Is a data analysis certificate worth it?

A data analysis certificate can be worth it to help people with a general degree in computer science or business develop specialized analysis skills that can be applied in a business environment. It may also help you work toward a higher-paying role, as BLS data shows that management analysts earned a median annual salary of $99,410 in 2023.

How long does it take to earn a data analysis certificate?

It may take you a total of two to six months to earn your certificate. Keep in mind that it can take more or less time, depending on how many hours per week you dedicate to your studies.

How do you choose the right data analysis certificate?

You can choose a data analysis certificate based on your current skill level. For example, those just starting in the field may want to choose a program specifically geared toward beginners. Additionally, you may want to consider any special skills you want to develop, such as computation and statistical modeling, and choose a program that covers those subjects.

Data analysis certificates

Are you looking to further your career in the business world? Earning a data analysis certificate can help you develop real-world skills to help business clients solve problems and reach their strategic goals.

Find out what you can learn in a data analysis certificate program and how it can help you take your career to a new level.

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Why earn a data analysis certificate online?

Specialized skills

A certificate program can help you develop special skills you may not have gotten from a more general curriculum in your business, computer science, or mathematics bachelor’s degree program.

Hands-on experience

Many data analysis certificate programs allow you to work with the same enterprise-level applications you may encounter on the job.

Networking

You may be able to take courses with others who are working in or pursuing the same field, which can help further your professional journey.

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What you'll learn

In your data analysis certificate program, you may encounter:

A core focus of helping you learn how to use big data to solve business problems
Specific skills such as working with Microsoft Excel, programming with Python, structuring databases, data visualization, and machine learning
Coursework that encompasses several modules and can be completed in two to six months
Specialized tracks for every skill level, from beginner to advanced, and those who want to develop specific skills, such as computational analysis

The right certificate can help you move forward into a career that fits your needs and skill set.

What can you do with a certificate in data analysis?

A certificate in data analysis can enhance your skills and open a world of professional possibilities.

Here are some careers that earning a certificate in data analysis can help prepare you for, with each role's required skills as well as salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Management analyst

As a management analyst, you may help organizations improve their efficiency by gathering information about business problems and developing solutions to solve them.

You may be responsible for conducting observations and interviews, analyzing financial data, and creating presentations detailing your findings and recommendations. Additionally, you may continue to meet with management to evaluate changes and ensure their effectiveness.

These positions may require a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a similar field. A certificate in data analysis can help prepare you for the unique challenges of solving business problems using concrete data.

Required skills: Analytics software, data visualization, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, interpersonal skills, statistical analysis
Median annual salary (May 2023): $99,410

Market research analyst

Market research analysts are often responsible for collecting data related to consumer preferences and the other outside forces that shape business strategy.

In this role, you may use that data to extract insight for product development and pricing strategies. You may spend your days forecasting trends, using statistical software, converting data into visual reports, and presenting your findings to the management team.

To land a job as a market research analyst, you may need a bachelor’s degree in business or one of the social sciences. Earning a data analysis certificate can help you highlight the specific knowledge required to turn raw data into business insight.

Required skills: Data collection, data cleaning, data visualization, storytelling, statistical modeling, analytical thinking, attention to detail, behavioral psychology
Median annual salary (May 2023): $74,680

Operations research analyst

Operations research analysts collect information from various sources throughout a business to identify operational problems and inefficiencies.

In this role, you may analyze the data you collect using quantitative models and then dig for insight that will lead to a solution. You may also present your findings and recommendations using data visualization software to break down complex concepts for a variety of stakeholders.

You may need a in computer science, mathematics, or business administration to work as an operations research analyst. A data analysis certificate can help you hone your analysis skills to help businesses reach their strategic goals.

Required skills: Quantitative analysis, simulation modeling programming languages, optimization algorithms, data visualization, problem-solving, communication
Median annual salary (May 2023): $83,640

Frequently asked questions

Published July 3, 2025