Are Data Analytics Classes Worth It?

If you’re considering enrolling in a data analytics class, you may wonder whether it’s worth the time and money you’ll spend. Data analytics classes come in many varieties, including short courses that take just a day to complete, as well as comprehensive programs that require weeks or even months of training and can cost several thousand (or more) dollars. It’s important to weigh all the considerations before deciding for yourself whether a data analytics class is for you. 

Data analytics classes provide hands-on training in a range of skills you’ll need in a professional setting, such as Excel, Tableau, Python, and SQL. These classes provide a structured and supportive learning environment and are a sound investment for those interested in putting these skills to use in a professional setting. This is why, for most individuals who have professional aspirations to pursue a career in a data-related field, taking a data analytics class is worth their time and money because it will help them progress at their current job or can be used to pursue another profession entirely, such as a Junior Data Analyst. This article will explore some essential factors to consider if you’re deciding whether data analytics training is worth it for you.

Consider the Costs 

Data analytics is a broad field that comprises many programming languages, data processing tools, software, applications, and skills. For this reason, coursework takes many forms. Those interested in enrolling in data analytics coursework may wonder how much it will cost, as well as if this investment will ultimately pay off. Shorter courses are available in specific data analytics skills, including SQL, Python Machine Learning, Tableau, or Excel. These programs often take just a few days to complete and are available for around $1,000. Those interested in learning several data analytics as part of the same comprehensive course can opt for a bootcamp or certificate program, which provides comprehensive, hands-on training in data analytics as a broad field. These courses require much longer to complete (several weeks or months) and cost significantly more (usually between $5,000 and $15,000). 

If cost is a prohibitive factor in acquiring data analytics training, less expensive study options are also available, including on-demand data analytics classes and free tutorials. However, these forms of instruction have trade-offs and limitations. It’s up to the student to weigh the costs and benefits of each type of data analytics training to determine which form is most in line with your professional needs. 

Advantages of a Data Analytics Class

Although coursework can be time-consuming and expensive, there are many compelling reasons to opt to learn data analytics through live instruction.

General Benefits

In addition to the specific learning outcomes and benefits that each data analytics class provides to participants, there are also general benefits all students gain from live training. Whether you opt to enroll in an in-person or live online program, you will have access to a real instructor who’s there to guide your learning journey and provide immediate support and clarification. As you complete activities and acquire real-world data analytics training, the instructor can offer feedback and personalized support, which can make it much easier to master difficult data analytics skills, such as creating advanced Tableau visualizations or working with Python for machine learning tasks. 

The hands-on training you’ll receive during your studies provides a focused opportunity for you to focus entirely on learning data analytics without any other distractions competing for your focus. No matter whether you opt to enroll in a short Microsoft Excel course that takes just one afternoon to complete or a rigorous data analytics certificate that requires five months of time, the live instructor and other students in the class will be there to offer support and a sense of community. Most learners find it easier to retain information and grasp complicated data analytics skills in a live classroom than through independent study. 

Well-Rounded Education

If you opt to enroll in a data analytics certificate or bootcamp, you’ll receive training in many related skills and software that are used in data-related careers. It’s common during a data analytics certificate to begin by learning core data skills, like how to gather, clean, and organize data before it can be analyzed. Although the content of courses varies depending on the provider and scope of instruction, most data analytics programs prepare learners to work with programming languages, as well as data analytics and visualization software. This includes working with SQL to communicate with databases and using Python to gather, analyze, model, and visualize data. 

Coursework also often teaches students how to work with programs like Microsoft Excel, which can greatly simplify the data analytics process and save users hours of tedious, manual entering. This app makes data retrieval easier and faster, and the actionable insights generated from spreadsheets can indicate revenue patterns, marketing trends, or profit margins. Data analytics courses also teach students to work with programs like Tableau, which is widely used to create both basic and complex data visualizations like pie charts, scatterplots, heat maps, box charts, and histograms. These visualizations help viewers spot areas where their organization can improve, assess risks, or even the variables that contribute to customers’ purchasing patterns. 

Real-World Training

Like any skill, learning data analytics is valuable when it’s applied to real-world information. It’s often easier for learners to remember what they learn when it has practical implications. This is why many data analytics programs provide students with the opportunity to work with real-world datasets, sometimes even those from their own workplace or personal budget. The real benefit of being able to analyze data and use this information to make decisions is how it can be applied to real-life situations. 

Personalized Feedback

Live data analytics training isn’t just a great way to connect with other students, it’s a learning environment in which you have the opportunity to learn from an expert instructor. Those who teach data analytics classes have real-world experience analyzing and visualizing data. They share their knowledge and expertise through practical, in-class exercises and guided, step-by-step lessons. As you complete a bootcamp or certificate program, you may encounter challenging concepts or skills you aren’t able to easily master. This is where the instructor comes in. They’re always available to provide support and in-the-moment clarification. Even those who attend live online courses can grant their instructor permission to share their screen, which is an effective way to fully understand difficult material or concepts. This type of training can help you avoid making any common mistakes and will ensure you’re on the right path from the start as you learn data analytics.

Considerations When Deciding on a Data Analytics Class

While most learners benefit greatly from enrolling in a data analytics program, these classes aren’t for everyone. The following sections will briefly explore some essential factors to consider before deciding whether to enroll in a data analytics class. 

General Considerations

Live data analytics classes require that learners commit to a set schedule in which they attend class and meet other course requirements, including homework assignments. In-person study also entails commuting to and from class, which can add additional time and cost for traveling to a designated training center. While those who opt instead to complete coursework remotely in the live online format can avoid traffic, they must find a place to complete lessons where they won’t be distracted. This may make live study difficult for individuals who have demanding work schedules or who must acquire data analytics training in a relatively short period of time for use on a current work project. Live training also means that the instructor will determine the pace of lessons. This can pose challenges for students who require additional assistance or who already have a working knowledge of some data analytics concepts.

Balancing Theory and Practical Skills

Another important consideration when selecting a data analytics program is how balanced the pedagogical approach will be between theory and pragmatic training. Certificate programs in data analytics tend to provide learners with both a theoretical approach to data analytics as well as hands-on training that can be used in real-world professional settings. These intensive programs generally provide an overview of the field of data analytics, the current best practices, and some tools and techniques for using data to solve problems and effectively communicate findings. On the other hand, shorter courses that cover an individual data analytics skill or tool, such as an introductory-level Excel or SQL course, are likely to jump into specific applications and uses rather than theory due to time constraints and course focus. It’s up to you as the learner to decide whether you’re interested in acquiring a broader knowledge of the field of data analytics or if you are more interested in learning one particular tool that can be used immediately.

What Skills Are Essential to Learn?

Most people who enroll in a data analytics class do so to learn specific skills they’ll need for their current career or to pursue a new professional path. This makes it important to know what type of skills you’ll need to acquire so you can find coursework that teaches this content. Since data analytics is a broad field in which many applications, software, and tools are used for various purposes, it’s always a good idea to determine which skills are most in demand for your professional aspirations and which aren’t as essential. For example, those who hope to work in financial analytics will need a solid understanding of Excel spreadsheets. Similarly, Retail Managers may benefit more from learning Excel than SQL for inventory tracking purposes. Aspiring Data Analysts, though, will likely need to study the gamut of data analytics software and tools, and may be better off attending a certificate program than attempting to piecemeal their study with individual skills classes. There’s no need to waste time or money on learning unnecessary skills.

Individuals who are looking to just acquire basic knowledge of data analytics for personal use, such as to track their health patterns or fitness goals, may opt to watch short online tutorials or complete on-demand training instead of investing thousands of dollars in a comprehensive data analytics certificate. Before deciding which data analytics class is right for you, it’s important to ask yourself what you’ll be doing with the skills you learn and which ones will help you the most professionally or personally. 

Is it Worth Enrolling in a Data Analytics Class?

No two learners are the same, and some may benefit more from formal data analytics training than others. The following sections will take a closer look at the type of learners who may find data analytics classes worthwhile, such as aspiring Data Analysts and Financial Analysts, as well as those who may find coursework less essential.

Who will find it worthwhile?

Each day, more data is being created than ever before. However, until this information can be understood and leveraged, it’s of little use to an organization. The ability to gather, clean, analyze, and visualize data is an in-demand skill in many industries and professions. Anyone who is hoping to pursue a career in data or who currently works in a data-related field is likely to benefit from data analytics training. The following are just several potential career paths that would find data analytics training beneficial:

• Financial Analyst
• Database Developer
• Business Analyst
• Data Journalist
• Hospitality Analyst
• Marketing Analyst
• Data Modeler
• Social Media Analyst
• Database Administrator
• Healthcare Analyst 
• Data Architect

Both current and aspiring data professionals can select from beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level data analysis training. Courses are available in specific tools and skills, such as Python for Machine Learning, SQL, Excel for Business, or Tableau, as well as certificate programs that provide instruction in each of these skills and how they can be used in concert.

Who might find it worthwhile? 

While data analytics coursework is a great way to prepare for a data career or to boost your resume to pursue more advanced-level data roles, coursework isn’t necessarily a good match for everyone. For those who haven’t yet decided on a professional focus, this type of training may be less beneficial. If you’re still deciding on whether to pursue a data-related or data-adjacent career, you may be further ahead to begin your search with free online content or self-paced coursework. Or, you could enroll in a beginner-level skills class related to data analytics, such as and introductory Excel or Python class. Then, if you feel this line of study is a good match, you could elect to take a more involved program, such as a live online data analytics program or in-person data analytics bootcamp.

Who probably doesn’t need a data analytics class? 

Data skills are useful for professionals and non-professionals alike. However, not everyone needs to spend hundreds or even thousands on acquiring formal data analytics training. Those who hope to learn the basics of data analysis for personal use, for example, likely won’t require a bootcamp program or certificate study. Instead, they can learn basic data-related skills, such as how to navigate Excel, via YouTube videos or other free data analytics resources. Familiarity with data analysis can benefit non-professionals in many ways. It can help monitor personal spending and budgeting patterns or provide a way to track health-related information or workout routines. The skills needed for these basic data tasks can largely be found online for no financial commitment. 

Noble Desktopoffers several excellent free online resources for those interested in exploring data analytics on their own. It has a free SQL seminar, video content on Python fundamentals, and material on data science. Noble’s Learn Hub also provides a range of up-to-date articles on relevant data analytics skills and topics, including information on how to install and work with Tableau Public, use SQL for business analytics, and perform statistical data analysis in Microsoft Excel. 

Learn Data Analytics with Noble Desktop

If you’re committed to learning data analytics or are interested in taking your existing training to the next level, let Noble Desktop help. Noble has live instruction in data analytics for learners at all levels. The following sections will highlight a few current course listings for those who are just getting started in data analytics, as well as seasoned professionals looking to master advanced data-related skills and concepts.

Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate is a great option to consider if you want to study several core data analytics tools and software. This comprehensive certificate combines several of Noble’s shorter bootcamps and classes: Data Analytics Foundations, Excel for Data Analytics, Python for Data Science Bootcamp, Python for Automation, Python Machine Learning Bootcamp, SQL Bootcamp, Python Data Visualization & Interactive Dashboards, and Tableau Bootcamp. As you complete coursework, you’ll learn how Excel is used to manipulate and visualize data and how to work with Python’s scientific libraries. Instruction is provided on using SQL to retrieve data from relational databases and Tableau to visualize data. All students can retake this class for free for one full year. Tuition includes eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions that can be used for professional development or to revisit complex course material.

If you want to focus your training on data visualization, Noble also offers a Tableau Certification Program.This class will prepare you to pass the Tableau Desktop Specialist certification exam. This class comprises two classes: Tableau Level I and Tableau Level II. You also will receive six hours of private tutoring. Coursework begins with an overview of the Tableau interface and how this software can be used to design a range of charts. You’ll then progress into more difficult data visualization skills, such as how to map data and create dashboards. In the private training sessions, you can dive deeper into complex class material or review the content that will appear on the exam. Tuition includes the cost of sitting for the Tableau Desktop Specialist exam and a free exam retake (if necessary), as well as exam proctoring. Learners can retake this class for free for up to a year. Those who pass the Desktop Specialist certification exam at the end of this program earn professional Tableau certification. Those who opt not to sit for the exam can instead choose an additional hour of private tutoring. 

Noble also offers a Python for Data Science Bootcamp for those who want to explore how Python can be used for real-world datasets. In this intensive class, instruction is provided on Python’s various applications for data science. You’ll have the opportunity to study how to use Python to handle data, create programs, make data visualizations, and create machine-learning models with statistics. This hands-on program begins with an overview of Python’s basic concepts, such as how to write expressions and statements, understand data types, use lists, and create variables. In the second part of this course, you’ll take these skills even further and work with control flow tools, dictionaries, loops, and conditional statements. Part three of this class covers topics like how to use NumPy and Pandas to clean data and how to use libraries like Matplotlib, NumPy, and Pandas to analyze and visualize data in the form of bar charts, histograms, and other advanced visualizations. This course includes a supplementary 1-on-1 mentoring session that students can use for assistance on their own projects or to revisit challenging course material. All Noble classes are available live online and in person in New York City.