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MBA vs. MS in Business Analytics: Which Is Right for You?
Are you considering an MBA or an MS in business analytics? While both degrees teach critical data analysis skills, they also differ. Learn about these programs.
Reviewed by Dr. Denise Greaves, EdD, J.D., MBA/HRM, Ed.S., SHRM-CP – Program Chair - Business/Legal Studies
Moving ahead with your business education is a big decision, especially with so many graduate programs available today. If you're interested in using data to guide business decisions, we offer two graduate paths at Herzing University: the MBA in Business Analytics and the Master of Science (MS) in Business Analytics.
Both programs can be completed 100% online in an average of 12 months, but they differ in focus. This article looks at what each program covers, how the two compare and which one may fit your career goals.
What Is Business Analytics?
Business analytics is the practice of using data to make better business decisions. IBM defines it as “the statistical methods and computing technologies for processing, mining and visualizing data to uncover patterns, relationships and insights that enable better business decision-making.” In everyday terms, it turns raw information into answers a company can act on.
IBM groups this work into four types:
- Descriptive analytics describes what the data shows.
- Diagnostic analytics looks at why something happened.
- Predictive analytics uses historical patterns to forecast future outcomes.
- Prescriptive analytics recommends actions to improve future decisions.
Our business analytics programs are designed to help you learn how to work across all four of these workstreams. After graduating from either program, you should be able to generate data insights to support data-driven decision-making and problem solving for many types of companies.
At-a-Glance: MBA vs. MS in Business Analytics
The chart below shows how our two graduate business analytics programs compare.
Herzing MBA vs. MS in Business Analytics Comparison
| Program Detail | MBA in Business Analytics | MS in Business Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Leadership and business administration skills with an emphasis on business analytics | A hard business analytics skillset and technical application of data insights |
| Credits | 36 credit hours | 34 credit hours |
| Time to complete | 12 months | 12 months |
| Format | 100% online, or hybrid at our Atlanta campus | 100% online |
| Required courses | 12 | 11 |
| Sample courses | Leadership and Team Dynamics, Accounting and Corporate Financial Strategy, Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning | Machine Learning, Text Analytics and NLP, Communicating with Data Visualization |
| Final course | Graduate capstone project or internship (where state-permitted) | MSBA capstone or MSBA internship |
| Certification support | PMP, CBAP, CAPM, SHRM-CP/SCP, IIBA-CBDA | CBAP, IIBA-CBDA, PMI-PBA |
| GMAT/GRE | Not required | Not required |
MBA in Business Analytics: Business Leadership With a Data Focus
Program purpose: Our STEM-designated MBA in Business Analytics is designed to help you prepare to become a data-driven business leader. The curriculum centers mainly on leadership and business administration skills, with an emphasis on business analytics. It's built for busy working adults who want to develop the analytical and leadership skills employers look for.
Coursework: The program includes 12 required courses. Eight cover core business and leadership topics. Three courses focus on analytics:
- Foundations of Business Analytics for Leaders
- Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning
- Big Data, Cloud and Visualization
The application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is infused across the entire MBA curriculum, not just in the analytics courses. You'll finish with a graduate capstone project or, where state-permitted, an internship.
Industry certification alignments:Our MBA program’s curriculum can support preparation for industry certifications. These may include:
- Project Management Professional (PMP®)
- Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®)
- Business Data Analytics Certification (IIBA-CBDA®)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®)
- PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA®)
- SHRM – Certified Professional (SHRM-CP®)
- SHRM – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP®)
We'll reimburse the application fees for up to three industry certifications after you provide proof you passed the exam. 1
Program structure: The MBA requires 36 semester credit hours and takes an average of 12 months to complete. You can study 100% online, or you can take classes online and on campus at our Atlanta campus. You can transfer up to 12 approved credit hours.
Admission requirements:To apply, you'll need a completed bachelor's or graduate degree, an interview with an admissions advisor and a completed application.
Career paths: An MBA in Business Analytics can help you prepare for roles that combine business strategy with data. Potential career paths include business analyst, data scientist, operations manager and healthcare data analyst.
MS in Business Analytics: A Technical, Data-First Degree
Program purpose: Our MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) places greater emphasis on specialized business analytics skills and the technical application of data. The curriculum focuses on real-world analytics skills in areas such as AI, text analytics, natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, data management and data visualization. Along the way, you'll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and software.
Coursework: The program includes 11 required courses. You'll take courses in statistics for business decision-making, time series analysis, machine learning, data management for analysis, text analytics and NLP, sector analytics and responsible business analytics. Other courses cover communicating with data visualization and advanced applications in business analytics.
Like the MBA, the MS includes Foundations of Business Analytics for Leaders. You'll complete the program with an MSBA capstone or an MSBA internship.
Program structure: The MS requires 34 semester credit hours and can be completed in as few as 12 months. Coursework is 100% online, with accessible faculty and a community of supportive online students. You can transfer up to nine approved credit hours.
Industry certification alignments: Our MS in Business Analytics program’s curriculum can support preparation for industry certifications. These may include:
- Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®)
- Business Data Analytics Certification (IIBA-CBDA®)
- PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA®)
As with the MBA in Business Analytics, Herzing will reimburse your exam fees for up to three certifications if you submit proof you passed. 1
Admission requirements: The MSBA program’s requirements match the MBA's. No minimum GMAT or GRE score is required.
Career paths: An MS in Business Analytics can help you prepare for hands-on analytics roles. Potential job titles include data analyst, business analyst and database administrator.
Making Your Choice Between an MBA and an MS in Business Analytics
Both programs share a foundation in business analytics, so the right choice comes down to the work you want to do and the career you're working toward.
When the MBA in Business Analytics May Be a Good Fit
- You want to prepare for management or leadership roles. The MBA pairs analytics with leadership and business administration coursework.
- You want a broad business education. Courses cover finance, marketing and project management alongside analytics.
- You'd like the option to study on campus. The MBA is also available online and on campus in Atlanta.
When the MS in Business Analytics May Be a Good Fit
- You enjoy hands-on technical work with data. Coursework centers on machine learning, text analytics and data visualization.
- You're interested in analytics roles. Potential job titles include data analyst and database administrator.
- You plan to pursue business analysis certifications. The program helps you prepare for credentials like the CBAP or PMI-PBA.
One way to decide is to think about the questions you want to answer. If you're drawn to “What should our team do next?” the MBA's leadership focus may suit you. If you'd rather answer “What does the data tell us?” the technical depth of the MS in Business Analytics may be the better match.
If you're currently a Herzing bachelor's student, you may also be able to get a head start through dual credit. Qualifying bachelor’s students can earn up to nine credits toward the MS in Business Analytics or up to 12 credits toward the MBA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our MBA in Business Analytics centers on leadership and business administration skills with an emphasis on analytics. Our MS in Business Analytics focuses on a hard analytics skillset and the technical application of data.
No. Our MBA in Business Analytics doesn't require the GMAT or GRE, and the MS in Business Analytics has no minimum GMAT or GRE score requirement. For both programs, you'll need a completed bachelor's or graduate degree, an interview with an admissions advisor and a completed application.
Both programs take an average of 12 months to complete.
Yes. The MS in Business Analytics is 100% online. The MBA in Business Analytics is available 100% online, though you can also study in a hybrid format at our Atlanta campus .
Yes. Our MBA in Business Analytics is a STEM-designated program that covers topics such as big data analysis, AI applications, predictive analytics and machine learning.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Graduate Business Degree
Whether you see yourself leading a data-driven team or building the models behind business decisions, we have a graduate business analytics program built for your goals. Our admissions advisors can help you decide which path fits.
Explore our MBA in Business Analytics or MS in Business Analytics to get started.
Explore our business analytics programs
1Certifications may provide greater opportunity for employment but are not a state-specific requirement for employment. Most industry certifications are tied to the completion of a single course. Complete the requisite coursework and we will reimburse the application fees for up to three industry certifications upon submission of proof of successfully passing the certification exam.