By Quick answer: a certificate or a degree: which should I choose in 2027?
- Choose a certificate — you want a fast, affordable route into skills-based roles.
- Choose a degree — your target field requires a degree or you want breadth.
- Verdict — Many people combine both over time.
- Before you pay — take a free practice test.
Key takeaways
- Choose a certificate if you want a fast, affordable route into skills-based roles.
- Choose a degree if your target field requires a degree or you want breadth.
- Check job posts in your target market before deciding.
a certificate and a degree are often compared, but they suit different people. Here's a side-by-side comparison and a clear way to choose.
The options at a glance
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan1 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 2 | Google IT Support Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan2 | 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 3 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1503 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 4 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store4 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 5 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members5 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- Statistics for Data Analysts CertificationPractise for Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- IT Support and Troubleshooting CertificationPractise for Google IT Support Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
Each option, and who should choose it
- CourseraGoogle Data Analytics Professional CertificateCertificate route into data$49/mo Coursera plan
- CourseraGoogle IT Support Professional CertificateCertificate route into IT$49/mo Coursera plan
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateProctored proof$150
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan1
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
About six months. Google's professional certificate teaches spreadsheets, SQL, Tableau and R through case studies and ends with a portfolio capstone. It's designed for beginners, takes about six months at ten hours a week and offers financial aid on Coursera.
Best forcertificate route into data
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan2
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
Three to six months. Google's professional certificate covers troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, system administration and security for complete beginners. It takes three to six months at about ten hours a week, with financial aid on Coursera.
Best forcertificate route into IT
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1503
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
$150. AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forproctored proof
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store4
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Accredited. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best forproctored proof
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members5
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
Experience needed. PMI's Project Management Professional is a 240-minute, 180-question exam covering predictive, agile and hybrid approaches. It needs 3–5 years leading projects plus 35 hours of training and costs $425 for PMI members or $675.
Best forexperience-based
a certificate vs a degree side by side
| a certificate | a degree | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Months | Years |
| Cost | Low | High |
| Depth | Job-specific | Broad |
| Required for | Many tech and admin roles accept it | Regulated professions, some employers |
Table: a certificate vs a degree
How to choose
- Choose a certificate — you want a fast, affordable route into skills-based roles.
- Choose a degree — your target field requires a degree or you want breadth.
- Still unsure — search job posts in your city for each name.
How we ranked these picks
We compared both options on cost, format, prerequisites and fit using official pages, checked 3 November 2026. Science of Apps has no commercial relationship with either issuer.
Frequently asked questions
Can a certificate replace a degree?
For many tech roles, yes; not for regulated professions.
Which pays more?
Depends on field and role.
Can I do both?
Yes; certificates also complement degrees.
Which is faster?
Certificates.
Is there a free practice test for both?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free practice tests for both, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- Google — Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Certification Comparisons 2027: Head-to-Head Guides — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
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