Columbia MSBA vs UT Austin MSBA vs NYU MSDS?

Question

NYU MSDS – Strong program with plenty of electives to customise my learning. Downside is it’s 2 years long, which delays my return to full-time work. Some courses seem quite theoretical, and I’m not sure if that aligns with my goal of moving into management later.

Columbia MSBA – Flexible, lets you take electives across schools. Duration is around 1 year (more if I add a summer term), which feels manageable. Brand value and network are top-tier, though the tuition is on the higher side (~$80K+ without living costs).

UT Austin MSBA – Short 10-month format, strong reputation in analytics, and more affordable compared to the other two. However, course flexibility is limited and I’ve heard the pace is intense, leaving little time for internships during the program.

Currently leaning towards Columbia for the balance of flexibility, duration, and brand. But I’m wondering if Austin’s ROI or NYU’s depth might be a smarter long-term move. How much should location, post-grad work opportunities, and alumni reach influence my choice here?

Divakshi Arora · Accepted Answer

The real differentiator between Columbia MSBA, UT Austin MSBA, and NYU MSDS is how each program&rsquo;s format affects career momentum.
&bull; NYU MSDS: Strong for technical mastery, with salaries around $100K&ndash;$115K. The 2-year length increases opportunity cost but suits those aiming for deep technical or AI/ML roles. Full-time internships are mostly limited to the summer.
&bull; Columbia MSBA: A 1-year format enables faster return to work while leveraging a global brand. Graduates often move into consulting analytics, product strategy, or finance analytics, averaging $95K&ndash;$110K. Internships are possible if the program is extended with a summer term.
&bull; UT Austin MSBA: Offers great ROI with ~$55K tuition and strong ties to Texas industries. Placement is quick, often within 3 months, but the 10-month pace leaves little room for internships.
For international students, Columbia and NYU offer broader global alumni reach, while Austin&rsquo;s network is more regional. NYC has the densest consulting and finance opportunities, while Texas offers expanding tech hubs with a lower cost of living.
For more details you can read these blogs on "UT Austin MSBA" , " Columbia MSBA" and  "NYU MSDS"

Hema A · Answer

For someone weighing Columbia MSBA, UT Austin MSBA, and NYU MSDS, the decision should factor in structure, ROI, and career location. Columbia MSBA offers an Ivy League network, cross-school electives, and a 1-year timeline. Average starting salaries are $95K&ndash;$110K for analytics and consulting roles, with many international grads working in New York on OPT. The main drawback is tuition (~$80K+ before living costs), which lowers ROI compared to UT Austin&rsquo;s cost.
UT Austin&rsquo;s MSBA is 10 months and affordable (~$55K tuition) with strong placements ($90K&ndash;$105K), though the pace leaves little time for internships. Most roles are based in Texas or nearby.
NYU MSDS runs 2 years, offering more technical depth and electives. It suits those targeting advanced data science or research, but delays full-time work re-entry.
Columbia balances speed and brand, Austin delivers cost efficiency, and NYU provides depth for highly technical career paths.