In today’s digital landscape, most businesses are producing a significant amount of data, and they need the help of Data Analysts to make sense of it all. Data Analytics is an umbrella term that refers to the methods professionals use to find and understand patterns found in raw data. They then use this information to help companies understand their customers and target their advertising efforts. It makes sense that busy students would be interested in learning about some of these tools and techniques over the summer before committing to a lengthy college degree in a field that may not interest them.
Here, we’ll discuss a range of summer data analytics programs available to high school students. You’ll also learn more about finding the class that best suits your finances and unique learning style.
Types of Data Analytics Summer Programs for High School Students
When it comes to learning data analytics over the summer, students have many options to choose from. Perhaps the starkest difference between these courses is whether they can be taken remotely or not. While all the classes listed below provide a virtual learning option, some provide in-person education in a traditional classroom. Even though most of today’s students are familiar with remote courses, some do their best work when they can be in the same room as their instructor and fellow students.
The available programs also vary in the time commitment they require; some are more intensive, with classes taking place every day for a week, while others have one or two sessions a week for a few months. Another important difference is the skill level required to attend each program. While most are suitable for beginners with previous experience analyzing data, others offer more advanced instruction for students who are already comfortable with data analysis and want to receive additional skills.
What Will I Learn in a Data Analytics Summer Class?
While most data analytics summer classes are designed as comprehensive overviews, they can vary in form and content, with some offering more thorough career preparation than others. In general, data analytics courses teach you to perform four different types of data analysis using a variety of coding and software tools. In addition, specialized classes may include training in data visualization, machine learning, finance, and marketing.
Coding
With coding, you can more efficiently analyze, organize, store, and find data. In addition, you can use code to automate time-draining tasks. While every data analytics class is different, the most popular coding language taught in data classes is Python (followed closely by R and SQL). This versatile language is equipped with the capability to forecast outcomes, generate charts, and develop algorithms. In addition, Python enables you to work with several types of data at a time, giving you more value than a software application would on its own.
Software Skills
Data analytics classes often pair coding with various software tools, which together, offer more powerful results than either would alone. Common tools you might encounter in a data analytics class include Excel, Tableau, Google Analytics, Microsoft Power BI, Project Jupyter, and MatLab.
Data Visualization
A subcategory of data analysis, data visualization is the process of turning raw data into an easy-to-read graphic. Rather than having to over-explain complex data, you can use these charts to easily communicate your insights to business stakeholders or insert them into a research article before publication. In addition to adding in data communication, data visualization can make it easier for you to recognize data patterns along with variables that could affect your analysis. In a data analytics class, you’ll likely explore data visualization through Python libraries like Plotly and Dash as well as software tools like Tableau.
Machine Learning
While not taught in every data analytics course, machine learning can make your analytics process significantly more efficient by adding automation and algorithmic evaluation to your tool bag. The Python sci-kit-learn library is one of the most popular tools for creating algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) programs and is often included in data training. To make the most of machine learning, however, you’ll also need to learn how to train algorithms and evaluate their performance.
Finance
As you work with numerical and tabular data in programs like Excel and Tableau, you’ll simultaneously gain finance skills such as financial analysis and financial modeling. You’ll also get plenty of practice solving math and statistics problems, giving you more tools to make smart money decisions in your business and personal life. If you decide that you love finance, these skills can also serve as a starting point for a future finance career.
Digital Marketing
If your training course was designed with marketing and business professionals in mind, you’ll examine the intersection between data and digital marketing. While this mainly involves the exploration of market research and how to increase profits through analytics, some courses also tap into relevant communication skills, such as consumer psychology, project management, and leadership.
Summer Data Analytics Classes Near Me
#1: NextGen Bootcamp - Python Data Science Summer Program
If you’re on the lookout for a highly comprehensive career training program, NextGen Bootcamp’s Python Data Science Summer Program is a beginner-friendly course that’s available both in-person (in Manhattan, NYC) and live online. With no experience necessary, you can develop object-oriented programming skills as you practice using Python to complete real-world data science projects you can proudly display in a professional portfolio. In this course, you’ll learn to clean and organize complex data sets, create striking visualizations, and use machine learning algorithms when working with data.
Even if you choose remote learning, you’ll receive a highly interactive training experience that allows you to receive personalized feedback, ask questions, and connect with classmates in real-time. As you work on projects with classmates in your same age range (high school to college), you’ll gain experience for your career while developing key soft skills such as communication and teamwork. Once the program ends, you’ll receive a certificate of completion, commemorating your accomplishment.
Interested in coding in multiple languages? You may find NextGen’s Computer Science Summer Certificate Program a better fit. This program includes the same concepts taught in the Python Data Science Summer Program and teaches the fundamentals of coding with Java, another language in high professional demand.
#2: NextGen Bootcamp - Python for Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
If you’re a high school or college student hoping to learn more advanced data analysis skills, NextGen Bootcamp also has a Python for Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning camp over the summer. Designed for more advanced students who are already comfortable using Python and some of its data science libraries, like Pandas and NumPy, this course will help you build on existing skills to work with more complex algorithms. In the class, you’ll learn how to appropriately test models using higher-level skills like logistic regression and cross-validation. As with NextGen’s other classes, you can attend this program in person at NextGen’s New York City campus or live online at the same time the class is taught (Eastern Standard Time).
If you’re unsure whether this class might be too difficult for you, note that as long as you’ve taken NextGen’s Python for Data Science course, (a prerequisite), you should have no problem succeeding in this course. If you feel that you need to review the course material after finishing the course, NextGen also allows students to retake the course for free within a year to gain additional practice.
#3: Noble Desktop - Data Analytics Technologies Bootcamp
You can get ahead on technical training for a data career by participating in the Data Analytics Technologies Bootcamp at Noble Desktop, one of the top schools for tech education. This course will utilize hands-on projects to familiarize you with three of the most commonly used data analytics tools—Excel, SQL, and Tableau. The curriculum covers how to sort, filter, analyze, and visualize data in these three programs. As you work through projects that mirror what you’d encounter in a professional setting, you’ll grow comfortable with analytical concepts including database querying and data manipulation.
This course is available full-time and part-time at Noble’s Manhattan campus as well as live online through Zoom. Virtual students will receive computer setup assistance before the class begins. Even though this course dives into more advanced concepts, no previous experience with database management is necessary for you to enjoy this course. The only prerequisite is you need to be an 18-year-old (or soon-to-be 18-year-old) high school junior or senior.
#4: Noble Desktop - Data Analytics Certificate
Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate is ideal for those who want a crash course in all things data ahead of a career in business or data analytics. Through a series of hands-on projects designed to help you master some of the most in-demand tools for data analysis, you’ll gain real professional experience and generate high-quality material to feature in your job portfolio. As you work with a variety of tools, including SQL, Excel, Python, and Tableau, you’ll build a well-rounded skill set that will serve you for decades to come. One of the best perks of joining this course, however, is the opportunity to work one-on-one with an expert mentor who can guide you through the ups and downs of learning. In addition, you’ll have ready access to Noble’s career support squad for anything you need regarding resumes, cover letters, interviews, and landing jobs.
If you’re a high schooler who’s close to turning 18 or 18 already, you’re eligible to attend this course part-time or full-time during the summer. Depending on your preference you can attend class in-person at Noble Desktop’s New York City campus or participate in live online classes that enable you to interact with others in real-time.
#5: BrainStation - Data Analytics Course
Looking for a beginner-friendly course that’s specifically designed for those hoping to land a career in data analysis? BrainStation offers a summer Data Analytics Course for high school students that covers data collection, cleaning, and visualization with standard industry tools like Excel, SQL, and Tableau. In this class, students (18 and older) are encouraged to problem-solve while navigating real-world projects built on complex data sets. Through the process of completing these projects, students develop material to include in a professional portfolio.
This program is offered online, as well as in-person at several campus locations throughout the English-speaking world. While designed as a beginner-friendly course, previous experience with Excel is strongly recommended. For students of limited means, BrainStation has numerous scholarships available, including a Women in Technology Scholarship, a Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship, and a Veterans Scholarship.
#6 Harvard Pe-College - Summer Data Science Program
High school students who want to explore a college lifestyle can enjoy in-person data science classes alongside other college classes as part of Harvard’s Pre-college Summer Program. Without the stress of grades, teens can learn from Ivy League professors at one of the best schools in the country. In Introduction to Data Science with Focus on Visualization, students clean and organize data with Python before using Matplotlib and JavaScript to turn their data into striking visualizations. In a collaborative environment built on interactive discussion, students also navigate how data visualizations are used for communication.
#7 University of Chicago - Data Science Institute Summer Lab
Students looking to get the most bang for their buck may want to consider signing up for a paid internship course like the Data Science Institute Summer Lab hosted by the University of Chicago. Open to high school and undergraduate students, this course gives learners the opportunity to fulfill the role of research assistant to an expert mentor, covering topics like data and computer science, biomedical research, climate and energy policy, and more. Working one-on-one with their mentor, they’ll sharpen technical skills like research methodologies alongside soft skills like teamwork.
#8 Wharton Global Youth - Data Science Academy
Philadelphia high schoolers in grades 10 through 11 who are already knowledgeable about math and coding can build data skills in the Data Science Academy at Wharton Global Youth. Oriented toward statistical modeling and machine learning, this in-person course uses case studies to train students in artificial intelligence and the R programming language. In addition to learning from lectures given by the course expert, students will benefit from the knowledge of guest speakers and tips from their in-class TAs. Students who don’t live in Philadelphia are also welcome to participate as on-campus residents in Data Science Academy, giving high schoolers an exciting chance to experience university life for the first time.
#9 Syracuse University Pre-college - Data Visualization and Analysis Course
Interested in data but don’t want to get bogged down by coding? 10 to 12th graders (along with high school graduates) can learn how to analyze data without code by signing up for the Data Visualization and Analysis Course at Syracuse University Pre-college in New York. While enjoying a lively college experience (friends, dining halls, and all), participants learn how to work with Excel and Tableau. This task-driven class will have them collect and clean data before transforming it into dynamic charts. To help students communicate their data findings even more effectively, they’ll also explore storytelling methods along with interactive dashboards.
#10 Quinnipiac University Pre-College - Data Science Summer Camp
Through the Data Science Summer Camp at Quinnipiac University Pre-College in Connecticut, students aged 15 to 18 master tools that they can use to create valuable solutions and impact important decisions. With in-person practice, students will use statistics and coding to analyze data and forecast trends. As a free bonus with the course, all equipment and software is provided and students can enjoy fun weekend excursions that include activities like shopping, mini golfing, and museum visits.
#11: General Assembly - Data Analytics Course
During the summer months, students 18 and older can attend the Data Analytics Course at General Assembly for foundational training. Designed for beginners, this program includes extra pre-class training to help students prepare for the first day of class. Through lecture-style training, this course takes students through the basics of data analysis and visualization with SQL, Tableau, and Excel. In tandem with team-mates from other disciplines, students will complete projects for their professional portfolio using real-world data. While this class offers instructor support, keep in mind that the topics covered are rudimentary and may not include all the advanced skills you need for a career.
General Assembly offers training from a handful of in-person locations as well as online. The course is also available both as a full-time accelerated program and as a longer part-time class.
Additional Courses
If none of these courses sounds like the perfect fit, or you simply want to compare options further, check out the high school courses on offer at schools like TCU Neeley Analytics Academy, AI4ALL UW, Code Connects, Columbia University Pre-College, OutSchool, and Ladder Internships.
Why Learn Data Analytics During the Summer?
Data analytics is one of the most marketable skills in today’s job market, making it a valuable skill to invest in before you graduate from high school. Despite a growing demand for professionals with strong analytical skills, however, many of these concepts aren’t taught in high schools. This means that you’ll need to search elsewhere if you want to learn data analytics. Fortunately, summer data analytics training makes it possible to prepare for a career during high school, giving you the edge over other recent high school grads.
Learning how to analyze data is an incredibly smart career move, and can lead to a variety of lucrative opportunities.Along with providing a comfortable living, data analytics jobs can give you the power to impact issues that matter to you. With data now driving sectors like politics, research, and education, data workers often play an important role in pushing change forward. Similarly, data professionals are key players behind financial and corporate dealings.
You don’t have to become a data analyst long-term to benefit from learning this skill, however. Even if you pursue another career, data analytics training can lead to many professional advantages. For instance, learning Python can lead to a host of exciting web or software development careers. Familiarity with tools like Tableau and Excel is also in high demand across many industries, meaning that a working knowledge of these tools will help you stand out from competitors regardless of what role you apply for. In addition, having a highly marketable skill set upon graduation from high school can make it much easier to pay for other education programs, including college.
Data Analytics Industries
As more of business and work goes online, digital markets and information databases only grow more saturated. Data analytics is one of the most effective tools for getting on top of the competition and is becoming increasingly popular as a means of understanding complex information. As a result, data analytics is an embedded part of America’s biggest industries, including healthcare, finance, marketing, manufacturing, and retail.
Healthcare and Biomedicine
In America, more than 6,000 hospitals rely on data professionals to safely process massive quantities of patient data. Outside of the healthcare system, America thrives as a global leader in biotechnology research and houses the world’s largest BioTech hub in Boston, Massachusetts. Here and throughout the nation, researchers trust data programs to draw insights from scientific data. Top biotech companies in the US include Gilead Sciences, Amgen, and Pfizer.
Finance
A key driver in America’s economy, finance and investment generates almost 21% of the national GDP and employs almost 9 million people, growing at a stable 10% between 2013 and 2023. For every time a finance professional lands a job, 3.6 new jobs are created in other industries. Data is a vital component in the finance industry, enabling professionals to establish budgets, predict investment market trends, evaluate credit risks, and more. In addition to serving traditional accounting firms and financial services companies, data professionals can find work through FinTech companies like Chime and Stripe.
Business Services and Marketing
Using data on customer behavior, businesses can make smarter decisions and target their marketing toward real customer needs, making it more effective. Companies of all sizes are willing to pay for data analytics services to bring greater profits to their businesses, and luckily for data professionals, the business and marketing industries are growing rapidly. Across the US, $549.51 billion was allocated to advertising in 2021, and expenditures are likely to increase up to $870.85 billion by 2027.
Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics
Manufacturing is a complex process that requires intensive organization of tools and procedures to remain on schedule and prevent mishaps. In addition to helping with this process, data analytics aids the manufacturing industry in predicting demand and automating time-consuming processes. In 2023, manufacturing accounted for more than 10% of the US GDP and employs nearly 13,000,000 people as of 2024, making it one of the largest data-using sectors in the country. With almost 244,000 companies generating products, America manufactures a diverse array of goods, including electronics, computers, advanced robotics, airplane and machine parts, weapons, textiles, chemicals, and food.
Data Analytics Jobs and Salaries
In America, big data is expanding quicker than jobs can be filled, meaning high demand and corresponding high salaries. To put it into perspective, most occupations are growing at an annual rate of 5%, but data analytics can look forward to growth measuring over 30% between 2021 and 2031. With this colossal demand also comes greater job security, as companies are less willing to part with a limited supply of data professionals. With the cost of living rising all over the world, landing a reliable and high-paying job is an understandably high priority for most people.
Because data is so widely utilized, data professions have become highly specialized, making it possible to focus on your favorite niche. While these aren’t all of the possible career paths within data analytics, some of the most popular options include the following:
Data Analyst
Data Analysts in the US earn an average annual salary of $49,000 to $120,000, and those with more years of experience can earn even more. In addition to focusing on more generalized data topics, some professionals choose to specialize in data analysis for a particular industry, earning titles like Business Analyst and Financial Analyst.
Data Engineer
Through coding, Data Engineers create computer programs and databases that Data Analysts can use to store, transmit, and evaluate data. For those working in America, Data Engineers can expect to earn $82,000 to $199,000 each year.
Data Scientist
In addition to processing data into usable insights like Data Analysts, Data Scientists develop data technology similar to Data Engineers. They earn an average of $81,000 to $189,000 per year in America.
Machine Learning Engineer
Members of the growing AI community, Machine Learning Engineers use code to create and train computer programs that learn from data. Their highly advanced knowledge earns them annual salaries averaging $104,000 in $251,000 in the US.
Which Data Analytics Summer Program is Right for Me?
After reviewing some of the available options to learn data analytics over the summer, the next step is to reflect on your priorities, so you can select the program that will work best. For many students, finances are a top concern. Even though these analytical skills can lead to a high salary, spending thousands of dollars on a summer class is understandably overwhelming for many families. Some programs offer financial aid and scholarships, so you can eliminate those that will be the least affordable.
When considering the cost of a program, however, it’s essential to look at the value of the instruction rather than the overall price. For instance, Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate is nearly $1,000 more than the General Assembly course. However, Noble’s program also offers more than twice the hours of instruction, making the Noble program an all-around better deal. Some programs like NextGen and Noble Desktop also offer free retakes for their courses, which is another financial perk, especially for beginners who would likely benefit from additional instruction to nail down more challenging concepts.
Beginner students may also want to consider programs that are designed specifically for high schoolers instead of those designed for folks who are 18 or older. While these classes may be “beginner-friendly,” the material could still be presented in a more complicated manner. Conversely, advanced students will need to prioritize courses that won’t teach them skills they already have. This ensures they’ve invested in a valuable education.
Clearly, the many summer programs that teach data analytics can meet a range of needs; most students can likely find a suitable program regardless of their schedules, current experience, or financial needs. Even though attending one of these programs requires an initial financial investment, spending some time reflecting on which course is best for you will go a long way toward choosing a lasting and rewarding career.