Sports Analytics Degrees for Future GMs
This fall 2025, UNC Charlotte is rolling out the only Bachelor’s in Sports Analytics in the Southeastern U.S.—one of just five undergraduate sports‑analytics degrees nationwide—through a dynamic partnership between its School of Data Science and College of Health & Human Services.
https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/05/22/unc-charlotte-sports-analytics-undergraduate-degree
What Makes It Stand Out
UNC Charlotte’s new sports analytics program is designed with both technical rigor and practical application in mind. The STEM-based curriculum blends courses in coding, artificial intelligence, predictive modeling, and data science with in-depth study of biomechanics and human performance. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that students not only understand the numbers behind the game but also the physical and behavioral aspects that affect athletic performance. Beyond the classroom, students gain hands-on experience by earning academic credit through internships with Charlotte’s 19 Division I teams. They also have opportunities to work with nearby professional organizations such as the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, giving them a direct pathway into the sports industry. The program is led in part by ESPN senior statistician John Tobias, whose leadership helps ensure the curriculum stays aligned with current trends and real-world demands in professional sports analytics.
Why It Signals a Shift
UNC Charlotte’s decision to elevate its sports analytics offering from a certificate to a full-fledged STEM degree isn’t just a bold move—it’s a clear signal of where the industry is headed. In today’s sports landscape, data is central to every aspect of strategy, from player performance and health tracking to ticket pricing and fan engagement. Professional teams like the Panthers and Charlotte FC are already embracing analytics-first decision-making, and universities are starting to catch up. Programs like Syracuse, Rice, Akron, and California Baptist have already begun integrating sports analytics into their academic offerings, and UNC Charlotte now joins that small but growing group.
The launch of a STEM-designated degree reinforces the importance of quantitative skills like data science, machine learning, and biomechanics in shaping future front-office leaders. As these tools become essential for navigating the modern sports business, more universities are expected to follow suit. Schools in markets with professional teams and strong research capacity will be especially well-positioned to build programs that blend technology and human performance, creating a new standard for how students are prepared to enter the sports industry.
Four Other Programs in Sports Analytics
Syracuse University – The pioneer in sports analytics education, Syracuse’s B.S. in Sport Analytics launched in 2017, housed within the Falk College, and includes statistics, programming, sport economics, research methods, and a senior thesis.
California Baptist University – Offers a B.S. in Sports Analytics that develops analytical, mathematical, and computer science skills applied directly to athletics and sports industry roles.
University of Akron – Their new B.S. in Sport Analytics combines math, statistics, computer programming, and business fundamentals, with the program based in an AACSB-accredited business school and connections to pro sports organizations.
Rice University – Provides a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management with a major focus or concentration in Sport Analytics, blending sports management principles with data-driven analysis
UNC Charlotte’s launch isn’t just a boost for Niner students—it’s a signal flare for the industry. As sports-governing bodies push for data-driven decision-making, more universities will step up with similar offerings. Counselors should seize this moment to guide student-athletes toward programs that deliver well-rounded data, tech, and athletic insight—positions that mirror the very blend today's GMs need.
