Data science is a rapidly-growing field with countless high-paying opportunities, and data science bootcamps help prepare students for these positions by providing the resources and education needed to establish a career in data science. To help you narrow down your options and find the right course for your needs, we found the six best data science bootcamps available online.
- Springboard — Data Science Bootcamp — Top Pick
- BrainStation — Data Science Bootcamp Online — Best Portfolio Projects
- General Assembly — Data Science Bootcamp — Most Flexible Financing
- Data Science Dojo — Data Science Bootcamp — Best Career Support
- NYC Data Science Academy — Data Science with Machine Learning — Most Advanced Curriculum
- Datacamp — Associate Data Scientist in Python — Most Affordable
Our Ranking Criteria
Data science bootcamps need to cover a wide range of in-demand topics and skills to adequately prepare students for a career in this complex field. To make sure we found the best bootcamps available, we researched over 70 bootcamps and narrowed our list down to the top six based on several key factors.
There are a few basic criteria that apply to every bootcamp no matter what topic it covers. Time to complete, prerequisites, schedule flexibility, and certificates of completion are all factors that impact students’ ability to successfully complete the course and find gainful employment following completion.
Time to complete. One of the main advantages of bootcamps over traditional degrees is that they can be completed in a much shorter time frame. With a few exceptions, the courses on this list can be completed in six months or less, allowing students to quickly start their new careers.
Prerequisites required. For beginners, it’s important that courses don’t require difficult prerequisites and will take students from complete novices to career-ready data scientists. While some of these courses are better suited for experienced individuals, we made sure to include a few bootcamps that don’t require any prerequisites.
Flexible schedule. A flexible schedule allows students to balance their coursework with their current jobs and other obligations. We included several bootcamps that offer flexible schedules and part-time enrollment options for those who can’t commit to a full-time course.
Certificate of completion. A verified certificate of completion is a valuable addition to your resume, and in some cases, it can count as college credit for those who want to continue their education after completing their bootcamp. This list includes several courses that award students with certificates of completion.
Advanced ranking criteria
Beyond the basic criteria listed above, there are several factors that are specific to data science bootcamps that we considered ensuring the courses on this list will set students up for success in their future endeavors. These factors include the following:
- The course teaches students to program in Python, which is the primary programming language for data science.
- The course features experienced instructors with demonstrated expertise in data science.
- By the end of the course, students will have a professional portfolio of practical data science projects.
- The course offers career coaching services to help students begin their careers following course completion.
- The course teaches in-demand data science technologies and skills, including machine learning and Hadoop.
- The course provides an interactive learning environment and gives students the chance to collaborate with their instructors and peers.
- The course offers several financing options for students who can’t afford to pay their tuition upfront.
6 Best Data Science Bootcamps
Springboard
Data Science Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Top Pick
Springboard’s data science bootcamp is our top pick as it offers a comprehensive curriculum, excellent career coaching services, unlimited one-on-one mentorship, and valuable hands-on portfolio projects. Students will learn skills like Python programming, machine learning, software engineering, and data wrangling, and you will apply these skills by building real-world projects to add to your professional portfolio. You’ll have the chance to work directly with industry experts, and your career coach will help you build a resume, develop your professional network, prepare for interviews, and negotiate salaries. While not for complete beginners, the course only requires students to have six months of prior coding experience, making it a very accessible option for most professionals.
- Price: $13,900
- Time to complete: Six months
- Prerequisites required: Six months of active coding experience
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? This bootcamp is ideal for nearly anyone interested in pursuing a career in data science. Though with a prerequisite of six months of coding experience, this course isn’t for complete beginners.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Excellent career coaching | Some experience is required for admission |
| 1-on-1 mentorship | |
| Practical portfolio projects |
BrainStation
Data Science Bootcamp Online
Intelligent Award: Best Portfolio Projects
BrainStation’s data science bootcamp stands out from other options thanks to its focus on developing high-quality portfolio projects in an immersive and interactive learning environment. The curriculum is constantly updated to ensure students always learn the industry’s most in-demand skills. This bootcamp can be completed online or on-campus at locations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Students learn through live lessons and interactive working sessions. Individuals having trouble paying the $16,500 tuition can pay in installments over 24 months, apply for scholarships, and take advantage of other financing options.
- Price: $16,500
- Time to complete: Full-time: 11 weeks, Part-time: 34 weeks
- Prerequisites required: Must complete the admissions challenge
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? BrainStation’s project-based bootcamp is great for students who want to have a fully-developed professional portfolio upon graduation. You have to pass an admissions challenge, so it’s not suited for total novices.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Can be completed in just 11 weeks | Expensive tuition |
| Excellent projects | |
| Great career services |
General Assembly
Data Science Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Most Flexible Financing
Rather than taking students from beginner-level to career-ready data scientists, General Assembly’s bootcamp is designed for intermediate and experienced programmers who want to develop advanced data science and analysis skills. The program is available year-round, offers a flexible schedule, and only takes 12 weeks to complete. You’ll learn from experienced data science veterans and graduate with a portfolio of real-world projects to help you find employment. This course is also notable for its wide variety of financing options — you can pay in full or installments, and you may also be able to access tuition discounts, 0% interest loans, and income-based repayment loans.
- Price: $16,450
- Time to complete: 12 weeks
- Prerequisites required: Familiarity with Python and programming fundamentals
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? General Assembly’s data science bootcamp is ideal for intermediate programmers who need help with financing.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Large employer network | Not for beginners |
| Flexible financing options | Expensive tuition |
| Great portfolio projects |
Data Science Dojo
Data Science Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best Career Support
Data Science Dojo’s bootcamp is a great option for beginners as it is one of the few on our list that does not require any prerequisites. The comprehensive curriculum covers machine learning, engineering, and data science, which students will learn through interactive lectures and real-world exercises. The most expensive plan, Sensei, costs $4,500 and offers five hours of 1:1 mentoring with data scientists as well as a mentored project opportunity. The course offers two cheaper plans, Dojo and Guru, which cost $3,799 and $3,999, respectively. These plans give students access to the course material and instructor-led training while sacrificing the mentorship benefits. Graduates also receive a certificate from the University of New Mexico (UNM) worth seven Continuing Education Credits.
- Price: Dojo: $3,799; Guru: $3,999; Sensei: $4,500
- Time to complete: 40 hours of instruction over five days
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is great for beginners and those who want access to a mentor.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| No prerequisites required | Not a flexible schedule |
| Affordable tuition options | Cheaper plans don’t include mentorship |
| Mentorship opportunities |
NYC Data Science Academy
Data Science with Machine Learning
Intelligent Award: Most Advanced Curriculum
This data science bootcamp by NYC Data Science Academy offers the most comprehensive curriculum on our list, teaching students in-demand skills and technologies like Python, R, machine learning, big data, and deep learning. Online students can learn at their own pace through pre-recorded lectures, and students will complete four real-world company-sponsored projects to add to their portfolios. Students receive dedicated mentorship services from practicing data scientists, and graduates can access lifetime career support services. The course is not suitable for beginners, though, as the program prefers students who have master’s degrees or PhDs in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, or equivalent experience.
- Price: $17,600
- Time to complete: Full-time: 12-16 weeks; Part-time: 24 weeks
- Prerequisites required: Graduate degree or equivalent experience preferred
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? As it offers the most advanced curriculum on our list, it is best for experienced STEM majors who want to develop skills for a career in data science.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Flexible schedule | Difficult prerequisites |
| Most comprehensive curriculum | Not suitable for beginners |
| Project-oriented curriculum | Expensive tuition |
Datacamp
Associate Data Scientist in Python
Intelligent Award: Most Affordable
Datacamp’s data scientist course is the most affordable option on our list, offering a subscription-based pricing model that allows students to learn on their own time. The course focuses on teaching participants popular technologies like Python, NumPy, Matplotlib, and others to prepare them for a career as a data scientist. The course takes 90 hours to complete and features several projects to give students valuable real-world experience. Unlike other options on our list, this bootcamp also offers a free version to help students decide whether or not this is the right option for them.
- Price: Basic: Free, Premium: $14 per month
- Time to complete: 90 hours
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Datacamp’s data scientist course is ideal for students who want to learn at their own pace and those looking for a more affordable alternative to some of the other options on our list.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Self-paced course | No career services |
| Affordable subscription-based pricing | |
| Free version available |
Online Course Comparison Chart
| Course | Price | Features |
| Springboard — Data Science Bootcamp — Top Pick | $13,900 | X No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| BrainStation — Data Science Bootcamp Online — Best Portfolio Projects | $16,500 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| General Assembly — Data Science Bootcamp — Most Flexible Financing | $16,450 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Data Science Dojo — Data Science Bootcamp — Best Career Support | Dojo: $3,799
Guru: $3,999 Sensei: $4,500 |
✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| NYC Data Science Academy — Data Science with Machine Learning — Most Advanced Curriculum | $17,600 | X No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Datacamp — Associate Data Scientist in Python — Most Affordable | Basic: Free
Premium: $14 per month |
✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
Tips for Succeeding in an Online Data Science Course
1. Consider the cost
How much do online data science classes cost?
Data science bootcamps vary in cost, with most courses on our list falling between $3,000 to $18,000. The cheapest course on our list is by Datacamp at $14 per month, while the most expensive is NYC Data Science Academy’s data science bootcamp at $17,600. Most course providers offer several financing options, including installment plans, loans, scholarships, and income-sharing agreements to help students afford their tuition.
Will my employer pay for me to take the course?
Many employers are willing to reimburse employees for online bootcamps in an effort to develop their workforce’s skills. If you’re not able to afford the tuition for a data science bootcamp, talk to your boss or HR department to learn whether or not they are able to provide financial assistance.
2. Get your tech squared away
Most data science bootcamps only require a desktop computer or laptop to participate. Generally, your computer should have at least 8GB of RAM and a modern processor to handle the programs needed to complete your course. Contact your course provider to learn whether or not your equipment is sufficient. Students should also be sure that they have access to a fast, reliable internet connection so that they don’t run into any issues when attending live lectures.
3. Use the right study resources
While data science bootcamps do their best to provide all of the resources necessary for students to develop the skills they need to enter the workforce, it’s never a bad idea to supplement your coursework with outside study resources.
To improve your studies and further develop your skills, check out these free data science resources: Khan Academy’s data analysis & big data module, Elite Data Science’s resources for beginners, and Intellipaat Data Science’s tutorial for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions About Data Science Courses
What jobs can you get after completing a data science course?
Data science bootcamps help students develop several in-demand skills that can be applied in various professions. Common job titles for data science course graduates include Data Scientist, Data & Analytics Manager, Data Architect, Database Engineer, and Machine Learning Engineer. While salaries depend on your job title and location, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the average salary for a data scientist in the U.S. is $108,020 per year.
Are there free online data science courses?
Yes, there are free data science courses available online. While these courses do not provide the comprehensive curriculums offered by paid data science bootcamps, they can be valuable resources for beginners looking to learn data science fundamentals.
Free data science courses are provided by Coursera, Alison, Udemy, and edX.
How long is the average online data science course?
Data science courses vary in length as they can have full-time, part-time, or self-paced schedules. Most of the courses on this list take three to six months to complete, allowing students to become career-ready data scientists in under a year.
Is a data science bootcamp worth it?
If you are interested in a career in data science and are looking for an affordable, streamlined opportunity to develop the necessary skills to start such a career, then yes, data science bootcamps may be a great option for you. Data science bootcamps focus on teaching participants all of the in-demand skills they need to land entry-level jobs in an incredibly fast-growing field. If you can dedicate the time and effort required to complete one of these bootcamps, they will likely help you jumpstart your career in data science.