Discover the Best Data Science Classes in Chicago
The Data Scientist career was declared “the sexiest job of the 21st century” by Harvard Business Journal in 2012, and data science has only grown in sexiness over the last decade. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job outlooks for data science careers are considerably higher than average: experts project that Data Scientist employment will grow 36% between 2021 and 2031. With a 2021 median annual wage of $101,000 across the U.S., Data Scientists undoubtedly continue to earn their title of “sexiest job” a decade after first acquiring the moniker. Boasting unrivaled job security and career mobility, careers in data science are among the most desirable today.
Best Data Science Classes & Schools in Chicago
Northwestern University—Northwestern Data Science and Visualization Boot Camp Online
The Northwestern Data Science and Visualization Boot Camp’s evening-only classes are perfect for busy professionals or students seeking a data science bootcamp to take them to the next level in their careers without putting the rest of life on hold. Instructors lead students to mastery of Excel, Python, Tableau, JavaScript, SQL, fundamental statistics, HTML5 and CSS, and many additional in-demand technologies and skills of data science. This remote hands-on course offers participants opportunities to work independently and collaborate with their classmates on projects that will eventually comprise each student’s professional portfolio.
The price for this 24-week part-time data science bootcamp is $12,995. Payment plans are available, and private student loans are accepted. The three-hour classes meet Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. Students should budget at least 20 hours every week on outside work.
No prerequisites are required, but Northwestern recommends applicants have a bachelor’s degree or at least two years of experience in business, statistics, management, finance, or a related field. The application process includes two interviews and an assessment test.
University of Chicago—Professional Certificate in Data Science for Business Online
The University of Chicago’s ten-month remote Professional Certificate in Data Science for Business provides thorough training in the field’s theories and key concepts. Expert instructors lead courses in data engineering, Python, statistics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and strategic data storytelling. By the end of the program, students will have a clear understanding of the principles, tools, and industry trends needed by Data Scientists planning to utilize cutting-edge AI and machine learning models in their careers.
The price of the University of Chicago’s data science certificate course is $12,500. This may be paid at one time or in four installments. The program is ideal for professionals with a background in computer science, data analytics, programming, mathematics, or statistics. The admissions process includes one interview. All class components are online, with the exception of an in-person graduation ceremony on The University of Chicago’s campus.
NYC Career Centers—Python for Data Science Bootcamp Online
This remote Python for Data Science Bootcamp is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to receive an education in Python fundamentals and beginner-level machine learning from a top tech school in New York City. You will learn the basics of Python for data science, including understanding the different data types and how and when to use each one. The instructor will also teach you how to create and structure Python programs and how to use Pandas and NumPy, among other tools and operations, to work with dataframes and perform other essential data science tasks. Finally, you’ll learn Python’s capabilities to analyze data, data science workflows, and essential statistics to prepare you to begin building models without bias.
Students can take this live online data science bootcamp as either ten three-hour sessions or five seven-hour sessions. The price for either option is $1,495. An in-person version of this class is available in New York City. NYC Career Centers recommends you follow this bootcamp with their Python Machine Learning Bootcamp.
Chicago Industries That Use Data Science
Chicago’s uniquely favorable conditions for tech companies and startups make it one of the U.S.’s most thriving tech ecosystems today. A June 2022 report found 106,000 Chicagoans hold a tech job, some in the industry itself but many in other sectors that employ tech professionals to keep their business smoothly and growing consistently. With the innovation hub 1871 providing exceptional nurturing for startups, Chicago’s steadily increasing number of tech opportunities include positions for Data Scientists, Data Analysts, and other jobs in the field.
While the tech industry is a significant employer of data science professionals in Chicago—thanks, in part, to recent expansions in the city of Google, Meta, LinkedIn, and other tech giants—many are also employed in finance, healthcare, and other industries juggling extensive amounts of big data. United Airlines, Walgreens, and the Federal Bank of Chicago are just a few of the businesses in the area frequently seeking to fill data science positions.
Data Science Jobs & Salaries in Chicago
A wide array of job titles fall under the category of data science, but Data Scientist comes out on top in Chicago. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 report shows 5,100 Data Scientists working in the Chicago metropolitan region, 310 Statisticians, and 200 Computer and Information Scientists, just to name a few careers in the field. Chicago employs the fifth highest number of Data Scientists in the country compared to other metropolitan areas. However, it doesn’t rank in the top ten for Statisticians or Computer and Information Scientists.
The annual mean wages of these three positions are similar, with Computer and Information Scientists boasting the highest at $118,000. The mean wage for Chicago Data Scientists was $111,000 in 2022, while Statisticians in the area earned a mean wage of $108,000 at the time.
