Business analytics


Organizations rely on big data now more than ever. Discover how to turn data into actionable intelligence with a degree in business analytics.

Program information

The business analytics program covers data warehousing, dimensional modeling, big-data analytics methods, and visualization tools and techniques, and it introduces topics such as data mining and predictive analytics. Graduates will be able to analyze data and use the findings to guide organizational decision-making.

The KU School of Business partners with Oracle, a leading global software and cloud computing company, to provide technical resources for the business analytics program. The collaboration leverages resources available through Oracle Academy, Oracle’s flagship philanthropic educational program that reaches more than 3.1 million students in 110 countries.


Recent graduate data

$64K
Median starting salary of 2022-23 business analytics graduates
88%
Percentage of 2022-23 business analytics graduates employed six months after graduation

Course information

Required courses

  • BSAN 326 or IST 326: Database Management Systems
  • BSAN 415: Data Analysis and Forecasting
  • BSAN 440: Foundation in Business Analytics
  • BSAN 450: Data Mining and Predictive Analytics
  • BSAN 480: Business Analytics Capstone
  • +2 Advanced Business Electives

Advanced business electives

  • BSAN 320: Fundamentals of Application Development
  • BSAN 325: Systems Analysis and Design
  • BSAN 412: HR Management Analytics
  • BSAN 418: Modeling and Risk Analysis
  • BSAN 420: Data Visualization in Business
  • BSAN 430: Marketing Analysis
  • BSAN 460: Supply Chain Analytics
  • BSAN 465: Customer Relationship Management

The demand for professionals with business analytics skills is growing, fueled by four main trends: a shift toward data-driven organizations and data-driven decision-making (commonly reported as “big data" initiatives); the exponential growth of structured and unstructured data due to widespread usage of mobile devices, cloud computing and social media; the shift in business computing from "transaction processing" to "interaction processing," whereby customer and business partner engagement are facilitated by a growing array of IT-based platforms and associated experiences; and significant improvements in data software and systems.

Business and governments need sharp, savvy professionals — such as data scientists, data architects, data modelers, data visualizers, and data infrastructure operators — who can help them manage and provide clarity to a potentially overwhelming volume of data. 

Typical positions include:

  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Clinical Data Analyst
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Marketing Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Database Architect
  • GIS Technologist
  • Business System Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Quantitative Analyst
  • Statistical Analyst
  • Supply Chain Manager

Course information

Required courses

  • BSAN 326 or IST 326: Database Management Systems
  • BSAN 415: Data Analysis and Forecasting
  • BSAN 440: Foundation in Business Analytics
  • BSAN 450: Data Mining and Predictive Analytics
  • BSAN 480: Business Analytics Capstone
  • +2 Advanced Business Electives

Advanced business electives

  • BSAN 320: Fundamentals of Application Development
  • BSAN 325: Systems Analysis and Design
  • BSAN 412: HR Management Analytics
  • BSAN 418: Modeling and Risk Analysis
  • BSAN 420: Data Visualization in Business
  • BSAN 430: Marketing Analysis
  • BSAN 460: Supply Chain Analytics
  • BSAN 465: Customer Relationship Management

The demand for professionals with business analytics skills is growing, fueled by four main trends: a shift toward data-driven organizations and data-driven decision-making (commonly reported as “big data" initiatives); the exponential growth of structured and unstructured data due to widespread usage of mobile devices, cloud computing and social media; the shift in business computing from "transaction processing" to "interaction processing," whereby customer and business partner engagement are facilitated by a growing array of IT-based platforms and associated experiences; and significant improvements in data software and systems.

Business and governments need sharp, savvy professionals — such as data scientists, data architects, data modelers, data visualizers, and data infrastructure operators — who can help them manage and provide clarity to a potentially overwhelming volume of data. 

Typical positions include:

  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Clinical Data Analyst
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Marketing Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Database Architect
  • GIS Technologist
  • Business System Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Quantitative Analyst
  • Statistical Analyst
  • Supply Chain Manager