How exactly does a major corporation know when it needs to open a new branch, target a specific segment of consumers or change something about its flagship product? Smart use of business analytics.
Sponsored School(s)
This emerging and exciting field marries the principles and tools used in data science with the decision-making needed to succeed in business. But a long and lucrative career usually means obtaining a master’s degree so you can get the specialized training required.
Fortunately for students in Minnesota, there are several options for applicable degrees. Making a decision is difficult, but it helps to have all the information. To that end, we’ve analyzed all colleges and universities in Minnesota with graduate business or informatics program to weigh which programs are the best investment for those interested in business analytics master’s education.
SEE ALSO: 20+ Online Masters in Business Analytics Ranking
Most but not all of the programs to make our list have earned accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which is an important signal of academic rigor, though not all jobs will require this type of degree. In addition to accreditation, we considered factors like cost and flexibility.
Our Selection Criteria
- Reputation: How the university and program is thought of by its peers.
- Credibility: How well the program ranks in major degree rating publications.
- Flexibility: How flexible the program is in terms of online class times, time to complete degree, etc.
- Value: Comparison of the quality of education to cost.
Programs in This Section
#1. University of St. Thomas
1000 LaSalle Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Online MBA, Master of Science in Organizational Ethics & Compliance
Program Description:
A Master of Science in Business Analytics from the University of St. Thomas’ Opus College of Business is the top-rated Minnesota business analytics degree to make our list. Though it’s more expensive than others on the list, earning AACSB accreditation pushes it to the top, as does its unique experiential learning model that gives students a chance to work with real data from the very start of the program.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE not required; TOEFL score required for international applicants
Tuition
$37,620 (30 credits)
Online?
No
#2. University of Minnesota
321 19th Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- MBA-MSBA Dual Degree, Online MBA
Program Description:
The University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management is home to a Master of Science in Business Analytics that’s among the most rigorous in the nation. While it can’t be completed online, the degree is STEM-designated, and the intensive format requires three consecutive semesters of attendance. The hands-on learning model requires immersion in a real-world project, and students can opt to combine their MSBA with an MBA.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE required but can be waived with extensive mathematics and statistics coursework in bachelor’s degree; TOEFL score required for international applicants
Tuition
$45,900 in-state; $65,250 out-of-state (45 credits)
Online?
No
#3. Saint Mary’s University
2500 Park Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Analysis
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Online MBA, Online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, Online Master of Science in Project Management
Program Description:
Saint Mary’s University offers the only degree on our list that can be earned online, a Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Analysis. The lack of AACSB accreditation pushes it to the bottom of the list, but it’s still worth considering for the average business analytics student. Three specializations are available, artificial intelligence, business analytics and healthcare analytics, and most students will be able to complete their degrees in about 18 months.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
HLC
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE not required; TOEFL score required for international applicants
Tuition
$24,840 (36 credits)
Online?
Yes