By Quick answer: What is the data science certification roadmap for 2027?
- Stage 1 — Foundations.
- Stage 2 — Analysis.
- Stage 3 — Data science.
- Stage 4 — ML.
Key takeaways
- Each stage builds on the last.
- Stop when you reach the role you want.
- Hands-on practice at every stage.
Data science careers move in clear stages. This roadmap names the certification for each one, so you know what to take next and where you can stop.
The roadmap 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 | Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)Kaggle (Google) | Free1 | Short micro-courses, a few hours each | Free test |
| 2 | CS50: Introduction to Computer ScienceHarvard University | Free2 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 3 | Google Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan3 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 4 | IBM Data Science Professional CertificateIBM / Coursera | Coursera plan4 | 4 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 5 | Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan5 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 6 | Machine Learning SpecializationDeepLearning.AI & Stanford / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan6 | 2 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 7 | Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)Microsoft | Exam priced by country7 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 8 | AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1508 | Check issuer | 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.)
- Machine Learning Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL) before you pay.Start free test →
- Computer Science Fundamentals TestPractise for CS50: Introduction to Computer Science before you pay.Start free test →
- Statistics for Data Analysts CertificationPractise for Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- Data Science Certification TestPractise for IBM Data Science Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
Each stage, and the certification for it
- KaggleKaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)Stage 1: FoundationsFree
- Harvard UniversityCS50: Introduction to Computer ScienceStage 1: FoundationsFree
- CourseraGoogle Data Analytics Professional CertificateStage 2: Analysis$49/mo Coursera plan
Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)
- Cost
- Free1
- Time
- Short micro-courses, a few hours each
Stage 1: free Python, pandas and SQL Kaggle's free micro-courses cover Python, pandas, SQL, data visualisation and machine learning, each in a few hours with hands-on notebooks and a free certificate. They're ideal practice alongside a structured course.
Best forstage 1: Foundations
CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
- Cost
- Free2
Stage 1: Harvard's free CS course Harvard's free introduction to computer science teaches C, Python, SQL and web development through demanding problem sets, with a free certificate. An optional paid verified certificate is available through edX.
Best forstage 1: Foundations
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan3
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Stage 2: Google Data Analytics, 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 forstage 2: Analysis
IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
- Cost
- Coursera plan4
- Time
- 4 months at 10 hours a week
Stage 3: IBM Data Science IBM's professional certificate covers Python, SQL, data visualisation and machine learning basics with hands-on labs and a capstone. It takes about four months at ten hours a week, and financial aid is available on Coursera.
Best forstage 3: Data science
Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan5
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Stage 3: Google Advanced Data Analytics Google's advanced certificate takes analysts into statistics, regression, machine learning and Python. It takes about six months at ten hours a week and is the natural next step after Google Data Analytics.
Best forstage 3: Data science
Machine Learning Specialization
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan6
- Time
- 2 months at 10 hours a week
Stage 4: Andrew Ng's ML Specialization Andrew Ng's specialization with Stanford teaches supervised and unsupervised learning, model evaluation and practical machine learning in Python. It takes about two months at ten hours a week and is widely regarded as the clearest structured start in ML.
Best forstage 4: ML
Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country7
Stage 5: Azure DP-100 Microsoft's associate exam proves you can train and deploy machine learning models with Azure Machine Learning. It's priced by country, needs Python and ML basics and renews free online each year.
Best forstage 5: Platform proof
AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate
- Cost
- $1508
Stage 5: AWS ML Engineer AWS's associate exam proves you can prepare data, train, deploy and monitor machine learning models on AWS. It costs $150 and expects hands-on ML and AWS experience, making it a strong credential for ML engineers.
Best forstage 5: Platform proof
Stages at a glance
| Stage | Focus | Certifications |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundations | free Python, pandas and SQL, Harvard's free CS course |
| 2 | Analysis | Google Data Analytics, about six months |
| 3 | Data science | IBM Data Science, Google Advanced Data Analytics |
| 4 | ML | Andrew Ng's ML Specialization |
| 5 | Platform proof | Azure DP-100, AWS ML Engineer |
Table: Data science roadmap
How we ranked these picks
We ordered certifications by prerequisites and role level. Fees and times come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I start?
Kaggle and CS50, then Google Data Analytics.
Should I be an analyst first?
Many do.
How long does it take?
Often a year or more.
Which platform exam?
DP-100 for Azure, AWS MLE for AWS.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free data science tests.
Sources
- Kaggle (Google) — Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Harvard University — CS50: Introduction to Computer Science, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- IBM — IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- DeepLearning.AI & Stanford — Machine Learning Specialization, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate, 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
- Best Data Science Certifications of 2027: Top 10 Ranked — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The machine learning certification roadmap for 2027: from beginner to expertA machine learning certification roadmap for 2027: Kaggle and CS50 AI, the ML Specialization, Deep Learning and LLMs, then AWS MLE, DP-100 and GC PMLE.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The Python certification roadmap for 2027: from beginner to expertA Python certification roadmap for 2027: Kaggle and CS50, PCEP and freeCodeCamp, IBM Data Science or Meta Back-End, then ML and AI.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The Power BI and Excel certification roadmap for 2027: from beginner to expertA Power BI and Excel certification roadmap for 2027: Microsoft Learn and Kaggle, Google Data Analytics, PL-300, then FMVA or Google Advanced.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The web development certification roadmap for 2027: from beginner to expertA web development certification roadmap for 2027: freeCodeCamp and CS50, Meta Front-End and Back-End, then AWS for deployment.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The business analysis certification roadmap for 2027: from beginner to expertA business analysis certification roadmap for 2027: Google Data Analytics, PL-300, PSM I, Six Sigma, then CBAP with experience.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The data analytics certification roadmap for 2027: from first spreadsheet to senior analystA data analytics certification roadmap for 2027: Kaggle SQL and Google Data Analytics, then PL-300 or Tableau, Google Advanced, and ML for senior analysts.
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