Business analytics vs. data science: Which is the better fit for you?

Choosing between business analytics and data science boils down to your career goals and interests — whether you prefer a more business-focused role with a strategic impact, or a technically intensive role that delves into complex data problems. Below, we take a closer look at both types of graduate programs.

Business analytics master’s programs

Focus and curriculum

• Business-oriented. The BA programs emphasize the application of analytical techniques and tools to solve business problems and make data-driven decisions.
• Management. These programs often include courses on management, strategy and operations to align analytics with business goals.
• Core courses. These can include data visualization, statistical analysis, predictive modeling, decision analysis, operations management and sometimes marketing analytics. Visit various BA master program websites to view the required curriculum of each to ensure you have the requisite background.
• Tools & techniques. In most graduate programs, you will use tools like Excel, SQL, Tableau, SAS, Python and R for business-specific applications.
• Industry applications. Case studies and projects typically focus on business sectors like finance, marketing, supply chain and human resources.

Skills developed and career paths

• Data interpretation. You’ll develop a strong focus on interpreting data to support business decisions.Communication. Programs tend to emphasize effectively communicating insights to non-technical stakeholders. (This is important in virtually every field!)
• Strategic thinking. You’ll receive training on how to use analytics for strategic business planning and operational efficiency – a skill that will follow you throughout your career.
• Business analyst. Consultant. Management. Upon graduation, you’ll be well prepared for roles in departments like marketing, finance, and operations; consulting firms, where you can provide analytical insights to improve business processes; or in management positions that require both analytical skills and business acumen.

Data science master’s programs

Now that you’ve reviewed business analytics graduate programs and outcomes, let’s look at data science graduate school. What will you learn? What opportunities exist for graduates?

Focus and curriculum

• Technical and theoretical. The focus for DS is typically on the development and application of algorithms, statistical models and machine learning techniques.
• Broad applications. DS graduate programs are not limited to business! Instead, data science can be applied to fields like healthcare, engineering and the social sciences (and more – public policy, government, law, architecture).
• Core courses. Students will delve into machine learning, deep learning, data mining, big data technologies, statistical inference, programming, data structures and algorithms. Visit various DS master program websites to view the required curriculum of each to ensure you have the requisite background.
• Tools & techniques. In DS programs, there is heavy use of programming languages like Python, R, and tools like TensorFlow, Hadoop, Spark and SQL.
• Mathematical foundations. You will of course also find a strong emphasis on mathematics, including especially statistics, linear algebra and calculus.

Skills developed and career paths

• Technical proficiency. Upon graduation, you will gain advanced skills in coding, algorithm design and model implementation.
• Data engineering. DS graduate – not surprisingly! – have the capability to handle, process and analyze large datasets.
• Research and development. These students also learn to create new algorithms and improve existing ones.
• Data scientist. Machine learning engineer. Data engineer. Careers in many industries exist for those with a data science MS degree. As a data scientist, you might develop models and algorithms to extract insights; as an ML engineer, you could build and deploy ML models in production environments. And as a data engineer, you might be asked to design and maintain architecture and pipelines.

Need help deciding which path is right for you? Book your introductory call with us to explore your options with an expert counselor.