BU Business Analytics Ranking: 8
Business analytics is an exploding industry. With the ability to recognize meaningful patterns in data and use them as the basis for intelligent, growth-centered business decisions, you will be in high demand for the rest of your career.
That’s where Boston University’s Master of Science in Business Analytics comes in. This short program will impart those skills to you in a cutting-edge, practice-based environment, which will help you hone your data science and business management chops. If you’re interested in such a program, read on for answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
How Long Is the Boston University Business Analytics Program?
The MS in Business Analytics from BU is 10 months long. It is a full time program, so for people who are looking to go to school in tandem with work should look elsewhere. However, that is a relatively short amount of time in which to get a master’s. Some people may be able to get a sabbatical from work, while others should consider attending school between jobs or right after college.
What Will You Learn?
Business analytics focuses on extracting, collecting, cleaning and analyzing data to make business decisions. That might focus on marketing, operations, production or sales, among many other departments. Because of this wide range of application, the program prepares students for work in a variety of different fields, including:
- Management analysis
- Data science
- Risk analysis
- Machine learning
In order to apply for the program, you will need a four-year degree from an accredited university, official transcripts and GRE scores. If you learned English as a second language, you may need to submit TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores. If you “have earned or will have completed at least two years of a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree at an institution in which the language of instruction was solely based in English,” then you are eligible for a waiver.
What Opportunities Does the Program Offer?
This program is a good one for students who have just graduated from college. Unlike many MBA and other business graduate programs, there is no requirement of (or “emphasis on”) work experience, so you can apply immediately.
That’s not to say you can’t apply if you’ve already worked in the field for a while, because you can. This may even help you get a leg up. The program’s page explains that “When reviewing applicants, we consider the whole picture: academic record, quantitative and analytical skills, communication skills, leadership experience, and diversity. We aim to create a class filled with a variety of cultures, life experiences, and backgrounds so that your learning environment expands your outlook and sparks new ideas.”
Another excellent facet of this program is its hands-on nature. According to the program’s website, “You’ll also gain access to workshops, industry speakers, and field-based learning projects with real companies.”
How Can You Pay for School?
Most one-year master’s programs at private universities cost around $50,000, give or take fees, expenses and cost of living for the area. Boston University estimates that their program will cost about $54,720. That’s a lot of money, and lots of students can’t afford to pay out of pocket. If that’s you, you can apply for financial aid through a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It’s also a good idea to consider scholarships. Keep in mind that you must have an offer letter and have accepted it in order to apply for either.
Why Boston University?
Boston University was founded in 1839, and has almost two centuries to back up its golden reputation. Located in the heart of this bustling port city, BU is one of the largest nonprofit independent research universities. According to US News & World Report, it was ranked:
- No. 28 for most innovative schools
- No. 18 for veterans
- No. 46 for best value schools
In addition, its faculty and staff are some of the best in the world, bringing both deep academic knowledge and real-world experience to the table. If that sounds like a program you can get behind, feel free to get in touch and learn more today.