Business Analyst Education Requirements

Q: How long is business school?

Business school lasts for four years when obtaining a bachelor's degree in business, and a full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program usually takes around two years to complete.

Q: What degree do you need to be a business analyst?

You need a bachelor's or master's degree in finance to be a business analyst. A bachelor's degree is often the minimum requirement for this role; however, some employers prefer candidates that have a master's degree. In addition to finance, here are some other appropriate majors for business analysts:

Q: What do you learn in an MBA?

In an MBA, you will learn a broad, practical curriculum that is designed to teach you all of the main functions of a business including: Finance Accounting Marketing Strategy Human resources Operations

Q: What job can you get with a business analytics degree?

There are many jobs you can get with a business analytics degree, such as market researcher, business analyst, and data architect. These all require specialized requirements, but a degree in business analytics can be extremely beneficial to all of these career paths.

Updated April 5, 2024

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Rick DelVecchio,

Siva Balasubramanian Ph.D.

The educational requirements for a business analyst are typically a bachelor's degree, with a significant number also holding a master's degree. According to Matthew Oware Ph.D., Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Richmond, "being open to all aspects related to this area" is crucial. He suggests that students enroll in research methods and statistics courses that focus on data analysis to increase their earning potential. Additionally, Rick DelVecchio, Director of Career Development at Quinnipiac University, recommends embracing the idea of continuous learning for career advancement. He advises new employees to seek out opportunities to learn more about other areas of the organization outside their job description.

What education do you need to become a business analyst?

What degree do you need to be a business analyst?

The most common degree for business analysts is bachelor's degree, with 71% of business analysts earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 18% and master's degree degree at 7%.

Bachelor's, 71%

Master's, 18%

Associate, 7%

Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a business analyst?

According to Siva Balasubramanian, Harold L. Stuart Endowed Chair in Business and Professor of Marketing at Illinois Institute of Technology, a degree in Management Science can benefit business analysts by providing them with versatile skills applicable to various business functions and scenarios. This can increase their earning potential and help them succeed in any business career.

Business, 29%

Computer Science, 10%

Finance, 9%

Accounting, 7%

Other Majors, 45%

Most common colleges for business analysts

Business analysts often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, DeVry University, and University of Maryland - College Park. Here are the most common colleges for business analysts in the US based on their resumes.

Business Analyst Common College	Percentages
University of Phoenix	16.39%
DeVry University	6.04%
University of Maryland - College Park	5.96%
University of Houston	5.84%
Pennsylvania State University	5.58%

Show more common business analyst colleges

Best majors for business analysts

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	29.1%
2	Computer Science	9.9%
3	Finance	8.8%
4	Accounting	6.8%
5	Computer Information Systems	4.6%

Show more common business analyst majors

Enrollment

30,018

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

20 best online courses for business analysts

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1. Business Intelligence Analytics

Build confidence combining different data types and sources to create sophisticated data models for enterprises across all industries...

2. Data Visualization

Discover how data visualization can communicate insights far more effectively than text or tables. In this course, you’ll learn how to build data visualizations programmatically using Python, and how you can use visualization to both discover and convey trends in your data...

3. Business Process Modelling

Learn to capture and optimize business processes using specialized diagrams. Convert insights from stakeholder interviews and document analysis into concise and precise models. Understand various notations and select the best one for your needs. This comprehensive course covers process identification, capturing, documenting, and adapting models for different audiences. Ideal for process analysts, business analysts, solution architects, service & UX designers, and anyone interested in business...

4. Business Analysis Process

The Business Analysis Process course will give you a foundational understanding of the process of business analysis and will introduce you to a framework that can be used within a variety of industries and organizations. You’ll see how an analyst assesses a business problem, prepares business requirements, and implements a solution. You will learn how to identify stakeholders, to analyze them, and to define their role in a business analysis project. You’ll also learn how to gather requirements...

5. Business Process Modelling with UML Activity Diagrams & BPMN

4.5

(307)

Become an expert in Modelling Business Processes with Business Analysis Techniques and UML Activity Diagrams & BPMN...

6. Business Analyst: Project Management Techniques and Tools

4.5

(4,412)

Learn project management techniques to increase your project success rate as a Business Analyst!...

7. Introduction to Data Analytics for Business

Learn to apply data & statistics specifically for business! In this course, you’ll go from data novice to spreadsheet wizard, calculating and forecasting key financial metrics, even making detailed projections off real-life financial data from the New York Stock Exchange...

8. BPMN Process Analysis using Microsoft Visio Professional

4.4

(1,577)

Business Analyst Guide to Business Process Modelling with BPMN and Microsoft Visio Professional...

9. Business Analyst: Software Testing Processes & Techniques

4.5

(9,172)

Reduce project bugs with repeatable testing processes. Learn to create test cases, scenarios, track defects, & more!...

10. Business Analysis A to Z Masterclass

4.6

(3,974)

We don't teach. We job Train!...

11. Plan the Project as a Business Analyst - IIBA Endorsed

4.6

(2,860)

Increase your value as a Business Analyst by learning how to plan projects successfully without a Project Manager...

12. Business Analysis - Data Modelling

4.5

(472)

How to analyse and model business data requirements...

13. BPMN 2.0 Business Process Modelling for Business Analysts

(677)

Become a BPMN 2.0 Expert in 1 day. With this practical hands-on course you will learn proper Business Process Modelling...

14. Become A Business Analyst

(315)

Foundation course in Business Analysis core concepts, tools and key modelling techniques essential in the work place...

15. The Complete Salesforce Certified Business Analyst Course

4.3

(1,087)

Salesforce Business Analyst Certification Exam - Earn Salesforce's Newest Certification and Learn Business Analysis...

16. Fundamentals of Business Analysis

4.5

(17,735)

Get the foundation in business analysis you need to solve your organization's biggest problems...

17. Retail for Business Analysts and Management Consultants

4.6

(2,563)

A practical guide with cases studies how to analyze and improve a retail business during management consulting projects...

18. Introduction to Business Process Modeling

4.5

(8,200)

Learn how to analyze, model, and improve your organization's business processes...

19. BPMN for business analysts

4.5

(4,213)

Learn the best practices of process modeling and analysis with Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN 2.0) standard...

20. IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)

4.3

(1,723)

Be an IQBBA certified business analyst and Learn the basics of Software Business Analysis and Requirements Engineering...

Top 10 most affordable universities for business analysts

The most affordable schools for business analysts are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for business analysts are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for business analysts.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,306

Cost of Attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,309

Cost of Attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,262

Cost of Attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,942

Cost of Attendance

14,469

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,240

Cost of Attendance

13,991

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,620

Cost of Attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,238

Cost of Attendance

21,567

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,587

Cost of Attendance

13,043

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,488

Cost of Attendance

22,990

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,419

Cost of Attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for business analysts

The hardest universities for business analysts to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for business analysts are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for business analysts based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

SAT Average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

SAT Average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

SAT Average

1,492

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

22%

SAT Average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

20%

SAT Average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

13%

SAT Average

1,445

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

29%

SAT Average

1,407

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

43%

SAT Average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

40%

SAT Average

1,376

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

31%

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions Rate

96%

SAT Average

1,139

Average business analyst salary by education level

Business analysts with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $87,159 annually. With a Master's degree, business analysts earn a median annual income of $86,709 compared to $78,258 for business analysts with an Bachelor's degree.

Business Analyst education level	Business Analyst salary
Master's Degree	$86,709
Bachelor's Degree	$78,258
Doctorate Degree	$87,159
Some College/ Associate Degree	$66,197

Business Analyst Education FAQs

How long is business school?

What degree do you need to be a business analyst?

What do you learn in an MBA?

What job can you get with a business analytics degree?

What is the best college for Business Analysts?

Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.

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Updated April 5, 2024

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated April 5, 2024

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