How Much is a Google Analytics Course?

When exploring your options for Google Analytics training, cost will be a crucial deciding factor. You’ll want to make sure that the price is within your budget, but you’ll also want to make sure that the cost of the course is worth the knowledge and skills you will learn. While attending a professional development class is a good way to advance in your career and increase your earnings, you might not want to (or be able to) pay any price to further your Google Analytics skills, and you may find there aren’t enough benefits to enrolling in the most expensive training option possible.

Overall, the cost of an Google Analytics course will depend on the depth of knowledge, course length, and whether it’s live or on-demand. Typically, the most immersive courses are the most expensive. A college programming degree can cost tens of thousands of dollars and take four years to complete, but will provide in-depth learning. Alternatively, a bootcamp or on-demand training course will cost substantially less, but these will only provide you with entry-level skills. So, when considering cost, you also need to consider how much you want to learn and the value of the long-term benefits of the courses on your list. 

College Computer Science Programs: The Most Expensive Option

If you’re willing to invest substantial time and money, an undergraduate or graduate degree in web development may be a good fit. These can range in length from two to four years with hundreds (if not thousands) of coursework hours. This length means that you will learn much more than in other shorter training programs. These programs require you to apply and get accepted, and‌ have prerequisites involving SAT and ACT scores, foreign language requirements, and a minimum acceptable GPA. College is substantially more expensive than other training options, too, costing between $27,000 and $100,000 per year. Of course, scholarships and financial aid are available, and community colleges can help make a degree more affordable.

Pew Research surveyed the public and found that only one-in-four U.S. adults say it’s extremely or very important to have a four-year college degree in order to get a well-paying job in today’s economy. Only 22% say the cost of getting a four-year college degree today is worth it even if someone has to take out loans. So, while a college degree still holds value, there are disadvantages to this pathway that need to be considered. 

Professional Development Programs: Immersive Career-Focused Classes

Another option is to attend professional development programs like bootcamps, certifications, or certificate programs. Certifications are often required by employers to prove that you have continuing competency in ever-evolving tools and technology. They are a tried-and-tested method of proving one’s competence in a chosen field and, because of this, some employers will often cover the cost of these certifications and exams, eliminating the need for you to financially invest in this continuing education. But, if you’re attempting to transition into a new field, a certificate may not be the right choice, especially if cost is a concern.

Certificate and certification programs can be lengthy as well. They typically fall somewhere between a bootcamp and a four-year degree, taking up to a year or two to complete. While their curriculum is robust and a certificate of competency will look good to potential employers, they aren’t the best option for folks looking to change careers quickly. 

Certificates and certifications cost more than bootcamps or intro courses, but both are much more affordable than a four-year degree. You can expect to pay a few thousand dollars or fewer for these and, as previously mentioned, sometimes employers will help pay for these classes.

Live Training Classes: Ideal for Beginners and Unsure Students

The most affordable classes you’ll find will be introductory level courses. These classes typically can be completed in just a day or two. You’ll learn what Google Analytics is, how it’s used, and the fundamental techniques and tools associated with it. These classes are often held live, either in-person or online, allowing you to participate in conversation with your instructor and receive feedback in real time. It’s important to keep in mind that these classes won’t cover advanced subjects (unless you attend an advanced live training) so if you need to learn more than just the basics, an introductory class may not be the best option for you. Live training classes usually cost a few hundred dollars or fewer, making them a great way to begin your education without financially over-investing. 

On-Demand Classes: Excellent Supplements at Reasonable Prices

A self-paced course, also known as an on-demand course, is offered online and can be completed at the time and speed of your choosing. Self-paced courses are ideal for those with complicated schedules as they allow you more flexibility with no set class times or assignment due dates. These classes are also a great way to learn the ins and outs of Google Analytics from whatever angle you find to be the most interesting.

If your schedule is complicated or you prefer to learn at your own pace, on-demand classes offer the most flexibility and freedom. All lessons are prerecorded and there’s no due dates or class times to worry about. You can skip any lessons you’ve already mastered or spend more time on more difficult subjects. With this comes the disadvantages of no live collaboration with other students or instant feedback from an expert instructor. While you’ll have more time to master challenging subjects, you won’t have someone to help walk you through those challenges or provide additional insight. 

It’s also important to remember that with more freedom comes less accountability. On-demand classes work for independent learners who can keep themselves on task and motivated, but may not be the best fit for those who find motivation through accountability. Without scheduled class times and due dates, you may fall behind or take longer to complete your training. And without the right level of motivation, you can easily lose interest in completing the training altogether.

Free Resources: What are They Good For?

Free resources are available for learning Google Analytics. YouTube boasts a wide range of tutorials and informative videos on all kinds of Google Analytics subjects: from short five-minute episodes on the fundamentals to more in-depth breakdowns of advanced topics. YouTube is a great way to explore your initial interest or get answers to specific questions on Google Analytics. 

Other websites like Google and LinkedIn offer short free tutorials and trainings designed to help you grasp the history and basic principles of Google Analytics. Free resources are often your fastest option and can last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. Their brevity is one reason they are so valuable, but the drawback of these courses is that they will lack the in-depth knowledge and real-time interaction with an expert instructor that more immersive programs offer. It's best to use these resources as a brief introduction to make sure you’re interested in the subject as opposed to the sole source of your education. 

Learn Google Analytics Skills with Noble Desktop

Live Google Analytics courses are an ideal learning method for those entirely new to the field. Noble Desktop’s live classes offer expert instructors, setup assistance for online classes, and the chance for 1:1 mentoring. Held both live online and in person in New York, you can learn everything you need to know to become a Google Analytics expert. 

Noble Desktop’s Google Analytics Bootcamp will teach you all about this handy tool’s applications for marketing, including tracking data, interpreting reports, and optimizing performance. You’ll learn how to set up an account and understand what you should be tracking and discover the exciting features of GA4, including its data model and advanced methods for tracking events that matter to you. With the help of an expert instructor and hands-on learning, you’ll leave this training with a solid understanding of the tool and how to optimize its wealth of data to your advantage.

If you want to take your skills a step further, their Digital Marketing Certificate could be the right fit. You’ll gain the essential digital marketing skills to promote a business in today’s competitive markets by developing an actionable, multi-tiered campaign optimized through search engine optimization (SEO), social media, paid search, content marketing, and email marketing. You’ll also learn to increase your return on investment by determining key performance indicators, monitoring web analytics, tracking conversions, and creating reports with Google Analytics.

There’s also Google Ads Bootcamp, a hands-on training that teaches you to develop and manage successful Google Ads campaigns, generate leads and sales, track conversions, and improve your search engine ranking. You’ll get an introduction to paid advertising and walk away with an understanding of the essential elements needed to create successful paid campaigns via Google.

If you’re mostly interested in social media platforms, Noble’s Social Media Marketing Certificate. You’ll learn to create effective strategies on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter to grow your online following and stand out in the marketplace. You’ll also create a professional portfolio that you can share with employers and clients and learn how to optimize your resume, LinkedIn profile, and social media accounts to highlight your experience and make yourself stand out as a job candidate. This court is part of the Digital Marketing Certificate and can count towards that training should you choose to continue your education. 

Noble’s SEO Bootcamp is another option. Designed for business owners, marketers, and front end developers who want to enhance their marketability, this course will help you get familiar with the fundamentals of SEO and gain an edge over your competition through hands-on lessons in search engine optimization and competitive keyword analysis. To help you get started, this course includes a 7-day free trial of Semrush, the top keyword research tool. This course is also a part of the Digital Marketing Certificate, should you choose to pursue that more in-depth option.