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Budget and quality of education are the main concerns of students while searching for higher studies in business analytics. If you’re also struggling with them, we have got you covered. Considering options like financial aid, accreditation status, and acceptance rate can simplify your decision to choose the right university.
In this article, we have listed the best affordable masters in business analytics. Let’s begin the journey!
Our Top Affordable Business Analytics Masters Recommendations
Analytics is a budding field appealing to students looking for lucrative job opportunities in research and strategic business roles. Professionals adept at understanding analytics and drawing meaningful conclusions are particularly in demand by medium to large-sized businesses.
Considering the importance of analytics career and affordability constraints, we have cherry-picked the best affordable masters in business analytics from top universities in the USA.
Best Masters of Business Analytics Overall: University of Florida (Warrington)
Warrington College of Business by the University of Florida offers masters in business analytics programs requiring 36 credit hours. This master’s in business analytics is delivered both on campus and online. One thing to note is that the on-campus program can be completed in 10 months, while the online program can be completed in 2 years.
This AACSB-accredited program underscores its importance as an excellent study option. Students with an average GPA of 3.4 and a GRE with a 311 score are eligible for a master’s in business analytics.
It offers one of the quickest and most affordable business analytics degrees. It’s unusual to have high acceptance and graduation rates, all with such affordable fees. Even out-of-state students can get fee waivers. However, It’s worth mentioning that you can only get financial aid through FAFSA. International students aren’t eligible for any type of aid at UF.
- Institution Type: Public
- Location: Gainesville, Florida
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Tuition and Fees: $19,105 (in-state), $45,195 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Financial Aid: No
Best Master in Business Analytics with High Success Rate: Oklahoma State University (Spears)
Oklahoma State University offers a master’s in business analytics and data science, which was ranked 9th on Fortune’s list of best data science programs in 2022. It requires an overall 37 credit hours. The program can be completed in 21 months with the flexibility to join an internship for several months in the last year.
This program is also STEM-designated, providing you with the highest standard of education.
Oklahoma State University has one of the highest graduate job employment rates in the business field. 96% of students have jobs, job offers, or other plans within six months of graduation. However, this university is mainly desirable for students interested in data science.
- Institution Type: Public
- Location: Oklahoma
- Accreditation: AACSB (HLC)
- Tuition and Fees: $514.65 (in-state), $1,160.60 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Financial Aid: Yes (Conditional)
Best Diverse Masters of Business Analytics: Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public institute founded in 1885. The Masters in Business Analytics program offered by Arizona State University has five distinct tracks, which students can complete within 9 to 16 months, requiring 30 to 43 credit hours. Big Data track is relatively cheaper and can be completed within 9 months.
All other four tracks require a summer internship and an extra semester of 16 months. Applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in the last 60 hours of their bachelor’s programs to apply for these programs.
The availability of five different tracks offers students a diversity to choose their desired sub-field of business analytics, which is quite rare in other institutions. However, its tuition fees are high in comparison to other universities.
- Type: Public
- Location: Arizona State University Tempe Campus
- Accreditation: Yes (AACSB)
- Tuition and Fees: $48,835 (in-state), $77,422 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Financial Aid: Yes
Top Ranked Master of Business Analytics: Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University ranks at number 10 in the best online business analytics MBA programs. Students can enroll in the Masters of Science in Business Analytics, a STEM-designated degree that can be pursued both part-time and full-time with an average duration of 16 months. It covers core subjects of business analytics, statistics and optimization, and technology.
This program has 42 units: 10 for elective and 32 for core classes. Santa Clara University’s acceptance rate and graduation percentage are higher than Arizona State University, making it an appealing option for students who didn’t get a chance in the first two universities.
- Institution Type: Private
- Location: Santa Clara, California, United States
- Accreditation: Yes (WSCUC)
- Tuition and Fees: $1,406 (tuition per unit)
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Financial Aid: Yes
Best Business Analytics Masters Online: The University of Dayton
The University of Dayton offers an Online Master’s Degree in Business Analytics with a program duration of 12 to 18 months. It also has an on-campus program. However, its online degrees are reputed among the ranks. It ranks in the top 20 list of Online Master’s in Business Analytics by Fortune.
Applicants need to submit and prepare a qualifying GRE or GMAT test to be eligible for admission. The prerequisites for this degree are a bachelor’s in math, economics, or business with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
- Institution Type: Private
- Location: Ohio, USA
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Tuition and Fees: $16,700
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 80%
- Financial Aid: Yes
Best Master in BA with High Student-Faculty Ratio: North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University is a public institution that was founded in 1877. In terms of national universities, NCSU ranks at number 60 in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges by US News and World Report. The university has a graduation rate of nearly 65%, with a 16:1 student/faculty ratio.
When compared to other universities, it’s one of the top nation’s public universities and a global higher education leader known for innovative research, teaching, and public service. However, North Carolina State University is one of the most expensive options on the list.
- Institution Type: Public
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Tuition and Fees: $2,384 (tuition per credit)
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Financial Aid: Yes
Shortest Master Program in MBA: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Gies College of Business is a reputed business school by the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign that offers an accelerated master’s degree in business analytics. Its MSBA program combines business application expertise with technical data science and analytics skills. Students can opt for concentrations like Financial Analytics and Accounting analytics.
To gain admission, students need a minimum 3 GPA with the TOEFL and IELTS scores of 103+ and 7.5+, respectively. This program is delivered on-campus with 36 credit hours that can be completed in 9 months of studying onsite. However, its acceptance rate is low compared to top universities like Arizona State University.
- Institution Type: Public
- Location: Illinois
- Accreditation: HLC
- Tuition and Fees $17,572
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Financial Aid: Yes
Completely Online Master in BA: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas offers a master of science in business analytics, requiring 33 credit hours, which can be completed in 12 months by studying online. The analytics courses in this degree focus on health information systems (HIS). The program requires a GRE score for entry. However, a waiver is also available on a conditional basis.
It’s 100% online with an emphasis on the scientific side of business analytics, like data mining, data selection, and data visualization. If you’re a resident of Texas, then this degree will only cost you $5,000 after financial aid. This makes it even more affordable than Oklahoma State University.
- Institution Type: Public
- Location: Texas
- Accreditation: AACSB
- Tuition and Fees: $472.22 (tuition per credit)
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 29%
- Financial Aid: Yes
Best Master of Science in Business Analytics: Regent University
Regent University has been ranked four times in top national universities by US News and World Report from 2019 to 2023. It offers a master of science in business analytics (MSBA) that focuses on topics like ethical practices, protection of data integrity, and security compliance standards.
The degree is suitable for professionals who want senior roles and are looking to fill gaps in their technical and soft skills. One appealing thing about this program is that it has a low barrier to entry as there are no requirements for a GRE or GMAT score.
- Institution Type: Private
- Location: Virginia Beach, VA
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Tuition and Fees: $20,685
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Financial Aid: Yes
Top Master of BA for Working Professionals: Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University is a private university offering a master’s in data analytics. The barrier to entry is low as there is no need for a GRE/GMAT score to enroll in the degree. The degree can be comfortably completed within 12 to 18 months with 36 credit hours.
Compared to Regent University’s Masters in Business Analytics, which is primarily targeted toward working professionals, Hampshire’s degree is more accessible with a higher acceptance rate.
- Institution Type: Private
- Location: Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire
- Accreditation: NECHE
- Tuition and Fees: $721 (tuition per credit)
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Financial Aid: Yes
Best Strategic Leadership Business Analytics Master: Athens State University
Athens State University is one of the oldest higher education universities in Alabama. It offers a master of science in strategic leadership and business analytics. It’s focused on developing leadership capabilities in professionals with an aim to upskill data analytics skills to foster strategic decision-making. The program can be completed in as little as 12 months.
Both on-campus and online options are available for graduation. However, out-of-state on-campus graduation is slightly expensive here compared to in-state. For distance learning, both in-state and out-of-state fees are the same.
- Institution Type: Public
- Location: Beaty St, Athens
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Tuition and Fees: $362 (tuition per credit)
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Financial Aid: Yes
Top MSBA for Part-time Students: University of Alabama
The University of Alabama’s MSBA is a full-time program specially designed for part-time students due to a flexible schedule. However, relevant work experience is a key component of the success of the application process.
You must have a minimum of 3.3 GPA, three letters of recommendation, and a 60th percentile or higher score on the GMAT or GRE, which are prerequisites for this program. It has 36 credit hours of coursework, which spans over three semesters. Unlike the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, MSBA is only for on-campus students.
- Institution Type: Public
- Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
- Accreditation: Yes (AACSB)
- Tuition and Fees $440 (Tuition per Credit)
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Financial Aid: Yes (Conditional)
Best Business Analytics Master for Veterans: American Public University
American Public University is a public university that has held the distinction of being a “Best for Vets Colleges” from Military Times since 2013, as 88% of its students have a military background. University award transfer credit for factors like an internship, on-the-job training, certifications, and military experience.
This makes the master’s degree program quite affordable for knowledgeable and experienced students. This master’s in applied business analytics program has a total of 42 credits and spans over 8 to 16 weeks. The prerequisite to be admitted to any graduate program is that students should have completed a bachelor’s degree from any institute that CHEA recognizes.
- Institution Type: Private
- Location: Charles Town, West Virginia
- Accreditation: ACBSP
- Tuition and Fees: $425 (cost per credit), $250 (cost per credit with Preferred Military Rate)
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 18%
- Financial Aid: Yes (Veteran Grant also available)
Best MS in Business Analytics for Companies: University of Nebraska – Lincoln
The University of Nebraska offers a 100% online MS in business analytics that requires 30 credit hours. Its master’s programs in business are ranked 14th by US News. It covers all the major technical aspects of business analytics, including risk and simulation modeling, predictive and descriptive analytics, data mining, supply chain management, and managerial marketing.
Each course spans over eight weeks, offering a flexible schedule for students. Its Talent Investment Program allows businesses to partner with the University of Nebraska’s business degree over three years with a 15% fee reduction for company employees.
- Institution Type: Public
- Location: Lincoln, NE, United States
- Accreditation: HLC, AACSB
- Tuition and Fees: $675 (per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Financial Aid: Yes
Best BA in Information Systems: Murray State University
Murray State University offers a master of science in information systems program with a concentration in business analytics that requires 30 credit hours. This program can be completed within 12-18 months. It equips you to solve organizational problems using technology and data.
This degree provides free courses in accounting and economics as prerequisites, which can be attended along with core subjects to provide foundational knowledge to students with undergrad degrees. One distinction of this program is its affordability, as students can pay per course instead of spending all fees in advance.
- Institution Type: Public
- Location: Murray, Kentucky
- Accreditation: Yes (AACSB)
- Tuition and Fees: $564.50 (cost per credit)
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Financial Aid: Yes
Factors to Consider for Best Affordable Masters in Business Analytics
Business analytics is a highly in-demand field with an expected growth rate of more than the average of other areas in the United States. It is advisable to gain quality education in this domain, keeping in view the array of opportunities in the analytics field. However, selecting the right institute and degree can be challenging.
That’s why, before discussing the factors, we have listed the top three considerations of all the discussed universities so you have everything at your tips while deciding.
| University Name | Tuition and Fees | Graduation Rate | Acceptance Rate |
| University of Florida (Warrington) | Complete tuition fee: $19,105 (in-state), $45,195 (out-of-state) | 91% | 87% |
| Arizona State University | Complete tuition fee: $48,835 (in-state), $77,422 (out-of-state) | 66% | 88% |
| Santa Clara University | $1,406 (per credit) | 52% | 92% |
| The University of Dayton | Complete tuition fee: $16,700 | 81% | 80% |
| North Carolina State University | $2,384 (per credit) | 70% | 65% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Complete tuition fee: $17,572 | 45% | 72% |
| Oklahoma State University (Spears) | Per credit: $514.65 (in-state), $1,160.60 (out-of-state) | 68% | 66% |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | $472.22 (per credit) | 29% | 87% |
| Regent University | Complete tuition fee: $20,685 | 62% | 41% |
| Southern New Hampshire University | $721 (per credit) | 31% | 89% |
| Athens State University | $362 (per credit) | 59% | 100% |
| University of Alabama | $440 (per credit) | 55% | 80% |
| Murray State University | $564.50 (per credit) | 45% | 86% |
| American Public University | $425 (per credit) | 18% | 100% |
| University of Nebraska | $675 (per credit) | 66% | 81% |
Now that we have compared the top three aspects of institutions, it will be easier for you to comprehend the factors below.
Cost
Financial constraint is the top hurdle in pursuing a higher degree. The good news is that various quality study options are available that won’t break the bank. For instance, UF can be a great pick for you if you’re from Florida. If none of the in-state options are favorable for you, then you can go for the University of Dayton, which only has a tuition fee of $16,700.
You can opt for an online delivery format as it can help save on additional commuting costs, renting out an apartment near campus, and other expenses. Another way to save your money is to consider universities offering financial aid options like scholarships, student loans, and discounts.
Location
Location can significantly impact the affordability of your degree. If you’re short on budget, then look for in-state universities. For instance, the UF in-state program only costs $19,105, while the out-of-state program costs $45,195.
Curriculum Details
Depending on the career role you want to opt for in the future, your degree selection should be suitable. Various universities offer different concentrations where you can choose among business-focused or technically sound subjects aligned with your preferences.
Choose the right combination of subjects to help you gain the right knowledge before entering the workforce. If you’re looking for a diversity of business analytics specializations, Arizona State University might be your dream pick.
Flexibility and Pace
Pace and flexibility are deciding factors affecting your degree completion chances. Choosing a degree that offers flexibility is going to be a worthy investment for your future. Many universities offer part-time and full-time study options in on-campus degrees.
Going a step further, you can also look for a fully online program, letting you adjust your study around your routine activities instead of putting everything else on hold to attend lectures.
Career Outcomes
Before deciding on a master’s degree and specialization, it is worth considering the future job roles you will be undertaking. Choosing the right concentration will make you a confident team player with sufficient technical knowledge to complete complex analytics issues in the real world.
For instance, 96% of graduates of Oklahoma State University get jobs, job offers, or other plans within 6-months of degree completion.
Previous Education Background
If you have a bachelor’s degree in subjects like accounting, economics, and finance, it can speed up your master’s journey. You can skip some prerequisite courses required by students of other majors.
Sometimes, students are given free credits in exchange for their previous industry experience, on-the-job training, certifications, or as a result of military background. This allows them to speed up their degree completion process, as in the case of American Public University.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Business Analytics Masters Worth It?
Yes, a master’s in business analytics is a worthy investment, considering the demand for analytics experts by medium to large-size businesses. It also opens the way to many promising career options like data science. According to the BLS, data science jobs are expected to grow by 35% from 2022 to 2032.
Do Employers Value Online Master’s in Business Analytics?
Yes, as long as you’ve graduated from a reputed and accredited institution, employers gauge on-campus and online options with the same yardstick. However, if your specialization requires specific fieldwork or has lab-based prerequisites, then on-campus will be given preference.
What Are the Prerequisites for a Master’s in Business Analytics?
Admission to Masters in business analytics is competitive, so you should strive to stand the best chance by scoring above average GRE/GMAT scores, reasonable TOEFL and IELTS scores, and a minimum of 2.5 GPA in your bachelor’s degree. Moreover, having a military background, hands-on experience, and certificates can increase your chances of admission.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the best affordable programs in business analytics offered in both on-campus and online formats. We strongly recommend considering factors like in-state and out-of-state tuition costs, prerequisites, and course curriculum to understand which program best suits your unique preferences.
