By Quick answer: Which data science certifications get you hired in 2027?
- Azure — DP-100.
- Entry — IBM Data Science.
- Step up — Google Advanced Data Analytics.
- Platforms — AWS MLE, Databricks.
Key takeaways
- Match platform exams to the tools named in job posts.
- Programmes like IBM and Google give portfolio projects; publish them.
- Interviewers test SQL and statistics more than any certificate.
Data science job posts ask for Python, SQL, statistics and a platform. The certifications that help most are proctored platform exams and programmes that produce portfolio work. These five cover both.
The top 5 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 | Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)Microsoft | Exam priced by country1 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 2 | IBM Data Science Professional CertificateIBM / Coursera | Coursera plan2 | 4 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 3 | Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan3 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 4 | AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1504 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | Databricks Certified Generative AI Engineer AssociateDatabricks | $2005 | 90 minutes | 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.)
- Azure Machine Learning Certification TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100) before you pay.Start free test →
- Data Science Certification TestPractise for IBM Data Science Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- Python for Data Analysis CertificationPractise for Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS ML Engineer Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the job post it matches
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)Data scientist roles on AzureExam priced by country
- CourseraIBM Data Science Professional CertificateEntry data science rolesCoursera plan
- CourseraGoogle Advanced Data Analytics Professional CertificateAnalyst-to-scientist moves$49/mo Coursera plan
Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country1
Matches data scientist roles on Azure: training and deploying models with Azure Machine Learning. 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 fordata scientist roles on Azure
IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
- Cost
- Coursera plan2
- Time
- 4 months at 10 hours a week
Matches entry data science roles; its capstone gives you a project to discuss. 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 forentry data science roles
Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan3
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Matches analyst-to-scientist moves: statistics, regression, ML and Python. 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 foranalyst-to-scientist moves
AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate
- Cost
- $1504
Matches ML-heavy roles on AWS. $150. 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 forML-heavy roles on AWS
Databricks Certified Generative AI Engineer Associate
- Cost
- $2005
- Format
- 90 minutes
Matches roles on Databricks, including generative AI work. $200, 90 minutes. Databricks' associate exam proves you can design and build LLM applications on the Databricks platform, from data preparation to evaluation. It's 90 minutes and costs $200, so it suits data and AI engineers whose teams use Databricks.
Best forroles on Databricks
What data science interviews test
- SQL — joins, window functions.
- Statistics — tests, distributions, experiment design.
- ML — model choice and evaluation.
- Communication — explain one project end to end.
How we ranked these picks
We chose data science certifications that map to job-post requirements, mixing proctored platform exams and project-based programmes. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which data science certification is best for jobs?
DP-100 for Azure roles; IBM Data Science for entry roles; AWS MLE for ML-heavy AWS roles.
Can freshers get data science jobs?
It's competitive. Many start as analysts. Strong projects and SQL help most.
Is IBM Data Science respected?
It's well known for beginners; its value grows when you publish the capstone.
How many certifications does a data scientist need?
One or two plus strong projects.
Is there a free data science practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free data science tests with instant results.
Sources
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100), 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)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Databricks — Databricks Certified Generative AI 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 2027Top 5 machine learning certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones ML job posts rewardThe top 5 machine learning certifications to get hired in 2027: AWS ML Engineer, Google Cloud ML Engineer, Azure DP-100, Azure AI-102 and Databricks GenAI.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 Python certifications to get hired in 2027: for data, web and AI rolesThe top 5 Python certifications to get hired in 2027: PCEP, IBM Data Science, Meta Back-End, Google Advanced Data Analytics and Azure DP-100.
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- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 Power BI and Excel certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones job posts nameThe top 5 Power BI and Excel certifications to get hired in 2027: PL-300, Google Data Analytics, FMVA, Tableau and Google Advanced.
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