Masters in Business Analytics in the USA

The need for analytics has increased significantly across industries; therefore, a Masters's (MS) in Business Analytics has become one of the most popular programs. The USA is one of the most popular study destinations for international students and has numerous renowned universities that provide excellent education and numerous job opportunities for students who want to complete this degree. In this article, you will find information about the top universities that offer MS in Business Analytics, admission criteria, deadlines, course details and special aspects. We will also look at the employment opportunities and achievements of the alumni.

Top Universities Offering MS in Business Analytics

University NameSummaryCourse Insights
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – Sloan School of Management The MS in Business Analytics program offered at MIT is ranked as one of the best programs in the world. The curriculum is quite intense and ensures that the students are able to apply data science, optimisation and machine learning to business decisions. MIT offers courses, such as Applied Machine Learning, Analytics Edge and Optimization Methods. Students also complete a Capstone project in which they have to solve real business issues for companies, which is a good way to use the knowledge received in class in practice. 
University of California, Berkeley – Haas School of Business The MS in Business Analytics at UC Berkeley is a STEM program that is designed to equip students with technical and business knowledge. MIT offers courses, such as Applied Machine Learning, Analytics Edge and Optimization Methods. Students also complete a Capstone project in which they have to solve real business issues for companies, which is a good way to use the knowledge received in class in practice. 
University of Southern California (USC) – Marshall School of BusinessThe University of Southern California has an extensive Business Analytics program that focuses on practical experience. Students are exposed to big data tools and methods, preparing them for careers in consulting, finance and technology sectors. USC Marshall’s program includes elective courses in such fields as marketing analysis, sports analysis and healthcare analysis. The school is situated in Los Angeles and therefore exposes students to various industries, such as entertainment, sports and media, among others. 
University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business McCombs has an MS in Business Analytics that covers machine learning, data mining and predictive modelling classes. The proximity to industry leaders enables the students to work on real-life projects. McCombs has a good emphasis on data presentation and communication, which prepares students on how to present their analysis to decision-makers. 
Carnegie Mellon University – Tepper School of BusinessThe MS in Business Analytics offered at Carnegie Mellon is for students who want to apply data to solve business issues. The program’s strength is that it is based on the integration of business, technology and analytics. Carnegie Mellon’s program is project and internship based, which means that students will engage in many projects and internships. Students can participate in the Analytics Practicum, which is a distinguishing factor of the program, where students work on consulting projects for companies of the Fortune 500 list. 

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Admission requirements for the Masters in Business Analytics abroad programs generally include -

Academic Background - Many universities have a standard that the candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, computer science or any related field. Mathematics, statistics and programming skills are usually considered as valuable as possible and sometimes even mandatory.

GMAT/GRE - Most of the best programs demand GMAT or GRE scores from the applicants. There are some universities that provide waivers, depending on the experience of the candidate or his performance.

English Proficiency - International students are required to provide proof of English language proficiency in the form of TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Work Experience - It is not always necessary to have prior work experience but if you have worked before in analytics or any data-driven position, then it will add to your advantage.

Letters of Recommendation - Many universities request 2-3 letters of recommendation from professors or employers who can attest to your analytical and leadership capabilities.

Statement of Purpose (SOP) - It is, therefore, important to write a good SOP that includes your career interests, reasons for choosing the program and how the degree will enable you to achieve your dreams.

Career Opportunities and Testimonials of Graduates

The graduates of these programs are employed in different fields, such as finance, consulting, healthcare, retail and technology. Some of the top recruiters for Business Analytics graduates are Amazon, Google, McKinsey and Goldman Sachs.

  1. Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Some of the alumni of MIT have risen to the position of leaders in analytics in organisations such as IBM, Facebook and Tesla. The program has a high placement rate and the average income of the graduates is between $90,000 and $130,000 per year.

  2. University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business The graduates of UC Berkeley are usually employed in data science, analytics consulting and business intelligence. Some of the alumni have been placed in big companies, such as Google, Oracle and other start-ups.

  3. University of Southern California Marshall School of Business Media and entertainment industries are well-represented in the USC alumni since the school is located in the United States. Some of the alumni have been placed in Netflix, Disney and Sony.

  4. University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business Many of the graduates from McCombs end up in data-driven positions in consulting companies, such as Deloitte and PwC. People have provided success stories on how they have applied analytics to transform business models in retail and healthcare, among others.

  5. Carnegie Mellon University – Tepper School of Business Tepper alumni are technically sound and most of them get placed in machine learning and AI-based organisations. Some of the alumni have secured jobs in Apple, Uber and Capital One, among other companies.

Pursuing a Masters in Business Analytics abroad can open the door to exciting career opportunities, especially in the USA. With programs designed to equip students with the technical and business skills needed in today’s data-driven economy, universities like MIT, UC Berkeley and USC are perfect to study in USA for Indian students. The career prospects and alumni success stories from these top programs highlight the immense value of a degree in Business Analytics.

If you're ready to take the next step, then Azent provides study abroad counselling and can guide you through the application process, financial aid and finding the right university for your Masters in Business Analytics in USA.