Guide
Data Science Bootcamp: Which is Best for You?
Written By Harry Hantel
Last updated on May 15, 2024
Written By Harry Hantel
Course Report strives to create the most trust-worthy content about coding bootcamps. Read more about Course Report’s Editorial Policy and How We Make Money.
Course Report strives to create the most trust-worthy content about coding bootcamps. Read more about Course Report’s Editorial Policy and How We Make Money.
You don’t have to be a data scientist to read into these statistics: A McKinsey Global Institute report estimates that by 2018 the US could be facing a shortage of more than 140,000 data scientists. The field of data science is growing, and with it so does the demand for qualified data scientists. Sounds like a good time to pursue data science, right? No kidding! Data scientists make an average national salary of $118,000. If you’re looking to break into data science, or just trying to refresh and hone the skills you already have, Course Report has you covered. Check out this comprehensive list of the best data science bootcamps and programs in the U.S. and Europe for technologies like Hadoop, R, and Python.
| What is a data science bootcamp? Data science bootcamps teach students how to extract valuable knowledge from datasets using analytical and programming skills. Students will learn programming tools such as Python or R; databases such as SQL, Hadoop, or Spark; machine learning techniques; and data visualization techniques. Graduates of data science bootcamps are prepared for jobs such as Data Analysts, Data Scientists, and Data Engineers, and can work for companies in almost any industry – data science is in demand. |
Why: Vienna, Austria-based Basecamp data science bootcamp focuses on deepening students' theoretical knowledge and enhancing practical skills in technology, statistics, machine learning, and development processes. The 8 weeks is split into lectures, workshops, and projects.
Where: Vienna, Austria
Cost: €5000
Program Length: 8 weeks full time
Requirements: Advanced English language skills, abstract thinking skills
Technologies: Python, R, SQL, NoSQL, Git, Spark
Why: Founded by former Wall Street data scientists, Bit Bootcamp is a data science program meant to teach the essentials of the field, specifically computer science and statistics. Bit Bootcamp has an extensive list of hiring partners, and will refund your fee if you are hired by a partner company. As well as the full-time program, Bit Bootcamp also offers a number of part-time short courses.
Where: New York, NY
Cost: $15,500
Program Length: 8 weeks full-time
Requirements: Background in SQL, and an object oriented programming like Java, C#, C++ etc., Solid Math and problem-solving skills
Technologies: Hadoop, Python, R, Spark
Why: Data Application Lab wants to close the gap between academic education and industry practical needs, by teaching cutting-edge technology and tools, through hands-on experience. Students can choose to do a 10-week internship at the end of the program to get more experience.
Where: Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, Online
Cost: $6600
Program Length: 12 weeks full time
Requirements: STEM background
Technologies: Hadoop, Spark, Python, SQL
Why: Data Science Dojo’s bootcamp is just 5 days, but in that time they cover the fundamentals of data science and data engineering using the R programming language and the Hadoop framework. The program ends with students tackling a real-world data science problem. Even relative beginners can start predictive modeling thanks to the focused and engaging curriculum.
Where: Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; New York, NY; Las Vegas, NV; Washington DC; Toronto, Canada; Singapore; Dubai, UAE.
Cost: $3000-$3500
Program Length: 5 days
Requirements: Knowledge of at least one programming and/or scripting language.
Technologies: R and Hadoop
Why: Data Science Europe in Dublin, Ireland, features instructors who are all data science professionals from prestigious tech companies. Students are paired with mentors from companies such as Airbnb, King, Twitter, Novartis, Accenture, Quantifind, and Teralytics.
Where: Dublin, Ireland or Online
Cost: €7500
Program Length: 6 weeks
Requirements: Applicants must have or be working towards a quantitative degree, and have knowledge of at least one programming language
Why: Berlin-based Data Science Retreat offers two tracks for data scientists and data engineers. Material is taught through pair programming, and a portfolio project. The data scientist bootcamp concludes with a hiring day.
Where: Berlin
Cost: €10,000
Program Length: 3 months full time
Requirements: Students must be proficient in at least one programming language
Technologies: Python, R, Hadoop
Why: Flatiron School's most recent offering is a 15-week, data science bootcamp that teaches students to be well-rounded data scientists. The program will teach students to gather data, apply statistical analysis to answer questions with that data, and make their insights and information as actionable as possible.
Where: NYC
Cost: $15,000 (Job Guarantee Applies)
Program Length: 15 weeks, full time
Requirements: No experience required. Admitted applicants must complete pre-work
Technologies: Python, SQL, Machine Learning
Why: Although Galvanize Data Science program requires prior experience in Python, math, and stats, it does not require you to have any qualifications in related fields. The program aims to give students the tools, techniques, and concepts they need to make an impact as a data scientist and covers data munging, exploration, modeling, validation, visualization, and communication.
Where: Denver, San Francisco, Seattle, Austin
Cost: $16,000
Program Length: 12 weeks full time
Requirements: Prior experience in coding Python, math & stats
Technologies: Python, SQL, Hadoop
Why: With so many different locations, flexible scheduling, and a trusted name in the industry, General Assembly's Data Science Immersive is as safe a choice as any for a program to start learning data science. The course covers real-world problems and students learn how to analyze data sets, and present findings using statistics, programming, data modeling, and business knowledge. The course also covers machine learning and big data.
Where: Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Denver, CO; New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; Washington D.C.; Chicago, IL; London, UK; Hong Kong; Melbourne, Australia; Sydney, Australia.
Cost: $15,950
Program Length: 12 weeks full time
Technologies: Git, UNIX, SQL, Python
Why: Insight Data Science is an intensive 7-week fellowship intended as a post-doctoral bridge between academia and professional data science. Insight is located in both Silicon Valley and New York City, probably the two cities with the biggest ties to the data science industry. The program is 7 weeks of full-time project based learning with industry professionals and interview opportunities with major companies. The program has a 100% placement rate. Now that is some impressive data.
Where: Silicon Valley, CA/New York, NY
Cost: Free (Fellowship)
Program Length: 7 weeks
Requirements: PhD
Technologies: Python, R, Hadoop
Why: K2's self-paced online bootcamp allows you to keep your job while learning data science and data analysis. K2's goal is to create an online classroom that replicates in-person bootcamps, with academic theory, practical explanations, assignments, and projects. Students will use real data to build a two-project portfolio to present to potential employers.
Where: Online
Cost: $6000
Program Length: 12 weeks full time, or 24-32 weeks part time
Requirements: Strong technical background, programming experience, and statistical knowledge
Technologies: Python, Hadoop, Spark
Why: Level is one of the only data bootcamps run by a major university. It was created by Northeastern University to address the growing role of data analytics in life and business. Students learn data analytics skills hands on, by solving real problems and working on projects with companies.
Where: Boston, Charlotte, Seattle, Silicon Valley
Cost: $7995
Program Length: 8 weeks full time, 20 weeks part time
Requirements: Bachelors degree and some experience with analytics or statistics preferred
Technologies: MySQL, R, SQL, Excel
Why: Metis is a nice middle ground between the data science programs for absolute beginners and the ones that require PhDs. Metis is taught by professionals and is backed by the education company Kaplan, so they have serious resources to throw around, including major hiring partners in and out of New York. If you’ve got some data science skills, but no degree to prove it, give Metis a shot.
Where: New York, NY
Cost: $15,500
Program Length: 12 weeks
Requirements: Some experience in both programming and statistics are necessary.
Technologies: Python
Why: Microsoft Research Data Science Summer School, or DS3 for short, is an 8-week summer program intended for upper-level college students in New York interested in data science. DS3 offers a chance to work directly with Microsoft’s Data Science team and complete challenging real-world projects. On top of all that, it comes with a $5000 stipend.
Where: New York, NY
Cost: Free ($5000 stipend)
Program Length: 8 weeks full time
Requirements: College students (including graduating seniors)
Technologies: Python, R
Why: NYC Data Science Academy is an intensive bootcamp located in New York City that offers comprehensive data science training. The curriculum covers all major data science technologies like R, Python, Hadoop, and Spark. NYC Data Science Academy is intended for those who have either Masters or PhDs in a relevant data science discipline who are looking to find a career in data science. The final weeks of the program feature extensive career support and opportunities to interact with local hiring partners.
Where: New York, NY; Online
Cost: $16,000
Program Length: 12 weeks full time
Requirements: Ideal applicants should have a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math or equivalent experience of quantitative science or programming.
Technologies: R, Python, Hadoop, Spark, Github, SQL, Unix, Tableau
Why: Science to Data Science is a 5-week data science workshop in London consisting of intensive real life data science problem solving. Along with the main team based problem solving there are also lectures, exercises, and a networking event. S2DS has hiring partners who help develop the program, and though the requirements for applicants are extensive, accepted students only have to pay a nominal entry fee, as accommodation and a laptop are provided.
Where: London, UK
Cost: £800 GBP
Program Length: 5 weeks
Requirements: PhD
Technologies: Hadoop, R, Python
Why: SPICED Academy data science program in Berlin teaches students to extract meaningful insights, improve performance using algorithms, and get skills needed to become an integral part of a data-driven company. (This program is temporarily paused as of February 2017).
Where: Berlin
Cost: €9800
Program Length: 18 weeks
Requirements: Unknown
Technologies: Python, algorithms
Why: Springboard is a self-paced fully online data science school which students can take from anywhere. Industry experts and professionals teach students the basics of the industry including probability, statistics, data analysis, and a capstone project. They offer the Data Science Career Track, along with a number of workshops.
Where: Online
Cost: $1000 per month for Career Track with job guarantee ($6000 cap).
$499 per month for workshops
Program Length: Career Track: ~200 hours (5-6 months part-time)
Workshops:~100 hours (2-4 months part-time)
Requirements: Strong background in probability, statistics, and at least one programming language
Technologies: Python, Git, SQL
Why: The Data Incubator is an intensive 7-week fellowship that prepares scientists and engineers with advanced degrees to get work in the field of data science. It is one of the most flexible fellowship programs with the option of attending the program in one of three major cities or participating online. Tuition is free and students will receive professional mentorship as well as the chance to build their portfolio with serious projects. Major hiring partners like Etsy, Microsoft, and JPMorgan Chase show the high caliber of jobs available to fellows.
Where: New York, NY/Washington DC/San Francisco, CA/Online
Cost: Free (fellowship), $3495 (online course)
Program Length: 8 weeks
Requirements: Fellows need to be within 1 year of master’s or Ph.D. from any math, science, engineering, or social science field.
Technologies: Python, Hadoop
Why: Thinkful offers a Data Science Bootcamp, and a short course in Python. The Data Science Bootcamp is flexible, self-paced according to the student’s needs, and offers 1-on-1 mentorship.
Where: Online
Cost: $8550 for the bootcamp; $500/month for the Python course
Program Length: 6 months for the bootcamp, 3 months for Python course (recommended)
Requirements: None
Technologies: Python
FURTHER READING:
Harry Hantel is a recruiter, researcher, and writer with experience placing senior level professionals in a wide array of industries. As the Community Manager at Course Report, Harry developed expertise in subjects like iOS Bootcamps, bootcamp scholarships, data science bootcamps, and more.
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