Business intelligence (business analytics) is a discipline that requires equal knowledge in business and technology — two high-demand areas in today’s job market. A master’s in business intelligence helps you hone your skills in these areas and opens doors to a range of opportunities in today’s data-driven world.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for business intelligence professionals is $93,000, and the estimated job growth is 14% from 2020-2030, both higher figures than the average of all occupations. Meaning? A business intelligence degree is undoubtedly worth your time.
The Best Master’s in Business Intelligence Programs
Although you’ll find master’s in business intelligence programs in Europe and the UK, US business intelligence graduate programs are typically offered as a master of business analytics or master of science title. We’ve rounded up the best business intelligence master’s programs with a particular focus on interpreting business data, the essence of business intelligence.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management
Master of Business Analytics (MBAn)
MIT is one of the world’s most prominent technological institutions embracing diverse perspectives to promote innovation. This MBAn program is one of the best business intelligence degree programs and is jointly conducted with the MIT Operations Research Center. Students can conduct research with the faculty of both MIT Sloan and the MIT Operations Research Center. The program also offers an IAP (Independent Activity Period), which students can use to get in-depth practical experience.
- Courses: Analytics tool, optimization methods, and machine learning & the digital economy.
- Credits: 111-141 units
- Duration: 12 months
- Delivery: On-campus
- Tuition: $86,300
- Financial aid: Fellowships, scholarships, and teaching/research assistantships.
- Acceptance rate: 7.3%
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Boston University, Questrom School of Business
Boston University is well-known for its excellence in business education and has a male-female student ratio of 1:1.38. In this MS program, students choose one of three concentrations: Marketing Analytics, Applied Data Science, and Healthcare Analytics.
- Courses: Business analytics toolbox, business experimentation & casual methods, and competing with analytics.
- Credits: 37
- Duration: 12- and 16-month options
- Delivery: On-campus
- Tuition: Refer tuition page
- Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, loans, and veteran benefits.
- Acceptance rate: 20.1%
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Arizona State University, W. P. Carey School of Business
Master of Science in Business Analytics (MS-BA)
Arizona State University is ranked #1 in the country by the US News & World Report for innovative curriculums, campus, technology, facilities, and faculty. Along with its core and elective courses, this program offers four optional tracks: Cloud Computing & Tech Consulting, Fintech, Marketing Analytics, and Supply Chain Analytics. Craving a flexible learning model? You’ll find Arizona State University offers arguably the country’s best online business intelligence degree.
- Credits: 30
- Delivery: On-campus and online options
- Tuition: Refer tuition page
- Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, and veteran benefits.
- Acceptance rate: 88.4%
- Location: Tempe, Arizona
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School
MBA in Business Analytics and Management Science
UNC is located in Chapel Hill, one of the best college towns in the nation. In this master’s program, students can access a career coach who offers career planning assistance and one-on-one coaching. Additionally, an employer engagement specialist is on hand to help graduates secure jobs with leading organizations.
- Courses: Business modeling: prescriptive analytics, data analytics: tools & opportunities, and decision making in the energy industry.
- Credits: 62
- Duration: 18-36 months
- Delivery: On-campus
- Tuition & mandatory fees: $51,150 per academic year
- Financial aid: Fellowships, scholarships, and loans
- Acceptance rate: 25%
- Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Georgia Institute of Technology, Scheller College of Business
Master of Science in Analytics (Business Analytics track)
Georgia Tech is one of the country’s leading technological institutions, ranking third in Business Analytics nation-wide. This interdisciplinary MS program leverages the combined strengths of three of the university’s colleges: the Scheller College of Business, College of Engineering, and College of Computing.
- Courses: Data analytics in business, computing for data analysis, and data & visual analytics.
- Credits: 36
- Delivery: On-campus and Online options
- Tuition: $1,217 per credit
- Financial aid: Fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, and veteran benefits.
- Acceptance rate: 21.3%
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
University of Maryland College Park, Robert H. Smith School of Business
Master of Science in Business Analytics
The University of Maryland is the state’s primary research and graduate education institution and the flagship institution of the Maryland university system. This program allows students to work with a real company and apply the analytical skills and technical knowledge they have learned to solve its practical problems.
- Courses: Data, models & decisions, data processing & analytics in Python, and data mining & predictive analytics.
- Credits: 30
- Duration: 3 semesters
- Delivery: On-campus and Online options
- Tuition: $1,582 per credit
- Financial aid: Scholarships and grants.
- Acceptance rate: 51%
- Location: College Park, Maryland
Texas A&M University-College Station, Mays Business School
Master of Science in Analytics
Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School was ranked #1 for its online master’s in business analytics. This part-time, hybrid program is delivered as a combination of live classes and video streaming, making it ideal for working professionals.
- Courses: Regression analysis, data management/visualization, and deploying models/optimization.
- Credits: 36
- Duration: 5 semesters
- Delivery: Hybrid
- Program cost: $65,000
- Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, loans, veteran benefits, and student employment.
- Acceptance rate: 63.3%
- Location: College Station, Texas
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Online MBA in Data Analytics and Decision Making
According to the US News & World Report, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the top three universities in the country for online MBA programs. This program is one of the best business intelligence degree programs available online and offers a wide range of electives across five specializations: Data Analytics & Decision Making, Strategy & Consulting, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Finance.
- Courses: Analytical tools for decision making, introduction to Python for business analytics, and business modeling.
- Credits: 62
- Delivery: Online
- Tuition: $125,589.06
- Financial aid: Scholarships, fellowships, loans, and veteran benefits.
- Acceptance rate: 25%
- Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
University of Maryland College Park, Robert H. Smith School of Business
Online Master of Business Administration (Information Systems and Business Analytics specialization)
The University of Maryland emphasizes interdisciplinary and experiential learning. As the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland, it shares its research, educational, technological, and cultural strengths with key organizations in government, education, and business. Students wanting to pursue business intelligence can opt for the ‘Information Systems and Business Analytics’ track, one of the four specializations available as part of this online program.
- Courses: Decision modeling, managing digital businesses & platforms, and data mining & and predictive analysis.
- Credits: 54
- Duration: 24 months
- Delivery: Online
- Tuition: $1,682 per credit hour
- Financial aid: Awards, loans, veteran benefits, scholarships, federal work-study, grants, fellowships, and graduate assistantships.
- Acceptance rate: 51%
- Location: College Park, Maryland
Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business
Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA)
Georgetown University is known for its high-quality international business programs offered by the McDonough School of Business. This online program follows a synchronous cohort model, meaning you’ll study remotely, but alongside your peers. Additionally, the program emphasizes small class sizes for better faculty attention and networking opportunities.
- Courses: Data analytics tools, business functions, and creating data-empowered managers.
- Credits: 30
- Duration: 16 months
- Delivery: Online
- Tuition: $62,790
- Financial aid: Scholarships, fellowships, loans, and veteran benefits.
- Acceptance rate: 16.8%
- Location: Washington, DC
Business Intelligence Master’s Degree Admission Requirements
A master’s in business intelligence or business analytics program will generally have the following requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree, usually with a specified minimum number of credits in related subjects like statistics, computer programming, and algebra.
- Official transcripts from your bachelor’s and any other previous education
- GMAT or GRE scores
- Letters of recommendation
- Academic resume
- Personal statement or essay
- Proof of English proficiency, such as IELTS or TOEFL, for foreign students
However, exact requirements vary depending on the program, so it’s important to check with the admission office.
How Much is The Tuition for a Business Intelligence Graduate Program?
The total tuition for a master’s in business intelligence or business analytics program can range from $20,000 to $125,000. This can vary significantly based on a range of factors. For example, in-state students usually pay less than out-of-state students for public institutions. Private universities tend to be more expensive than their public counterparts.
Why Get a Business Intelligence Master’s Degree?
A business intelligence master’s degree is a valuable qualification for lucrative roles in a high-demand field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, master’s degree holders in the discipline have an average salary of $93,000 per year, and job opportunities are estimated to grow by 14% from 2020 to 2030.
Jobs and Salaries for Master’s of Business Intelligence
Here are some of the roles you can secure with a master’s of business intelligence, with the average annual salary for each:
- Computer and Information Scientist ($100,384)
- Business Intelligence Developer ($82,885)
- Business Intelligence Analyst ($71,267)
- Senior Financial Analyst ($83,393)
- Senior Data Analyst ($85,177)
- Network Architect ($121,482)
Key Takeaways
Once you have a master’s in business intelligence qualification, you’ll belong to a special class of professionals equipped with high-level skills and knowledge in both business and technology. This will allow you to help businesses with decision-making and strategic planning. With such a valuable combination of skills and knowledge, this qualification opens doors to a range of high-paying and prestigious roles.
If you’re interested in learning more about graduate studies in business intelligence, take a look at our ultimate guide to the Master’s in Business Analytics and the best Master’s in Data Science programs.
Master’s in Business Intelligence FAQs
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What is a master’s in business intelligence?
A master’s in business intelligence is a specialized graduate program that will make you equally savvy in business and technology. It will equip you to collect data effectively, analyze it using advanced analytical tools, and develop indispensable strategic recommendations for businesses.
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Is a business intelligence degree worth it?
Business intelligence is an in-demand discipline and one of the highest-paying master’s degrees. A bachelor’s in the field will translate into an attractive salary and a Master’s business intelligence qualification will allow you to perfect your skills and expertise. These will help you increase your opportunities and take your career to new heights.
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What can you do with business intelligence?
A degree in business intelligence will primarily equip you for analytics roles in the business world. Some common positions for graduates are Business Intelligence Analyst, Business Intelligence Developer, and Financial Analyst. You can also work as a Database Architect or Research Scientist. You will find job opportunities in almost every sector, including manufacturing, energy, healthcare, marketing, governance, research, and transportation.
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How long does it take to earn a master’s in business intelligence online?
A business intelligence master’s degree online usually takes two to three years and 30 credits to complete. It’s possible to complete some accelerated programs in as little as two years. Additionally, some universities allow you to register throughout the year which can minimize delays in starting your studies.
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How much does a master’s degree in business intelligence online cost?
The tuition alone for an online master’s in business intelligence program from an accredited university can range from $20,000 to $125,000. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of books and study materials, technology fees, and other expenses. However, online students may save on living expenses and fees associated with on-campus facilities.
Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.
