The online Master of Science (M.S.) in Business Analytics program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is an affordable option for North Carolina residents who want to earn an advanced degree. Jobs for data scientists are projected to increase in numbers by 36% between 2021 to 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with other analytics-related occupations showing above average growth as well. Given this, graduates of UNCW's business analytics program are well-positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for qualified professionals in this field.
In-state tuition and fees for this 100% online program at UNCW total $17,358.90. When you look at the cost of a full-time, on-campus program or other online programs, it's evident that UNCW offers an excellent value for North Carolinians considering a master's degree in business analytics. This online M.S. in Business Analytics program can be completed in as few as 12 months, and GMAT or GRE scores are not required, so you are able to start in short order.
Cost Factors in Choosing the Program
One of the most daunting obstacles to getting an advanced degree is the tuition. That's not hard to understand when you compare the costs at many universities to UNCW's online, in-state tuition. Total tuition for some full-time, two-year graduate degree programs can skyrocket to more than $100,000. Average tuition costs at private institutions have increased by 134% over the past 20 years, as compared to average increases of 141% (out-of-state tuition) and 175% (in-state tuition) for students at public universities, according to U.S. News.
The rising tuition costs for full-time master's programs are among the main reasons a growing number of students are choosing to take advantage of more affordable online programs. In addition, many people seeking an advanced degree are also working full-time jobs and juggling other responsibilities. Not only are they interested in the convenience of an online master's program, but they also need it.
Students who choose to work toward a master's degree often opt for a field with the greatest career opportunity. Business analytics is experiencing substantial growth and opportunity potential, which is predicted to increase in the future. Data and insights gained from the advanced analysis of that data are becoming more and more important for all business decisions.
Strong Career Opportunity
The shortage of professionals needed to fill data-related jobs has persisted for years now. So, the need for business analytics professionals with expertise in real-world applications of data science has only grown with the broad shift to digital life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business leaders face a distinct challenge in finding and retaining employees who understand data science and business analytics. Forbes notes that available jobs in data science and analytics remain open due to what is essentially a supply chain challenge — "a simple issue of supply and demand."
Advanced analytics degree programs like UNCW's can play an important role in closing this data science talent gap. As explained in an article from TechRepublic, "colleges and universities have the tools required to provide fantastic environments for learning the engineering side of data science, and they hold the key to minimizing the current data science skills shortage."
Individuals interested in working toward their master's degree have more options today than ever before. Almost every university offers an online advanced degree program. The game-changer is often tuition costs, which can vary considerably. The online M.S. in Business Analytics program at UNCW is an affordable, convenient option for North Carolina residents looking to enter a high-need, high-growth field.
Learn more about UNCW's online M.S. in Business Analytics program.
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