In response to growing demand from the industry, the UCR School of Business is set to launch an undergraduate degree in business analytics. This major will equip graduates with advanced quantitative skills to analyze large volumes of data and enhance business decision-making processes. With this program, students will be able to describe and interpret a company’s past or current situation, predict future outcomes, and recommend strategies for growth and performance improvement.
According to Yunzeng Wang, dean of the UCR School of Business, the school is expanding its offerings in line with emerging trends in the industry that require graduates with advanced quantitative skills. The demand for business analysts continues to rise, with job opportunities in this field expected to increase by up to 25% by 2031. As of February 2024, there were 228 business analyst positions available within a 35-mile radius of Riverside, with an average base salary in California of $93,431.
The business analytics major has recently been approved by the UCR Faculty Senate and will require students to complete coursework in business, mathematics, statistics, and computer science. The program will have a strong technical and quantitative focus, with plans to seek STEM certification. Students will also gain practical experience through an internship in the business analytics field.
Starting next year, the School of Business intends to enroll a small group of students in the business analytics major before expanding it over time to approximately 100 majors over several years.
