Master’s in Data Science Programs in Tennessee

Considering a data science degree in Tennessee? To help you sort through your options, we’ve put together a short guide to earning a data science degree in the Volunteer State. Already have a school in mind?

Sponsored Schools

Syracuse University

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Master of Science in Applied Data Science

Syracuse University’s online Master of Science in Data Science can be completed in as few as 18 months.

  • Complete in as little as 18 months
  • No GRE scores required to apply

Southern Methodist University

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Master of Science in Data Science

Earn your MS in Data Science at SMU, where you can specialize in Machine Learning or Business Analytics, and complete in as few as 20 months.

  • No GRE required.
  • Complete in as little as 20 months.

University of California, Berkeley

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Master of Information and Data Science

Earn your Master’s in Data Science online from UC Berkeley in as few as 12 months.

  • Complete in as few as 12 months
  • No GRE required

Syracuse University

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Master of Science in Business Analytics

Looking to become a data-savvy leader? Earn your online Master of Science in Business Analytics from Syracuse University.

  • As few as 18 months to complete 
  • No GRE required to apply

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Studying Data Science in Tennessee

A lot has been going on in the city of Nashville that is relevant to the data science field. The city benefits from its proximity to Vanderbilt, research hospitals, and a number of health-related companies. Nashville is also a thriving tech scene.

Meanwhile in Memphis, big companies such as FedEx and organizations such as the Greater Memphis IT Council and the Memphis Technology Foundation provide data science opportunities to the city.

Plus, like Nashville, Memphis has an abiding interest in healthcare & bioscience, data-driven startups (e.g. Start Co.), and accelerators (e.g. medical device inventions at ZeroTo510). Even smart cities have a place in its development plan (e.g. big data projects at Innovate Memphis).

Data Science Research & Initiatives at Tennessee Universities

Tennessee schools love data science research. Just to take a few examples:

Online Data Science Programs in Tennessee

Compared to states like Missouri and California, Tennessee has fewer distance learning options for data scientists. However, you will still have some choice when it comes to master’s degrees. (Once you have a shortlist, be sure to check out our advice on what to look for in an online data science program.)

Online Graduate Certificates in Data Science

University of Tennessee offers an online graduate certificate in data science. If  you’re looking  for  additional options, our directory of Online Graduate Certificates in Data Science has a list of programs in multiple specialties (e.g. data mining, analytics, healthcare informatics, etc.) from many big name schools (e.g. Stanford, Boston University, etc.).

Online Master’s Degrees in Data Science

Austin Peay State University (APSU) offers two degrees that focus on analytics, including the:

  1. Online Professional Science Master’s in Data Management and Analysis
  2. Online Professional Science Master’s Degree in Predictive Analytics

“Professional” programs tend to tone down research requirements and amp up career training. For example, APSU’s degrees include a component focused on areas such as communication, policy, business, law, or cybersecurity.

You could also consider UTC’s online Professional MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics. As we discuss in our Schools with Master’s in Business Analytics Programs, MBA programs are traditionally geared toward decision makers. However, UTC’s degree is really pushing technical skills, with courses in databases, data warehouses, and analytics.

Data Science Bootcamps in Tennessee

Living in Tennessee and interested in pursuing a career in data science or data analytics? Consider attending a bootcamp! Data science and data analytics bootcamps are short, intensive training programs meant to introduce students to the field. While some bootcamps in Tennessee are exclusively dedicated to data science (the study of how knowledge is derived from raw data) or data analytics (the processes by which specific insights can be gleaned), other bootcamps cover both data science and data analytics. Check out our guides to learn more about data science bootcamps or data analytics bootcamps in Tennessee.

Data Science Scholarships in Tennessee

For this section, we’ve highlighted an assistantship (i.e. institutional aid) that applies to the school’s data programs. Universities generally have more details on general aid (e.g. diversity scholarships), alternative financing options (e.g. low-interest loans), and tuition discounts.

Middle Tennessee State University

Data Science Events in Tennessee

Data Science Meetups & Communities in Tennessee

Here are a few of the most popular groups:

  1. Data Science Nashville: This is a popular (1,600+ members) data science meetups in the state. It’s a practical group, with a focus on tools & technologies in data analysis, statistics, machine learning, and data visualization. But it also includes plenty of casual opportunities to network.
  2. Greater Nashville Healthcare Analytics: You knew there would be one! Created by folks from VUMC, MedSolutions, HCA, and TennCare, this meetup is open to anyone in the industry.
  3. Memphis Technology User Groups: The Memphis Technology Foundation maintains a community calendar for tech user groups & meetups in the Memphis area. Events occasionally focus on data science. Some user groups deal with specific languages and tools (e.g. R).
  4. NashBI: Designed for Business Intelligence analysts and developers, this meetup is part of the Microsoft Power BI User Group Program and affiliated with the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS).
  5. Nashville Machine Learning Meetup: This group is open to anyone—beginner, intermediate, or expert—who wants to explore the possibilities of ML.

Data Science Conferences & Workshops in Tennessee

Tennessee has trouble competing with NYC and California when it comes to big conferences such as Strata+Hadoop WorldIEEE International Conference in Big Data (IEEE Big Data), and MLconf. However, there are plenty of smaller events with clout. If you can afford to travel, you might also want to check out opportunities in southern centers like Austin/DallasCharlotte, and Miami.

  1. 36/86 Technology Conference: This is one of the city’s most popular startup events, with four days of panels, talks, networking, workshops, and a pitch competition.
  2. FedEx Institute Events: Run by the University of Memphis, the FedEx Institute organizes plenty of workshops, talks, and meetups. Check out the Emerging Innovation Series.
  3. Nashville Analytics Summit: Nashville’s annual two-day conference has been around for quite a while, and sessions cover everything you might expect—from data science and Business Intelligence to security and ethics.
  4. Nashville Technology Council (NTC) Event Calendar: The NTC maintains a helpful list of small(ish) tech events around town, including networking opportunities, hackathons, and workshops.
  5. RISE Nashville Summit: RISE specifically focuses on risk adjustment and quality performance optimization for healthcare plans & providers—think performance analytics, data management, and the like.

Data Science Jobs in Tennessee

Healthcare is a source of employment for data scientists in the Nashville/Franklin area. In addition to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), the Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), and TennCare, you’ll find names such as 3Cords Solutions (healthcare consulting) and eviCore (healthcare management) that exist in the same ecosphere.

But it’s not the only field where you may unearth opportunities. Along with the industries we mentioned in the intro, Nashville also has some data businesses (e.g. Digital Reasoning).

Prefer the Birthplace of Rock and Roll? In Memphis you’ll find big employers like FedExServiceMasterALSAC (the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital), and Wright Medical Group (medical devices).

Data-based companies are also gaining ground. We’re talking names like RocketFuel (predictive analytics), RemitDATA (healthcare analytics), and Quire. Even Expedient Data Centers has a facility in Memphis.

Data Scientist Salaries in Tennessee

According to data from the O*NET OnLine in 2020, data scientists made an average $78,750 per year in Tennessee.

Last updated: April 2022

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This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.