By Quick answer: Which certifications help recent graduates get hired in 2027?
- Data — Google Data Analytics, PL-300.
- Tech — AWS CCP, Security+, IT Support.
- Business — CAPM, Salesforce.
- Creative — Google UX, Digital Marketing.
Key takeaways
- Match the certification to the job title you're applying for.
- A degree plus a job-relevant certification stands out.
- Start applying while you study.
A degree shows you can learn; employers often want proof of a specific, job-ready skill too. These ten certifications match common entry-level titles, so you can pick the one for the job you want.
Ten certifications for new graduates
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 | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Microsoft | Exam priced by country2 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 3 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1003 | 90 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 | CAPM – Certified Associate in Project ManagementPMI | $225 PMI members / $300 non-members5 | 180 minutes, 150 questions | Free test |
| 6 | Google IT Support Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan6 | 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 7 | Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan7 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 8 | Google UX Design Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan8 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 9 | Google AI EssentialsGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan9 | Under 10 hours (per course page) | Free test |
| 10 | Salesforce Certified AdministratorSalesforce | Exam fee on Trailhead10 | Self-paced | 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 →
- PL-300 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the entry-level role it matches
- CourseraGoogle Data Analytics Professional CertificateAnalyst roles$49/mo Coursera plan
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)BI rolesExam priced by country
- AWSAWS Certified Cloud PractitionerCloud roles$100
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan1
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
The analyst toolkit, about six months part-time. 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 foranalyst roles
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country2
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Power BI proof for BI roles. 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 roles
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1003
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
$100 first cloud exam. AWS's entry exam covers cloud concepts, core services, security and billing. It's 90 minutes with 65 questions and costs $100, so it's the usual first cloud exam for beginners and non-technical staff.
Best forcloud roles
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store4
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
The standard 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 roles
CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management
- Cost
- $225 PMI members / $300 non-members5
- Format
- 180 minutes, 150 questions
- Entry
- Secondary diploma plus 23 hours of project management education
PMI's entry credential. PMI's entry credential is a 180-minute, 150-question exam for people early in project roles. It needs a secondary diploma plus 23 hours of project management education and costs $225 for PMI members or $300.
Best forproject roles
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan6
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
IT support basics. 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
Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan7
- 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 roles
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan8
- 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 roles
Google AI Essentials
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan9
- Time
- Under 10 hours (per course page)
Practical AI for any job. Google's short course teaches practical generative AI for everyday work: drafting, research, analysis and using AI responsibly. It needs no technical background and takes under ten hours, so it suits almost any professional who wants to use AI tools with more confidence.
Best forany role
Salesforce Certified Administrator
- Cost
- Exam fee on Trailhead10
Salesforce admin; free Trailhead 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 roles
A 90-day job plan
- Weeks 1–2 — pick one target title.
- Weeks 3–10 — earn the matching certification; build one project.
- Weeks 3–12 — apply to ten roles a week.
How we ranked these picks
We matched certifications to common entry-level job titles. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What certification should I get after graduating?
The one matching your target job title.
Do employers value certifications for graduates?
They help prove job-ready skills.
Which is fastest?
AWS Cloud Practitioner and Google AI Essentials take weeks.
Should I get a certification or a master's?
Depends on the field; certifications are faster and cheaper for many roles.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free certification tests.
Sources
- 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)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google UX Design Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google AI Essentials, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Salesforce — Salesforce Certified Administrator, 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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