What Can You Do With a Business Analytics Degree?

As organizations look to increase output, drive profits, and improve precision, business leaders are relying heavily on actionable data to make critical decisions. In recent years, there has been an increase in demand for business professionals with a background in data science. There are numerous career paths for graduates with a business analytics degree to consider.

Graduate-level studies allow business professionals to learn how to apply business analytics in complex, evolving environments, and a master's in business analytics can open the door to new and advanced career opportunities.

Are Business Analytics Professionals in Demand?

Business analytics professionals rely on their strong foundation of data science as well as their advanced understanding of the business landscape to provide organizational leaders with actionable insights based on the most relevant and accurate data. By collecting, analyzing, and reporting business data, business analysts can play a key role in the growth and success of their organization.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for business analysts and other data scientists is expected to grow significantly. It's anticipated that the number of job openings in the field will increase by more than 34 percent between 2024 and 2034, with fast growth expected in roles like data scientists, operations research analysts, and financial analysts.

Potential Careers with a Master’s in Business Analytics

A business analytics master's degree opens the doors to a wide range of high-growth, data-focused roles across many key industries. 

So, what can you do with a business analytics degree? These are a few career opportunities that you can explore:

Data Analyst

Data analysts work to collect and harvest data to glean actionable insights that leaders can use during the decision-making process. Data analysts may work in a variety of industries, and a graduate degree in business analytics allows you to develop the advanced skills required to pursue high-level data analysis work.

Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst

Business intelligence analysts work closely with organizational leaders to collect and analyze data related to business performance and operational efficiency. The insights that they glean from the data are often used to drive decision-making in the organization, requiring BI analysts to be familiar with the most advanced BI tools. 

Data Scientist

Data scientists rely on the most advanced analytical tools to extract data and develop actionable insights. Within a business setting, a data scientist may develop strategies for collecting and storing data, update algorithms to collect the most relevant data, or use data visualization tools to provide leaders with relevant and meaningful insights that they can use during the decision-making process. 

Quantitative Analyst (Quant)

Quantitative analysts, commonly referred to as quants in the field, specialize in using quantitative methods to improve business and financial decision-making within an organization. Quantitative analysts frequently work at investment banks, private equity firms, and insurance companies, as these organizations require quantitative analysis to drive profits and manage risk.

Marketing Analyst

Marketing analysts are professionals who have advanced data analysis skills and a strong foundation in marketing. They work to collect data and develop actionable insights that can be used to improve the strength, precision, and results of marketing campaigns. Marketing analysts are often responsible for forecasting sales, evaluating marketing campaigns, and gathering market research data to improve future campaigns.

Operations Analyst

Operations analysts focus primarily on collecting and analyzing data related to business operations and overall performance. These professionals enable data-driven decision-making within an organization through:

• Evaluating business operations strategically to identify problem areas.
• Collecting and analyzing data related to the identified problem.
• Using quantitative models and analytical tools to track results.

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts work closely with business leaders to provide them with the actionable data required to make profitable decisions within an organization. A bachelor's degree is required for most entry-level financial analyst roles, but a graduate degree in business analytics can improve your positioning for advanced roles or leadership opportunities in the field. Financial analysts are responsible for evaluating past and current financial data, monitoring economic trends, and making data-driven recommendations for organizational leaders to help them improve the profitability and financial strength of an organization.

Risk Analyst

Risk analysts are responsible for collecting and analyzing relevant data for an organization to better identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks. Risk analysts may work in a variety of business sectors, including finance, operations, or information technology, with the goal of positioning organizations for success in an evolving environment.

Management Analyst / Business Consultant

Management analysts and business consultants work with organizational leadership to identify areas for improvement and make recommendations that will improve business operations overall. Management analysts are responsible for collecting organizational data, using qualitative and quantitative analytical tools, analyzing financial data, and developing evidence-based recommendations that leadership can implement to improve operational efficiency.

Product Analyst

Product analysts often work closely with market research analysts to identify shifting consumer preferences and analyze economic trends. They are responsible for monitoring performance metrics and play a key role in product development overall. In this collaborative role, business analytics professionals can use their data analysis expertise to guide decision-making during the product planning and development process.

Analytics Manager or Director

Analytics managers and directors are business leaders who oversee the business intelligence team within an organization. They are responsible for developing the data strategy, and they play a key role in nurturing data-driven cultures within an organization. In this role, a graduate degree is preferred, as professionals with a master's in business analytics have expertise in advanced analytics techniques.

Why Earn a Master’s in Business Analytics?

The master's in business analytics degree is a career-driven program that builds advanced technical, analytical, and strategic skills, all while enhancing business acumen. Through the use of advanced analytics tools, such as Python, R, and SQL, graduates can develop the following skills:

• Modeling
• Visualization
• Business Strategy
• Communication

Regardless of the industry you are focused on or the specific analytics role you are most interested in, you will find that these are the most relevant and applicable skills in the business analytics field. By choosing a skills-based master's degree program, you can prepare for a number of business analytics careers.

Advance Your Career With a Master’s in Business Analytics

There is expected to be significant demand for business analytics professionals, with more organizations looking to hire forward-thinking thought leaders who can apply the best analytics strategies in a wide range of professional settings. The Master of Science in Business Analytics at Champlain College Online offers a flexible, career-driven curriculum. The online learning format provides adult learners with the strong support that they need to achieve their academic and professional goals.

Contact admissions today, and learn more about our online graduate degree programs.