Statistics is one of the fastest-growing fields right now. Statisticians play a vital role in research and academics, trading stock, retailing consumer goods, and weather forecasting. Graduates with statistics certificates can organize, analyze, and explain data. The best statistics certificate program can help you to acquire these skills and become an expert in statistics.
Having a wonderful career in the field of statistics requires a good education alongside exposure to scholars in the field. A statistics college certificate opens the door to numerous lucrative careers in the field. This article ranks some of the best statistics certificates that are convenient, affordable, and flexible.
What Is a Statistics Certificate College Program?
A statistics certificate college program is a program that teaches you the basics of how to become a statistician and provides you with sophisticated skills that apply to almost any field of science or technology. A statistics certificate program also provides training on how to assess experiment findings, test importance, and display results accurately.
What’s the Difference Between a College Statistics Certificate and Professional Certification in Statistics?
The difference between a college statistics certificate and a professional certification in statistics mainly has to do with how each credential is acquired. A college statistics certificate is issued to beginners and professionals after they have completed the entirety of an academic course.
Meanwhile, a professional certification is issued to professional participants who have prior experience in their field. There is typically a written or oral examination involved that assesses your skillset.
Statistics College Certificate vs Statistics Certification: Key Differences
| Statistics Certificate | Statistics Certification |
|---|---|
| The cost of a statistics certificate is high due to its longer duration. It can be as high as $2,980 or more | The cost of a statistics certification is lower. The cost charged for the examination can be about $695 for some |
| It is provided by a university or community college | It is provided by a certification body in the field |
| It does not expire, so there is no need for renewal | Most expire after a couple of years and will need to be renewed |
How Long Does It Take To Get a Statistics Certificate at College?
It takes about two to eight months to get a statistics certificate at college for undergraduate students, depending on the institution. It takes about one to three years to get a graduate statistics certificate. The variation in program length is typically due to the institution, learning format, or whether the program is on a full-time or part-time basis.
Best Statistics Certificate Undergraduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| American University | Certificate in Applied Statistics | $1,768/credit hour |
| Coastline Comminity College | Certificate in Data Analytics | $46/credit hour (in state); $361/credit hour (out of state) |
| Mesa Community College | Certificate in Data Analytics | $85/credit hour (in county); $441/credit hour (out of county); $326/credit hour (out of state) |
| Princeton University | Certificate in Statistics and Machine Learning | $57,410/year |
| University of Colorado-Denver | Certificate in Applied Statistics | $11,804/year (in state); $29,300/year (out of state) |
Best Undergraduate Statistics Certificate Programs: Explained
The best undergraduate statistics certificates are the Certificate in Applied Statistics at American University, Certificate in Data Analytics at Coastline College, Certificate in Data Analytics at Mesa Community College, Certificate in Statistics and Machine Learning at Princeton University, and the Certificate in Applied Statistics at the University of Colorado.
The undergraduate Certificate in Applied Statistics from American University enhances students’ knowledge of statistics and includes courses such as basic statistics, calculus, inferential statistics, and biostatistics. The university has a wealth of academic resources like career centers, well-equipped libraries, sponsored programs, writing centers, and academic support programs.
Certificate in Applied Statistics Details
- Cost: $1,768/credit hour
- Length: 17 credits
- Learning Format: In-person
- Minimum Education: High school
- Other Requirements: N/A
The Certificate of Specialization in Data Analytics from Coastline Community College has courses such as SQL database development, statistics, inferential statistics, data visualization, and an introduction to data analytics. The program prepares learners for entry-level job opportunities like business analysis specialists, market research assistants, and data analysts.
Certificate in Data Analytics Details
- Cost: $46/credit hour (in state); $361/credit hour (out of state)
- Length: 9 credits
- Learning Format: Hybrid
- Minimum Education: High school
- Other Requirements: N/A
The Certificate of Completion in Data Analytics from Mesa Community College offers data analytics courses and training that teach modeling, integrating, evaluating, and presenting data sets, alongside the knowledge of statistical analysis, which sets it apart from other programs. Courses include Excel spreadsheets, quantitative analysis techniques in business, and more.
Certificate in Data Analytics Details
- Cost: $85/credit hour (in county); $441/credit hour (out of county); $326/credit hour (out of state)
- Length: 18-24 credits
- Learning Format: In-person
- Minimum Education: High school
- Other Requirements: High school diploma, English proficiency test scores for international students
The undergraduate Certificate in Statistics and Machine Learning at Princeton University has courses like fundamentals of statistics, quantitative methods, inferential statistics, statistics for social science, introduction to machine learning, and more. This program requires students to complete practical fieldwork, which sets it apart from similar programs.
Certificate in Statistics and Machine Learning Details
- Cost: $57,410/year
- Length: 5 courses
- Learning Format: In-person
- Minimum Education: High school
- Other Requirements: High school transcript
The undergraduate Certificate in Applied Statistics at the University of Colorado-Denver has statistics courses such as statistical theory, probability, applied regression analysis, applied statistics for the natural sciences, and economic forecasting. This program allows students to focus on a specific application field by choosing an elective course.
Certificate in Applied Statistics Details
- Cost: $11,804/year (in state); $29,300/year (out of state)
- Length: 13 credits
- Learning Format: In-person
- Minimum Education: High school
- Other Requirements: Good mathematical background
Statistics College Certificate Program vs Statistics Associate Degree
A statistics college certificate differs from a statistics associate degree in that a statistics certificate program takes less time to complete, does not require as much money, has a flexible format, and is more specific and limited in its scope. A statistics associate degree is more expensive, takes longer, and is broader in its scope.
A statistics certificate program is used as a postsecondary academic award in a particular field, while an associate degree is used to prepare students for a statistics bachelor’s degree. The details of the major differences include:
- Time. It takes about two to eight months on average to complete a statistics certificate program, while an associate degree in statistics takes two years to complete.
- Cost. Due to the short length of a statistics certificate program, it usually costs less compared to an associate degree program, which is longer and will cost more.
- Format. An undergraduate statistics certificate program provides more flexibility during the learning process and after obtaining the certificate than an Associate Degree in Statistics.
- Scope. An undergraduate certificate program is more specific and limited in scope and opportunities when compared to a statistics associate degree.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Best Associate Degrees
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Is an Undergraduate Statistics Certificate Worth It?
Yes, an undergraduate statistics certificate is worth it. Upon successful completion of a course, you can build an impressive resume that will boost your chances of getting employment, explore a new area of interest in the same field of statistics, and have the chance to earn a recognized credential.
Best Statistics Certificate Graduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| American University | Certificate in Applied Statistics | $1,866/credit hour |
| Michigan Technological University | Certificate in Applied Statistics | $1,228/credit hour |
| Pennsylvania State University | Certificate in Applied Statistics | $950/credit hour |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Certificate in Applied Statistics | $1,237/credit hour |
| Stanford University | Certificate in Statistics | $1,352/credit hour |
Best Graduate Statistics Certificate Programs Explained
The best graduate statistics college certificate programs are the Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics at American University, the Applied Statistics Graduate Certificate at Michigan Technology University, and the Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics at Penn State University.
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics from American University offers courses on regression, survey sampling, and statistical methods. American University has plenty of academic resources, including sponsored programs, career centers, and academic access centers. The certificate program provides analysis skills that help influence informed business decisions.
Certificate in Applied Statistics Details
- Cost: $1,866/credit hour
- Length: 12 credits
- Learning Format: In-person
- Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
- Other Requirements: Official undergraduate transcript
The Applied Statistics Certificate from Michigan Technological University has courses on statistical methods, statistical data mining, regression analysis, and more. This helps the marketability of the students by adding knowledge of data analytics to their skillset, alongside good financial decision skills that set them apart from the rest.
Certificate in Applied Statistics Details
- Cost: $1,228/credit hour
- Length: 9 credits
- Learning Format: Online, in-person, and accelerated
- Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
- Other Requirements: Official undergraduate transcripts, two recommendation letters, resume/CV, undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
The Certificate in Applied Statistics from Penn State offers courses on applied statistics, regression methods, matrix algebra, probability and theory, and mathematics statistics. The certificate program can be used on its own and as a stepping stone for further learning.
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Certificate in Applied Statistics Details
- Cost: $950/credit hour
- Length: 12 credits
- Learning Format: Online
- Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Other Requirements: Undergraduate official transcripts, GPA, and test scores
The advanced Certificate in Applied Statistics from Rochester Institute of Technology offers courses on applied linear model regression, statistics software, statistical quality control, survey design, and predictive analysis. Graduate students master statistics and find it easier to gain admission into master’s degree programs in the field.
Certificate in Applied Statistics Details
- Cost: $1,237/credit hour
- Length: 12 credits
- Learning Format: Online
- Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Other Requirements: Two letters of recommendation, graduate application form, and official undergraduate transcript
This Certificate in Statistics at Stanford University teaches theory of probability, applied statistics, statistical inference, statistical learning, and statistical methods in finance. This graduate certificate program provides advanced training that applies to many aspects of science and technology fields, which sets it apart from other programs.
Certificate in Statistics Details
- Cost: $1,352/credit hour
- Length: 4 courses
- Learning Format: Online
- Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Other Requirements: Undergraduate official transcripts, undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or better
Statistics Graduate Certificate Program vs Statistics Master’s Degree
A statistics graduate certificate is useful when a student needs to improve their technological expertise, acquire a new statistical skill, earn continuing education credits, or obtain a professional certificate for a certain job. A master’s degree is an official academic degree obtained after the completion of a bachelor’s degree.
The major differences between statistics graduate certificates and statistics master’s degrees can be seen in factors such as career opportunities, flexibility, time frame, and cost. In more detail:
- Cost. Due to the short time frame of a statistics graduate certificate, it is less expensive compared to a master’s degree.
- Career opportunities. Though it makes you more skilled in your career, a graduate certificate program still offers fewer career opportunities compared to a master’s degree.
- Time frame. A graduate certificate program takes a few months to one year to complete, while a master’s degree program takes as long as two years to complete.
- Flexibility and convenience. A graduate certificate is more flexible due to its short length and online learning format. A master’s degree is less flexible because it requires more time and a project or thesis before completion.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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Best Master’s Degrees
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Is a Graduate Statistics Certificate Worth It
Yes, a graduate statistics certificate is worth it. There are many opportunities for statisticians that have attended graduate courses and obtained a graduate certificate. Experts in statistics are in demand in all sectors of society, ranging from government to universities and research labs. There is also a wide variety of exciting opportunities for statisticians. Careers in statistics generally can be quite lucrative.
Statistics Certificate Program Coursework
Studying statistics is a great idea due to the wide variety of opportunities available within the field. A certificate in statistics makes you stand out during job searches. Below are five different courses that might be included in a statistics certificate program.
Fundamentals of Statistics
This course provides a basic understanding of statistical analysis and explores the use of statistical methods like data presentation, dispersion, simple linear regression, correlation, probability, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and tests of significance. The course also touches on the use of statistical software to analyze real data and explore concepts.
Intermediate Statistics
This course is for students with background knowledge of foundational statistics concepts. Students learn more advanced topics like descriptive statistics, model analysis, data cleaning, and path analysis. Students learn to evaluate statistical models, understand assumptions of the model, assess whether the data satisfies assumptions, and improve the model.
Biostatistics
This course teaches students to develop and use methods for data collected from designed experiments and observational studies. At the end of the course, students can determine appropriate statistical models, understand the assumptions of a model, and improve models when necessary.
Basic Statistics with Calculus
This course explores various techniques for data collection, organization, analysis, and presentation. Students learn various calculus-based statistics topics like geometric distribution evaluation, random event probabilities, empirical rules, and continuous random variables.
Regression
This course teaches the use of data for studying mathematical relations among two or more variables with the purpose of students acquiring a deep understanding of trends and forecasting. Students estimate and test the significance of regression slopes, build optimal models, verify regression assumptions, and suggest remedies. They also learn to apply regression methods to real data sets.
Best Online College Courses for Credit
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What Can You Do With a Statistics Certificate from College?
With a certificate in statistics, you can become a business analyst, data analyst, economist, financial manager, insurance underwriter, research scientist, or work in vital statistics. Studying statistics opens the door to various opportunities because statisticians are considered important in different job sectors.
Best Statistics Jobs and Careers With a Certificate
| Job Role | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Financial Manager | $131,710 |
| Statistician | $96,280 |
| Management Analyst | $93,000 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $76,390 |
| Cost Estimator | $65,170 |
Best Statistics Certificate Jobs and Careers: Explained
The best statistics certificate jobs are statistician, management analyst, financial manager, cost estimator, and insurance underwriter. Other good statistics certificate jobs and careers are investment analyst, operational researcher, market researcher, data analyst, survey researcher, and data actuary.
Financial managers ensure that an organization maintains excellent economic conditions. They give quality financial advice on the best use of company funds to achieve profitability and create viable financial goals for the company. Having a solid grasp of financial management and analytics alongside economics and accounting is crucial for success in this career path.
- Average Salary: $131,710
- Job Outlook: 17% from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree and 5 years experience
A statistician is responsible for conducting data collection and analysis, consulting with management on statistical analysis, and assisting in the development of mathematical models. They manipulate and analyze data to provide insights for their employer. The job requires experience in data manipulation and analysis and analytical skills.
- Average Salary: $96,280
- Job Outlook: 33% from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree or graduate degree for higher positions
Management analysts specialize in recommending new ways an organization can improve its efficiency and general performance. A management analyst analyzes a company's internal processes and advises managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.
- Average Salary: $93,000
- Job Outlook: 14% from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education and Experience: A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and 5 years of experience
Insurance underwriters evaluate insurance applications and determine the amount of risk involved. They help insurers understand the level of risk they are undertaking by insuring a person, business, or asset. These professionals are invaluable in all types of insurance niches, including health, automobile, and workers’ compensation insurance.
- Average Salary: $76,390
- Job Outlook: -2% from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree
Cost estimators provide an accurate estimate of the cost of a particular project. They work with clients to understand the scope of the project and the materials required. Cost estimators must be able to accurately calculate the time required for a project, as well as the cost of labor. They must also be able to take into account any changes that may occur during the project.
- Average Salary: $65,170
- Job Outlook: 1% from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree
Should I Also Get a Statistics Certification?
Yes, you should get a statistics certification because it can be a vital qualification in the field of statistics. While a certification does not guarantee you a job, it will increase your job prospects and competitiveness in the job market. It also opens doors as you learn to understand the field, gather experience, and qualify for lucrative positions in the field.
Best Statistics Certifications
- CompTIA Data+. CompTIA Data+ validates your ability to make quality and accurate analyses and reports on large data sets. It confirms that you are a master of data quality standards, as well as comprehend data analysis and data mining.
- Cloudera Certified Associate Data Analyst. This certification confirms your ability to pull and generate reports in the Cloudera CDH environment using Hive and Impala. Obtaining this certification shows that you understand how to use query language statements to analyze and organize data.
- Certified Analytics Professional. This advanced analytics certification is for professionals with extensive industry and educational experience. Holding this certification proves your proficiency in various areas of analytics, including business and analytics problem framing, methodology selection, and model deployment.
- Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate. Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate helps you optimize the value of an organization’s data assets by using Microsoft Power BI. It provides the skills necessary for cleaning and transforming data, as well as designing and building scalable data models.
Best Professional Certifications
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Is a College Certificate for Statistics Worth It?
Yes, a college certificate in statistics is worth it. It prepares students to use data to confront real-world problems. Statistics form the foundation for all analytics fields, making it relevant to various industries, including tech, data, business management, and fintech. A college certificate in statistics also provides various high-paying opportunities.
Statistics Certificates FAQ
There are several free online courses for statistics available on various platforms. Some statistics certificate courses that will enhance your statistical expertise are:
• Statistics with a Specialization offered by Duke University (Coursera)
• Intro to Statistics by Stanford University (Udacity)
• The Science of Decisions by San Jose State University (Udacity)
You may learn basic programming skills during a statistics certificate program, but that depends entirely on the curriculum design for your university and program and the academic discipline you have chosen. While some programs do not cover programming topics, others teach popular programming languages like R and Python and their application across disciplines like data analytics.
The careers that use statistics include financial analyst, cost estimator, business analyst, statistician, database administrator, economist, software engineer, actuary, those working in offices of vital statistics, and data scientist.
To choose the right statistics certificate program and achieve your career goals, you should first check the prerequisites before applying for the course. Check for the course list or learning guide to get an idea of what you will be learning in the course. Also, weigh in the cost, learning schedules, and value of the certificate before choosing the program that best suits you.
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