Master of Science [MSc] (Applied AI and Business Analytics)
Field of Study:
Drexel University Master of Science in Business Analytics becomes the MS in Applied AI and Business Analytics for Fall 2027, with AI meaning artificial intelligence. This 33-credit science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degree takes 18 months full-time on campus in Philadelphia; part-time study can last 36 months. Applicants need an equivalent bachelor’s degree; Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished; 2026-27 tuition was US$1,246 per quarter credit (INR 1.19 Lakhs), as a prior-cycle reference.
The programme develops statistics, data engineering, machine learning and responsible artificial intelligence through an end-to-end analytics curriculum. It best suits applicants prepared for technical coursework who want to translate models into business decisions through a partner-sponsored capstone.
- The Fall 2027 plan combines 24 core credits, a three-credit capstone and six elective credits.
- Students work with structured and unstructured data before presenting analytical recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
- The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are optional, letting applicants emphasize academic, professional and project evidence.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 01 May 2027.
Indian applicants should target the 01 March 2027 priority scholarship deadline because Drexel automatically considers complete applications for merit funding. Classes begin on 23 August 2027, leaving a limited visa preparation window after the final international deadline.
Also Check: Drexel University admissions
Drexel MS Business Analytics Fees and Living Costs 2027
Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished on the checked programme, fee and international-cost pages. All foreign amounts are in United States dollars (USD). The figures below are 2026-27 prior-cycle references for the former 45-quarter-credit curriculum, not prices for the new 33-semester-credit degree.
| Cost item | Official or calculated amount | INR equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition per quarter credit, 2026-27 | US$1,246 | INR 1.19 Lakhs |
| Calculated 45-credit tuition, 2026-27 | US$56,070 | INR 53.36 Lakhs |
| International I-20 tuition and fees estimate for three quarters, 2026-27 | US$33,642 | INR 32.02 Lakhs |
| General full-time fee per quarter, 2026-27 | US$280 | INR 26,647 |
| General part-time fee per quarter, 2026-27 | US$140 | INR 13,323 |
| First-year programme fee, 2026-27 | US$300 | INR 28,550 |
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.1675 as of 27 October 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
Source: Drexel Central 2026-27 graduate tuition and international cost pages.
The old 45-credit tuition illustration equals 45 multiplied by US$1,246 (INR 1.19 Lakhs), producing US$56,070 (INR 53.36 Lakhs). Drexel has not published a semester rate, so multiplying that quarter rate by the new 33 credits would be invalid.
- The I-20 estimate helps size first-year funding proof, but it does not represent confirmed Fall 2027 charges.
- Part-time study can spread payments across 36 months, although international students need full-time on-campus enrollment for visa sponsorship.
- The new 33-credit plan reduces the credit count, but no valid cost saving can be calculated before semester pricing appears.
Cost of Living in Philadelphia for Business Analytics Students
Drexel’s 2026-27 international estimate combines living expenses and other costs for nine months rather than publishing a detailed rent or food split. Monthly values below divide each official nine-month amount by nine for planning.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) | 9-month total (USD) | 9-month total (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living expenses | US$2,278 | INR 2.17 Lakhs | US$20,502 | INR 19.51 Lakhs |
| Other costs | US$1,195 | INR 1.14 Lakhs | US$10,756 | INR 10.24 Lakhs |
| Non-tuition total | US$3,473 | INR 3.31 Lakhs | US$31,258 | INR 29.75 Lakhs |
A prior-cycle planning illustration for 18 months combines US$56,070 (INR 53.36 Lakhs) tuition with two nine-month non-tuition estimates totaling US$62,516 (INR 59.49 Lakhs). The result is US$118,586 (INR 1.13 Crore), before exchange-rate movement or target-cycle fee changes.
Read More: cost of living in USA
Fee status note
Verify the target fee on the official fee page. Use the prior-cycle illustration only to test loan capacity until Drexel publishes the semester rate.
Key insight: The curriculum is confirmed, but the largest financial risk remains Fall 2027 pricing, so preserve a buffer above the US$118,586 (INR 1.13 Crore) illustration.
Drexel MS Business Analytics Admission 2027
Drexel LeBow uses holistic graduate review and requires a bachelor’s degree judged equivalent to a United States degree. No particular undergraduate major, minimum work history or programming prerequisite is published for this programme.
Regular Drexel graduate admission typically expects a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. For Indian planning, this is approximately 75% to 80% or a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 7.5 to 8.0 on 10. This Indian range is approximate because Drexel makes the final equivalency decision.
| Requirement | Published rule | Indian applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Academic degree | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent foreign degree | Submit records from every institution with an English translation when needed. |
| Academic benchmark | Typical university graduate expectation of GPA 3.0 on 4.0 | Treat approximately 75% to 80% or CGPA 7.5 to 8.0 on 10 as planning context. |
| GMAT or GRE | Not required for LeBow graduate admission | Submit a score only when it strengthens quantitative evidence or scholarship review. |
| Work experience | No minimum published for this master’s programme | Use internships, projects or employment to prove business problem-solving experience. |
| Core application items | Transcripts, one recommendation, curriculum vitae or resume and a personal statement | Connect technical preparation and career goals to the revised AI-focused curriculum. |
| Personal statement | Approximately 500 words covering goals, growth, programme choice and contribution | Explain one analytical problem you want the 33-credit curriculum to help solve. |
Drexel may request a course-by-course evaluation when it cannot determine United States equivalency. The evaluator must belong to NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services), so applicants should wait for Drexel’s instruction before paying for an assessment.
English Language Requirements
Applicants educated outside the United States need English proof unless LeBow grants a waiver. The current policy publishes the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) on the revised scale and should be followed exactly without self-conversion.
| English route | Current LeBow requirement | Decision point |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) | Overall minimum score of 4.5 | Use the revised score exactly as Drexel publishes it. |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | Overall 6.5 with 6.5 in Speaking and Listening | Account for both component floors, not only the overall score. |
| Duolingo English Test | Preferred score of 115 or higher | Use the preferred benchmark when a faster online result is valuable. |
| Waiver | Possible for a recognized English-speaking-country degree or five years of United States work | An Indian English-medium degree is not listed as an automatic waiver. |
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic and Pearson English Express are accepted, but LeBow publishes no numeric score on the checked requirements page. Applicants choosing either route should obtain written confirmation of the target score before booking.
- Choose IELTS only after testing whether the 6.5 Speaking and Listening floors are achievable.
- Use TOEFL’s published 4.5 minimum without converting it to the former 0 to 120 scale.
- Submit GMAT or GRE only when the score adds evidence beyond grades, coding projects or quantitative work.
Tip for Indian students: A technically specific statement and documented analytics preparation matter because the new curriculum begins with programming, statistics and data infrastructure before the capstone.
Drexel MS Business Analytics Application 2027
Fall 2027 is the only published intake for this on-campus master’s programme, and its application is open. Spring 2027 excludes Applied AI and Business Analytics, so international applicants should not use that cycle’s final date.
The official deadline page publishes calendar dates without a portal cutoff time or timezone. Indian applicants should therefore finish before the Philadelphia deadline date begins and treat the BusinessCAS portal timestamp as controlling.
| Fall 2027 stage | Published date | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Priority scholarship deadline | 01 March 2027 | Submit every required item for automatic merit consideration. |
| International application deadline | 01 May 2027 | Use this date for the full-time on-campus route and visa planning. |
| Domestic and online deadline | 01 August 2027 | Do not use this later deadline for an Indian F-1 application. |
| Classes begin | 23 August 2027 | Build I-20, visa interview and travel buffers backwards from this date. |
Drexel has not published a Fall 2027 decision date, interview schedule or application fee for this programme. The Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 on-campus fee was US$58 (INR 5,520), which is prior-cycle context only.
A complete file needs transcripts, one recommendation, a curriculum vitae or resume and the approximately 500-word statement. Check the official Fall 2027 deadline page before submitting because it controls programme availability and dates.
- Plan backward from 01 March 2027 when merit funding affects the enrollment decision.
- Ask the recommender early because the application must contain all relevant items for scholarship review.
- Use one project example to connect data preparation, model choice and business communication in the statement.
Read More: Drexel University graduate courses
Application tip: A complete file by 01 March 2027 protects scholarship eligibility and leaves two months to resolve transcript equivalency or English-test issues.
Drexel MS Business Analytics Scholarships 2027
International MS applicants receive automatic merit consideration through the admission application, with no separate LeBow scholarship form. Drexel publishes eligibility and award mechanics, but it does not guarantee a Fall 2027 amount for this programme.
The 01 March 2027 priority scholarship deadline is the practical funding date. A GMAT or GRE score remains optional, although LeBow says a submitted score can support additional merit consideration.
| Funding route | Published value | Eligibility and route | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeBow Alumni Merit Scholarship | Variable merit award with no fixed amount published | Domestic and international Master of Business Administration or Master of Science applicants receive automatic consideration. | Complete the admission file by 01 March 2027 for priority review. |
| Drexel Dean’s Scholarship | A percentage of tuition costs | Select graduate students receive this non-need-based merit award. | Selection occurs through graduate admission review. |
| Drexel Lifelong Learner Award | 30% tuition discount | Drexel bachelor’s or master’s alumni entering a participating graduate programme qualify. | Declare eligible alumni status in the application. |
The Alumni Merit Scholarship is the broadly relevant route for an Indian applicant without Drexel alumni status. Academic performance, professional experience, personal attributes and optional test scores inform the review, so the application itself must carry the funding case.
Because target tuition is unpublished, a percentage award cannot yet be converted into a defensible US dollar or INR saving. Applicants should compare the final award letter with the published semester invoice before accepting a loan.
- Submit by 01 March 2027 because a complete application activates automatic LeBow scholarship consideration.
- Add GMAT or GRE only when the result materially strengthens quantitative evidence for merit review.
- Use the 30% alumni discount only when Drexel confirms both alumni status and programme participation.
Read More: scholarships for Indian students in USA
Scholarship reality: Merit funding is possible but unquantified, so the 01 March 2027 submission should carry grades, analytics evidence and a focused career case.
Drexel MS Business Analytics Salary 2027
Drexel publishes no course-only salary or offer rate for the MS in Applied AI and Business Analytics. Available evidence includes LeBow-wide employment, Drexel master’s salary data and university-cited national occupation benchmarks.
Recent programme graduates have worked at Microsoft, the City of Philadelphia, Protiviti, Holman Automotive and Solenis. Employer presence demonstrates possible career access, but it does not establish sponsorship, hiring volume or a typical outcome.
| Evidence scope | Latest published outcome | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| LeBow master’s and Master of Business Administration (MBA) class of 2025 | 93% employed one year after graduation | School-level employment evidence, not a course placement rate |
| LeBow alumni working full time, class of 2025 | 96% overall job satisfaction | School-level satisfaction evidence, not salary evidence |
| Drexel master’s graduating class of 2024 | US$91,354 average full-time salary (INR 86.94 Lakhs) | University-wide master’s outcome, not programme-specific pay |
| University-cited United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data scientist benchmark | US$120,230 national median salary (INR 1.14 Crore) | External occupation benchmark, not graduate starting salary |
| University-cited BLS management analyst benchmark | US$101,860 national median salary (INR 96.94 Lakhs) | External occupation benchmark across experience levels |
| University-cited BLS database administrator and architect benchmark | US$126,760 national median salary (INR 1.21 Crore) | External occupation benchmark, not repayment evidence |
Source: Drexel LeBow class outcomes, Drexel master’s alumni survey and university-cited United States Bureau of Labor Statistics benchmarks.
The curriculum supports analytics, artificial intelligence and data infrastructure roles through a partner-sponsored capstone. However, applicants financing most costs should seek current programme-level international outcomes before treating the 93% LeBow figure as decision-ready evidence.
Return on Investment for Indian Students
The programme’s return on investment (ROI) uses the US$118,586 (INR 1.13 Crore) prior-cycle planning illustration, not confirmed Fall 2027 expenditure. The return case therefore depends on scholarship support, job scope and successful use of the STEM work window.
- The unpublished target tuition makes loan sizing uncertain, so secure the final invoice and scholarship letter before committing funds.
- The 93% employed result covers all LeBow master’s and MBA graduates, so request programme-level international outcomes from career staff.
- The US$120,230 (INR 1.14 Crore) data scientist median spans experience levels, so model repayment only from an actual offer.
- The 36-month potential STEM work window improves recovery time, while India-return planning needs salary comparisons for the intended analytics function.
Gross pay does not equal take-home pay because federal, state and city taxes change repayment capacity. Test an actual offer with the official tax withholding estimator before setting a monthly loan payment.
Also Check: Drexel University profile
Student perspective
One 2021 MS Business Analytics reviewer described helpful career staff, workshops and networking in student reviews. Ask how those services now support the revised semester curriculum and capstone.
These comments are anecdotal and do not replace official Drexel University data.
ROI reality: The degree is financially strongest when funding limits debt and the applicant can convert the capstone into role-specific evidence for United States or Indian employers.
United States Visa for Drexel MS Business Analytics Students 2027
The on-campus programme normally requires F-1 student status through Drexel’s I-20 process. The visa application fee is US$185 (INR 17,606), while the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee is US$350 (INR 33,309). Confirm payment steps through the official United States student visa page before scheduling an interview.
- Post-completion OPT (Optional Practical Training) provides 12 months, and eligible STEM graduates may seek a 24-month extension.
- The potential 36-month work window requires a qualifying degree code, related employment and an eligible employer for the STEM extension.
- H-1B employment requires the higher applicable actual or prevailing wage, with no single national salary threshold or guaranteed transition.
- F-2 spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany the student, but F-2 dependants cannot work and gain no automatic permanent-residence route.
Read More: post-study work visa in the United States
Visa reality: STEM designation extends potential work time, but employer eligibility and role relevance determine whether the extra 24 months can support loan recovery.
Drexel MS Business Analytics Ranking 2027
Drexel LeBow is ranked #141-150 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings for Masters in Business Analytics. The 2027 ranking is programme-specific, so it qualifies for comparison more directly than Drexel’s overall university position.
| Ranking | 2027 position | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings for Masters in Business Analytics | #141-150 | Global programme ranking for master’s degrees in business analytics |
The ranking band supports international visibility, but it does not measure Fall 2027 tuition, individual job access or scholarship probability. Applicants should place greater weight on the revised AI curriculum, capstone model and verified funding package.
Honest take: The #141-150 QS band adds programme recognition, while the decisive fit test remains whether the 33-credit technical curriculum supports your target analytics role.
Drexel’s programme fits Indian applicants seeking business-focused analytics, applied artificial intelligence and a partner-sponsored capstone rather than a purely theoretical data degree. The revised 33-credit structure builds from statistics and data infrastructure toward machine learning, responsible AI and executive communication. Its material tradeoff is financial uncertainty because target tuition and course-only salary outcomes remain unpublished. Submit by 01 March 2027 when scholarship consideration affects affordability, then decide after comparing the award and semester invoice.
Drexel MS Business Analytics FAQs
Ques. Is Drexel’s MS Business Analytics renamed for Fall 2027?
Ans. Yes, Drexel renames it MS in Applied AI and Business Analytics for Fall 2027. The 33-credit plan adds responsible AI, unstructured data and machine learning while retaining business decision-making and a capstone.
Ques. What total budget should an Indian applicant use?
Ans. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished, so no confirmed total exists. A prior-cycle 18-month illustration is US$118,586 (INR 1.13 Crore), which should be replaced by the semester invoice and award letter.
Ques. Does Drexel require programming experience, GMAT or GRE?
Ans. Drexel publishes no required programming background, and GMAT or GRE scores are optional. Applicants should still prove quantitative readiness because the curriculum includes programming, statistics, optimization and machine learning.
Ques. When should Indian applicants submit for Fall 2027?
Ans. Submit by 01 March 2027 when scholarship review matters, although the international deadline is 01 May 2027. The earlier date also protects time for transcript evaluation and English testing.
Ques. Does the programme support analytics careers and STEM OPT?
Ans. The capstone and technical core support analyst, data and business intelligence roles, while STEM eligibility can provide up to 36 months of OPT. Course-only salary and placement rates remain unpublished.
Important Alert
- Fall 2027 international application deadline - May 1, 2027
Tuition Fees
| Credit | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $33642 |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Living Expenses | $19809 |
| Health Insurance | $3178 |
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $36300 |
| 2023 | $40260 |
| 2022 | $31997 |
Important Dates
| Event | Application Date |
|---|---|
| Fall 2027 international application deadline | May 1, 2027 |
Scores Required
Required Document List
- Online Application Form
- Application Fee
- Official Transcripts
- Proof of Degree
- English Language Test Scores
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Copy of Passport

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TOP Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Award amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran Tuition Savings | $5,000 | Veterans, their spouses, and dependents |
| Drexel Dean's Scholarship | Varies | Outstanding applicants to the MS or MBA programs |
| Drexel LeBow Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Scholarship | Varies | Incoming students committed to social justice, diversity, and inclusion |
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| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS Connect Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 5,000/Yr$5,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Go Clean Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 3,500/Yr$3,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Business Administration Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Novus Biological Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student$ 1,500/Yr$1,500 | Level Of StudyAssociate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Washington DC Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| TEC Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
















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