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The Basics of a Business Analytics Degree

In the 1960s, no one could have predicted the rapid evolution of data usage. As computers became more advanced, so did the collection of data. Organizations can collect data at high speeds and from nearly any smart device. The growing usage of smart devices brought data clouds, data warehouses, and big data.

The sudden influx of smart technology offered various parties more data than they could sort through without advanced methods. Data analytics allows interested and permitted parties to gain insights from data.

What is Business Analytics?

Oracle defines business analytics as “the process of analyzing massive amounts of collected data to get insights and predictions.”1 Businesses use these insights to identify trends, patterns, and issues within their organizations and industries.

What is a Business Analytics Degree?

A business analytics degree is a higher education program that trains students to use various tools and software. Students learn how to use the tools to analyze data and use it for business strategy planning. Regent University’s business analytics degrees use practical case studies and exercises to train students. Students learn how to conduct data analysis, increase customer satisfaction and revenue streams, and present predictions using top industry tools.

Business analytics degrees range from two to four-year programs, depending on whether you seek a bachelor’s or a master’s in business analytics. You might need various components of business analytics and personal skills to succeed. With the proper support and mindset, completing a degree in business analytics can provide opportunities for careers in competitive industries.

Is Business Analytics a STEM Degree?

Yes, business analytics is a STEM degree. Business analytics degrees are highly technical. A degree in business analytics can include courses like descriptive analytics, data mining, and discrete mathematics. Data professionals are often called data scientists and rely on statistical reasoning and problem-solving skills to do their work.

What Can You Do with an Analytical Business Degree?

Data professional occupations constantly evolve with the software, skills, and technology needed to analyze data. Niche occupations can evolve depending on business needs and technology. The career paths with a business analytics degree are expansive. 

A trained data professional can become a:

  • Data Mining Specialists
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Programmer
  • Data Scientist
  • Business Intelligence Analyst

A degree in business analytics can also allow data professionals to pursue specialized careers using widely used data technology. Using software like Power BI, BigQuery, IBM Db2, and Tableau makes data professionals highly marketable against competitors.

A woman pursuing her business analytics degree works on her laptop.

Business Analytics vs. Data Analytics

Data analytics is a broader field, while business analytics is a specialization. Business analytics and data analytics are terms that tend to be vaguely defined by employers. Sometimes the two are used interchangeably. However, business analysts and data analysts are different types of data professionals in larger organizations.

Data Analytics is the general use of analytic processes to make sense of data. Unlike business analysts, data analysts work more closely with data and rarely make decisions about business strategy. Data analytics involves using database querying languages like SQL and coding languages like Python and R. Branches of data analytics include predictive, diagnostic, prescriptive, and descriptive analytics.2

Business Analytics involves using historical business data to understand trends and build strategies. Data professionals use business analytics to complete business goals like defining audiences and measuring purchasing patterns. The use of business analytics requires some competency in data analysis. Business analysts use data to solve issues that a company is facing. Their insights are often used to make large-scale business decisions that affect companies internally or externally.

In these organizations, data professionals work together to provide the most helpful view of organization performance. Data science enhances business administration and is imperative for growth today.

Is a Degree in Business Analytics Worth It?

Business and financial occupations are expected to grow 8% by 2030, indicating high demand for business skills.3 Indeed estimates the average base salary of business analysts in the United States to be $82,158 per year.4 A business analytics degree creates opportunities for you to work in industries where employers need and appreciate your expertise.

While challenging, an analytical degree can open doors to high-value and high-salary positions across most industries. A degree in business analytics is transferable to many sectors from education to entertainment. Data science is not only a profitable career but also a rewarding one. Your skillset will help businesses better understand their audiences and reach their goals.

Regent can train you to become an asset to businesses in search of your talents. Start your career with a B.S. in Business Analytics or step into advanced leadership roles with an M.S. in Business Analytics. Apply today.