Do you dig through past stats to predict your fantasy football performance or plan your home or work budgets? Do you spot trends in numbers and use them to decide when to book a flight or how to push your team toward its targets?
If you’re hooked on data and numbers, you might love putting them to work to help businesses thrive—through a career in data science.
Here’s the catch: You’re a complete newbie in data science. You’ve heard the term before, maybe even have a few friends in the field. You also know it’s a hot job right now, and even if you’re not dead-set on becoming a data scientist, picking up some data skills could be a smart move (and a nice boost for your resume).
Online courses are a solid way to quickly—and on your own schedule—pick up the essentials, from Python and SQL to basic data analysis and machine learning. That said, you might have to spend a bit to get quality training.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the top-rated and most popular data science courses out there—whether you want a light intro or a full-on deep dive. Check out these online classes, sorted from free and quick to more in-depth options (and if you’re aiming higher, you might even consider a data science bootcamp).
If you’re starting from scratch, this is a great first step. The course covers the basics—what data science and machine learning actually are, what a data science job looks like day-to-day, and how Python fits into the mix.
Cost: Free to audit
Length: 12 lectures (2 hours, 30 minutes)
Want a quick rundown of SQL (another key coding language in data science) before diving in? Codecademy’s free course is a perfect intro to the fundamentals.
Cost: Free
Length: 8 hours
Yep, linear algebra is a big deal in data science. If you’d rather not go back to school, this course covers what you need in just a day or two.
Cost: Free (with trial)
Length: 44 videos (6 hours, 51 minutes)
You can finish this solid beginner course in under six hours—it covers AI, machine learning, and computer science, plus how they all connect. But depending on when you sign up (Udemy runs frequent sales), the price can jump—though they do offer a seven-day free trial.
Cost: Free (with trial) or $84.99
Length: 62 lectures (5 hours, 33 minutes)
This is the ideal starting point for a thorough intro to data science. Taught by Coursera’s cofounder (seriously), the course dives into machine learning—what it is, how it works, and how to use it in a data science role.
Cost: Free to audit
Length: 33 hours over 3 weeks
Codecademy’s learning paths are fantastic for a few reasons. First, they take a structured deep dive into a specific field, giving you all the tools you need. Second, they’re super hands-on, helping you apply what you learn to real projects. Plus, after finishing, you can jump into one of their specialized tracks: Data Scientist: Analytics Specialist or Data Scientist: Machine Learning Specialist.
Cost: $19.99/month (after free trial)
Length: 15 lessons, 16 weeks
This Johns Hopkins University specialization packs in 10 courses, covering everything from data analysis to the soft skills you’ll need—like drawing insights and asking the right questions.
Cost: Free to audit
Length: 10 courses over 3–11 months
Along with teaching Python, SQL, and GitHub, Udacity’s “nanodegree program” pairs you with experts and peers to keep you on track and answer your questions. Just be sure it’s the right fit—this one’s a hefty investment.
Cost: $1,017 upfront or $399/month
Length: 10 hours/week for 3 months
Regina Borsellino contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.