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 10 best data science bootcamps available online.
- Springboard — Data Science Bootcamp — Top Pick
- Thinkful — Data Science Bootcamp — Best Financing Options
- BrainStation — Data Science Bootcamp Online — Best Portfolio Projects
- Galvanize — Data Science Online Immersive — Best Free Course Preparation
- General Assembly — Data Science Immersive — Best for Experienced Programmers
- Data Science Dojo — Data Science Bootcamp — Best Career Support
- NYC Data Science Academy — Data Science Bootcamp — Most Advanced Curriculum
- Datacamp — Data Scientists with Python — Most Affordable
- TripleTen — Data Science Bootcamp — Best for Interactive Learning
- The Data Incubator — Data Science Fellowship Program — Best Part-Time Program
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 10 based on several key factors.
Basic Ranking Criteria
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 made sure to include several bootcamps that offer flexible schedules and part-time enrollment options for those that 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 can count as college credit for those that 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 to ensure 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 that can’t afford to pay their tuition upfront.
10 Best Data Science Bootcamps
Springboard
Data Science Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Top Pick
Springboard’s self-paced 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 valuable skills like Python programming, machine learning, software engineering, and data wrangling, and you will apply these skills by building 14 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. At $9,900, this bootcamp is also one of the most affordable on our list.
- Price: $9,900
- Time to complete: 6 months part-time
- Prerequisites required: 6 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 with an interest in pursuing a career in data science. Though with a prerequisite of 6 months of coding experience, this course isn’t for complete beginners.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Excellent career coaching. | Not for beginners. |
| 1-on-1 mentorship. | |
| Practical portfolio projects. |
Thinkful
Data Science Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best Financing Options
While Thinkful is the most expensive course on our list at $18,500, it offers incredible financing options to offset this cost. Thinkful offers traditional financing options like loans and installment payments in addition to a deferred tuition plan, which allows students to avoid paying anything until they are hired. Once employed, students make fixed monthly payments that are not tied to their income. Thinkful also collaborates with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), making them one of the few courses on our list that allows bootcamp graduates to receive credit toward a Bachelor or Master of Science degree at SNHU. Students can also opt for part-time enrollment, which only costs $7,900, and all participants have access to career coaching services, mentors, and office hours.
- Price: Full-time: $18,500; Part-time: $7,900
- Time to complete: Full-time: 5 months; Part-time: 6 months
- Prerequisites required: 4-week self-paced prep course for full-time students
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is ideal for students looking for flexible financing options and those that want to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree after completing the bootcamp.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Students can earn post-secondary credit. | Full-time tuition is expensive. |
| Full-time and part-time enrollment options. | |
| Flexible financing options. |
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 are always learning the industry’s most in-demand skills, and BrainStation boasts a 90% employment rate for graduates within 180 days of completing the program. Individuals having trouble paying the $15,000 tuition can pay in installments over 24 months, apply for scholarships, and take advantage of other financing options.
- Price: $15,000
- Time to complete: 12 weeks
- Prerequisites required: Must complete the admissions challenge
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? BrainStation’s project-based bootcamp is great for students that want to have a fully-developed professional portfolio upon graduation.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Only takes 3 months to complete. | Expensive tuition. |
| Excellent projects. | |
| Great career services. |
Galvanize
Data Science Online Immersive
Intelligent Award: Best Free Course Preparation
Galvanize offers a completely immersive bootcamp experience designed to put students on a fast track to a career in data science. Like many other data science bootcamps, Galvanize requires students to have Python programming experience and be able to pass a technical interview, but their free self-paced data science prep course sets them apart. During the prep course, students learn the foundational Python and statistics skills necessary to qualify for the bootcamp. The actual bootcamp is only 13 weeks long, and while it is expensive at $17,890, students can choose to delay payments until they are employed. The course touches on all the necessary skills needed for a career in data science, including machine learning and Python, and concludes with several real-world capstone projects to develop their portfolios.
- Price: $17,890
- Time to complete: 13 weeks
- Prerequisites required: Must have Python programming experience and be able to pass a technical interview
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? This bootcamp by Galvanize is best for students that value an immersive learning environment and those that need to establish basic programming skills via the course provider’s free prep course.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Free data science prep course. | Expensive tuition. |
| Great financing options. | Not a flexible schedule. |
| Good professional portfolio development. |
General Assembly
Data Science Immersive
Intelligent Award: Best for Experienced Programmers
Rather than taking students from beginner-level to career-ready data scientists, General Assembly’s bootcamp is designed for intermediate and experienced programmers that want to develop advanced data science and analysis skills. The program is available year-round, offers a flexible schedule, and only takes three months to complete. It’s also a great option for international students as it is available in locations throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. You’ll learn from experienced data science veterans and graduate with a portfolio of real-world projects to help you find employment. General Assembly also works with 19,000 hiring partners to help graduates find positions at major tech companies around the world.
- Price: $10,875
- Time to complete: 3 months
- Prerequisites required: Familiarity with Python and programming fundamentals
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? General Assembly’s data science bootcamp is ideal for intermediate programmers and international students that may not have access to U.S.-based bootcamps.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Large employer network. | Not for beginners. |
| Flexible schedule. | |
| 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 pricing plan, Practicum, costs $9,999 and offers exceptional career support services, going so far as to set students up with a three-month data science internship following graduation. Graduates also receive a certificate from the University of New Mexico (UNM) worth 7 Continuing Education Credits. The course also offers two cheaper plans, Dojo and Guru, which cost $2,799 and $2,999, respectively. These plans give students access to the course material and instructor-led training while sacrificing career support and a few other key benefits.
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- Price: Dojo: $2,799; Guru: $2,999; Practicum: $9,999
- Time to complete: 16 weeks
- 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 that want to get a head start in their data science careers with a three-month professional internship.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| No prerequisites required. | Not a flexible schedule. |
| Affordable tuition options. | Cheaper plans don’t include career support. |
| Excellent career support. |
NYC Data Science Academy
Data Science Bootcamp
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 have access to lifetime career support services. The course is not suitable for beginners, though, as the program accepts 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: 16 weeks; Part-time: 24 weeks
- Prerequisites required: Must have a PhD or Master’s Degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Bachelor’s and non-STEM degrees may be considered.
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? As this course offers the most advanced curriculum on our list, it is best for experienced STEM majors that 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
Data Scientists with 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 88 hours to complete and features six projects to give students valuable real-world experience. Unlike other options on our list, this bootcamp also offers a free trial to help students decide whether or not this is the right option for them.
- Price: Standard: $12.42 per month; Premium: $33.25 per month; Professional: $25 per month
- Time to complete: 88 hours
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: No
Who should take this course? Datacamp’s data scientist course is ideal for students that want to learn at their own pace and those that are 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 verified certificate of completion. |
| Affordable subscription-based pricing. | |
| No career services. |
TripleTen
Data Science Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best for Interactive Learning
As the best option for interactive learning, TripleTen’s Data Science bootcamp is perfect for students who want to start working on real-life tasks from day one. The program uses an interactive online platform so that students can apply their learning by writing their own code, and this is supplemented by individual projects to help students build an impressive portfolio. You’ll learn how to use in-demand tools like Python, Scikit-Learn, XGBoost, Jupyter Notebook, and SQL. Students can start with a free introductory course before moving on to the full 9-month program, which costs $9,700 upfront or $1,800 per month. For financing options, TripleTen partners with several lenders, including Upstart and Meritize.
- Price: $9,700 (upfront); $1,800 (monthly)
- Time to complete: 9 months
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? This bootcamp is a great option for students that prefer hands-on learning and interactive learning environments.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| No prerequisites. | Course takes 9 months to complete. |
| Interactive online platform. | |
| Financing options available. |
The Data Incubator
Data Science Fellowship Program
Intelligent Award: Best Part-Time Program
The Data Incubator’s data science fellowship offers the best part-time program on our list. The part-time bootcamp is designed to offer the same high-quality training, instructors, and career support as the full-time program while offering greater flexibility. This immersive bootcamp includes TDI data scientist certification and covers the industry’s most in-demand skills, including Python, Jupyter, NumPy, git, TensorFlow, and others. Students will gain plenty of real-world experience through projects that utilize real business data. The course is difficult to qualify as it requires students to have a master’s degree, PhD, or a PhD that will be completed within three months of the program’s completion.
- Price: $10,000
- Time to complete: Full-time: 8 weeks; Part-time: 20 weeks
- Prerequisites required: You must have at least one of the following: a master’s degree completed before the program begins, a PhD degree completed before the program begins, a PhD degree that will be completed within 3 months of the conclusion of the program, or extensive experience in a data-related position
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? This bootcamp is great for students that need a part-time option and for experienced STEM majors that want to advance their skills in data science. It’s not suited for those with anything less than a master’s degree.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Flexible part-time program. | Difficult to meet prerequisites. |
| Real-world projects and exercises. | Limited financing options. |
| Covers several in-demand technologies. |
Online Course Comparison Chart
| Course | Price | Features |
| Springboard — Data Science Bootcamp — Top Pick | $8,940 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Thinkful — Data Science Bootcamp — Best Financing Options | Full-time: $18,500
Part-time: $7,900 |
X No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| BrainStation — Data Science Bootcamp Online — Best Portfolio Projects | $15,000 | X No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Galvanize — Data Science Online Immersive — Best Free Course Preparation | $17,980 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| General Assembly — Data Science Immersive — Best for Experienced Programmers | $10,875 | X No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Data Science Dojo — Data Science Bootcamp — Best Career Support | Dojo: $2,799
Guru: $2,999 Practicum: $9,999 |
✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| NYC Data Science Academy — Data Science Bootcamp — Most Advanced Curriculum | $17,600 | X No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Datacamp — Data Scientists with Python — Most Affordable | Standard: $12.42 per month
Premium: $33.25 per month Professional: $25 per month |
✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule X Certificate of completion |
| TripleTen — Data Science Bootcamp — Best for Interactive Learning | $12,500 (upfront); $1,800 (monthly) | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Interactive online platform. ✓ Financing options available. |
| The Data Incubator — Data Science Fellowship Program — Best Part-Time Program | $10,000 | X No prerequisites required
X 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 $8,000 to $18,000. The cheapest course on our list is by Datacamp at $12.42 per month, while the most expensive is Thinkful’s data science bootcamp at $18,500. 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 Data Analysis & Big Data, Elite Data Science resources for beginners, and Intellipaat Data Science 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 a wide variety of 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 database administrator in the U.S. is $98,860 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 anywhere from 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 are able to dedicate the time and effort required to complete one of these bootcamps, they will likely help you jumpstart your career in data science.
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.