The future of the world is in data; actually, so is the present moment for that matter. But given the enormous amounts of data every person is generating and consuming on a daily basis, it’s little wonder why every company and organization in the world, and right here in North Carolina, is in need of professionals who can harness data to inform decision-making.
Sponsored School(s)
Students in North Carolina have many options when it comes to quality business education, including in the specific field of business analytics. In fact, there are nearly two dozen business schools in the state that are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the leading accrediting body in the subject, and the majority offer business analytics degrees or closely related programs.
SEE ALSO: Top Online Master’s in Business Analytics Degrees
We wanted to understand which programs are the most ideal for the average student, so we compared all the business analytics master’s degrees on offer from North Carolina schools across measures like cost, flexibility, reputation and more to narrow down the five that represent the best investment.
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
- Duke University
- Wake Forest University
- North Carolina A&T State University
- University of North Carolina Pembroke
- University of North Carolina Wilmington
#1. Duke University Fuqua School of Business
100 Fuqua Drive, Durham, NC 27708
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Quantitative Management Business Analytics Concentration
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Online Master of Science in Quantitative Management Health Analytics Concentration, Master of Science and Technology Management, MBA (on-campus & hybrid)
Program Description:
Duke’s presence at the top of the list should come as no surprise given the global reputation of the university’s Fuqua School of Business. Completing this degree will require spending a pretty penny, and the program is the second most expensive of all the North Carolina degrees we analyzed, but the Master of Science in Quantitative Management with a concentration in business analytics provides a truly unsurpassed education. Students have the option of a 19-month degree, or they can choose an accelerated online degree, and the program also can be completed in-person.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE required; professional experience preferred, average student has eight years professional work experience; TOEFL score required for international applicants
Tuition
- $65,975 (16 units)
Online?
- Yes (optional)
#2. Wake Forest University
1834 Wake Forest Road, Farrell Hall, Building 60, Winston-Salem, NC 27109
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Science in Management, MBA (online & on-campus)
Program Description:
Students in Wake Forest’s Master of Science in Business Analytics can attend in-person or online, but those in the online program don’t have to miss out on face-to-face interaction. That’s because online learners are encouraged to attend a two-day weekend event on campus where they can expand their professional network and build relationships with classmates and faculty. The degree is more expensive than those from public institutions, but for students who can attend in-person, they can complete their training in about one year.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE required; TOEFL score required for international applicants
Tuition
- $53,100 (37 credits)
Online?
- Yes (optional)
#3. North Carolina A&T State University
1601 E. Market St., Greensboro, NC 27411
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Business Administration
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Science in Information Technology (online), Master of Science in Technology Management (online)
Program Description:
North Carolina A&T State University, a historically black university, offers an online MBA that’s one of the most affordable in the nation (for North Carolina residents). In addition to a degree that many students will be able to afford out-of-pocket, MBA applicants can choose from one of four possible concentrations — accounting, general management, human resource management and supply chain management. This degree is also available in-person at the Greensboro campus.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE required, can be waived for those with undergraduate GPA of at least 3.3; TOEFL scores required for international applicants
Tuition
- $8,388 in-state; $30,960 out-of-state (36 credits)
Online?
- Yes (optional)
#4. University of North Carolina Pembroke
1 University Drive, Pembroke, NC 28372
Business Analytics Degree:
- Online MBA in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Online MBA Tracks in Supply Chain Management, Finance, Financial Services, Healthcare Administration and Forensic Accounting,
Program Description:
The Pembroke branch of the University of North Carolina system is home to an online-only MBA in Business Analytics that’s designed to be completed in as little as 12 months, with in-state tuition under $10,000, making the degree a bargain when it comes to both time and money. Other concentrations in the accelerated online MBA include supply chain management, finance, financial services, healthcare administration and forensic accounting.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE required, can be waived for those with undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0; TOEFL score required for international applicants
Tuition
- $9,972 in-state; $31,259 out-of-state (36 credits)
Online?
- Yes
#5. University of North Carolina Wilmington
601 S. College Road, Wilmington NC 28403
Business Analytics Degree:
- Online Master of Science in Business Analytics
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Online MBA in Business Analytics, Online Executive MBA in Business Analytics, Master of Computer Science & Information Systems
Program Description:
UNC Wilmington is the second of two branches of the state university system to make our list of finalists thanks to its online-exclusive Master of Science in Business Analytics that can be completed in as little as one year, making it ideal for working professionals. Other online degree options that will appeal to analytics students include an MBA in Business Analytics and an Executive MBA with the same concentration.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree; GMAT or GRE not required; TOEFL score required for international applicants
Tuition
- $15,211 in-state; $34,770 out-of-state (30 credits)
Online?
- Yes