Best Online Master’s in Business Intelligence 2021

by TBS Staff
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A master's in business intelligence can develop your ability to quantify consumer trends, generate returns on investment, reduce and manage risk, and increase efficiency.

The growing field of business intelligence and analytics relies on professionals with business intelligence master's degrees for leadership roles. After earning master's degrees, professionals can pursue opportunities in high-paying jobs as management analysts, data scientists, and market research analysts. The degree also leads to careers as statisticians, analysts, researchers, and consultants. These career paths offer strong job growth projections and high earning potential.

An online business intelligence degree prioritizes flexibility. The delivery format appeals to working professionals who must balance earning an education with their careers. By choosing an online program, business intelligence graduate students can continue working while pursuing career advancement.

Our list ranks the best online master's programs in business intelligence. Prospective students can use our rankings to identify the program that best aligns with their career goals. This article also explores common business intelligence courses, available careers for those with business intelligence master's degrees, and how to choose the right program for you.

The Best Online Master's in Business Intelligence Programs

  1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Location

    Chapel Hill, NC

    Tuition

    $11649

    Graduation Rate
    89%
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    Established as the first public university in the nation, UNC opened its doors to students in 1795. UNC now enrolls about 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students every year.

    UNC-Chapel Hill's online master of business administration degree ranks as the best online MBA in the country. This online MBA program offers more than 25 electives and five concentrations in the areas of entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, strategy and consulting, and data analytics and decision making.

    Applicants must complete the online MBA@UNC application form. They must also submit an updated resume, transcripts of records, and two letters of recommendation.

  2. Texas A & M University-College Station
    Location

    College Station, TX

    Tuition

    $19118

    Graduation Rate
    82%
    View School Profile

    Texas A&M started in 1876 as the state's first public higher learning institution. Around 69,000 students enroll at Texas A&M on a yearly basis.

    Texas A&M offers an online master of science in analytics program that operates under the university's Mays Business School. Students of this program learn modern techniques in analytics and demonstrate global competence in solving business problems. Students typically complete this MS curriculum within a five-semester part-time program.

    Applicants must have three years of full-time work experience, a strong academic background, and competitive scores in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

  3. Babson College
    Location

    Wellesley, MA

    Graduation Rate
    91%
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    For more than a century, Babson ranks as one of the best business schools in the country. Babson's class of 2019 reported a 99% job placement rate within six months of graduation.

    Babson's fully online master of business administration in entrepreneurship program provides students with a competitive entrepreneurial mindset and a set of strategic management skills. Students of this part-time, flexible MBA program usually complete their coursework within three years.

    Applicants must submit one letter of professional recommendation (non-academic), an updated resume, and transcripts from all academic institutions. Candidates must also complete a video interview and pay a $100 application fee.

  4. Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
    Location

    University Park, PA

    Tuition

    $21678

    Graduation Rate
    71%
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    Penn State serves world-class distance education for more than 125 years. The university has now expanded its course offerings to 150 fully online degree programs.

    Penn State's online master of business administration program allows students to choose from a total of 24 concentrations. Students of this MBA program complete 48 credits of coursework to earn their degrees. Penn State's MBA graduates gain leadership skills in business operations and strategic management.

    Interested applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, and submit official transcripts of records. Applicants must also pay a nonrefundable application fee, and submit an updated resume.

  5. University of Maryland-College Park
    Location

    College Park, MD

    Tuition

    $16790

    Graduation Rate
    86%
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    UMD embraces its recognition as a top research university in the country. UMD has produced 388,000 alumni all over the world and currently serves about 40,700 students every year.

    UMD offers an online master of business administration program that produces competitive business leaders grounded in data-driven decision-making. This MBA program delivers fully online coursework in the areas of concentration of accounting, finance, information systems and business analytics, marketing, and supply chain management.

    Applicants must submit a statement of purpose, one letter of recommendation, an updated resume, and official transcripts of records.

  6. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    Location

    Champaign, IL

    Tuition

    $15829

    Graduation Rate
    84%
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    Founded in 1867, Illinois currently lines up as the 14th-ranked public university in the nation. The university has now produced more than 47,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

    Illinois offers an online master of business administration with a focus on the areas of concentration of strategic leadership and management, managerial economics and business analytics, value chain management, and financial management. Students of this program personally work with senior professors and special practitioner faculty from global companies like Google.

    Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and must have accumulated a minimum of three years of full-time work experience.

  7. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    Location

    Lafayette, LA

    Tuition

    $11190

    Graduation Rate
    48%
    View School Profile

    Around 19,000 students attend UL Lafayette on a yearly basis. Recognized as the state's second-largest public institution, UL-Lafayette rolls out more than 120 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.

    UL Lafayette's online master of business administration program allows students to complete their degree in as few as 15 months. This nationally-renowned MBA program also provides students with the option to choose from the areas of concentration in entrepreneurship, finance, global management, hospitality management, human resource management, project management, and sales leadership.

    Interested applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5, and must complete an online application form available on the school's official website.

  8. William & Mary
    Location

    Williamsburg, VA

    Tuition

    $15622

    Graduation Rate
    91%
    View School Profile

    Known as the second-oldest institution of higher learning in America, W&M now offers more than 45 undergraduate programs and 40 graduate and professional degree programs.

    W&M's online master of business administration program ranked 1st in the 2019 Bloomberg Businessweek's Best Business Schools: Learning (MBA) list. Students of this online MBA program must complete 49 credits of coursework within a minimum of two academic years to earn their degree.

    Interested applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and a minimum of two years of professional working experience.

  9. The University of Texas at Dallas
    Location

    Richardson, TX

    Tuition

    $9989

    Graduation Rate
    72%
    View School Profile

    With more than 28,000 enrolled students across eight schools, UT Dallas offers 140 undergraduate and graduate programs. UT Dallas provides competitive education through an integration of a 24:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

    UT Dallas offers a part-time online master of business administration designed for students to elevate their strategic and technical skills in the business leadership field. This online MBA program also offers a total of 15 areas of concentration including accounting, business analytics, energy management, finance, innovation & entrepreneurship, real estate, and strategic management.

    Applicants must complete an online application and pay the application fee. Applicants must also submit transcripts of records, one professional letter of recommendation, an updated resume, and two written essays.

  10. Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
    Location

    Stillwater, OK

    Tuition

    $15009

    Graduation Rate
    61%
    View School Profile

    Founded in 1890, OSU has expanded its reach to five campuses. OSU enrolls more than 35,000 students every year and has graduated 264,000 alumni currently serving the nation and the world.

    OSU offers an online master of science in business analytics and data science. This STEM-designated program trains students with the expertise to tackle real-world challenges in analytics and data science. Students of this online MS program must complete a total of 33 credits of coursework to earn their degree.

    Applicants must submit their scores in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or in the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), along with proof of work experience.

Best Online Programs

Online Master's in Business Intelligence Programs Ranking Guidelines

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

  • Academics
  • Affordability
  • Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About Our Ranking Factors

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

Academics - 75%
Affordability - 15%
Online Enrollment - 10%

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.

We thank you for your readership and trust.

Featured Online Master's in Business Intelligence Programs

What Is an Online Master's in Business Intelligence?

An online master's degree in business intelligence builds strong analytical and data science skills. During the program, graduate students learn how to collect and analyze data using different statistical techniques and make business decisions based on the results. Coursework may also cover topics like machine learning, data optimization, and big data analytics.

Depending on the program, graduate students can apply classroom training during internships and practicums. Many programs incorporate real-world projects and assignments to help build career-ready skills.

Earning a master's degree in business intelligence generally takes two years for full-time students, though some online business intelligence programs offer accelerated, one-year pathways to the degree.

What's the Difference Between a Master's Degree in Business Intelligence and an MBA in Business Intelligence?

A master's in business intelligence and a master of business administration (MBA) in business intelligence both offer focused training in business analytics, data science, and data-driven decision-making. However, an MBA incorporates more general business classes, including training in finance, marketing, and organizational behavior. A business intelligence master's degree provides more focused coursework specific to a career in analytics.

Professionals considering general business careers may prefer the flexibility of MBAs, while those with focused career goals in business analytics can benefit most from a master's in business intelligence.

Choosing an Online Master's in Business Intelligence Program

Prospective business intelligence students should consider several factors when choosing a graduate program, including cost, program length, and learning format. For example, some schools offer scholarships and tuition discounts for fully online students. Similarly, working professionals may prefer a part-time schedule with asynchronous classes, while other students prefer accelerated pathways or synchronous classes.

Applicants should also consider internship opportunities, electives, and specializations. Professionals with specific career goals benefit from choosing programs that offer concentrations in their preferred industries. Researching these factors ahead of time allows applicants to find the programs that best fit their goals and needs.

Accreditation for Master's in Business Intelligence or Business Analytics Degree Programs

Accredited schools and programs meet the highest standards for educating students and granting degrees. Prospective students should only consider regionally accredited universities when applying to graduate programs. Unaccredited schools may not qualify graduates for careers.

In addition to choosing an accredited university, business intelligence students should also research their program's accreditation. In business, three primary organizations grant programmatic accreditation: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education.

What Can I Expect When Pursuing a Master's in Business Intelligence Online?

A master's in business intelligence strengthens analytical and research skills. By studying data science, decision-making, and business analytics, graduate students gain the knowledge and skills required for many in-demand careers. Some programs also offer specializations or electives in areas like big data analytics, marketing, or healthcare analytics.

Common Courses in Master's in Business Analytics and Intelligence Programs

  • Data Mining and Visualization: Coursework examines data transformations, exploratory querying, statistical graphics, time series analysis, and exploratory spatial data analysis. By the end of this course, students should know how to use tools like Python and Jupyter Notebook, along with general design principles.
  • Business Analytics: Business analytics explores how professionals can use data to make more informed decisions. Students use case studies to practice identifying and evaluating potential opportunities in organizations. Coursework also examines analytic methods and how to use optimization in the presence of multiple alternatives.
  • Data-Driven Decision-Making: In this interdisciplinary course, students learn about the role of quantitative data in organizational, entrepreneurial, and managerial decision-making. Students apply quantitative tools from statistics, finance, and economics. This course emphasizes the interpretation and translation of data to initiate change in an organization.
  • Data Science and Predictive Analytics: Enrollees develop computational, practical, and inferential thinking skills that can help them solve data challenges. Pertinent concepts include dynamic visualization, data management, statistical computing, and processing. By the end of this course, students have understand computational concepts in big science data, inferential thinking, and raw data.
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Decision-Making: Students learn to use quantitative and qualitative decision-making techniques to improve issues organizations experience today. Essential topics include statistical data analysis, forecasting techniques, optimization models, and decision theory. Students must draw upon methods of problem-solving, data collection, data analysis, evaluation, prediction, and profitability distribution.

Business Intelligence Careers

A business intelligence master's degree prepares graduates for in-demand, high-paying careers. For example, a background in business analytics can lead to employment as a management consultant, financial analyst, or market research analyst. Others find work as data scientists or business analysts.

During a business intelligence program, graduate students can prepare for specialized careers by taking courses in information science, healthcare, marketing, or other industries that rely on analytics.

$96,940 Administrative Services Managers
Median BLS Salary (2020) $96,940
Projected Job Outlook (2019-2029) 6%

Administrative services managers oversee facilities and administrative activities, including recordkeeping and mail distribution. They manage administrative staff, determine departmental goals, and monitor records. Administrative services managers also make recommendations to improve office operations and ensure staff follow safety standards and regulations.

Records and information managers specifically oversee their organization's records. They may work in legal, nonprofit, or business organizations.

Most administrative services managers hold bachelor's degrees and have previous experience in administration. The position requires managerial experience and training in business operations or project management. Professionals can pursue certification from the International Facility Management Association, the Institute of Certified Records Managers, or ARMA International.

$90,920 Computer Systems Analysts
Median BLS Salary (2020) $90,920
Projected Job Outlook (2019-2029) 7%

Computer systems analysts evaluate organizations' computer systems to identify ways to increase efficiency. They blend IT and business training to determine technological solutions to problems and recommend new systems and procedures to management. They may also test and train users on computer systems.

A background in computer science or information science is ideal for computer systems analysts. Some roles require a master's degree with training in information systems. A master's degree can also prepare computer systems analysts for employment as computer and information systems managers.

$85,260 Management Analysts
Median BLS Salary (2020) $85,260
Projected Job Outlook (2019-2029) 11%

Management analysts, also known as management consultants, evaluate organizations and make recommendations to increase profits, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. Management analysts then recommend those solutions to management.

While most management analysts have several years of professional experience, a master's degree in business intelligence or business analytics can also help professionals become management analysts. Professionals can also pursue certification, such as the certified management consultant credential, to demonstrate their expertise.

$81,590 Financial Analysts
Median BLS Salary (2020) $81,590
Projected Job Outlook (2019-2029) 5%

Financial analysts evaluate investments to recommend strategies to businesses and individuals. They analyze market performance for stocks and bonds, forecast financial trends, and study historical data to manage a portfolio of investments. Financial analysts can also determine organizations' value by appraising their financial statements.

Financial analysts who sell financial products typically need licenses from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Financial analysts can also pursue professional certifications like the chartered financial analyst credential. Most financial analysts hold a bachelor's degree. A master's degree in business intelligence or business analytics prepares graduates for supervisory roles such as financial manager, fund manager, or portfolio manager.

$63,790 Market Research Analysts
Median BLS Salary (2020) $63,790
Projected Job Outlook (2019-2029) 18%

Market research analysts evaluate data to determine consumer demand for products and services. They then use that analysis to set pricing strategies, forecast sales trends, and identify potential customers. They report their findings to executives, who then set strategies and make decisions based on that information.

A bachelor's degree is the most common entry-level educational requirement. However, some market research analyst roles require a graduate degree in business, statistics, marketing, business intelligence, or business analytics.

A master's degree prepares professionals for leadership roles and more technical research positions. Market research analysts can also pursue voluntary certifications, such as the professional researcher certification from the Marketing Research Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

true How Long Does It Take to Complete an Online Master in Business Intelligence Degree Program?

Earning a business intelligence master's degree generally takes two years for full-time students. Some online programs offer an accelerated route to the degree, which can take as little as one year.

Is a Master's in Business Intelligence Better Than an MBA?

Depends on your career goals. A master's in business intelligence and an MBA both prepare graduates for supervisory roles. However, a business intelligence degree emphasizes analytical training, while the MBA focuses on general business skills.

What Is a Business Intelligence Degree?

A business intelligence degree trains students to analyze raw data and apply their findings to business decision-making. The degree prepares graduates for research, analytics, and consulting roles.

Is a Master's in Business Analytics Worth It?

A master's in business analytics emphasizes a data-driven approach to business, preparing graduates for decision-making roles in many different industries. Students interested in managerial careers in business can benefit from an MBA.

What Can I Do With an MS in Business Analytics?

Professionals with a business analytics master's degree can find work as management consultants, operations research analysts, and data scientists. They can also pursue management-level roles that require strong data analysis skills.

Which Is Better: An MBA or MS in Business Analytics?

An MBA and a business analytics master's degree emphasize different coursework. The MBA provides advanced training in multiple areas of business, while a master's in business analytics offers more focused business intelligence and data analysis courses. Deciding which is best depends on your career goals.

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