Data Analytics Boot Camp: What You Need to Know

Data analytics boot camp is just one option among many IT boot camps. With global business increasingly reliant on big data, opportunities in this field will likely grow. The World Economic Forum (WEF) noted in its 2023 Future of Jobs report that more than 75 percent of companies seek to adopt technology, big data, cloud computing, and AI to transform their business in the next five years [1]. In fact, the WEF predicted big data analytics would be one of the “biggest drivers of job growth” in the near future.

A data analytics boot camp could boost your career prospects right now. Several companies offer online data analytics bootcamps to support your professional growth as a data analyst. Discover what to expect from a data analyst boot camp, reasons to attend an IT boot camp, and how to differentiate the various options available.

What is a data analytics boot camp?

A data analytics boot camp introduces you to the fundamentals of data analysis. You don’t need prior data analytics experience, but previous exposure to statistics, math, and analytic basics can help. 

A typical data boot camp will cover a range of important, practical skills, including:

• Data modeling and forecasting

• Database languages

• Advanced Excel functions

• Tools for creating data dashboards and other visualizations

Generally, you can also expect to complete actual learning projects that provide you with a portfolio to show potential employers.

Why attend a data analyst boot camp?

With careers in data analytics on the rise, attending a boot camp can help you build in-demand job skills. Additional advantages include the following:

• Support your career options by expanding your expertise

• Give you access to up-to-date information on data analysis

• Boost your strategic thinking skills related to data analysis

Attending a data boot camp can also boost your motivation. Instead of learning the fundamentals independently, you have a cohort of other learners keeping you accountable. This support can help you build your skills more quickly. 

Earning potential

Your data analytics boot camp can provide you with data science skills. According to Lightcast™, a data scientist can earn $114,282.59 annually [2].

How do data boot camps operate?

Boot camps are intensive, concentrated programs designed to get you to a certain level of competence quickly. However, remember that each boot camp might operate differently in terms of duration, curriculum, and how in-depth the instructor delves into the material, so do your research before selecting a program. 

Typically, instructors will want to share a great deal of in-demand knowledge and give you real-world experience in a short amount of time. You’ll have to work hard to learn all the fundamentals in the abbreviated time frame of data analytics boot camp. 

How to choose a data analytics boot camp

To choose an appropriate data boot camp, you’ll want to consider several essential factors. This section covers the general points of comparison you can weigh.

Admission requirements 

Data analytics boot camps typically welcome beginners, but it helps if you have some prior experience with statistics, advanced mathematics, and the basics of data analysis.

Cost

The cost of your boot camp will factor into the decision. You will also want to explore what financial aid resources you might access. For instance, ask about scholarships, payment plans, and employer sponsorships. You may even have the opportunity to do an income share agreement where you repay your education after you land that data analysis job.

Completion time

The time it takes to complete your boot camp depends on several factors. You will finish sooner if you take a full-time boot camp, but part-time options are also usually available. You could have to devote as many as 10 hours a day, five days a week, to full-time studies. A part-time approach could give you greater flexibility, but your coursework will take longer. 

Teaching approach 

You can learn in person with classroom formats. Alternatively, you may want the flexibility of online learning. You can likely find an option that provides a hybrid of both of these. To support your individual learning style, you may want to determine whether you can expect a lot of homework, class discussion, real-world projects, collaboration with classmates, or other learning experiences.

Finally, some boot camps offer a capstone project where you can display your newfound knowledge about data analysis, including the five-step approach to problem-solving, SMART principles, and an advanced ability to present data visually. All of these skills are important to hiring managers.

Additional resources

If you’re taking the course to pursue a career in data analytics, it’s also a good idea to find out what supports for learners are available. You might have access to career services (e.g., career coaching, interview prep, and connections with other alums) or get connected to a broader data analytics community that can improve your networking.

Boot camps for 2024

You can find several data analytics boot camp options. This section details six offerings, capturing the variety of costs, features, requirements, and curricula.

Fullstack Academy 

Fullstack's boot camp can help you learn the “skills you need to become a data analyst and transform your career in 10 to 26 weeks [3].” This boot camp builds your foundational skills in data analytics using updated tools and technology. You’ll enjoy practical learning and exploring a range of real-world applications. 

Features: Industry experts lead this online, beginner-friendly course. You’ll build up your analysis and visualization skills. The course also prepares you for the Tableau certification exam. 

Requirements: Fullstack's boot camp is geared toward beginners. You will need to take a logical reasoning test. Otherwise, its prerequisites are a passion for tech, a growth mindset, and an interest in creative problem-solving.

Curriculum: Fullstack’s online course and workshops cover tools such as:

• Excel

• Python

• Tableau

• SQL

• AWS Glue

Cost: $12,995, with payment plans and scholarships available [3]

Thinkful 

Thinkful’s Data Analytics Bootcamp provides you with the skill sets you need to meet industry demand. Its focus is on helping you discover how to tell the stories “behind data, spreadsheets, and formulas” and “examine large data sets to provide reliable findings that can be understood by all levels of a company [4].”

Features: Thinkful expects you to complete its fully online course in six months, and you can choose between full-time or part-time. You’ll learn from industry experts. You also get access to mentors and can ask for on-demand technical coaching. 

Requirements: Open to beginners. 

Curriculum: The coursework covers:

• Excel foundations

• Crafting a story from data with tableau

• Diving deeper with Python and statistics

• Working with databases using SQL and Python

Cost: $13,475, with various payment options and some discounts possibly available [4]

Springboard 

With Springboard’s Data Analytics Bootcamp x Microsoft, “you’ll master both technical and strategic thinking skills to succeed as a data analyst. Learn AI tools to assist in uncovering patterns and extracting insights for decision making that will drive change in almost any company [5].”

Features: This part-time course, offered in partnership with Microsoft, is an online boot camp. In addition to the skill-building coursework, you’ll also get to work with a mentor and a career coach.

Requirements: Springboard recommends you have robust critical thinking and problem-solving skills and more than two years of professional experience with Office or programming tools. You can apply without these, but the institution may ask you to take a free foundational course to develop your structured thinking and data visualization skills.

To apply, you’ll fill out an application and complete an online technical skills survey.

Curriculum: You’ll explore 11 topics over six months with Springboard. Topics covered include:

• Microsoft Excel for business analytics

• Financial analysis

• Statistics for data analysis

• The art of storytelling

• Data connectivity

• Data analysis in Python

Cost: At full price, the boot camp costs $11,300, but you can save money with a promo code or by paying upfront. Springboard also offers financed loans, deferred tuition, and month-to-month options. [5]

Berkeley 

Explore data analytics in a flexible online program that focuses on helping you understand “the practical and technical skills needed to analyze and solve complex data problems through an innovative online learning format [6].”

Features: The course is offered quarterly and provides a certificate of completion after 24 weeks of part-time learning. Expect to participate in live online classes three days a week and also dedicate 20+ hours to your studies.

Requirements: You’ll need to do a quick phone interview, sharing your reasons for taking the course and your goals, and then submit an application form. You’ll also complete a multiple-choice critical thinking and problem-solving assessment.

Curriculum: Expect to learn about Intermediate Excel, fundamental statistics, Python programming, databases, front-end web visualization, business intelligence software, and other topics.

Cost: $9,995 with scholarships and payment plans available [6]

Explore data analytics on Coursera

Data analytics boot camps offer a pathway to developing in-demand skills for a career in data analysis. With businesses increasingly relying on big data, boot camps provide practical training for starting a career or transitioning to a new one.

Boot camps are only one of many options available. You can also explore in-demand skills in data analytics in less than six months with the on Coursera. This flexible eight-course series immerses you in the practices and processes of data analysis. You’ll discover data cleaning, analysis, and visualization as well as important tools (e.g., spreadsheets, SQL, R programming, Tableau). Earn a reputable Professional Certificate and get the chance to demonstrate your skills with real-world projects.