Earning an accelerated online Master’s in Database Management takes a lot of effort; indeed, there are many professionals who won’t even attempt it. But for those who understand how quickly the field is changing, and what is needed from those who are already in the business, earning an online degree is a matter of investment, one they know will yield them a result long after they graduate. And with more and more companies requiring a minimum of at least a graduate degree, it is clear that this degree is becoming the new standard for the field.
Professionals in this field do not have the time to attend a traditional campus program. They need flexible programs that enable them to study part-time or full-time; it is helpful if these programs are available 100 percent online or as low-residency programs. Students all need access to affordable programs, including programs that utilize online tuition or in-state graduate tuition rates for all students, regardless of residency status. The schools listed in this ranking below have all of these features and this updated ranking reflects the most current information available.
Methodology
This ranking would not have been possible without the research conducted on the National Center for Education Statistics website and its publicly available College Navigator database. An initial group of 25 schools was identified simply by searching for online master’s in database management programs. They were then reviewed independently and were ranked based on several factors, including estimated time to completion rates for the programs as well as tuition rates. The final 20 schools were chosen based on the school’s total estimated in-state graduate tuition rate for the entire program.
Ranking Low-Cost Accelerated Master’s in Database Management
20. Golden Gate University
San Francisco, California
Online Master of Science in Information Technology Management
Tuition: $37,800
The accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that is available from Golden Gate University is a great choice for both American and international professionals. This is a non-cohort program for American residents and a cohort program for international students; both programs are available 100 percent online with no residency requirements. It is possible to specialize in Business Intelligence through this program. Students will participate in all of their courses through the school’s virtual portal; sessions are held asynchronously or synchronously in the traditional 16-week academic term format. It is possible for students to complete the degree in two years or less when they pursue a full-time course of study. This degree requires that students complete a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework, the Strategic Information Technology Planning, Organization and Leadership Capstone, and a final exam. Sample courses include Database Theory and Data Management Tools, Networks and Communications, and Visualization and Communications Through Storytelling.
19. Capella University
St. Paul, Minnesota
Online Master of Science in Information Technology
Tuition: $33,072
Capella University is home to an affordable accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that combines engaging online coursework with an applied project for a cohesive program that can be completed in two years or less. This program offers four concentrations: Project Management, Enterprise Networks and Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology Analytics.
The program is currently recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. This program was designed to be completed entirely online; there are no residency requirements. Students will participate in their live or on-demand courses through the school’s learning management system; courses run in 10-week quarters, making it possible to graduate in just 16 months. This degree requires a total of 48 quarter credit units of coursework, an applied IT project that serves as the capstone project and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Network and Operating System Defense, Information Security Regulatory and Legal Environment, and Network Security Fundamentals and Cryptography.
18. The University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
Online Master of Science in Information and Communications Technology, Specialization in Database Design and Administration
Tuition: $32,928
Students at the University of Denver have access to an accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that is housed within an information technology degree. This program was created to be completed entirely online with no residency requirements; ambitious students will be eligible to graduate in 18 months.
All courses are held synchronously in the evening through the school’s virtual portal. Students will find that since the course length is ten weeks, they can take one course every term and still graduate within two years. This degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project or seminar, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Database Design and Implementation, Database Administration, and Web Enabled Information Systems.
17. Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, Illinois
Online Master of Data Science
Tuition: $31,947
The Illinois Institute of Technology confers an affordable accelerated online master’s in database management that will provide professionals with a great curriculum as well as real-world practice in the field. This degree is available to professionals working part-time in the United States or Canada; it is not recommended for full-time students to take on this degree. While it is possible to complete the coursework requirements entirely online, students should note that not all courses are currently available online; they are strongly encouraged to confirm what courses are available to them, especially if they do not live near campus.
The courses for this program are held in the school’s learning management system, which provides each course as a live or on-demand class that runs in the traditional 16-week academic term format. Students will also need to complete a practicum for their culminating experience and this will take place in their home community. This degree requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework, the practicum, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Bayesian Computational Statistics, Data Mining, and Online Social Network Analysis.
16. Northcentral University
San Diego, California
Online Master of Science in Data Science
Tuition: $30,430
Students at Northcentral University are offered the opportunity to complete a unique accelerated online Master’s in Database Management degree. This program was designed specifically for ambitious self-learners who have a background in this field and are ready to complete their education. This is a 100 percent online course of study; students will never have to attend campus. Courses for this degree are available asynchronously online through the school’s virtual portal and there are start dates for the program every Monday.
Course lengths may vary but usually range from eight to ten weeks. It is possible to take one course every term and graduate in less than two years, making it a great choice for working professionals. This degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive final exam. More information on this degree can be found by contacting the school’s graduate admissions office.
15. Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, Maryland
Online Master of Science in Data Science
Tuition: $30,000
Loyola University Maryland provides Baltimore residents with an exceptional accelerated online Master’s in Database Management. This degree was designed as a hybrid course of study; courses all have a residency requirement, meaning that those who live in the Baltimore area are best suited for this program. Coursework that is available online can be accessed through the school’s learning management system and is offered as on-demand work that students can complete on their own time. This degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework and a technical capstone project. Sample courses include Introduction to Data Science, Business Intelligence and Data Mining, and Information Retrieval and Natural Language Processing.
14. Regis University
Denver, Colorado
Online Master of Science in Data Science
Tuition: $28,080
Students interested in an affordable accelerated online Master’s in Database Management can complete this degree through Regis University. This school confers an online version of this popular degree, making it a great choice for those who cannot attend a traditional campus program. This degree is offered through the school’s virtual portal and has six start dates; courses are held asynchronously or synchronously in eight-week terms, providing students with an accelerated degree that can be completed as a part-time plan of study in just two years. This program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, two practicums that take place in a student’s community, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Exploratory Data Analysis, Information Technology Research Methods, and Data Collection and Preparation.
13. The University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland
Online Master of Science in Information Systems
Tuition: $27,460
The University of Maryland Baltimore County confers an accelerated online Master’s in Database Management degree that is designed to be completed in two years or less. This degree is offered 100 percent online; there are no residency requirements. All students will complete their coursework through the school’s learning management system, the portal in which asynchronous courses are delivered to the students.
Because this degree is based on the competency model, students may find that term lengths vary between eight to 16 weeks, based on their needs. It is possible to graduate within two years; students will need to be enrolled full-time in order to meet this deadline. Students will be required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, an optional thesis, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Management Information Systems, Database Management Systems, and Structured Systems Analysis and Design.
12. Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, Florida
Online Master of Science in Information Technology and Database Administration
Tuition: $25,641
The affordable accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that is available from the Florida Institute of Technology was designed for in-service professionals who are looking to specialize in this field. This program is offered as a wholly online program; residency is not required for graduation. Students will take all of their courses online through the school’s virtual portal; sessions are held asynchronously or synchronously in the traditional 16-week academic term format. This program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Global Information Technology Management, Advanced Management of Information Systems, and Topics in Advanced Database Management.
11. New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, New Jersey
Online Master of Science in Computer Science, Concentration in Database and Data Mining
Tuition: $25,290
New Jersey Institute of Technology is home to an accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that is housed within a computer science degree. This program was designed with working professionals in mind and offers three concentrations: Cybersecurity, Database and Data Mining, and Networking. The program is held entirely online with no residency requirements. Students will attend class by using the school’s learning management system and will utilize both live and on-demand offerings during their course of study. Sessions last for 16 weeks, meaning that full-time students will be able to graduate within two years. Students can expect to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Data Mining, Advanced Database System Design, and Cloud Computing.
10. Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Online Master of Science in Information Systems
Tuition: $23,256
The accelerated online Master’s in Database Management from Central Michigan University was designed for in-service and pre-service professionals interested in an advanced degree to help them meet their career goals. This program is offered entirely online; there are no residency requirements. Students will be able to choose from three different concentrations: Enterprise Systems Using SAP Software, Cybersecurity, or Project Management. Courses are held live or on-demand through the school’s virtual portal and are held in 16-week terms. This degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Database Management for Business Systems, Systems Analysis and Design, and Communication in Professional Contexts.
9. Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
Online Master of Science in Information Technology, Concentration in Database Design
Tuition: $22,572
Southern New Hampshire University confers an accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that is perfect for working professionals who are ready to advance their knowledge of the field. This is a 100 percent online course of study that can easily be completed within two years. All courses for this degree are available as asynchronous courses that follow a 10-week term. Students who take two courses per term will graduate in 15 months, a short amount of time for this degree. This degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, the Capstone in Information Technology, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Technical Communication, Innovations in Information Technology, and Principles of Database Design.
8. Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska
Online Master of Science in Management of Information Systems
Tuition: $20,700
The accelerated online Master’s in Database Management offered at Bellevue University is perfect for working professionals who require a two-year degree that is flexible enough to fit into their schedules. This program can be completed entirely online or as a hybrid degree; all courses are offered online through the school’s virtual portal but hybrid students can take on-campus sessions if they wish. Courses are held live or on-demand and are completed in 16-week terms. This degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, the MIS Integrated Capstone, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Introduction to Cyber Ethics, Information Security Management, and Managing Emerging Technologies.
7. The University of West Georgia
Carrollton, Georgia
Online Master of Science in Applied Computer Science
Tuition: $17,472
The University of West Georgia confers an accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that comes under the major of applied computer science. This degree was designed specifically for in-service professionals who are ready to advance their knowledge of their field. This is a wholly online degree; all courses are available through the school’s learning management system and can be completed as live or on-demand courses. Students will find that all courses follow the traditional 16-week academic term format, meaning that students who take two courses every term, including at least one summer session, will be able to graduate in two years. This degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Database Systems, Software Development, and Web Technologies.
6. Grand Canyon University
Tucson, Arizona
Online Master of Science in Information Technology Management
Tuition: $17,170
Students at Grand Canyon University are offered the opportunity to complete an accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that can be completed in two years or less. This degree was designed for working professionals and is offered 100 percent online so as to ensure that students do not ever have to attend campus. All courses for this degree are available synchronously and in the evenings to accommodate working professionals. Students will be able to graduate in just two years when they take two courses every term. This degree requires a minimum of 34 quarter credit units of coursework, the Strategic Management of Information Technology Capstone, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Information Security and Risk Management, Financial Fundamentals for Managers, and Innovation in Information Technology and Data Management.
5. The University of Maryland University College
Adelphi, Maryland
Online Master of Science in Data Analytics
Tuition: $16,488
The University of Maryland University College confers an accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that was designed with the input of leading companies in the field to ensure that all professionals are offered an updated curriculum. This is a 100 percent online, sequential course of study; students will complete all of their coursework online in sequential format, providing them with a rigorous degree plan that immerses them in concepts and theories prior to moving on to more advanced issues. This degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, the Data Analytics Capstone project, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Predictive Modeling, Big Data Analytics, and Decision Management Systems.
4. Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, Kentucky
Online Master of Science in Computer Science
Tuition: $15,750
The affordable accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that is offered by Campbellsville University was designed as a two-year program that will provide working professionals with the advanced knowledge they need to become leaders in the field. This degree is offered as a wholly online program; there are no residency requirements. Instead, students will attend class through the school’s virtual portal, where courses are offered live or on-demand and in the traditional 16-week academic term format. Students can expect to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Advanced Topics in Computer Networking, Disaster Recovery Planning, and Cyber Security.
3. The University of Illinois at Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Online Master of Science in Management Information Systems
Tuition: $14,508
The University of Illinois at Springfield is home to an accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that is offered to professionals who are interested in a two-year degree that can be earned through virtual services. This degree is available 100 percent online; there no residency requirements. All courses are held asynchronously or synchronously in the traditional 16-week academic term format. Students will be able to graduate within two years provided they attend school full-time and take part in at least one summer session. More information about this degree and its program requirements can be found by contacting the school’s graduate admissions office.
2. The University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
Online Master of Science in Information Technology
Tuition: $11,937
Students enrolled at the University of South Florida can earn the accelerated online Master’s in Database Management within two years. This degree was developed to give students maximum flexibility in choosing the majority of their coursework requirements, enabling them to tailor a graduate degree that fits their need. This degree is offered 100 percent online with no residency requirements; there are also no culminating experience requirements. Students will complete all of their coursework online through the school’s virtual portal; sessions are held asynchronously or synchronously in the traditional 16-week academic term format. This degree requires that students complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Data Mining, Statistical Data Mining, and Seminar on Software Testing.
1. The University of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Online Master of Science in Computer Science, Specialization in Database Systems
Tuition: $11,328
The University of West Florida confers an accelerated online Master’s in Database Management that is housed within a computer science degree. This program is best suited for professionals who are interested in advancing their knowledge of relational databases and are ready to apply their knowledge to their field. This degree is offered entirely online; there are no residency requirements. Courses are held live or on-demand through the school’s learning management system; sessions run in 16-week terms. Students will be required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework, a thesis or capstone project, and a comprehensive final exam. Sample courses include Database Administration, Advanced Database Systems, and Data Mining.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Career Options for an Affordable Accelerated Online Master’s in Database Management?
- Database Manager
- Computer and Information Systems Manager
- Computer Support Specialist
- Coffee
- Database Administrators
- Web Developers
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Computer Programmer
- Financial Analyst
- Computer Network Architect
- SQL Database Administrator
- Information Security Analyst
- Software Developer
- Market Research Analyst
- Operations Research Analysts
How Much Can You Earn in this Field?
The median salary for database managers is $81,710. The median salary for database administrators in $84,950. The salary range for this field, in general, is between $47,300 to $129,930. This includes all positions, including those that can be obtained with just a bachelor’s degree, as well as positions in a variety of fields and in the public and private sectors.
Professionals with certifications or endorsements in the field can expect to make more money than their counterparts without certifications. While the difference in salary can vary based on the certification and the position, on average, the certification is worth about $5,000 to $10,000 of additional salary per year. This makes it a worthwhile investment for professionals who are on the fence about sitting for certification.
Something else that professionals need to keep in mind is that many employers may require certifications or additional education, even if it’s not a base requirement for the position. This is because as more and more professionals work in the database management field, the need for more qualified candidates has grown. This, in turn, has led for a growing number of requirements for positions that did not have them previously.
What are the Various Disciplines of Database Management?
Database management may seem like a management discipline; this is somewhat true and generally considered the main discipline that manages and organizes databases and database systems. Because databases can be as small as a one-computer network storage system or big enough to fill an entire warehouse with databases that focus on one particular use, management can be a term that means a variety of different things. In fact, database management has a lot of disciplines at play.
Database management focuses on management, security, networks, architecture, information assurance, data integration, records, analysis, mining, and more. It is the structure that holds in data and therefore is the first step in collecting, storing, identifying, analyzing or categorizing data so that it can be used for its intended purpose while keeping the data secure. It is also a security issue; data is stored in physical banks that can be secured but also lives on the web, making it difficult to secure against cyber threats, something that is a constant concern.
Professionals in the field may choose to specialize in one of the above aspects of data management. This is a necessity as the field is continuing to evolve, meaning more professionals with specialized education in data mining or collection are needed. Specializing in one field also makes it easier for students to find jobs that focus them on their interests.
Are Certifications Necessary for Database Management Positions?
Certifications are currently not necessary to find a position within database management. Schools do not have the mandate to provide a professional pathway forward for any type of certification, qualification, or endorsement. Likewise, the industry as a whole is not requiring that new graduates hold any additional qualifications other than a graduate degree in database management.
However, certifications are a benefit to any professional who chooses to pursue at least one. This is because qualifications can distinguish a professional from other candidates, indicating their competency in the area of specialization that has been outlined by the qualification. This can make it easier for them to find jobs that focus on their expertise rather than a general position.
Qualifications may also provide professionals with a higher salary. Because qualifications are focused on one area of expertise, companies who are looking for that expertise will likely pay more than employers who are merely searching for general candidates. While it can’t be known for sure how much a qualification can make a difference, there have been reports of $10,000 increases in yearly income based on one type of certification alone.
Students who are not interested in earning certifications are not alone; it is extra time and studying to complete that certification and with over a dozen available to the field, it’s hard to know which certification will make the difference in terms of employability and salary. However, it is still worth the investment because the field is only to grow more specialized. Those who indicate a specialization within their resume by using a certificate will be in a better position to compete for the best jobs, making the certificate well worth the investment.
The fact that not a lot of attention is paid to database management is a concern for most professionals; after all, database management is literally the act of securely managing everyone’s data, from their social security card number to their health history and everything in between. As technology advances and database management evolves, more qualified candidates working in the field are needed. An accelerated online Master’s in Database Management is a great way for working professionals to complete their education and can provide students with a flexible way to meet their goals while tending to their personal and professional obligations.
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