Are you ready to get started on your master’s program, but you’re stuck between doing business analytics and data science? While they are both very similar in some respects, each course and each carer path is more suited to different styles of learners and will be suited to different personalities.

You may be really good at both, but if you don’t choose the one that you love the most, you’re likely to go down a path that will not give you the best outcome for your money and time.

Choosing Between The Two
In today’s modern world, when looking at  masters in business analytics vs data science, both are incredibly relevant degrees. The world is changing at a pace, and it’s vital that we have educated and highly capable individuals who are able to work at a high level to keep thing moving.

This is where both a data scientist and a business analyst come in and, although they may seem like quite similar roles, they are very different in some key areas.

Business Analyst
A business analyst’s main purpose is to comb through the data they have at hand and analyze the insights to make recommendations for businesses. This is a really vital role in the modern business landscape as businesses analytics are operating in high-risk environments and need to know that the information they are generating is on point and right,

An analysis will study trends and patterns in the business itself, as well as in the wider markets, so attempt to get a head start on the competition. They will use statistical concepts to ensure that their recommendations and their findings are backed up properly with easy to follow science and data.

Business analysts work across many different industries, from healthcare to finance, supply chains, IT, and even retail, and their skills are in great demand.

Data Scientists
Data scientists are the data lovers that eat spreadsheets for breakfast! While business analysts will work on specific business trends, a data scientist will take a higher-level approach and study trends that are further reaching than their comrades in the analytics world.

Statistics are the bread and butter of a data scientist’s role, but this is much more focused on big data and big ideas, with big picture learning and development. A data scientist will also use more technology and algorithms to get the results and information they need, unlike business analysts. They will need to be comfortable with coding to go far in their careers.

Many data scientists work collaboratively with computer scientists, as coding knowledge and logical theory often overlap and end up being useful to each other.

Which To Choose
While both roles are quite similar, and in fact, many data scientists start out as business analysts, the subtle differences will play to the strengths of your personality.

If you’re into big picture thinking, the data science role might be for you, but if you want to get into the nitty-gritty of business development, then a career as a business analyst might be just what you need.