By Quick answer: Which certifications help people without a degree get good jobs?
- IT — Google IT Support, A+, Security+.
- Cloud — AWS SAA.
- Data — Google Data Analytics, PL-300.
- Other — Salesforce, CPC, UX, marketing.
Key takeaways
- Many tech and admin roles hire on skills.
- Proctored exams carry weight without a degree.
- A portfolio closes the gap.
More employers now hire on skills. In IT, cloud, data, CRM and coding, a respected certification plus proof of work can replace a degree for many roles. These ten are the strongest routes.
Ten certifications without a degree
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 IT Support Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan1 | 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 2 | CompTIA A+CompTIA | Two exams2 | 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam | Free test |
| 3 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store3 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 4 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1504 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 5 | Google Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan5 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 6 | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Microsoft | Exam priced by country6 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 7 | Salesforce Certified AdministratorSalesforce | Exam fee on Trailhead7 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 8 | Certified Professional Coder (CPC)AAPC | Check the official page8 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 9 | Google UX Design Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan9 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 10 | Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan10 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | 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.)
- IT Support and Troubleshooting CertificationPractise for Google IT Support Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA A+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA A+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the skills-first role it opens
- CourseraGoogle IT Support Professional CertificateIT support$49/mo Coursera plan
- CompTIACompTIA A+Help deskTwo exams
- CompTIACompTIA Security+SecurityVoucher price on the CompTIA store
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan1
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
IT support basics, 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 forIT support
CompTIA A+
- Cost
- Two exams2
- Format
- 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on IT support
Help desk standard; two exams. CompTIA's A+ is two exams covering hardware, operating systems, networking basics and support. It's the help desk credential many job posts name, is ANAB-accredited, and CompTIA recommends about a year of hands-on support experience.
Best forhelp desk
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store3
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Entry security credential. 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 forsecurity
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1504
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
Most requested cloud credential; $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 forcloud
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan5
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Analyst toolkit. 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 fordata
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country6
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Power BI proof. Microsoft's Power BI Data Analyst exam proves you can prepare, model and visualise data and share reports securely. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, with free Microsoft Learn training and free online renewal every 12 months.
Best forBI
Salesforce Certified Administrator
- Cost
- Exam fee on Trailhead7
Salesforce admin; free training. Salesforce's Certified Administrator proves you can configure, secure and maintain a Salesforce org. Training is free on Trailhead and the exam fee is listed there, making it a common route into CRM and RevOps careers.
Best forCRM
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
- Cost
- Check the official page8
Medical coding credential. AAPC's Certified Professional Coder is a widely recognised medical coding credential, often leading to remote-friendly roles after some experience. Check AAPC's page for current fees and requirements.
Best formedical coding
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan9
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
UX portfolio programme. Google's professional certificate covers UX research, wireframing, prototyping and testing in Figma, ending with three portfolio projects. It takes about six months at ten hours a week, with financial aid available.
Best forUX
Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan10
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Marketing foundation. Google's professional certificate covers SEO, search and social advertising, email, analytics and e-commerce with portfolio projects. It takes about six months at ten hours a week, and financial aid is available.
Best formarketing
Make up for no degree
- A proctored exam — Security+, AWS, PL-300.
- A portfolio — projects with results.
- References — from projects or volunteering.
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications in fields that commonly hire on skills. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a good job without a degree?
Yes in many tech and admin fields with certifications and projects.
Which certification pays well without a degree?
AWS SAA had a US survey average of $155,597 (Skillsoft 2025); pay depends on role.
Do employers accept certifications instead of degrees?
Many do for skills-based roles.
Which is fastest?
Google IT Support or AWS Cloud Practitioner.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free certification tests.
Sources
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA A+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Salesforce — Salesforce Certified Administrator, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- AAPC — Certified Professional Coder (CPC), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google UX Design Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate, 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
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- Best Certifications by Age, Life Stage & Goal (2027) — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best certifications without a degree in 2027: seven routes into well-paid work that don't ask for oneThe 7 best certifications without a degree for 2027: CompTIA A+, Google IT Support, Google Cybersecurity, AWS, Security+, Azure AZ-104 and Salesforce Admin.
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- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Six-month certifications that pay well in 2027: seven you can finish in half a year7 certifications you can earn in about six months that lead to well-paid roles in 2027: AWS SAA, Security+, PL-300, Salesforce, Google Data Analytics and more.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top 10 online certifications in India for 2027: what Indian employers and IT services hire forThe top 10 online certifications in India for 2027: AWS, Azure, Salesforce, PL-300, Google Data Analytics, Security+, CCNA, PMP, Python and AI Essentials.
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Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
Start with the free IT Support and Troubleshooting Certification. 1,200+ free, test-based certifications graded on our server. Pass and get a founder-signed certificate with a credential ID employers can verify.