Every day, we engage in activities like
online shopping, scanning QR codes to pay, and tracking our steps,
all of which are recorded by vast amounts of data.
Markets want to analyze consumer daily life data
to make more precise business strategies,
thus creating higher demand for data mining and analysis talent.
So,
Business Analytics (BA)
was born.
Next, let Yuzu introduce you to
this rising star of a major,
BA.
What is BA?
BA, short for Business Analytics, is a new field based on business knowledge, using mathematical programming as a tool, starting from data analysis, and creating value through decision optimization to realize Big Data's commercial applications.
The MIT Sloan School of Management positions the BA program as follows:
“Prepares students for careers that apply and manage modern data science to solve critical business challenges.”
In summary, it contributes to corporate decision-making through the management and analysis of modern quantitative data.
What Do You Learn in BA?
The BA curriculum integrates three disciplines: statistics, computer science, and business, aiming to balance mathematical programming and management science.
Business Analytics = 40% Statistics + 30% Computer Science + 30% Business
Foundation courses include statistics, data analysis, data visualization, business decision-making, etc.
Extension courses include databases, data mining, etc.
Simply put: based on business knowledge, using mathematical programming as a tool, starting from data analysis, and creating value through decision optimization—an emerging field.
Career Directions
BA is a STEM program, favored by the government in terms of OPT duration and work visa opportunities.
Career paths primarily lie in investment banking, the Big Four, consulting, tech companies, etc., across different industries specializing in data collection, organization, analysis, and conducting industry research through data. Job titles vary by industry, such as consultant, data analyst, statistical analyst, etc. The trend toward these roles is undeniable, with broad career prospects.
In the big data era, many industries require talent skilled in mining and analyzing data, such as IT, Internet, consulting, telecommunications, finance, pharmaceuticals, retail, etc. Therefore, many BA graduates are in high demand with attractive salaries.
Can Liberal Arts Students Apply for BA?
Liberal arts students can apply for Business Analytics, but they must have:
√ Background in math-related foundational courses (taken courses like linear algebra, calculus, statistics);
√ Relevant research or internship background in business analytics.
These are the basic requirements. If they are not met, liberal arts students are not advised to apply for Business Analytics.
Popular Programs
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
CMU's BA program is housed in the School of Information Systems. From past admission data, over 60% of students have work experience. Each year, about 50 students are admitted from around the world, with undergraduate degrees in computer science, architecture, mathematics, statistics, finance, management, accounting, etc.—diverse backgrounds. However, a strong quantitative background is advantageous.
Three-dimensional scores: average GMAT 710, GRE Verbal average range 152–160, Quant average range 163–169, average GPA 3.6. The application difficulty is considerable.
University of Southern California (USC)
USC's BA program started in 2014. Although relatively new, it ranked first in the 2016 TFE U.S. Business Analytics Master's Program Rankings. It spans three terms over 18 months, housed in the Marshall School of Business, and is a STEM program with 29 months of OPT. Located in Los Angeles, with excellent geography and strong program rankings, it attracts many applicants annually, making competition fierce. Early preparation is recommended.
Three-dimensional scores: average GMAT 720, TOEFL not lower than 100 with all sections at least 20, IELTS not lower than 6.5, average GPA 3.6. Application difficulty is also significant.
University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin)
UT-Austin's BA program is ranked in the top ten, housed in the McCombs School of Business under the Department of Information, Risk, and Operations Management. The program length is one year, admitting around 60 students per year, only for fall entry. It requires a business or STEM background and International Experience.
Three-dimensional scores: average GMAT 713, TOEFL 100+, average GPA 3.6.
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU)
WashU's BA program aims to equip students with data-driven decision-making methods in the emerging big data era.
Courses are taught jointly by professors from the Olin Business School and the School of Engineering & Applied Science and Arts & Sciences, ensuring students learn relevant business and computer science courses and master computational methods for processing data.
In the 2016 fall cohort, a total of 32 students were admitted, with an average age of around 23.
Average GPA 3.58, GMAT 721, TOEFL 106, with international students comprising 84%.
