GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Master of Business Analytics
Turn data into better business decisions. Complete your STEM-designated master's degree in one year and graduate prepared to combine analytics, technology, and business strategy across industries.
One Year to Build the Analytics Skills Employers Keep Hiring For
Every organization is drowning in data. What they need are people who can make sense of it. The STEM-designated Master of Business Analytics (M.B.An.) at Penn State Smeal College of Business prepares you to be the person in the room who knows what the numbers actually mean.
In one year, you'll build expertise in analytics, statistics, data visualization, and business decision-making. You'll graduate ready to work in consulting, finance, operations, supply chain, or wherever the analysis takes you.
Through coursework, professional development, and hands-on experiences, you'll learn to:
Apply descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics techniques to business challenges
Build and interpret analytical models that support decision-making
Communicate data-driven insights to technical and non-technical audiences
Evaluate business problems using quantitative and statistical methods
Transform complex datasets into clear recommendations
Use data visualization tools to identify patterns, trends, and opportunities
Program Highlights
Duration: Complete your degree in as little as nine months (30-credit curriculum)
STEM Designation: STEM-designated program (qualifies international graduates for up to 36 months of OPT)
Simple Admissions: No GMAT or GRE required to apply
Accreditation: Earn your degree from an AACSB-accredited business school
Target Cohort: Ideal for recent graduates and early-career professionals across business, STEM, or quantitative fields
Career Access: Direct recruiting pipeline to top firms in consulting, tech, finance, and supply chain
Where a Master of Business Analytics Can Take You
M.B.An. graduates step into roles where analytical thinking drives decisions across firms in consulting, finance, business intelligence, operations, and supply chain. Recent graduates have joined organizations including Deloitte, Vanguard, Bayer, and Maersk.
86%
Employed Within One Year of Graduation
$83,000
Average Starting Salary
#39
Graduate Business Analytics Program
U.S. News and World Report
Sample Roles & Career Pathways
Business Analyst
Analyze business performance, identify opportunities, and support strategy through data-driven insights.
Data Analyst
Collect, interpret, and communicate data that helps organizations improve performance and solve business problems.
Analytics Consultant
Help organizations apply analytics, technology, and quantitative methods to create better solutions.
Business Intelligence Analyst
Develop dashboards, reporting systems, and analytical tools that help organizations monitor performance and make informed choices.
Operations Analyst
Use quantitative analysis to improve business processes, operational efficiency, and organizational performance.
Why Choose Penn State Smeal?
Join a Network That Lasts a Lifetime
Connect with more than 98,000 Smeal alumni and more than 800,000 Penn State graduates working across industries and around the world.
Dedicated Graduate Career Support
Access personalized career coaching, employer engagement, networking opportunities, and recruiting resources designed specifically for graduate business students.
Customize Your Graduate Path
Expand your expertise by combining eligible master's programs, certificates, and electives to build credentials that align with your career goals.
Is This Program Right for You?
The top-ranked Master of Business Analytics is for students who enjoy solving complex problems and figuring out what the data is really saying. You don't need a quantitative background to apply, but you should be curious about how data shapes the decisions organizations make.You may be a good fit for the M.B.An. if you:
Enjoy solving complex problems using data and quantitative analysis
Are a recent graduate or early-career professional
Want to pursue a career in analytics, consulting, or business intelligence
Come from business, STEM, social sciences, or any field with a quantitative component
Are interested in STEM OPT eligibility as an international student
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Master of Business Analytics vs. MBA: Which Is Right for You?
Master of Business Analytics (M.B.An.)
Apply analytics to business challenges by combining quantitative methods, data analysis, and business understanding. Graduates help organizations translate data into actionable insights.
Best For: Students pursuing careers in analytics, consulting, business intelligence, finance, operations, supply chain, and business strategy.
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Develop broad business knowledge across strategy, leadership, finance, marketing, operations, and organizational management. Prepare to lead teams and organizations.
Best For
Students seeking leadership opportunities or the flexibility to pursue careers across multiple business functions and industries.
What Your M.Ban. Experience Looks Like
Fall Semester
Build a foundation in analytics, statistics, data visualization, and business problem-solving while learning to transform data into meaningful business insights.
Spring Semester
Apply advanced analytics techniques—including predictive modeling, machine learning, and data mining—to answer real business questions and support decision-making.
Summer Semester
Round out your analytical toolkit, sharpen your career focus, and graduate with the credentials and confidence to move directly into the field.
Hear From Business Analytics Students and Alumni
One of the most valuable resources was the Smeal alumni network. Connecting with alums gave me invaluable advice and even job leads. Their willingness to share their experiences and offer guidance helped me gain confidence and navigate the complexities of the job market."
Komal Chaudhari '23
Management Consulting Senior Analyst
As an international student, a huge part of the return from this program is the STEM OPT opportunity. The extra 24 months of OPT was really important for my career opportunities going forward, and made the program even more worthwhile."
Zekang Lin '22
Technical Project Manager
The program structure allows a foundational yet future-sighted building block of machine learning, statistics and business acumen to help you get one step closer to your dream career."
Risha Rathod '22
Manager
CONNECTIONS THAT LAST
98,000+ Smeal Alumni Worldwide
Join a global network of more than 98,000 Smeal alumni working across industries and organizations around the world. As a student, you'll gain access to a community that provides mentorship, professional connections, career insights, and opportunities long after graduation.
Take the Next Step
Explore how a Penn State Smeal graduate degree can help you build specialized expertise, expand your professional network, and prepare for long-term career success. Connect with our admissions team to get started.
Learn From Analytics and Decision Science Experts
Christopher J. Solo
Program Academic Director, Associate Clinical Professor of Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management, operations research, logistics, and decision analysis.
Lu Huang
Assistant Clinical Professor
Artificial intelligence, business analytics, machine learning, and business analytics & information systems.
Rashmi Sharma
Associate Clinical Professor
Business analytics, programming, supply chain analytics, and workforce management.
Yuting Yuan
Assistant Professor in Supply Chain & Information Systems
Service operations, business analytics, and data-driven decision-making.
Wael Jabr
Associate Professor of Supply Chain & Information Systems
Digital platforms, business analytics, artificial intelligence, and technology strategy.