B.S. in Business Analytics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Oregon State University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Business Analytics at Oregon State University is designed for students who want to turn data into practical business decisions, combining business knowledge with data analysis, artificial intelligence, and analytical problem-solving. It is a strong fit for students interested in using data to identify opportunities, solve organizational problems, and communicate insights, with options including Digital Marketing Analytics, Market Research and Consumer Analytics, People Analytics, Sports Business, Accounting, and International Business.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students build a foundation in business, economics, mathematics, communication, and data skills. Courses such as Data Analysis Using Microsoft Excel, Principles of Microeconomics, and Principles of Macroeconomics introduce students to quantitative business thinking while courses such as Innovation Nation—Awareness to Action and Innovation Nation—Ideas to Reality begin developing entrepreneurial and problem-solving abilities.

Year 2:
Students move into dedicated analytics and business coursework, beginning with Introduction to Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, where they explore analytical and AI methods for organizational decision-making. They also study Foundations of Statistical Inference, Business Process Management, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, and Principles of Marketing, giving them the business context needed to apply analytics effectively.

Year 3:
The third year develops more advanced data-management and visualization capabilities through Data Management and Data Exploration and Visualization. Students also study Applied Quantitative Methods, Operations and Supply Chain Management, International Business, and Business Information Systems Overview, connecting analytical methods with operations, technology, and international business decisions.

Year 4:
In the final year, students develop advanced analytical capabilities through Machine Learning and Text Mining for Business and bring their business knowledge together through the Integrative Strategic Experience. The experiential-learning requirement and option courses allow students to apply their skills through an internship, project, practicum, thesis, study-abroad experience, or another approved experience while developing a career direction.

Focus Areas

Business analytics, artificial intelligence, data management, data exploration and visualization, machine learning, text mining, business information systems, quantitative methods, operations and supply chain, digital marketing analytics, market research and consumer analytics, people analytics, sports business, accounting, international business

Learning Outcomes

Students learn to identify business opportunities for data-driven or AI-based solutions, select and apply analytical models and machine-learning methods, integrate data-analytic tools to solve complex problems, develop solutions for real-world business decisions, communicate technical findings to technical and non-technical audiences, and evaluate the financial, operational, and ethical consequences of data-driven solutions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is offered through Oregon State University’s College of Business, which is AACSB accredited. This provides students with a business education delivered within an internationally recognized accreditation framework while the Business Analytics curriculum develops specialized skills in data analysis, AI, visualization, machine learning, and business decision-making.

Reputation (Employability Rankings/Official Statistics)

Oregon State’s College of Business reports that 85% of its undergraduates have a career outcome within six months of graduation, including a new job, existing job, continuing education, or military service. The College of Business also reports that approximately 450 companies recruit its students each year, giving Business Analytics students access to a broad employer network.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Oregon State University builds practical experience directly into the Business Analytics major through a dedicated experiential-learning requirement. Students can gain academic credit through internships, projects, practicums, research, study abroad, or other approved experiences, while the curriculum itself provides hands-on exposure to data analysis, AI, data management, visualization, machine learning, and text mining. Students also have access to the Center for Business Analytics & Applied AI, which connects business organizations, faculty, and students around real-world analytics and AI challenges.

Students can put these analytical and business skills into practice through opportunities such as:

Business Analytics and AI: BANA 270 – Introduction to Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence provides hands-on experience applying analytical and AI methods to organizational decision-making and introduces machine-learning methods through software-based applications.
Data management and visualization: BANA 371 – Data Management and BANA 372 – Data Exploration and Visualization develop practical skills for managing, exploring, and communicating insights from business data.
Machine learning and text mining: BANA 472 – Machine Learning and Text Mining for Business gives students advanced exposure to machine-learning and text-mining techniques for business applications.
Internships: Students can complete the experiential-learning requirement through BANA 004/COB 004 internships or credit-bearing COB 410 internships, allowing them to gain professional experience connected to their studies.
Projects and research: Students can use approved COB 406 Projects, COB 403 Thesis, or COB 405 Reading and Conference experiences to pursue deeper project or research work.
Practicum experience: COB 409 Practicum provides another route for applying classroom knowledge to practical work.
Study abroad: Students can satisfy the experiential requirement through an approved international experience, supported by courses such as BA 348 International Exchange Orientation and BA 349 Impact of Culture on Business.
Center for Business Analytics & Applied AI: The center works with organizations on corporate-sponsored projects involving data/text mining, data visualization and exploration, predictive modeling, and optimization, creating opportunities to connect analytics education with real organizational challenges.
Austin Hall facilities: Corvallis students study in Austin Hall, a 100,000-square-foot College of Business facility with five research centers, a marketing research suite, 10 classrooms, and 23 computer- and teleconference-equipped project rooms.
Industry-connected learning: The Center for Business Analytics & Applied AI connects students and faculty with organizations to develop data-driven solutions, while College of Business employer relationships provide opportunities for professional networking and practical experience.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Business Analytics prepares graduates to work across industries where organizations need professionals who can analyze data, identify business opportunities, and translate analytical findings into practical decisions. Oregon State reports that Business Analytics graduates have pursued careers including computer analyst, business process analyst, quality control manager, IT project manager, consultant, systems analyst, and chief information officer, while the major's options allow students to tailor their preparation toward areas such as marketing, consumer research, people analytics, sports business, accounting, and international business.

Typical job roles include: Business Analyst, Business Process Analyst, Data Analyst, Business Systems Analyst

Students can strengthen their transition from university to employment through:

Career Success Center: The College of Business has a dedicated, discipline-specific Career Success Center that provides services including résumé-writing workshops, interview preparation, career counseling, and internship support.
Career outcomes: The College of Business reports that 85% of undergraduates have a career outcome within six months of graduation, covering new employment, existing employment, continuing education, or military service.
Employer recruitment: Approximately 450 companies recruit College of Business students each year, creating opportunities for internships, interviews, networking, and full-time employment.
Industry connections: The College of Business works with employers through career fairs, professional networking events, job postings, interviews, and recruitment activities.
Analytics industry projects: The Center for Business Analytics & Applied AI connects organizations with faculty and students through corporate-sponsored projects focused on analytics, applied AI, customer discovery, market research, supply chain, and other business challenges.
Specific corporate collaborations: The Center has documented analytics projects involving organizations such as Portland General Electric, Daimler Trucks North America, Burgerville, Cairn, and Samaritan Healthcare, demonstrating how analytics can be applied to customer experience, manufacturing, supply chains, healthcare, and operational challenges.
Professional accreditation value: Oregon State’s College of Business is AACSB accredited, providing graduates with a business education from a school recognized under an internationally established business-school accreditation framework.
Graduate employment network: Oregon State reports that 60% of its business graduates stay in Oregon, while its employer network provides connections to organizations recruiting business students and graduates.
Career development embedded in the curriculum: Courses such as Professional Development, Drafting Your Career Blueprint, Framing Your Career Plan, and Navigating Career Transitions help students develop a structured approach to career planning alongside their technical education.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Business Analytics, students can continue into graduate study in business analytics and related areas. Oregon State offers graduate pathways including an MBA in Business Analytics, a Business Analytics graduate certificate, and master's-level programs connected to areas such as supply chain and logistics management, marketing insights and analytics, financial analytics, and Business Analytics and Applied AI, allowing students to deepen either their business leadership or technical analytics expertise.