Best Business Analytics Master's Degrees Online

Study.com pored through Department of Education and institution data in search of the best online master's degree programs in business analytics. We considered factors like affordability, program quality, technical certification preparation, and accessibility for working adults, to determine to be the best master's degrees for those looking to expand their knowledge in business analytics and data science.

1. Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University in Stillwater has an excellent online Master of Science in Business Analytics and Data Science (MS BAnDS) perfect for students seeking current career advancement by transitioning into the field. This rigorous, STEM-designated program is offered fully online and in a flexible format to make working professionals competitive in their industry while promoting student collaboration that can be lost in other online programs. Students will learn imperative software skills in enterprise level analytics software like Alteryz, Azure, Power BI, SAS, Snowflake, and Tableau, along with opensource software - Google Colab, Python, and R.

2. Texas A & M University-College Station

The Master of Science in Analytics program at Texas A&M University in College Station started in 2013 as an executive-style program convenient for working professionals blending in-person classes and live video-streaming. This program's innovative curriculum includes a combination of statistics and business skills, as well as leadership and communication to make students competitive in the in-demand market. Students will also complete a capstone project based on their organization to apply what they've learned in the classroom to their real-world work experience.

3. Maryville University of Saint Louis

Maryville University of Saint Louis' online Master of Science in Data Analytics is designed for professionals currently working in business data analytics, as well as career changers, preparing them with practical knowledge and for SQL and AZURE certifications. The curriculum includes building skills in data analytics, warehousing, mining, and visualization. This Higher Learning Commission-accredited program can be completed in as little as a year and is led by faculty who are active in the industry.

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Any online degree program usually provides students with the flexibility to learn from any location on their own time. This may allow them to work around personal schedules and/or continue working full-time while earning their degree. Earning a master's degree in business analytics may help students become more competitive in the field of business, as organizations more commonly demand professionals with expertise in analysis and other technical skills. A master's degree in business analytics may qualify students for multiple advanced business-related positions and math-related positions, which can increase their job prospects. Usually, graduates who have earned their master's degree make more money than those with only a bachelor's degree. As of February 2021, PayScale.com reported that the median annual salary for those with an MS in Business Analysis was $73,00, while those with a Bachelor of Science (BS/BSc) in the field only made a median annual salary of $61,069.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Business Analytics?

The time that it will take students to earn an online master's degree in business analytics varies by school and several different factors. Many of these degree programs are set up to be completed in 18 to 24 months, but there is at least one online program that may allow students to finish in as little as 1 year. When figuring out how quickly or slowly they can earn their degree, students must consider their course load and how many courses they are able or comfortable with taking each semester. Some programs may also accept prior graduate-level work as transfer credit, which can also help students finish their degree faster.

Most online master's degree programs in business analytics can be completed fully online, but there are some programs that may require a few on-campus experiences. Some programs may also follow a cohort model that allows students to move through their program with the same set of peers. Depending on the school, these online master's programs may require between 30 and 40 credits of coursework. The format of the curriculum may vary by school. For instance, some programs may have core courses and electives, while other programs may break up their core courses into core, foundational, and/or specialization courses in business analytics or break up electives into general business, business analytics, and free electives. Some programs may also include some immersion courses and/or require a final culminating experience of some kind. Read on to learn about the coursework for these programs.

Business Analytics Foundational Courses

In general, core courses for these programs focus on major concepts and skills in business analytics. Students in these courses generally receive hands-on training and experience using software and other analytical tools that are common to the field. These courses are also designed to further advance students' critical-thinking, analytical, and decision-making skills to prepare for a career in business analytics. Core courses for these online programs may be math-, programming-, and/or business-heavy, discussing major components of these different fields. Depending on the program, students may participate in immersion experiences during the summer for in-person training. Some programs may require students to conclude the program with a capstone project that tests the skills and knowledge they have gained during the program. Other core course topics may include:

• Foundations of business analytics
• Data mining
• Decision-making
• Python programming
• Statistics for business analytics
• Data visualization

Business Analytics Specialist and Elective Courses

Students may have some free electives or may choose electives from different areas to finish their master's in business analytics degree. For instance, some programs may have students take free electives in addition to business- and business analytics-related electives. Electives are typically intended to allow students to explore specific areas of interest within business analytics to prepare for a specific career. Some programs may allow students to use their electives to earn a concentration in a functional area of business. Students may be able to choose electives from subjects in statistics, operations research, management, economics, and more. Elective coursework varies greatly by institution, but students may be able to choose from business analytics-related courses such as:

• Web analytics
• IT security policies
• Data engineering
• Spreadsheet modeling
• Machine learning

Licensure and Certification in Business Analytics

There are a variety of professional certifications available in the field of business analytics that can help professionals stand apart from the competition. These certifications are usually optional, and choosing which one to pursue may vary by position and job duties. Usually, interested parties need to meet education and/or experience requirements and then pass an exam. There are some overarching certifications available from groups such as the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). For instance, the group offers some general certifications based on experience in the field, including the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA), the Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA), and the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP). The organization also has specialized certification programs, including the Certification in Business Data Analytics (IIBA-CBDA). This certification requires students to pass a 2-hour exam.

Individual software programs that may be used in the field of business analytics may also offer their own certifications. For example, SAS offers a wide range of SAS certifications, including one for visual business analysts. Those who earn their Visual Business Analytics certification by passing an exam are SAS-Certified in the field.

Those wishing to apply to online master's programs in business analytics usually need to have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. While many schools do not require this degree to be in any particular field, some programs may require students to demonstrate competency in areas such as a programming language, statistics, linear algebra, and calculus. Some programs may prefer applicants who meet a minimum GPA requirement, and it is fairly common for these degree programs to require applicants to submit their GRE or GMAT scores. Some schools may have a test score threshold and/or offer waivers for the exam for those who exceed other admission requirements. Depending on the program, students may be required to undergo an interview process. Other common application materials for these online programs may include recommendation letters, a resume, transcripts, and an essay/personal statement.

Choosing an online business analytics master's degree program may primarily come down to personal preferences and needs. Students may want to begin by choosing a program at a regionally accredited institution. This ensures that programs have met general academic standards for quality. Due to the business-related nature of these master's programs, some business analytics programs may have additional program-level accreditation from business-related organizations, such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). This level of accreditation indicates additional standards of academic quality have been met that were set specifically for business-related programs. Some programs may also give students the chance to earn a dual degree, such as an MS in Business Analytics and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Students may want to consider factors such as the format of the program and time to degree completion. Some programs may be designed to allow students to finish faster than others and move into advanced careers more quickly. Other programs may have on-campus requirements that may or may not fit into students' schedules, but can allow for more interaction and hands-on experience. The cost of a program and availability of financial aid may also play a role in students' decisions, as education can get expensive.

There is a wide range of positions available to graduates with their master's degree in business analytics and there are some subtle differences between business analyst positions and other closely related areas. For instance, the differences between a business analyst and process analyst or a business analyst vs. a project manager are usually technical in nature and involve how much data is analyzed and in what area of business. There are also some differences between business analysis and business intelligence, and a position as a business intelligence analyst may open up additional opportunities in the field of law enforcement. In general, those with a background in business analytics will work in some business-related industry analyzing data and may hold job titles such as:

• Management analyst
• Operations research analyst
• Market research analyst
• Mathematician
• Statistician
• Data scientist
• Analytics analyst
• Consultant
• Predictive modeler

Job Outlook for a Master's in Business Analytics

Due to the diverse careers available to graduates with their master's in business analytics, job prospects should be positive. Graduates can work in a variety of positions in various industries and are equipped to take on more leadership-based careers. In general, the need for technical skills that are taught in these degree programs are in high demand. Although the job outlook for individual job titles vary, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that market research analysts, for example, had a job outlook of 18% from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average. The job outlook for operations research analysts was even higher at 25% from 2019 to 2029.

How to Become an Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts have to have at least a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions in the field, but typically a master's degree is commonly preferred. These professionals usually have a degree in a technical field, such as operations research, analytics, mathematics, computer science, and other related fields. Depending on who they work for and what they analyze, operations research analysts may need to have security clearance. It is also important for these analysts to stay updated on the latest technologies and techniques in the field through continuing education opportunities. Other necessary skills for these professionals include math, analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Per the BLS, as of 2019, operations research analysts made a median annual salary of $84,810. Operations research analysts may work in an array of industries, such as finance, manufacturing, and the government. They are typically responsible for solving a range of issues or problems for their organization by applying different analytical and mathematical techniques to data. This often requires them to identify problems, collect data, figure out what analytical methods to use, and then analyze the data. Based on their findings, these analysts may work with management to develop a plan for improvement.

How to Become a Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts also typically have to have at least a bachelor's degree, but, depending on the position, these analysts may need a master's degree. For instance, positions that are more research-intensive may require a master's degree. Students may need to have a degree in fields such as math, statistics, computer science, business administration, or other related areas. Although not usually required, market research analysts may pursue professional certification to demonstrate their competency in the field. They may pursue the Professional Researcher Certification (PRC) from the Marketing Research Association, which requires an exam for initial certification and continuing education to maintain. Market research analysts have to be detail-oriented and have great communication and analytical skills.

According to the BLS, market research analysts and marketing specialists made a median annual salary of $63,790, as of 2019. These analysts may work for management or consulting organizations, finance groups, insurance companies, and more. They study and analyze market trends in order to identify what products and services consumers want and at what price. They may evaluate the competition, forecast the demand of products/services, collect data, and prepare reports on their findings.

It is important for professionals of any field to stay updated on current news in their field, as well as take advantage of continuing education opportunities to further develop their skills. This is often achieved by joining and/or participating in various events and opportunities offered by professional organizations in a given field. In the case of business analytics, students may join a wide range of organizations, including those focused on business analytics or those designed for specific business analytics-related positions, such as the Marketing Research Association for market research analysts. A couple of examples of professional organizations available for business analytics professionals include:

• International Institute of Business Analytics- The IIBA not only offers a variety of professional certifications for business analytics professionals, but also provides membership and group chapters. Members can take advantage of the group's career resources, academic programs, and events, such as global events and leadership workshops. The group's website also allows access to webinars and podcasts to keep professionals updated in the field.
• Data Science Central- The DSC is designed for diverse data practitioners, including professionals in analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and statistics. The group offers membership and a wide range of resources organized by technical topics and business topics.

Students wishing to enter an online master's program in business analytics are not usually required to have a bachelor's degree in any specific field. However, due to the technical nature of the field, it may be preferred or more beneficial for students to have a degree with some background in math, programming, and/or business. Therefore, applicants may commonly hold a degree in areas such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, economics, finance, and more. Other fields that are heavy in math and quantitative skills may also prove helpful.

There is at least one online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Analytics and Data Science and an online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Data Analytics available for students who wish to continue their education in an online format. These doctoral programs are designed to prepare students for further advanced leadership positions in the field and/or positions in academia and research. Typically, online students in these programs still need to complete a dissertation and may need to complete some minimal in-person requirements.

Between tuition, fees, and the cost of books and materials, online students still need to consider how they will pay for their master's program, just like on-campus students. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a great place for undergraduate and graduate students alike to begin, as this application notifies students of federal and state loans or grants they may qualify for. After this, students can explore grant and scholarship options from their schools of interest and other outside organizations.

For instance, there are several different schools and organizations that offer scholarships for various disciplines within the larger field of data science, including business analytics. Some schools may offer scholarships for on-campus business analytics programs and/or related online programs. For instance, the University of Minnesota offers a $20,000 scholarship for students willing to enroll in the MS in Business Analytics on-campus, but also offers an online Master of Applied Business Analytics. Other outside organizations and professional organizations may also offer general graduate-level scholarships in data science or STEM-related fields. For example, the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program provides 3 years of financial support to master's or doctoral students in research-based degree programs. Students receive up to $34,000 in assistance each year, and the student's institution receives $12,000.