The economy here in Washington is red-hot, expanding at the second-fastest rate between 2017 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Washington’s gross domestic product grew by 7.8%, just behind Texas at 8.2%.
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Tech sector growth is credited with much of the expansion of the state’s economy, as Washington is home to one of the world’s largest companies, Amazon, which was ranked fifth overall on the most recent Fortune 500. The state is also home to Costco (No. 14), Microsoft (No. 26) and more than a dozen other Fortune 1,000 companies.
SEE ALSO: Best Online Masters in Business Analytics Ranking
It’s no wonder, then, why so many Washington business schools are beginning to fully embrace the future and offer rigorous business analytics education.
But which programs are the best for students who want to blend affordability and flexibility? Read below to see our analysis of the top three business analytics graduate programs in the state, all of which are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
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
#1. University of Washington-Tacoma Milgard School of Business
1900 Commerce St., Tacoma, WA 98402
Business Analytics Degree:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics (STEM-Eligible)
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration, Healthcare Concentration
- Master of Cybersecurity & Leadership
Program Description:
The top degree on our list, a Master of Science in Business Analytics, is offered by the University of Washington-Tacoma’s Milgard School of Business. Milgard’s STEM-eligible business analytics master’s degree, an important designation for international learners, is designed to arm the next generation of business leaders with the forward-thinking mind-set and hands-on experience they’ll need to harness data to drive decision-making. From the first day of the program, students are given the chance to get their hands dirty in real-world analytics projects. Offered mostly online, the degree was designed to be completed in as little as 12 months. Students also might find Washington-Tacoma’s MBA in healthcare or master’s in cybersecurity and leadership interesting. Noteworthy business analytics courses include Text Mining and Business Process & Workflow Analysis. Milgard’s business analytics degree also holds the distinction of being the cheapest of the three on our list.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree, minimum GPA not published; GRE or GMAT without waiver, minimum score not published; other requirements apply for international students
Tuition
- $25,450 (40 credit-hours)
Online?
- Partial
#2. Seattle University Albers School of Business and Economics
901 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics (Online)
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics (Campus)
- Business Analytics Graduate Certificate
Program Description:
Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics is home to the only degree on our list that can be completed entirely online, a Master of Science in Business Analytics (Online). The program allows students to explore emerging programming tools for analytics, mathematical modeling, artificial intelligence and more, all while developing the communication and management skills necessary for succeeding at a high level in any industry. This is a decidedly technical program, as online students are required to complete programming bootcamps before beginning their degrees in full. Albers also offers the degree on campus, though the online version requires a few more credit-hours, as well as offering a graduate certificate in business analytics. Interesting business analytics coursework offered in the Albers School includes Data Wrangling, Visualization and Communication and Machine Learning for Business.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree, GPA of at least 3.0; GMAT score of at least 500 or comparable GRE score absent waiver; additional requirements for international applicants
Tuition
- $42,336 (48 credit-hours)
Online?
- Yes
#3. University of Washington Foster School of Business
PACCAR Hall, 4273 E. Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA 98195
Business Analytics Degrees:
- Master of Science in Business Analytics (STEM-Eligible)
Other Applicable Degrees:
- Master of Business Administration, Technology Management
- Master of Business Administration, Marketing Analytics Specialization
Program Description:
Third on our list, but far from last place is a STEM-eligible Master of Science in Business Analytics at University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. Though it’s offered only in-person, the degree is designed with working professionals in mind, with a 12-month evening/weekend structure that aims to create business strategists and data storytellers. The program further distinguishes itself through a unique cohort-based approach that helps students collaborate and grow as a team. Other applicable degrees offered within the school include a pair of MBAs, one focused on technology management and the other on marketing analytics. Noteworthy business analytics curriculum includes Spreadsheet Modeling and Analytics for Firm Decisions.
Degree Details:
Accreditation
- AACSB
Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree, GPA of at least 3.0; GMAT or GRE, no minimum score published; additional requirements for international applicants
Tuition
- $41,400 (12 months)
Online?
- No