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What are some of the best schools in order to receive a business analytics degree?

#business-analysis #college #analytics

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Kian’s Answer

Business analytics is so broad - first, you need to narrow down what type of analyst you might want to be, and what skills you are most interested in developing/using. Some analysts are heavy on the computer science or data science side, others are more math-based (I got into healthcare business analytics with a Fortune 7 company and I went to school for math), some have specialized knowledge, such as in retail/merchandising.


Business analysis is a "two-sided" (at least) skill. By that I mean the business analyst is a bridge builder - for example, between IT professionals and business leaders looking to implement a new system. The analyst in this case would need to have good technical understanding as well as business understanding and the communication skills to be a bridge between the two. (In my case, I bridge data science and operations research with clinically-minded leaders who need to build and assess new healthcare services in a financially sustainable way.)


Think about what "worlds" (besides the business world) you are skilled at navigating, or interested in. At that point, you can choose a school that will teach you both sides of the skill.

Kian recommends the following next steps:

Research different types of business analyst jobs: data, IT, finance, marketing, retail, healthcare, etc
Understand your skills and interests, especially where you want to "bridge"
Research schools that can teach you both (or multiple) sides of your desired analyst career
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Alex’s Answer

From my personal experience as a Business Analyst, I would recommend pursuing the ASQ Six Sigma certifications, https://asq.org/cert.  The certification process can be taken online or in a classroom setting.  I would recommend starting out with the Green Belt certification and then work your way up to the Black Belt and Master Black Belt.


What's nice about the Six Sigma certifications is they are recognized around the world and gives you unlimited access to different work environments (finance, manufacturing, technology, non-profits, small businesses...).


Another area I would focus on is statistics and data mining. Both of these skill sets play a major role in the Business Analyst profession. Data mining allows you to pull raw data and statistics allows you to take the raw data and convert it into useful information to aid in decision making. Both of these classes can be taken at any local community college or tech school.

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Monika’s Answer

Many schools have developed programs for aspiring business analysts. Students may earn a certificate, bachelor's degree or master's degree in this field. Undergraduate and graduate business analyst programs are typically available at 4-year colleges and universities.

Certificate Programs: Teach students how to collect and document an organization's business process requirements. Students learn to initiate functional system design solutions that can be implemented by information technology development teams.

Bachelor's Degree Programs:Business analysts may choose to major in information technology, finance or business administration. Several schools offer a concentration in project management or business analysis within these majors.

Master's degree programs in business analysis provide students with the skills and knowledge required for a career in private business or government. Courses equip students that have no previous business experience with management training, emphasizing technology implementation.

Top 04 Business Schools.
University of Pennsylvania offer Bachelor's, Master's
Massachusetts Institute of Technology offer Bachelor's, Master's
University of California - Berkeley offer Bachelor's, Master's,
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor offer Bachelor's, Master's

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David (Zeduo)’s Answer

Since business analytics is so broad, I figured I will list out a few qualities that will help you succeed in this field.

First and foremost, the ability to position yourself as a lifetime learner and stay curious is crucial. As a business analyst, both technical and non technical, you will encounter questions you/your organization haven't faced before. Staying curious helps you discover process improvement opportunities; learning new skills gets you solutions.

In addition, learn to see the bigger picture. Being detail-oriented is important, but you must not lose sight of the big picture. Learn to analyze problems from different perspectives. The ability to see the bigger picture will help tremendously during cross functional collaborations. This will take time to develop, and it is definitely worth your effort.

Last but definitely not least, get into the habit of backing your discoveries/suggestions with data. Being able to manipulate data is crucial in this day and age. You can look into sql, python, and R. However, as important as data is, you need to be extra careful when it comes to making decisions using data. I personally prefer being data-informed as opposed to being data-driven. Data helps you tell a story, it's not the full story.

You will be successful as a business analyst if you possess all these qualities.

In terms of schools: If you want to be more technical, go to schools near silicon valley, near seattle, UIUC, CMU and of course, all the ivy league schools. If you want to be more business facing, finding schools with good business programs will set you up good. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

Thank you comment icon Thanks . This is very helpful ! Candace Soulier
Thank you comment icon Thank you . I appreciate it Siddharth Sharma
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Rahul’s Answer

Researching for a Graduate School is tougher than it seems. First you need to decide upon a degree plan that interests you. When you say business analytics, what exactly do you have in mind. What work role do you think Business analysts do, does that sort of work bore you or interest you is entirely upon yourself. I won't deny the fact that rankings are important and unless you graduate from an IVY League college. You need to talk to more and more people. That will give you a clearer picture. Tuition, Location, Course Structure -these are some of the basic questions that you need to ask yourself. Graduate study is expensive and you need to make sure that you are well prepared for the course you plan to take.

Rahul recommends the following next steps:

Talk to people about the field.
Read the coursework of each college
Be patient and you'll be okay
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Priya’s Answer

You can do CBAP
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Leondra’s Answer

I don't believe the school matters as much as successful application of skill. There are also some certifications that will help.

Leondra recommends the following next steps:

Do research on a school that is affordable and with a curriculum that covers all of the material, not just executive level knowledge
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Kajol’s Answer

There are many best schools but what matters is what we gain from those business analytics courses in these respective schools. Every course structure is different and every instructor is different. One question we need to answer before applying to these schools is that, are we actually getting the value which we want form the course or not.

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Anna’s Answer

USC is a great business school overall. Harvard has an online business analytics certificate for professionals. Here are some other options: https://www.mastersindatascience.org/schools/top-masters-in-analytics/

Anna recommends the following next steps:

Are you looking for undergraduate, graduate, or certificate?
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Monica’s Answer

A BA is a job title that says "I'm extremely good at looking at business functions and looking into what makes them tick, then finding creative and cost effective ways of making things better." It's also a project based role which is great if you're really excited about seeing things Start and End. It also is a career that encourages out of the box thinkers.

There isn't one specific degree that will make you a BA, but instead lots of skills you can develop through a series of College majors that would make you desirable when recruiters are reviewing your resume. If you were interested in going down this path, I would recommend a major that deals with data. Such as a Mathematics, Computer Engineering, Business Administration &
Management, Finance, Accounting, and/or MIS
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Mohammadusman’s Answer

Business Analyst certification can be obtained from a variety of online and on-ground schools. Much of Business Analysis is covered under Computer Science or Information Systems, but if anyone wishes to pursue such an in demand certifiable skill there is Global Information Technology located in Lathrup Village, Michigan. They offer a plethora of certified classes with one being Business Analysis. However, there are many other schools and institutions that can aid in pursuing a diploma or certificate in Business Analysis.
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According to your location which is Midland, Michigan. I will suggest you try with Central Michigan University - Business Information Systems. As far as i know they do offer Analytics and also have tie up with consumer energy for data analytics.
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Sonam’s Answer

It depends on what are you looking for in university or college.Nothing is best unless you put your hard work ,analysis to achieve it. schools just help us to reach 1 step closer to reality.My experience in UMass was similar I won’t say it wasn’t tough to master the art of getting assignments, communication right but it’s always so much to learn.

Dont just see good school see how can it make you good in your career.


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Miguel’s Answer

It is not about which school is the best to receive a business analytics degree, because a student can either be very motivated or not completely convinced about studying any specific degree.

Best recommendation I can give to any person looking to either receive an undergraduate degree and/also a master degree, is to look abroad, like for example Germany, Norway, Denmark, or Sweden.

Learning how other developed countries learn/teach could bring new ideas to any individual.


Miguel recommends the following next steps:

Search for undergraduate degrees in the US, complete it and then look for a graduate degree abroad (Europe), or the other way around.
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Shruti’s Answer

  1. University of Washington.
  2. University of California, Berkeley
  3. University of Denver
  4. Cyracuse University
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Jason’s Answer

North Carolina State University. SAS is in their back yard.
Thank you comment icon These are young people they may not know what SAS is. Consider your audience. Victor Opio
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