Do you worry about whether you have what it takes to succeed in today’s workforce? It’s a valid concern; the nature of work is changing rapidly. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 from the World Economic Forum found that by 2030, 60% of employers expect the expansion of digital access to transform their business. Other trends, including artificial intelligence and information processing (86%), robotics and automation (58%), and energy generation, storage, and distribution (41%), are also set to redefine industries.
“Technology is transforming how we work, and the skills needed to effectively evaluate data are increasingly important to the delivery of services to our clients,” says Beth Forman, Partner – Audit & Assurance at Deloitte & Touche LLP. “Critical to this transformation is recruiting professionals who are capable of using advanced data analytics tools and interpreting the results.”
The answer is clear: to thrive, you’ll need the right skills. That’s why Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business created the Bachelor of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Science (BIDS) degree in collaboration with the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering.
BIDS graduates leave with advanced technical and problem-solving skills, and strategic business acumen. They excel as data scientists and data-driven leaders across sectors. Source: Kelley School of Business
Thrive in a future of innovation
For more than a century, Kelley has stood at the forefront of business education. What began with just 70 students in 1920 has grown into a global community of more than 14,000 learners across Bloomington, Indianapolis, and online. What hasn’t changed though is the school’s commitment to staying one step ahead. “At Kelley, forward-thinking and agility are our game. For over a century, we’ve innovated our programmes and services to meet the changes we see on the horizon,” says Pat Hopkins, Dean and James R. Hodge Chair of Excellence.
The STEM-designated BIDS degree is the result of this vision. The brainchild of two renowned IU schools, it teaches you the tools companies depend on, and the problem-solving skills needed to address the world’s biggest business challenges. From Kelley, you will gain strategic insight and skills shaped by a business school long recognised for nurturing future leaders. It is home to the #8 Overall Best Undergraduate Business Programmes, with eight specialty programmes in the top 10.
From the Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, you will acquire in-depth technical skills in data science. This training prepares you to apply data to solve problems, unite communities, transform industries, prevent disasters, and improve lives.
As a BIDS student, you’ll tap into both schools’ alumni networks and receive personalised guidance from outstanding career coaches. Their employer relationships open doors to on-campus networking and interviews. Source: Kelley School of Business
The degree employers asked for
But why combine the technical depth of a data science major with the strategic breadth of a top-ranked Kelley business degree? Because research shows that’s exactly what employers want. Kelley’s top employers have reported that they’re looking for data scientists who ask vital questions and can interpret results and turn them into strategies that fuel organisational success.
And so, the four-year BIDS degree fuses quantitative methods in math, stats, and computing, with coursework in four key areas: Business Core, Data Science Core, Math and Statistics, and Electives. This combination helps you develop an in-depth understanding of business pain points and provide solutions with data capabilities. The curriculum is structured to position you to be more desirable in the job market and prepares you to become a business leader with the depth of data knowledge.
But the degree doesn’t stop at technical skills. It builds the communication and professional skills that matter most in the workplace too. You’ll learn how to present complex ideas clearly, collaborate effectively with teams, and influence decision-making. By the time you graduate, you’ll be career-ready, with the confidence to contribute from day one.
“This joint degree is unlike anything we are currently seeing at the other major academic institutions where we recruit,” says Derek A. Bang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kodiak Solutions. “The Bachelor of Science in Business Intelligence & Data Science is a very attractive and differential offering for IU.”
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