some synchronous course components. It can be completed in as few as 12 months full-time, and lets students choose a specialization in Business Intelligence & Analytics, Enterprise Analytics, or Health & Clinical Informatics, the last developed in partnership with OHSU. It's aimed at working professionals who want to bridge data science and business strategy rather than pursue a purely technical degree.
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 Oregon
Oregon's hybrid and in-person options range from fully on-campus programs to formats that let students choose between online and in-person delivery. The programs below are verified options, not a ranked list; formats and technical depth vary, so compare actual curricula before choosing one.
- University of Oregon: Master of Science in Data Science - Eugene, OR. Launching with its first cohort in fall 2026, this 45-credit, in-person program in UO's new Department of Data Science combines core coursework in data science methodology with a domain-focused elective sequence and 9 credits of research, internship, or capstone work. It's designed to admit students from a range of academic backgrounds, with foundational math and statistics courses available for those who need them.
- Willamette University: Master's Degree in Data Science (MSDS) - Portland and Salem, OR. This nine-course, 36-credit, in-person program can be completed in as few as 12 months. Portland classes meet in the evenings for working professionals; Salem classes follow a more traditional daytime schedule. The curriculum covers Python, machine learning, and data engineering, and ends with an applied capstone project rather than a thesis.
- Portland State University: Master of Science in Statistics + Data Science - Portland, OR. This 45-credit, in-person program combines statistical theory with machine and deep learning, data mining, and computational statistics, and admits once per year for the fall term. It suits students who want a mathematically rigorous foundation and may be considering further study toward a Ph.D.
- Oregon Health & Science University: Master of Science in Health and Clinical Informatics (HCIN) - Portland, OR. This CAHIIM-accredited program (accreditation reaffirmed through 2025, per OHSU; students should confirm current status directly with the program) is offered in both online and on-campus formats, with a 55-credit thesis track (43 coursework credits plus 12 thesis credits) and a 49-credit non-thesis track (43 coursework credits plus a 6-credit capstone). It trains future developers and managers of health care information systems and suits students with clinical or health-IT backgrounds who want to specialize in informatics rather than pursue a general data science degree.
Data Science Programs in Oregon
Programs included in this table were last reviewed in July 2026.
Data Science Programs in Oregon
| Institution & Program | Delivery Mode | Program Type | Enrollment | Study Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Oregon State UniversityMasters in Data Analytics | Online | Master's | Full-Time, Part-Time | 2 years |
Oregon State UniversityMBA in Business Analytics | Online, Hybrid | Master's | Full-Time, Part-Time | N/A |
Portland State UniversityMaster of Science in Applied Data Science for Business (MSADSB) | Online, Hybrid | Master's | Full-Time, Part-Time | As few as 12 months full-time |
University of OregonMaster of Science in Data Science | In-Person | Master's | Full-Time, Part-Time | N/A |
Willamette UniversityMaster's Degree in Data Science (MSDS) | In-Person | Master's | Full-Time, Part-Time | As few as 12 months |
Portland State UniversityMaster of Science in Statistics + Data Science | In-Person | Master's | Full-Time | N/A |
Oregon Health and Science UniversityMaster of Science in Health and Clinical Informatics | In-Person | Master's | Full-Time, Part-Time | 2+ years |
Oregon Health and Science UniversityMaster of Science in Health and Clinical Informatics | Online | Master's | Full-Time, Part-Time | 2+ years |
Data Science Certificates, Bootcamps, and Courses
A master's degree isn't the only path into data work. Graduate certificates, bootcamps, and individual courses offer more targeted, shorter training for students who want specific skills or a lower-cost entry point. These options vary widely in length, format, and rigor, so students should compare carefully and confirm directly with the school whether certificate credits can apply toward a future master's degree.
Online Oregon Graduate Certificate Programs in Data Science and Related Fields
Oregon has a modest but genuine set of online graduate certificate options in data-adjacent fields. Students should confirm current course delivery, admissions requirements, tuition, and credit-stacking options directly with the school.
- Oregon State University - Corvallis, OR. OSU offers two 18-credit, fully online graduate certificates through Ecampus. The Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics consists of five statistics courses and can stack toward OSU's online MS in Data Analytics; it suits students without a prior background in statistics who want a structured entry point. The Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics covers data cleaning, data mining, machine learning, and natural language processing, and can transfer toward OSU's MBA in Business Analytics.
- University of Portland: Business Analytics Certificate. Offered through the AACSB-accredited Pamplin School of Business, this STEM-designated certificate can be completed fully online, in person, or through a combination of both, and covers decision modeling, database management, business analytics, and optimization.
- Oregon Health & Science University: Graduate Certificate in Health & Clinical Informatics. This fully online, 21-credit certificate (seven 3-credit courses) serves as a feeder credential into both OHSU's own HCIN master's program and Portland State's MSADSB program.
Data Science Boot Camps in Oregon
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 partners, so students should confirm the credentials awarded, tuition, schedule, refund policies, and career support before enrolling.
University Affiliated Bootcamps in Oregon
- Oregon State University: Data Analytics Bootcamp. Powered by Fullstack Academy and delivered live online, this program is offered in full-time (10-week) and part-time (26-week) formats, covering Excel, SQL, Python, and generative AI tools for data work. OSU markets the program with direct ties to Oregon employers hiring for analytics roles, including Nike, Intel, and Humana.
Private Data Science Bootcamps in Oregon
Portland is also home to private bootcamps such as The Tech Academy, a Portland-headquartered trade school offering full-time and part-time Data Science Bootcamp tracks, available online or in person at its Portland campus, covering Python, statistical analysis, and data visualization. Because private bootcamps vary widely, students should confirm all details directly with the provider.
Learn more about data science boot camps and how they differ from graduate programs. See also our guide to data analytics bootcamps.
Data Science Courses in Oregon
Individual online courses can help students build specific skills before committing to a certificate or master's program. Portland-area schools offer standalone options through their continuing and professional education platforms.
- Oregon State University: Consumer Analytics Fundamentals Microcredential (Ecampus, College of Business). This 12-credit, fully online microcredential requires no prior experience and culminates in a Credly digital badge; credits can later stack toward a related OSU certificate or degree.
- Portland State University: Data Analytics Certificate Program (Center for Executive and Professional Education). Offered twice a year (Winter and Summer), this five-course program blends live virtual sessions with self-paced work; this is a professional certificate program, but courses can also be taken individually.
- Portland Community College: Certified Business Data Analytics (CBDA) Prep Course. This self-paced, 60-hour course, delivered via ed2go, a division of Cengage Learning, through PCC's career training portal, prepares students for the IIBA's CBDA certification exam.
Learn more about individual course options in our guide to online data science courses.
Data Science Scholarships in Oregon
The list below is not exhaustive. Students should also check each school's graduate division, financial aid office, and department pages for current funding, since Oregon's largest state-funded aid programs are primarily need-based and undergraduate-focused rather than data-science-specific.
Oregon State University
- OSU Office of Graduate Education funding page links to graduate assistantships, fellowships, and scholarship opportunities (including departmental and college-based awards across OSU, such as the College of Business and College of Science), and external fellowship search resources.
University of Oregon
- UO Division of Graduate Studies funding page covers teaching, research, and administrative appointments as well as competitive scholarships and fellowships open to UO graduate and law students, including School of Computer and Data Sciences students.
Portland State University
- PSU Funding and Awards page covers graduate assistantships and other funding options available to PSU graduate students, including those in the Statistics + Data Science and MSADSB programs.
Willamette University
- Willamette Financial Aid & Scholarships for the MS in Data Science outlines automatic, no-separate-application merit scholarships available to all MSDS applicants, along with graduate loan options.
Service-for-Tuition Programs
- CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service at Oregon State University, a federally funded, NSF-backed program, covers tuition and a stipend for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a cybersecurity option in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment with a federal, state, local, or tribal government agency. It's not a data science scholarship specifically, but it's worth knowing about given how much of Oregon's public-sector computing hiring runs through similar government-service pipelines. Oregon does not appear to offer a comparable loan-repayment or service-for-tuition program specifically for data science or general computing roles; Oregon's existing loan forgiveness and service programs (such as those administered through the Oregon Health Authority) are concentrated in healthcare fields rather than data or computing.
Statewide Resources
- Oregon Student Aid (OSAC), administered by the HECC Office of Student Access and Completion, coordinates the Oregon Opportunity Grant (Oregon's largest state-funded grant, primarily for undergraduates) alongside more than 600 privately funded OSAC scholarships, some of which are open to graduate and graduate-certificate students; eligibility varies by scholarship.
- NC-SARA can help students understand state authorization for distance education programs based outside of Oregon.
Data Science Events in Oregon
Portland has an active, if fragmented, data science and AI community spread across several meetup groups and a handful of statewide conferences focused on government and public-sector technology.
Data Science Meetups and Communities in Oregon
- PyData PDX is Portland's chapter of the international PyData network and hosts regular in-person talks on Python-based data science, machine learning, and statistical computing.
- DAMA PDX promotes conversations on enterprise data governance and modern data practices for data-driven professionals in the Portland metro area, with members from employers such as Nike, OHSU, and Portland State.
- Portland Data + AI Meetup connects engineers, analysts, and scientists working with the Databricks platform and the broader open-source data and AI ecosystem.
- The Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) runs a dedicated AI & Data Community group, with corporate leadership drawn from companies including Intel, OHSU, Snowflake, and Nvidia, as well as its broader statewide events calendar (see below).
Data Science Conferences and Workshops in Oregon
- The Cascadia R Conference draws R users from Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia for talks and workshops on reproducible research and applied data science methods; the 2026 conference was held June 26–27 in Portland.
- The Oregon Digital Government Summit is an annual, state-government-backed event (its 16th in 2026) that brings together public-sector leaders to discuss AI, data governance, cybersecurity, and digital service delivery.
- The Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) hosts a regular calendar of summits, symposia, and workshops that connect Oregon's broader tech community, with dozens of events scheduled year-round, including sessions focused on AI and data.
Data Science Jobs in Oregon
Data science roles can involve collecting, cleaning, analyzing, modeling, visualizing, and communicating data. In Oregon, these roles appear across the semiconductor and hardware industry, healthcare systems, state and local government, financial services, and a small but distinctive biotech sector, often concentrated in the Portland metro area rather than spread evenly across the state. 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 Oregon
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, data scientists in Oregon earned a median annual wage of $125,990 in May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning $78,110 or less and the highest 10% earning $206,550 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 Oregon.
Occupation | Median Annual Wage, May 2025, Oregon |
|---|---|
Computer and Information Research Scientists | $206,220 |
Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,270 |
Software Developers | $142,720 |
Actuaries | $130,380 |
Economists | $122,120 |
Financial and Investment Analysts | $120,590 |
Operations Research Analysts | $102,170 |
Statisticians | $93,620 |
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $79,150 |
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
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
Oregon Data Science, Tech, and Career Resources
- Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) Office of Degree Authorization: State agency for institutional authorization, SARA participation, and distance-education oversight.
- Oregon Employment Department / QualityInfo: State labor market source for industry and occupational employment projections, statewide and by region.
- Oregon Student Aid (OSAC): State financial aid portal coordinating grants, scholarships, and FAFSA/ORSAA support for Oregon students.
- Oregon's Open Data Portal: A statewide open data platform useful for portfolio projects and civic data exploration.
- Oregon Department of Transportation Data & Maps: Public transportation, traffic, and GIS datasets useful for applied data projects.
- Technology Association of Oregon (TAO): State technology association supporting Oregon's tech and startup ecosystem through events and workforce programs.
- NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.
FAQ: Master's in Data Science Programs in Oregon
Yes. The University of Oregon is launching an in-person Master of Science in Data Science in Eugene starting fall 2026, and Willamette University offers an in-person MS in Data Science with classes in Portland or Salem. Portland State University offers a more mathematically focused Statistics + Data Science master's, and a separate, business-facing Applied Data Science for Business master's. Oregon State University offers data-focused degrees under the data analytics and business analytics labels rather than the "data science" title itself. Degree names, delivery formats, and technical depth vary across these programs, so students should verify the latest details on official school pages before choosing one.
Information last updated: July 2026





