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Business analysis is an important part of today’s data-centric world. Professionals in this field focus on different aspects of business operations, from management to accounting to operations. Regardless of where their expertise lies, these professionals play a crucial role in the business world. Let's take a closer look at this career path.

Companies rely on data to assess their processes and find areas for improvement, and as a result, business analysts are not limited to technical industries. Business analysts work in various sectors, from manufacturing and retail to software development and insurance.

A wide range of specialties in the field also exists.  Graduates working in business analysis for business intelligence, management and IT are just a few examples. These specialties require expertise in a specific area, but all analysts need the same analytical and technical skills and understanding of business principles, regardless of their focus.

Those who work in business analysis are unique in that they are part data scientists and part business advisors. They need to know data analytics to glean applicable insights, and they also need to understand their industry and general economic and business principles. This ensures their business analysis ultimately improves operations and increases profits. 

A career path in business analysis can begin in one of several ways. Students can enroll in a bachelor’s degree program in IT or data science. In addition to a degree program, students may be interested in completing additional professional development or boot camps in data analytics.

For example, a business student or a recent graduate might take a business analytics certificate course to hone their skills and distinguish themselves from other aspiring analysts. Or they can pursue a master’s in data science.

Here’s a look at the degrees that can prepare student for a career in business analytics.

Business analysis requires a deep understanding of business principles, so earning a business-related degree can be a helpful first step. It’s possible to learn the specialized skills for this job through elective classes or certification programs that teach computer-related aspects of the profession during intensive, hands-on sessions.

There are different degree options even within the business category, including a bachelor’s in management. The choice may depend on whether to focus on management or operational analytics. Both degree options will give a solid knowledge of business practices and principles.

Technical skills are essential in most business analysis positions, so students could also benefit from a bachelor’s in computer science. They will learn programming skills to work with databases and analytics software during this program. Languages like R, SQL and Python are important. A degree can also help students who want to become IT business analysts or analysts for a tech or software company.

Please note that the online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree program at ������Ƶ does not include business analyst as a job outcome.

Data and analytics increasingly influence marketing. Those who work in business analysis with a marketing degree can specialize in advertising, using their communication skills and knowledge to assess past campaigns, create forecasts for current plans, research markets and consumer trends, and perform research related to the pricing and product releases. Many marketing degree programs will offer courses that teach students how to use analytics software and tools and general communication skills.

Please note that the Bachelor of Science in Business with a Marketing Certificate degree program at ������Ƶ does not include business analyst as a job outcome.

An economics degree can serve students well in a business analyst career because it gives them an understanding of the forces that affect industries. Individuals with a degree in economics will understand factors that influence the pricing of products and services, how to perform industry and competitor research, and how to assess the effects of policies, regulations and taxes on business operations. 

Technical skills required for business analytics include knowledge of databases, data analytics and relevant programming languages like R, Python and SQL, according to the . Regardless of their employer’s industry, a business analyst also needs to know about data mining techniques, data analytics applications like R and SAS, and data visualization software.

An understanding of the technical requirements of an employer’s industry is required, as well as their area of specialization. For example, a role that focuses on IT processes will need to understand the nuances of networks, software, hardware, databases and cybersecurity.

Soft skills are also essential for business analysts. Findings need to be presented clearly and understandably, especially to a company’s decision-makers, administrators and executives. Analytical and problem-solving skills are vital soft skills in this career. A business analyst also needs to be highly organized with regard to research projects and job responsibilities.

Employment of operations research analysts is projected to . About 11,300 openings for operations research analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Employment of management analysts is projected to . About 95,700 openings for management analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

These projections suggest there will likely be new job openings for graduates with a relevant bachelor's degree who have developed the diverse skills necessary to succeed in business analysis.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2023-2033 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to ������Ƶ students or graduates.