Your Guidebook to
Master's in Business Analytics this 2024
IS MSBA THE COURSE FOR YOU?
Introduction
This is a very common question students from various backgrounds ask if MSBA is worth it. Or are they cut for a degree like MSBA? Or if they need to be proficient in coding to pursue an MSBA? And honestly, it’s essential to understand the vitality of a degree in depth before pursuing it.
The labor market has transformed significantly. With the advent of Generative AI, the technologically driven markets call for people who can deal with this humongous amount of data and draw significant insights.
If working with technological advancements and leveraging business to heights excite you, a masters in business analytics is for you.
What is MSBA?
An MSBA or Master’s in Business Analytics is a specialized degree designed to help a student analyze data to make strategic business decisions. This program equips students with the skills required to harness data-driven insights and develop innovative solutions in today's data-driven marketplace.
Eligibility for MSBA
To pursue an MSBA or Master’s in Business Analytics you need the following documents:
- Bachelor’s Degree: An undergraduate degree in any discipline. Generally, a bachelor’s degree in business, mathematics, engineering, computer science or related fields is desirable but not mandatory.
- Transcripts: Transcripts of all your grades and courses you attended are an important part of your MSBA application. Preferably a GPA of 3.5 over a 4.0 scale is needed to pursue MSBA in the top-tier universities but you could do it with a 3.0 in some universities.
- GRE, GMAT and other standardized tests: Due to the high competition, to get into a top MSBA course you should target to achieve a GMAT score of 650+ or an equivalent GRE score. Confused about whether to opt for the GRE or GMAT exams? Check out the GRE vs GMAT!
- English Proficiency: If you come from a non-English speaking country, an IELTS score of 7+ and a TOEFL iBT of 100+ is expected to get admitted from the top tier Universities. Most universities will give you an exemption from this requirement if your undergraduate/bachelor's degree is in English.
- CV: Your resume or professional experience strongly indicates your competence and capability to successfully pursue an MSBA.
- Essays or motivation letter: Top universities might require you to write a motivation letter or a few essays to know you and your career goals. These essays need to be compelling and should convey your story well.
And last but not least, some universities call for an interview in the final phase. Stellar performance can land you admission to your dream university! It's easy to get cold feet in such situations. Book a session with us if you want application or interview preparation help.
MSBA Vs. Master’s in Data Analytics
Both Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) and Master's in Data Analytics focus on extracting insights from data, but they cater to slightly different career paths:
MSBA MASTER’S IN DATA ANALYTICS As the name suggests it prepares you for roles like Business analyst, Marketing Analyst or Business Intelligence. Trains you for careers that deal with technical aspects of data like Data Analysis, Data Scientist, or Machine Learning Engineer positions. MSBA aims to fill the void between data science and business decisions. It diverts deeper into the technical aspects of data manipulation and analysis. MSBA aims to develop your business acumen and emphasizes communicating the insights to non-technical audiences. Sharpens your technical skills in data wrangling, programming, and advanced analytics methods. You'll be prepared to tackle complex data challenges and build data-driven models.
Top MSBA Colleges in the USA
Looking to plan your MSBA in the USA this 2025? Below is the list of top universities offering MSBA this 2025
UNIVERSITY | DURATION | TUITION FEES ($) |
Columbia University Business School | 12 months | $85,032 |
MIT Sloan | 12 months | $87,600 |
Texas McCombs | 23 months | $53,000 |
USC Marshall School of Business | 24 months | $68,000 |
Michigan State University | 12 months | $39,000 |
University of Washington(Foster) | 12 months | $45,284-57,024 |
UCLA | 15 months | $72,894.13 |
Top MSBA Colleges in the UK
Home to several prestigious business schools and a thriving financial sector (London), the UK offers several good masters in business analytics program options. The job market for data professionals is healthy, with opportunities in various industries. The list below gives a detailed analysis
UNIVERSITY | DURATION | TUITION FEES (£) |
University College London | 1 year | 41,000 GBP |
London Business School | 12 Months | 47,500 GBP |
Imperial College | 1 year | 41,000 GBP |
Warwick Business School | 1 year | 33,350 GBP |
Bayes Business School | 1 year | 41,000 GBP |
UK houses some of the best B-Schools in the World topping the charts! But is ranking enough? Check out the video below-if you should consider studying in UK this 2025!
Top MSBA Colleges in Canada
Canada offers excellent MSBA programs focussing on practical applications. In the list below we have highlighted MSBA duration, fees and expected salary post-MSBA.
UNIVERSITY | DURATION | TUITION FEES (CAD) |
Rotman School of Management | 11 months | $72,630 |
Ivey Business School | 16 months | $92,250 |
UBC Sauder School of Business | 1 year | $70,400 |
Other popular Universities offering MSBA as a course include:
NUS: NUS Business School offers MSBA, which is a multidisciplinary program that incorporates experimentation through intellectual academic rigor. This popular MSBA is typically 2 years long costing about S$55,250 and has lucrative career prospects post graduation.
University of Melbourne: The MSBA at Melbourne takes approximately a year to complete. The annual tuition is $70,400 in 2024. Some scholarships are available to fund your studies.
HEC Paris: Considering a career shift from data science to business analytics? This MSc Data Science for Business program is designed for professionals with data science experience. It can be completed in 16-24 months and tuition is approximately 53,200 euros in 2024. Graduates are prepared for high-paying careers in strategy, consulting, and project management, with starting salaries of around 70,000 euros and the potential for further growth.
Essec Business School: Essec offers an MSc in Data Science for Business degree. This master’s specialization takes about 1-2 years. The estimated expenditure is about 30,000 euros. This master's degree has a lucrative market for individuals interested in strategy, consulting and project management. The estimated salary post-masters is approximately 62,625 euros depending on your work experience.
Check out the Best Country to study abroad this 2025 and follow us for more!
Post MSBA career prospects
So, now that you envision yourself with a degree, what's next? The current economy and the evident recession is daunting so people with a niche have the edge over others. Do not panic. We at EdYOU Abroad understand this concern. Here's a glimpse into some exciting career paths for MSBA graduates in 2024 and beyond:
- Business Intelligence Analyst: You can analyze data to identify trends, generate reports, and create dashboards that inform business decisions. You'll be the go-to person for translating complex data into actionable insights.
- Marketing Analyst: Leverage data to understand customer behavior, optimize marketing campaigns, and measure campaign performance. Your expertise will be crucial for maximizing return on marketing investments (ROI).
- Business Data Scientist: Combine your business acumen with data science skills to develop predictive models and solve complex business problems. This role bridges the gap between data science and business needs.
- Data Analytics Manager: Lead teams of data analysts, oversee data projects, and ensure data-driven strategies are implemented effectively across the organization. Your leadership skills and business understanding will be invaluable.
- Digital Transformation Specialist: Your skill will play a key role in helping organizations leverage data and analytics to drive digital transformation initiatives. You'll use data to identify areas for improvement, develop data-driven digital strategies, and ensure their successful implementation.
As data volume continues to explode, MSBA graduates with expertise in big data technologies and AI will be highly sought-after.
Is MSBA worth it?
The importance and career of the degree depends on the approach you view it with. If you want to enrich yourself in understanding the intricacies of data analysis and its application for running a successful business -MSBA is the right degree for you.
The big data analytics market is expected to see a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% by 2029, reaching a value of $655.53 billion.
MSBA allows you to explore complex data and extract meaningful insights to drive business decisions. It also equips you with digital skills and leadership abilities.
Do you need coding knowledge to pursue an MSBA at a top-tier university?
We often come across this query of how much coding experience is needed in MSBA.
No, you do not need coding experience. You can pursue a masters business analytics without coding knowledge. Most universities do not require you to have any knowledge since learning languages like python, R, etc are already part of the MSBA curriculum.
So even if you are unsure about your programming proficiency or simply don’t like coding, you need not worry. MSBA is not very technical like data analytics.
With a strong foundation in business, data analysis, and communication, you'll be well-positioned to thrive in a data-driven future without worrying about programming.
Salary and future jobs in MSBA in 2024 and beyond
A Master’s in Business Analytics exposes you to a zone of analytics lying at the intersection of Big Data, Data Analytics, and AI. With the current trend of technological advancement, your expertise in this niche will be sought after and well-compensated. We have briefly highlighted the career prospects post MSBA above.
An MSBA opens doors to lucrative careers in this technologically booming field. However, salary packages slightly vary location-wise. Certain industries like finance and technology are seen to pay more. It is also dependent on work experience and specialization.
Since you stick till the end here’s a bonus list for you.
Job Title | Estimated Salary * |
Business Intelligence Analyst/Scientist | $92,000 |
Marketing Analyst | $65,000 |
(Business) Data Scientist | $124,337 |
Digital Transformation Specialist | $124,668 |
Data Analytics Manager | $109,114 |
*The job names are non-exhaustive and compensation is location and experience-specific as well.
Best country to pursue an MSBA
Several countries stand out for pursuing an MSBA this 2024, each bearing its own strengths.
Countries like the US, the UK and France act as top contenders in this industry.
According to QS Rankings, 2024, in the Business category USA stood out as the best country to study Business Analytics, closely followed by France.
So, should you consider only the rankings?
Well, the rankings do fluctuate owing to myriad reasons but that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing your MSBA. You should consider specializations and your forte as well. MSBA course duration and cost might also be a factor. Look through the MSBA curricula and see which university suits you the best.
Another important factor is the funding. US Universities do have high tuition and heavy competition for scholarships. Whereas European MSBA might charge you less. At the end of the day, it’s the skills you have to harness to land your dream job.
It can’t be emphasized enough the benefits of pursuing an MSBA. Be very attentive while going through the eligibility criteria. This master's specialization will give you enough experience to build a strong portfolio and it is always advised to network with professionals in your domain in advance.
We at EdYOU Abroad wish you all the very best in your future endeavors. If you need help with MSBA applications, feel free to reach out here.
Success Stories
Aditi
Admits from John hopkins, Fox Business Schooll, University at Buffalo
I secured admits from six universities, receiving an impressive 63 lakhs in total scholarships. The last-minute application support I received was exceptional, eventhe shortlist strategy.
Simran
Admits from Stevens, UIC,UCD, Rutgers, RIT
Even though I had no tech background, Bijal’s help got me into good business and data analytics programs.Thank you so much for believing in me.
Khushbu
Admit from University of Buffalo
The day I first spoke to Bijal regarding my study abroad journey I knew she was the one I wanted to sign up with. She is absolutely honest and will tell you exactly what you can and cannot get. She makes sure you put in the work that is required to make the best application and so does she.
Kaivan
Admits from HEC Paris, ESSEC, LBS
I got into my dream school too with a scholarship!! Bijal is amazing because she really listens and tells stories in a way that’s super interesting. Just go for it!
Khushi
Admits from Kellogg, Georgetown
Bijal is super informed about various programs, very dedicated to making sure students find the right places for themselves, and understands students’ anxieties associated with applications. I would highly recommend working with her!
Snigdha
Admits- ISB, Oxford MBA, Imperial MBA
I received MBA admits from ISB, Oxford Business School, Imperial College and many more!! Thank you to Bijal for her constant support and motivation. I would definitely recommend Edyou to anyone who wants genuine support!
Yash
Admits from USC Marshall, Simon Business School, Schulich
I cracked into the mfin program at USC Marshall. Not only that, I received a scholarship of 48 lakhs! The personal touch provided by Bijal is what separates EdYou Abroad from the rest.
Merlin Sebastian
Admits from Georgetown, USC, Simon Business School
I got into various top programs of the world with scholarships! This would never have been possible without Bijal! Team Edyou ensured an Extremely personalized journey