Pursue the future by acquiring new skills now with Purdue’s online data portfolio
Career forecast: Mostly sunny with 100% chance of change
The data sector has grown so vast, it influences every industry on the planet. And, in a truly cyclical manner, all of that information created, collected and shared by those industries fuels the growth of the data sector.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 found technological skills — especially those involving artificial intelligence and big data — are expected to escalate in value globally among employers between 2025 and 2030.
“Trends in AI and information processing technology are expected to create 11 million jobs, while simultaneously displacing nine million others, more than any other technology trend,” the report predicts.
Those working in the data sector will not have a long wait. According to a 2025 Tech Target article, job growth from 2025 to 2035 is expected to rise 414 percent for data scientists and data analysts.
That dynamic is already impacting the American job market. Of the 20 fastest growing occupations identified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a quarter of those careers — actuaries, data scientists, information security analysts, operations research analysts, and computer and information research scientists — are data-related.
The significance of data cannot be understated. Hidden within terabytes of information can be insights into customer behavior, medical breakthroughs or changing demographic patterns. As former Hewlett-Packard C.E.O. Carly Fiorina said, “The goal is to turn data into information, and information into insight.”
While disruption may be part of the future, so is progress. Purdue University’s online data portfolio can give you the tools needed to position your career for growth. Filled with credentials, certifications and degrees for every level of expertise, our data programs offer today’s professional a launchpad into tomorrow’s opportunities.
“We build degrees that are really needed in the workforce now and in the future,” said Dimitrios Peroulis, senior vice president for partnerships and online and the Reilly Professor of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue.
“Through our strong industry partnerships, we gain insight into the skills that drive progress. Our faculty craft programs that blend solid fundamentals with forward-looking applications, preparing learners for what’s next.”
Peroulis said the purpose of these programs is to prepare students for the careers of today and those yet to come.
“When I think of the phrase ‘future ready,’ I think of somebody who is going to thrive and lead in a very rapidly changing world,” Peroulis said. “It’s a matter of giving them a very strong technical foundation. It’s also making them understand how they need to think about the future.”
Explore Purdue’s online data science degrees, certificates and courses.
Data management: The new frontier
Individuals and companies can convert knowledge into power through one of two ways: data analytics and data science. While there are some similarities — both use data analysis, cleaning and storytelling — their paths do diverge and require different tools, skillsets and degrees.
Data analytics is exploratory by nature. By collecting and analyzing raw information, data analysts can uncover valuable insights such as the most popular items sold, traffic patterns or weaknesses in business strategies.
According to the employment website Indeed.com, employers expect data analysts to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree that includes coursework in computer science, mathematics or statistics, and to know a computer language like Python or SQL.
Possible data analytics careers
- Data Visualization Analyst
- Operations Strategic Data Analyst
- Data Processing Systems Analyst
- Financial Analyst
The average annual salary for data analysts was $83,983 in 2025, according to Indeed.com, depending on work location.
Data scientists dissect data to make predictions. Combining tools like AI, software and algorithms with statistics, mathematics and computer science, data scientists make discoveries that propel businesses forward. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that data scientists need a bachelor’s or master’s degree that includes coursework in subjects like computer science, mathematics, statistics, business and engineering.
Possible data science careers
- Data scientist
- Machine learning engineer
- Health informatics specialist
- Business intelligence analyst
- Predictive modeler
For data scientists, the median salary was $112,590 in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Whether you decide to pursue data analytics or data science, both paths can benefit from additional education. In 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found the median weekly earnings for an employee with a bachelor’s degree was $1,543, almost $300 less than an employee with a master’s degree. The study also found the higher the degree attainment, the lower the unemployment rate.
Revive your resume with Purdue’s online data portfolio
A recognized world leader in STEM fields, Purdue University is ranked No.10 globally for research excellence in the 2026 Interdisciplinary Science Rankings by Times Higher Education (THE). The organization also ranked Purdue No. 14 among U.S. public universities and No. 47 in the world out of 2,000 research universities.
Purdue offers a range of interdisciplinary online programs designed for every level of professional development, price point and time commitment. Like all strong portfolios, our online data portfolio is diverse and designed to meet a variety of professional and personal goals. From microcredentials created for busy specialists who need to upskill quickly to our master’s degree for those who want to develop an expertise in the data field, our portfolio has something for everyone.
Professional development programs
Certificates and microcredentials are perfect for working professionals looking to quickly reinvigorate their skillsets and resumes. Since technology is ever evolving and new discoveries are made every day, Purdue’s professors and partners introduce innovative research and practices during these streamlined programs.
Students can complete many of these programs in less than a year while utilizing their newfound knowledge immediately. Since they do not require a bachelor’s degree, these programs are open to everyone.
Graduate Certificates
Completed your bachelor’s degree but not ready to pursue a master’s? An online graduate certificate is just the program for you. Graduate certificates allow you to explore areas of interest while deepening your knowledge and broadening your understanding. These short programs consist of three or four classes that can be completed more quickly than a master’s degree. Some may be applied towards Purdue’s Master of Science in Data Science degree.
Master of Science
Purdue’s online Master of Science programs take about two years to complete and are designed to help you engineer the future of business. The flexible format allows you to customize your degree journey, empowering you to select the courses you need for your next giant leap.
Demand is growing for data experts
According to a 2025 survey of more than 250 businesses by Robert Half Talent Solutions, a global consulting and professional staffing firm, “76 percent of tech leaders report skills gaps within their department.” The report also found 87 percent of those employers had difficulty finding skilled workers in the data science and tech fields.
This challenge may explain why The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 found 70 percent of employers expected to see more upskilling of current employees by 2030 while “only 29 percent of businesses expect talent availability to improve over the 2025-2030 period, a drop from 39 percent in 2023.”
These factors demonstrate the need for both data analysts and data scientists. Which is better? That depends on your vision for the future. What is certain is there is room for both, and our data portfolio can help you determine your destiny.
Ready to ignite your imagination? Explore Purdue University’s online data science programs or talk to an enrollment counselor about your goals today.