Data modeling specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a data modeling specialist. Data modeling specialists usually study computer science, business, or mechanical engineering. 61% of data modeling specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 95 real data modeling specialist resumes to see exactly what data modeling specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for data modeling specialists are the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

There are also many online data modeling specialist courses to help get the education required to be a data modeling specialist.

What education do you need to become a data modeling specialist?

What degree do you need to be a data modeling specialist?

The most common degree for data modeling specialists is bachelor's degree, with 61% of data modeling specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 13% and master's degree degree at 10%.

Bachelor's, 61%

Master's, 13%

Associate, 10%

Doctorate, 6%

Other Degrees, 10%

What should I major in to become a data modeling specialist?

You should major in computer science to become a data modeling specialist. 12% of data modeling specialists major in computer science. Other common majors for a data modeling specialist include business and mechanical engineering.

Computer Science, 12%

Business, 8%

Mechanical Engineering, 8%

Geology, 8%

Other Majors, 64%

Most common colleges for data modeling specialists

Data modeling specialists often get their degrees at University of Alabama at Birmingham, Texas A&M; University, and Central Washington University. Here are the most common colleges for data modeling specialists in the US based on their resumes.

Data modeling specialist common college	Percentages
University of Alabama at Birmingham	9.09%
Texas A&M University	9.09%
Central Washington University	4.55%
Missouri State University	4.55%
The Art Institute of Houston	4.55%

Show more common data modeling specialist colleges

Best majors for data modeling specialists

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	11.8%
2	Business	7.8%
3	Mechanical Engineering	7.8%
4	Geology	7.8%
5	Mathematics	7.8%

Show more common data modeling specialist majors

Best colleges for data modeling specialists

The best colleges for data modeling specialists are Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Johns Hopkins University.

A data modeling specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for data modeling specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become data modeling specialists.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

5. University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$9,222

Enrollment

23,396

6. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

8. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$9,440

Enrollment

6,785

9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

10. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

20 best online courses for data modeling specialists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for data modeling specialists

The most affordable schools for data modeling specialists are Brigham Young University, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and purdue university.

If the best universities for data modeling specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for data modeling specialists.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

3. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

5. University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$9,222

Cost of attendance

20,422

6. Eastern Washington University

Cheney, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,323

Cost of attendance

19,450

7. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

8. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for data modeling specialists

The hardest universities for data modeling specialists to get into are Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for data modeling specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for data modeling specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,566

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

10. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,465

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for data modeling specialists

The easiest schools for data modeling specialists to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, thomas more university, and saint martin's university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a data modeling specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for data modeling specialists.

1. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

2. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

3. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

4. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

5. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

6. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

7. Portland State University

Portland, OR • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,111

8. University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,050

9. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

10. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

Average data modeling specialist salary by education level

Data modeling specialists with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $92,494 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, data modeling specialists earn a median annual income of $87,971 compared to $79,420 for data modeling specialists with an Associate degree.

Data modeling specialist education level	Data modeling specialist salary
Master's Degree	$92,494
Bachelor's Degree	$87,971
Some College/ Associate Degree	$79,420

Data modeling specialist education FAQs

What is the best college for Data Modeling Specialists?

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Search for data modeling specialist jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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