Introduction
Is a masters in business analytics worth it? A business analytics masters may be worth it if you’re considering post-baccalaureate degrees to increase your earning potential or enhance your employment prospects.
Your future may benefit from investing in a graduate degree. You won’t even be bound to a conventional college campus if you earn it online. From the convenience of your home, you can enroll, pursue your education, and earn a degree.
Earning a master’s in business analytics is worth it. If you want to improve your organization’s ability to make decisions and learn how to use and interpret data to solve complex business problems, make sure you enroll in the right program—one that gives you the skills to not only perform technical analysis but also instructs you on how to apply it in a business context.
It’s a positive sign that you may be on the right track if you’re approaching this decision analytically. However, it goes beyond that. Let’s get going.
Is A Masters In Business Analytics Worth It?
For many students, earning a master’s degree in business analytics is worthwhile. Over the next ten years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 5% increase in employment in business and financial occupations.
Data scientists, market researchers, business consultants, business analysts, and business intelligence officers are common occupations in business analytics in this area. A business analytics master’s degree can be obtained in a variety of methods.
The simplest degree to obtain is a Master of Science (MS) in Business Analytics, although it’s also extremely common for students to choose an MBA with a Business Analytics focus. Additionally, some institutions give their Master of Science in Business Analytics students a unique title (MSBA).
Additionally, search for certifications and specialties in disciplines linked to business analytics. Data analytics, business intelligence, and operations research are among the examples.
What is Business Analytics?
What exactly is business analytics then? Simply described, it’s a branch of study that focuses on corporate data. Business analytics is created to assist firms in making better decisions through factual, data-driven thinking, whether it’s tracking profits, reviewing performances, or creating predictive models for future actions.
Students studying business analytics may take courses in economics, mathematics, computer science, marketing, accounting, and business administration as part of their regular course load. For business analytics, there are numerous online packages accessible. These may allow you to complete your degree without having to attend classes in person.
To make it easier for working professionals to fit them into their schedules, many online programs are also developed with features like rolling admissions and self-paced classes. These programs are aware that the typical student today may already be managing a variety of obligations, so returning to school may require some degree of flexibility.
If this describes you, think about earning an online master’s degree in business analytics. It can have significant professional advantages and is typically created to be as flexible as possible for active workers who are busy.
How To Know If A Masters In Business Analytics Is Right For You
Not everyone should use business analytics. It’s a challenging field that calls for multidisciplinary knowledge in math, computer science, and business savvy. There will be a time commitment because it could take several years to finish.
Does a Masters in Business Analytics fit your interests and goals? Just a few indications that it might be the best option for you are listed below.
- You Excel At Handling Data.
The foundation of business analytics is data. This may be a good fit for you if you enjoy dealing with data and are familiar with the technology used to mine, track, calculate, organize, and analyze them.
- You Desire A Business-Related Specialty.
A specialized talent within the larger discipline of business is business analytics. While you can use a business analytics degree for a range of positions, you may have fewer possibilities if you want to pursue a career wholly unrelated to business or business data.
Those who already know they intend to pursue a technical or specialized career with high-level certifications are frequently best suited for this degree.
- You Can Dedicate The Time And Resources Necessary To A Master’s Program.
Graduate school is difficult. Usually, it involves a sizable time and financial commitment. Classes can be tough as well, especially if you’re enrolled in an online or self-paced program that calls for extensive time management.
Before committing, make sure you are prepared to invest.
Reasons To Go For A Masters In Business Analytics
Investing in a master’s degree in business analytics has immediate advantages. The strategies you learn in class can sometimes be used at work as soon as the next day. You get access to professionals who work in your field or the field you want to enter. And you’re enhancing your resume with a desirable qualification.
But approaching a postgraduate degree as a long-term investment is the best strategy. The time and effort you invest today will pay off greatly in the long run. Here are the advantages of a business analytics master’s degree for your profession.
- Increases Your Possibilities For Earning More
Increased pay potential is the most direct benefit of investing in a master’s in business analytics. Approximately $81,000 is the typical annual wage for a general business analyst, according to the Burning Glass labor database. However, the typical wage increases to more than $95,000 for individuals who use their graduate degrees to advance into senior or manager posts.
- Expands Your Potential For Employment
A master’s in business analytics is a desirable degree for companies in a variety of industries due to the blend of technical abilities and business knowledge it inherently possesses. Manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and finance are just a few of the sectors using analytics to inform their choices.
- Connects You To A Lasting Professional Network
The cohort approach used by the master’s in business analytics program enables you to complete the degree while interacting with the same team of experts. You can build rewarding relationships with your teammates through initiatives that simulate real-world work settings.
You get to know everyone, their character and work ethic, and you truly develop some wonderful friends. You’re also connecting to a sizable alumni network. Tens of thousands of alumni from most colleges can be found all over the world.
Alumni frequently have a say in where their firms recruit as they advance in their careers.
- Positions You For Advancements And Greater Impact Within Your Company
A master’s in business analytics strengthens your ability to convince an employer of your value to the company if you are already employed as a business analytics specialist.
- Enables You To Receive Career Assistance Even After Graduation
A graduate program that is backed by a strong career services office goes far further than just helping students prepare for interviews. With you, their career advisors will strategize about your professional goals and how to make the most of the abilities you’re gaining. They can connect you with employers in your desired region because they have access to extensive job networks and the rise of virtual recruiting.
You’ll have access to career assistance created especially for business-focused students. The advisors are subject-matter experts with extensive knowledge of the topics they advise on. They keep an eye on market shifts or employer demands and relay that information to you, saving you time and effort.
- Keeps You Informed
Most times, analytics professionals do need upskilling at different points throughout their careers in a field that is linked to technology and always on the lookout for future innovation. The need for upskilling, even outside of the technological sphere, is a defining characteristic of the decade: By 2022, according to the World Economic Forum, 42% of the fundamental skills required to execute a job would have changed.
Professionals who wish to update their abilities or career changers who want to enter an area with faster-than-average growth over the next ten years may choose masters in business analytics programs.
- Ensures You Remain Competitive
Every year, there are more people earning master’s degrees. The number of master’s degrees awarded increased by 32% over ten years, according to research by the National Center for Education Statistics. The field of business saw the highest number of advanced degrees. This implies that it’s likely that your coworkers have graduate degrees and that those with advanced degrees will be your competitors for the next job opportunity or promotion.
This is accurate even in competitive job markets: According to a 2020 Strada Center for Education Consumer Insights poll, those with graduate or professional degrees are 20% more likely than people with bachelor’s degrees to start new employment.
- Gives You A Sense Of Competence And Assurance
The business world is filled with uncertainty. Data isn’t always attractive, and there are often no easy answers to business issues. Because of this, you need to acquire complex problem-solving skills in addition to tool knowledge. In your organization, you must be able to assert yourself and say, “I can accomplish this.” One of the most important skills one should acquire after completing a master’s program in business analytics is the capacity to approach and resolve unstructured challenges. You won’t be phased by problems when you encounter them in your firm. You’ll just go after the issue.
You are capable of coping with whatever is thrown at you. The combination of competence and assurance is potent.
Masters In Business Analytics Vs Masters In Data Science
Data science and business analytics both aim to use vast volumes of data to comprehend information and address issues. The quantity of technical expertise needed by practitioners and how that knowledge is applied are the main distinctions between data science and business analytics.
Students learn how to evaluate data to enhance processes through the Master in Business Analytics program. The jobs that students end up taking on may need them to apply their knowledge to direct their organizations in making decisions that are grounded in fact and that can be put into practice. Students who complete the Master of Science in Applied Data Science are better able to comprehend complicated data by using their technical and analytical abilities to carry out data-driven decisions. As a result, people with a background in data analysis have access to a variety of career prospects.
Learning Outcomes
| Masters In Business Analytics | Masters In Data Science |
| Students who study business analytics gain a fundamental grasp of the data, generate insights and apply those insights to create decisions that have a positive impact on the company. | Students studying data science go further into the information, concentrating on how to organize it, extract meaning from the data, and communicate that meaning to others. |
Requirements
| Masters In Business Analytics | Masters In Data Science |
| Want to learn the steps for becoming a business analyst? Getting the necessary education, such as a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a similar topic, is the first step in starting a career as a business analyst. A master’s degree in business administration or business analytics may be necessary for some employers to hire business analysts. Employers may include extra business analyst criteria, such as experience or knowledge with particular software and applications, in their job descriptions, depending on the role. You can learn these abilities and others by pursuing a thorough business analyst education with a master’s degree. | Before entering the industry, the majority of data scientists get both a master’s degree and an undergraduate degree, which normally takes six to seven years to accomplish. Others favor a master’s or doctoral degree, while some businesses merely demand a bachelor’s degree. A 2017 IBM study indicated that among the criteria for data scientists, 39% of job advertisements included a master’s or doctoral degree. Nevertheless, there is no complete manual on how to become a data scientist. Without a formal degree, you might be able to get your foot in the door if you learn the technical abilities to evaluate and convey data as long as you have projects and experience to demonstrate your potential. Even while every person’s professional path is unique, many aspiring data scientists find that a master’s degree helps them acquire in-demand technical abilities that are valuable in a variety of different industries. |
Courses and Curriculum Structure
| Masters In Business Analytics | Masters In Data Science |
| The aims of the students are what drive the business analytics curriculum. Core courses: Courses required as a core requirement include two core courses in analytics and four courses that apply analytics to important business domains. Elective courses: From The Whitman School of Management and School of Information Studies, students select six in-depth electives. Technical courses like data warehousing and data analytics are among them, as are commercial courses like finance and strategic brand management. | The series of data science courses place a lot more emphasis on data science methodology. Core Courses: Six core analytical courses are required, including big data analytics and data mining. The next step is for students to select one or more courses on using analytics in business-related sectors.Elective Courses: Additionally, students must choose four or five electives from a list of technical subjects including text mining and natural language processing. |
Career Outcomes
| Masters In Business Analytics | Masters In Data Science |
| Most students enrolled in master’s degrees in business analytics want to lead their team or organization and have more specific expertise. They might be employed as managers or business analysts, or they might require an understanding of analytics to develop in the marketing or accounting teams. Professionals in these positions gather data to explain trends, forecast performance in the future, choose the most effective strategies and communicate solutions to stakeholders. The following are examples of potential business analyst duties: By converting data analysis into usable resources for decision-making, igniting transformation.Defining business issues and converting statistical analysis into performance-enhancing business intelligence.Analyzing and presenting unprocessed data to make it comprehensible and available to business users.Integrating data modeling-based approaches and making recommendations.Defining and coordinating database needs. | Many individuals in master’s in data science programs go on to work in IT and engineering. They could work as database administrators, statistical programmers, or data scientists/engineers. Professionals in these more technical positions handle a lot of data, provide visualizations, and build and implement algorithms that aid in the use of decision-making tools. The following are examples of possible data science tasks: Identifying opportunities in data sets through data mining and the creation of algorithms to assist decision-making.Establishing a framework for analysis that will aid others in resolving business issues.Using techniques like linear discriminant analysis and multilinear regression selection, one may manage enormous data sets.Creating and organizing databases. |
Salary
| Masters in Business Analytics | Masters in Data Science |
| How much does a business analyst typically make?Business analysts made an average yearly pay of $87,660 in 2020, according to the BLS, and the top 10% made more than $156,840. These individuals receive a respectable business analytics income and secure employment. Business analysts are expected to have job growth of 14% between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations. | Data scientists earn above-average pay and have job growth, just like business analysts. According to BLS statistics, the average compensation for a data scientist was $126,830 per year in 2020, with the top 10% making more than $194,430. A master’s in data science pay may be greater than salaries for people without a post-degree bachelor’s because the typical entry-level education for the field, according to the BLS, is a master’s degree. Data science specialists are predicted to have job growth between 2020 and 2030 which is 22% higher than that of business analysts. |
Career options for a masters in business analytics
The majority of business analytics careers center on data management.
However, this skill set can assist you in locating a wide range of occupations that complement your special talents, interests, and aspirations.
- Data Scientist
Data scientists use data, as their name suggests. Their main objective is to assist their company in comprehending the data produced by sales, stocks, profits, costs, and other activities.
How long does a data scientist work? Depending on what their employer requires. They could eventually develop statistical models to forecast the success of new products. On another day, they might evaluate marketing or company plans to see how financially viable they are.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some data scientists make more than $165,000 annually, making it a lucrative career for those with the right skills.
- Market Research Analysts
Analysts of market research are in charge of analyzing the market and figuring out how businesses might succeed within it. They could do tasks including pattern analysis, risk assessment, market trend forecasting, consumer survey distribution, and demographic and income data collection.
Competitive analysis is another typical responsibility for market research analysts.
Market research analysts earn an average of $65,810 annually, but earnings can range from $35,380 to $127,410 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Within the next ten years, the industry is predicted to expand by 18 percent, creating more than 130,000 new employment overall. For many students, it is, therefore, worthwhile to pursue a master’s in business analytics or even a master’s in data analytics.
- Business Analyst
A business analyst is a “jack of all trades” expert who integrates knowledge from various industries, including business, finance, technology, and computer science. Business analysts may spend their time managing databases or developing projects, depending on their position.
Information technology, risk analysis, quality control, and other topics are frequently covered in the course of work. There is a human element to business analysts’ work because they frequently provide findings and suggestions to executives and shareholders.
Being a business analyst could be a wise career choice for you if you appreciate dealing with data and want to play a key role in how a company operates.
- Business Consultant
If you can think critically and solve problems, working as a business consultant may be another career path that appeals to you. Business consultants can work in many environments, and their job responsibilities can vary just as much as the people who hold them.
The fields of finance, administration, technology, policy, and human resources are all common places for business consultants to operate. If you have a history in business analytics, you might find that data is what you are most interested in, but you will probably have a variety of possibilities.
Work for public or private companies is possible for business consultants. They can also operate independently as independent contractors.
- Statistician or Logistician
Despite being entirely separate careers, they share a common mathematical base, which frequently attracts individuals studying business analytics who are strong with numbers. Individuals with talent can be viable and lucrative professionals.
To tackle problems, statisticians utilize mathematical equations and models. This could entail studying patterns, creating predicting models, or even data mining in a professional context.
Business supply chains are managed and coordinated by logisticians. They oversee the distribution of products, track spending and supplies, manage finances, and communicate with clients and vendors. Nearly every business, including those in corporations, employs logisticians.
Conclusion
Even if everyone has a different idea of what makes a good career, earning a master’s in business analytics is worth it.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 31% increase in job opportunities for data scientists over the next ten years, for instance. The job growth rate for operations research analysts is predicted to be 25%, which is five times the average for all jobs in the country.
A master’s degree can set you apart from the competition for high-paying positions in business analytics. Although a bachelor’s degree is typically regarded as the prerequisite, more and more businesses are seeking exceptional candidates with master’s degrees in business analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is studying business analytics simple?
- The quick response is no. When compared to fields like data science, business analytics is less about having a strong technical ability and more about drawing practical conclusions from vast amounts of data.
Is a degree in business analytics a STEM field?
- The Master in Business Analytics is a STEM-designated program that will equip you with the knowledge and expertise required to evaluate sizable data sets and produce insights using methods from data mining, statistical modeling, and data visualization.
You can also read, “Is A Masters In Business Analytics Worth It In 2022?”
