You can now get a Master of Science in business analytics with a low GMAT score or no GMAT score at all. Online MS in business analytics programs teach the skills required for a new career as a systems analyst, project manager, data scientist, business advisor, or similar job role, whatever your previous academic experience.
Online business analytics MS programs teach skills like data science, data engineering, and predictive analytics over the internet on a computer or smart device. You can learn at a speed that suits you, with many online schools offering around-the-clock classes that benefit your existing schedule.
Learn more about no-GMAT online business analytics MS degrees and the job prospects they could provide.
What Is an Online MS in Business Analytics?
Online MS in business analytics programs are post-graduate degrees for those who want to develop analytical, statistical, and numerical skills for an exciting new career in systems analysis, data science, data engineering, or a related industry.
You’ll learn business analytics skills at home or any location in the world instead of physically attending a college. That means you can juggle any existing working or family commitments while you earn your degree.
Expect to learn the following skills in a no-GMAT online business analytics MS program:
- Analyzing historical and statistical data sets
- Using data analytics and business intelligence (BI) programs to visualize data
- Data governance principles like GDPR and HIPAA
- Data ethics
- Predictive analytics
You’ll learn these skills via video tutorials, online workshops, digital seminars, and other virtual learning methods. Most schools provide course content and academic resources via a learning management system (LMS), which you can access from your desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or TV.
You might complete all your business analytics courses online or combine digital learning with experience at a data-driven organization.
After completing your degree, you might get a job as a:
- Systems analyst
- Data engineer
- Data scientist
- Business advisor
- Logistician
- Market research analyst
Business analytics is a broad job field with potentially limitless employment opportunities for online graduates. You could increase earning potential and embark on a rewarding new career in as little as two years from now.
With your no-GMAT business analytics MS degree, you can interpret data sets and generate conclusions from this information for better decision-making. You will use a wide range of digital tools and technologies to evaluate data and share insights with organizational departments like sales, marketing, and customer service.
Business analytics MS programs online and at physical colleges might confuse you. Even if you have no GMAT, you can choose from many programs and start your new career in data science, data engineering, statistics, or another related field. However, all these programs come with different academic requirements and admissions criteria, so you might not know where to start.
When choosing between online MS degrees in business analytics, read through all course materials and determine the program that furthers your career the most. Choose a school that has links with local employers that offer graduates jobs on completion of the course. Alternatively, you could enroll in a school that’s known for its excellent training opportunities, especially in the fields of data science and engineering.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to know about the learning and career opportunities that stem from an online business analytics MS degree program. That’s why you should talk to program directors and other members of staff before you choose an online degree. Ask questions about program content including the courses you will learn and whether you will be able to specialize in a particular field of analytics.
If you are interested in studying for an online business analytics MS degree but wonder if employers favor ‘traditional’ degrees, it’s important to note that both certifications hold equal weight. There’s no longer a stigma that surrounds online education, and many of the most successful data scientists, engineers, analysts, and statisticians got their degrees online. Today, some of these professionals are running their own companies and earning extremely lucrative salaries.
Most employers don’t care whether you got your business analytics degree online or from a physical college. Recruiters look at your grades, academic success, previous employment experience, and many other factors when considering you for jobs. An online degree in business analytics is just as prestigious and valuable as one from a traditional college.
Applying for a business analytics master’s degree differs from applying for a bachelor’s degree. You need to submit an application directly to the school and wait to hear before you go any further. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, so it’s a good idea to plan and apply early. A program director may want to interview you before offering you a place. Remember, each school has different admissions criteria, so check all requirements on the school’s website before you apply.
Typically, you will provide the following information with your application:
- Evidence of previous academic experience. Even if you have no GMAT score or a low GMAT score, the school will want to see your previous academic experience. Include transcripts for all programs you have completed in the past, with grades for all completed courses. You might also want to include a reference from a previous tutor.
- Work/training experience: Many schools will consider you for a place on a business analytics MS degree program if you can demonstrate work experience in a business analytics-related role. This might include an internship with a local employer or just business analytics jobs you have completed at home. You might need to include a reference from an employer or internship coordinator to strengthen your application.
- Personal statement. Your personal statement demonstrates your long-term career goals and provides the program director with more details about your life.
How Much Does an MS in Business Analytics Cost?
The cost of studying a business analytics MS in-person at NYU Stern is $81,400 (tuition fee costs for the 2021-2022 academic year). The cost of this degree online at UC San Diego is $5,782.13 (total costs for the 2020-2021 academic year excluding cohort tuition per unit fee.)
Online master’s of science in business analytics degree programs typically offer more cost flexibility than college-based degrees. You can study for a degree at home or in a lower-cost area of the city instead of living on campus and paying for college room and board. If you are traveling, you can also study for your degree wherever you are in the world. However, you will still need to pay for program supplies such as books and other learning resources.
Reduce the cost of your no-GMAT business analytics MS further by applying for a scholarship or another type of financial aid. You will find scholarship programs online or from your school. Many organizations offer financial aid to those who require additional financial resources to complete an MS in business analytics, including those from low-income households and minority backgrounds. These programs reduce or eliminate the tuition fees and other costs associated with business analytics MS programs online and at physical colleges. There are no limits on the number of scholarships or grants you can apply for during the school year. However, you will need to meet all eligibility requirements so check these carefully before you apply for any type of financial aid.
Average Salary for an MS in Business Analytics
The median annual salary for a business analytics MS graduate is around $73,000, according to PayScale. (Data correct as of July 13, 2021.)
The mean annual wage for computer systems analysts is $99,020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (Data correct as of May 2020.) That’s a mean hourly wage of $47.61.
The top-paying states for computer systems analysts are:
- California: $115,760 (mean annual wage)
- Virginia: $113,340
- New York: $111,150
- Washington: $109,400
- District of Columbia: $108,470
The mean annual wage for data scientists and mathematical science occupations is $103,930, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (Data correct as of May 2020.) That’s a mean hourly wage of $49.97.
The top-paying states for data scientists and mathematical science occupations are:
- California: $129,060 (mean annual wage)
- New York: $124,240
- Washington: $118,320
- North Carolina: $117,370
- New Jersey: $116,250
Your final salary depends on specific factors that government statistics can’t predict. The type of career you want to pursue and the organization that offers you the chance to explore that career will ultimately determine how much money you make. However, location can influence your salary, with higher-paying business analytics jobs typically found in large metropolitan areas with booming tech industries. Your salary will also depend on the specific job requirements for the role, your previous academic success, previous employment history, and any specific skills the employer values. You might be able to increase your annual salary if you work at weekends or in the evenings.
What Is the Job Outlook for Business Analytics MS Holders?
The job outlook is good for those with a business analytics MS degree. For example, there will be an 8.8% increase in employment opportunities for computer systems analysts from 2018 to 2028, according to research from the Department of Labor and Projections Central. This increase is greater than the average for all occupations (around 5%).
Courses in an MS in Business Analytics
MS business analytics programs typically include courses about data science, business intelligence, data governance, and other topics. You might be able to specialize in specific classes that further your career. Here are popular classes you might find in a business analytics MS degree:
- How to use machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) for deeper data insights.
- Collecting, processing, and storing data per data governance frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA.
- How to use supply chain analytics to drive manufacturing processes.
- Predictive analytics for better sales, marketing, and customer service outcomes.
- Using BI programs for valuable data analytics.
A business analytics MS degree program typically involves coursework like essays and writing assignments, culminating in a final dissertation toward the end of the program. Your dissertation will require independent research about a business analytics topic that interests you. It might take you several weeks or months to complete your dissertation. However, you will communicate with tutors and other staff during the process to increase your chances of educational success.
Some business analytics MS degree programs might require you to take an examination at the end of each completed course (or “module”) or toward the end of the program. These examinations will test you on the skills you learned during various courses. When studying for your business analytics MS degree online, you will submit all coursework and take exams via an LMS. Again, this approach provides you with flexibility if you are traveling or balancing education with existing family or work commitments. The frequency of coursework and exams in a business analytics MS program all depends on the learning provider. Expect more coursework than a regular bachelor’s degree.
You might also receive college credit for completing other elements in your business analytics MS program such as a group project or presentation. If your school requires you to take part in an internship or other work-related program, perhaps with a local employer, you should also receive credit. Working in a real-world business analytics environment prepares you for your future career as a data engineer, data scientist, or another related job role. You will be able to list any new skills you learn on your resume and impress future employers. These skills might include analyzing statistical data sets with a team or applying data governance principles like HIPAA to data engineering pipelines.
At the end of your program, the learning provider will typically convert the marks you receive for completed coursework and exams to a GPA, or Grade Point Average. All business analytics MS degree programs, whether online or at physical colleges, share a similar grading system. These are the typical grades:
- Fail
- Pass
- Merit/credit
- Distinction
Learning providers use these grading boundaries:
- 50% for a pass
- 60% for a merit/credit
- 70% for a distinction
Employers will often consider these grades when you apply for business analytics jobs.
FAQs About an MS in Business Analytics
Summary Information
- You can earn an MS in business analytics online or at a college campus.
- Whatever route you choose, it takes around the same time (two years) to complete this program full-time.
- You don’t need a GMAT to earn a business analytics MS.
Advantages of studying for a business analytics MS online include:
- No GMAT required for many online business analytics MS programs.
- You can study from anywhere in the world.
- You don’t have to commute to a physical location.
- The cost of a business analytics MS degree depends on the school.
- Studying for this degree in-person at NYU Stern will cost $81,400 for the 2021-2022 academic year (tuition fee costs only.)
- Online MS in business analytics programs could work out less expensive than a normal degree because you won’t have to pay for room and board.
| University Name | Program’s Name | GRE Required? |
| American University | Master of Science – Analytics | Applicants are Able to Substitute GRE Scores with an Essay |
| Austin Peay State University | Master of Computer Science and Quantitative Methods – Data Management and Analysis | Not Required |
| Bay Path University | Master of Science – Applied Data Science | Not Required |
| Bellevue University | Master of Science – Business Analytics | Not Required |
| Boston University | Master of Science – Applied Business Analytics Management | Not Required |
| Brandeis University | Master of Science – Strategic Analytics | Not Required |
| Capella University | Master of Science – Analytics | Not Required |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Master of Science in Information Technology – Business Intelligence and Data Analytics | Not Required Until 2023 |
| Central Connecticut State University | Master of Science – Data Science | Not Required |
| City University of New York | Master of Science – Data Science | Not Required |
| Dakota State University | Master of Science – Analytics | Not Required |
| Davenport University | Master of Science – Data Analytics | Not Required |
| Georgetown University | Master of Science – Business Analytics | Not Required |
| Harrisburg University of Science and Technology | Master of Science – Analytics | Not Required |
| Indiana University | Master of Science – Business Analytics | Waivers Available for Qualified Applicants |
| Iowa State University | Master of Business Analytics | Not Required |
| Jacksonville University | Master of Science – Applied Business Analytics | Not Required |
| Johns Hopkins University | Master of Science – Business Analytics and Risk Management | Required for Applicants With Below a 3.0 GPA |
| Johns Hopkins University | Master of Science – Data Analytics and Policy | Not Required |
| Lewis University | Master of Science – Business Analytics | Not Required |
| Maryville University | Master of Science – Business Data Analytics | Not Required |
| Merrimack College | Master of Science – Business Analytics | Not Required |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | Master of Science – Data Science | Not Required |
| Northeastern University | Master of Science – Business Analytics | Not Required Until 2024 |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University | Master of Science – Analytics | Not Required |
| Ohio University | Master of Business Analytics | Not Required |
| Oregon State University | Master of Science – Data Analytics | Not Required |
| Purdue University | Master of Science – IT Business Analysis | Not Required |
| Quinnipiac University | Master of Science – Business Analytics | Not Required |
| Rutgers University | Master of Business and Science – Analytics and Data Science | Not Required |
| Saint Joseph’s University | Master of Science – Business Intelligence and Analytics | Not Required |
| Saint Louis University | Master of Science – Analytics | Not Required |
| Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota | Master of Business Intelligence and Data Analytics | Not Required |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Master of Science – Data Analytics | Not Required |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Master of Science – Data Analytics | Not Required |
| St. Mary’s University of Minnesota | Master of Science – Business Intelligence and Data Analytics | Not Required |
| The University of Scranton | Master of Science – Business Analytics | Not required |
| University of Dayton | Master of Business Analytics | Waivers Available for Qualified Applicants |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | Master of Data Analytics | Not Required |
| University of Missouri | Master of Science – Data Science and Analytics | Not required |
| University of Wisconsin | Master of Science – Data Science | Not Required |
| Utica College | Master of Science – Data Science with a Specialization in Business Analytics | Not required |
| Villanova University | Master of Science – Data Science | Not Required |
| Wake Forest University | Master of Science – Business Analytics | Waivers Available for Qualified Applicants |
| West Virginia University | Master of Science – Business Data Analytics | Not Required |
| Western Governors University | Master of Science – Data Analytics | Not Required |