Data analytics certifications validate your knowledge, hands-on experience, and expertise with the tools of the trade, giving you an edge in a competitive job market. While most certifications cover core data analytics principles, the best data analytics certifications help you specialize in a particular tool, including Power BI, SAS, SQL, Apache Hadoop, and more. To help you find the best data analytics programs and certifications, we’ve reviewed the top options for 2024—here are our recommendations:
The following table provides an at-a-glance comparison of the top data analytics certifications you can earn, including the skills you can acquire and program details such as prerequisites, duration, location, and cost.
| Certification | Skills Acquired | Requirements | Duration | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Data Analytics | Implementing data pipelines, troubleshooting issues, core data-related AWS services | None | 130 minutes | Pearson VUE testing centers or online proctoring | $150 |
| Cloudera Certified Associate Data Analyst | Generating reports in a CDH environment; modeling with Spark SQL, using Hive and Impala | None | 120 minutes | Online with remote proctoring | Exam voucher (~ $295) |
| CompTIA Data+ | Data mining and manipulation, reporting and visualization, data governance | None | 90 minutes (90 questions) |
Online and Pearson VUE Testing Centers | Prices may vary |
| Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate | Data analysis and visualization, SQL, basic R programming | None | Six months | Remote | $14 per month |
| IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate | Python programming, visualizing with IBM Cognos Analytics, SQL queries | None | Four months | Remote | $39 per month |
| Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate | Excel data analysis in Power BI, Power Query, interactive data and storytelling | None | Five months | Remote | $49 per month |
| SAS Certified Data Scientist | Data visualization using SAS, big data analytics, predictive modeling | Six months of programming experience in SAS or any programming language | Three months | Testing centers or online proctoring | $180 per exam |
Best for Career Advancement and Industry Recognition
The AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate is a technical certification establishing expertise in managing and optimizing data-related services within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) environment. It validates a user’s skills and knowledge in implementing data pipelines, monitoring issues, improving performance, and more. AWS recently created this certification to invest in building new role-based certifications and replace the AWS Certified Data Analytics-Specialty certification, which will soon be retired.
Visit AWS Certified Data Engineer – AssociateThis certification is ideal for data professionals looking to advance their careers, as AWS certifications are widely recognized and highly valued—especially for organizations using the AWS infrastructure. Data professionals looking to explore more career opportunities, such as data engineering jobs, will find this certification valuable, as this is an in-demand role with a low supply of skilled professionals. This certification also offers users opportunities to build their credibility in data architecture and other data-related roles.
The IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate equips users with the following skills:
AWS doesn’t require users to take any specific AWS training before taking the exam but recommends at least two to three years of data engineering and a minimum of one to two years of hands-on experience with AWS services.
Length of Exam/Program: 130 minutes (65 questions)
Location: Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam
Cost: $150
AWS provides a free exam prep guide here.
Best for Handling Big Data Analytics Projects
The Cloudera Certified Associate Data Analyst is a technical certification created for SQL developers looking for a competitive edge in the market. This certification will enable users to use SQL (Hive and Impala) and Spark SQL to analyze data in Cloudera’s Hadoop environment.
Visit Cloudera Certified Associate Data AnalystWe picked the Cloudera Certified Associate Data Analyst credential because it validates how data professionals and developers handle big data analytics projects with Hadoop-centric tools. Cloudera is also a well-respected name in the data analysis industry, so its certifications are recognized in the field. SQL developers who earn this certification after passing the exam (CCA159) establish their ability to perform the core competencies required to generate reports in a Cloudera Distributed Hadoop (CDH) environment using Impala and Hive. This certification also specifically targets scenarios with massive datasets, validating that the users can work within a highly scalable environment.
The Cloudera Certified Associate Data Analyst credential will teach you the following:
While there’s no strict prerequisite for this certification, we recommended that you start by taking Cloudera’s Data Analyst training course, which has the same objectives as the exam. Candidates are also expected to know how to use the Data Definition Language (DDL) and Query Language (QL) statements in Hive and Impala to analyze data.
Length of Exam/Program: 120 minutes
Location: Online with remote proctoring
Cost: Exam voucher (~ $295) plus additional cost for prep materials
Browse through exam prep guides, sample questions, and other Cloudera resources here.
Best for Validating Foundational Data Skills
The CompTIA Data+ Certification is an early-career data analytics certification verifying foundational data analysis skills and understanding of data-related concepts. Through this certification, users can learn about data mining, data manipulation, visualization, reporting, and core data governance procedures.
Visit CompTIA Data+The CompTIA Data+ Certification is ideal for showcasing an data analyst’s foundational data skills, as it provides an in-depth understanding of core data principles applicable in a wide range of software and database contexts. Passing this certification program demonstrates baseline skills, and users can explore careers as data architects, business analysts, data scientists, and more. Additionally, one of its advantages compared with other certifications is that CompTIA Data+ employs a vendor-neutral approach, which provides a broader skillset across various tech stacks and platforms.
This certification will provide the following skills:
There are no strict prerequisites, but CompTIA recommends 18 to 24 months of experience in a reporting analyst or business analyst job role, experience in using databases and analytical tools, and a basic understanding of statistics and data visualization.
Length of Exam/Program: 90 minutes (maximum of 90 questions)
Location: Pearson VUE testing centers and online testing
Cost: Exam voucher cost varies by vendor; see the full list of prices here
For an additional fee, CompTIA offers CertMaster Practice, an official final exam prep. Users can also access free and practiced tests for Data+ on ExamCompass and Udemy.
Best for Building Foundational Data Analysis Skills
The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate on Coursera is a beginner-friendly program designed to teach core data analytics concepts and in-demand skills. It focuses on practical projects and a career-focused approach, covering topics in R programming, SQL, Python, Tableau, and more.
Visit Google Data Analytics Professional CertificateWe recommend the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate because it’s ideal for building data analysis skills, doesn’t require prior experience, and offers a structured path for beginners. Users can gain an immersive understanding of a data analyst’s day-to-day job and also gain practical focus with real-world case studies and hands-on projects. This program also equips users with analytical skills using in-demand tools including spreadsheets, SQL, basic R programming, and Tableau. Additionally, it stands out among other certifications for its affordability and the opportunity to receive financial aid, as well as its eligibility for college credit at participating U.S. colleges and universities.
After taking the the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate courses, users will gain the following skills:
There are no prerequisites for the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, but users should finish the eight-course series to gain a shareable professional certification.
Length of Exam/Program: Self-paced; approximately six months at 10 hours a week
Location: 100 percent online through Coursera
Cost: Users can choose a monthly subscription to Coursera ($14/month) or a one-time course fee
While there aren’t specific practice tests mirroring the exams and quizzes in the Google Data Analytics Certification, users can try exercises for SQL practice on websites like LeetCode, HackerRank, or SQLZoo.
Best for Learning Data Analysis with IBM Tools
The IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate is a beginner-friendly program designed to prepare users for a career as a data analyst. Through this program, users can gain in-demand data analysis skills and hands-on experience using IBM-centric tools and methodologies. It covers topics like data wrangling, visualization, Python basics, SQL, and more.
Visit IBM Data Analyst Professional CertificateIBM (International Business Machines Corporation) is a leader in data science; its certifications and programs earn global recognition. IBM’s Data Analyst Professional Certificate enables you to use tools like IBM Cognos Analytics, which is ideal for those who plan to join companies that employ an IBM-focused approach to data analysis. This nine-course series also equips users with real-world case studies through hands-on labs and projects, helping them build a portfolio to showcase their work.
The IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate equips users with the following skills:
No prior experience is needed, but basic computer literacy and high school-level math can be helpful.
Length of Exam/Program: Self-paced; four months at 10 hours a week
Location: 100 percent online through Coursera
Cost: Users can choose a monthly subscription to Coursera ($39/month) or a one-time course fee
Check out SQL practice exercises on LeetCode, HackerRanz, and SQLZoo.
Best for Demonstrating Power BI Expertise
The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate helps users learn how to use Power BI to connect data sources and transform them into valuable insights. It helps users prepare for the Microsoft PL-300 certification exam and focuses on mastering Power BI’s capabilities for data modeling and analysis and creating compelling visualizations.
Visit Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional CertificateWe picked the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate because it provides a deep dive into Power BI, building expertise on DAX formulas, advanced modeling, and optimizing Power BI processes. Through this program, learners can receive professional-level training from Microsoft and learn about content aligned with the Microsoft PL-300 exam. This eight-course series will help users demonstrate their newly learned skills with portfolio-ready projects and their proficiency with the Microsoft ecosystem. Another key reason we recommend this course is its affordable monthly subscription via Coursera and the 50 percent discount on the PL-300 certification exam for users who complete it.
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate will offer many skills to users who complete the program, including:
There is no prior experience required for the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate, but users should complete the eight-course series to access professional certification and earn degree credit.
Length of Exam/Program: Self-paced; approximately five months at 10 hours a week
Location: 100 percent online through Coursera
Cost: Users can choose a monthly subscription to Coursera ($49/month) or a one-time course fee
Users can take several practice tests together with this certification to prepare for the Microsoft PL-300 certification on websites like MeasureUp and Udemy.
Best for Data Professionals Using SAS Suite
The SAS Certified Data Scientist is a multi-exam certification path establishing advanced data science skills using SAS software. This certification validates that the examinee is proficient in using SAS tools for data manipulation, analysis, and data modeling in complex projects.
Visit SAS Certified Data ScientistWe chose the SAS Certified Data Scientist program because it helps users demonstrate SAS expertise using a wide range of SAS and open source tools, as well as the ability to make business recommendations using complex machine learning models. Users can also establish their skills in deploying models at scale via the robust SAS environment. For data professionals working in niche-specific industries, including pharmaceuticals, government, and finance, having a SAS certification helps you stand out in a competitive job market.
This SAS Certified Data Scientist program will help you acquire the following skills:
To enroll in the SAS data science certification program, users need at least six months of programming experience in SAS or any programming language.
SAS also recommends that the user complete the SAS Programming 1: Essentials and Statistics 1: ANOVA, Regression, and Logistic Regression courses. Users who’d like to have an edge in learning the SAS ecosystem might also consider taking the SAS Programming 2: Data Manipulation Techniques and Predictive Modeling Using Logistic Regression courses.
Length of Exam/Program: Three months
Location: Testing centers or online proctoring
Cost: $180 per exam
Check out the SAS Resource Center for prep guides and the SAS Support Community for practice problems and exam advice.
Data analysts have recently become some of the most in-demand professionals in the job market. Certification in data analytics offers validation of your skills and makes you a more valuable candidate to employers, potentially leading to job offers and better pay. Having certifications proves that you’ve invested your time, resources, and effort in your career development.
The field of data analytics is continuously evolving, and certifications provide a structured learning path for beginners and learning opportunities for data professionals needing to stay ahead of the game. Ultimately, a certification by itself won’t guarantee a job offer, but most data analytics programs pair core knowledge with hands-on experience, enabling users to have a portfolio to showcase their work.
Finding the right data analytics certification can be challenging, especially if you’re investing your time, money, and effort into a program that could potentially offer better career opportunities. Here are several factors to consider when choosing a data analytics certification:
Choosing the program and certification is an investment in your career in data analytics. Before deciding on a data analytics certification, assess your existing skills, career goals, and tools that are most valuable in your field. Consider our list to explore and narrow down your options, and find the ones that align with your aspirations and the resources available. Also, seek advice from data professionals, join an active learning community, or explore free courses to assess your knowledge and skills gap.
If you’d like to deep dive into data analytics and how it’s used for business, read our in-depth guide to data analytics for businesses.
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