Columbia Business Analytics Ranking: 5
No field is growing faster than business analytics, and no school offers more opportunity for learning or networking than New York’s esteemed Columbia University. Because the harnessing and use of data is such big business today, those who have the skills to make sense of the ever-increasing reams of information are becoming ever more valuable.
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If you love numbers, see patterns where others do not, enjoy programming and data science, and love the fast-paced world of commerce, a Master of Science in Business Analytics could suit you very well. Read on to learn more about one of the most respected programs in the country today.
How Long Is the Columbia Business Analytics Program?
“The MSBA program is a three-semester program which can be completed in a single calendar year,” explains the program’s main page. “Students enter in the Fall term and can finish as soon as the following August, or engage in a summer internship to complete the program by the end of the following Fall.” Students must take a total of 36 credits in order to graduate. While it is possible to work and take 12 credits per term, you might get more out of the experience if you do not.
What Will You Learn?
The MSBA program at Columbia University is a partnership between two of their most esteemed schools: the engineering and business schools. You must meet credit requirements at each of these schools, specifically:
- At least 6 courses (18 credits) within Columbia Engineering, IEOR Department
- 4 to 6 courses (12-18 credits) within the Columbia Business School
If you have credits leftover before you qualify for graduation, you can take them from any of the other graduate schools at Columbia, including:
- The School of International and Public Affairs
- The Law School
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Keep in mind that you can also choose your electives from either the business or engineering schools as well. Your planned career afterward will dictate which of these schools is best for your electives. It will also depend on which of the required courses you wish to complement with further exploration. These include:
- MSBA Quantitative Bootcamp
- Optimization Models and Methods
- Probability, Statistics and Simulation
- Tools for Analytics
- Data Analytics
- Professional Development Leadership
In addition to the above courses, which everyone must take, you will also choose courses from the various concentrations offered. These include:
- Financial Analytics and Financial Technology
- Marketing Analytics
- Healthcare Analytics
- Analytics Algorithms and Methodology
What Opportunities Does the Program Offer?
One of the biggest opportunities offered by Columbia University is its emphasis on capstone projects. As the program page explains, “every MSBA student is required to work on engagements for actual clients on analytical projects … [T]hese experiences greatly enhance your marketability to potential employers and have led to careers in, but not limited to, Analytics, Technology, Consulting, Financial Services, Advertising and Communications Media, Start-ups and more.”
The university also takes employment seriously. From the time students enter the program, they are matched up with a career placement officer through the Career Placement Services in the IEOR department. This is an incredible opportunity to make the most of your education and move straight into a rewarding career. It also makes paying back your loans easier.
How Can You Pay for School?
As a private university and a graduate program, the MSBA from Columbia does not come cheap. While Columbia does not offer exact numbers on its website, master’s programs are usually about $50,000 per year, which you can pay for through scholarships or financial aid.
Why Columbia University?
Not many schools compare to Columbia when it comes to rankings. According to US News & World Report, it ranks No. 3 for national universities and No. 6 for best value schools. Combined, you can feel very confident that you’re getting great bang for your buck and doing your resume major favors. If you’re ready to see what you can learn from such a program, please feel free to spend time checking out the website or get in touch with us to ask questions today.