by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Business Analytics explores A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Data Science To Solve Business Challenges. Includes Instruction In Machine Learning, Optimization Methods, Computer Algorithms, Probability And Stochastic Models, Information Economics, Logistics, Strategy, Consumer Behavior, Marketing, And Visual Analytics. Examples: [Business Forecasting And Trend Spotting]. Read on to learn the essential details every business analytics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering business analytics programs.
In the U.S., business analytics is a widely-pursued major, with 9,273 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Business Analytics Schools ranking analyzes these 172 schools to determine the best overall colleges for business analytics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of business analytics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Business Analytics build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations business analytics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a business analytics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a business analytics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several business analytics degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 49 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 20 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,369 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,831 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to business analytics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 56.0% |
| Master’s degree | 28.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.9% |
| Some college courses | 3.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in business analytics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying business analytics can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to business analytics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to business analytics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 671,367 | 10.3% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Data Scientists | 507,848 | 8.1% |
| Management Analysts | 484,759 | 12.6% |
| Statisticians | 307,132 | 6.6% |
| Clinical Data Managers | 300,656 | -0.9% |
| Search Marketing Strategists | 199,758 | 8.2% |
| Biostatisticians | 76,966 | 7.4% |
Salaries for business analytics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers business analytics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Statisticians | $130,349 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $124,518 |
| Biostatisticians | $121,594 |
| Data Scientists | $106,295 |
| Clinical Data Managers | $99,475 |
| Search Marketing Strategists | $85,177 |
| Management Analysts | $51,034 |
With 172 different business analytics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased business analytics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in business analytics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Data Analytics, General | 1,675 |
| Financial Analytics | 1,644 |
| Data Analytics, Other | 232 |
| Data Visualization | 67 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
