Master’s in Data Science Programs in Tennessee

Tennesseans tend to think of their state in three parts: East, Middle, and West Tennessee. East Tennessee splits its data work between Knoxville’s federal research infrastructure, Chattanooga’s manufacturing and insurance base, and a smaller but distinct tech and healthcare pocket around the Tri-Cities. Middle Tennessee runs on Nashville’s healthcare systems and a growing base of finance and AI companies. West Tennessee moves on Memphis’s logistics and biomedical research.

That spread means a data science career in Tennessee looks pretty different depending on where in the state you are, and it also means the state’s graduate programs have grown to match: Tennessee now offers a solid lineup of in-state choices, including data science, applied computer science, business analytics, and data-focused information systems degrees at public and private universities, plus a wider range of accredited online programs available to residents.

This guide covers data science master’s programs in Tennessee, online alternatives, certificates and bootcamps, scholarships, networking opportunities, salary data, and career resources across the state.

Studying Data Science in Tennessee

Tennessee’s occupational employment projections through 2027 indicate overall job growth of 1.94 percent, but that growth isn’t evenly distributed. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s February 2026 occupational projections report found computer and mathematical occupations growing 2.69 percent through 2027, adding roughly 2,069 jobs, a faster rate than the statewide average and a pace the report ties directly to rising demand for digital, analytical, and IT-related skills across industries. That trend lines up with a second independent data point: professional and business services, the broad category that includes computer systems design and data-related consulting, was the largest contributor to Tennessee’s GDP in 2025, at roughly $59.4 billion, according to USAFacts’ analysis of Bureau of Economic Analysis data. Together, these two sources point to the same conclusion: professional, technical, and analytical work, not any single flashy sector, is where Tennessee’s fastest-growing demand for data skills is concentrated. That pattern plays out differently across the state’s three distinct regions:

• East Tennessee. East Tennessee’s data economy is split among three distinct hubs. Just west of Knoxville, in Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy’s largest science and energy lab, runs extensive data science, AI, and high-performance computing research; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Bredesen Center and Joint Institute for Computational Sciences partner directly with ORNL on computational research, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, headquartered in Knoxville with a major presence in Chattanooga, also hires for data analytics roles supporting its energy operations across the region. In Chattanooga, Volkswagen’s assembly plant, the company’s North American hub for electric vehicle production, applies machine learning and computer vision to manufacturing and robotics, and two Fortune 500 insurers headquartered in the city, Unum Group and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, both run active data science and analytics teams covering claims, risk, and workforce analytics; the city’s gigabit fiber network and startup accelerator CO.LAB, backed by partners including TVA, Volkswagen, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, support a growing base of applied-tech startups. And in the Tri-Cities area (Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol), Ballad Health, the region’s dominant hospital system, runs its own Analytics Center of Excellence, building data science and BI tools for clinical operations, while Eastman Chemical Company, headquartered in Kingsport, hires for digital and data analyst roles supporting its global manufacturing operations. Data roles connected to East Tennessee include scientific computing, energy analytics, manufacturing analytics, insurance and healthcare claims analytics, and clinical data science.
• Middle Tennessee (Nashville). Nashville’s data science hiring is anchored by healthcare. HCA Healthcare and Vanderbilt University Medical Center both run large-scale clinical and applied AI teams, and Vanderbilt’s Data Science Institute is opening a new College of Connected Computing to expand data science and AI training across the university. Two of Tennessee’s largest retailers also run substantial in-house data teams here: Dollar General, headquartered in nearby Goodlettsville, hires data scientists for insight and analytics work, and Tractor Supply Company, headquartered in Brentwood, runs data science and engineering teams focused on merchandising analytics and predictive modeling. On the finance side, AllianceBernstein runs a major asset-management hub in the city that applies machine learning to portfolio construction and financial sentiment analysis. Bridgestone Americas, headquartered in Nashville, runs its own data and analytics organization supporting supply chain forecasting, business intelligence, and audit analytics, and Oracle, which is relocating its corporate headquarters to the city, is hiring data scientists and technical program managers as part of that build-out. That growing base of large employers has helped fuel a broader ecosystem of health tech and fintech startups, supported by groups such as the Nashville Technology Council. Data work here spans clinical and healthcare analytics, retail and merchandising analytics, financial modeling, supply chain analytics, and applied AI.
• West Tennessee (Memphis). Memphis’s economy runs on logistics and biomedical research. FedEx anchors the logistics side: FedEx Dataworks, the company’s dedicated data science and analytics organization headquartered in the city, works on network optimization and supply chain data at global scale, and the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis coordinates big-data research across campus, including its MD2K Center of Excellence, a national Big Data Center founded with NIH support that focuses on mobile sensor and wearable health data. On the biomedical and healthcare side, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital runs substantial computational biology and genomics research teams. AutoZone, also headquartered in Memphis, maintains an active analytics function supporting its retail and supply chain operations. Data roles connected to Memphis include logistics and supply chain analytics, biomedical and genomic data science, healthcare informatics, and donor and fundraising analytics.

For students living outside Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities, in-person data science jobs and graduate programs cluster heavily in those areas. That concentration is one reason an online master’s program may be worth exploring for students elsewhere in the state who want to stay close to home while earning a technical credential.

Online Data Science Master’s Degrees in Tennessee

Online programs may suit Tennessee students who want graduate-level training without relocating or leaving a job, and Tennessee now has several in-state options beyond the handful that existed a few years ago.

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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee Graduate Data Science Programs

Tennessee participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), which authorizes both in-state institutions to enroll students in other SARA states and out-of-state institutions to enroll Tennessee residents. Tennessee now offers several fully online, in-state graduate programs in data science and analytics, though students should always confirm the current program modality, admissions requirements, tuition, and availability directly with each school before applying.

• Tennessee State University: Master of Science in Data Science and Master of Science in Business Data Analytics - Nashville, TN. The Data Science program, offered through the Department of Computer Science, is fully online and integrates computer science, applied mathematics, and statistics to prepare graduates for careers in data science and AI. The separate Business Data Analytics program is also fully online, worth 30 credits, and covers descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive modeling, database management, business intelligence, and data visualization, and is aimed at business analysts, data scientists, and information systems professionals.
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Master of Science in Computer Science, Data Mining and Intelligent Systems Concentration - Knoxville, TN. Offered through the Tickle College of Engineering, this fully online program does not require the GRE and can be completed in as few as 18 months. The Data Mining and Intelligent Systems concentration covers predictive modeling, big data analytics, machine learning, and natural language processing, and is explicitly designed to prepare graduates for data scientist and machine learning engineer roles.
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: Master of Science in Data Analytics (MSDA) - Chattanooga, TN. A joint program between the Rollins College of Business and the College of Engineering and Computer Science, MSDA can be completed 100% online or through a flexible mix of online and in-person courses, with a choice between a business track and a computer science track that determines elective and capstone options.
• East Tennessee State University: Master of Business Administration, Business Analytics Concentration - Johnson City, TN. This fully online, asynchronous, AACSB-accredited MBA requires 33 credit hours (21 core, 9 concentration, 3 capstone) and can be completed in as few as 12 months, with coursework in SQL, NoSQL data models, data visualization, and data-driven decision making.
• Austin Peay State University: Master of Science in Computer Science, Data Mining and Analytics Concentration - Clarksville, TN. Available fully online, on campus, or in a mix of both, this concentration covers database management, data mining applications, and Python-based data science coursework, with a companion Predictive Analytics concentration offered through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for students more interested in statistical modeling.
• Belmont University: Master of Science in Applied Analytics - Nashville, TN. This 30-credit, AACSB-accredited, STEM-designated program is delivered in an asynchronous online format for working professionals, with weekly 1:1 virtual faculty meetings, but requires an in-person capstone presentation on Belmont’s campus. GRE/GMAT scores are optional, and a Summer Business Institute helps students without a business background complete prerequisites in accounting, economics, and statistics.
• Lincoln Memorial University: Master of Science in Business Analytics - Harrogate, TN. This fully online, 30-credit, ACBSP-accredited program is delivered in a cohort model, with students starting together each fall, spring, and summer, and covers descriptive, inferential, predictive, and prescriptive analytics methods for business decision-making.

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 Tennessee

Tennessee’s hybrid and in-person options are concentrated in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Murfreesboro. The programs below are verified options, not a ranked list, and none duplicate the fully online programs listed above.

• Vanderbilt University: Master of Science in Data Science - Nashville, TN. This 30-credit, fully in-person program runs across four intensive modules over 9 months (August to May) and requires a capstone project. GRE and GMAT scores are optional, and applicants without a strong quantitative background can attend bridge boot camps before core coursework begins. The program is housed within Vanderbilt’s new College of Connected Computing.
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Master of Science in Business Analytics and AI (MSBAi) - Knoxville, TN. A STEM-designated, lock-step, in-person program at the Haslam College of Business, MSBAi covers generative AI, deep learning, and natural language processing alongside business fundamentals, and concludes with a team capstone project for an industry partner. Applicants are required to complete an interview as part of the admissions process.
• Lipscomb University: Master of Science in Data Science - Nashville, TN. This 30-credit, in-person program in Lipscomb’s College of Computing and Technology includes two data science practicum projects and a comprehensive final practicum tied to the student’s area of interest. The GRE is waived for qualified applicants.
• University of Memphis: Master of Science in Data Science - Memphis, TN. This 33-credit, in-person program includes 15 core credits in the foundations of computer science and statistics, elective clusters in areas such as biomedical data, economics, and business information technology, and a choice among a thesis, capstone project, or independent study. Teaching and research assistantships with tuition waivers are available to qualified applicants.
• Middle Tennessee State University: Master of Science in Data Science and Master of Science in Information Systems, Business Intelligence and Analytics Concentration - Murfreesboro, TN. The Data Science program blends online and on-campus coursework, and students can work with the program director to adjust the balance based on their schedule; it emphasizes programming, data visualization, predictive modeling, and business analytics, with opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research and data contracts. The separate Information Systems program uses MTSU’s “50-50” delivery format, splitting instruction between face-to-face and online coursework, with some courses offered fully online, and covers Excel, SQL, Python, and data-driven decision-making for business contexts.

Data Science Programs in Tennessee

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 can build targeted skills more quickly and at lower cost, whether as a stand-alone credential or a stepping stone toward a full degree. These options vary widely in length, cost, and rigor, so students should confirm current course delivery, admissions requirements, tuition, and whether certificate credits can apply toward a future master’s degree directly with the school.

Online Tennessee Graduate Certificate Programs in Data Science and Related Fields

Tennessee currently has five verified graduate certificate programs in data science and related fields. Students should confirm current course delivery, admissions requirements, tuition, and whether certificate credits can apply toward a future master’s degree directly with each school.

• Middle Tennessee State University: Graduate Certificate in Data Science - Murfreesboro, TN. This four-course, two-semester certificate delivers its content online and is designed to help working professionals become more competitive in their current role or pivot into a data-focused career; its credits can apply toward MTSU’s Data Science M.S. for students who continue.
• Austin Peay State University: Graduate Certificate in Data Science - Clarksville, TN. This fully online certificate is intended for students with a bachelor’s degree who want to learn modern data science techniques without committing to a full master’s program, and its courses count toward APSU’s Predictive Analytics master’s degree for students who choose to continue.
• University of Memphis: Graduate Certificate in Data Science - Memphis, TN. This 12-credit certificate (6 core credits, 6 elective credits) is available fully online, though only some course options are offered online, and covers fundamentals of data science, machine learning, and related coursework; it’s best suited for applicants who already have some proficiency in programming or a related STEM discipline, and can be pursued concurrently with another University of Memphis graduate program.
• East Tennessee State University: Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics - Johnson City, TN. This 12-credit certificate can be completed entirely online, entirely in person, or through a mix of both, with no previous computing or programming experience required to enroll; with program coordinator approval, all 12 credits can apply toward a related ETSU master’s degree.
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Graduate Certificate in Data-Driven Decision-Making - Knoxville, TN. Offered through the Tickle College of Engineering, this fully online, add-on certificate covers statistical and quantitative analysis methods and predictive modeling, and is aimed at working professionals and current students who want to build applied data analytics skills alongside another degree.

Data Science Boot Camps in Tennessee

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 Tennessee

• Vanderbilt University: Data Analytics Boot Camp - Nashville, TN. Offered through the Owen Graduate School of Management and School of Engineering in partnership with an online education provider, this part-time, 24-week bootcamp covers Excel, Python, SQL, Tableau, and machine learning fundamentals, and includes career coaching and a Vanderbilt certificate of completion. No prior experience is required to apply.

Private Data Science Bootcamps in Tennessee

Nashville Software School, a nonprofit coding school authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, offers a Part-Time Data Analytics Bootcamp (currently enrolling for a July 2026 start) and a Full-Time Data Analytics Bootcamp covering Excel, Python, SQL, Tableau, and Power BI; Forbes Advisor named the full-time version one of the best data analytics bootcamps in the country in 2024. NSS also offers a part-time, 9-month Data Science Bootcamp covering Python, R, machine learning, and big data tools, though it was not accepting new applications as of this writing — students interested in that specific program should check NSS’s site directly for the next open cohort. Because private bootcamps vary widely, students should confirm all current details directly with the provider.

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 Tennessee

Individual online courses can help students build specific skills before committing to a certificate or master’s program. Tennessee’s public community college continuing education platforms offer short, standalone courses in data-related tools.

• Nashville State Community College: Online Data Analytics Course - a self-paced continuing education course covering Excel, Python, SQL, Tableau, and machine learning fundamentals.

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

Data Science Scholarships in Tennessee

The list below is not exhaustive. Students should also check each school’s graduate division, financial aid office, and department pages for additional funding not captured here.

Vanderbilt University

• Data Science Institute Tuition, Fees, and Scholarships outlines the cost of attendance and merit scholarship opportunities for the M.S. in Data Science, with priority scholarship consideration tied to the Round 1 application deadline.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Haslam College of Business MSBAi Admissions notes that applications submitted by December 15 receive priority consideration for merit-based scholarships and assistantships.

University of Memphis

• The Masters Degree in Data Science Assistantships page describes teaching and research assistantships, which include a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend, available to qualified applicants.

Middle Tennessee State University

• MS in Health Care Informatics Graduate Assistantships: MTSU offers graduate assistantships to full-time students in its Health Care Informatics program, a data-adjacent professional science degree. Assistantship holders receive a monthly stipend, and the university covers all tuition and most fees, including out-of-state fees for non-Tennessee residents.

Lipscomb University

• Affording a Graduate Education outlines departmental scholarships and graduate assistantships available to students in Lipscomb’s data science and other graduate programs, awarded based on academic standing, work experience, and financial need.

Service-for-Tuition Programs

Tennessee’s primary state loan-forgiveness and service-for-tuition programs are concentrated in healthcare fields such as nursing, not in data or computing roles specifically, so students interested in a service-for-tuition path in data science should look to federal programs instead. CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service, a federally funded, NSF-sponsored program, covers full tuition and an annual stipend (currently $37,000 for graduate students) for students in cybersecurity and closely related computing fields in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment with a federal, state, local, or tribal government agency; Tennessee Tech University is Tennessee’s current participating SFS institution, offering the scholarship to qualified undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity students through its Cybersecurity Education, Research and Outreach Center.

Statewide Resources

• The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) Student Portal is the state’s central hub for applying to Tennessee financial aid programs, including need-based and merit-based state aid.
• NC-SARA can help students understand state authorization for distance education programs based outside of Tennessee.

Data Science Events in Tennessee

Tennessee’s data science community is concentrated in Nashville, with a smaller but genuinely active pocket in Memphis. Knoxville and Chattanooga have fewer data-science-specific options, so students there may need to lean on broader active tech communities alongside more specialized events.

Data Science Meetups and Communities in Tennessee

• Data Science Nashville is an active, practitioner-focused group with regular events on exploratory data analysis, statistics, machine learning, and data visualization.
• Nashville Data Engineering Group focuses on data pipelines, analytics engineering, and the modern data stack, with recent sessions covering topics such as agentic data engineering.
• Nashville Data Nerds hosts multiple monthly gatherings, including an evening meetup, a breakfast series, and a Brilliant Women in Data group, for data professionals across Nashville.
• AI Tinkerers Nashville runs frequent live demos and hands-on sessions focused on applied AI, drawing from Nashville’s broader tech and startup community.
• Memphis Technology Foundation maintains a community calendar for tech user groups and meetups in the Memphis area, with some sessions focused on data science.
• ChaTech Data Community, run by the Chattanooga Technology Council, connects data professionals, analysts, and learners in the Chattanooga area through talks and workshops on data engineering, analytics, and AI.
• KnoxDevs is East Tennessee’s largest general developer community; it isn’t data-science-specific, but its quarterly meetups and active Slack draw software engineers and data scientists from Knoxville’s major employers, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory and UT Knoxville.

Data Science Conferences and Workshops in Tennessee

• DataTune, hosted annually at Belmont University in Nashville, is a community-driven data and AI conference drawing roughly 500 attendees across tracks in data analytics, data engineering, data science, and AI, and career growth.
• Greater Nashville Technology Council (GNTC) Event Calendar maintains a running list of smaller tech events around Nashville, including networking opportunities, hackathons, and workshops.
• FedEx Institute Events, run by the University of Memphis, organizes workshops and talks on AI and technology innovation, including its recurring 901 AI Meetup series.
• Scenic City Summit, hosted annually by the Chattanooga Technology Council each June, is a regional software and tech conference that draws hundreds of developers and technologists from across the Southeast.

Data Science Jobs in Tennessee

Data science roles can involve collecting, cleaning, analyzing, modeling, visualizing, and communicating data. In Tennessee, these roles are found across healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, insurance, energy, and federal research, often concentrated at large regional employers rather than evenly distributed 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 Tennessee

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, data scientists in Tennessee earned a median annual wage of $100,330 in May 2025, with the lowest 10% earning $60,200 or less and the highest 10% earning $156,160 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 Tennessee.

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

Tennessee Data Science, Tech, and Career Resources

• Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC): State agency for institutional authorization, SARA participation, and state financial aid administration.
• Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development: State labor-market, occupational projections, and workforce development source.
• Tennessee Higher Education Commission Student Portal: Central hub for applying to Tennessee state financial aid programs.
• Nashville Technology Council: Regional technology association supporting Middle Tennessee’s tech workforce, events, and employer connections.
• Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD): State economic development agency for business, industry, and workforce information.
• State of Tennessee Downloadable GIS Data: Public geospatial datasets useful for portfolio projects and civic data exploration.
• NC-SARA: National source for understanding state authorization reciprocity for distance education.