Your Guide to the MBA in Business Analytics

Data analytics is one of the most sought-after skills in the corporate world. Executives and managers rely on data analysis to evaluate their business's success and plan for the future. Many organisations turn to business analysts to enable business leaders to make strategic, data-driven decisions.

Business analysts use data to form business insights and recommend changes or improvements to their company's processes and practices. Pursuing an MBA in business analytics can help you develop the skills to leverage big data in your business career. Explore what an MBA in business analytics is, what your coursework might look like, and the career paths you can take with this exciting degree.

What is an MBA in business analytics?

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Business analytics combines business fundamentals and management practices with technical training in data and analytics.

In this master’s programme, you’ll learn to analyse data using exploratory and predictive modelling to gain insights from big data sets. This type of MBA can help prepare you for a career in analytics, such as those working with big data, social media, supply chain and operations, sales, and econometrics.

MBA business analytics coursework 

Coursework in an MBA in business analytics programme covers a broad range of computer science topics and business skills. Typically, you’ll complete coursework in topics such as:

• Managerial economics

• Financial accounting

• Business statistics

• Marketing management

• Design thinking

• Computer programming

• Database management

• Social media analytics

• Data mining for business analytics

• Data science in markets

• Marketing analytics

• Machine learning

• Operations research

• Econometrics

You’ll also likely have elective options to further specialise your coursework, such as data visualisation, operation research models, analytics for investment banking, and more.

Course duration and entry requirements

An MBA in business analytics typically takes two years of full-time study, though some educational institutions may offer programmes you can complete in only one year. The requirements for entering this programme will vary depending on your institution of choice. However, programmes often require a bachelor’s degree (with 50 to 60 percent aggregate marks), entrance examinations, and relevant work experience. Some institutes hold different requirements for different bachelor’s degrees. For example, if you have a BE or BTech, you may only require one year of work experience, while having a BSc, BCom, or BCA degree may require two years of work experience and a relevant maths or science course.

Admission requirements may also stipulate that you submit entrance examination scores from one of the following exams: CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT, CMAT, GRE, or ATMA. Sometimes, you might be invited to a group discussion or personal interview before receiving a formal admission offer.

Why pursue an MBA in business analytics?

Pursuing a business analytics concentration offers several advantages that can boost your marketability in the workforce. These include possible increased job opportunities, potential salary increases, and the development of in-demand skills.

Increased job opportunities 

With a background in analytics, you can develop skills that transfer across different business settings. Graduates go on to work in various industries, including consulting, retail, e-commerce, marketing, health care, and more. If you want to build a career in business analytics, pursuing a business analytics MBA can signal to recruiters that you have honed your expertise and are prepared to guide data-driven decision-making in their organisation.

Attractive salaries

An MBA degree might be worth the investment, as graduates generally find professions with rewarding salaries. According to February 2025 data from AmbitionBox, business analysts make an average annual salary of ₹10.3 Lakhs in India, with the highest earners bringing in an average of ₹22 Lakhs per annum [1].

Develop in-demand skills 

As you take courses towards a business analytics concentration, you can develop valuable, in-demand skills organisations may want to see in their employees and leaders. Businesses often seek professionals who can competently work with data, statistics tools, and visualisation techniques to best examine and communicate findings from organisational information.  

Job outlook for business analytics MBA graduates 

The job outlook for graduates of MBA in business analytics programmes remains positive. You can apply for a wide range of leadership positions with an organisation, including data-focused positions. 

Graduates of these programmes often enter analyst positions, such as business, big data, data, market research, qualitative, or social media analyst positions. You could also work in a more data-centric role, such as a data warehousing or data mining expert.

Tips for choosing a programme 

You can find a variety of MBA programmes offered by universities around the world. As you consider your options, use the following questions as a guide:

Why do you want to earn an MBA in business analytics? 

This degree can prepare you for various industries, from retail to gaming to financial services. Knowing where you’d like your career journey to proceed, including whether you want to improve your leadership skills, develop technical skills, or network with peers, can help you decide which school is best for you. 

What type of schedule does the university offer? 

If you choose to attend full-time, you might finish the degree quickly. On the other hand, if you have to balance other responsibilities, such as a job or family, a part-time or online schedule may be a better fit for your life.

What teaching style do the professors use? 

At some schools, the professors use the case method, which incorporates class discussions about assorted business case studies. Other schools rely on a traditional lecture model. Sometimes, you may have remote lab or online platform options to complete your coursework. Deciding the education delivery method that is right for you can help you enter the programme that’s the best fit.

What type of specialties is the programme known for? 

You may discover that one programme excels in business specialties like finance or marketing, while others have a reputation for providing a well-rounded education.

Take your next steps in business analytics

An MBA in business analytics is a specialised MBA that combines in-demand business concepts with computer science and data analytics to prepare you with the skills needed to make better business decisions.

Earning an MBA is a long-term investment in your career. If you're ready to take the next step, consider earning the iMBA from the University of Illinois, which offers a specialisation in managerial economics and business analysis. If you’re not ready to commit to a degree, consider getting an introduction to business analytics with a course to explore topics related to the degree. Check out the Business Analytics Specialisation courses by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania to begin learning. You’ll find these options and more on Coursera.