Data Science vs Business Analytics: Career Paths for Online MBA Graduates

Data Science vs Business Analytics: Career Paths for Online MBA Graduates

Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a highly popular master’s degree course for freshers and as well as working professionals. Pursuing an online MBA is still a challenge for a working professional as you need a full-time focus and a career break.

But now many universities are offering Online MBA programs, that are ideal and meet the needs of working professionals and provide a flexible learning opportunity.

With Online MBA growth, Many specializations have also become popular. In this blog, we are going to talk and learn about two in-demand and future-proof online MBA specialization courses- Online MBA in Data Science and Online MBA in Business Analytics. You’ll learn about what both of these specializations are about and how can they impact your career growth while opening different career paths for you.

Online MBA: Data Science vs Business Analytics

Before career paths, you should know what both these Online MBA specializations focus on, and what you’ll learn:

Online MBA in Data Science focuses on:

  • Creating complex algorithms 
  • Working with unstructured data
  • Building machine learning systems
  • Making predictions about future trends
  • Developing ways to analyze data

Online MBA in Business Analytics focuses on:

  • Analyzing structured business data
  • Creating reports and dashboards
  • Solving specific business problems
  • Looking at data to understand trends
  • Making business recommendations based on data

Career Opportunities After Online MBA in Data Science

Data Science graduates combine technical skills with business knowledge. In this course, you will learn fundamentals of business management with data science specialized subjects. Here are some popular career paths after Online MBA in Data Science:

Data Science Manager

The Data Science Manager leads teams of data scientists and provides solutions as per business needs. Your main job is to transform raw data into sensible data using tools and techniques.

The salary range for this role is between INR 12,00,000 to INR 25,00,000 per year. You’ll be responsible for:

  • Managing data science projects
  • Translating business problems into data problems
  • Overseeing model development
  • Communicating results to executives

Business Intelligence Director

This role combines data science skills with strategic thinking. You will manage a team of data scientists and BI professionals to ensure a data-driven culture in an organization.

Salaries range from INR 15,00,000 to INR 30,00,000. Your responsibilities include:

  • Developing data strategy for the company
  • Managing data infrastructure
  • Leading analytics initiatives
  • Making strategic recommendations based on data

AI Strategy Consultant

Many companies need help implementing AI solutions in their product or services, An AI Strategy helps organizations in building a strategy and put AI solutions to meet business goals and needs.

This role pays between INR 10,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 and involves:

  • Advising companies on AI implementation
  • Identifying opportunities for AI adoption
  • Managing AI projects
  • Ensuring ROI from AI investments

Career Opportunities After MBA in Business Analytics

After the Online MBA in Business Analytics, the job roles were more focused on practical business applications and decision-making. There is a huge ROI opportunity for well-skilled candidates in this field. Check these career paths you can get into after completing the course.

Analytics Manager

This role focuses on using data to solve business problems. As a Business Analytics manager, you will use different tools and techniques to analyze data and help the company make informed business decisions based on that.

Salaries range for this role is from INR 8,00,000 to INR 18,00,000. You’ll be responsible for:

  • Leading analytics teams
  • Creating performance reports
  • Identifying business opportunities
  • Making data-driven recommendations

Marketing Analytics Director

Perfect for you if you are interested in marketing and data. In this role, you will work or lead the marketing team, and help analyze marketing performance, analyze the market, and suggest moves based on that to generate maximum ROI.

Salary ranges from ₹12,00,000 to ₹25,00,000. And responsibilities include:

  • Analyzing marketing campaign performance
  • Optimizing marketing spend
  • Predicting customer behavior
  • Developing marketing strategies

Operations Analytics Specialist

This role focuses on improving business operations through data. As an Operations Analyst, your main job is to improve the operations department’s efficiency by making decisions based on data.

For this role salaries range from INR 7,00,000 to INR 15,00,000. You’ll be:

  • Analyzing operational efficiency
  • Identifying cost-saving opportunities
  • Improving business processes
  • Creating performance metrics

Which Online MBA Specialization You Should Choose?

To choose between an Online MBA in Data Science and a Business Analytics course, you must be confused as a fresher.

Choose Online MBA in Data Science if you:

  • Want to work with complex mathematical problems
  • Want to develop advanced technical skills
  • Are interested in machine learning and AI
  • Don’t mind spending time coding
  • Want to be at the cutting edge of technology

Choose an Online MBA in Business Analytics if you:

  • Prefer focusing on practical business problems
  • Like working directly with business stakeholders
  • Want to make an immediate business impact
  • Prefer analyzing existing data over creating new models
  • Want to focus more on strategy than technical details

Skills Needed for Data Science Specialization

The skills required for success in a data science career are:

  • Programming (Python, R)
  • Machine learning
  • Statistical analysis
  • Big data technologies
  • Business strategy
  • Project management

Skills Needed for Business Analytics Specialization

The skills required for success in a business analytics career are:

  • SQL
  • Data visualization
  • Excel advanced features
  • Business intelligence tools
  • Problem-solving
  • Communication skills

Top Recruiters and Sectors

After an Online MBA in Data Science, you can work in:

  • IT Services (TCS, Infosys, Wipro)
  • E-commerce (Flipkart, Amazon India)
  • Fintech startups
  • Banking and Financial Services
  • Healthcare technology
  • EdTech platforms

After an Online MBA in Business Analytics, you can work in:

  • FMCG Companies
  • Retail Chains
  • Telecommunications
  • Banking Sector
  • Insurance Companies
  • Manufacturing Industries

Conclusion

Both Online MBA specializations Data Science and Business Analytics offer diverse and high-paying career opportunities. To choice ideal course depends on your interests, skills, and career goals. An online MBA in Data Science will work for you if you want to be more technical role. An Online MBA in Business Analytics course will be better if you like problem-solving and have good business acumen.