Business Analytics - B.B.A.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Kent State University

Program Overview

Kent State University’s Business Analytics B.B.A. prepares students to turn business data into practical insights for better strategic decision-making, combining business knowledge with data analysis, visualization, machine learning and database skills. It is a strong fit for students who enjoy working with data and technology and want to apply analytics to areas such as marketing, logistics, risk management, healthcare, security and other business environments.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin by developing their business, quantitative and communication foundations through courses such as BUS 10123 Exploring Business, MATH 11010 Algebra for Calculus and COMM 15000 Introduction to Human Communication. They also build an early understanding of information systems and the business environment through CIS 24053 Introduction to Information Systems and Digital Technologies, ECON 22060 Principles of Microeconomics and BA 24056 Business Analytics I.

Year 2: The second year introduces students more deeply to business analytics and the core functions that provide context for data-driven decisions. Students study BA 24056 Business Analytics I, ACCT 23021 Introduction to Managerial Accounting, MKTG 25010 Principles of Marketing and BUS 30062 Advanced Professional Development, building analytical, business and professional skills.

Year 3: Students move into more advanced analytical methods and begin working with industry-relevant programming languages. BA 34156 Business Analytics II develops methods for collecting, cleaning, visualizing and modeling data, while BA 34157 Business Analytics Using Python and R provides hands-on experience managing, analyzing, visualizing and modeling real business datasets; BA 44062 Supply Chain Management and FIN 36053 Business Finance add important business applications.

Year 4: The final year focuses on advanced analytics and applying technical knowledge to business problems. Students study BA 44038 Analytics in Practice, BA 44050 Data Visualization, BA 44051 Machine Learning and CIS 44043 Database Design and Data Governance, before completing BA 44099 Capstone in Business Analytics, where students address an industry-supplied problem and present their solution to stakeholders.

Focus areas:

Business analytics, data acquisition and transformation, predictive analytics, data visualization, machine learning, Python, R, database design and governance, business intelligence, strategic decision-making, supply chain analytics, marketing analytics and risk analysis.

Learning outcomes:

Graduates learn to acquire and transform data for analysis, use data to predict business outcomes and make decisions with analytical tools across different business contexts, while also developing analytical thinking, digital technology, communication, teamwork and ethical decision-making skills.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The B.B.A. in Business Analytics is accredited through AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, providing an internationally recognized quality framework for business education.

Reputation (employability rankings):

Kent State states that its undergraduate business programs were ranked No. 1 among public universities in Northeast Ohio by U.S. News & World Report for 2026. The university also reports an average annual starting salary of $60,000 and an average internship wage of $20 per hour, based on a three-year average of graduating cohorts from 2023–2025.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program places a strong emphasis on applying analytics to real business problems rather than focusing only on theory. Students work with Python and R, real business datasets, data visualization, machine-learning technologies and database systems, while the curriculum includes an experiential-learning capstone and an optional Business Analytics internship. Students also have access to the dedicated Robert M. and Janet L. Archer Kent Water Sports Business Analytics Lab in Crawford Hall, along with computer labs and other business learning spaces.

Students can build practical experience through:

Python and R: BA 34157 Business Analytics Using Python and R teaches students to manage, analyze, visualize and model business data using two widely used programming languages, with hands-on work involving real business datasets.
Analytics in Practice: BA 44038 Analytics in Practice exposes students to methods for collecting, cleaning and visualizing data and to analytical models used for real-world decision-making.
Machine learning: BA 44051 Machine Learning gives students advanced analytical experience relevant to predictive and data-driven business applications.
Data visualization: BA 44050 Data Visualization develops students’ ability to communicate analytical findings visually for business decision-making.
Database skills: CIS 44043 Database Design and Data Governance develops knowledge of database design and responsible data governance.
Industry-supplied capstone: BA 44099 Capstone in Business Analytics requires students to address an industry-supplied problem individually or in small teams and present their solution to stakeholders.
Internship option: BA 44092 Internship in Business Analytics is available as a major elective and carries the Experiential Learning Requirement, allowing students to gain professional experience in the field.
Business Analytics Lab: Crawford Hall houses the Robert M. and Janet L. Archer Kent Water Sports Business Analytics Lab, providing a dedicated environment connected with business analytics education.
Computer facilities: Crawford Hall includes dedicated computer labs, and the college provides remote access to its computer labs for students who need compatible software or technology resources.
Industry-led projects and teamwork: Kent State’s Information Systems and Business Analytics department highlights hands-on, industry-led projects involving AI integration and digital transformation, with students solving complex problems collaboratively.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Business Analytics B.B.A. prepares graduates for entry-level analytics roles by combining business knowledge with data transformation, predictive analytics, visualization, machine learning and decision-making. Kent State identifies career areas including management analysis, operations research, statistics and general operations management, while its business career events connect students with employers seeking interns and full-time graduates.

Typical job roles include: Management Analyst, Operations Research Analyst, Data Analyst, Business Analyst.

Students can strengthen their transition into employment through:

Career Services: Crawford College provides business students with career preparation, networking, employer engagement and recruiting opportunities, including career fairs for internships and full-time positions.
Employer connections: Kent State identifies organizations where business analytics graduates can pursue opportunities, including Cleveland Clinic, Medical Mutual, Avient Corporation, Nestlé, Sherwin-Williams, Progressive, National Interstate Insurance Company, Eaton and Paychex.
Career and salary information: Kent State reports a $60,000 average annual starting salary for the program, based on a three-year average of graduating cohorts from 2023–2025. It also reports a $20/hour average internship wage for the same cohort period.
Occupation-level opportunities: Kent State's program information lists BLS-based median wage information for occupations including general and operations managers ($102,950), management analysts ($101,190), operations research analysts ($91,290) and statisticians ($103,300). These are U.S. occupation-level figures and are not guaranteed salaries for Kent State graduates.
Employer networking: The All Business Majors Career Fair specifically welcomes Business Analytics students and brings employers recruiting for internships and full-time positions.
Industry-focused curriculum: The program's capstone uses an industry-supplied problem, allowing students to demonstrate their analytical abilities to relevant stakeholders before graduation.
AACSB accreditation: The program is covered by AACSB accreditation through the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, providing an established external quality framework for the business degree.
STEM designation: Kent State identifies Business Analytics as a STEM-designated business program, combining business education with analytical and technical skills.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue directly into graduate study at Kent State. Business Analytics B.B.A. students may apply early to either the M.B.A. or M.S.B.A. program, and eligible students can double-count 9 graduate credit hours, providing a pathway to complete the bachelor's and master's degrees within five years.