Introduction
The recent development in technologies like AI, self-driving cars, and smart homes, which depend heavily on data, coupled with the increasing need for organizations to make data-driven decisions, has rapidly increased the demand for skilled data analysts. With this increasing demand, data analytics courses have sky-rocketed. However, most courses lack depth, practical application, or industry relevance.
This article recommends six comprehensive and industry-relevant online data analytics courses. These courses were selected based on our rigorous evaluation criteria to ensure they provide value, practicality, and relevance in the fast-evolving data analytics vertical.
Course Selection Criteria
We used the following factors to evaluate and rank the courses;
- Quality and Organization of the Course Content: A well-structured curriculum that strikes the perfect balance between being rich in quality and easy to follow. Courses that balance theory and practical (real-world projects) were top priority.
- Practical Application Through Projects and Assignments: Courses that allow learners to participate in real-world data projects and hands-on assignments, which would help learners apply theoretical concepts and be job-ready, were also given top priority.
- Industry Relevance and Recognition: Courses from reputable organizations and teach tools, techniques, and methodologies that align with current industry standards, as learners want certificates from organizations that are recognized in the industry.
- Cost and Accessibility: Courses with affordable pricing and flexible learning options, like self-paced modules. While the cost of running a learning model is often very high, we selected courses that struck the proper balance between price and accessibility.
- Course Tutor Reputation: Experienced tutors with proven expertise in data analytics and strong industry connections elevate the learning experience and give the course more credibility. We selected courses taught by professionals with industry experience.
Based on these criteria, we will now take a closer look at six (6) of the top data analytics courses:
Codecademy Data analytics Courses, Career Path & SKill Path
Codecademy is an online platform that offers coding classes in various programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and Ruby. It provides both free and paid subscription options, with the paid “Pro” subscription offering additional features such as personalized learning plans, quizzes, and real-world projects. This makes it easier for the learners to learn and practice on the go.
Resources Required
- A laptop or desktop with at least 4GB RAM for a better experience.
- Stable internet connection
- A Codecademy account (free or Pro version)
- Modern web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox)
- A text editor or IDE (e.g., VS Code, Sublime Text)
- Practice platforms (e.g., GitHub)
Codecademy typically has 3 learning path options: Individual courses, carrer paths, and skill paths.
Codecademy Career Path
These are curated resources to prepare learners for specific tech careers (e.g., Business Intelligence Data Analyst, Data Scientist: Analytics Specialist). They also include foundational and advanced topics, projects, and portfolio-building, which increase the chances of landing a suitable data analyst job.
- Best for: Beginner and intermediate learners aiming for a career change or aspiring to specialize in a specific field.
- Duration: Typically, it is between 50 and 85 hours but can be longer as the course is entirely self-paced.
- Necessary Prerequisites: Basic computer skills; however, some programs may require foundational knowledge in coding or math.
Skill Paths
These are shorter, more focused programs that aim to master a specific skill in data analytics (e.g., Learn Python for Data Science, Data Science Foundations, etc.).
- Best For: Professionals or students looking to upskill in a particular area (niching down).
- Duration: Usually lasts between 16-54 hrs and is also entirely self-paced.
Individual courses
These courses are tailored for beginners exploring coding or those seeking targeted knowledge in a particular topic and can range from a few hours to up to a week.
Some Key Features Include
- Interactive coding exercises
- Real-world projects
- Quizzes and assessments
- Career advice and job readiness programs (Pro plan)
- Community forums and peer support
- Certificates of completion (Pro plan)
Codeacademy Pricing
Codecademy uses the freemium payment model;
- Free Plan: limited access to basic lessons.
- Pro Plan: $19.99/Month (Monthly payment) or a discounted price of $15.99/Month (Annual payment). The pro plan gives full access to all Codecademy’s resources.
Future Learn Data Analytics Courses, Career Path & SKill Path
FutureLearn is a UK-based online learning platform established in 2012. It offers over 2,000 courses in subjects like computer science, business, and engineering. FutureLearn collaborates with more than 250 universities and organizations and offers various learning options, from short courses to complete online degrees, designed for individuals seeking to enhance their skills or pursue new career paths.
Resources Required
- Internet Access: A stable internet connection for streaming video lessons and accessing course materials.
- A smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
- An email account for creating a FutureLearn account and receiving course updates.
- Specific software or tools may also be required, depending on the course you are taking,
Similar to Codeccademy, Future Learn offers 3 learning path options: Individual courses, carrer paths, and skill paths.
Future Learn Data Analytics Career Paths
FutureLearn provides comprehensive programs designed to prepare learners for a career in data analytics. These programs cover essential skills such as statistical analytics, data visualization, and tools like Excel and Power BI.
- Best For: Individuals aiming to start a career in data analytics or professionals seeking to formalize and expand their data analytics skills.
- Duration: This is determined by the program; for example, the “Applied Data Analytics” ExpertTrack spans approximately 14 weeks and requires 5 hours of study per week.
- Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with Excel is beneficial; however, many of the programs are designed for beginners.
Future Learn Data Analytics Skill Path
Skill paths focus on specific competencies within data analytics, such as mastering Excel for data analytics or learning data visualization techniques.
- Best For: Learners seeking to develop particular skills within the data analytics field without committing to a complete career program.
- Duration: Typically shorter than career paths; for instance, individual courses may range from 2 to 8 weeks.
Future Learn Data Analytics Individual Courses
FutureLearn offers individual courses covering various aspects of data analytics, including introductory courses and specialized topics like data analytics for decision-making.
- Best For: Individuals interested in specific areas of data analytics or those seeking to enhance particular skills.
- Duration: Courses vary in length; for example, “Data to Insight: An Introduction to Data Analytics and Visualisation” is an 8-week course requiring 3 hours of study per week.
Key Features
- Expert Instruction: Courses are developed and taught by experts from leading universities and organizations.
- Flexible Learning: 100% online courses allow learners to study at their pace.
- Certificates: Personalized certificates are available upon course completion which can be shared with employers or on professional platforms like LinkedIn.
- Diverse Learning Formats: Courses include a mix of video lessons, articles, quizzes, and discussions to enhance learning.
Pricing
Futurelearn uses the freemium payment model;
- Free Access Plan: Many of the courses offer free access for a limited time, allowing learners to view snippets of the course materials without cost.
- Paid Upgrades: Purchasing a course upgrade provides unlimited access to the course, including assessments and a certificate upon completion.
- Unlimited Subscription: FutureLearn offers an unlimited subscription plan, granting access to courses with certificates and the flexibility to learn at your own pace.
3. Entry-Level Data Analytics Course
This beginner-friendly, six-week online course is designed to teach data manipulation and visualization skills using Excel and Tableau.
This course equips learners with practical data analytics skills using Excel and Tableau, preparing them for entry-level data analyst roles.
- Best For: Individuals seeking to start a career in data analytics, including complete beginners, startup founders, product managers, and marketers.
- Duration: 6 weeks, with an estimated commitment of 5 hours per week.
- Prerequisites: No prior experience is required.
Resources Required
- A computer or laptop capable of running Excel and Tableau
- Stable internet connection
- Basic computer literacy
- Discord for community support
Key Features:
- Certificate with skill badges upon completion.
- Flexible, asynchronous learning model.
- Access to a supportive Discord community and AI tutor chatbot for assistance.
Pricing
This course is priced at $199 USD.
4. Career Foundry Data Analytics Program
Career Foundry’s Data Analytics Program is an online, self-paced course designed to equip beginners with the skills necessary to become job-ready data analysts, covering essential tools, e.g., Tableau, SQL, and other techniques, and includes a job guarantee upon graduation.
- Best For: Individuals seeking to transition into a data analytics career.
- Duration: Approximately 6 months, depending on your pace of study.
Resources Required:
- A computer or laptop
- Stable internet connection
- Basic knowledge of using a computer
- Access to spreadsheet tools (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets)
- Data analytics software (e.g., SQL, Python, Tableau)
- A CareerFoundry platform account
Key features include:
- Dual mentorship from industry experts.
- Job guarantee upon graduation.
- Flexible, online, self-paced learning.
- Hands-on projects to build a professional portfolio.
- AI-enhanced learning tools, and several others.
Pricing
One-time payment of $7505 or $7900 for 10 months.
Springboard’s Introduction to Data Analytics
The Introduction to Data Analytics course by Springboard is a 100% online program designed to provide foundational knowledge in data analytics for individuals who are interested in starting a career in data analytics.
This four-week course introduces learners to data analytics fundamentals, structured thinking, Excel skills, and presentation techniques.
- Best For: Individuals considering a career in data analytics who seek to understand the field’s basics and determine if it’s the right fit for them. No prior experience is required.
- Duration: Approximately four (4) weeks, with an estimated commitment of 10 hours per week. Cohorts begin every Monday, allowing for flexible start dates.
Resources Required
- A Computer or laptop
- Stable internet connection
- Excel or Google Sheets
- Access to course materials on Springboard
- Optional: Tableau Public or Google Data Studio for advanced practice
Prerequisites
- No prior data analytics experience is required.
- Access to a computer with an internet connection.
- Microsoft Excel installed; Springboard can reimburse the license cost if needed.
Notable Key Features
- Mentorship: Four 30-minute one-on-one sessions with an industry mentor.
- Career Support: Includes a career coaching consultation to explore data analytics career options.
- Flexible Learning: 100% online with cohorts starting every Monday.
pricing
The course is priced at $349. This fee includes access to the curriculum, mentorship sessions, career coaching consultation, and access to the Springboard community.
- Coursera’s Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
This course prepares learners for entry-level roles in data analytics, such as Data Analyst, Junior Data Scientist, or Business Analyst, by focusing on developing data cleaning, analytics, visualization, and interpretation skills. It contains eight (8) courses covering topics like data cleaning, data visualization, statistical analytics, and R programming.
- Best For: Beginners interested in pursuing a career in data analytics or transitioning into the field.
- Duration: Depending on pace, each course takes 1–2 weeks to complete.
Required Resources:
- A computer or laptop
- Reliable internet access
- Spreadsheets (e.g., Google Sheets, Excel)
- SQL tools (e.g., BigQuery, MySQL)
- Tableau
- A Coursera account
Key Features:
- No prior experience is required.
- Access to career resources and job boards via their community.
- Flexible, self-paced learning.
- Taught by professionals, which offers a great credibility to the course.
Pricing
Coursera uses the freemium pricing model; however, there’s the option to apply for financial aid.
- Free Trial: 7-day free trial.
- Subscription: $49 per month.
Choosing the Right Data Analytics Course & Certification Program
Selecting the proper data analytics certification requires evaluating several key factors, some of which are:
- Cost and ROI: Data Analytics Professional Certificate costs vary widely across different platforms. So before you choose one, Assess the potential returns, such as salary increases and job opportunities, and explore scholarships, financial aid, or employer reimbursement options.
- Learning Format: Many online programs offer self-paced and flexible learning, allowing you to balance your studying with other commitments. Opt for courses with interactive models like live sessions or mentorship for a better learning experience.
- Career Alignment: Choose certifications that align with your career goals and industry needs. Research job postings to identify preferred certifications and consider industry-specific options so you can niche down.
- Program Features and Practical Applications: Ensure the curriculum covers relevant data analytics tools (e.g., Python, SQL, Tableau) and emphasizes hands-on learning through real-world projects. Programs with career services or globally recognized exams add extra value.
Evolve With Tech’s Data analytics program ticks the boxes, offering a comprehensive learning experience tailored for beginners, emphasizing practical skills and real-world application. Other “stand-out” features of the Evolvewithtech data analytics program include:
- Focus on Entry-Level Learners: The program is designed specifically for beginners, providing step-by-step guidance to ensure learners get a solid foundation in data analytics.
- Project-Based Learning and Portfolio Building: Learners engage in real-world projects, enabling them to build a robust portfolio that showcases their skills to potential employers.
- Career Tapestry: Our proprietary software analyzes students’ strengths and interests, creating a customized career roadmap to guide their professional development.
- Micro-Internship Opportunities: Upon completing the bootcamp, students can participate in micro-internships with industry partners, gaining valuable real-world experience.
These features, among many others, make the Evolve with Tech Data Analytics program the preferred choice for learners seeking to enter the field of data analytics with a strong foundation and practical experience.
A Learning Guide for Aspiring Data Analysts
Data analysts play a very important role in decision-making. Their responsibilities include data cleaning, analytics, visualization, and presenting actionable findings to help organisations and brands make informed decisions.
Key technical skills include proficiency in programming languages like Python and R, SQL for database management, and tools like Tableau and Power BI for data visualization. Strong statistical analytics and decision-making skills are equally essential. Soft skills such as communication and critical thinking are vital for effectively interpreting and presenting their insights.
To excel, aspiring data analysts should apply their knowledge through real-world projects, such as those on Kaggle or Dataquest, and build a portfolio to showcase their skills to potential organisations and brands.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Is a data analytics certification worth it?
Yes, obtaining a data analytics certification is worth it, especially for those looking to enter the field or take a new career path. These certifications validate your skills, boost your resume, and can open doors to getting higher-paying jobs. Most employers see certifications as proof of your commitment to professional development and industry knowledge.
How do I get certified in data analytics?
To get certified, you can start with Evolve With Tech’s Data Analytics Program, which combines project-based learning and micro-internships. Complete the coursework and hands-on projects required. Pass any assessments or exams included in the program to earn your certification.
Conclusion
In this article, we covered the top 6 data analytics courses in depth and highlighted the factors to consider when choosing one. Selecting the right course to start or advance your career in data analytics is crucial to achieving your goals.
Seeking entry-level tech education? The Evolve With Tech data analytics program is the perfect choice. It focuses on entry-level learners, project-based learning, portfolio building, Affordable cost, and micro-internship opportunities, ensuring that you gain the necessary skills and confidence to excel in the field. Register your interest Today.
