Online learning has become the norm in recent years. There are many online college statistics courses that provide students with the necessary skills for their professional development. So, if you want to further your education, you can now do so online and become eligible for a wide range of tech jobs.
However, there are many online courses available. So, finding accredited online college statistics classes from reputable institutions might be a challenging task for you. In this guide, we’ve put together a list of the best online college statistics courses for credit. We’ll also provide you with detailed information regarding some of the best paid and free online statistics courses.
Why Should I Take an Online Statistics Course for Credit?
You should take online statistics courses for credit because they can be quite convenient for you if you have a busy schedule. Moreover, these courses can help you enhance your skills and acquire the necessary knowledge for your career development. Studying at home is one thing. But the experience is unparalleled when you earn college credits to satisfy degree requirements.
Online statistics courses can be as beneficial as traditional in-person education programs. The Journal of Online Learning and Teaching conducted a study regarding distance education and its results revealed that 92 percent of all online programs produce the same outcomes for students as traditional education programs.
Top 10 Online Statistics Courses for Credit
| Course Title | Provider | Price |
|---|---|---|
| STAA 551 – Regression Models and Applications | Colorado State University | $811 per credit |
| ILRST 2100 Introductory Statistics | Cornell | $1,620 per credit |
| Statistics (MAT-261E) | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | $460 per credit hour |
| STAT 624- Database and Computational Tools Used in Big Data | Texas A&M University | $1,758.14 (for the entire course) |
| STAT 1201: Introduction to Probability and Statistics | Thompson Rivers University | $100.87 (for the entire course) |
| CSE-41264 – Statistics for Data Analytics | UC San Diego Extension | $675 |
| MATH 1050: Applied Statistics | University of New England | $370 per credit hour (plus a $30 registration fee per class) |
| Psychology 241: Introduction to Statistics | University of North Dakota | $370.08 per credit |
| Principles of Data Structures, Harvesting and Wrangling | University of North Texas | $5,800 (entire certificate cost) |
| Statistics 1 | University Of Phoenix | $1,194 (for the entire course) |
Best Online College Statistics Classes and Courses: Explained
1. STAA 551 – Regression Models and Applications (Colorado State University)
This public institution has approximately 25,186 undergraduate students. Also known as CSU, Colorado State University’s catalog of courses includes more than 150 degrees across several colleges. This course is part of the Theory and Applications of Regression Models certificate program. It focuses on hypothesis testing, linear models, and multiple regression.
The two credits earned in this course can contribute toward acquiring a college degree in applied statistics, biomedical engineering, and applications of regression models graduate certificate. However, to access the program, you must be admitted to the Master of Applied Statistics program or the Theory and Applications of Regression Models course.
2. ILRST 2100 Introductory Statistics (Cornell)
Cornell University is a large private university known for its high-quality education. This school offers a course that introduces students to statistics and the world of data. This course focuses on data exploration, data gathering methods, probabilities, and inferential statistics.
Throughout this program, you’ll learn how to use statistical software and simulation tools. Although this course does not cover data from specific disciplines, it will use real-world examples from current events to provide you with essential knowledge and hands-on projects from the world of statistics.
3. Statistics MAT-261E (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences)
Simply known as MCPHS, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is a private, not-for-profit institution known for its wide array of high-quality healthcare programs. MCPHS offers a 16-week statistics program that does not require a lengthy application process as once you are registered, you can begin learning within two business days.
This three-credit program does not have specific class meeting times or deadlines as it is a self-paced course. After enrolling, you’ll learn various statistics topics such as linear regression, normal distribution, regression analysis, regression models, estimation of parameters, and hypothesis testing.
4. STAT 624- Database and Computational Tools Used in Big Data (Texas A&M University)
Texas A&M University is one of the largest public institutions, with approximately 55,568 undergraduate students. According to US News & World Report rankings, this academic institution ranks #68 among the country’s best national universities. This school is known for its engineering, agriculture, and business courses.
This three-credit online statistics course covers a wide range of disciplines. However, if you want to take this course, you have to have a working knowledge of programming languages like R, C, or Fortran. After enrolling, you will learn common tools used by statisticians for high-performance computing and big data type problems. As a student, you’ll also learn Python, SQL, and NoSQL databases.
5. STAT 1201: Introduction to Probability and Statistics (Thompson Rivers University)
This is an excellent course for beginners who want to start their academic career in statistics as it introduces learners to data. As a student, you’ll learn probabilities, interference for relationships, how to gather data, and the relationship between variables. By the end of this three-credit program, you’ll have learned how to use statistical software programs.
6. CSE-41264 – Statistics for Data Analytics (UC San Diego Extension)
UC San Diego offers a three-credit course designed for learners with no prior knowledge of statistics or data. The topics covered here include descriptive statistics, probability distributions, two-variable relationships, categorical data, and confidence intervals.
7. MATH 1050: Applied Statistics (University of New England)
The University of New England is known for its excellent education programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in healthcare and science. It’s also known for its top-notch student experience and world-class research. The University of New England offers this premier course that doesn’t impose any course prerequisites.
It’s a four-credit statistics program designed to cover the relevant content in traditional statistics, with a strong emphasis on applications. This program is considered an upper-level undergraduate course. You’ll learn data sets, descriptive statistics, normal distribution, confidence intervals, and methods of hypothesis testing, among other topics.
8. Psychology 241: Introduction to Statistics (University of North Dakota)
The University of North Dakota is known for its research facilities and programs. This school offers many online programs, including this Introduction to Statistics course. You can take this course online through the school’s self-paced enrollment option. It takes about three to nine months to complete this program.
During this time, you’ll strengthen your reasoning and thinking skills. Some of the topics you’ll learn include descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and understanding the limitations of statistics. However, you must know that this course is designed to help students learn statistics for applied psychological measurement and experimentation.
9. Principles of Data Structures, Harvesting, and Wrangling (University of North Texas)
The University of North Texas (UNT) is a public institution that houses approximately 32,694 undergraduate students. This varsity offers five individual courses in statistics that cumulatively lead to a data analytics undergraduate certificate. Each of these courses, including the Principles of Data Structures, Harvesting, and Wrangling course, take eight weeks to complete.
In this program, you’ll learn about Hadoop framework development, cloud technologies, data lakes, data cleansing, data collection, and Python API for Spark. By the end of this three-credit course, you’ll have developed a deep understanding of the fundamental concepts of modern data management and how to structure data.
10. Statistics 1 (University of Phoenix)
The University of Phoenix has over a million alumni, most notably Shaquille O’Neal, who earned an MBA from this institution back in 2005. This school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with many of its programs receiving industry-specific accreditations.
The University of Phoenix offers an introductory statistics course that takes five weeks to complete. This three-credit program is designed for learners with no background in statistics as it has no prerequisites. As a student, you’ll learn statistical analysis, statistical terminology, statistical techniques, probabilities, and quantitative reasoning.
Top 5 Free Online College Statistics Courses
- Statistical Inference and Modeling for High-throughput Experiments | Harvard University through edX. This free course will teach you a wide variety of statistical concepts, including multiple testing problems, false discovery rates, exploratory data sets, and error rate controlling procedures. This is an advanced-level course.
- Probability & Statistics – Open & Free | Carnegie Mellon University. This introductory program will teach you the basics of statistics. It’s designed for students with no prior statistical knowledge. However, you’ll need to know basic algebra before enrolling.
- Introduction to Statistics | Stanford Online. Although this is a free course, you can earn a certificate for $79. Stanford designed this program for beginners as it introduces learners to descriptive statistics, probabilities, regression, correlation coefficients, and resampling stats.
- Introduction to Probability and Statistics | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). If you are looking for an elementary introductory course that covers probabilities and basic statistics, consider this one. MIT allows students to download course materials, including free practice questions to help you test yourself after completing each topic and gain better familiarity with statistics.
- Statistical Thinking for Data Science and Analytics | Columbia University through edX. This program sets the foundation for advanced data science topics. It is a self-paced program that will take you about five weeks to complete.
Are Online Statistics College Courses Worth It?
Yes, online statistics college courses are worth it. An online college statistics course can provide a lot of benefits to students, according to several surveys. One of the most significant advantages of distance education courses is the opportunity for independent study, learning according to your schedule, and attending online classes from the comfort of your home.
Moreover, if you aspire to work in the data industry as a data analyst or data scientist, you should consider joining a data analytics bootcamp. Bootcamps are significantly cheaper than university degrees but are effective at equipping students with specific career skills. They also take a few months to complete and often come with career services, including job placements, interview preparation, and resume building.
Online College Statistics Courses FAQ
The online course that is best for statistics is Cornell’s Introductory Statistics course. If you are new to the statistics field, you should consider this program as it sets a strong foundation in probabilities, statistical inference, and linear regression. Other excellent courses include MIT’s Introduction to Probability and Statistics and Stanford’s Introduction to Statistics.
You can learn statistics for free on sites like Coursera, edX, and select university websites. Universities like Stanford and MIT offer free statistics courses that you can learn online at your own pace. Coursera, Udacity, and edX also feature free programs from some of the top-rated universities across the world. If you attend these programs, it may help you stand out to a potential employer.
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Yes, statistics is a good career as it offers many opportunities for growth. For instance, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that statisticians earn $93,290 per year. The BLS also estimates that the demand for these professionals will grow by 33 percent over the next 10 years.
No, learning statistics is relatively easy. Although statistics uses concepts from math and algebra, it is not a hard discipline to learn. Once you master the processes involved in analysis and statistics, you’ll find statistical concepts relatively easy to grasp.
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