Columbia MS in Data Science vs MS in Business Analytics — which leads to better job opportunities in the U.S.?

Question

I’m deciding between Columbia University’s MS in Data Science and MS in Business Analytics. Both seem to cover analytics, programming, and statistics, but I’m not sure how the job markets differ after graduation. Which program offers better opportunities in the U.S. for roles like data scientist, analytics consultant, or business strategist, and how do the average salaries compare?

Divakshi Arora · Accepted Answer

The main difference between Columbia&rsquo;s MS in Data Science and MS in Business Analytics is the nature of work after graduation.
&bull; MS in Data Science grads take on technical roles like training ML models, building data pipelines, or creating AI-driven products. Employers include Amazon, Meta, and Bloomberg, with salaries often $120K+ plus bonuses. Example: a 2023 MSDS grad became an ML engineer at Amazon within two months. &bull; MS in Business Analytics grads work closer to decision-makers, using data for business strategy or market recommendations. Firms like Deloitte, McKinsey, and Mastercard pay $95K&ndash;$110K base. Example: a recent MSBA alum joined Deloitte&rsquo;s analytics consulting team in New York. &bull; Data Science has higher technical barriers but broader R&D opportunities. &bull; Business Analytics offers more cross-industry mobility without heavy coding. &bull; Both are STEM-designated with 3-year OPT; Data Science may require a stronger academic portfolio, while MSBA grads often leverage internships for consulting or product analytics jobs.

Hema A · Answer

For career prospects in the U.S., Columbia&rsquo;s MS in Data Science and MS in Business Analytics lead to different but overlapping job markets. The MS in Data Science is more technical &mdash; graduates often work as data scientists, machine learning engineers, or AI specialists. Average starting salaries are typically $120K&ndash;$130K in tech, finance, and research roles, with placement rates above 95% within three months of graduation. Demand is strong in AI, NLP, and big data engineering.
The MS in Business Analytics focuses on applying analytics to business strategy, product decisions, and operations. Graduates frequently take roles like analytics consultant, product analytics manager, or strategy analyst, earning $95K&ndash;$115K on average, with placement rates around 90% in the same timeframe. While demand for data scientists is booming in tech-heavy industries, business analytics roles are more common in consulting, retail, and finance. If you want deep technical skill-building for high-tech industries, MSDS has the edge; for broader industry mobility with client-facing work, MSBA fits better.