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What is the cost of data science course?

Data science is one of the hottest and most in-demand fields today. With the proliferation of data across industries, the need for data science skills has skyrocketed. Companies are looking to leverage data to drive decision making, increase efficiency, and gain valuable insights. This high demand for data scientists has made data science courses a very worthwhile investment for many looking to break into the field or level up their skills.

But what exactly is the cost of data science training? The prices can range quite a bit depending on the type of program, length of course, certifications offered, and other factors. In this article, we’ll break down the typical costs associated with data science courses and training.

Types of Data Science Courses

There are a few main types of data science courses available today:

  • University degree programs – These are four-year bachelor’s or two-year master’s degrees focused on data science at universities and colleges. They include extensive coursework and on-campus instruction.
  • Bootcamps – Intensive, accelerated data science training programs, usually lasting three to six months. Bootcamps are offered by private institutions both online and in-person.
  • Online courses – Self-paced online classes and certifications through e-learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX. Duration can range from a few hours to several months.
  • Vendor certifications – Certification programs focused on proprietary software, tools, and cloud services, like Cloudera, AWS, and Microsoft Azure.

The cost of data science training will depend largely on which type of program you pursue. In general, university degree programs tend to be the most expensive options, while single online courses are the most affordable.

University Degree Programs

Let’s start by examining the cost of formal university education in data science.

Bachelor’s Degrees

A bachelor’s degree is one of the most common ways to get started with formal data science education. The typical cost of a bachelor’s degree includes:

  • Tuition – For a four-year data science bachelor’s program at a public, in-state university, you can expect to pay between $9,000 – $28,000 per year in tuition. At private colleges, average tuition is around $35,000 – $50,000 per year.
  • Room and board – Housing and meal plans at four-year universities generally cost between $10,000 – $12,000 per year.
  • Books, fees, and supplies – These additional costs often total $1,000 – $2,000 per year.
  • Other personal expenses – Budget around $2,000 – $3,000 for transportation, technology, and other costs.

All together, the total cost of a data science bachelor’s degree could range from $50,000 – $200,000 for the entire four-year program.

Master’s Degrees

For those who already have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s in data science is a popular option. These are usually around 1-2 years long. The costs include:

  • Tuition – At public universities, in-state tuition for a data science master’s is typically $10,000 – $25,000 per year. At private colleges, it averages $30,000 – $40,000 per year.
  • Other expenses – Estimate around $2,000 per year for books, fees, housing, transportation, etc.

In total, expect the cost for a data science master’s program to be $20,000 – $100,000 depending on the school.

Data Science Bootcamps

Bootcamps have become a very popular, accelerated way to break into data science. The average cost of bootcamps include:

  • Tuition – For full-time data science bootcamps, tuition often ranges from $9,000 – $21,000 for a 3-6 month program.
  • Premium options – Some bootcamps offer job guarantees, 1:1 mentoring, and other benefits for an additional $2,000 – $5,000.

In total, most data science bootcamps cost between $10,000 – $25,000 all-inclusive. This makes them much faster and cheaper than formal degrees.

Online Courses and Certifications

Online platforms like Coursera, Udacity, and edX have made data science education more accessible through affordable, self-paced online courses. These courses allow you to learn at your own pace and only pay for specific subjects you want to study.

Here are typical costs for online data science training:

  • Individual courses – From $200 – $600 per course, usually between 5-20 hours of content.
  • Specializations – Bundle of related courses around a certificate. Ranges from $300 – $1,000 total.
  • MicroMasters – Advanced certificate programs through edX. Cost $1,000 – $1,500.
  • Subscription – All-access monthly subscriptions from $25-$100 per month.

For very affordable, flexible training, online courses can be a great option. You can take only the specific subjects you need to learn.

Vendor certifications are another route. Leading technology companies offer their own proprietary certifications:

  • Cloudera Certification – $295 – $595 per exam.
  • AWS Certified Data Analytics – $300 per exam.
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate – $165 per exam.

These certifications validate your skills with major platforms and tools used in the field.

Comparing the Costs

To better understand the cost differences between program types, let’s compare estimated totals for each option:

Program Estimated Cost
Bachelor’s Degree $50,000 – $200,000
Master’s Degree $20,000 – $100,000
Bootcamp $10,000 – $25,000
Online Courses $500 – $5,000
Vendor Certification $300 – $600 per exam

As you can see, traditional four-year bachelor’s programs are by far the biggest investment. Online courses provide the lowest barriers to entry and most flexibility. Bootcamps and master’s degrees fall somewhere in the middle cost-wise.

Key Factors Influencing Cost

Within each type of data science program, there are several key factors that affect the overall cost:

School Type

For university degrees, public schools tend to be significantly cheaper than private institutions. In-state tuition is lower than out-of-state rates at public schools as well.

Program Duration

The longer a program is, the higher the total costs will be. Accelerated or part-time options may be cheaper than standard semesters.

Certifications

Programs that include certifications like Cloudera or AWS will have certification exam fees built into the cost.

Reputation

More prestigious schools and highly ranked programs often charge more for the quality of education and brand name.

Location

In-person bootcamps and degrees in expensive metropolitan areas have higher costs than online or rural programs.

Customization

A la carte online courses allow you to pay only for specific skills needed. Bundled programs are less customizable.

Understanding these key cost factors allows you to better evaluate data science programs and get the best value.

Funding and Payment Options

Fortunately, there are funding options that can help offset the cost of data science education, including:

  • Financial aid and scholarships – Available for degree programs based on need and merit.
  • Student loans – Offered for accredited schools and can be repaid over time.
  • Grants – Money awarded by governments, non-profits, and employers that doesn’t need to be repaid.
  • GI Bill – Provides aid for veterans pursuing education and training.
  • Income sharing agreements (ISAs) – Only pay back a percentage of your salary after getting a job.
  • Payment plans – Pay tuition monthly over time instead of one lump sum.

Making use of these funding opportunities and taking advantage of savings through online platforms can help keep data science education affordable.

ROI of Data Science Courses

While data science programs require an upfront investment, they can provide excellent return on investment (ROI) from long-term career impact. Data scientists earn a very lucrative salary – over $117,000 per year on average, according to Glassdoor.

Higher pay and more job opportunities make the ROI for data science education programs very strong. Even pricey degrees and bootcamps can pay for themselves quickly after entering the field.

Hard Skills Gained

These programs don’t just provide a certificate – they equip you with valuable data science skills like:

  • Python programming
  • Statistical modeling
  • Machine learning
  • Data visualization
  • Big data tools
  • Math and algorithms

These hard technical abilities immediately improve your qualifications as a data scientist.

Career Advancement

Data science training can provide a major boost if you’re looking to:

  • Enter the field from a different background
  • Make a career change into data science
  • Progress from junior roles to senior or leadership positions
  • Transition from academia to industry
  • Move up the corporate ladder in your organization

The investment in advanced education pays dividends across your entire career progression.

Conclusion

In the end, what is the true cost of data science training? While pricing varies widely, the thousands invested upfront can repay themselves several times over through long-term career success. The most affordable online courses can provide incredible value, while premium options like bootcamps and degrees open doors further.

Focus less on minimizing costs, and more on choosing the program that aligns best with your career goals and priorities. With data scientists in such high demand, the right education can be one of the best investments you’ll make in your professional journey.