100 Best MBA Programs in Data Analytics for 2024

Top 10 MBA Programs in Data Analytics – ROI, Salary, Tuition

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100 Best Data Analytics MBA Programs Table: ROI, Salary, Tuition

Easily sort the table below by Rank, School Name, ROI, Tuition, Average Starting Salary, and State to find and to compare programs. Click on any school for a comprehensive review.

Rank	University	ROI	In State Tuition	Avg. Starting Salary	State	Online
1	Northwestern University	54.00%	$162,030	$175,000	IL	No
2	Stanford University	55.04%	$165,591	$182,272	CA	No
3	Columbia University	44.96%	$180,258	$162,099	NY	No
4	Duke University	48.33%	$157,546	$152,297	NC	Yes
5	University of Southern California	48.70%	$154,339	$150,314	CA	Yes
6	The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	65.25%	$102,314	$133,517	NC	Yes
7	Harvard University	58.40%	$149,820	$175,000	MA	No
8	University of Pennsylvania	46.26%	$179,852	$166,391	PA	No
9	Indiana University Bloomington/Indianapolis	112.02%	$60,858	$136,352	IN	Yes
10	University of Massachusetts Boston	318.68%	$19,499	$124,277	MA	Yes
11	The University of Chicago	49.55%	$167,393	$165,887	IL	No
12	Brigham Young University	101.87%	$58,544	$119,281	UT	No
13	University of Notre Dame	53.85%	$123,500	$133,018	IN	No
14	Southern Methodist University	60.97%	$100,541	$122,609	TX	Yes
15	The University of Texas at Dallas	171.45%	$35,918	$123,163	TX	Yes
16	Emory University	49.36%	$151,689	$149,759	GA	Yes
17	University of California, Los Angeles	51.61%	$142,142	$146,727	CA	No
18	Washington University in St. Louis	43.91%	$134,020	$117,687	MO	Yes
19	Michigan State University	172.92%	$34,564	$119,539	MI	Yes
20	University of Minnesota	68.17%	$89,402	$121,882	MN	Yes
21	The George Washington University	51.26%	$113,090	$115,951	DC	Yes
22	University of Rochester	61.40%	$108,038	$132,671	NY	No
23	University of South Carolina	182.06%	$26,485	$96,435	SC	Yes
24	University of California, Davis	61.53%	$88,634	$109,075	CA	Yes
25	Carnegie Mellon University	50.21%	$147,456	$148,067	PA	Yes
26	Boston University	48.65%	$124,248	$120,884	MA	Yes
27	Texas A&M University	93.21%	$62,000	$115,585	TX	Yes
28	University of California, San Diego	48.93%	$106,246	$103,969	CA	No
29	The University of Georgia	196.87%	$30,606	$120,510	GA	Yes
30	University of Wisconsin-Madison	107.05%	$55,575	$118,983	WI	No
31	Northeastern University	48.77%	$102,582	$100,063	MA	Yes
32	University of Utah	88.54%	$65,700	$116,348	UT	Yes
33	Fordham University	64.08%	$99,497	$127,511	NY	Yes
34	Case Western Reserve University	52.08%	$92,040	$95,875	OH	Yes
35	Indiana State University	263.16%	$19,000	$100,000	IN	Yes
36	University of Maryland	61.25%	$98,865	$121,103	MD	Yes
37	Lehigh University	69.45%	$68,900	$95,699	PA	Yes
38	American University	53.76%	$98,282	$105,666	DC	Yes
39	New Jersey Institute of Technology	74.73%	$66,576	$99,501	NJ	Yes
40	University of Illinois at Chicago	139.37%	$60,264	$167,977	IL	Yes
41	Santa Clara University	72.74%	$83,860	$122,000	CA	Yes
42	Brandeis University	45.33%	$120,223	$109,000	MA	No
43	The Ohio State University	50.31%	$106,123	$106,779	OH	Yes
44	Texas Christian University	46.60%	$115,380	$107,543	TX	Yes
45	Baruch College-The City University of New York	158.86%	$37,338	$118,633	NY	Yes
46	Stevens Institute of Technology	52.15%	$81,880	$85,398	NJ	Yes
47	University of Cincinnati	181.31%	$23,996	$87,013	OH	Yes
48	Miami University	34.00%	$136,342	$92,700	OH	Yes
49	University of Miami	59.35%	$92,290	$109,555	FL	Yes
50	Pepperdine University	42.78%	$104,333	$89,258	CA	Yes
51	George Mason University	145.88%	$37,737	$110,100	VA	Yes
52	Tulane University	41.90%	$116,040	$97,241	LA	Yes
53	University of Dallas	95.86%	$45,900	$88,000	TX	Yes
54	The University of Arizona	95.42%	$56,250	$107,345	AZ	Yes
55	University of Denver	50.85%	$96,638	$98,276	CO	Yes
56	University of San Francisco	52.08%	$79,200	$82,500	CA	No
57	The Citadel	267.29%	$21,830	$116,700	SC	Yes
58	University of San Diego	72.79%	$69,610	$101,333	CA	No
59	Oregon State University	72.85%	$52,090	$75,900	OR	Yes
60	Suffolk University	67.73%	$59,391	$80,455	MA	Yes
61	Purdue University Northwest	352.63%	$12,350	$87,100	IN	Yes
62	The University of Alabama	130.49%	$28,377	$74,060	AL	Yes
63	University of Richmond	55.34%	$72,000	$79,683	VA	No
64	Colorado State University	110.99%	$42,480	$94,300	CO	Yes
65	Texas State University	331.69%	$23,365	$155,000	TX	Yes
66	University of Washington Tacoma	152.84%	$49,504	$151,322	WA	No
67	Drexel University	73.48%	$59,241	$87,061	PA	Yes
68	Bentley University	64.72%	$67,080	$86,822	MA	Yes
69	Iowa State University	126.06%	$29,966	$75,552	IA	Yes
70	Baylor University	46.20%	$85,692	$79,176	TX	Yes
71	Clarkson University	59.30%	$59,032	$70,017	NY	Yes
72	Loyola University Chicago	60.65%	$73,375	$89,000	IL	Yes
73	University of Houston	91.36%	$47,000	$85,878	TX	Yes
74	University of Southern Mississippi	181.83%	$17,131	$62,300	MS	Yes
75	Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey-Newark/New Brunswick	97.36%	$58,442	$113,800	NJ	Yes
76	University of Oklahoma	122.79%	$33,306	$81,793	OK	Yes
77	Dominican University	176.54%	$32,004	$113,000	IL	Yes
78	University of Oregon	64.84%	$65,726	$85,236	OR	No
79	Siena College	118.42%	$34,200	$81,000	NY	No
80	West Texas A&M University	188.18%	$20,725	$78,000	TX	Yes
81	Howard University	89.34%	$71,204	$127,223	DC	Yes
82	Wright State University	204.77%	$28,080	$115,000	OH	Yes
83	University of Dayton	163.59%	$33,600	$109,932	OH	Yes
84	Governors State University	267.99%	$13,788	$73,900	IL	Yes
85	SUNY University at Albany	114.55%	$34,750	$79,615	NY	Yes
86	Elon University	97.78%	$42,237	$82,600	NC	No
87	Fairfield University	77.92%	$41,580	$64,800	CT	Yes
88	Claremont Graduate University	41.85%	$96,520	$80,778	CA	No
89	Johns Hopkins University	47.76%	$133,000	$127,044	MD	Yes
90	Saint Louis University	101.79%	$37,470	$76,282	MO	No
91	University at Albany, State University of New York	114.55%	$34,750	$79,615	NY	Yes
92	Binghamton University	215.07%	$17,469	$75,142	NY	No
93	Oakland University	143.72%	$30,024	$86,300	MI	Yes
94	California State Polytechnic University Pomona	150.07%	$29,800	$89,440	CA	No
95	Saint Joseph's University	107.20%	$42,912	$92,000	PA	Yes
96	University of Central Oklahoma	344.07%	$9,068	$62,400	OK	Yes
97	Auburn University	141.74%	$27,385	$77,633	AL	Yes
98	Valparaiso University	105.33%	$30,780	$64,840	IN	Yes
99	Eastern Michigan University	133.03%	$34,616	$92,100	MI	Yes
100	John Carroll University	100.45%	$32,356	$65,000	OH	Yes

What is an MBA in Data Analytics?

An MBA in Data Analytics combines the field of data analytics and business skills. This degree offers specialized courses like entrepreneurship, financing, international business and organization development along with data analysts, data mining and visualization, etc. Students will be able to learn about business intelligence, data analytics, and information technology. This degree will equip the students with cutting-edge knowledge and specialized skills like business process analysis and predictive modeling, data management, and business processes. This degree can secure you jobs with the following titles like business analyst, systems analyst, data architect, and business intelligence developer.

MBA in Data Analytics vs Master’s of Data Analytics

MBA in data analytics covers the business, information science, and technology to provide knowledge of the business field and analytics, modeling, and data mining. Though it mainly focuses on business planning, management also provides a deep understanding of the technicalities of the analytics field to solve complex problems.

On the other hand, a Master’s in Business Analytics is a more technical-oriented field. Its curriculum involves programming languages, data quality management, data mining, and modeling with an overview of the business field.

MBA in data analytics skills are more towards the business field with an understanding of analytics tools. In contrast, a master’s in business analytics provides technical expertise with an overview of business-related fields.

MBA gives a wider horizon since it covers both the business and data analytics fields. In the case of MS, it’s more limited as it develops core technical skills with less emphasis on the business field. However, both fields have bright chances in the future, and it depends upon students’ interest and scope which one they want to opt for.

Key Highlights for Data Analytics MBA Programs

Compare Online Data Analytics MBA Program Averages to Campus Averages

When comparing online and campus-based Data Analytics MBA programs, prospective b-students should consider many factors. Online programs offer lower average tuition costs ($47,084 vs : $47,083.98) and better average graduate ROI (146% vs 146%), while campus programs have slightly higher average graduate salaries ($81,243 vs $81,243). Both program types have comparable GMAT scores, full-time faculty numbers, and student-faculty ratios, indicating similar academic rigor and support.

Averages	Online Data Analytics MBA Programs	Campus Data Analytics MBA Programs
Average MBA Tuition	$43,495	: $47,083.98
Average Graduate Salary	$79,445	$81,243
Average Graduate ROI	153%	146%
Average GMAT Scores	564	568
Average Full-Time MBA Faculty	76	73
Average MBA Student Faculty Ratio	: 16:1	15:1

Read about our ranking methodology.

What is the Average Salary for MBA in Data Analytics Graduates?

The average graduate salary range for MBA in Data Analytics graduates is quite wide. At the lower end, Elizabeth City State University MBA reports an average starting salary of just $35,850 for its MBA in Data Analytics graduates. On the other hand, Stanford University boasts the highest average starting salary at an impressive $182,272.

The average starting pay across all finance MBA programs hovering around $81,243.

This substantial difference in starting salaries is due to a number of factors including reputation and ranking of the business school, the strength of its alumni network, the cost of living in the state and region, and the industries and locations where graduates find employment. Prospective b-students can research career outcomes and salary data of their target MBA programs to get a clearer picture the earning potential post-graduation.

While a high average starting salary is undoubtedly attractive, the savvy b-student will consider other factors like tuition costs, financial aid, and the overall return on investment when choosing an MBA in Data Analytics program.

Average Salaries for Data Analytics MBA Graduates

• Average: $81,243 from 867 Data Analytics MBA Programs
• Lowest: $35,850 from Elizabeth City State University MBA
• Highest: $182,272 from Stanford University

Average Data Analytics MBA Graduate Salary by State

1. District of Columbia - $121,848
2. New Hampshire - $113,255
3. Massachusetts - $100,630
4. Arizona - $97,127
5. Wyoming - $93,010
6. Illinois - $92,682
7. Washington - $91,447
8. California - $90,698
9. Michigan - $89,920
10. Pennsylvania - $89,328
11. Utah - $89,172
12. Nevada - $88,249
13. Maine - $87,535
14. Minnesota - $86,736
15. Virginia - $86,642
16. Tennessee - $84,991
17. New Jersey - $84,703
18. Texas - $83,926
19. Colorado - $83,807
20. Indiana - $83,648
21. Iowa - $83,468
22. Connecticut - $83,241
23. New York - $81,215
24. Maryland - $80,131
25. Nebraska - $79,913
26. Georgia - $79,652
27. Alaska - $79,087
28. Ohio - $77,307
29. Wisconsin - $76,959
30. Oregon - $76,503
31. Rhode Island - $75,889
32. Oklahoma - $75,600
33. Hawaii - $74,209
34. Florida - $73,349
35. Idaho - $72,446
36. North Carolina - $71,631
37. Missouri - $71,608
38. Montana - $69,487
39. Alabama - $67,949
40. South Carolina - $67,447
41. New Mexico - $67,250
42. West Virginia - $66,028
43. Vermont - $66,000
44. Kentucky - $65,025
45. Kansas - $64,772
46. Mississippi - $64,196
47. Arkansas - $62,951
48. Delaware - $62,333
49. Louisiana - $55,392
50. North Dakota - $50,600
51. South Dakota - $50,102

What is the Average Tuition for Data Analytics MBA Programs?

Investing in your future with a finance MBA can be a very smart decision. On average, you can expect to pay $43,475.55 for a finance MBA program. However, tuition rates can vary significantly, with the most expensive programs costing up to $219,688.00 and the most affordable options starting at $7,048.00.

When comparing in-state and out-of-state tuition for MBA programs in Data Analytics, you’ll find that in-state students pay an average of $43,476, while out-of-state students face an average tuition of $53,654. With such a wide range of tuition costs, spanning from $7,048.00 to $219,688, it’s essential to carefully consider your options. Factors that impact tuition rates include your enrollment status, the program type, and whether you attend a private college or public institution. Choosing a highly respected program could provide better value for your money than opting for an out-of-state school.

The ROI of an online MBA program is often more favorable than traditional programs, as students can continue working while studying. According to a 2017 US News survey, the average salary for students three months after graduating from an online MBA program was $96,974, a 22% increase from the average entering salary. The highest average salary increases for online programs hover around 60%. With the right program choice and financial planning, an online finance MBA can be a worthwhile investment in your future, leading to increased earning potential and career advancement opportunities.

Average Tuition for Data Analytics MBA Programs

• Average: $43,476 from 866 Data Analytics MBA Programs
• Lowest Data Analytics MBA: $7,048 from The University of Rhode Island
• Highest Data Analytics: $219,688 from Cornell University

Average Tuition Costs by State for MBA Programs

1. New Hampshire - $103,312
2. District of Columbia - $83,309
3. Massachusetts - $74,395
4. Oregon - $61,583
5. New York - $61,321
6. California - $59,093
7. Pennsylvania - $54,581
8. Connecticut - $51,233
9. New Jersey - $51,100
10. Maryland - $50,582
11. Illinois - $48,710
12. Washington - $48,319
13. Ohio - $47,833
14. Virginia - $45,876
15. Michigan - $45,734
16. Minnesota - $44,597
17. Tennessee - $44,060
18. Arizona - $40,003
19. Colorado - $38,995
20. Texas - $37,995
21. North Carolina - $37,844
22. Florida - $37,711
23. Utah - $36,682
24. Wisconsin - $33,557
25. Louisiana - $33,470
26. Indiana - $32,023
27. Missouri - $31,909
28. Vermont - $31,878
29. Georgia - $31,430
30. Rhode Island - $29,922
31. Delaware - $27,790
32. Oklahoma - $27,566
33. Wyoming - $26,460
34. Iowa - $25,779
35. Kentucky - $25,407
36. South Carolina - $25,244
37. Montana - $24,913
38. West Virginia - $21,722
39. Alaska - $21,467
40. Nebraska - $21,340
41. Hawaii - $21,288
42. Mississippi - $21,282
43. North Dakota - $21,022
44. Alabama - $21,005
45. Nevada - $20,392
46. Maine - $19,935
47. Kansas - $19,893
48. New Mexico - $18,520
49. Arkansas - $17,073
50. Idaho - $15,079
51. South Dakota - $14,503

What Is a Typical Curriculum Offered by Data Analytics MBA Programs?

The prerequisites are a bachelor’s degree in a particular business course; GMAT is the most common test for entry in the MBA. Moreover, applicants will be asked about their work experience as well. MBA data analytics curriculum offers fundamental business courses like finance, economics, marketing, operations management, leadership. It is combined with data-focused topics like database management, social media analytics, data mining in business analytics, marketing analytics and related courses.

• Database Management: introduces the MBA students to understand organizing, storing, and retrieving data from the computer. This subject allows students to change the data into information to support making decisions in professional life.
• Social Media Analytics: helps the MBA student to understand and find meaning in data collected from social media accounts to make students measure and draw actions based on the data from social media.
• Marketing analytics: includes the study of data gathered via marketing campaigns to understand consumer behavior, conversions, regional performance, and much more.
• Operations Management: provides MBA the study of business practices to develop the highest efficiency level within an organization.
• Data Mining for Business Analytics: gives the MBA students an understanding of how to retrieve data and convert information to pull out customers’ behavior and learn more about them.
• Project Management: provides the MBA students with the market understanding of project management, how to work and distribute the work among the team to achieve organizational goals.
• Data Cleaning: develops the skill of MBA students to clean or remove any inaccurate data from the record, table, or dataset and replace it with the correct one.

What is the Average ROI for Data Analytics MBA Programs?

The average ROI full-time for MBA programs in Data Analytics is 139% with a highest of 524% and the lowest of 30%.

Return on investment (ROI) is an essential factor when considering which MBA program(s) to apply to. To calculate ROI, consider both the tuition for the MBA program and the average salary a graduate earns. The average tuition cost for an MBA degree in Data Analytics is approximately $47,083.98, while the average starting salary for MBA graduates is around $83,473.46. To calculate ROI, you need to subtract the tuition from the salary and divide by the tuition cost. This will give you a rough estimate of how much value you will get out of the MBA Data Analytics.

The average ROI for all MBA programs in the United States is 146%. The average ROI for Data Analytics programs is 139%.

ROI for Data Analytics MBA Programs

• Average: 146% from 867 Data Analytics MBA Programs
• Lowest: 30% from Rochester Institute of Technology
• Highest: 567% from Tennessee State University

Average ROI by State for MBA Programs

1. Idaho - 270%
2. New Mexico - 235%
3. Indiana - 224%
4. Maine - 220%
5. Nevada - 216%
6. North Dakota - 208%
7. Rhode Island - 208%
8. Nebraska - 207%
9. Kansas - 203%
10. Georgia - 201%
11. Arkansas - 201%
12. Montana - 196%
13. Hawaii - 189%
14. Alaska - 187%
15. Mississippi - 185%
16. Kentucky - 179%
17. Oklahoma - 178%
18. Wyoming - 176%
19. Utah - 174%
20. Alabama - 174%
21. South Dakota - 173%
22. Texas - 171%
23. Tennessee - 170%
24. Arizona - 170%
25. Iowa - 168%
26. Missouri - 159%
27. California - 152%
28. South Carolina - 152%
29. Wisconsin - 148%
30. North Carolina - 147%
31. Illinois - 142%
32. Minnesota - 140%
33. West Virginia - 137%
34. Florida - 135%
35. Maryland - 132%
36. Ohio - 131%
37. Washington - 131%
38. Louisiana - 127%
39. Virginia - 126%
40. Connecticut - 125%
41. Colorado - 125%
42. Delaware - 125%
43. Michigan - 122%
44. Pennsylvania - 104%
45. Vermont - 104%
46. Massachusetts - 102%
47. New York - 97%
48. New Jersey - 88%
49. New Hampshire - 65%
50. Oregon - 64%
51. District of Columbia - 62%

What is the Average GMAT Needed for Data Analytics MBA Programs?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized examination used by MBA schools to assess their applicant pool. The test is strategically designed to measure an applicant’s analytical, verbal, writing and mathematical skills. The GMAT is used as a predictor of success in MBA programs and tests one’s ability to successfully handle the advanced quantitative and qualitative study of business and management.

The average GMAT scores full-time MBA programs in Data Analytics is 561 with a highest of 737 and the lowest of 265

More than 233 AACSB accredited MBA programs do not require their applicants to take GMAT exam. Many well-known programs such as the University of Michigan and the University of California, Los Angeles no longer require the exam. If you are unsure where you would like to take your program, then you should take the GMAT sooner rather than later so you don’t lose time meeting the score requirement of a program.

The average GMAT score needed for a Data Analytics MBA program from an institution is between 265 from University of Wisconsin-River Falls to 737 from Stanford University. The average GMAT scores for Data Analytics MBA programs is 561.

Average GMAT Score for Data Analytics MBA Programs

• Average: 561 from 867 Data Analytics MBA Programs
• Lowest: 265 from University of Wisconsin-River Falls
• Highest : 737 from Stanford University

Average GMAT Scores by State for MBA Programs

1. New Hampshire - 643
2. Vermont - 640
3. District of Columbia - 639
4. Massachusetts - 623
5. Oregon - 608
6. Indiana - 602
7. Oklahoma - 597
8. Maryland - 586
9. Ohio - 582
10. Mississippi - 581
11. Idaho - 579
12. New York - 579
13. Minnesota - 577
14. Pennsylvania - 571
15. Illinois - 571
16. New Mexico - 569
17. Missouri - 566
18. Montana - 565
19. Iowa - 565
20. Tennessee - 564
21. Texas - 564
22. Maine - 562
23. Washington - 561
24. Nevada - 557
25. South Carolina - 556
26. California - 555
27. Connecticut - 555
28. Virginia - 554
29. Arkansas - 553
30. Georgia - 551
31. New Jersey - 551
32. Michigan - 550
33. Wisconsin - 550
34. North Dakota - 550
35. Arizona - 549
36. Nebraska - 549
37. Utah - 547
38. Colorado - 544
39. South Dakota - 544
40. Kentucky - 541
41. Kansas - 536
42. Rhode Island - 536
43. Delaware - 534
44. North Carolina - 533
45. Florida - 532
46. Louisiana - 528
47. Alaska - 524
48. Hawaii - 520
49. Alabama - 515
50. West Virginia - 507
51. Wyoming - 460

Student / Faculty Ratio for Data Analytics MBA Programs

Faculty to student ratio is an important factor in the quality of education you will receive. The lower the ratio, the more individualized attention you will receive. The more individualized attention you receive, the greater the odds you will understand the material better.

Student / Faculty Ratio for Data Analytics MBA programs offering a Data Analytics concentration varies between 1:1 and 35:1 with an average of 15:1 students.

The ratios provided are based off all MBA programs regardless of concentration. To discover what the ratio is for the program you are interested in, research the faculty pages of the school and average size of the programs. Faculty could be part or full time. Many also work in the concentration and can provide the students with real-world examples.

Which Data Analytics MBA Programs Have the Highest Student Enrollment?

When reviewing how the student population is spread across program formats, you will find the highest concentration of students are, then part time, then full time. The concentration is spread based on flexibility. The higher the flexibility (aka the least amount of scheduled class time), the higher the number of students.

The average Student Enrollment for full-time MBA programs in Data Analytics is 286 with a highest of 3,933 and the lowest of 3

There are pros and cons to small cohorts versus large cohorts. Small cohorts can become very cohesive and encourage each other to make it through the program. However, if the personality dynamic is off, it is hard to find new group members in a smaller pool of students.

The large cohorts cultivate a variety of approaches to solve the same problem, help others to think outside of the box and foster creativity. However, you could feel like just a number and desire more individual attention. When researching schools, try to reach out to current students and ask about the culture to help you decide which type of culture best suits you.

Career Outlook, Industry Demand, and Professional Opportunities in 2025 for Data Analytic MBA Graduates

What is the Outlook for Data Analytics Careers?

Data analytics remains one of the fastest-growing fields in information technology. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of data scientists and mathematical science occupations is projected to grow 36% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by organizations recognizing the value embedded within their data repositories and the need for skilled professionals to extract actionable insights.

The importance of data retention, strategic data mining, and deriving value from stored information has become a board-level concern for many companies. Experienced data analytics teams are crucial in transforming terabytes of data into valuable intelligence on customer behavior, product performance, and overall business efficiency. Data analytics plays a vital role in measuring return on investment (ROI) and return on assets (ROA), making it an indispensable function in modern business strategy.

The career prospects for data analytics professionals continue to be robust in 2024. The multifaceted nature of the field allows for diverse career paths, including roles such as operations manager, business analyst, and project manager. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for operations research analysts, which include business analysts, will grow by 23% from 2021 to 2031.

Beyond traditional data analysis roles, professionals with data analytics skills can explore opportunities in journalism, financial analysis, digital marketing management, and more. The application of data analytics in business is ubiquitous, as companies increasingly rely on data-driven insights for growth and decision-making.

While historical data suggested that Colorado and Texas were leading states for data analyst hiring, the landscape has evolved. As of 2024, data from the CompTIA Tech Jobs Report indicates that California, Texas, and Virginia are among the top states for tech job postings, including data analytics positions. The trend of companies relocating and embracing digital transformation continues to drive demand for data analytics professionals across various regions.

As organizations undergo digital transformations, whether through relocation or internal initiatives, data analytics has become a critical component of strategic planning. Companies are leveraging data to innovate their business models, optimize processes, and gain competitive advantages in their respective markets.

The outlook for data analytics careers remains highly positive, with increasing demand and competitive compensation packages. As businesses continue to recognize the value of data-driven decision-making, the importance of skilled data analytics professionals is expected to grow across industries and geographical locations.

Where Do Data Analytics MBAs Work?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, operations research analysts held about 123,300 jobs in 2023. The industry you work in significantly influences your salary and job prospects. The CompTIA Tech Jobs Report indicates that certain industries offer higher salaries, with finance and insurance, information technology, and scientific and technical services accounting for a large portion of data job openings.

Here’s a breakdown of the largest employers of operations research analysts:

Industry	Percentage
Finance and insurance	27%
Professional, scientific, and technical services	22%
Management of companies and enterprises	9%
Manufacturing	6%
Federal government	6%

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023) shows that the mean annual wage for operations research analysts was $95,600. However, salaries can vary significantly based on industry, location, and experience.

Top-paying industries for operations research analysts include:

1. Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation)
2. Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities
3. Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
4. Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
5. Scientific Research and Development Services

Additionally, Zippia reports that some of the best companies for operations research analysts include Ernst & Young, McKinsey & Company, and Bain & Company, with average salaries ranging from $123,711 to $141,584.

For those with an MBA in Data Analytics, career opportunities extend beyond traditional analyst roles. According to Kent State University, potential career paths include:

1. Business Development Manager
2. Business Systems Analyst
3. Data Architect
4. Statistician
5. Data Scientist
6. Application Architect
7. Market Research Analyst

This diverse range of opportunities spans various industries, showcasing the versatility and high demand for professionals with advanced data analytics skills.

What Skills Does an MBA in Data Analytics Need

• Data Visualization – How to present data is equality critical to the data itself. Without strong data presentation and skillful visualization capability; explaining the value of data mining, analytics, and the true connection back to the business becomes near impossible for the target audience to understand the value. The audience needs to understand the investment in analytics and data mining. Without a strong visualization, many will get lost in the mounts of excel spreadsheets and pivot tables.
• Strong Analytical and Statistical: Data analytics and mining is about math and computations. The relevance of the data set in many cases can be time sensitive. Real-time analytics for industry 4.0, autonomous cars, and Internet of Things is directly connected to computation time and data visualization feeding into a machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithm. Computation skills help insure property mining consistency along the correct time of delivery into the ML and AL engines.  Having a strong analytical mind will help greatly. The creation of the relevant data set modeling is critical to feeding into the computation and content delivery layers. Determining out of the terabytes of data available within the organization’s data lakes is very important. What data to keep and what to use in analytic modeling could make the difference in the overall mining strategy.
• Communication Skills: Along with strong visualization, having excellent communications is a must. While the data scientist may understand all the data computation terminology, most of the target audience will not. Having the ability to deliver the value of the data analytics to a non-data science audience is most important. Many positions within the corporation; supply chain directors, retail director, and finance person are consumers of data analytics. These co-workers may not understand how the data sets are formed or analyzed, they only care about the actual end-state. That output needs to be relevant to the individual departments’ needs in order for them to see a value. Without a good communications approach, data analytics may not have any consumers or sponsors within the organization.
• Business Acumen: Without business understanding, you will not be able to understand how your data analytics skill can benefit the business. In the end, it is all about adding value to the organization.
• Project Management: You will work with different teams, managing work and meeting deadlines as a data analyst. You need to build networks, give commands and distribute the work.
• Programming: Having a good understanding of programming languages, especially Python and R, is necessary to succeed in this field. You will build different algorithms or models to automate your business information management system.

What Can I Do With an MBA in Data Analytics?

An MBA in Data Analytics is one of the most in-demand fields in the market and offers various opportunities. Here are some career paths you can pursue:

1. Business Intelligence Analyst: Monitor patterns in data and analyze them. Work with SQL, data visualization, and modeling tools.
2. Higher-Level Roles in Business Administration: Many organizations require a master’s degree for executive positions such as CEO, COO, CMO, CTO, CFO, and vice president.
3. Operations Research Analyst: Use advanced mathematical and analytical methods to solve operational issues and make informed decisions.
4. Data Analyst: Understand data, analyze it, and find opportunities and value. Similar roles include Intelligence Analyst and Business Analyst.
5. Computer Systems Analyst: Identify needs for current computer systems and update them according to market trends.
6. Software Developer: Develop applications and design systems that help companies or consumers in various aspects of their lives.
7. Data Analytics Consultant: Provide consultation regarding data to help companies with their business. This role often allows for remote work and multiple clients.
8. Project Manager: Use analytics tools to manage workflow and increase employee productivity. Can also work in supply chain management.
9. Quantitative Analyst: Use data analysis to identify financial investment opportunities, work on trade models, and determine prices of stocks, commodities, and exchange rates.

This diverse range of career options demonstrates the versatility and value of an MBA in Data Analytics in today’s job market.

How We Rank Data Analytics MBA Programs

The team at responsible for program rankings at MBAGuide.org comprises of data science and product management experts. Our ranking team works independently from the editorial team and is not influenced by editorial decisions.

MBAGuide.org employs a comprehensive ranking methodology that combines quantitative data (80% of the score) with qualitative assessments (20%) to evaluate MBA programs. The quantitative component considers factors such as student-faculty ratio, tuition, enrollment, and post-graduation salaries, while the qualitative aspect incorporates editorial ratings and school reputation, providing a well-rounded view of each program’s quality and value.