Master’s in Business Analytics Programs

You’re a business-focused professional with skills in data-driven solutions. You’re considering a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA), but you’re wondering how they work. Use our degree guide to explore the MSBA curriculum, including typical courses and capstone projects. Learn more about admissions requirements, degree costs, and available specialties. Decide on a career path and compare salary numbers. Or skip ahead to our listings of master’s degrees in business analytics, including MSBA programs in every state.

What is a Master’s in Business Analytics?

A master’s degree in business analytics (or a closely related field) is a data-centric graduate program that will teach you how to use advanced analytics methods & tools to solve complex business challenges. You can choose to study a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA), which will be devoted to business data & technical coursework. Or you can opt for an MBA, which will usually offer analytics coursework as a concentration or specialization.

Business analytics graduate students learn many of the same techniques as data analytics graduate students, but they are laser-focused on corporate requirements and the needs of specific industry sectors. That’s why almost all master’s degrees in this field are offered by the School of Business. Take a look at the sample curriculum to see how this will affect your learning.

How They Work: Master’s in Business Analytics Overview

Degree Structure

Students who enroll in a master’s degree in business analytics will usually be required to complete ~30 graduate-level credits. The program will be made up of core coursework, electives, and a capstone project or internship. On a full-time basis, it might take 1 year to complete.

The most common degree title in this field is the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA), but you have other options! Learn which master’s degree is best for your needs.

Timeline

• 1 Year (Full-Time): 1 year/3 semesters is the typical full-time format for an MS in Business Analytics, although we have seen some programs that are only 9-10 months. You’ll be completing foundation studies & core coursework in the first semester. Your capstone project, concentration courses and/or electives will usually appear in the second & third semesters.
  
• 1.5-3 Years (Part-Time): On a part-time schedule, you could be taking 1-2 courses per semester. The capstone project will still be included, but it may be stretched out over a number of semesters. These degrees are built for working professionals, with evening classes or hybrid learning opportunities.

Some master’s degrees will be offered on a full-time or part-time schedule only; some will be available in both formats.

Sample Curriculum

Core Coursework

Universities have a lot of freedom to create their course lists for an MSBA—check out the curriculum links in our listings to get a sense of the variety! As a rule, your core courses will cover two major aspects of your future job—analytical skills and in-depth business knowledge.

The level of technical difficulty will depend on the degree:

• “Foundational” programs will gradually introduce you to analytics fundamentals (e.g. data management, data visualization, statistics, etc.).
• But you may qualify for more advanced business analytics programs from schools like MIT Sloan. These kinds of degrees will take you into realms of data science and technical project management.

Here are real-life examples of core courses in a master’s degree in business analytics:

• Introduction to Business Analytics
• Technical Foundations of Analytics
• Applied Statistical Modeling
• Data Visualization for Business
• Data Storytelling
• Data Mining for Business Applications
• SQL & Basic Data Management
• Enterprise Database Management
• Machine Learning
• Prescriptive Modeling & Optimization
• Big Data Technologies
• Advanced Quantitative Tools for Business Analytics
• Operations Analytics
• Decision Analysis
• Project Management
• Management Science
• Econometrics
• Strategic Communications

Notice that almost all of the courses above are focused on the application of analytical tools & methods to business situations. You may not see the same corporate emphasis in data analytics graduate programs.

Concentrations, Minors & Electives

Concentrations & electives are extremely popular in business analytics graduate programs. That’s because Schools of Business want to prepare you for an analytics role in a specific industry sector (e.g. finance, healthcare, insurance, etc.) or field of expertise (e.g. marketing, supply chains, accounting, etc.).

Here are some real-life MSBA concentrations:

• Financial Analytics
• Marketing Analytics
• Supply Chain Analytics
• Accounting Analytics
• Human Resource Management Analytics
• Information Management & Coordination Analytics
• Digital Risk & Insurance Technology

Even if you don’t see a concentration or minor offered in a business analytics program, you’ll usually be able to choose a fair number of elective credits that you can tailor to your needs. Real-life examples of electives include:

• Healthcare Analytics
• Security Analytics
• Internet Customer Analytics
• Entertainment Analytics
• Marketing Analytics
• Marketing Research for Managers
• Investment Analysis
• Fraud Analytics
• Risk Analytics and Behavioral Science
• Risk Financing Techniques
• Machine Learning in Finance
• Financial Data Management
• Real Estate Finance
• Applied Financial Econometrics
• Forensic Accounting
• 
Enterprise Systems & Supply Chain Management
• Business Intelligence
• Diversity in Organizations
• Business Strategy
• Industrial Organization
• Games & Decisions
• Advanced Workshop on Machine Learning
• Special Topics: Deep Learning

Take a little time to assess choices for electives when you’re putting together your shortlist of schools. If you’re able to complete real-world assignments in these kinds of classes, you’re going to shine in front of hiring committees!

Internships & Capstone Projects

Your MS in Business Analytics will culminate in a capstone project or internship. This is the most important part of your degree, since it involves tackling a real-world analytics challenge from an industry partner or corporate client.

• Capstone Project: Once the industry partner has supplied the challenge, you will be expected to define the scope & goals of your project; collect, process & analyze relevant data; design, model & develop practical business solutions; and present your findings to your client through data visualizations & reports. You’ll often be working within student groups under the supervision of a faculty member.
• Internship: Occasionally, you may find an MSBA program that offers an internship instead of a capstone project. In this scenario, you might be working in a real-world firm under the supervision of more senior analysts & data scientists. In a full-time master’s degree, an internship could run the length of an entire semester.

Capstone Project Ideas

Examples of real-life MS in Business Analytics capstone projects include:

• Preemptive Quality Control: Enabling More Efficient Production of BMW Cars
• GM: Personalized Marketing Strategies for OnStar Customers
• Grab.com Cravings Can’t Wait: Routing Food Deliveries Under Time Uncertainty
• REI Purpose-Driven Supply Chain: A Prescriptive Approach to Sustainability
• Modeling for Predicting Power Outages Due to Weather Events for DTE Energy
• An Analytics Approach to Managing Inbound Call Support at Stefanini IT Solutions

Have a look at the curriculum links in our listings to learn more about your options.

Master’s in Business Analytics: Admissions

Standard Requirements

Business analytics graduate programs accept students from a wide range of backgrounds. In many cases, they won’t care what your undergraduate degree is, as long as you earned good grades and completed a few important foundation courses.

Here are some standard requirements for an MSBA:

• Undergraduate degree (in any major) with 3.0 GPA or higher
• GRE or GMAT scores—these are occasionally optional or waived for certain candidates (e.g. entrants with a degree in business or engineering)
• Résumé—a few schools will want to see some evidence of work experience & internships, but many will accept recent undergraduates
• Letters of recommendation
• Essay/Statement of Purpose
• Interview—video interviews are now common
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students from a non-English speaking background

Technical Requirements

Every MSBA program is going to have a specific set of requirements for technical/analytical skills. Check the admissions links in our listings for more info. In many cases, you may only be required to:

• Have taken one undergraduate, full-semester course in Statistics
• And/or have achieved a grade of C or better in Linear Algebra, Finite Math, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus
• And/or successfully demonstrate that you have quantitative and analytical skills

However, each program is unique! A tech-heavy school like UCLA may also want to see evidence of prior coding experience in widely used programming languages (e.g. C/C++, Java, or Python) and statistical & econometric modeling (e.g. R, SAS, STATA, or MATLAB).

Note: Talk to the program coordinator about how you can compensate for gaps in your math & technical learning. You may be able to take prerequisite undergraduate courses, complete an entry-level professional certificate, and/or participate in a university-run bootcamp.

Master’s in Business Analytics: Tuition Cost $

Calculating the Price

We’ll tell you true—a master’s degree in business analytics from a U.S. university will be expensive. Even a one-year program can easily run into tens of thousands of dollars. Here are few factors to consider when you’re weighing your options:

• Public vs. Private: Are you fortunate to live near a public university with a strong School of Business and a respectable Department of Computer Science? Make that your first choice. In-state tuition rates are almost always going to be cheaper than tuition at private schools.
• University Aid: Ask the program coordinator about scholarship, fellowship & assistantship opportunities! Unlike data analytics graduate programs, many business analytics programs are backed by Schools of Business with deep financial pockets. You may qualify for a fair amount of institutional funding.
  
• Online vs. On-Campus: Online programs will be cheaper than in-person programs—you’re not paying for commuting costs, campus expenses, and time lost in your day. But you may be missing out on valuable networking & industry opportunities (e.g. seminars, industry placements, research assistantships, etc.). Weigh the pros & cons of each option before making a decision.
• Employer Sponsorship: Are you already working for a company that you like? Make an appointment with your HR representative. Some businesses may be happy to help offset tuition costs if they feel like you will be bringing value back into the firm.

Real-World Price Data

Our listings contain up-to-date tuition links for each individual master’s program. When we ran the numbers on public & private universities, we came up with the following estimates:

• Low-End Tuition: $10,000-$35,000
• Mid-Range Tuition: $40,000-$50,000
• High-End Tuition: $65,000+

On average, business analytics graduate programs tend to be more expensive than data analytics graduates programs. Having said that, mid-level and senior business analysts with strong analytical skills are earning highly respectable salaries. If you opt for a part-time program, you can also work while you study.

Which Master’s Degree is Best for Business Analytics Professionals?

Business Analytics: Graduate-Level Specialties

Analytics is a high-demand field, so you can have your pick of specialties. Examine the curriculum links in our detailed listings carefully. You’re looking for a master’s degree that tallies with your career aspirations and skill levels. There’s nothing more frustrating than being in a graduate program that’s too easy or off-topic!

Common Fields

• Master’s or MS in Business Analytics (MSBA)
• Master’s in Operations Research
• Master’s in Management Information Systems (MIS)
• MBA in Business Analytics

The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) is a popular choice for business analysts who are interested in analytics, but mid-careerists and professionals interested in management positions should consider the MBA in analytics. For more on the fields of MIS and Operations Research, see our guide to common analytics degree majors.

Industry-Specific Fields

• MS in Healthcare Analytics
• MS in Accounting Analytics
• MS in Economics Analytics
• MS in Marketing Analytics

Already have some entry-level experience or knowledge of analytics? Fascinated by a specific area of business? You have the option to sub-specialize. Just make sure that the School of Business has a strong department in that area (e.g. marketing) and faculty with both business & analytics expertise.

Related Business Fields

• Master’s in Finance with a Business Analytics Concentration
• Master’s in Marketing with a Business Analytics Concentration
• Master’s in Supply Chain Management with a Business Analytics Concentration

Let’s say you’re interested in business analytics applications, but you don’t necessarily want to spend the rest of your life concentrating on data. Consider a business-focused master’s degree with an analytics concentration or electives. Later down the track, you have the option to pursue professional certificates & industry certifications.

Technically-Focused Fields

• MS in Data Analytics with a Business-Related Concentration
• MS in Data Science with a Business-Related Concentration

If you’re in love with advanced technical aspects of analytics, we strongly recommend a graduate degree from a top-notch school (e.g. MIT Sloan) or the MS in Data Science. Data scientists are experts who know how to handle the complexities of big data and sophisticated analytics processes. This requires specific training.

MS in Business Analytics vs. MBA in Business Analytics

The choice of the MSBA vs. the MBA is a relatively easy one to make. Although both degrees may be offered by the School of Business, they have different outcomes.

• MSBA: The MSBA is a specialist degree designed for early to mid-careerists & recent college graduates who want to pursue a career in business analytics. You don’t necessarily need work experience to apply. These streamlined master’s programs are packed with analytics coursework and credits in technical skills. See our sample curriculum for examples.
• MBA: The MBA is a management degree that’s geared toward professionals who aspire to leadership & executive-level positions (e.g. CEO, CDO, etc.). The core curriculum will cover every major aspect of business (e.g. finance, strategy, operations, etc.), but concentrations & electives will be available in specific areas like analytics. MBA candidates must often have several years of work experience before they can apply.

You don’t always have to choose! Some universities will offer a dual degree options (e.g. MSBA/MBA). Others will allow you to apply credits from your MSBA to an MBA later down the track. Mid-careerists can also consider earning an MBA and a graduate certificate in business analytics.

MS in Business Analytics vs. MS in Data Analytics

There’s no easy answer to this debate. If you look at our MS in Data Analytics listings, you’ll see that some data analytics programs have a strong business feel—they’re packed with management & finance courses, they address corporate concerns, and they finish up with industry-focused capstone projects.

So you will have to do a little bit of comparison shopping. We’ve summarized some of the general differences in our analysis of Data Analytics vs. Business Analytics. Here’s a quick recap:

• Business Analytics Master’s Degrees: Students are business-lovers who want to use analytics to solve specific business problems and make important business decisions. They may be adept in analytical tools & techniques, but they’re primarily interested in the applications of those tools to the corporate world (e.g. econometrics).
• Data Analytics Master’s Degrees: Students are data & statistics-lovers who are curious about how analytics can be applied to multiple spheres of interest. Some data analysts are interested in business problems, but others use analytics to examine complex systems or organizational challenges. And data analysts are often fascinated by the possibilities of new technologies & tools.

Have you found a data analytics program that looks like a strong contender for your career goals? Ask the MS program coordinator for a list of recent examples of capstone projects. That will tell you how much business work is being emphasized in the curriculum.

How to Choose the Right Analytics Degree

With all of the choices in our listings, it can be difficult to decide on an educational pathway in business analytics. Especially when you’re about to invest $40,000 into a master’s degree. Use this short checklist to make the right decision.

• Match the Job & Degree: Make a note of all the job titles in your fields of interest (e.g. Business Intelligence Analyst) and have a look at recent postings for these titles on employment sites. In the section on job requirements, you can see what kinds of degrees & majors are favored by different companies.
• Evaluate the School’s Resources: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign runs a Center for Business Analytics that develops analytics teaching models for business schools. MIT has its own Operations Research Center. UCLA offers seminars with business analytics leaders & data storytelling workshops. Coursework is just the beginning. Can you take advantage of specific career resources & research connections while you’re enrolled?
• Conduct Your Own Surveys: Ask recent alumni what they thought of the program. Talk to current students & faculty. Have a coffee with hiring managers and mentors to discuss your career goals. Check LinkedIn and learn where experienced business analytics experts went to school. Field research is the name of the game.

Remember, too, that universities offer dual degree options or master’s degree & graduate certificate pathways. If you have the time & money, you could consider earning qualifications in two related fields (e.g. MSBA and MS in Finance).

Career Prospects for Master’s in Business Analytics Graduates

What Can You Do with a Master’s in Business Analytics?

The standard requirement for an entry-level position as a business analyst or data analyst in a corporate role is a bachelor’s degree in business analytics, business, or a related STEM field. If you have an undergraduate degree that has prepped you for statistical & analytical work, you don’t need a master’s degree to start your career.

However, an MSBA is a sensible choice if you:

• Want to specialize as a business analytics expert in a particular industry (e.g. manufacturing, software, etc.) or field (e.g. operations, finance, etc.)
• Have an undergraduate degree in a non-STEM field that didn’t adequately cover technical/analytical work
• Are applying for mid-level and senior-level business analytics jobs–a master’s degree is often “strongly preferred”
• Are employed at a company that is willing to subsidize graduate education

Recent graduates & career changes should talk to company recruiters before they make a decision. Each industry sector & individual business is going to have specific hiring preferences. You may even discover that you can start in an entry-level business analyst job, pursue a part-time master’s degree, and qualify for a tuition discount through a company/university partnership.

Popular Industries

• Technology Sector
• Banking, Finance & Insurance
• Business/Consulting
• Government & Public Sector
• Healthcare & Pharmaceutical
• E-Commerce
• Energy & Utilities
• Manufacturing

Typical Job Titles

Business-Focused Fields

• Business Analyst
• Senior Business Analyst
• Business Analyst/Data Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Operations Research Analyst
• IT Business Analyst
• Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst
• Business Intelligence Consultant
• Business Systems Analyst
• Business Consultant
• Marketing Analyst
• Market Research Analyst
• Risk Analyst
• Project Manager
• Finance Manager

Business analysts don’t always have to be experts in business analytics. The level of analytical expertise required will depend on your job description and the needs of the company.

Closely Related Fields

• Data Analyst
• Data Consultant
• Data Visualization Specialist

There are plenty of data analysts who work for businesses & corporations. It’s a job with multiple applications.

Specialist Fields

• Data Scientist
• Data Engineer

Anyone who is interested in a specialist role should consider a master’s degree in that field (e.g. MS in Data Science). Most business analytics degrees are focused on corporate applications. Data scientists & engineers have more complicated tasks.

Master’s in Business Analytics Job & Salary Data

Business Analyst Employment Data

The job outlook for business analysts with skill sets in analytics is likely to be very strong in the next decade! Companies are experiencing a growing demand for experts who can handle the explosion of data within & without their walls.

You can get a broad sense of your employment prospects by analyzing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on Operations Research Analysts, including the helpful employment & wage maps. 

• Growth: The job outlook for operations research analysts is projected to rise 23% from 2021-2031 (the average growth rate for all occupations is 5%).
• Cities & States: The highest employment levels tend to be in states with strong technology, government & finance sectors (e.g. California, Virginia, New York, etc.) and in cities with complex data needs (e.g. Washington DC, Dallas/Fort Worth, NYC, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, etc.).

Compare these data with BLS employment & wage maps for Management Analysts. These are defined as analysts who conduct organizational studies & evaluations, design systems & procedures, run work simplification & measurement studies, and prepare operations & procedures manuals.

• Growth: The job outlook for management analysts is projected to rise 11% from 2021-2031.
• Cities & States: States with the highest employment levels are very similar to Operation Research Analysts. Top metropolitan areas include Washington DC, NYC, Chicago, Boston, Sacramento, and Atlanta.

One thing to keep in mind—you could face a lot of competition for job openings in cities with the highest employment levels (e.g. NYC). If your résumé is a little sparse, you may have more luck in smaller metropolitan areas that have an urgent business need for analytics experts.

Note: The annual IIBA Global State of Business Analysis Report also keeps track of employment trends around the world (IIBA membership required for access).

Business Analyst Salary Data

BLS Wages & Salaries

BLS salary maps on Operations Research Analysts and Management Analysts will provide you with some ballpark figures for wages in different U.S. states & cities. Keep in mind that these will be averages of professionals from every level of experience (entry, mid-level, and senior positions).

• States: In recent years, Virginia, Alabama, Maryland, Hawaii, and New York have been lucrative states for operations research analysts. And wages tend to be strong for management analysts in big financial & tech hubs such as Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and Illinois. On the other hand, the cost of living in some of those states is very high!
• Industries: The best paying sectors for operations research analysts include the government, management & technical consulting services, and—no surprise—the technology sector. But it’s also interesting to note that industries involved in mining, manufacturing, and oil & gas (think of Texas) and financial firms that deal with securities & commodities tend to pay management analysts very well.

These data are backed by global numbers. In 2021, the IIBA Global State of Business Analysis Report noted that business analysts in consulting & professional services, manufacturing, and healthcare & pharmaceutical sectors were earning the highest salaries.

Mid-Level Business Analyst Salaries

Take a few moments to compare BLS numbers with salary data on well-known job sites and in the IIBA Global Business Analysis Salary Survey. They will give you some realistic benchmarks for salary negotiations.

Across job boards, you’ll find a fair amount of variation. For instance, in 2022:

• Indeed’s section on Business Analyst Salaries noted that early career business analysts with 1-2 years of experience earned an average salary of $78,630; this number jumped to $87,338 for analysts with 6-9 years of experience.
  
• Payscale’s section on Average Business Analyst Salary (Unspecified Type) stated that business analysts with 1-4 years of experience earned an average of $62,554. This number rose to $69,194 for 5-9 years of experience.

In addition to catering to “unspecified types,” Payscale provides average salary numbers for all kinds of specific business analyst positions, including:

• Business Analyst, Finance/Banking
• Business Analyst, IT
• Business Systems Analyst
• Finance Analyst

Payscale also focuses on certain industries, including:

• Business Analysts in the Software Sector
• Business Analysts in the Finance Sector
• Business Analysts in the Healthcare Sector
  

So you’ll have plenty of ways to evaluate the seriousness of initial salary offers!

Note: Consider adding common industry certifications to your résumé (e.g. CCBA, CBAP, etc.). According to the 2019 IIBA Salary Survey, Business Analysts who held at least one certification earned 11% more than non-certified respondents.

Master’s in Business Analytics FAQ

What Should I Look for in a Business Analytics Graduate Program?

A strong master’s degree in business analytics should have many of the same quality factors as a master’s degree in data analytics. Namely:

• Real-world coursework that matches employer requirements for technical & business skill sets
• Experienced faculty who are working on analytics projects with corporations & industries
• Access to high-level analytics tools, commercial resources, and large-scale infrastructures
• Career support throughout the degree, including job fairs, interview preparation, conference funding, seminars from visiting experts, and training for industry certifications

We also recommend you vet the reputation of the School of Business. Top-notch schools tend to have:

• AACSB accreditation
• High national & international rankings for the MBA program (e.g. U.S. News, Princeton Review, Fortune, etc.)
• Research centers with a focus in analytics or related fields (e.g. Operations Research)
• Plenty of internal funding opportunities (e.g. scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, etc.)

Finally, think carefully about a) where the university is physically located; and b) what kinds of ties the School of Business has to local partners. This will have a big effect on your capstone project. For instance:

• Schools of Business in Michigan often have industry connections with automobile manufacturers.
• Schools in Silicon Valley may have established partnerships with Apple, Google, or tech companies.
• Schools in NYC are able to organize capstone projects with financial firms.

You’re looking for a great program that matches your budget, time commitments, career goals, and skill level. Use the curriculum, admissions requirements & price links in our listings to create a shortlist.

What if I’m Coming from a Business Background? How Much Technical Work is Involved?

It depends on the program. As we mentioned in the section on core coursework, universities have a lot of freedom to design the curriculum for a master’s degree in business analytics. An MSBA from a school like UCLA or MIT Sloan may have much more of a technical feel than an MSBA from your local public university.

Use the admissions & curriculum links in our listings to learn what will be expected. You can also make an appointment to talk with the MSBA program coordinator about your background. If you’re particularly weak in certain areas like applied statistics, you may want to consider more business-focused graduate programs.

What Skills Should I Be Developing in a Master’s Degree in Business Analytics?

Like fine wines, business analysts with analytics expertise tend to have a unique blend of skills! The section on core coursework contains a list of common technical requirements, including:

• Data mining
• Database management
• Data visualization
• Machine learning
• Standard programming languages (Python, R, etc.)
• Prescriptive Modeling
• And more…

But a strong master’s degree in business analytics will also include skill sets that will be valued in the corporate world, such as:

• Project management
• Business Intelligence (BI)
• Communication
• Strategic planning
• Interpersonal skills

Remember that you can always skim through current job descriptions in your chosen field to assess what skills are most in demand.

What is AACSB Accreditation?

AACSB stands for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It’s a global non-profit association that provides specialized accreditation to Schools of Business.

• In order to earn AACSB accreditation, Schools must go through a rigorous assessment process. The AACSB evaluates the School’s mission, faculty qualifications, curricula, and ability to provide quality programs.
• You can use AACSB’s tool to search for AACSB-accredited schools and filter by location, delivery, format, and even field (e.g. data analytics).

Should I Earn a Master’s in Business Analytics or Industry Certifications?

Let’s say you have a bachelor’s degree in business or a closely related field. You’ve completed college-level coursework in statistics & analytics fundamentals and/or tackled a Google or IBM professional certificate in analytics, but you’d like to go further. Should you earn a master’s degree in business analytics or pursue industry certifications?

Talk to hiring managers, mentors, and current business analytics experts before you make a decision. (We’ve put together a list of industry organizations to help you start networking.) The answer will depend on your current income, family commitments, leadership aspirations, and competition for jobs in your area.

A master’s degree from a School of Business with a strong reputation is a lovely thing to have on your résumé, but it’s also expensive and time-consuming. If you’re sinking tens of thousands of dollars into your education, you need to know that it’s going to be worth it.

Should I Opt for an Online or On-Campus Program?

• Online: Online master’s degrees are usually cheaper than on-campus programs and designed for working professionals (e.g. part-time schedules). You’ll be able to tackle a virtual capstone project and collaborate on group projects through online sessions. However, you may not have access to analytics resources in the School of Business. And you may miss out on networking & career opportunities. See our guide to online master’s degrees in business analytics for more on this option.
  
• On-Campus: In-person learning requires more of an investment—in money and time—but it may pay off in the long run. Schools of Business often organize plenty of career events, including industry seminars, recruitment fairs, and networking evenings. You’ll have access to physical resources at research centers. Plus you’ll be working closely with fellow students & faculty who may have connections to well-paying companies.

Bear in mind that some universities offer “blended” or hybrid MSBA programs. Hybrid programs are a mix of online courses and on-campus requirements. This may be the ideal situation if you’re working.

What is a STEM-Designated Degree?

When you visit the program links in our listings, you’ll often see the phrase “STEM-Designated Degree” plastered across the top of the program page. This is a classification created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A STEM-designated degree contains at least 50% of coursework in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).

Are you an international student who wishes to work in the U.S. after graduation? Make sure that your master’s degree in business analytics has a STEM designation.

• Most international students in full-time master’s degree programs apply for the F-1 Visa. Students with a F-1 Visa are usually eligible for 12 months/1 year of Optional Practical Training (OPT)/temporary employment after graduation.
• However, if you are enrolled in a STEM-designated educational program, you are eligible for an extension of up to 24 months/2 years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) on top of the initial 1-year OPT agreement (36 months in total). OPT can also put you on the path to a work visa.

Is a Master’s in Business Analytics Worth It?

Maybe. We always advise anyone who’s interested in graduate education to do a lot of thinking before they commit to a program.

Business analytics is a specialist field, so an MSBA may be worth your while if you’re looking to:

• Shift into a data-focused career
• Qualify for job promotions (e.g. Senior Business Analyst)
• Assume an analytics leadership role within your company
• Branch out into analytics consultancy work
• Explore a specialist area of interest (e.g. Marketing Analytics)

But you should weigh those opportunities against the time & cost of the degree. If you decide that a master’s degree in business analytics is the right choice to make, don’t skimp on quality. Your graduate program should be technically rigorous, career-focused, supportive, and respected by employers. You deserve the best.