Masters
Full-Time Only
Fall
On-Campus
About the Master’s in Business Analytics (MSBDA) at Loyola
Position yourself as a data-driven business leader — and your company’s data scientist — with an MS in Business Data Analytics.
Business leaders who can understand big data analytics are in high demand. The one-year, full-time graduate degree program prepares early-career professionals to make informed business decisions based on a targeted analysis of data. You’ll develop specialized, hands-on knowledge of software tools and techniques for analyzing big data, creating statistical models, and applying them through real-world consulting projects with leading organizations.
Program Structure
All graduate programs in the Quinlan School of Business are on the quarter system. You can complete the MS in business analytics program in one year of full-time study, beginning in the Fall quarter, by taking three classes each quarter.
Classes are held weekday evenings and Saturdays on Loyola's Water Tower Campus, which is conveniently located off the Red Line in downtown Chicago. Some courses may also be offered online. Prerequisite courses, if needed, will be available during the summer.
The Quinlan School of Business also offers an MS in Information Systems and Analytics. Learn which of our analytics programs best fits your needs through our analytics program comparison.
Why Choose Loyola for Business Data Analytics
The Quinlan School of Business is among the 5% of the world's business schools that meet the rigorous standards of AACSB international accreditation.
- Nationally ranked, student-focused
- STEM-designated degree
- Highly rated and professionally-connected faculty
- Build strong peer networks
- A degree you can customize
- A curriculum focused on career
- Chicago: a hub of opportunities
Earning your master’s in business analytics from a nationally ranked business school delivers an outstanding return on investment. Quinlan has the exceptional technological resources and reputation of a big business school, with the warmth and attention to the individual of a small school.
The MS in Business Data Analytics is STEM-certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation. With a national shortage of professionals trained in STEM-related fields, employers are actively pursuing STEM degree holders.
The program is taught by faculty who are experienced, nationally recognized thought leaders in database management, forecasting, analytics, and machine learning. They integrate research and practical experiences into the classroom and are committed to being accessible and available to students.
You will attend class with the same group of classmates for seven foundational courses. This cohort structure encourages dynamic interactions allowing you to form lifelong personal and professional connections.
Participate in active student organizations, such as the Graduate Business Student Association, Graduate Women in Business, or the Rambler Investment Fund to improve networking and career skills.
The program is complemented by four elective courses and an integrative capstone course that can help you focus your area of expertise and gain real-world experience. As a Quinlan student, you’ll have the option to expand your credentials and marketability by earning a graduate certificate, some only available to Loyola students.
The data analytics curriculum was designed with the input of employers who actively hire for these skills, putting you a step ahead in the job market with a degree that can propel your career.
Chicago offers a thriving, diverse economy and Loyola students have access to firms and corresponding networking and employment opportunities that cannot be replicated by most other schools. Many of the world's top firms have a base in Chicago, providing excellent access to internships and jobs. Evening and Saturday classes help make fitting an internship into your schedule easier.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the Quinlan School of Business faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Business Data Analytics MS program.
Faculty and StaffBusiness Data Analytics MS: Career Connections
With a national shortage of professionals trained in STEM-related fields, employers are actively pursuing STEM degree holders with predictive analytics and big data skills.
Specific job options include:
- Data scientist
- Business analyst
- Consultant
- Management positions
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can receive career services at Quinlan's Business Career Services, as well as at career centers at U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Business Data Analytics MS program may vary from quarter to quarter, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Business Data Analytics MS learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2023-2024 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMS in Business Data Analytics Results and Skills
- Software tools and techniques for analyzing data
- Statistical models
- Practical business application in real-world consulting projects
- Broad foundation of key business disciplines
- Responsible and ethical leadership
- Global perspective
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Business Data Analytics MS totals $58680.00, or 36 credit hours at a cost of $1,630.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
Quinlan School of Business Scholarships
Dean’s Merit Scholarship
The Quinlan School of Business automatically considers each student admitted into Quinlan’s Next Generation MBA and MS programs for a Dean's Merit Scholarship. Eligibility is determined through a holistic review at the time of admission.
Graduate Business Student Scholarship
The Graduate Programs Office at Loyola University Chicago awards scholarships to Quinlan graduate students who demonstrate proven academic success and financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Please visit the Scholarships page on the Quinlan School of Business website for more detailed information about scholarships.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Quinlan School of Business offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
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Visit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Business Data Analytics MS are listed below:
Fall: July 15
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Business Data Analytics MS include:
Transcripts
Resume/CV
Prerequisite Course Requirements
This program requires preparation courses before beginning the curriculum, but students who have not completed the designated courses may be admitted to the program and take additional courses to fulfill prerequisite requirements. The courses must be completed before beginning the MSBDA curriculum in the Fall Quarter. Learn more about the MSBDA curriculum and prerequisite courses on the Business Data Analytics Academic Catalog page.
Statement of Purpose Details
Recommended for applicants with a cumulative GPA under 3.0 and for applicants who may feel that one or more parts of their application is weak, the personal statement provides the admission committee with more insight on your candidacy.
Please discuss how Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business degree program and our focus on responsible leadership will prepare you to achieve your career goals. Your statement should be 2-3 pages in length, double-spaced.
International Student Requirements
Additional information regarding the application process for international students can be found on the International Student Requirements page.
Additional Details
For general information and a step-by-step guide to applying for graduate and professional study, please visit our Admission Process page. There is no fee to apply to graduate programs at Loyola.
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