Business Analytics and Information Management (BAIM), BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Purdue University West Lafayette

Program Overview

Purdue University’s Business Analytics and Information Management (BAIM), BS is designed for students who want to combine business strategy with data science, learning how to turn business problems into data problems and use analytics to guide effective decisions. The program develops skills in data management, programming, analytics, visualization and business communication, making it well suited to students interested in data-driven careers across business and technology.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin by developing a foundation in business and quantitative thinking while becoming familiar with how data supports business decisions. Early coursework includes areas such as economics, accounting and introductory analytics, helping students understand the business context in which data is collected and used.

Year 2: Students move deeper into business analytics and information management, developing their understanding of statistics, management science, programming and information systems. Courses such as MGMT 30500 – Business Statistics and MGMT 30600 – Management Science build the quantitative foundation needed to analyze business problems and evaluate potential solutions.

Year 3: The program increasingly connects analytical techniques with functional areas of business. Students develop skills in areas such as Management Information Systems and data-driven decision-making while learning to query, manipulate and interpret business data for practical applications.

Year 4: Advanced study focuses on applying analytics to complex organizational problems and communicating insights to decision-makers. Students can strengthen their professional profile through experiences such as The Data Mine, case competitions, internships and industry-connected projects, while preparing for roles involving business analysis, data science and information management.

Focus areas

Business analytics, information management, data management, programming, data mining, management information systems, statistical analysis, business intelligence, data visualization, data-driven decision-making and technology-enabled business strategy.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to translate business objectives into analytical problems, query and manipulate data, apply statistical and analytical techniques, work with transactional and large-scale data systems, and communicate analytical findings clearly to business decision-makers.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The BAIM degree is delivered through Purdue’s Mitch Daniels School of Business, which is AACSB accredited. AACSB accreditation provides an internationally recognized quality framework for business education, while Purdue’s BAIM curriculum emphasizes the integration of business, technology, data and quantitative skills.

Reputation (employability rankings/statistics)

Purdue lists its undergraduate business program at #21 in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 ranking and reports an average starting salary of $109,539 on its admissions BAIM page. The current Daniels School BAIM page separately reports an average starting salary of $72,607, an average hiring bonus of $8,381 and an average intern hourly wage of $23; these figures come from different reporting contexts, so they should not be treated as interchangeable.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

BAIM at Purdue is built around applying analytics beyond traditional classroom learning. Students can develop practical skills through The Data Mine, case competitions, student organizations, internships and the Krenicki Center for Business Analytics and Machine Learning, where Purdue students work with real data and business challenges and develop communication, collaboration and analytical skills. Purdue also highlights internship pathways, with BAIM students gaining experience at organizations such as Textron Aviation, Corteva Agriscience and Eli Lilly.

Specific opportunities include:

The Data Mine: A living, learning and research-based community where students collaborate on real-world data projects and work with corporate partners.
Krenicki Center for Business Analytics & Machine Learning: Students can participate in semester-long projects involving data analytics, machine learning and AI, working with corporate or community partners and receiving faculty mentorship.
Real-world analytics projects: Student teams work with actual datasets and business challenges involving areas such as manufacturing, logistics, consumer products, healthcare and nonprofit organizations.
BAIM Student Association: Provides opportunities to hear from industry professionals, develop technical skills and participate in learning outside the classroom.
Case competitions: Purdue provides analytics-focused competitions where students work in teams, analyze data, develop solutions and present recommendations. Examples include the Data 4 Good competition and analytics challenges using tools such as SAS and Microsoft Azure.
Internships: Purdue highlights BAIM students gaining professional experience through internships, including data analyst and business analyst roles at organizations such as Textron Aviation and Corteva Agriscience.
Professional Practice Internship: Purdue provides MGMT 39699 – Professional Practice Internship for eligible undergraduate students participating in internships, including international students using CPT authorization.
Software and analytical tools: BAIM-related practical activities expose students to data analysis and analytics technologies; Purdue's analytics activities specifically include tools such as R, Python, SAS, Microsoft Azure and AI tools.

Progression & Future Opportunities

BAIM graduates are prepared for careers that connect business decision-making with data, analytics and information technology. Purdue specifically identifies career paths including business analyst, data scientist, database manager and software engineer, while its admissions page also highlights roles such as operations analyst and supply chain analyst.

Typical career roles include: Business Analyst, Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Database Manager

Career development and progression opportunities include:

Career coaching and advising: Daniels School career services provide personalized career coaching, job-search resources, recruiting opportunities and guidance for developing a career strategy.
Employer connections: Students can connect with employers through case competitions, student organizations, career activities and industry-linked projects. Purdue identifies employers connected with BAIM graduates and internship experiences including Eli Lilly, Microsoft, Mastercard, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Corteva Agriscience and Textron Aviation.
Industry-connected projects: The Krenicki Center connects students with corporate and community partners for real analytics projects, giving students experience with client relationships, project deliverables and professional presentations.
Employment and salary: Purdue's current BAIM page reports an average starting salary of $72,607, an average hiring bonus of $8,381 and an average intern hourly wage of $23.
STEM OPT eligibility: Purdue lists BS Business Analytics and Information Management among the Daniels School's STEM OPT-eligible degrees for international students, subject to the applicable requirements and verification of the CIP code on the student's I-20.
Professional recognition: Purdue's BAIM programs received the 2023 INFORMS UPS George D. Smith Prize, which recognizes programs for excellence in preparing students to become practitioners of operations research and analytics.
Further career development: Students can build additional experience through study abroad, concentrations, minors, master's degrees, learning communities and case competitions.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Business Analytics and Information Management, students can continue into graduate-level study in areas such as business analytics and information management. Purdue's Daniels School offers an MS in Business Analytics and Information Management, providing advanced study in analytics, information technologies and applied business problem-solving.