The most populated state in the U.S. also happens to have the sixth-largest economy in the world. California’s economy is a fast-paced and ever-expanding one that’s on the forefront of innovation and cutting-edge decision-making. That makes the state ideal for students who want to devote their training to the emerging field of business analytics.
Sponsored School(s)
Even for those who already have a basic education in the field, California colleges and universities offer dozens of graduate and professional degrees in the field, and many of these programs are surprisingly affordable.
SEE ALSO: Best Business Analytics Masters in Online Ranking
To assist California students, or prospective California students, in their search for a business analytics master’s program, we studied the more than three dozen schools in the state that are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the main organization that accredits business schools.
Among those, about 20 offer at least one master’s degree in business analytics. Here are the 10 best programs; our ranking heavily weights degrees that can be earned online as well as those that are more affordable, so while we’re listing only 10 schools here, make no mistake — California offers many more.
- Programs Reviewed: 19
- Top Selection Picks: 10
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
- Cal State East Bay
- Pepperdine University
- San Francisco State University
- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- UC San Diego
- San Diego State University
- UCLA
- Santa Clara University
- Loyola Marymount University
- Saint Mary’s College of California
#1. Cal State East Bay College of Business & Economics
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward, CA 94542
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration Analytics for Managers Concentration
Program Description:
The highest-rated program on our list, the Cal State East Bay College of Business & Economics offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics that can be completed in as little as one year and will help students add to their foundational data science knowledge. Cal State’s program can be taken online, full-time, nights or weekends, making it the epitome of flexibility. A focus on hands-on learning means that graduates come to their new jobs ready to work, and relevant courses include Big Data Technology and Applications and Data Analytics With R. Also on offer is an MBA aimed at business leaders, a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in analytics for managers.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree and at least a 2.5 GPA; GRE or GMAT no minimum published
Tuition
- $32,595 in-state (30 credit-hours)
Online?
- Yes, optional 100%
#2. Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School
24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, CA 90263
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Applied Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration, Applied Analytics Concentration
Program Description:
The second-place school on our list is also on the higher side when it comes to cost, but the return on investment is undeniable. Pepperdine University’s prestigious Graziadio Business School offers a Master of Science in Applied Analytics that’s designed to be completed in just one year and can serve either as a terminal degree for people who are ready to start their careers or can give learners a leg up on an MBA. The degree also can be earned entirely online, one of only two degrees on our list that can be, and relevant courses include Simulation Modeling and Marketing Informatics.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree and GRE or GMAT, preferred scores not listed
Tuition
- $55,280 in-state (42 units)
Online?
- Yes, optional 100%
#3. San Francisco State University Lam Family College of Business
1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- None
Program Description:
Giving students the option of full-time or part-time courses, San Francisco State University’s Lam Family College of Business offers a challenging Master of Science in Business Analytics. Innovative curriculum rides the bleeding edge of emerging technologies and gives students ready access to the heart of the Bay Area tech community. Relevant coursework includes Machine Learning for Business Analysts and Programming Languages for Analytics. The program also holds the distinction of being STEM-designated, which is critical for many international students in the U.S. on F-1 visas.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree and a GPA of at least 3.0; GRE combined score of at least 305
Tuition
- $13,652 in-state (30 credit-hours)
Online?
- No
#4. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Orfalea College of Business
1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Science in Quantitative Economics
Program Description:
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Orfalea College of Business offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics degree that focuses on training the next generation of business analysts through a hands-on approach that lets students learn by tackling real-life business challenges through the use of data science. All projects are team-based, which helps prepare students for future careers in the real world. Relevant courses include Data Visualization and Communication in Business and Evidence-Based Decision Analysis. Also offered at Cal Poly is a Master of Science in Quantitative Economics.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s and at least a 2.5 GPA; GRE or GMAT no minimum score
Tuition
- $30,600 in-state (30 credit-hours)
Online?
- No
#5. UC San Diego Rady School of Management
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- None
Program Description:
The Rady School of Management at UC San Diego offers a STEM-designated Master of Science in Business Analytics that provides a challenging, hands-on curriculum that instills students with the ability to succeed in future-forward work environments where data is the center of everything. The program can be finished in under a year, while those who need to work while they attend school will find weekend classes convenient. Applicable curriculum includes Big Data Technology & Business Application and Fraud Analytics.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree, no minimum GPA published; GMAT or GRE score, no minimum published
Tuition
- $34,800
Online?
- No
#6. San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Big Data Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- None
Program Description:
The Master of Science in Big Data Analytics at San Diego State University spans several academic disciplines, including business, engineering, science, social sciences and technology with a two-year degree that will give students the skills to compete in an increasingly saturated field. Relevant courses include Big Data Science and Analytics Platforms and Python Scripting for Social Science, but most courses students take will be electives that they’ll choose from offerings in several diverse departments, giving learners the chance to make their degree their own.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree, C or better in basic computer programming and statistical analysis courses; GRE or GMAT score, no minimum published
Tuition
- $35,776 in-state (30 credit-hours)
Online?
- No
#7. UCLA Anderson School of Management
110 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration, Marketing Analytics Specialization
Program Description:
UCLA’s Anderson School of Management offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics that is packaged in a 15-month, 100% on-campus format designed to provide students with the ability to control the increasingly strong flow of data across all facets of everyday life. Applicable coursework includes R Programming Essentials and Entertainment Analytics, and UCLA also offers other related degrees, including a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in marketing analytics.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree and a GPA of at least 3.0; GMAT (710) or GRE (167)
Tuition
- $36,500 in-state (30 credit-hours)
Online?
- No
#8. Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business
500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- None
Program Description:
Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business offers a STEM-designated Master of Science in Business Analytics that can be completed in as little as 16 months for full-time students. With options for students who put a premium on flexibility, Santa Clara’s program also should appeal to those who need to keep working, and it’s ideal for students who desire project-based curriculum. Applicable courses include Data Analytics (with Python) and Econometrics.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree, no GPA listed; GMAT or GRE score, no minimums published
Tuition
- $37,950 in-state (30 credit-hours)
Online?
- No
#9. Loyola Marymount University
1 Loyola Marymount University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- None
Program Description:
Loyola Marymount University’s Master of Science in Business Analytics is STEM-designated, focusing on producing graduates who can step into an organization and become data-savvy managers and leaders. With full-time and part-time options, working professionals are top of mind, and the degree is designed for students who already have foundational knowledge of statistics. Applicable coursework includes Data, Models and Decisions for Analytics and Strategic Analytics Integration.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree and a GPA of at least 3.0; GMAT or GRE, no minimum scores published
Tuition
- $43,500 in-state (30 credit-hours)
Online?
- No
#10. Saint Mary’s College of California
1928 St. Marys Road, Moraga, CA 94575
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration, Business Analytics Concentration
Program Description:
Saint Mary’s College of California offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics that can have students ready to level-up their careers in as little as one year. Offered both in Moraga and Silicon Valley, Saint Mary’s program gives students the option to learn in the heart of technological innovation, but the STEM-designated program is nonetheless taught from a decidedly business-school perspective. Relevant coursework includes Ethics and Analytics and Data Visualization and Story Telling.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree and a GPA of at least 2.8; GMAT or GRE unless undergrad major or minor in quantitative area
Tuition
- $45,100 in-state (30 credit-hours)
Online?
- No