Exploring MS in Business Analytics Salary Potential

For mid-career professionals, a master's degree can be the ideal way to power advancement to more senior roles, increased earning potential,¹ or a pivot to a new career path. But it's important to choose the right master's degree. In a world increasingly reliant on data and automation, business analytics has emerged as a standout choice for ambitious professionals who have an interest in data science and strategic decision-making.

This article examines salary potential for business analytics graduates, comparing earnings across different degree types, exploring factors that affect compensation, and identifying the highest-paying industries for analytics professionals.

Is Business Analytics a High-Paying Field?

Business analytics salary data points to a field that offers professionals strong, stable financial prospects. Recruitment experts ZipRecruiter estimate the average annual salary for business analysts at $98,662, with the higher end of the salary range topping out around $150,000 per year.²

Substantial earning potential and salary growth prospects are further enhanced by the fact that business analytics prepares graduates for entry into several fast-growing fields. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the number of management analyst jobs in the USA will grow by 9% between 2024 and 2034.³ Market research analysts (7%) and financial analysts (6%) are also predicted to be high-demand, high-growth positions.^4,5

Business analytics graduates are well-positioned to pursue roles such as management analysts, market research analysts, and financial analysts. The ability to capture, collate, and interpret data for business insights is a high-demand skill set that can support a variety of business functions, and positions business analysts to fill important leadership roles as they progress their careers.

Comparison: Average MS in Business Analytics Salary vs. Salaries With Other Business Degrees

In the business world, MBA graduates tend to be among the highest earners. Online recruiter Glassdoor estimates median annual pay at $158,000 for MBA grads.⁶ But an MBA typically takes at least two years to complete, often requires more substantial work experience for admissions than other business master's degrees, and was recently dubbed "one of the most expensive qualifications in the world" by the Graduate Management Admission Council.⁷ A recent BusinessBecause study reported the average cost of a top MBA now exceeds $200,000.⁸

Career-focused professionals looking for a high-quality business degree that will position them for in-demand positions in less time and at a lower cost than an MBA may find a master's in business analytics to be an attractive alternative. For example, Santa Clara University's Online MS in Business Analytics program can be completed in as few as 15 months for a total tuition of $63,840.

Further, the average business analytics degree salary compares favorably to the average for graduates with an MS in finance, which ZipRecruiter estimates at $92,631 per year.⁹ And when compared to average salaries for some of the other popular master's level business degrees, the master's in business analytics salary prospects look a lot more enticing than those for an MS in marketing (an average salary of $49,574), master's in accounting ($42,262), and master's in management ($45,906).^10,11,12

Key Factors Affecting Pay in Business Analytics

Salaries for MSBA graduates can be affected by a range of factors, including location and industry, as well as individual experience.

Location makes a significant difference in earning potential. A recent analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data by Indeed found that the average annual salary in San Francisco ($97,460) is more than 50% higher than in Houston ($63,510).¹³ The high San Francisco average owes much to the concentration of successful tech companies and associated firms based in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley.

Industry also plays a major role in compensation. Business analysts in tech-heavy regions like Silicon Valley typically command higher salaries than their counterparts in other sectors, reflecting both the demand for analytics talent and the premium these companies place on data-driven decision-making.

Top-Paying Industries for Business Analytics Professionals

Having in-demand skills generally results in commanding a higher salary on the job market, one of many benefits of a master's in business analytics. But it also helps to understand which industries in particular are driving the best pay in a particular field.

For business analytics, ZipRecruiter identifies Clinical Business Analysts (a healthcare position) and SAP Business Analysts as two of the highest-paying roles available to MSBA graduates.¹⁴ The two roles reflect two potential career pathways for business analysts: industry-specific and role-specific. Per ZipRecruiter's figures, a Clinical Business Analyst working in the healthcare industry can expect to earn in the $76,000-$150,000 range.¹⁴ Whereas an SAP Business Analyst, specializing in business analytics software that has applications across many industries, can anticipate a salary range of $104,500 to $140,000.¹⁴

Other high-paying industries for business analysts identified by ZipRecruiter include finance and IT. The recruitment site estimates the average salary for Financial Business Analysts at $88,838 per year, and $105,845 per year for Technical Business Analysts (focused on IT).^15,16

Turn Analytics Expertise Into Career-Defining Success

When you're evaluating whether a master's in business analytics is worth the investment, salary potential is just one part of the equation. The right program—with the right curriculum, faculty, and connections—can position you for the highest-paying roles while opening doors throughout your career.

The Online Master of Science in Business Analytics at Santa Clara University is ranked #15 by Fortune for Best Online Master's in Business Analytics programs in the United States.¹⁷ You can complete the degree in as few as 15 months, learning from expert faculty who bring real-world experience from leading Silicon Valley companies. Every Online MSBA kicks off with an immersive, three-day, on-campus residency, where you'll meet faculty and peers, and experience the Silicon Valley setting that puts SCU at the heart of one of the most thriving, innovative business communities on the planet.

The compelling curriculum has a particular focus on ethical leadership and strategic decision-making, developing insightful analysts for purposeful careers. The program is built on a commitment to flexibility and customization, accommodating working professionals with the latest advances in asynchronous learning and online teaching tools, while also allowing for a broad range of electives so that students can build their studies around particular interests in the field. And when it's time to turn theory into practice, Santa Clara University's MSBA practicum partners include some of the most respected companies in the world, including Cisco, Oracle, and Credit Suisse. Upon graduation, you'll join an alumni network of more than 100,000 professionals working at companies including Google, Apple, LinkedIn, and Samsung—connections that can accelerate your career for years to come.

Explore our MSBA program details online, or contact us directly for more information. When you're ready to discuss advancing your career in business analytics with SCU, schedule an appointment with an admissions outreach advisor to talk about your next steps.