Top 10 Best Data Science Courses to Boost Your Career in 2026
Jul 12, 2025
11 min read
Table Of Content
- Best Data Science Courses to Uplift Your Career in 2026
- How to Choose the Best Data Science Course for You?
- Conclusion
- Craft Your Career Booster Strategy with IIM Kozhikode's Data Science Course
Best Data Science Courses to Uplift Your Career in 2026
Here is a brief of the best data science courses you should explore this year –
1. Post Graduate Program in Data Science – Great Learning
Duration: 11 Months
Placement Support: Yes
Mode: Blended (Online + Weekend Mentorship)
Topics coverage:
- Python libraries
- SQL
- Machine learning (ML)
- Business analytics
- Tableau
- Neural networks and computer vision
The PG program in data science from Great Learning is designed for professionals who are looking for a career transition into data science. It’s one of the best data science courses and comes with a flexible, weekend, online learning mode. As industry-experienced members hold the sessions of this course, you will gain an interactive learning experience with them. So, instead of just watching videos, you can enhance your problem-solving skills with real-life projects and applications.
The syllabus of this best data science course with placement has been designed by Great Lakes and the UT Austin McCombs School of Business. Moreover, the program will facilitate interview preparation, resume building, and job placement support.
2. PG Diploma in Data Science – IIIT Bangalore
Duration: 12 months
Placement Support: Yes (career coaching + hiring events)
Mode: Online
Topics Covered:
- Programming
- Advanced math
- Cloud
- Data analysis
- Big data
- ML foundations
Have you been looking at data science courses and feeling overwhelmed? Then, this one from upGrad and IIT Bangalore is a good choice. It’s not just popular, it is among the best data science courses in India, hands down, especially if you’re after the right education without quitting your job.
The program runs for a year and fits around your schedule. You’ll go through over 400 hours of content, so there’s plenty to chew on. It starts with the basics—math, stats, Python—and works its way up to machine learning, big data, and even cloud stuff.
The best part? You’re not learning in a vacuum. There are case studies from companies you’ve heard of, such as Zomato and Swiggy. So, the stuff you’re learning actually feels real.
On the career side, it’s not just theory either. They help with your resume, do mock interviews, and line up hiring drives. It’s one of the few programs that backs you even after completing the course. So, if you’re aiming for the best data science course with placement, this one’s got the goods. It’s flexible, detailed, and actually job-focused.
3. Data Science Specialization – Coursera (Johns Hopkins University)
Duration: Self-paced (~11 months)
Placement Support: No
Mode: Online
Topics Covered:
- R programming
- Statistical inference
- Regression models
- Machine learning
- Reproducible research
If you’re someone who prefers flexibility without sacrificing credibility, this course by Johns Hopkins University on Coursera might hit the sweet spot. Instead of overwhelming you with technical jargon, it starts from the basics and moves gradually into more complex areas like regression and machine learning. The program is split into ten different parts, and the best part is that you set your own pace of learning.
Whether you’re brushing up on R programming or diving into statistical models, the hands-on projects help you apply what you learn. Sure, it doesn’t come with placement support, but what it lacks there, it makes up for in depth and quality. The certification also carries weight, given the university’s global reputation. It may not be India-specific, but if you’re looking for one of the best data science courses to build solid fundamentals, this one’s a safe and smart choice—even more so if you’re juggling work or other studies.
4. Advanced Certificate in Data Science – IIT Madras
Duration: 7 Months
Placement Support: Yes
Mode: Online
Topics Covered:
- Python and Linux
- Data visualization
- Machine learning
- Big data tools
- Data wrangling with SQL
Offered by IIT Madras, this course is tailored for working professionals who want to move into data science without giving up their job. You’ll learn from top-tier faculty and work on live projects that mirror real business problems. The curriculum doesn’t just stick to theory—it mixes academic concepts with real-world tools like Python, R, and Tableau. You’ll join live sessions, interact directly with instructors, and dive into case studies that show how data science is used across different industries.
Beyond learning, the program includes support for your job hunt: resume help, mock interviews, and even job referrals. Career guidance is one of the reasons it’s often seen as one of the best data science courses in India. And with the IIT name attached, your certificate will carry weightage. Thus, this is a strong contender if you’re looking for the best data science course with placement that also respects your time as a working professional.
5. Data Science Bootcamp – Scaler
Duration: 9 Months
Placement Support: Strong placement assistance
Mode: Live online sessions
Topics Covered:
- Python, SQL, and R
- Data structures and algorithms
- Machine learning
- Capstone projects
- Mentorship from professionals
Scaler’s Data Science Bootcamp is built for learners who want to fast-track their entry into data roles with skills that employers actually look for. The course goes beyond textbooks. With over 300 hours of live instruction, you’ll learn directly from industry professionals who’ve worked at companies like Google and Amazon. One-on-one mentorship is a big part of the experience, giving you the chance to ask questions, get feedback, and stay on track.
Also, you’ll work on multiple real-life projects to build a portfolio to show the recruiters. Scaler is also serious about job placement—they’ll help you prepare for interviews, fine-tune your resume, and connect you with hiring partners. If you’re looking for one of the best data science courses with placement, this one ticks all the boxes. It’s practical, interactive, and built for people who want results, not just certificates.
6. Applied Data Science with Python – University of Michigan (Coursera)
Duration: 5 Courses (~6 months, self-paced)
Placement Support: No
Mode: Online
Topics Covered:
- Python for data analysis
- Matplotlib, seaborn
- Machine learning applications
- Text mining
- Social network analysis
This course series by the University of Michigan focuses on how to use Python to analyze and visualize data, so it’s a great fit if you already have a basic idea of Python and want to use it more effectively. Here, you’ll go through five courses, each one building on the last, and what makes it useful is how much of it is application-based. You’ll learn libraries like pandas and matplotlib, but you won’t just read about them—you’ll use them in projects that mimic real-world tasks.
The course doesn’t offer job placement, which might be a drawback for some, but the academic reputation and the hands-on style more than make up for it. If you’re aiming to sharpen your skills without committing to a full-time program, this course is worth checking out. It’s definitely one of the best online data science courses out there for working professionals or students looking to specialize further.
7. Executive PG Programme in Data Science – BITS Pilani & upGrad
Duration: 18 months
Placement Support: Yes
Mode: Online
Topics covered:
- Data engineering
- ML
- Deep learning
- Visualization
- Big data
Let’s be honest—jumping into data science mid-career isn’t easy. But this program from BITS Pilani (in partnership with upGrad) makes it a lot more doable. It’s online, it’s 18 months long, and most importantly, it’s built for working professionals who can’t just quit their jobs to go study full-time.
The coursework covers everything you’d expect—data engineering, machine learning, deep learning—but what really makes it work is how hands-on it is. There are live sessions, real industry projects, and one-on-one mentorship. You’re not just sitting through lectures; you’re applying what you learn right away.
Additionally, BITS brings a solid academic name, and with placement support baked in, the course is clearly designed to move people into more senior or specialized data roles. If you’re serious about shifting gears into tech leadership, this one’s worth a long look.
8. AI and Data Science Program – INSAID (International School of AI and Data Science)
Duration: 6–11 months
Placement Support: Yes
Mode: Online
Topics covered:
- AI
- ML advanced
- Python
- Big data tools
- Deep learning foundations
Here’s a program for those who don’t want to wait forever to switch careers. INSAID’s course in AI and Data Science is quick, sharp, and geared toward job readiness. It’s great for early-career folks or anyone pivoting into tech, especially if weekends are the only time you’ve got to study.
The course hits all the major points, such as Python, natural language processing, etc., that companies actually use. However, what really helps people land roles is career support. They do serious resume building, mock interviews, and even pair you with mentors who know their stuff.
Plus, INSAID has tie-ups with hiring partners, so you’re not just left to figure things out on your own when the course ends. If you’re aiming for a quick, focused transition into the data world, this course has your back.
9. Full Stack Data Science Program – AlmaBetter
Duration: 8–12 months
Placement Support: Yes (Pay After Placement)
Mode: Online
Topics covered:
- Statistics
- Analytics
- ML
- Python
- Data engineering
Are you on a tight budget? AlmaBetter has a really interesting approach—they don’t charge you anything until you get placed. So if the thought of dropping money on a course before landing a job stresses you out, this might be your best bet.
The program walks you through the entire data science pipeline. You’ll cover everything from the basics, like Python and statistics, to more technical stuff like machine learning and how data flows in real-world systems. This is one of the best data science courses that is designed to simulate how things actually work in companies.
They also offer loads of mentorship, career coaching, and mock interviews—so when it’s time to go job hunting, you’re not going in cold. For someone new to data science but ready to go all in, this course provides both structure and safety.
10. Data Science and Machine Learning Program – AnalytixLabs
Duration: 6–10 months
Placement Support: Yes
Mode: Online & Classroom (Delhi, Gurgaon, Bangalore)
Topics covered:
- Python
- SQL
- ML
- Tableau
- Business intelligence
AnalytixLabs has been around the block, and they’ve built a name for delivering solid training in data science. What’s nice here is you can take the course online or show up in person if you live near one of their centers.
The curriculum is well-rounded—you’ll go through Python, SQL, Tableau, and BI tools. But what really matters is how they teach. The sessions are interactive, the projects feel real, and the instructors have extensive experience in the field.
They’re known for strong placement assistance, which is a big plus if you’re looking to land your first or next role in data science. If you’re based in India and want a hands-on course with some face-to-face learning options, this is a smart one to consider.
How to Choose the Best Data Science Course for You?
As you can see, there are multiple data science courses available in the present market, and you can choose one based on your requirements. But, to make this decision simple, here are some factors that you can consider to select one of the best data science courses for your career –
- Career stage: Beginners should focus on the basic concepts of data science. Thus, they might prefer beginner-friendly programs offered by upGrad or AlmaBetter. Working professionals and experienced people usually prefer boot camp style or executive formats.
- Learning mode: People looking for flexible, online courses should select the best online data science courses, such as Great Learning or Coursera. For a more in-depth learning approach, hybrid formats or live classes would be better.
- Placement assurance: If you’re a job seeker looking for a data science course with placement support, AlmaBetter or Scalar are good options. These courses offer either guaranteed placement support or a ‘pay after placement’ model.
- Cost vs. ROI: Some courses might be costly, but worth your money. So, before enrolling in a course, you should review the placement statistics, alumni outcomes, and the records of career support.
Conclusion
Pursuing a career in data science in 2026 is more than just a dream. It’s a strategic move for your career. Today, industries like IT, finance, healthcare, and retail depend upon data-centric models. So, by taking the right data science course, you can land the right job. For this, you have to select the course that best aligns with your requirements. Here you’ve already got the list of the best data science courses. Now, it’s your turn to select the suitable one!
Craft Your Career Booster Strategy with IIM Kozhikode's Data Science Course
Want a strategic career movement with a professional data science course? Here is the Professional Certificate Programme in Advanced Analytics & Business Intelligence from IIM Kozhikode that helps you to build essential business analytics and data science skills. It’s a collaborative program of IIM Kozhikode and Jaro Education. As an exclusive IIM Kozhikode partner, Jaro Education offers value-added services like career enhancement sessions, doubt-clearing sessions, LinkedIn profile optimization, and other services.
Here are some of the core KPIs of this program –
- Real-life case studies
- Hands-on live interactive sessions
- Executive alumni status from IIM Kozhikode
- Networking opportunities with industry experts
- 140 hours of learning
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