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Use our 2025 rankings of the cheapest online master’s programs in business analytics to save big on your education! Explore detailed profiles of the 15 most affordable online MSBA programs in the country. Or skim through a list of even more online graduate degrees in business analytics that are $25k or under. To help you cut costs, we’ve also included a section on scholarships for distance learners.
Cheapest Online Master’s in Business Analytics: Overview
How Much Does an Online Master’s in Business Analytics (Really) Cost?
Your cheapest options will be under $25,000. Better yet, the top 15 schools in our rankings of the most affordable online master’s programs in business analytics offer degrees that range from $10,000-$21,000. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you put together a shortlist of options:
- Choosing an Online MSBA: Anyone who wants to get stuck into advanced analytics work should be looking at an Online MS in Business Analytics (MSBA), Online MS in Data Analytics (MSDA), or a related degree title (e.g. MSEA). With a few exceptions, Online MBAs aren’t going to be comprehensive enough for your needs. In some MS programs, you may even be able to focus on a specific field like marketing analytics or accounting analytics. There are plenty of low-price options in our rankings.
- Choosing a University: Top-tier universities like those in our Best Online Master’s in Business Analytics list rarely offer graduate degrees that are under $25,000. Instead, our affordable rankings are full of small public universities and Midwestern & Southern schools. Whether you need that “name recognition” will depend on the jobs you’re aiming for. Always talk to recent alumni and prospective employers before you make a decision.
2025 Affordable Rankings Methodology
We didn’t have to use a complicated formula for our rankings of the cheapest online master’s programs in business analytics! Instead, we manually researched the total program price and placed it at the top of each school profile.
- Tuition & Fees: Our final number includes the cost of tuition for the courses + any mandatory per credit fees (e.g. distance learning fee) + mandatory per semester fees. Bear in mind that we didn’t include one-off costs.
- Residency: If public universities had different online prices for in-state and out-of-state residents, we chose the out-of-state price for full-time students. That’s because many folks prefer out-of-state programs for distance learning.
- Program Inclusion: We were willing to consider any business-focused analytics program. That means our affordable rankings include online MSBA programs and related degrees (e.g. Online MS in Marketing – Marketing Analytics). We’ve covered Online MBA in Analytics programs in a separate guide.
- Accreditation: All of the universities in our rankings hold regional accreditation (e.g. SACSCOC). To give you the full picture, we’ve also highlighted business school accreditations. AACSB accreditation is considered the gold standard.
This left us with nearly 200 online programs to research. We ended up ranking schools from the most affordable to the least affordable, but we capped the list at $25k. We’ve created detailed profiles of the top 15 most affordable online graduate degrees in business analytics and provided links to the remaining low-price options.
Important Notes About Program Pricing
At the top of each program overview, we’ve given you the baseline price for the degree. But there are a few more items you’ll need to factor into your budget:
- Prerequisites: If you don’t have undergraduate credits in business and/or analytics, the university may want you to pay for “foundation” courses like business analysis. This requirement may be waived if you take the GMAT or provide proof of relevant work experience.
- In-State vs. Out-of-State: Anyone who lives in the same state as an interesting program should visit our tuition links! We always quote the out-of-state price for online programs from public universities. However, in some cases, the cost will be a lot lower for in-state residents.
- Full-Time vs. Part-Time Study: Many schools in our rankings charge the same price for full-time and part-time study. But some public universities have semester-based pricing. For example, Kent State has a separate cost for part-time students in its MSBA.
- One-Off Costs: Although you won’t be commuting to campus, you’ll still be responsible for having a reliable Internet connection, software & hardware, and any relevant textbooks. There may also be costs related to a capstone project and/or internship. Ask the program coordinator for a sample budget.
- Program Savings: The good news is you may qualify for employer tuition reimbursement, corporate partnership benefits, military & veteran discounts, and special scholarships for online students. Some universities will also allow you to transfer existing graduate credits into the program, which cuts down on the total price for coursework.
Use our affordable rankings as a starting point for your research! Once you have a shortlist of low-price business analytics degrees, talk to the program coordinator about your financial situation. They should be willing to give you a realistic estimate of your costs and tell you about popular funding avenues.
15 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Business Analytics Degree Programs
#1 Amberton University
Overview | Online Master of Science in Data Analytics
- Estimated Price: $10,635
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC; ACBSP
- Credit Hours: 30-33
- Program Length: 12 Months
Program Summary
Although Amberton’s supremely affordable Online Master of Science in Data Analytics (MSDA) doesn’t have the word “business” in the title, it’s an MSBA at heart. Candidates are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in business (or be required to complete a course in Competitive Business Analysis) and major requirements feature credits in Managerial Communication, Applied Business Analytics, and Applied Database Management. You’ll also have the option to choose 9 credit hours of electives in business administration.
Amberton is a private, non-profit Christian university in Texas that’s designed for working adults. It doesn’t have a massive School of Business or a national reputation, but it may be a useful choice for folks who are seeking to impress their employers. For less than the price of a used car, you can gradually build up your analytics skills while applying your learning to your work. We didn’t see a lot of training in programming languages like R and Python, so you’ll need to decide how advanced your master’s needs to be.
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#2 Kent State University
Overview | Online Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Estimated Price: $13,100 (Full-Time)
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: HLC; AACSB
- Credit Hours: 30
- Program Length: 12 Months (Full-Time); 1.5+ Years (Part-Time)
Program Summary
For Kent State’s super-affordable Online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA), we’ve quoted the price for 12 months of full-time study. Part-time study will cost a little bit more. If you’re ready to commit, you’ll be schooled in everything from database management, data mining & predictive analytics to leadership & communication. The MSBA contains at least two mandatory courses in Machine Learning (ML)—which you can supplement with electives—and a final internship.
Internships are unusual in online MSBAs, so we’re pleased to see that Kent State’s AACSB-accredited College of Business has included supervised field experiences in the curriculum. You also have the option to choose a capstone as an elective and work on an industry-supplied analytics challenge. Talk to recent alumni to get a sense of their workplace projects. Kent State welcomes candidates from a variety of backgrounds as long as they have some previous exposure to business, applied statistics & info systems. It also offers an Online MBA in Business Analytics.
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#3 Athens State University
Overview | Online Master of Science in Strategic Leadership & Business Analytics
- Estimated Price: $13,410
- Format: 100%
- Accreditation: SACSCOC; ACBSP
- Credit Hours: 30
- Program Length: ~12 Months or More
Program Summary
Eyeing a career as a market research analyst, operations research analyst, or the like? You may wish to investigate ASU’s Online Master of Science in Strategic Leadership and Business Analytics (SLBA). The curriculum is a unique mix of leadership courses, work in operations planning & control, and technical studies in business analytics. We particularly like the fact that it includes an analytics practicum and a final capstone project.
ASU is a rare beast in our affordable listings—it’s an upper-division university that caters exclusively to transfer students and adult learners. So it makes sense that the ACBSP-accredited College of Business has also developed flexible graduate programs for distance learners. Ask to view examples of recent capstones—that will give you a sense of the program’s direction and its alignment with your work goals.
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#4 Western Illinois University
Overview | Online Master of Science in Applied Statistics & Decision Analytics
- Estimated Price: $14,632
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: HLC; AACSB
- Credit Hours: 30
- Program Length: ~12 Months or More
Program Summary
Hard-core analytics lovers, take note—WIU’s interdisciplinary Online Master of Science in Applied Statistics & Decision Analytics will give you plenty of opportunity to customize a technical degree with corporate credits. You’ll study applied data mining in business, business analytics & forecasting, management science tools & techniques, and the latest statistical software. Once you reach the elective stage, you can choose courses in anything from econometrics to stochastic models. The degree finishes with a 3-credit thesis, elective, or decision sciences internship.
It’s a serious program for serious thinkers. Illinois has a number of Fortune 500 companies with headquarters in the region—including State Farm and John Deere—and WIU is keen to address regional needs for business analytics professionals. You can learn more about your professors by visiting the Department of Economics and Decision Sciences (EDS). All faculty who teach graduate courses have PhDs in Economics or Statistics and classes tend to be on the small side.
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#5 Northern Kentucky University
Overview | Online Master of Science in Business Informatics – Business Analytics
- Estimated Price: $16,680
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC; AACSB
- Credit Hours: 30
- Program Length: 12 Months or More
Program Summary
Explore the intersection of information systems (IS) and analytics with NKU’s Online Master of Science in Business Informatics – Business Analytics. You’ll be schooled in IS areas like systems analysis & design, information security & governance, and IT project management before taking electives in Business Intelligence (BI), analytics, and blockchain. For accountants, NKU also offers a dedicated Online Master of Accountancy (MAcc) Data Analytics/Visualization. Solidify your knowledge of tax research & practice, advanced auditing, and strategic management accounting while you study data visualization methods, forensic accounting strategies, and BI systems.
NKU’s affordable online degrees are brought to you by the AACSB-accredited Haile College of Business, which tends to receive solid reviews from former business & accounting students. The 12-month Online MBI in Business Analytics is designed to set you up for BI & Data Analyst roles. The 10-month Online MAcc is structured to help you prepare for CPA practice in areas of regulation, auditing, attestation, and financial accounting & reporting. However, NKU recommends you check on CPA licensure requirements in your state before applying for the MAcc.
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#6 Trine University
Overview | Online Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Estimated Price: $17,250
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: HLC; ACBSP
- Credit Hours: 30
- Program Length: 12 Months or More
Program Summary
MSBA hunters can compare Trine’s Online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) with other options in our affordable rankings. It dives straight into coursework in statistics & quantitative methods, analytics tools & technologies, data science, and data mining & visualization. On the business side, you’ll also receive training in financial modeling, operations & supply chain analytics, corporate finance, and project management. The program ends with an industry-focused capstone.
The MSBA is offered by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies (CGPS) and taught by adjunct faculty. It was difficult for us to find reviews of the business analytics degree, so we recommend you reach out to recent students to learn more about their distance learning experience. Trine tends to be known more for its engineering and education programs.
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#7 Murray State University
Overview | Online Master of Science in Information Systems – Business Analytics
- Estimated Price: $17,445
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC; AACSB
- Credit Hours: 30
- Program Length: 12-18 Months
Program Summary
SaaS architecture fundamentals. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Agile methodologies. Murray State has ensured that its technical Online Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) – Business Analytics is stuffed with practical coursework. You’ll receive training in common programming languages (e.g. R & Python), predictive analytics, business analytics models, and more. Intriguingly, this degree goes out of its way to cover areas within the PMI Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). MSIS students are also prepped for SAP certification in a number of areas.
It’s a pretty rigorous deal for a very affordable price. The AACSB-accredited Bauernfeind College of Business and the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems (CSIS) have partnered up with the University of Arkansas’s Walton College to gain access to large datasets and analytics hardware & software. Information Systems programs are overseen by a CSIS Advisory Board. And CSIS graduates have found employment in a number of Fortune 100 companies. Chat to the program coordinator about your career goals—possible job titles include CIO, data scientist, information architect, and the like.
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#8 Oklahoma State University
Overview | Online Master of Science in Business Analytics and Data Science
- Estimated Price: $17,490
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: HLC; AACSB
- Credit Hours: 33
- Program Length: 18 Months
Program Summary
OSU’s Online Master of Science in Business Analytics and Data Science (MS BAnDS) is another low-cost distance learning option from a sturdy public university. The curriculum is an online version of the on-campus degree, so it’s built on a foundation of data science, statistics, and advanced business analytics. You can then choose 15 hours of electives in a pre-defined topic (e.g. marketing analytics) or create your own concentration (e.g. supply chain optimization). To get some business experience, you may want to include the CIE Scholar Practicum as an elective.
We commend OSU’s AACSB-accredited Spears School of Business for focusing on practical outcomes. In this program, you’ll be schooled in a wide variety of tools, software, and programming languages, including Machine Learning platforms like TensorFlow. You can earn up to five different levels of SAS® Academic Specializations. And you’re welcome to take advantage of OSU’s career-building, networking, and mentorship services. Read the FAQ section for more info.
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#9 University of Alabama
Overview | Online Master of Science in Marketing – Marketing Analytics
- Estimated Price: $17,666
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC; AACSB
- Credit Hours: 33
- Program Length: 12 Months or More
Program Summary
To market, to market, to earn an analytics degree that will prepare you for a data-driven world. UA’s hyper-specific Online Master of Science in Marketing – Marketing Analytics contains a slew of strategic & technical courses. You’ll study statistical data management & methods, advanced data mining, and advanced marketing analysis. We’re pleased that it includes a client-based consultant project and a marketing capstone, as well as a choice of two electives.
In fact, we’re uniformly impressed that the AACSB-accredited Culverhouse College of Business is offering such a low-price option for distance learners. UA often earns top 20 rankings from U.S. News & World Report for its online business & graduate marketing programs, and it’s strong enough to offer a separate PhD in Marketing. Check out the faculty profiles in the Department of Marketing for more on your potential professors.
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#10 Touro University Worldwide
Overview | Online Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Estimated Price: $18,000
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: WSCUC; ACBSP
- Credit Hours: 36
- Program Length: 12 Months or More
Program Summary
Aiming to specialize? Once you’ve completed the 27-credit core, TUW’s Online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) allows you to choose a 9-credit concentration in Management or Marketing. We’re also pleased to see that TUW mixes up the standard assortment of courses in applied statistics, data visualization, and predictive analytics with real-world topics like security & ethics and consumer analytics. You’ll round off your learning with a 3-credit business analytics capstone course (ask to see recent examples).
TUW is the online arm of Touro University, a private, non-profit Jewish university system. That may explain the coursework on ethics! However, TUW itself has no religious affiliation. Reviews of the graduate programs & ACBSP-accredited business administration programs are generally positive. MSBA professors are listed in full on TUW’s faculty & staff page. And MSBA scholarships are occasionally available. Take a look at the concentrations to see if it’s the right fit for your career goals.
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#11 University of Charleston
Overview | Online Master of Science in Business & Data Analytics
- Estimated Price: $19,200
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: HLC; ACBSP
- Credit Hours: 30
- Program Length: 11 Months (Full-Time) or 2 Years (Part-Time)
Program Summary
On the spectrum of business to technical learning, UC’s Online Master of Science in Business & Data Analytics (MSBDA) is over on the technical side. Although the curriculum begins with a course on business analytics for managers, it quickly plunges into topics like data science applications & technologies, predictive modeling, Machine Learning (ML), and business forecasting for analytics. There’s even a course on data, AI, ethics & leadership. The degree culminates in a practical capstone.
UC is usually regarded to be one of the best universities in West Virginia, and the ACBSP-accredited School of Business has a respectable track record in graduation & job placement rates. Graduate classes tend to be small and the Director of Business Analytics Programs can be contacted directly. Get your paperwork in order—UC is interested in MSBDA candidates with prior academic credentials and/or professional experience in statistics, analytics, and R-studio. However, you may be able to take Udemy courses to make up any shortfalls in skills.
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#12 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Overview | Online Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Estimated Price: $19,440
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: HLC; AACSB
- Credit Hours: 36
- Program Length: 14 Months or More
Program Summary
SIU’s Online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) has a little of the flavor of an MBA. All students are expected to take 4 core courses in general business concepts such as accounting, corporate finance, marketing management, and operations & supply chain management. But after that, it’s hard-core data! You’ll take 7 more courses in analytics—including mandatory credits in Advanced Analytics & AI for Managers and Data Science & Analytics for Managers—and a relevant elective (e.g. Supply Chain Analytics). The degree culminates in an 8-week capstone course.
Another bonus? The AACSB-accredited College of Business and Analytics has its own School of Analytics, Finance, and Economics and a dedicated Pontikes Center for Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence with a board of industry advisors. Before applying, talk to the Center Director about the possibility of working with one of these industry partners on your capstone project. We also recommend you take a look at the analytics faculty bios to learn more about who will be teaching individual courses.
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#13 University of Massachusetts – Lowell
Overview | Online Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Estimated Price: $19,650
- Format: 100% Online or Hybrid
- Accreditation: NECHE; AACSB
- Credit Hours: 30
- Program Length: ~12 Months (Full-Time) or Longer
Program Summary
Anyone looking to move up in the analytics world should put UML’s affordable Online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) on their list. Once you complete 21 credits of core courses (e.g. Business Intelligence and data mining, advanced Machine Learning, data engineering for business analytics, etc.), you can select a focused track from one of six topics. Tracks are available in everything from finance analytics to healthcare business analytics. Everyone is required to complete a real-world capstone.
It’s a pretty comprehensive offering for under $20k. Better yet, UML’s Department of Operations & Information Systems and its AACSB-accredited Manning School of Business have developed strong ties with industry. Since 2013, a number of well-known companies have sponsored 40+ capstone projects (e.g. Santander, Dell Technologies, DCU, UKG, etc.)—you’ll notice that many have ties to New England. You don’t need to have a huge amount of technical knowledge to apply and full-time and part-time plans of study are available.
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#14 American Public University
Overview | Online Master of Science in Applied Business Analytics
- Estimated Price: $20,300
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: HLC; ACBSP
- Credit Hours: 42
- Program Length: Unknown
Program Summary
With 42 credits, APU packs a lot of information into its Online Master of Science in Applied Business Analytics. You’ll begin with foundational studies in analytics tools & techniques and credits in finance, managerial economics, and marketing management. Then you’ll focus on specific realms such as text mining, data mining, predictive analytics, and enterprise analytics. You can customize the degree with 2 graduate-level electives and a final analytics project. Sample capstone titles include “Predictive Factors in Workplace Injuries” and “A Predictive Model for College Success.”
Although APU is regionally accredited, it is a private, for-profit university. So we suggest you speak to your current employer and recent alumni before you sign on the dotted line. The university does track program learning outcomes. And there are plenty of reviews & student opinions online. The trick with any MS is making sure that the technical coursework dovetails with your goals and that analytics faculty are on top of their game. You may also want to ask if you can sit in on a class before committing.
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#15 University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Overview | Online Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Estimated Price: $21,000
- Format: 100% Online
- Accreditation: HLC; AACSB
- Credit Hours: 30
- Program Length: 12 Months or More
Program Summary
UNL’s Online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) is the brainchild of its Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics (SCMA). So you won’t be surprised to hear that the 24-credit core has a “half and half” mixture of business courses (e.g. financial accounting, managerial marketing, risk & simulation modeling, etc.) and more data-heavy work (e.g. business analytics, predictive analytics, business data mining, etc.). There’s no capstone project, but you can choose 2 elective courses in a range of topics (e.g. econometrics).
It’s nowhere near the most technical program in our affordable rankings, but it’s got plenty of credibility. The AACSB-accredited Nebraska College of Business is large enough to support a PhD program in Supply Chain Management and Analytics and it usually receives glowing reviews from business alumni. Before you commit, you could experiment with an introductory online graduate certificate—SCMA offers options in supply chain analytics, financial analytics, and business analytics. That will tell you whether you’re at the right level for your needs.
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12 More Online Master’s in Business Analytics Under $25k
Not seeing what you need in the 15 low-cost programs we’ve profiled above? There are plenty of other affordable graduate degrees in business analytics that are under $25,000!
| Rank | University | Program Name | Total Price for Online Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Drake University | Master of Science in Business Analytics | $21,420 |
| 17 | Franklin University | Online MS in Business Analytics | $21,440 |
| 18 | Excelsior College | Online MS in Organizational Leadership, Emphasis in Technology and Data Analytics | $21,450 |
| 19 | Concordia University-Wisconsin | MS in Business Analytics | $21,750 |
| 20 | Grand Canyon University | Online MS in Business Analytics | $22,420 |
| 21 | University of Iowa | Online Master of Business Analytics | $22,500 |
| 22 | Regent University | MS in Business Analytics | $22,950 |
| 23 | Bellevue University | Online MS in Business Analytics | $23,760 |
| 24 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Online MS in Data, Insights & Analytics | $24,000 |
| 25 | California State University-Sacramento | Online MS in Business Analytics | $24,750 |
| 26 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | Online MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) | $24,840 |
| 27 | University of Maryland-College Park | Online MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) | $25,000 |
Schools Offering Scholarships and Funding to Online Master’s in Business Analytics Students
Institutional Funding
The first rule of “Scholarship Club” is to ask the Online MSBA program coordinator about financial aid options. Although some scholarships will be reserved for on-campus graduate students, plenty of universities are willing to offer funding to distance learners.
This rule applies to all of the schools in our affordable rankings and our list of the Best Online Master’s in Business Analytics Programs. If you don’t ask, you may miss out on opportunities such as:
- W.P. Carey scholarships for ASU’s Online MS-BA
- Merit-based scholarships for Cornell’s Online MSBA
- Merit-based scholarships for Georgetown’s Online MSBA (a scholarship essay is required)
- Unique scholarships for Olin’s Online MSBA (e.g. Women’s Leadership)
- Merit-based scholarships for Villanova’s Online MSBA
- Endowed awards and scholarships for Wake Forest’s Online MSBA
These are just a few examples of what’s out there! They won’t cover all of your tuition, but they can chip away at your costs. Schools may also have special offers such as:
- The Data-Driven Leaders Scholarship Competition for the University of Rochester’s Online MSBA for Managers—the winner receives a 50% tuition scholarship
- Special alumni, veteran, military & corporate partner tuition discounts for Ohio University’s Online MBAn
Are you currently employed? Make sure you speak to your HR rep or supervisor about your education plans. Even if your company can’t front the cost of an online degree from a top-tier university, they may be able to help fund one from a highly respectable school in your region. This will also put you in a strong position to ask for a raise & promotion after graduation.
External Scholarships
Once you’ve gone down the institutional scholarship route, you can start investigating external sources of funding. The good news is that a master’s degree in business analytics intersects with many fields. So you may be eligible for scholarships in data analytics, data science, business analytics, business administration, and/or your specific area of interest (e.g. marketing, healthcare, etc.).
Here are some tips as you begin your search:
- Industry organizations often offer educational awards. We’ve included examples below, but you may also want to ask folks in our list of Best Analytics Associations & Organizations about business-focused scholarships.
- Always read the fine print. Online graduate programs may or may not qualify for awards. And organizations will often expect you to be enrolled in a full-time plan of study.
- Data science scholarships may be limited to data science or data analytics programs—you’ll need to check if an MSBA, MSEA, or similar would meet the funding criteria.
- Remember that you may qualify for graduate scholarships based on your location, gender, ethnicity, and/or background. You can usually apply these awards to any type of master’s degree.
Examples of Analytics & STEM Scholarships
Examples of Finance Scholarships
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Scholarships
- National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Scholarships
