Now the fifth-largest state in the U.S., the Pennsylvania economy is huge, diverse and growing, which makes it an ideal place for those with a passion for harnessing data to guide business decision-making.
Sponsored School(s)
The business analytics field is growing, and more and more institutions of higher learning are offering advanced education in the principles, technologies and techniques involved in business analytics, including many highly regarded colleges and universities here in Pennsylvania.
SEE ALSO: 20+ Best Online Masters in Business Analytics
Which ones are the most affordable and most flexible for working professionals? To understand that, we studied the more than half-dozen Pennsylvania schools that offer graduate degrees or certificates in fields related to business analytics across a range of measures, including tuition, flexibility and academic accreditation.
Here’s a look at the four best business analytics graduate programs in Pennsylvania.
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
- Penn State University
- California University of Pennsylvania
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of Pennsylvania
#1. Penn State University
128 Outreach Building, University Park, PA 16802
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Professional Studies in Data Analytics, Business Analytics Option (Online)
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration, Business Analytics Concentration (Online)
- Master of Professional Studies in Data Analytics, Marketing Analytics Option (Online)
- Master of Supply Chain Management (Online)
Program Description:
Penn State’s online master’s degree program takes our top spot in the state of Pennsylvania by virtue of the vast number of degree options and maximum flexibility offered by entirely online degrees. One of only two of our four top-rated Pennsylvania schools to offer a master’s degree in business analytics (as opposed to an MBA or graduate certificate), Penn State is by far the most economic option, though that doesn’t mean students will sacrifice academic rigor. Penn State’s business analytics master’s degree includes expertise from multiple academic disciplines, including business, engineering and mathematics. With online options that include an MBA, master’s in supply chain management and master’s in professional studies with a marketing focus, Penn State’s vast options will be appealing for many students. Noteworthy coursework in business analytics includes Data Mining, Business Strategies for Data Analytics and Analytics Programming for Python.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3.0 GPA); GMAT or GRE (no minimum score reported)
Tuition
- $31,380 (30 credits)
Online?
- Yes
#2. California University of Pennsylvania
250 University Ave., California, PA 15419
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration, Business Analytics Concentration (Online)
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics (Online)
Program Description:
California University of Pennsylvania has our third-ranked business analytics program in California, a Master of Business Administration with a focus in business analytics. Offered entirely online, the Cal U MBA lets students ramp up their business careers without actually stopping their working life. The degree is also surprisingly affordable among MBA programs, which are notoriously expensive, and students also could choose a less-rigorous graduate certificate in business analytics, also offered online. Notable business analytics courses in Cal U’s online MBA include Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis, Decision Support Systems, and Forecasting and Predictive Modeling.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- ACBSP
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree (3.0 GPA or higher); no GRE or GMAT required
Tuition
- $27,864 (36 credits)
Online?
- Yes
#3. Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business
5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics (Online)
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration (Online, STEM-designated)
Program Description:
The Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business offers the second most expensive program on our list, but it’s also the only other traditional master’s in business analytics to make the cut. With a decidedly technical bent, the Tepper program is ideal for people with a background in engineering or computer science or otherwise have a technical set of skills but want to enhance their analytical chops. While it’s an expensive degree, it’s not a terribly lengthy one considering the very highly regarded school it calls home — motivated learners can finish in just 18 months. Students may also be interested in the STEM-designated online MBA offered if they are heavily business-minded. Noteworthy business analytics courses include Programming in R and Python, Data Exploration and Visualization and Data Analytics in Finance.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree (required GPA unpublished); GMAT or GRE (required score unpublished); TOEFL score for international students
Tuition
- $66,820 (60 units)
Online?
- Yes
#4. University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business
733 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration, Business Analytics Major
Other Applicable Degrees:
- MBA, majors available in Business Economics and Public Policy; Business, Energy, Environment and Sustainability; Quantitative Finance; Operations, Information and Decisions; Statistics
Program Description:
UPenn earns the fourth spot on our list not because it’s a lower-quality education. In fact, quite the opposite — earning an MBA in business analytics from the Wharton School would surely be a wise move for students who can get in. The big stumbling block for most students considering this Ivy League school is cost; getting this business analytics master’s degree will cost well into six figures. That said, the business analytics major within the MBA program is STEM-certified, which is critical for many international applicants, and business analytics is just one of 19 possible majors in the program. Not all courses in every major are offered online, though most within the business analytics major can be completed online.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree (required GPA unpublished); GMAT or GRE (required score unpublished); TOEFL score for international students
Tuition
- $149,000 (19 units required)
Online?
- Yes, depending on coursework