Stata is basic statistical software that's used for data science. It covers data management, statistical analysis, custom programming, simulations, graphics, regression, automated reporting, Python integration, and data manipulation, among others. Stata was first developed in 1985 , but it remains useful across many industries today. There's even an annual Stata Conference held in the United States each year, and several Stata User Group meetings take place around the world, particularly in Europe.

Anyone who deals with data on a regular basis can benefit from learning Stata—it's one of the most widely used software in the world, particularly for those who want to analyze data patterns. Professionals in over 180 countries employ it regularly. Many prefer it over similar software because of its ability to turn data into visual graphics. And because it's used in so many fields in so many countries, you may encounter it in your line of work one day, so having a basic understanding of it may help you get ahead in your career quicker. Students may also use Stata as a part of their high school and postsecondary school courses.

What are typical careers that use Stata?

Most professionals who use Stata work in research in some capacity. It's most commonly found in the fields of biomedicine, economics, epidemiology, sociology, and political science. It's also commonly used by professors, researchers, and research assistants at colleges and universities. You may also use Stata in the fields of behavioral science, biostatistics, other areas of education, marketing, business, public health, and public policy.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn Stata?

Anyone who can use a computer and software can learn Stata. However, if you have a background in data science or have used other types of statistical software, you may find that you grasp its concepts quicker and easier.

What are the benefits of taking an online Stata course?

Online Stata courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Stata skills. Choose from a wide range of Stata courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

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

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Stata, 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 Stata Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Stata Course Catalog

Packt
The STATA OMNIBUS: Regression and Modelling with STATA
Skills you'll gain: Stata, Regression Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Methods, Statistical Analysis, Advanced Analytics, Statistical Programming, Data Visualization, Data Manipulation, Correlation Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing
Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Stanford University
Introduction to Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Statistics, Statistical Methods, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Regression Analysis, Statistical Inference, Probability, Exploratory Data Analysis, Quantitative Research, Data Collection, Probability Distribution
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Statistics Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Bayesian Statistics, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Inference, Sampling (Statistics), Data Modeling, Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Data Analysis Software, Statistical Modeling, Marketing Analytics, Tableau Software, Data Analysis, Spreadsheet Software, Quantitative Research, Analytics, Descriptive Analytics, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
345 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Packt
Data Visualization in Stata
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization Software, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Scatter Plots, Plot (Graphics), Box Plots, Exploratory Data Analysis, Histogram, Descriptive Statistics, Heat Maps, Graphing
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Packt
120 Quick Stata Tips
Skills you'll gain: Stata, Scripting, Graphing, Data Visualization Software, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Data Management, Statistical Programming, Data Transformation, Debugging, Data Import/Export
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Data Analysis using Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Spreadsheet Software, Pivot Tables And Charts, Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data Mining
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.1K reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

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Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Plot (Graphics), Statistical Analysis, Data Presentation, Ggplot2, Program Evaluation, Policy Analysis, Surveys, Data Ethics, Data Analysis, Tidyverse (R Package), Statistical Visualization, R Programming, Statistical Methods, Public Policies, Data Visualization Software, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Policy Development, Political Sciences
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
80 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Data Analytics with Excel and R
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Data Visualization, Shiny (R Package), Data Wrangling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Relational Databases, Big Data, Ggplot2, Database Design, Data Analysis, IBM Cognos Analytics, Data Presentation, Data Mining, Dashboard, Excel Formulas, Data Manipulation, Web Scraping, Microsoft Excel
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
29K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Amsterdam
Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences
Skills you'll gain: Qualitative Research, Scientific Methods, Research, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Analysis, Research Design, Sampling (Statistics), Science and Research, Interviewing Skills, Data Collection, Research Reports, Research Methodologies, Social Sciences, Surveys, Quantitative Research, Statistics, Regression Analysis, Statistical Inference, Report Writing, R Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
7.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Imperial College London
Introduction to Statistics & Data Analysis in Public Health
Skills you'll gain: Analytical Skills, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Literacy, Data Analysis, Statistical Software, R Programming, Statistics, Public Health, Descriptive Statistics, Probability Distribution, Data Import/Export
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Instructor Network
Microsoft Excel VBA and Macros
Skills you'll gain: Excel Macros, Microsoft Excel, Data Manipulation, Visual Basic (Programming Language), Data Analysis, Productivity Software, Automation, Strategic Decision-Making
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
180 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling
Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Regression Analysis, Business Modeling, Financial Modeling, Business Mathematics, Markov Model, Probability, Predictive Analytics, Process Optimization, Risk Management, Statistics, Probability Distribution, Simulation and Simulation Software, Forecasting
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
9.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks