UVA Master of Science in Business Analytics Class of 2021 Reports Strong Career Momentum

10 October 2022

By Mary Shea Watson


Graduates in the University of Virginia Master of Science in business analytics (MSBA) Class of 2021 achieved career success in a variety of key indicators.

The MSBA program, which is delivered jointly by UVA Darden School of Business and UVA McIntire School of Commerce, provides a highly integrated, modular curriculum that blends vital analytics, business and leadership skills, with courses focused on managing projects and teams, executive communication and presentation skills, consulting skills, and design thinking. By the conclusion of the one-year program, a significant portion of the Class reported salary increases and new positions, among other positive hiring trends.

"On average, members of the MSBA Class of 2021 garnered a 17 percent increase in salary by graduation."

For many of the two schools’ recent alumni, the MSBA degree facilitated career transitions. One-third of the class began new roles at new companies and 24 percent reported a new role within their existing firms. These promotions and new positions helped graduates garner a 17 percent increase in salary by graduation, on average.

MSBA graduates enter Old Cabell Hall MSBA 2021 career success

MSBA graduates enter Old Cabell Hall in 2021

Members of the class are employed in a diverse range of industries and functions. The top five include consulting (26 percent), financial services (20 percent), technology (12 percent), government (10 percent), and consumer packaged goods (6 percent). Median base salaries for the top three hiring industries landed at $114,000 for technology, $110,000 for consulting, and $91,000 for financial services. By function, 26 percent of the class works in consulting roles, 16 percent in operations and logistics, 14 percent in marketing and sales, and 10 percent each in general management and information technology.

“In just one year, the class achieved notable, tangible career advancement,” said Gopika Spaenle, UVA Darden Career Center managing director for professional degree programs. “This success is a tremendous testament to the talents of each and every member of the MSBA Class of 2021.”


MORE: Data Indicates Record-Breaking Career Success for MBA Class of 2022


Kathryn Smith, UVA McIntire senior assistant director of career development echoed those sentiments.

“It’s been a joy collaborating with these recent graduates as they progress in their careers,” Smith said. “We look forward to cheering them on in all their current and future successes.”

Later this year, Darden will publish comprehensive MSBA graduate employment data in its forthcoming Employment Report, joined by career data from Darden’s Full-Time MBA and Executive MBA recent graduates.

About the University of Virginia Darden School of Business

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business prepares responsible global leaders through unparalleled transformational learning experiences. Darden’s graduate degree programs (MBA, MSBA and Ph.D.) and Executive Education & Lifelong Learning programs offered by the Darden School Foundation set the stage for a lifetime of career advancement and impact. Darden’s top-ranked faculty, renowned for teaching excellence, inspires and shapes modern business leadership worldwide through research, thought leadership and business publishing. Darden has Grounds in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C., area and a global community that includes 18,000 alumni in 90 countries. Darden was established in 1955 at the University of Virginia, a top public university founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

 

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Darden School of Business
University of Virginia
MitchellM@darden.virginia.edu