Data Analyst Courses: Get Job-Ready With Courses That Employers Value

Bill Gates and Elon Musk say that AI will replace humans, but instead of fearing this future, why not become a data analyst and take part in building AI yourself? Plus, you can obtain industry-recognized certifications by taking data analyst courses that are widely available today!

Best of all, for career switchers or fresh graduates exploring opportunities in an entirely different field, you won’t need a specialized degree to prove yourself. Instead, self-paced learning through online courses can get you miles in front, even when you’re studying from the comfort of your home.

So, are you ready to clean messy data, uncover insights that drive business decisions, or even help train AI models? Let’s dive into my handpicked list of top data analyst courses you can join today, facilitated by trusted providers like Udacity, edX, DataCamp, and more!

Best Data Analyst Courses

The news of tech layoffs might still be ringing in your ears, and you might be eyeing highly recruited roles like a data analyst, either as a survival tactic or a mission toward pursuing your true passion.

And hey, everyone has valid reasons. Whatever that might be, here are the best data analyst courses to get you moving toward your goals:

1. Udacity’s Nanodegree: Data Analyst (Enroll Here)

• Level: Intermediate
• Duration: 43 hours
• Rating: 4.8/5
• Price: $1,265 (or starting from $282/month)
• Certification: Yes
• Discount: Available
• Register: Enroll Here

If you’re looking to gain on-the-job experience for the most in-demand skills, consider Udacity. Named one of America’s top online learning providers in the mid-2020s, it offers one of the best data analyst programs, as evidenced by its near-perfect rating from over 1,200 students.

The course will begin with the basics of data analytics, such as data cleaning, and gradually move into more advanced topics, like data imputation for filling missing data points, suitable for those ready to tackle challenges.

You’ll also learn from the best in the field, including:

• Josh Magee. A Senior Data Scientist at Local Logic and a former professor, Josh is proficient in modelling commercial real estate trends for seamless acquisitions and building sustainable cities.
• Ria Cheruvu. A Harvard graduate and AI software architect, Ria leads AI product creation, with a particular interest in ethics.
• Matt Maybeno. A Principal Software Engineer at SOCi with a master’s in Bioinformatics, Matt combines his cross-domain expertise to develop Natural Language Processing (NLP) and predictive analytics.

Plus, you won’t only master the technical nitty-gritty, as you will also learn how to professionally communicate data-driven insights that could impress your supervisor in future meetings.

What’s more, you’ll explore how to fully utilize essential data analytics tools like Jupyter Notebook, Matplotlib, Pandas, and NumPy, which can be added to polish your résumé once you finish this Nanodegree program.

But what I like best about this course is the real-world project, which is what most employers highly value. You can immediately prove your proficiency in exploratory data analysis, data visualization, latent variables, and more.

However, mind that this program is intermediate-level.

Not to worry, though, as Udacity also offers courses in these foundational skills.

Course Structure

This program will take 4 months to complete, at around 4 hours a day, totaling 43 hours. Here is what you’ll learn along the way:

• Data Analysis With Pandas and Numpy. Become an expert in every step of the data analysis process, from questioning, wrangling, and exploring to analyzing as well as communicating your findings. You’ll work hands-on with real datasets in Python and utilize industry-standard libraries like Numpy and Pandas.
• Advanced Data Wrangling. Delve into data wrangling, or how to turn raw data into a useful format for further analysis. Understand how to gather, assess, and clean data from multiple sources. There's also a final project where you can practice data wrangling techniques with actual datasets in Python.
• Data Visualization With Matplotlib and Seaborn. Create killer data visualizations and master the art of storytelling with data. Using Python tools like Matplotlib and Seaborn, you’ll be tasked with a project to present your findings, just as you would in a real job to your leaders.

Once you finish all these lessons, you will not only gain workplace-ready competencies but also earn a certificate that’ll come in handy in your job search.

📚 Read More: Udacity's Data Analyst Nanodegree: Full Breakdown

2. Udacity’s Nanodegree: SQL (Enroll Here)

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 42 hours
• Rating: 4.6/5
• Price: $1,265 (or starting from $282/month)
• Certification: Yes
• Discount: Available
• Register: Enroll Here

While it’s not a hard-coded data analyst certification course, a programming skill in database languages like Structured Query Language (SQL) is often considered a basic requirement to work in the field. Across over 164,000+ data analyst LinkedIn job postings in the US (as of writing), SQL is frequently highlighted as a necessity.

When people send a tweet or stream music, SQL works behind the scenes, and a data analyst is responsible for defining, controlling, aggregating, and executing the appropriate commands. These are all the actions you’ll learn from this online class.

The course is taught by:

• Ziad Saab. A seasoned software developer who co-founded DecodeMTL, Montreal’s first web development bootcamp.
• Derek Steer. The CEO of Mode Analytics with a track record of building an analytical foundation at Facebook.
• Malavica Sridhar. A Senior Product Manager at CircleUp, Malavica specializes in using machine learning to spot emerging breakout brands in early-stage consumer packaged goods companies.

These professionals will teach you the pros and cons of relational VS non-relational databases. Students will also have access to an interactive workspace, where they can test PostgreSQL queries on sizable databases in real-time.

And if you’re confused about when and how to use subqueries, partitions, or window functions in SQL, this course will help clarify those concepts for you. As a result, you’ll be able to deliver data-driven insights to inform complex business strategies, which employers like Netflix, Airbnb, and Uber are actively looking for.

If you're excited about the lesson plan, good news: beginners can jump right in. All you need is a basic understanding of SQL.

Course Structure

Divided into 3 courses, here are some of the most important aspects you will learn:

• Basic SQL. Practice how to execute SQL commands for manipulating, selecting, controlling access, aggregating, and joining data as well as data tables. At the end, participate in a project that uses SQL to combat deforestation.
• Management of Relational and Non-Relational Databases. Begin with Data Definition Language (DDL) to create tables and understand data types, then move on to Data Manipulation Language (DML) to modify them. Finally, complete a project to revamp a poorly designed database into a high-performance one.

Other perks of this Udacity course include 24/7 support from industry professionals, personalized feedback, and career services like résumé reviews and LinkedIn profile audits. Not to mention, you will obtain a certificate of completion that you can immediately highlight in your job application.

3. edX: Data Analyst Course by IBM (Enroll Here)

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 10 months (2-4 hours a week)
• Rating: 4.7/5
• Price: $783.90
• Certification: Yes
• Discount: Available
• Register: Enroll Here

edX is a top-class online learning platform that has worked with Ivy League institutions like Harvard and Columbia University. Thanks to its collaboration with IBM, you'll get a chance to earn a professional certification through a program supported by one of America's largest tech companies.

Although the classes are fully online, you’ll experience learning from experts who actually work at IBM. Among them are Rav Ahuja, the Global Program Director, and Sandip Saha Joy, a Cognitive Data Scientist at the company.

No prior skills are required to get started. The course is designed for beginners, even those who aren’t tech-savvy, to learn the core principles of data analytics.

Throughout the lessons, you’ll participate in skills-based practice, involving various project scenarios, data sources, and tools such as Excel, SQL, Jupyter Notebook, Python, and Cognos Analytics.

If you ask me, though, a special part of this course is the Capstone Project, where you step into the shoes of a data analyst, tackle real-life business scenarios, and compile a comprehensive data analysis report.

Course Structure

There are 9 courses included, and here’s a peek into some parts of the curriculum:

• Python for Data Science. Dabble in lab practices and develop your first Python scripts.
• SQL for Data Science. Use and apply SQL to extract insights from databases and convey your findings more effectively.
• Analyze Data With Python. Analyze data by leveraging a range of Python libraries, including NumPy for multidimensional arrays, Pandas for Data Frame manipulation, SciPy for mathematical routines, and scikit-learn for machine learning.

By completing these lessons, you’ll get an IBM-approved Data Analyst Professional Certificate, which will help jumpstart your career as an entry-level data analyst.

📚 Read More: Top Data Analytsis Degree

4. Udacity’s Nanodegree: Programming for Data Science With Python (Enroll Here)

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 53 hours
• Rating: 4.8/5
• Price: $1,265 (or $282/month)
• Certification: Yes
• Discount: Available
• Register: Enroll Here

Let me clear up one thing - seeing “Data Science” in the title, you might be inclined to think that this course is designed for aspiring data scientists, who are actually different from data analysts.

Nevertheless, this course is actually the first pathway that Udacity recommends to prepare for a junior data analyst role. Many of the skills taught here, like Python and SQL, are essential building blocks for your journey.

You’ll learn how to identify patterns in large datasets, use relational databases to run queries, and much more with these accredited instructors:

If you're interested in joining the class but feeling unsure, this course keeps things accessible, welcoming anyone with a grasp of basic statistics and spreadsheet skills.

Course Structure

Once the prerequisite boxes are checked, you can get ahead and learn the following fundamentals:

• Introduction to SQL. Start by working with a single table to build basic queries and work your way toward advanced techniques like subqueries, advanced JOINs, and more.
• Descriptive Statistics. Strengthen your skills in statistics, which is the foundational knowledge of data analytics.
• Introduction to Python. Learn how to apply and use different data types and structures, loops, variables, as well as functions.
• Data Visualization With Tableau. Get insights on the best data design practices to build and tell a better story with data.

Finally, you’ll gain exposure to Version Control software like Git and the Unix shell. While these are not mandatory for data analyst roles, they can sharpen your knowledge and help expand your career opportunities in the broader data field.

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5. Coursera: Data Analysis With R Specialization (Enroll Here)

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 4 months (10 hours/week)
• Rating: 4.7/5
• Price: Free (or $59/month for certification)
• Certification: Yes
• Discount: Available
• Register: Enroll Here

In my list of the best data analyst courses online, I’ve covered SQL and Python. But another crucial programming language for aspiring data analysts is R.

Blue-chip companies like Amazon and J.P. Morgan Chase regularly use R for data mining, statistical analysis, and other day-to-day business operations. So, being proficient in this language will help push you in their radar.

This Coursera course is especially distinctive due to its collaboration with Duke University. You’ll truly feel like you’re pursuing an actual degree in data analytics, learning directly from Mine Cetinkaya-Rundel, who is an Associate Professor at Duke.

More than 150,000+ students (as of writing) have joined. According to user reviews, they particularly like how they can immediately put what they’ve learned into projects at work. Plus, with the self-paced system, there’s no dragging yourself to the class when you’re not in the mood - you’re the boss of controlling when you’d like to study.

The best part is that this data analyst course is free, and you’ll get full access to all learning materials. If you want graded assignments and a shareable certificate, you can unlock them by subscribing to Coursera Plus, starting at $59 per month.

Course Structure

As a 3-part R specialization course, the syllabus includes:

• Introduction to Probability and Data With R. Sample and explore data in an analyst’s style, then dive into probability theories like Bayes’ rules. This 14-hour course also comes with a walkthrough on installing and using R and RStudio, both of which are free tools.
• Inferential Statistics. Challenge your logic by applying statistical inference to numerical and categorical data, uncovering patterns, testing ideas, and making sense of uncertainty.
• Linear Regression and Modelling. Find out how simple and multiple linear regressions are used to predict outcomes. Does a professor’s physical attractiveness influence students’ test scores? You won’t just uncover the answer here; you’ll learn how to crack the whole mystery with linear regression.

Make sure to study diligently, because there will be lab practices and final projects in between. After completion, you’ll earn a career certificate from Duke University that you can share on LinkedIn (and prove to the skeptics that you’re not just there for an open house).

6. Coursera: Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (Enroll Here)

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 6 months (10 hours/week)
• Rating: 4.8/5
• Price: Free (or $59/month for certification)
• Certification: Yes
• Discount: Available
• Register: Enroll Here

Have you ever wanted to work at Google? What if you had the chance to join a data analyst course online from the same company? That’s what Coursera offers here.

In this program, you’ll not only learn theories but also practice hundreds of assignments that simulate data analytics scenarios in real life. Plus, you’ll hardly get bored, as Google brings a mixed approach of videos, assignments, and hands-on labs to make students’ experience more interactive.

And if you’re looking to enrich your portfolio, this course provides a case study that’ll set you apart from other applicants in the eyes of employers.

Since you’ll get a career certificate backed by a trusted entity like Google, you’ll also get a stronger edge when applying for roles. As highlighted in the course listing:

....you can directly apply for jobs with Google and over 150 US employers, including Deloitte, Target, Verizon, and of course, Google.

That said, applying for this 180-hour program requires a serious commitment to consistent studying for 6 months. But keep your eyes on the prize: median entry-level data analysts in the US earn around $95,000/year. Think of your hard work today as an investment in your future.

Course Structure

If you’re excited, wait until you hear what you’ll delve into in this course:

• Data Analysis Process and Tools. Collect, clean, analyze, and visualize data with industry-standard software such as Google Spreadsheets, R, and SQL.
• Analytical Thinking. Learn how to become not just a technically skilled data analyst, but also a strong communicator who can present ideas persuasively in a business environment.
• AI-Powered Data Analytics. Use AI-driven tools and techniques to clean datasets, organize information, and build complex formulas.

The class concludes with a capstone project, where you'll apply the full data analytics lifecycle to real-world datasets and refine your skills in presenting your portfolio to recruiters and employers.

7. DataCamp: Analyzing Data in Tableau (Enroll Here)

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 8 hours
• Rating: 4.8/5
• Price: Free (or starting from $28/month for full access)
• Certification: Yes
• Discount: Available
• Register: Enroll Here

Aside from SQL, Tableau is another powerful tool for data analysis and visualization.

Thankfully, DataCamp provides a data analyst course - free for the first chapter - that’ll get you up to speed in Tableau mastery.

And if you think that data analysis is hard, not to worry, the course consists of 24 video lessons guided by these experienced tutors:

• Hadrien Lacroix. The Curriculum Manager at DataCamp, Hadrien specializes in handling courses in machine learning, data engineering, and more.
• Sara Billen. A Data Scientist at DataCamp, Sara combines her passion for data science, education, and business to deliver beginner-friendly courses.
• Lis Sulmont. A Content Program Manager at Duolingo, Lis is a McGill University graduate who focuses on computer science and machine learning.

Plus, the lessons will only take 8 hours in total (the shortest so far!), which can be completed over a highly productive weekend. Don’t take this short duration for granted, though, as the class is fully packed with materials on data preparation, mapping analysis, and more.

Best of all, there are 69 exercises to bridge your theory with practice. From creating customizing filters and interactions to slicing and dicing data, this data analyst certification course will get you ready to become a Tableau specialist.

Course Structure

With 63,000+ participants on board (as of writing), the following lessons make DataCamp’s “Analyzing Data in Tableau” stand out:

• Data Preparation. Put together a trend analysis by organizing fields into dimensions and measures, as well as configuring date and time fields.
• Visualization Exploration. Build bar charts, KPI charts, and histograms like you would in a professional setting.
• Mapping Analysis. Create detail-rich map visualizations by elevating geographic data with density and layers.
• Groups, Sets, and Parameters. Practice using the Tableau toolbox with sets, groups, and parameters.

Aside from what I’ve mentioned, you’ll also tackle a customer analytics case study, which can be a valuable addition to your portfolio. That said, you’ll need to subscribe to a paid plan to unlock all the materials.

Pros

• Easy to use with a learn-by-doing approach
• Offers quality content
• Gamified in-browser coding experience

Main Features

• Free certificates of completion
• Focused on data science skills
• Flexible learning timetable

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Pros

• High-quality courses
• Nanodegree programs
• Student Career services

Main Features

• Nanodegree programs
• Suitable for enterprises
• Paid certificates of completion

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Pros

• A wide range of learning programs
• University-level courses
• Easy to navigate

Main Features

• University-level courses
• Suitable for enterprises
• Verified certificates of completion

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8. Udemy: Data Analyst in Python, Tableau, SQL & ChatGPT (Enroll Here)

• Level: Beginner
• Duration: 4 months
• Rating: 4.5/5
• Price: $13.98
• Certification: Yes
• Discount: Available
• Register: Enroll Here

Admittedly, it’s hard to find a data analyst course that is online, free, and with a certificate. But this one from Udemy, priced at just under $15, is a bargain.

Not only will you earn a certificate, but also work on hands-on projects and enjoy a 4-in-1 bundled learning experience with Python, SQL, ChatGPT, and Tableau - all the must-have tools for a data analyst in the AI era.

If trying out all these tools at once sounds overwhelming, don't worry. Graeme Gordon, a verified instructor with a 4.6 rating on Udemy and five years of experience in a senior role, will assist you step by step on where and how to start.

In total, you’ll get 21.5 hours of on-demand video, 6 coding articles, and 24 downloadable resources. Once you’ve absorbed all the materials, you can even try your luck at specialist exams to strengthen your credentials.

The class is open to everyone from the lowest level. So long as you have a PC capable of installing MySQL Workbench and a smooth internet connection, you’re ready to go.

Course Structure

In this class, you will learn:

• Python. Become a pro at Python by learning how to index, sort, clean, filter, group, reshape, and visualize data. Use the knowledge you’ve acquired in a final project where you’ll report crime occurrences in Los Angeles.
• SQL. Master SQL in just 3 hours with hands-on lessons covering everything from JOINs and subqueries to case statements and aggregate functions. Go from writing your first query to transforming complex data like a real data analyst.
• Tableau. Generate user-friendly data visualizations and interactive dashboards to identify patterns and support strategic business planning. Simultaneously, train to validate your skills with a certification endorsed directly by Tableau.
• ChatGPT. Learn how to write effective ChatGPT prompts in under 30 minutes, a helpful skill for those who want to speed up reporting, automate summaries, or get quick coding help.

Whether you’re a high schooler already scribbling a dream of a data analyst job at Tesla or a professional sharpening your edge, the course is designed to meet who you are and take you further.

📚 Read More: Where to Learn ChatGPT

Fields and Companies That Hire Data Analysts

Why take data analyst courses? You may have heard that the role is in high demand at leading companies worldwide and comes with the potential for substantial salaries.

As an aspiring data analyst, though, you probably won’t be convinced only by what you hear. I’ve gathered data on companies that often hire for the role, including the industry fields and the average annual pay they offer:

Table: Companies that hire data analyst roles

Note that the salary range applies to junior to senior positions. As you grow in the field, continuous learning with data analyst certification courses can widen your career opportunities and increase your earning potential.

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Conclusions

In today’s era, where the rapid rise of GenAI intersects with widespread layoffs, professionals and fresh graduates actively seek ways to safeguard their future. Data analyst courses offer industry-accepted certifications that can open new doors in one of the fastest-evolving fields.

Most of the courses you’ve come across don’t even require a background in statistics, programming, or any prior experience. Anyone can join and succeed, as long as you are willing to learn.

Scientific References

1. Akpan, D. M.: 'Excel: VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables and SQL';

2. Ho, A., Nguyen, A., Pafford, J. L., & Slater, R.: 'A Data Science Approach to Defining a Data Scientist'.