In a lot of cases, a higher education can mean a higher salary or even a better job. That's why we found out the best colleges for business analysts. We based this list on these metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of students working, ratio of working vs. non-working students 10 years after admission, average cost of attendance and median debt for graduates.
Best Colleges And Majors For Business Analysts
Best Colleges For Business Analysts
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-State Tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-State Tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
Business Analyst Education Requirements
There are several education requirements to become a business analyst. Business analysts usually study business, computer science or finance. 71% of business analysts hold a bachelor's degree and 18% hold a master's degree. We found these by analyzing 118,414 business analyst resumes to investigate the topic of business analyst education more precisely.
The most common colleges for students to pursue their goal of becoming a business analyst are University of Phoenix and DeVry University.
For those who would rather stay in your pajamas during the day, we prepared some online courses that can help in business analyst education paths.
We prepared a list of a business analyst certifications that you should consider. The necessary certifications that business analysts must have to succeed are Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP).
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 71% of business analysts earn that degree. A close second is master's degree with 18% and rounding it off is associate degree with 7%.
- Bachelors, 71%
- Masters, 18%
- Associate, 7%
- Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What Should I Major in to Become a Business Analyst?
Most business analysts, 29% to be exact, major in business. Some other common majors for a business analyst include computer science and finance majors.
- Business, 29%
- Computer Science, 10%
- Finance, 9%
- Accounting, 7%
- Other Majors, 45%
Most Common Colleges For Business Analysts
Here are the most common colleges for a business analyst career in the US based on their resumes. Advocates often get their degree in University of Phoenix, DeVry University, and University of Maryland - College Park .
| 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% |
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% |
20 Best Online Courses for Business Analysts
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1. Business Process Modelling with UML Activity Diagrams & BPMN
Become an expert in Modelling Business Processes with Business Analysis Techniques and UML Activity Diagrams & BPMN...
2. Business Analyst: Project Management Techniques and Tools
Learn project management techniques to increase your project success rate as a Business Analyst!...
3. Business Analysis Masterclass
We don't teach. We job Train!...
4. Plan the Project as a Business Analyst
Increase your value as a Business Analyst by learning how to plan projects successfully without a Project Manager...
5. BPMN Process Analysis using Microsoft Visio Professional
Business Analyst Guide to Business Process Modelling with BPMN and Microsoft Visio Professional...
6. Business Analyst: Software Testing Processes & Techniques
Reduce project bugs with repeatable testing processes. Learn to create test cases, scenarios, track defects, & more!...
7. BPMN 2.0 Business Process Modelling for Business Analysts
Become a BPMN 2.0 Expert in 1 day. With this practical hands-on course you will learn proper Business Process Modelling...
8. Fundamentals of Business Analysis
Get the foundation in business analysis you need to solve your organization's biggest problems...
9. Become A Business Analyst
Foundation course in Business Analysis core concepts, tools and key modelling techniques essential in the work place...
10. The Complete Salesforce Certified Business Analyst Course
Salesforce Business Analyst Certification Exam - Earn Salesforce's Newest Certification and Learn Business Analysis...
11. Introduction to Business Process Modeling
Learn how to analyze, model, and improve your organization's business processes...
12. Retail for Business Analysts and Management Consultants
A practical guide with cases studies how to analyze and improve a retail business during management consulting projects...
13. The Business Intelligence Analyst Course 2022
The skills you need to become a BI Analyst - Statistics, Database theory, SQL, Tableau Everything is included...
14. Business Analysis: Developing Irresistible Business Cases
Building the business acumen you need to promote your projects to management...
15. BPMN for business analysts
Learn the best practices of process modeling and analysis with Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN 2.0) standard...
16. IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
Be an IQBBA certified business analyst and Learn the basics of Software Business Analysis and Requirements Engineering...
17. Business Analysis: Working with Use Cases
An introductory course on use case modeling for Business Analysts or those looking to transition into a BA role...
18. Business Analysis Essentials
Advance from a complete novice to a confident Business Analyst with the help of an expert...
19. Business Analysis Fundamentals - 2022
Set yourself up for success, learn the key business analysis concepts to thrive in your Business Analyst career...
20. Business analysis & Scrum with JIRA for Software development
Become a great Business analyst, Product owner & Scrum master with JIRA & Confluence. Business analysis & Scrum course...
Top 10 Affordable Universities For Business Analysts
If those top 10 were a bit out of your price range, you might want to check these schools instead. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price and mean earnings after 6 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
Some people like a challenge. Well, we challenge you to get into one of these schools. It's not going to be easy. We know this based on these institutions' admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted and mean earnings of students 6 years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
4%
SAT Average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
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%
SAT Average
1,398
Top 10 Easier To Apply Universities For Business Analysts
Why make getting a job harder on yourself than it has to be? With these colleges, you're sure to be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores and average salary of students 6 years after graduation in order to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions Rate
68%
SAT Average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
82%
SAT Average
983
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
70%
SAT Average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions Rate
90%
SAT Average
994
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
83%
SAT Average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
98%
SAT Average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions Rate
94%
SAT Average
979
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
100%
SAT Average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions Rate
97%
SAT Average
1,050
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
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 Masters degree, business analysts earn a median annual income of $86,709 compared to $78,258 for business analysts with an Bachelors 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?
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.
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:
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
What Is The Best College For Business Analysts?
The best college for Business Analysts is Stanford University
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.