Compare online master’s in analytics programs

Browse online analytics degree programs

Data analytics vs. business analytics

A master's in data analytics centers on the comprehensive analysis of large data sets, encompassing statistical methods, data processing, and machine learning. It equips learners with a broad range of skills that can be applied across industries, including healthcare, finance, and technology. A master's in business analytics, on the other hand, hones in on leveraging data analytics for strategic decision making in a corporate setting. It emphasizes optimizing business operations, improving performance, and addressing specific challenges within the business realm. The key distinction is that business analytics focuses on the practical application of data analysis to achieve organizational objectives, aligning data insights with corporate goals.

A master’s is one way to pursue analytics learning. But you can also develop your ability to turn data into valuable insights through , or learn to derive insights from extremely large data sets with these . Alternatively, build on your existing education with a range of .

Admission requirements for an online Master of Science in Analytics program

Schools offering online master’s in analytics degrees will have their own individual admission requirements, including specific GMAT or GRE requirements. Without a doubt, all schools will be looking for candidates who are passionate about learning to use data analytics to grow within their organizations.

Most online master’s in analytics admission requirements typically include the following:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, with a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0

• Transcripts from previously attended institutions where credits were earned

• Professional letters of recommendation

• Personal essay or statement of purpose

• Interview

Want to gain expertise and accelerate your career? Explore these top across disciplines.

How to apply

Before you begin the application process for an online master’s degree in analytics at the schools of your choice, research the necessary application deadlines, tuition, and scholarship opportunities, and prepare for the individual school’s admission requirements. Explore online master’s in business programs to learn more about what each university offers and what their application requirements are.

What you’ll learn

Whether you are pursuing a master's in data analytics or a master’s in business analytics, you should be prepared for a curriculum that is data intensive. Both degrees will typically include a blend of fundamental and advanced courses in data analysis and related areas. For a master’s in business analytics, you will typically be required to cover more courses on business, strategy, and leadership.

A typical curriculum for a master’s in analytics could include the following:

• Foundational courses, such as statistical analysis, data visualization, and database management

• Advanced analytics techniques, including machine learning and predictive modeling

• Big data technologies, including Hadoop and Spark, and NoSQL databases

• Data ethics and privacy, including ethical considerations and compliance

• Elective courses, which could include deep learning and natural language processing

• A capstone project, an extensive, real-world data processing project demonstrating your abilities

Some programs may offer specialized tracks in healthcare, finances, or marketing. The focus of these programs is to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to work with data, extract meaningful insights, and make data-driven decisions in various industries.

For more ways to dive into data, you can explore , where you’ll learn about ​​predictive modeling and applications such as Python and R. To learn to uncover valuable marketing insights from data, you can . Explore if you’d like to learn about Oracle Analytics, a data platform for business intelligence that performs a range of enterprise-level data analytics tasks. Or, you can explore , if what you’re passionate about is analyzing large data sets to find trends, correlations, and insights.

Master’s in analytics jobs

A master's in analytics can provide learners with the knowledge necessary to grow their organization by using data to solve complex problems. This graduate-level qualification can open doors to various high-paying and influential roles across industries as varied as finance, healthcare, technology, marketing, and more.

Here are some potential career paths to pursue with a master’s in analytics:

• Intelligence analyst: Gathers, evaluates, and interprets information from diverse sources to provide insights on security threats, risks, and trends.

• Financial analyst: Plays a crucial role in optimizing investment portfolios, managing financial assets, and achieving financial goals by mitigating potential risks,assessing asset performance, and creating financial models to forecast future outcomes.

• Business analytics consultant: Working closely with clients, gathers and analyzes data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvementto enhance a company's operations and decision making.

• Entrepreneur: Collects and analyzes data from various sources, including customer interactions, sales figures, website traffic, and market trends to make informed decisions about product development, marketing strategies, and resource allocation.

• Supply chain manager: Analyzes historical and real-time data to make informed decisions that streamline processes, improve customer satisfaction, and adapt to market changes, ultimately enhancing the company's competitiveness and profitability.

• Data analyst: This industry-agnostic role analyzes and interprets data to help organizations make informed decisions.

• Data scientist: Works across various industries, helping businesses improve operations, identify market opportunities, optimize strategies, and enhance overall performance by extracting actionable insights from data.

• Quantitative analyst: Plays a vital role in investment banks, hedge funds, and asset management firms, using their quantitative expertise to make data-driven decisions, optimize portfolios, and manage financial risks.

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