Which Data Analytics Bootcamp is Best?

Once you’ve committed to learning data analytics, you may be unsure which course is the best match for you. Bootcamps are an excellent training option, one that provides learners with hands-on training in one or multiple data analytics skills. Many top educators around the country offer bootcamps, both in person and live online, that cover in-demand data analytic skills and techniques. Because each learner is different, it’s important to research each of these training options to determine which one is best for you. The following sections will explore how to determine which data analytics bootcamp is best for you and which options are currently available to further your studies.

What are the most important criteria to evaluate in Data Analytics bootcamps?

Deciding which data analytics bootcamp is best for you is a personal decision each learner must make. There are several important considerations that you can use to evaluate which bootcamp is best for you, including time commitment, cost, how the program balances practical training with theory, and which skills it teaches.

Time Commitment & Cost

Data analytics bootcamps are usually taught in the live environment, either through in-person training or on a teleconferencing platform like Zoom. This means that those who enroll must be able to attend classes that meet at regularly scheduled intervals over the course of several weeks or months (depending on program length and if it’s attended part-time or full-time). This means that if you want to succeed as a bootcamp participant, you must be able to devote the time necessary to attend class meetings, as well as to complete any assigned homework between lectures. 

Cost-wise, bootcamps come with very different price points, depending on their length and focus. Some bootcamps that focus on a specific skill, such as SQL, are available for less than $1,000 and can be completed in 18-30 hours. Longer bootcamps that provide instruction on several data analytics skills usually take much longer to complete (50-100 hours) and can cost more than $15,000. 

Balancing Theory and Practical Skills

Another important consideration when selecting a data analytics bootcamp is how balanced the pedagogical approach between theory and pragmatic training will be. Longer data analytics bootcamps generally 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 Does the Bootcamp Teach?

Most people who enroll in a data analytics bootcamp do so to learn specific skills they’ll need for their current career or to pursue a new professional path. This is why it’s important to know what skills you’ll need to acquire so you can select a bootcamp that teaches them. 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 comprehensive bootcamp program than attempting to piecemeal their study with individual skills classes. 

What are the Top Data Analytics Bootcamps?

Data analytics bootcamps are available from many top providers and are a great way to acquire hands-on training in the small class environment. The following paragraphs provide several examples of current class listings in Python, SQL, and data analytics.

For those interested in working with Python, Noble Desktop offers a Python for Data Science Bootcamp. In this intensive class, instruction is provided on Python’s various applications for data science. Students use Python to handle data, create programs, make data visualizations, and create machine-learning models with statistics. This class 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 unit, students 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. This program is available in person in NYC and live online and includes a free class retake for one year.

NYIM Training’s Data Analytics Technologies Bootcamp is intended for those who want to learn how to gather, analyze, summarize, and visualize data using tools like SQL, Excel, and Tableau. This affordable training program provides real-world training in how to interact with the data contained in databases and transform this information into insightful visualizations. No prerequisites are required for this course, though prior experience with database management tools is useful. Tuition includes a free course retake for one year. Coursework can be completed live online or in person in NYC.

Students who want to explore how SQL is used in data analytics can do so in SQL Bootcamp, which is available from NYC Career Centers. This comprehensive bootcamp prepares participants to perform tasks like writing SQL queries that can extract the specific information they want. Instruction is provided on how to filter and group data, use join statements to combine the information contained in multiple tables, and work with subqueries. This program teaches students how to work with Microsoft SQL Server. The content taught can be applied to other flavors of SQL by making minor syntax changes. 

Enrolling in a Data Analytics Bootcamp Part-Time or Full-Time

Another important consideration all prospective bootcamp attendees must make is whether they want to study part-time or full-time. The good news is that most educational providers offer both options. The study format you select will likely be based on your availability and scheduling constraints. If you have a full-time job, part-time coursework may be the only way to acquire professional data analytics training while working simultaneously. Part-time bootcamps are typically available on weekends or weeknights, which will not disrupt traditional work schedules. One of the main benefits of part-time bootcamp study is that this format provides you with a longer timeframe with which to acquire training and practice what you learn. Spending a few months on a part-time bootcamp allows you to spend additional time with each tool or skill, which can improve retention. However, part-time study will require a longer duration to complete, which may pose challenges for individuals looking to learn data analytics for their current job.

Learners who have more flexible schedules may prefer a full-time study approach, which will allow them to fully immerse in their studies and complete their training at a much faster pace. This type of training will require that the participant devote several weeks (or even months) to their studies. This training option is typically a good match for those hoping to learn data analytics relatively quickly and who do not have full-time workloads or busy personal schedules competing for their focus. However, committing to a full-time program means that you should expect to be doing a good amount of homework in a much shorter time frame than would be the case with part-time study. It also will mean that you have less time to practice each tool or skill you acquire before moving on to the next one.

Enrolling in a Data Analytics Bootcamp In-Person or Online

Once you’ve decided to enroll in a data analytics bootcamp, another important decision you’ll need to make is whether to attend this class in person or live online. Some providers offer both types of training options, whereas other educators offer training solely through online coursework or in-person classes. Both types of training have their unique advantages and challenges.

In-person data analytics bootcamps take place in a designated training facility in or near a major city, such as Miami, Boston, or San Francisco. Students benefit from getting to complete classes in a computer lab that has the most up-to-date software and tools already installed. Additionally, in-person coursework is an excellent opportunity to connect with other learners who are completing coursework at the same time. This supportive environment is a good match for extroverted learners who thrive in the traditional classroom environment. It’s important to remember that in-person bootcamps require that participants commute to and from class. Courses typically meet several times a week, which means that students must have a reliable form of transportation and live relatively close to a training facility. The commute can add additional costs (for parking and gas), as well as require a greater time commitment to budget for traffic and parking. Those who don’t have access to a car or who live far from a major city may, therefore, find in-person bootcamp study prohibitive.

Live online data analytics classes are a more flexible learning option than in-person study. They provide the same learning outcomes as in-person coursework, such as real-time access to an expert instructor and in-the-moment support and feedback. One added perk of live online study is that it doesn’t require a commute. This means that learners can save the time and money they’d spend commuting to and from class. Instead, all coursework can be completed from the comfort of their own home or office space. Those interested in live online bootcamps will need to find a place to complete lessons where they won’t be distracted. This may make this form of training difficult for individuals who don’t have a reliable internet connection at home or who live with several other individuals. Additionally, it’s up to the student to have the tools they’ll need for coursework available and installed on their device. Programs like Excel and Tableau must be purchased, which can add additional costs to study.

Do You Want to Start a New Career Using Your Data Analytics Training?

If you’re interested in putting your data analytics training to use in a new career, bootcamps are a great way to prepare you to do so. Although these intensive classes vary in the specific training they provide (some deal with one data analytics tool, whereas others are broader in scope and offer instruction on several applications or skills), most bootcamps are intended to prepare students to find jobs upon graduation. Depending on the program you select, additional incentives beyond classroom instruction are provided for learners. Some schools offer 1-on-1 mentoring sessions in which students can receive individualized job support. Other providers offer perks like resume critiques, assistance with LinkedIn profiles, professional portfolio workshops, or networking events. Career support services such as these are in place so that when students graduate from bootcamps, they can put their knowledge to use in the real world toward a new career path.

Which Data Analytics Bootcamp is Best For Me?

Deciding which data analytics bootcamp is best for you is a choice each learner must make and depends on several key factors. In addition to considering whether you want to study part-time or full-time, and attend class in-person or online, other considerations are important to weigh as well when deciding which program is for you. The difficulty level of training is one such variable, as is the course’s focus. Students must also weigh their professional reasons for learning data analytics to ensure the bootcamp they choose will provide them with the training they need to use at the workplace. 

One of the main factors when choosing a bootcamp is determining which course focus is most in line with your educational and professional needs. If you already have knowledge of SQL and Python, for example, a data analytics bootcamp that teaches these programming languages won’t be as useful as one that focuses on other tools like Tableau or Excel. You may wish to select a program that hones in on a particular application, such as Power BI, rather than opt for a broader course that covers many data analytics tools. On the other hand, if you’re new to data analytics, you’ll likely want to choose a bootcamp option that provides introductory-level instruction on several skills so you can receive more well-rounded training. The good news is that data analytics bootcamps are offered by many providers around the globe, which means training options are available in many forms.

Cost is another key factor that can help you decide which bootcamp to select. Data analytics bootcamps that teach one skill, such as SQL or Tableau, often cost much less than those that provide broader (and more in-depth) instruction on the field of data analytics as a whole. Shorter bootcamps are available for $1,000 or less from some providers and require only a few days or weeks to complete. Bootcamps that teach a range of tools and techniques typically require a longer time commitment (several months) and can cost $10,000-$15,000 or more. Some schools, like Noble Desktop, provide zero percent financing options, which can make coursework more accessible for some students.

Data analytics bootcamps 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. 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.