Business Analytics is one of the most trending branches of Data Science, which a lot of people are aspiring to study and work in. Many top job recruiters predict that there will be more and more demand for talent in this field over the coming years, and Business Analysts are currently one of the highest paid IT professionals across the world. 

In this blog, let’s try to understand more about this field and what are some top universities offering master’s in Business Analytics 

What is Ms in Business Analytics? 

A Graduate program in Business Analytics is a combination of courses in Data Science, Programming, and Business Fundamentals, which prepares students to be able to use the tools of data analysis in order to drive business decisions. 

Who is eligible to apply for an MS in BA?

The biggest advantage for MS in BA applicants is that students from diverse engineering and sciences backgrounds can apply to this field, given they have completed undergraduate level Math courses (Which a lot of engineering graduates finish in their 1st and 2nd year). However, some top universities ask for basic proficiency in any one of the programming languages such as R, Python, Matlab etc.. which students can fulfill by taking online courses on Course-era, EDx, Udemy etc.. You need not take these courses if you already have professional experience in using programming languages. 

So the bottom line is that no matter what stream you’re from, If you can show Basic proficiency in Mathematics and Programming, you will be eligible to apply for this course. Work Experience is not a requirement for many universities. 

How is it different from Data Science?

Here’s what the Director of Business Analytics program at Carnegie Mellon University, which is  one of the top 5 universities in Business Analytics has to say-

“If students are interested in the application of data to support business decision-making, the students are better served with a degree in business analytics. If students are more interested in the science underlying the models and data or in broad applications of data science, then I would encourage them to consider a master’s in data science.”

So if you’re really interested in pursuing a career in MNCs and help businesses use the power of data analysis to drive business decisions, then you can choose Business Analytics. Ms in Data Science courses usually do not offer business related courses, so it’s more of a technical field.

Top Universities offering MS in Business Analytics –

There are more than 150 well-ranked universities offering this degree and we have guided many of our students to top ranked universities such as University of Washington- Seattle, University of California-San Diego, University of Minnesota- Twin Cities, Purdue University- West Lafayette, University of Wisconsin-Madison etc.. 

Here I have listed the top 10 universities along with important information to apply to these universities.

1. MIT: Master of Business Analytics (MBAn)

1. Minimum Requirements: Admission Criteria is Holistic

A. GPA: Average 3.5 (around 80-90%) but no minimum requirement

B. GRE: (v: 154-165; Q: 162-170) or Equivalent GMAT

C. IELTS: 7.5; TOEFL: 100

D. Work Experience: Some relevant work experience (or Internship) in relevant field is an

added advantage

E. Research Experience: Not mandatory but MIT looks for this as a competitive component

F. SOP, Video Interview

G. Recommendation Letters

H. Resume

2. Tuition Fees: 82,368 USD for program

3. Course Duration: 12 months

4. Application Deadline: Fall: Jan 7 th

5. Concentration Areas: Nothing in Particular

6. Course Work: Analytics Edge, Optimization Methods, Analytics Lab, Analytics to Action,

Communicating with Data, Machine Learning, Capstone Projects, Ethics & Data Privacy

among many others

 

2. University of California, Los Angeles: MS Business Analytics (MS BA)

Minimum Requirements:

I. GPA: Average 3.5 (around 80-90%) low GPA can be compensated with other criteria as

admission process will be holistic

J. GRE: (Q: 167) or Overall Equivalent to GMAT 710 score

K. IELTS: 7.0; TOEFL: 87

L. Work Experience: Some relevant work experience (or Internship) in relevant field is an

added advantage like knowing SQL & Python but not mandatory.

M. Prerequisites: All prospective students are expected to have a strong quantitative

background, including linear algebra, multivariate calculus, statistics and probability. In

addition, applicants should have some experience or coursework in computer programming

(e.g., C, Java, or Python), plus statistical and econometric modelling (e.g., R, SAS, STATA, or

MATLAB)

N. Research Experience: Not mandatory

O. SOP, Video Interview

P. 2 Recommendation Letters

Q. Resume

7. Tuition Fees: 66, 709 USD for program

8. Course Duration: 15 months

9. Application Deadline: Fall: Jan 8 th , Mar 12 th , Apr 11 th, May 14 th

10. Concentration Areas: programming and data management methods, model

development and construction, business analytics and industry applications

11. Course Work: Statistical foundations for analytics, Machine Learning, SQL and data base

management, Business fundamentals for analytics, optimization, Prescriptive models

and Data Analytics, Competitive Analytics, Internet customer analytics, Health care

analytics, Entertainment analytics, Internship

3. Carnegie Mellon University, (Pittsburgh, PA): MS Business Intelligence & Data Analytics (MS BIDA)

Minimum Requirements:

A. GPA: Average 3.5 (around 80-90%) “low GPA can be compensated with other criteria as

admission process will be holistic”.

B. GRE: (Q: 167) or GRE Overall Equivalent to GMAT 710 score

C. IELTS: 6.5 (Sub scores are also 6.5, W-6.0); TOEFL: 100 ( Sub score recommended 25 but

exceptions)

D. Work Experience: Some relevant work experience (or Internship) in relevant field is an

added advantage like knowing SQL & Python but not mandatory.

E. Prerequisites: All prospective students are expected to have a strong quantitative

background, Objective oriented programming, Java programming database, and statistics

F. Research Experience: Not mandatory

G. SOP, Video Interview (strongly recommended)

H. Recommendation Letters,

I. Resume

A. Tuition Fees: 66, 709 USD for program

B. Course Duration: 12-16 months

C. Application Deadline: Fall: Jan 10 th

D. Concentration Areas: Nothing in Particular

E. Course Work: Statistical foundations for analytics, Machine Learning, SQL and data base

management, Business fundamentals for analytics, optimization, Prescriptive models

and Data Analytics, Competitive Analytics, Internet customer analytics, Health care

analytics, Entertainment analytics, Programming R, SAS, Pyhton etc., and Internship

4. University of Texas, (Austin, TX): MS Business Analytics (MS BA)

Minimum Requirements:

A. GPA: Average 3.5 (around 80-90%) “low GPA can be compensated with other criteria as

admission process will be holistic”.

B. GRE: (Min 60 percentile on all sections (325)) or GRE Overall Equivalent to GMAT 700 score

C. IELTS: 7 (Sub scores are also 6.5 with few exceptions); TOEFL: 100

D. Work Experience: Some relevant work experience (or Internship) in relevant field is an

added advantage like knowing C++, JAVA, R & Python… but not mandatory.

E. Prerequisites: University coursework or professional experience in computer programming

is required; knowledge of C, C++ or Java (with focus on object-oriented programming) is

preferred. Those admitted to the program are strongly encouraged to learn Python prior to

beginning the program. Coursework in in Linear Algebra and Statistics is strongly

recommended.

F. Research Experience: Not mandatory

G. SOP, Application Essay Questions, One Minute Video Essay

H. Recommendation Letters,

I. Resume

1. Tuition Fees: 46, 500 USD for program

2. Course Duration: 10 months

3. Application Deadline: Fall: Oct 19 th , Jan 11 th

4. Concentration Areas: Financial Analytics, Supply Chain & Marketing Analytics

5. Course Work: Machine learning, Optimization, Financial Management, Advanced Data

Analytics, Marketing Analysis, Health Care Analytics, Data Science Programming,

Information Management, Supply chain analytics, Business Analytics, Demand Analytics,

Social Media Analytics, Analytics for Unstructured Data

5. Georgia Tech (Atlanta, GA): MS Analytics (Business Analytics Track)

Minimum Requirements:

A. GPA: Average 3.0 (around 75-90%) “low GPA can be compensated with other criteria as

admission process will be holistic”.

B. GRE: (Average GRE 320) or GRE Overall Equivalent to GMAT 666 score (Average)

C. IELTS: 7.5; TOEFL: 100

D. Work Experience: Some relevant work experience (or Internship) in relevant field is an

added advantage like knowing C++, JAVA, R & Python… but not mandatory.

E. Prerequisites: All applicants are expected to have basic background in mathematics (at least

one college-level course or equivalent knowledge in calculus, probability/statistics, and

some linear algebra) and computing (at least one college-level course or equivalent

knowledge in computer programming using a high-level language like C, C++, Java, Python,

FORTRAN, etc.)

F. Research Experience: Not mandatory

G. SOP

H. Recommendation Letters

I. Resume

1. Tuition Fees: 41,000 USD Per Year (Plus Summer term additional Cost)

2. Course Duration: 12 months

3. Application Deadline: Fall: Jan 1 st to May 1 st

4. Concentration Areas: Analytical Tool, Business Analytics, Computational Data Analytics

5. Course Work: Computing for Data Analysis, Introduction to Analytics and Business

Analytics, Data and Visual Analytics, Applied Analytics Practicum, Operations Research,

Statistics Amongst others.

6. University of Washington, Seattle(Foster School of Business): MS Business Analytics

Minimum Requirements:

A. GPA: Average 3.4 (around 75-90%) “low GPA can be compensated with other criteria as

admission process will be holistic”.

B. GRE: (Average GRE 313) or GRE Overall Equivalent to GMAT 661 score (Average)

C. IELTS: 7.0; TOEFL: 92

D. Work Experience: Some relevant work experience (or Internship) about 2 years in the

a relevant field is an added advantage like knowing C++, JAVA, R & Python.

E. Prerequisites: Our ideal applicant is familiar and comfortable with math and statistics and

has some exposure to R, Python, Excel, and SQL.

F. Research Experience: optional and not mandatory

G. SOP & Video Interview

H. Recommendation Letters

I. Resume

1. Tuition Fees: 52,400 USD for program

2. Course Duration: 12 months

3. Application Deadline: Fall: Nov 5 th (I round ) and Jan 5 th (II round)

4. Concentration Areas: Nothing in Particular

7. Purdue University, West Lafayette(Krannert School of Management) : MS Business

Analytics & Information Management

https://www.krannert.purdue.edu/masters/business-analytics-and-information-

management/home.php

Minimum Requirements:

A. GPA: 3.4 (around 75-90%) “low GPA can be compensated with other criteria as admission

process will be holistic”.

B. GRE: (Average GRE 315-320) or GRE Overall Equivalent to GMAT 677 score (Average)

C. IELTS: 7.5 ( Subscore 7.0); TOEFL: 93(Min 22 subscore is safe)

D. Work Experience: Some relevant work experience (or Internship) about 2 years in the

relevant field is an added advantage like knowing C++, JAVA, R & Python.

E. Prerequisites: Ideal applicant is familiar and comfortable with math and statistics and has

some exposure to R, Python, Excel, and SQL.

F. Research Experience: optional and not mandatory

G. SOP & Optional SOP, Video Essay

H. 2-Recommendation Letters

I. Resume

A. Tuition Fees: 48,600 USD for program

B. Course Duration: 11 months( 3 semesters program)

C. Application Deadline: Fall: Early (Sept1st), Nov 2nd (priority round ) and Jan 16th (II

round)

D. Concentration Areas: supply chain analytics, investment analytics, or corporate finance

analytics

8. New York University, (Stern School of Business): MS Business Analytics

Minimum Requirements:GPA: 3.5 (around 75-90%) “low GPA can be compensated with other

criteria as admission process will be holistic”.

A. GRE & GMAT are not required

B. IELTS: 7.0 ; TOEFL: 100 may be asked to submit after preliminary qualification.

C. Work Experience: 5 years minimum relevant work experience (or Internship) is

required like knowing C++, JAVA, R & Python.

D. Prerequisites: Ideal applicant is demonstrated academic/quantitative preparedness,

either through prior coursework, professional experience, and/or certifications.

E. Research Experience: optional and not mandatory

F. Essay

G. 1-Recommendation Letter

H. Resume

1. Tuition Fees: 81,400 USD for program

2. Course Duration: 12 months part-time

3. Application Deadline: Fall: Rolling admissions ..apply as early as possible

4. Concentration Areas: Nothing in Particular

II Program : New York University, Stern School of Business (NYC and Shanghai campuses): M.S. in

Data Analytics and Business Computing

9. University of California, San Diego, (Rady School, CA) : MS Business Analytics

Minimum Requirements:

A. GPA: 3.4 (around 75-90%) “low GPA can be compensated with other criteria as

admission process will be holistic”.

B. GRE (320-325) & GMAT (Average 690)

C. IELTS: 7.0 ; TOEFL: 100 ; PTE: 65

D. Work Experience: Not mandatory but few years relevant work experience (or

Internship) is an added advantage like knowing C++, JAVA, R & Python.

E. Prerequisites: The program usually admit students who have a solid foundation in

quantitative methods, particularly knowledge of probability and statistics and the

use of statistical applications such as R, SAS, STATA, Matlab, or Python. Additionally,

each student must demonstrate evidence of programming proficiency from prior

college coursework, professional experience, a continuing education program,

Coursera, or EdX. If you are new to Python or R we recommend you also complete

courses on programming in Python and R from Data Camp or Coursera.

F. Research Experience: optional and not mandatory

G. SOP(Essay) & Interview by invitation

H. Recommendation Letter

I. Resume

1. Tuition Fees: 58,000 USD for program

2. Course Duration: 11 months full time

3. Application Deadline: Fall: Nov 1 st , Jan 15 th , Apr 1 st ( 3 rounds totally)

4. Concentration Areas: Nothing in Particular

10. University of Wisconsin, Madison: MS Business Analytics

Minimum Requirements:

A. GPA: 3.0 (around 75-90%) “low GPA can be compensated with other criteria as

admission process will be holistic”.

B. GRE ( Around 320) & GMAT around 650 average ( **Waived if you have 5 years

work experience)

C. IELTS: 7.5; TOEFL: 100

D. Work Experience: Not needed but relevant work experience (or Internship) of about

2 years is an added advantage like knowing C++, JAVA, R & Python.

E. Prerequisites: Ideal applicant is demonstrated academic/quantitative preparedness,

either through prior coursework, professional experience, and/or certifications.

F. Research Experience: not mandatory

G. SOP (Essay), Admission Interview

H. Recommendation Letter

I. Resume

1. Tuition Fees: 45,00 USD for program

2. Course Duration: 12 months full-time

3. Application Deadline: Fall: Nov 1 st , Feb 1 st , Apr 1 st (total 3 rounds)

4. Concentration Areas: Nothing in Particular

**Not just top universities, but there are many more good quality universities offering Ms in Business Analytics. Whatever your profile or budget is, you will have a range of universities to choose from.

Expert Tip: One of our Master’s students who is currently working in this field told us that If students really want to puruse career in this stream, they need to build proficiency in programming languages and should be able to demonstrate skill in applying the concepts solving real world business problems, during their Master’s studies