Current and aspiring leaders want a degree that strengthens decision-making and expands leadership potential. While the core curriculum of an MBA is designed to do just that, a concentration in business analytics prepares professionals to apply analytical tools to careers in market analysis, digital strategy and operational leadership.
With organizations increasingly depending on data-driven insights to optimize planning and performance, leaders need to understand how to interpret patterns and use those findings to create strategies. These business analytics skills are in high demand across industries, from finance to healthcare to government.
What Is an Online MBA with a Concentration in Business Analytics?
An online MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics builds a foundation in business strategy through core courses, then adds additional expertise using data and analytical tools to support decision-making. Students learn how to evaluate information and connect findings to organizational goals, as well as guide stakeholders through evidence-based reasoning.
What Can You Learn with a Business Analytics Concentration?
A business analytics concentration is skills-based rather than focused on theoretical knowledge or research-focused expertise. Given the emphasis on skill development, business analytics courses typically cover the tools that support ongoing organizational evaluation and improvement.
At the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, the Online MBA offers a business analytics concentration with four courses that give students expertise in the skills and strategies they need to support cross-functional business performance enhancement initiatives:
- Social Media and Online Marketing
- Web Analytics
- Advanced Spreadsheet Modeling
- SQL Database Fundamentals and Business Intelligence
These courses offer the business analytics skills that have near-universal applications in today’s data-driven world. Professionals can leverage business analytics to:
- Track operational performance
- Identify opportunities to improve business outcomes
- Better interpret available data
- Communicate insights across departments to key decision-makers
- Translate high-level reports into actionable strategies
- Align business goals with measurable outcomes
- Adapt strategies to changing market conditions
Online MBA Concentration in Business Analytics vs. Data Science: What’s the Difference?
Professionals who want to use data-informed decision-making strategies may debate between business analytics or data science concentrations for their MBA degree. Both paths support data analytics skill development for business leadership, even incorporating much of the same skills and course topics, but the programs differ slightly in terms of application and emphasis.
- An online MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics is mostly leadership focused, but incorporates advanced data techniques to support decision-making. As such, career outcomes typically include business management roles that can benefit from data skills.
- An online MBA with a concentration in Data Science is the inverse: it’s a data-focused degree that integrates management training, so graduates are prepared to become technical managers that mostly focus on data work.
Get the Online MBA Program Brochure
To download a program brochure and learn more about the Online Master of Business Administration offered by the A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 504-226-8311.
What Jobs Can I Do with an Online MBA with a Concentration in Business Analytics?
An online MBA with analytics coursework can prepare professionals to advance into roles with more decision-making power, or can be a strong foundation for individuals seeking to change careers to another industry without having to gain years of experience.
Any role that requires or benefits from the use of data for decision-making can be a strong fit for graduates of an online MBA who specialized in business analytics.
- Business Intelligence Manager – Oversee data systems and translate analytics into strategic decisions
- Data Strategy Consultant – Advise organizations on how to leverage data for competitive advantage
- Operations Analyst – Optimize workflows and resource allocation using predictive models
- Product Manager – Use customer and market data to guide product development and positioning
- Financial Analyst – Apply data modeling to forecast performance and guide investment decisions
- Healthcare Data Analyst – Improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency through data insights
- Digital Transformation Lead – Drive enterprise-wide change using analytics and automation
What Is the Career Outlook for an Online MBA with a Business Analytics Concentration?
MBA graduates are among the most highly demanded professionals in general, and that demand only increases with business analytics skills. According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council, the leading authority on graduate business and management education, the top five future skills that global employers value are:
1. Skills in using AI tools
2. Strategic thinking
3. Technology/IT skills
4. Problem-solving
5. Data analysis/interpretation
An MBA with a concentration in business analytics offers all of these future-focused skills and more, giving graduates everything they need to hit the ground running and excel in industries that depend on evidence-based planning and quick strategic thinking.
These positions exist in numerous industries, and the global market for business analytics has continued to grow as organizations invest in data-driven planning and performance measurement. MBA graduates also often qualify for senior positions, as they bring both analytical and leadership training to their work.
Is an Online MBA with a Business Analytics Concentration Worth It?
An online MBA in general is a worthwhile investment; professionals gain career-focused expertise from their coursework, learning from faculty who bring real-world business experience to the classroom. One of the greatest benefits of an MBA are the networking opportunities, which are just as plentiful in an online program as they are in an on-campus program.
A concentration in business analytics is ideal for professionals looking to use data to influence the decisions that shape organizational success. From this concentration, graduates will be equipped with practical analytics experience and the skills to leverage data insights toward business initiatives, which enhances their effectiveness in managerial roles.
However, business analytics is not necessarily the right fit for every professional. For those interested in highly specialized leadership roles in unique industries, such as finance, marketing and strategic leadership, concentrations in those areas might be a better fit.
About the Online MBA at the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University
The Freeman School of Business at Tulane University offers an AACSB-accredited Online Master of Business Administration (MBA) and other MBA options based in Louisiana. The Online MBA program builds core competencies in accounting, data analytics, finance, marketing and operations, and also allows for in-depth exploration in your areas of interest. While a concentration is not required as part of the 46 required credits, you may pursue up to two of the following: Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing or Strategic Leadership.
The program is designed to meet the needs of professionals from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. Regardless of your desired concentration or industry, you’ll graduate with a comprehensive understanding of business and managerial concepts and the practical skills to make informed business decisions and lead in your organization.
In 2026, Freeman made significant gains across six categories in the U.S. News & World Report Best Business Schools rankings. The full-time MBA climbed to No. 53, the program’s highest rank in more than 15 years and a 28-point improvement since 2023. The Executive MBA shot to No. 39 and the Professional MBA vaulted 19 spots to No. 49. Three specialized master’s programs also joined the Best Grad School ranks: Master of Finance ranked at No. 46, Master of Business Analytics and AI ranked No. 54 and Master of Accounting ranked No. 56.
Download a program brochure or start your application for the Online Master of Business Administration.
See how Tulane’s Online MBA can accelerate your career.
Explore the flexible, AACSB-accredited Online MBA from the Freeman School of Business.