The Masters in Analytics or Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) is a graduate-level degree program that focuses on developing students\u2019 analytical and technical skills for analyzing data to solve business problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most MSBA programs on offer blend technical coursework with business courses to prepare students for making data-backed business decisions. Students learn to use computer languages and analytical tools (such as Python, SQL and Tableau) to analyze large data sets as well as business and communication skills to work efficiently in a business setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Data and analytical skills are beneficial in almost every industry – finance, consulting, healthcare, insurance, technology, manufacturing, retail, sports, entertainment\/media. Most of the MSBA programs we have covered in this article offer electives catering to specific industries. Some examples are sports analytics, Healthcare analytics, marketing analytics, Supply chain analytics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MSBA graduates are likely to find jobs as data scientists, marketing analysts, financial\/investment analysts, business intelligence analysts, insurance risk estimation analysts, research engineers, consultants and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we have covered MSBA programs at some of the best American business schools. The programs are not listed in any order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MIT SLOAN MBAn Being a STEM-designated program, the MBAn qualifies international students for a 3 year OTP without requiring an H1B (or other working visas).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curriculum: <\/strong>The MBAn is a full-time <\/strong>12-month program. Students complete 111 to 141 units of academic work over the Fall, Spring and Summer terms. In the Fall term, students participate in the Analytics Lab to design analytics-based projects and present these to a panel of experts. In January, students have a month-long Independent Activities Period (IAP). Instead of attending classes, during the IAP, students can take up non-credit and fun activities to explore academic\/ non-academic topics. IAP is open to all members of the MIT community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The MBAn has a 7-month long Analytics Capstone project which is a definite highlight of the course. Between February and May, students work in teams of two on campus with a sponsor organization and a faculty advisor. They travel to the host organization for a full-time internship in the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Class profile (Class of 2023):<\/span><\/strong> Admissions:<\/span><\/strong> Academics: <\/strong>Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree or should have completed their bachelor\u2019s program by the academic year in which they apply for MBAn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Students with a three-year bachelor’s degree from an international university are also eligible to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Academic preparedness: Although students can apply from any academic background, it is favourable to have studied the following courses during your undergrad: Math, Statistics, Machine Learning, and Computer Programming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Work experience: <\/strong>Experience, both full-time and internship, is considered good. Full-time work experience is defined as more than four months of post-degree work. This should be paid and full-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students are early career starters to professionals with upto three years of full-time work experience. <\/strong>Candidates with more work experience can consider applying to the Sloan MBA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommendations: Three LORs are needed.<\/strong> One must come from someone who can speak to your quantitative abilities. Current students can submit three academic letters of recommendation. Working candidates can submit two academic letters of recommendation and one letter from their most recent employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tuition Fee is $86,300<\/strong>. Total cost of attendance is $137,265<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Columbia University <\/span><\/strong> Curriculum: <\/strong>There are 3 semesters. Students enter in the Fall semester and can finish the program next August. They also have the option of taking up a summer internship and completing the program at the end of the next year\u2019s Fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a 36-credit program. Students are required to take atleast 18 credits in coursework from the Columbia Engineering IEOR department. They take 12 credits within CBS. They can complete the remaining credits in the third semester by taking electives from any other of Columbia\u2019s graduate schools. For these remaining credits, students have the option of doing 1-2 concentrations. They can select from these four concentrations: Financial Analytics and Financial Technology, Marketing Analytics, Healthcare Analytics, Analytics Algorithms and Methodology<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every MSBA student is required to take up analytical projects as part of their Capstone project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fuqua School of Business – MQM<\/span><\/strong> Curriculum: <\/strong>Over 10 months, students gain skills in analytics, in one functional area, and also hone their leadership skills, thus preparing to become business leaders in the analytics field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The program starts in July. There are 5 terms during which students complete 19 courses and one capstone project. Students take foundational courses in the first term. Over the next four terms, in addition to the required coursework, they also take courses in their functional track. These functional tracks are finance, risk, marketing and strategy. The program culminates with a 6-week capstone project for which students work with a faculty advisor and an organization to solve a business problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The experiential component of the course includes case studies, data competitions and industry conferences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Class Profile:<\/strong> Average age- 23 years Admissions<\/span><\/strong> Work experience:<\/strong> There is no minimum work experience required for the program. However, this program is for early career graduates. If you have more than 3 years\u2019 post-graduate work experience (paid or unpaid, full time, part time, or internships), then write to the admissions committee to find your eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommendations:<\/strong> Submit one recommendation letter from someone who knows you in a professional context. This could be from an internship or a full-time job. If you are unable to get a professional recommendation, you could furnish an academic recommendation, but be sure to address this via an optional essay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Tuition is $79,500<\/strong>, while the total cost of attendance is estimated at $116,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n University of Virginia: MS in Business Analytics<\/span><\/strong> The MSBA program is considered a non-residential program by the US Government standards and therefore does not provide F1-Visa sponsorship to international candidates.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n International candidates should only apply if they do not need a visa sponsorship from Darden to study and work in the USA for the duration of the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curriculum:<\/strong> Class Profile:<\/strong> Admissions<\/strong><\/span> Work experience:<\/strong> Applicants should have a minimum of two years of professional, full-time work experience by the program\u2019s first day of class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommendations:<\/strong> One recommendation is required and this should preferably come from a professional contact like a direct manager or supervisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tepper School of Business MSBA Curriculum: Class profile:<\/strong> Admissions<\/span><\/strong> Work experience:<\/strong> the program is designed for recent graduates with little or no work experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommendations:<\/strong> two recommendations are required ideally from people with whom you have worked professionally. This could be a supervisor (current or previous).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tuition<\/strong> for Spring 2023 is $34,706. The cost of attendance including the tuition, boarding expenses and books and supplies is $46,630 for the entire year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Michigan Ross – Master of Business Analytics<\/span><\/strong> (MBAn)<\/strong><\/span> Curriculum:<\/strong> Students can hone their leadership skills by being part of the multifarious activities conducted by the Sanger Leadership Center and other clubs of the Ross Business School. The program has its own Master of Business Analytics Association (MSBA Association). There\u2019s also a chance to collaborate with other post-grad students through the One-Year Master\u2019s Council \u2013 a committee that has representation from other one-year MS programs- the MSBA, MS of Accounting MS of Management and MS of Supply Chain Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n Class Profile:<\/strong> Admissions<\/span><\/strong> Having academic competency is naturally a benefit and so students having a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or above can ask for a GRE\/GMT waiver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Work Experience: <\/strong> The Ross MBAn is designed for recent college graduates, so no work experience is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommendations: <\/strong>These should come from referees who know you in professional or academic capacity. Two references are needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tuition fee<\/strong> for students is $64,063. The total cost of attendance is about $97,000, including boarding. International students can expect to pay another $500 per term. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Cornell University, MSBA <\/span><\/strong> Although the program is STEM-designated, it is largely conducted online and therefore, is not eligible for an F1 student visa for international students.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Curriculum:<\/strong> The capstone project is held in the fourth term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the courses are 2 one-week long summer residencies which enable students to meet their cohort on campus. The class size is compact, with about 50 students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Admissions<\/span> Work Experience:<\/strong> As the program runs in an online format with minimal disruption to a day job, students are encouraged to continue working (preferably in an analytics heavy role) through the duration of the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommendations:<\/strong> Two references are needed; one should be professional and the second should be academic. Applicants can submit a third recommendation as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The program tuition<\/strong> is $79,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n UCLA MSBA:<\/span><\/strong> Curriculum: The starting term, Fall #1, in addition to covering the coursework, has a 10-week career Curriculum Intensive through which students build crucial business and communication skills. In the winter and spring terms, students get more exposure to recruiters through Industry seminars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the summer term, students take an-analytics focused internship lasting 8-10 weeks. They can continue this internship during the Fall#2 term or take a part-time job or take the Capstone – Applied Analytics Project (AAP). The Fall #2 term also offers interesting electives like Entertainment Analytics, Internet Customer Analytics, Fraud Analytics and Healthcare Analytics, which can help students customize their education as per their career needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The industry seminars that extend over 20 weeks provide students with exposure to top data executives every week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Class Profile: Admissions:<\/strong> Applicants should also have some knowledge of a programming language like SQL, Python, R programming or C++ and, prior coding experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Work Experience<\/strong> is not required but is preferred. That said, exceptional college graduates are admitted into the program<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommendations:<\/strong> Two references are needed from employers or professors who can attest to an applicant’s quantitative skills and management potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n McCombs School of Business: MSBA<\/span><\/strong> Curriculum: Students also have the option of studying the general -curriculum or taking the Financial Track or the Supply Chain and Marketing track.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Interesting coursework that will make students industry ready includes Investments, Financial Technology, Financial Modelling, Social Media Analytics, Supply Chain Analytics, and Marketing Analytics<\/p>\n\n\n\n Class Profile:<\/strong> Admissions<\/strong> Recommendations:<\/strong> two recommendations are needed and one should be from a faculty member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Total tuition fee <\/strong>is: $53,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span><\/strong>Established in collaboration with MIT’s Operations Research Center<\/a> \u2013 the MIT Sloan Master of Business Analytics (MBAn) program is designed for current or recent college graduates- especially engineers, mathematicians, physicists, computer programmers, and other high-tech professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MBAn class has about 80 students. About 74% of the class is international.
Other stats are:
Gender- 63% are men and 37% are women
Average work experience is about 18 months including internships.
Undergrad degree- 81% of the class has STEM degrees
GPA- 3.8
GRE Quant range \u2013 165-170
GRE Verbal Range- 154-167has<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who is the course for? <\/strong>The MBAn is designed for early career professionals, recent graduates, or current college students. Work experience is not a requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MSBA is jointly offered by the Columbia Business School and by Columbia Engineering (IEOR)<\/a>. It\u2019s a STEM-certified program that can be completed in one year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Designed for students with 0-3 years\u2019 post-college experience, Fuqua\u2019s Master of Quantitative Management (MQM)<\/a> is a STEM-designated degree enabling international students to work in the United States for three years without visa sponsorship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Fuqua MQM class roughly has 230 students (class of 2023). These students come from 27 countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gender: 59% are women, 41% are men.
Average work experience is 24 months. 42% students have prior work experience.
Average Undergraduate GPA – 3.62
GMAT Range (middle 80%): 651-760
GRE Verbal Range – 160-170
GRE Quant Range – 152-166 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Academics:<\/strong> Students should have earned (or are expected to earn) a bachelor\u2019s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Business, economics or an equivalent quantitative major from an accredited college or university. A strong performance is expected in quantitative courses and also in the quant section of GMAT\/ GRE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MSBA program at Darden<\/a> is offered in partnership with the Darden School of Business and the McIntire School of Commerce. It is conducted in a hybrid format, with one-third of the program delivered through in-person classes called residencies and two-thirds delivered online. Residencies are held once a month, whereas online classes typically meet two evenings a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MSBA is a one-year program with a requirement of completing 30 credit hours. The curriculum has 5 integrated modules that blend the coursework with consulting skills, analytical tools and design thinking concepts. In addition, each module has an action-oriented project that applicants need to complete with teammates between residency weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The class of 2023 had 59 students of which 25% were women. Unlike the other MSBA programs, which are meant for early career professionals, this program had students with an average of 8 years\u2019 work experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Academics:<\/strong> Candidates should have a bachelor\u2019s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
The GMAT, GRE and EA are optional for this program<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span><\/strong>Tepper\u2019s Master of Science in Business Analytics <\/a>(MSBA) is a 9-month full-time program for recent college graduates. It is a STEM-designated program. Tepper also offers an online MSBA. This is a 20-month program for working professionals with varying levels of work experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The Tepper MSBQ curriculum is divided into 4 minis. Each Mini comprises courses on data analytics, business communication, business subjects and an experiential learning component. The experiential projects run through the length of the Mini and enable students to solve real-life analytics-based business problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Class size- 51 students
51% female students
Average experience – .3 years
GPA- 3.49
GMAT- 650-730 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Academics:<\/strong> Students should have a 4-year undergrad degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. They should have competency in mathematics (including calculus and linear algebra), basic statistics and basic programming in any modern language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Michigan Ross School of Business<\/a> offers a 10-month STEM-designated MSBA program for college graduates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students are required to complete 35.75 credits over the course of the program. Of these, 15 are from data-focused courses, 16.25 from business courses and 4.5 credits are from electives. The course is spread over three semesters. The course begins in June with the summer semester dedicated to learning the fundamentals of analytics and business. In the Fall term, students get an opportunity to build their professional network through corporate and industry events. The winter term is about the Business Analytics Consulting Studio- an immersive course spanning 14 weeks, through which students get to work on live business projects under the guidance of faculty members. Students can also take an industry-related elective in areas like fintech and biotech alongside MBA students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MBAn class of 2022 has 52 students.
41% are women and 49% are men.
63% of the class is international
Average Undergraduate GPA \u2013 3.57.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Academics:<\/strong> Students must have a degree in STEM which includes coursework in Science, technology, engineering, math, economics or business. Students should also have some knowledge of Python or R before they start the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MSBA at Cornell<\/a><\/strong> is a 16-month accelerated program that is conducted both online and in person. The program is designed for working professionals <\/strong>who can continue their jobs while pursuing the program part time. The time commitment needed from them is about 20 hours per week. Online classes are conducted live as well as asynchronously, so students can study around their work commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students complete 11 foundational courses and 6 electives online. The program is split into four terms. The analytics foundation and business foundation courses are taught in the first two terms. The third and fourth terms are customizable with a choice of concentrations and electives. Concentrations can be taken in the areas of finance analytics, marketing analytics, operations and supply chain analytics, and business analytics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Academics:
<\/strong>Students should have a bachelor\u2019s degree from an accredited institution and should have studied courses in calculus and statistics. Knowledge of programming is a plus, but it is not necessary. A GMAT or GRE are NOT required. Applicants should submit a TOEFL(minimum -100) or IELTS score (minimum 7) unless they qualify for a waiver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UCLA<\/a> MSBA at a 15-month running is a longer length program in comparison to other MSBAs. This enables extra time for doing an internship during the summer term, in addition to the Capstone project (AAP). The program is fully residential and STEM-designated, which makes it attractive for international students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The 15-month program starts in September with the Fall #1 term and ends next December, with the Fall #2 term. Sandwiched in between are the Winter, Spring and Summer terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Class Size- 120 students
Women: 47%, men \u2013 53%
GPA- 3.0 on a scale of 4 or the equivalent of a B average on the undergrad school\u2019s scale
Average age – 25 years
Average work experience- 2 years
GMAT: 730
GRE Quant: 168<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Academics:<\/strong> Applicants must hold a 4-year bachelor\u2019s degree or equivalent. They should have a strong quantitative background including multivariate calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The McCombs<\/a> MSBA is a 10-month STEM-designated, fully-residential program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Students need to complete 36 credits during the program, with the following split across three terms. The program ends with a capstone project where students consult organizations on an analytics-based business problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Class Size- 99
Women- 40%, Men- 60%
Average age- 24 years
International Students \u2013 58%
Average GPA- 3.64<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Academics:<\/strong> Applicants should have a Bachelor\u2019s degree from an accredited institution. They should have studied atleast one semester of calculus and one semester of Statistics. Coursework in Linear Algebra is strongly recommended. In addition, coursework or professional experience in computer programming is required (preferably C, C++. Python or Java)<\/p>\n\n\n\n