Whether it’s a baseball manager deciding to pull a pitcher out of the game or a manufacturing company working out the kinks in its supply chain, both decisions are increasingly guided by one thing — analytics.
Sponsored School(s)
When it comes to decisions like the ones companies make to ensure their supply chain is working effectively, it falls under the umbrella of business analytics. (Sorry, baseball fans, we’re not going to spend this entire article talking about pitch counts.) Organizations of all stripes require the expertise of business analytics experts, which is a huge reason why business analytics programs make up one of the most rapidly growing segments of higher education.
The good news for students in Massachusetts and around the country, as the case may be, is that many programs in the commonwealth offer exceptional training in business analytics. So much so that we wanted to help students choose from their options by analyzing and comparing the programs to determine which are most worth the investment.
SEE ALSO: 20+ Online Masters in Business Analytics Ranking
Massachusetts is home to well over a dozen schools of business that have earned the prestigious stamp of approval from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and from that group, we selected seven that represent the best of the best. Our analysis included things like reputation, 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
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of Massachusetts Lowell
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Boston University
- Suffolk University
- Northeastern University
#1. Harvard University
Soldiers Field, Boston, MA 02163
Business Analytics Degree:
- Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration
Program Description:
Though it isn’t technically a degree, Harvard’s business analytics graduate certificate is the best program in Massachusetts, and it’s generally considered one of the few truly exceptional programs in the entire country. Delivered in a hybrid format that combines in-person work with live virtual sessions, Harvard’s program was designed for working professionals, who should be able to complete the curriculum in as little as nine months.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree required; GMAT or GRE not required; work experience not required but recommended; English proficiency score required for international applicants
Tuition
$51,500 (10 units)
Online?
Hybrid
#2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
100 Main St., Cambridge, MA 02142
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Science in Management Studies, MBA
Program Description:
A 12-month Master of Business Analytics is available from the Sloan Management School at MIT, and it takes the second spot on our list. It’s also considered one of the very best programs in the country. MIT’s traditional-delivery degree can be completed in just one year, and it’s STEM-designated, which is a crucial factor for many international applicants.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE required, waived for 2020-21 school year; English proficiency score required for international applicants
Tuition
$77,168 (111-141 units)
Online?
No
#3. University of Massachusetts Lowell
839 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01854
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- MBA in Business Analytics (traditional, online, hybrid)
Program Description:
UMass Lowell is home to the most affordable degree on our list, a Master of Science in Business Analytics that students can opt to earn entirely online for the same price as an on-campus education. Scholars also have the choice to pursue a concentration among four options, big data analytics, finance analytics, managerial decision-making and marketing analytics.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE required; English proficiency score required for international applicants
Tuition
$19,650 (30 credits)
Online?
Yes (optional)
#4. University of Massachusetts Amherst
121 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA 01003
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- MBA (online, traditional), Master of Finance in Alternative Investments
Program Description:
The flagship UMass campus in Amherst offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics that’s online-optional, housed in the Isenberg School of Management. While specializations aren’t allowed, the program’s total cost is below average among schools on our list and across the country.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE required but can be waived with relevant full-time work experience; English proficiency score required for international applicants
Tuition
$27,900 (31 credits)
Online?
Yes
#5. Boston University
595 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Applied Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics (traditional), Master of Science in Management Studies, MBA
Program Description:
Boston University’s Master of Science in Applied Business Analytics is offered both online and on-campus. Students have four specialization options, enterprise risk analytics, marketing analytics, web analytics and data mining. Expect to spend up to two years completing the 40 required credits.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE required; English proficiency score required for international applicants
Tuition
$37,000 (40 credits)
Online?
Yes (optional)
#6. Suffolk University
73 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02108
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Management Studies, Master of Marketing, MBA
Program Description:
Suffolk’s Sawyer School of Business is home to a Master of Science in Business Analytics that’s an online-optional program part-time students should expect to complete in less than two years. The STEM-designated degree offers the option of a handful of concentrations — accounting, fintech, healthcare management and marketing.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE required; English proficiency required for international applicants
Tuition
$37,603 (31 credits)
Online?
Yes (optional)
#7. Northeastern University
360 Huntington Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02115
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Science in Finance (traditional, online), Master of Science in Innovation (online), MBA
Program Description:
The D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University is home to the final program to make our list, an online-optional Master of Science in Business Analytics. For part-time online students, the 30-credit program will take just under two years to complete, while full-time students can finish in a year if they can attend three straight semesters.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
AACSB
Admissions
Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE optional; English proficiency score required for international applicants
Tuition
$49,200 (30 credits)
Online?
Yes (optional)