Analytics is the system of applying certain methods and techniques to understand the performance of data, generally in an organization or industry. The application of analytics can be used to uncover and interpret relevant patterns of data, which can be later used to make better decisions. Analytics relies on good data as part of its usefulness, as well as the aspects of statistics, computer programming, and operations research to quantify performance. Analytics exists in business when companies use statistics and software processes in assessing how a particular product, service, or project measures up in scope. Businesses perform analytics to pinpoint strengths, identify challenges or weaknesses that may exist, and pull out key data points to help make decisions regarding future growth for the organization.

Learning analytics is a key skill that helps you solve problems to existing challenges. When you use analytics tools to research data patterns, you use methods of analyzing performance characteristics that are essential to a business organization. This is important in today's world of big data. Understanding analytics can make you a valuable asset when assessing areas rich with recorded information, performance indicators, and target goals.

What are typical careers that use analytics?

Analytics is found in a wide range of careers, including business analyst, budget analyst, financial controller, data scientist, and operations researcher. Individuals who move into these and other careers in data analytics often work with raw data and algorithms through mechanical processes to make assumptions and theories. Essentially, with knowledge of analytics, you can move into a job that requires a familiarity with numeric relationships, data structures, and trends and metrics relevant to an organization.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn analytics?

When you take online courses in analytics, you can gain a new understanding of key concepts like data analysis and visualization, mathematical optimization, regression analysis, predictive modeling, and other areas focused on business analytics. Taking online courses about analytics can help you achieve basic data literacy to help you make more informed decisions in any area you work in, like finance, operations, or marketing. As you branch out, you may advance your analytics understanding to include how to extract and manipulate data points, how to use different statistical analysis methods to break down the data, and how to eventually interpret and present your findings.

What are the benefits of taking an online Analytics course?

Online Analytics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Analytics skills. With a wide range of Analytics classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Analytics career.

What Analytics courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Analytics, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Analytics Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Analytics Course Catalog

Status: [object Object]
Google
Google Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, R Programming, SQL, Spreadsheet Software, Business Analysis, Business Communication, Data Visualization, Data Management, General Statistics, Big Data, Communication, Computer Programming, Data Science, Data Visualization Software, Databases, Exploratory Data Analysis, Extract, Transform, Load, Leadership and Management, Microsoft Excel, Problem Solving, Small Data, Statistical Programming, Tableau Software
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
160K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Business Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Leadership and Management, Basic Descriptive Statistics, Exploratory Data Analysis, Financial Analysis, Forecasting, Data Model, Mathematics, Performance Management, Strategy, Accounting, Customer Analysis, Human Resources, Human Resources Operations, Market Analysis, Market Research, Marketing, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Operations Management, Operations Research, Organizational Development, People Analysis, People Management, Spreadsheet Software, Talent Management, Financial Accounting, People Development, Collaboration, Finance, Regulations and Compliance
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Johns Hopkins University
Business Analytics with Excel: Elementary to Advanced
Skills you'll gain: Business Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Spreadsheet Software, Data Model, Decision Making, Microsoft Excel, Process Analysis, Statistical Visualization
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IBM
Introduction to Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Databases, Python Programming, SQL, Data Management, Data Mining, Data Science, Data Visualization, NoSQL, R Programming, Big Data, Microsoft Excel
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
17K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Business Analysis, R Programming, Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Analysis Software, Machine Learning, Statistical Machine Learning, Data Management, Interactive Data Visualization, Statistical Programming, Algorithms, Data Model, Extract, Transform, Load, Accounting, Communication, Customer Analysis, Data Mining, Data Visualization Software, Machine Learning Algorithms, Plot (Graphics), Probability & Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Audit, Market Research, Marketing, Natural Language Processing, Regression, Visual Design, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Accounting Software, General Statistics, Market Analysis, Computer Programming
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Pennsylvania
People Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Human Resources, Human Resources Operations, Leadership and Management, Organizational Development, People Analysis, People Management, Performance Management, Talent Management, People Development, Collaboration
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
6.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
IBM
IBM Data Analytics with Excel and R
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, R Programming, Data Visualization, Computer Programming, Plot (Graphics), Statistical Programming, Statistical Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Analysis Software, Statistical Analysis, Basic Descriptive Statistics, Data Structures, General Statistics, Microsoft Excel, Interactive Data Visualization, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Spreadsheet Software, Data Management, Extract, Transform, Load, Regression, Programming Principles, Databases, Computer Programming Tools, Correlation And Dependence, Data Mining, Visual Design, Data Visualization Software, Python Programming, SQL, Business Analysis, Data Science, NoSQL, Big Data
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
26K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Advanced Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Business Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Data Management, Probability & Statistics, Data Model, Decision Making, Data Analysis Software, General Statistics, Statistical Visualization, Data Visualization, Correlation And Dependence, Mathematics, Regression, Spreadsheet Software, Business Intelligence, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Business Communication, Communication, Data Structures, Databases, Plot (Graphics), Database Application, Extract, Transform, Load, SQL, Machine Learning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
5.1K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
University of Amsterdam
Data Analytics for Lean Six Sigma
Skills you'll gain: Probability & Statistics, Data Visualization, General Statistics, Statistical Visualization, Basic Descriptive Statistics, Correlation And Dependence, Data Analysis, Statistical Tests, Minitab
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Campus BBVA
Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Big Data, Business Analysis, Data Visualization, Statistical Analysis
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
118 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Customer Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Basic Descriptive Statistics, Business Analysis, Customer Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Model, Exploratory Data Analysis, Market Analysis, Market Research, Marketing, Strategy
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
12K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Virginia
Marketing Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Business Analysis, Data Analysis, Market Analysis, Marketing, Brand Management, Customer Analysis, Customer Relationship Management, Strategy, Digital Marketing, Marketing Management, Regression
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months