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Junior data analyst education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a junior data analyst. Junior data analysts usually study business, computer science, or pharmacy. 73% of junior data analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 468 real junior data analyst resumes to see exactly what junior data analyst education sections show.

The most common colleges for junior data analysts are the University of Virginia and the University of Virginia.

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

What education do you need to become a junior data analyst?

What degree do you need to be a junior data analyst?

The most common degree for junior data analysts is bachelor's degree, with 73% of junior data analysts earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 14% and master's degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 73%
  • Master's, 14%
  • Associate, 8%
  • Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a junior data analyst?

You should major in business to become a junior data analyst. 18% of junior data analysts major in business. Other common majors for a junior data analyst include computer science and pharmacy.

Most common colleges for junior data analysts

Junior data analysts often get their degrees at University of Virginia, University of Washington, and Florida International University. Here are the most common colleges for junior data analysts in the US based on their resumes.
Junior data analyst common collegePercentages
University of Virginia8.47%
University of Washington6.78%
Florida International University6.78%
DePaul University6.78%
San Jose State University5.08%

Best majors for junior data analysts

Best colleges for junior data analysts

The best colleges for junior data analysts are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

A junior data analyst with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for junior data analysts. 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 junior data analysts.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

5. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

6. SUNY at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,099

Enrollment

21,404

7. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

9. Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$38,178

Enrollment

6,008

10. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

20 best online courses for junior data analysts

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Get hands-on practice with over 80 data structures and algorithm exercises and guidance from a dedicated mentor to help prepare you for interviews and on-the-job scenarios...

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Learn to extract ,transform, and analyse data...

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15. Implementing a Data Warehouse with SQL Server 2012

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Implementing a Data Warehouse with SQL Server 2012 (Exam 70-463)...

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17. Fundamentals of Data Analysis for Big Data

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This course prepares participants to begin running data analysis on databases...

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19. Data Warehouse Developer-SQL Server/ETL/SSIS/SSAS/SSRS/T-SQL

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Develop and Implement a Data Warehouse Solution Step by step...

20. SQL - Master Class For Data Analysis

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Writing SQL Server queries for Data Analysis...

Top 10 most affordable universities for junior data analysts

The most affordable schools for junior data analysts are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for junior data analysts 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 junior data analysts.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

8. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

9. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

10. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for junior data analysts

The hardest universities for junior data analysts to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for junior data analysts 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 junior data analysts 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

10. Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for junior data analysts

The easiest schools for junior data analysts to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, university of the incarnate word, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a junior data analyst 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 junior data analysts.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

6. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

7. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

8. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

9. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

10. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

Average junior data analyst salary by education level

Junior data analysts with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $68,315 annually. With a Master's degree, junior data analysts earn a median annual income of $65,087 compared to $59,659 for junior data analysts with an Bachelor's degree.
Junior data analyst education levelJunior data analyst salary
Master's Degree$65,087
Bachelor's Degree$59,659
Doctorate Degree$68,315

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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