9 Of The Best STEM-Designated Masters In Business Analytics

The title 'STEM-designated' has for some time been fundamental for international students looking to extend their US visas after graduation. 

Currently, students on STEM-designated masters can apply for a 24-month STEM-extension to their 12-month Optional Practice Training (OPT) period which allows them to work on a student visa. That means students on STEM-designated masters can work in the US for up to three years after graduation, without an H1-B visa.

The shortage of STEM professionals has made these graduates highly lucrative in the labor market. According to Dell, it's believed that 85% of STEM jobs that will be required in 2030 are not currently in existence. Combine a STEM designation with a cutting-edge business analytics program and what you therefore have is a goldmine of potential. 

So, here are nine US-based STEM-designated Masters in Business Analytics (MSBA) that are sure to influence the next generation of business professionals. 

9 of the best STEM Masters in Business Analytics

1. MIT Sloan School of Management – Master of Business Analytics

We're kicking off this list of nine top STEM-designated Masters in Business Analytics with four programs that rank among the top 10 MSBAs in the world in the latest QS Master in Business Analytics Ranking.  

Taking first place in the QS ranking for 2025, MIT Sloan offers one of the world’s best Master in Business Analytics. 

Sloan offers a thoroughly developed Master of Business Analytics curriculum in tandem with MIT’s distinguished Operations Research Center. This is in addition to doctoral and undergraduate degree offerings in the field.

The program is tailored to ambitious students seeking to advance their careers in a variety of areas, namely high-tech industries, engineering, and computer programming. 

Read our MIT Master of Business Analytics Review

2. UCLA Anderson School of Management – Master of Science in Business Analytics

Alongside MIT Sloan, UCLA Anderson offers one of the world’s best Master in Business Analytics as it places second in the latest QS ranking. 

The STEM-designated UCLA Anderson MSBA lasts 15 months and aims to help students bridge the gap between tech and business. Students also learn to use data to transform business strategy. 

The technical curriculum is combined with the intensive 10-week MSBA Career Curriculum in which guest instructors and industry professionals teach students essential skills in data storytelling, presentation skills, technical and case interviewing, and client management. 

There is also a Summer Internship and Applied Analytics Project (AAP) where students partner with a corporate client and work in groups to unlock hidden data insights.

3. Columbia Business School – MS in Business Analytics

Columbia University presents a meticulously designed Master of Science in Business Analytics jointly offered by Columbia Engineering and Columbia Business School, with the overall strengths of data science and applied analytics at the university adding extra incentives. 

Columbia’s STEM-designated offering is a three-semester program spanning 12 months, made for highly motivated professionals keen on career advancement in finance, consulting, technology, and entrepreneurship via improved data-driven decision-making and real-life applications.

READ: How Long Is A Master’s Degree?

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4. Duke Fuqua School of Business – Master of Quantitative Management:  Business analytics

The Fuqua School of Business offers a well-structured 10-month Master of Quantitative Management: Business Analytics program, developed in alignment with Duke’s commitment to analytical rigor and leadership development. This complements the school’s broader quantitative and data-focused degree offerings.

The program is crafted for early-career professionals aiming to build expertise in data analytics, with applications in marketing, finance, forensics, and strategy across diverse industries.

5. Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business – Master of Science in Business Analytics 

Tepper offers a highly analytical STEM-designated Master of Science in Business Analytics, built in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon’s world-renowned strengths in technology and data science. This is in addition to the school’s offerings in computational finance, operations research, and AI.

The program is designed for analytically inclined professionals looking to thrive in roles across consulting, tech, finance, and product management through advanced data skills and strategic insight.

6. University of Texas at Austin McCombs Business School – MS in Business Analytics

Securing 12th position this year in the QS Ranking is the McCombs' STEM-designated, 10-month program, which is designed with a specific focus on helping students achieve post-graduation success. 

A career development team serves as a lifeline for students seeking to secure offers from industry leaders like Walmart and Deloitte Consulting.

The McCombs curriculum teaches students how to harness data in order to tap into the multibillion-dollar big data industry.

7. University of Southern California Marshall School of Business – MS in Business Analytics

USC Marshall offers students an in-depth exploration into the many facets of data analysis and management. Topics include statistical modelling, data management, visualization, information security, optimization, and decision-making under uncertainty. 

The flexible curriculum allows students the chance to complete their coursework over a period anywhere between 10 and 18 months. It's catered to individuals who pursue their degrees while they maintain employment.

8. University of Washington Foster School of Business – Master of Science in Business Analytics

Foster offers a meticulously crafted Master of Science in Business Analytics, developed in collaboration with the University of Washington's renowned departments of Computer Science and Statistics. This complements the university's extensive offerings in data science and information systems.

The program is designed for analytically driven professionals aiming to advance their careers in sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance, and consulting by leveraging data-driven decision-making and strategic business insights.

9. Purdue University Mitch Daniels School of Business – Master of Science in Business Analytics and Information Management

Purdue’s Daniels School of Business offers a technically rigorous Master of Science in Business Analytics and Information Management, developed in collaboration with the university’s acclaimed STEM departments. This complements Purdue’s broader offerings in data science, engineering, and information systems.

This article was first published in August 2018 and most recently updated in April 2025.