Cornell MSBA: Where Data Science Meets Business Strategy
In today’s data-driven economy, the professionals who succeed are those who can bridge the gap between analytics and action. Our STEM-designated Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program prepares you to do exactly that. With a powerful blend of advanced analytics training and Ivy League business education, the MSBA equips you to lead with insight, deliver results, and shape strategy in any industry.
This degree program is designed for aspiring leaders who want to work at the intersection of data, business, and communication, featuring a unique curriculum that integrates advanced analytics with fundamentals in business, communication, and leadership. Students choose from four specialized concentrations, helping tailor the program to their interests and career goals for maximal industry impact.
One Program. Three Formats.
Whether you’re pivoting, launching, or leveling up, Cornell’s MS in Business Analytics meets you where you are. This Ivy League STEM-designated degree is delivered in three distinct formats:
Online+
- 16-month program
- Asynchronous online courses with live faculty interactions
- Two immersive residencies: One week in Ithaca, NY and one week at Cornell’s NYC campus
Ideal for: Working professionals seeking flexibility and structure
Specialized Concentrations: Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Operations & Supply Chains
NYC Full-Time
- 10-month accelerated program on weekdays
- In-person classes at Cornell’s NYC campus
Ideal for: Recent grads or early-career professionals ready to immerse and accelerate
Specialized Concentrations: Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Operations & Supply Chains
NYC Part-Time
- Evenings track with flexible schedule
- In-person classes at Cornell’s NYC campus
Ideal for: NYC-based professionals balancing career advancement with full-time work
Specialized Concentrations: Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Operations & Supply Chains
Each business analytics program path is distinct, but the outcome is the same: you’ll become the person others turn to when data and decisions matter.
What Makes the MS in Business Analytics Unique?
Cornell’s MSBA program curriculum is built on the idea that analytics leaders must be both technically fluent and strategically persuasive — a principle that we call the ABCs:
Advanced Analytics & AI Tools
Build proficiency in Python, SQL, machine learning, and emerging AI frameworks. Learn to structure data pipelines, build predictive models, and automate insights.
Business Fundamentals & Focus Areas
Apply your analytical toolkit across finance, marketing, supply chain, operations, and more. Program concentrations allow you to go deep in your area of interest.
Communication & Leadership
Learn how to turn complex findings into compelling stories. Build the confidence to guide executive decisions and lead data-driven transformations.
You’ll solve real business challenges using real datasets, in courses taught by Ivy League faculty and industry coaches who blend cutting-edge academic research with business experience. Career development workshops, networking events, and mentorship provide an immersive and holistic growth.
What You’ll Learn
At the core of each MSBA format — Online+, Full-Time NYC, or Part-Time NYC — is a rigorous curriculum designed to help you become a high-impact, cross-functional decision-maker with courses such as Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Analytics; Data Visualization – Tools, Practice and Application; and Designing and Building AI Solutions.
- Integrated Core and Electives
You’ll take a series of integrated core courses that build foundational fluency in analytics, business, and stakeholder communication, followed by targeted electives in Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Enterprise Analytics, and applied project work aligned with your goals. - Applied, Real-Time Learning
Coursework is shaped around real datasets, case simulations, and team-based projects, ensuring that what you learn can be applied immediately in your current role or career pivot. Online+ students learn in live, synchronous sessions. NYC-based students benefit from in-person classroom engagement in one of the world’s most dynamic business environments. - Faculty Who Bridge Academia and Industry
Benefit from professors who work at the forefront of data and business innovation and collaborate with top companies to bring that insight directly into the classroom.
With a Cornell Master’s in Business Analytics, Online+ or in-person, you graduate with the technical, strategic, and communication skills to drive impact in your organization.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Cornell MSBA program pursue data-driven roles across industries such as banking, consulting, technology, e-commerce, manufacturing, healthcare, and sports:
- Senior Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Data Engineer
- Business Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Insights Manager
- Operations or Supply Chain Analyst
- Analytics Consultant
- Director of Analytics
“The Cornell MSBA program turned out to be exactly what I was looking for … it brings together classic analytical models from marketing, finance, and decision analysis (just to name a few), and connects them to real-world business applications.”
— Ying Xue MSBA ‘24
“The knowledge and skills I acquired significantly enhanced my analytical capabilities and strategic thinking. Cornell’s MSBA equipped me to deliver data-driven solutions with confidence.”
— Angie Okhupe MSBA ‘24
“I appreciated the program’s blend of technical skills and business strategy. It gave me the tools to communicate data insights effectively and lead projects with clarity.”
— Bellona Xinwei Liu MSBA ‘24
Our students and alumni work across diverse industries, including banking, consulting, e-commerce, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, human resources, sports, and beyond.
Prepare for High-Impact Roles in a Data-Driven World
With growing demand for professionals who can interpret data and drive strategy, the MSBA positions you as a trusted decision-maker in organizations that range from Fortune 500s to startups and nonprofits.
Through this program, you’ll gain access to:
- Cornell’s expansive global alumni network
- Employer connections in New York City, one of the world’s top markets for analytics talent, and beyond
- Career coaching and mentorship that supports your goals throughout your journey and long after graduation
Analytics opens doors. Cornell helps you walk through them.
Tuition, Aid, and Scholarships
Cornell offers one of the best MSBAs for investing in your future with real returns:
- Three Distinct Format Options, Aligned to Your Life
This MSBA offers multiple learning paths designed to fit your career and lifestyle - Merit-Based Aid
Competitive merit scholarships are available. All applicants are considered automatically. For students who receive partial tuition reimbursement from their employers, Cornell makes an effort to match the tuition reimbursement up to a cap. - Ivy League ROI
Cornell’s MSBA stands apart with a powerful combination of rigorous academics, employer-aligned outcomes, and a lifelong professional network that delivers benefits far after graduation.
Application Deadlines and Key Dates for the Class of 2027
| Next Application Deadline* | Final Application Deadline | Program Begins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYC (Full-time and Part-time) | December 15, 2025 | April 15, 2026 | August 20, 2026 |
| Online+ | December 15, 2025 | March 15, 2026** | May 18, 2026*** |
*Application deadlines fall on the 15th of each month during the application period. **Cornell Employee Degree Program application deadline ***Online+ students attend residency weeks from June 8-12, 2026 in Ithaca and from August 2-6, 2026 in New York City. Dates are subject to change. |
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Have additional Questions? We’ll help you through every step of the process.To learn more about the program and get your questions answered live:
Sign Up for an Info Session.
Get full guidance and support on how to submit your app in our Cornell MSBA application guide.
Events
MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) Admissions Info Session
Not Sure Which Format Fits?
Each MSBA format offers unique advantages but all lead to the same Ivy League degree. Our admissions team is here to help you explore the options, align them with your ambitions, and choose the path that fits seamlessly into your life and career.