The top three schools remain the same as last year, with some slight movement. UCLA Anderson School of Management holds onto second place, though this time sharing the position with France’s HEC Paris and École Polytechnique program.
The US dominates the top 10 in the QS MSBA ranking, with five universities, followed by France with three, and the UK with two.
Methodology:
The ranking is based on QS surveys of academics, employers, and business school staff.
Programs are given scores across five categories to work out their overall position. Schools are measured on their employability, alumni outcomes, value for money, thought leadership, and class and faculty diversity.
Primary weighting is given to employability (30%), then value for money (20%), alumni outcomes (20%), and return on investment (20%).
Top 10 best Master's in Business Analytics in 2026
Digitalization is reshaping industries across the globe, with cutting-edge tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) taking center stage in recent years. As a result, the ability to analyze data effectively has never been more important. A Master's in Business Analytics equips graduates with the skills and expertise needed to become digital leaders ready to thrive in the modern workplace.
In 2026, MIT Sloan School of Management remains the top choice for acquiring these skills, with its STEM-designated Master of Business Analytics (MBAn) retaining first place after also leading in 2025.
UCLA Anderson’s MSc in Business Analytics—also STEM-designated—shares joint second place with the Data Science for Business MSc, jointly offered by France’s HEC Paris and École Polytechnique. This marks an improvement for the French program, which previously sat in third place. By contrast, the ESSEC/CentraleSupélec MSc in Data Sciences & Business Analytics slips down to fourth.
Both London Business School and Columbia Business School hold their positions in the top 10, after debuting last year. In 2026, Columbia takes fifth place, with London Business School close behind in sixth—a reversal of last year’s standings.
Further down the table, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, Imperial College Business School, and ESCP Business School all maintain the seventh, eighth, and ninth spots, respectively.
Rounding out the top 10 is a new entrant: Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, which replaces Spain’s IE Business School, falling out of the list entirely.
Outside the top 10, the 2026 Master’s in Business Analytics ranking features 201 entries in total, including 38 new schools. Of these, 88 improved their position, 49 remained the same, and 106 dropped off. Notable new entries included Georgetown University in 29th place, Copenhagen Business School in 36th, and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business at 42nd—all significant achievements.
10 Best Masters in Business Analytics 2026 (QS)
Is a Master's in Business Analytics worth it?
The world’s best Master’s in Business Analytics programs don’t come cheap. MIT’s MBAn costs just over $93,250 for its one-year program, while UCLA Anderson’s MSBA degree is slightly more affordable at around $75,000—a figure that has remained unchanged since last year.
Studying in Europe is generally more cost-effective. The HEC Paris/École Polytechnique two-year program comes in at just under €28,000 per year ($33,000), while Imperial Business School charges around £42,000 ($57,000) for 2025 entry.
Despite the high fees, enrolling in a Master’s in Business Analytics is often considered worth it, as the skills and expertise gained translate into strong earning potential.
For instance, the UCLA Anderson MSBA boasts an impressive return on investment, with graduates seeing an average salary increase of 69%. Pre-MSBA earnings average $65,000, but post-graduation salaries jump to $110,000 per year.
In Europe, salaries are comparatively lower, but this is offset by more affordable tuition fees. Graduates from ESCP Business School, for example, report average earnings of around €60,000 ($71,000).
These figures suggest that graduates can expect to see a healthy return on their investment relatively quickly. For those looking for flexibility, online MSBA degrees provide a more affordable alternative and can often be studied part-time, enabling students to continue working while they learn.
In today’s digital age, demand for professionals who can analyze and apply data effectively is only likely to grow. As such, the digital skills gained from a Master’s in Business Analytics will continue to pay dividends well into the future.
Key Takeaways
⇨ MIT Sloan holds onto its number one spot for another year in the QS Master’s in Business Analytics Ranking for 2026.
⇨ The US dominates the top 10, taking half of the places, with the rest filled by schools in France and the UK.
⇨ The 2026 Master’s in Business Analytics ranking features 201 entries in total, showcasing the rising demand for data-driven skills worldwide.
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