Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Last Updated By • May 20, 2023

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Big Data Degrees at Harrisburg U

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology appears in our ranking of the 15 Most Affordable Master’s in Data Science Online.

Since 2012, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology has conferred a Bachelor of Science in Analytics exclusively on-campus for math-savvy undergrads to practice collecting, interpreting, and reporting numerical data. Advised by Dr. Kevin Huggins, the 50-credit, portfolio-based major builds on the STEM core to teach the quantitative modeling tactics of business intelligence. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio keeps courses like Essential Algorithms, Data Warehousing, SQL Design, and Discrete Mathematics small with interactive projects. Partnered with Capital BlueCross, Harrisburg has added an optional Healthcare Analytics Concentration to focus on medical informatics. Students may also engage in the Government Technology Institute, summer abroad in Germany, attend the Applied Artificial Intelligence Lecture Series, intern at Comcast, and join the eSports team.

Available in Pennsylvania’s capital or online via Moodle, the Master of Science in Analytics lets Harrisburg University of Science and Technology post-grads expand their strategic toolkits for drawing conclusions from Big Data. The 36-credit, two-year program directed by Dr. Randolph Ford forges highly collaborative cohorts in four concentrations: Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, Forecasting, or Individualized. Expect spending six semesters, including summers, on 500-level courses like Data Visualization, Programming Methods, and Research Methodology. Studying culminates in a thesis or applied project using HU’s state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Center for Advanced Entertainment and Learning Technologies. Other opportunities include continuing for the Ph.D. in Data Science, attending the Data Analytics Summit, taking Silicon Valley courses, and interning at BNY Mellon.

About Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology was first incorporated in December 2001 as the Commonwealth’s first independent, STEM-focused institution founded in over one century. Welcoming an inaugural class of 113 the next August, Harrisburg was formally chartered by Pennsylvania in 2005. Regionally accredited in June 2009, HU has developed valuable resources, such as the Security Center of Excellence. Endowed for $0, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is funded by corporations like Hershey, Gannett Fleming, and Tyco. Besides its 16-story Capitol Region campus near Strawberry Square, Harrisburg U runs a 38,000-square-foot Philly satellite and eLearning. HU now serves 1,022 students, including Data Analytics majors, who are 52 percent female and 45 percent African American.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in the top 187 Northern schools with the third highest internship rate nationally. On Niche, HU was graded B+ for safety and diversity. College Factual chose Harrisburg for America’s 61st best biotechnology, 251st top computer information systems, and 21st best natural sciences programs. Value Colleges featured Harrisburg as the 49th best Big Data buy. PayScale recognized the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology for a median bachelor’s salary of $59,156. Washington Monthly declared HU the country’s 235th best liberal arts institution and the Northeast’s 383rd best buck. Forbes also described Harrisburg as “strong” among the newest generation of engineering schools.

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Accreditation Details

In 2016, the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology submitted to institutional evaluation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) to continue its Level V accreditation under president Dr. Eric Darr until the next 2021 self-study review. Headquartered just 105 miles away in Philadelphia, this third-party regional accreditor is validated by the U.S. Department of Education to check the effectiveness of HU’s 11 baccalaureate, one doctoral, and nine master’s programs. All degrees are authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Bureau of Postsecondary and Adult Education too.

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Application Requirements

Getting into the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is deemed “minimally difficult” by Peterson’s for the Fall 2016 acceptance rate of 100 percent. The B.S. in Analytics program seeks promising undergrads from various backgrounds, especially those historically under-represented in STEM. First-year entrants simply need a high school diploma or GED without curriculum requirements. On average, admitted freshmen report a 2.79 GPA in grades 9-12. Many aren’t in the top 50 percent of their class and don’t score above 1010 on the SAT. Transfers can receive credit for accredited college courses graded “C” or higher. The M.S. in Analytics requires a four-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.0 GPA and one Statistics course. The Ph.D. in Data Science accepts post-master’s candidates without GRE scores.

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology has rolling admission, but please save at least five weeks before term starts for processing. It’s completely free to submit the Application for Admission online. Paper document copies are received to 304 Market Street in Harrisburg, PA 17101 too. Contact (717) 901-5101 or Admissions@HarrisburgU.net for assistance needed. Data analytics enthusiasts shouldn’t forget these:

• High school and college transcript requests

• Standardized entrance test scores (optional)

• Résumé listing work and leadership experience

• Brief, 250-500 word statement of personal goals

• Two letters of faculty/supervisor recommendation

• Demonstration of English fluency if applicable

Tuition and Financial Aid

Declaring the B.S. in Analytics major at the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology will cost $11,950 each semester full-time. Studying part-time will incur $1,000 per credit. Budgets should leave $1,500 for textbooks and $1,900 for miscellaneous expenses annually. The Residences on Market will bill $3,400 for double and $3,100 for triple occupancy housing. The annual cost of bachelor’s attendance equals $37,200 for residents and $27,300 for commuters. The flat-rate tuition for M.S. in Analytics or Ph.D. in Data Science study is $800 per credit. One exception is for international graduate students who pay $5,300 each semester.

According to the NCES College Navigator, 90 percent of full-time HU students score average financial aid packages of $27,337 for $9.48 million total yearly. Graduates of Harrisburg Schools and Dauphin County Schools qualify for full-tuition scholarships. Other institutional funds include the Philadelphia Partnership Scholarship, York Strong Scholarship, HACC Partner Scholarship, Trustees’ Scholarship, New Jersey Scholarship, Advancing with Information Technology Scholarship, and Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship. Completing the FAFSA form with code 039483 may open Federal Pell, SEOG, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant money. Average debt is currently $6,567 per year from Federal Stafford, Perkins, and Graduate Plus loans. Keystone State natives benefit from the Pennsylvania State Grant, NETS Scholarship, and Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is similar to work-study jobs requiring six to 20 hours weekly. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology also offers monthly individual payment or employer deferred payment plans.

Learn more at the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology at the Analytics Program website.

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