Frequently Asked Questions

QS Top Universities ranked the program #9 in the U.S. and #21 globally in its 2022 ranking of business analytics master’s programs. In 2022, The Financial Engineer Times ranked the program #19.

Yes, the M.S. in Business Data Science and Analytics is officially designated as a STEM degree program under the Business Statistics CIP code.

A key feature of the program is the integration of corporate-sponsored projects that allow students to gain real-world experience. This hands-on approach ensures our students have the skills necessary to be successful in this growing field of work.

Students take classes with leading Michigan State faculty in the Broad College of Business as well as the College of Engineering (computer science) and the College of Natural Science (statistics).

MSU MS-BDSA is also based on a cohort model, ensuring low student-to-faculty ratios and increased networking opportunities.

The program is located on Michigan State University’s campus in East Lansing, Michigan. It cannot be taken part time or online.

The program is designed to be completed in one calendar year, starting in January and ending in December.

The curriculum includes courses in business strategy, data mining, data tools, applied statistics, project management, marketing technologies, communications and ethics taught by leading MSU faculty.

Course Descriptions

The program is structured to provide students with skills to gain them access to both business analyst and data science roles upon graduation. Accordingly, applicants should have introductory exposure to  programming languages and statistics. This can be done through online learning platforms and does not need to be through undergraduate or other university coursework. Our program also provides extensive onboarding to ensure all students have an intermediate or above understanding of python, R, and SQL, and basic statistics knowledge.

Yes! The program has a project-driven approach which gives students opportunities to gain exposure to real-world scenarios. Experiential learning allows students to be introduced to companies, work in teams, and solve business problems using analytical techniques. We also hold several workshops and seminars throughout the program.

Please contact the program’s admissions office via email at analytics@broad.msu.edu.

We admit 45-48 students per year.

The average age is 24.

The overall average for the class of 2022 was 628.

The average GPA for the class of 2022 was 3.57.

For our most recent graduating class (2021), 94% of students who were job seeking received full-time employment within 3 months of graduation.

Students have received offers from companies such as Ford, GM, Apple, IBM, Intel, and more.

For our most recent graduating class (2021), the average salary offer was $92,122.

The program provides each student with a career services advisor to help in the search for employment. Students receive personalized resume reviews, practice interviews, negotiation advice, etc. The program also provides networking opportunities, workshops and career fairs to help students develop relationships with employers. Specifically, we have a spring analytics fair focused on internships and a fall analytics fair focused on full-time job opportunities.

For specific details, please visit our Admissions page.

We cannot provide you an evaluation of admission chances without a complete application.

No, work experience is not required for admission. The average work experience for the class of 2022 was 12 months.

Candidates can choose to take either the GRE or the GMAT. GMAT/GRE waivers are only automatically granted to Michigan State University graduates with a GPA greater than 3.25. Other students may request a waiver after starting, but before submitting, an application by emailing their current resume/CV and all transcripts to analytics@broad.msu.edu.

The M.S. in Data Science & Analytics GMAT code is QHO-5P-59. The GRE code is 1465.

No, there is not a minimum GMAT/GRE score.

The program does not require a specific undergraduate degree. If you lack experience in a specific area, Coursera.com and Datacamp.com offer several training classes in R, Python, etc. Gaining additional training will ensure you have the base-level skills required to be successful in the classroom. Basic exposure to a programming language or stats package (Python, R, C, Java, etc.) is highly recommended prior to application.

There are no specific prerequisite courses for the program.

We look for exposure to all three pillars of our program: business, computer programming, and statistics. If you find you are light in one of these areas, we recommend taking courses in the gap areas.

There are several great resources at MSU to help you prepare for a M.S. in Business Data Science & Analytics:

• Take introductory-style courses that provide some conceptual background and technical skill development. Examples of such courses are CMSE 201, CMSE 202, CSE 102,  CSE 231, CSE 232 or PLS 392.
• Pursue a major or minor in one of the following: computational math, information technology, computer science, statistics, or social science analytics.

Current tuition is set at $36,000 for in state students, and $39,000 for out of state/international students. Please visit the Tuition and Financial Aid page for the most up-to-date information.

There are limited scholarship opportunities available to highly qualified candidates. A separate application is not required–admitted students will be notified in December if they received a scholarship.

Students are encouraged to visit the Graduate School’s website for information on assistantships.

Yes, internships are a required component of our program in the summer. The majority obtained are paid internships.

Yes, there are opportunities available for on-campus employment.

The MS-BDSA Program requires international applicants to provide an English language competency test score. More information can be found on the Graduate School’s website.

The English language proficiency test requirement may be waived for students who earned a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. (or other English-speaking country). The BA or BS program should be a regular 4-year degree, the majority of credits earned in the U.S. (or other English-speaking country), not 100% online, not an “experiential” degree that is based on credit for life experiences and/or not earned at a branch campus in a non-English-speaking country.

Yes, you can apply, but please be aware that the University requires applicants complete a four-year undergraduate degree. A select number of exceptional students with a 3-year degree may be admitted, but will need to go through a waiver process at the university level for full admission to MSU (done by the program admissions office and MSU Graduate School). The students must have GMAT or GRE scores to be considered for waivers. We request waivers based on academic degrees, work experience, test scores, and any type of credentialing such as Charter Accountancy in lieu of the 4th year. By requesting the waiver, it does not guarantee that the waiver will be approved. Admission to the program for these 3-year applicants does NOT guarantee admission to MSU–the waiver process must be followed. We cannot provide you an evaluation of admission chances without a complete application.

The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) is dedicated to providing support to Michigan State University’s international students, scholars and families.