Online Master’s in Database Management Programs

Q: How much money can you make with a database management degree?

According to BLS data , database administrators earn a median annual salary of $93,750, which is much higher than the median salary of $39,810 for all occupations.

Earning a master's in database management can lead to new career opportunities. Here, we list the top programs available.

Updated August 24, 2023

Online Master’s in Database Management Programs

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Database Management Degrees

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Database management degrees prepare learners to ensure the smooth, secure, and profitable operations of companies and organizations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for database administrators to increase 10% from 2019-2029, which is much faster than the average projected growth rate of 4% for all occupations. These professionals earn a median salary of $93,750 per year.

After completing a master's in database management, graduates often enjoy a variety of job prospects with ample opportunities for career advancement.

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Master's in Database Management: Prospect Students Questions

A database management degree can qualify holders for positions including computer systems analyst, information security specialist, software developer, and database administrator.

Master's in database management degrees usually comprise 40-50 credits and require about two years of full-time study.

According to BLS data, database administrators earn a median annual salary of $93,750, which is much higher than the median salary of $39,810 for all occupations.

Database management refers to the organization, storage, and retrieval of digital information. Professionals in the field may also complete tasks related to data security and distribution.

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Why Get a Degree in Database Management?

A database management degree can lead to career paths in industries such as healthcare, telecommunications, energy, and aviation and aerospace. Companies and organizations in many fields require database administrators to facilitate the efficient and secure organization, storage, and retrieval of information.

The BLS projects a faster-than-average growth rate for database administrators, and many colleges offer online database management programs. Online learning can benefit both in-state and out-of-state students. Degree-seekers in online programs often save money on costs associated with housing and transportation.

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How Much Does a Database Management Degree Cost?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of tuition and fees for graduate programs for the 2017-2018 academic year was $11,926 at public institutions and $27,350 at private nonprofit schools. However, several factors impact the cost of earning a degree, including program format and the student's enrollment status and field of study.

Students who pursue a master's in database management online often save money on costs such as rent and transportation. Distance learners can also continue working full time or part time while earning their degree. Although master's in database management programs do not typically include lab fees, students need a computer that can run industry-specific software.

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How Much Do Database Management Majors Make?

Many database management degree-holders work for companies that provide computer systems design services. According to the BLS, more than 20,500 database administrators and architects work in the industry. Among the top five industries with the highest levels of employment for database administrators, computer design companies pay the second-highest average salary ($101,620). Database administrators with credit intermediation agencies earn the highest average salary ($107,460).

The states with the highest employment levels for database administrators and architects include California (13,530), Texas (11,620), New York (7,730), Florida (7,510), and Virginia (6,520). The highest-paid professionals work in New Jersey and earn an average salary of $115,600 per year. The next-highest-paying locations for database administrators include Washington, California, Connecticut, and the District of Columbia.

Earning a master's degree or specialized training in the field can lead to increased career prospects and salary potential.

Courses in Database Management

Database management master's degrees usually require 40-50 credits, including coursework in object-oriented application development, operating systems, backup recovery, and database modeling and design. Some programs offer concentrations in areas such as digital forensics, health informatics, and IT project management. Online students typically follow the same curriculum as on-campus enrollees.

Some database management courses include hands-on training to help students develop the professional skills necessary for careers in database administration. Learners may complete an internship or a capstone project.

Database Development
Students in this course examine various functions of database applications and learn how to use database optimization queries to enhance system performance. Coursework covers topics such as normalization techniques, SQL language, the relational database model, and multi-user commercial applications. Degree-seekers typically complete individual and group projects.
Data Warehousing
The course explores structured data modeling, visual analytics, and data integration. Students develop SQL coding skills, gain an understanding of data warehouse design, and work with large data sets to create dashboards. Coursework emphasizes the role of data warehousing in business intelligence.
System Administration and IT Infrastructure
Students learn how to maintain secure and reliable computer systems, manage infrastructure servers, and back up and recover data. Learners become familiar with cloud-based infrastructures and the latest industry tools for managing data and improving user productivity. Students also learn to design and implement IT processes for various types of organizations.

Certifications and Licensure for Database Management

Database administrators can pursue specialized certifications to improve their job prospects. Many vendors offer widely accepted and highly regarded industry certifications. The following credentials can help database management degree-holders focus their career and learn about the latest advances in their specific professional arena.

This credential from Microsoft demonstrates the holder's knowledge of data platform solutions built with Microsoft Azure Data Services and SQL Server. Candidates must pass an exam, which tests their ability to optimize query performance, monitor operational resources, and design and implement a high availability and disaster recovery environment.

The ideal candidate for this certification has 9-12 months of experience as a network professional and the CompTIA A+ credential. The certification exam covers areas including critical security concepts, hardware and virtualization techniques, and cloud computing.

This credential demonstrates expertise in DB2. Certified database administrators can complete tasks related to operation and recovery, security and auditing, and database design and implementation. Demonstrated knowledge of the DB2 product, a relational database management system, can improve a professional's career prospects.

Scholarships for Database Management

Many schools offer scholarships and fellowships to learners pursuing a master's in database management. Students can also seek financial assistance from state and federal agencies, nonprofit private groups, and professional associations.

Scholarships for Database Management
Scholarship	Amount	Who Can Apply
BETF Scholarships	Varies	The Black Data Processing Associates Education and Technology Foundation administers several scholarships for African American undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must demonstrate enrollment in an accredited program in database management or another eligible IT field.
Stan Yellott Scholarship	Up to $4,000	The Rocky Mountain Oracle Users Group funds this scholarship for students pursuing a degree in computer science or other IT major. Applicants must submit official transcripts, recommendation letters, and an application statement detailing their achievements and interest in pursuing a career in the IT field.