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.

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.

For specific details, please visit our Admissions page.

We admit students based on the entire contents of their application, and thus we cannot review or assess your chances until your application is complete. The admissions committee will only review a candidate’s application if all required documents are received.

There is no work experience minimum. We like to target a range of ages to meet the personalized needs of the companies we work with. Some employers prefer students directly from undergrad, all the way to 10+ years of work experience. Our average work experience is 34 months for the class of 2021.

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 can request a waiver by emailing their resume/CV and unofficial transcripts to analytics@broad.msu.edu for evaluation WHEN THEY BEGIN THEIR APPLICATION. The M.S. in Data Science & Analytics GMAT code is QHO-5P-59. The GRE code is 1465.

While we do not have a minimum GMAT/GRE score, our average GMAT score of admitted students is 640 (approximately a 318-322 on the GRE, depending on quant/verbal breakdown). GMAT/GRE scores alone does not guarantee or deny admission to the program as we review applications on a holistic basis.

The program does not require a specific undergraduate degree. However, students from business, statistics, computer programming, actuarial science, economics, etc. are often great fits for the program. If you lack experience in a specific area, Coursera.com and Datacamp.com offers 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. However, students must show basic exposure to a programming language and statistics. This does not need to be from formal undergraduate coursework; alternative methods can meet this requirement (Udemy, Coursera, Datacamp, LinkedIn courses, etc.)

Overall, from an application perspective, 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 would recommend that you take courses in the gap areas to help you become a better-rounded applicant.

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

• Take an introductory-style course such as ITM 481, CMSE 201, CMSE 202, CSE 102,  CSE 231, CSE 232 or PLS 392. All of these would provide some conceptual background and technical skill development.
• Pursue a minor/major in one of the following: computational math (CMSE), information technology, computer science, statistics, or social science analytics.
• Speak with our director on fit for the program.

English competency test scores are required, with minimum scores of 250 on the computer version of the TOEFL and 100 on the internet-based test, or a minimum of 7 on the IELTS. English competency test takers should use the Michigan State University code 1465.

The English language proficiency test requirement may be waived for students who earned a bachelor’s degree in the United States. For example, if you earned a bachelor’s degree at MSU, with the majority of credits earned while on campus, your English language competency scores are usable (even if old) for admission into the program. Additionally, students who attended international universities but had instruction solely in English are also eligible to waive the TOFEL/IELTS requirement. Find out more on our Admissions page.

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

The program requires that 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). Admission to the program for these 3-year applicants does NOT guarantee admission to MSU–the waiver process must be followed. 2022 will be the first year we allow students to go through this process.