The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been recognized for having one of the best online undergraduate business analytics programs in the country.
AnalyticsDegrees.org, a business and data analytics education website, has ranked UA Little Rock’s Online Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Analytics program 10th overall in its comprehensive assessment of all online bachelor’s degrees in business analytics in the country.
The ranking methodology took into consideration multiple factors, including program quality, price, reputation, student outcomes, graduate rates, accreditation status, academic focus, delivery format, and external awards.
The Business Analytics program at UA Little Rock provides students with the knowledge needed to collect and interpret data while equipping them with real-world skills and insight into the business analytics field. The program is especially unique in that it is an interdisciplinary program that contains a foundation of technical skills in business analysis, database, and analytics software skills on which courses from business disciplines are added, including economics, finance, marketing, and management. Students receive skills in not only data analysis but also critical applications and decision making relating to major business systems, such as human resource management, digital marketing, and financial modeling.
“Our Business Analytics program has evolved into a strong career builder, providing graduates career opportunities in a top growth area in business analytics and data analysis,” said Dr. Robert Mitchell, director of the School of Business. “Students can obtain a bachelor’s degree or a certificate of proficiency in business analytics to further brand their career preparation. The program was developed based on input from industry professionals in the field to assure that graduates develop not only technical but also discipline-based and soft skills needed for success in the workplace. Our graduates are employed in major businesses in the Little Rock area and beyond, including many out-of-state companies.”
The BBA in Business Analytics program began in 2015 and was developed collaboratively with analytics professionals from regional organizations like Acxiom, Arkansas Blues Cross and Blue Shield, Dillard’s, Southwest Power Pool, Tyson Foods, and Windstream.
The BBA in Business Analytics program currently has about 50 students. Graduates often find careers as a data analyst, marketing manager, human resource analyst, operations analyst, financial analyst, and business/systems analyst.
Data analytics is an up-and-coming field with a growing need for more majors. According to a ResearchAndMarkets report, the global big data analytics market is projected to reach more than $105 billion by 2027. Over the next decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a growth of 36 percent for data scientists by 2031.
“This exploding growth is understandable when considering that businesses of all sizes find they must make decisions based on data,” Mitchell said. “Companies are seeking employees who are skilled in capturing data, managing and interpreting large datasets, and drawing conclusions and establishing actionable recommendations within the context of all areas of business, from accounting and finance to marketing, operations, and human resource management.”