Discover the Best Data Science Classes in Houston
Fifty years after mathematical statistician John Tukey first coined the phrase “data science” in 1962, the Data Scientist earned the title “the sexiest job of the 21st century”, thanks to the Harvard Business Journal. As technology grows in leaps and bounds, its capacity to gather data at a record-breaking pace creates the need to process it just as quickly. Luckily, new technology also enables those with a keen understanding of data science to manage, analyze, and share the stories encoded in that data. Today, data science job outlooks are consistently projected well above average by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Learning data science can help anyone to more effectively manage and utilize the data they’re juggling in their current job, or it can arm job hunters to find an entry-level position as a Data Scientist, Computer and Information Scientist, Statistician, or in another tech career path. With its unparalleled job security and high salaries, the data science field promises to continue to be one of the sexiest of the 21st century.
Best Data Science Classes & Schools in Houston
University of Houston Online & Special Programs—Data Science and Analytics Bootcamp Online
The University of Houston’s Data Science and Analytics Bootcamp is a 28-week on-demand remote course that prepares students for an entry-level position as a Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Data Storyteller, or Machine Learning Engineer. In this rigorous and fully immersive program, participants will learn the key concepts of data science, Python programming, data analytics, data visualization, and machine learning. The bootcamp includes lecture videos, workshops, weekly projects, a final capstone project, and ten 30-minute online coaching sessions to build students’ confidence and prepare them for their job hunt.
The price of this online data science bootcamp is $4,275. As a non-credit course, it does not qualify for federal loans, but other forms of financial aid may be available. Students will have seven months to finish the course, at which time they will receive a certificate of completion. At the end of this course, participants will be ready to take the Microsoft PL-300 (Power BI Data Analyst) certification exam. Optional bonus courses to prepare for other certifications are available in the program, including Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900), and Microsoft Azure Data Scientist (DP-100).
Prerequisites for the bootcamp are basic programming knowledge, a good understanding of mathematics or statistics, and experience working in the analytics field. No college degree is required. Students will need PCs with Windows 8 or later to take this self-paced course, as it is incompatible with Macs or Chromebooks. Windows 10 is recommended, as are the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox as browsers. Adobe Acrobat Reader and the ability to email from a personal account are also required for the course.
Rice University—Energy and Data Management Certificate Online
Rice University's Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences (EEPS) offers the Energy & Data Management Certificate, a data science program with a unique focus on data science, analysis, and management in the oil and gas industry. This non-credit certificate equips professionals with a strong understanding of the emerging field of energy data management. It includes three courses: Data Management and Governance, Computational and Data Science in the Energy Industry, and Data Science Methods and Data Management. By learning the best practices, algorithms, and methods of data science, students will be able to meet the energy industry’s growing needs for effective data management.
The estimated cost for this certificate program is $10,500. Financial aid may be available. Prerequisites include strong analytical skills and basic knowledge of flow in porous media, geology or geophysics, and basic statistics or data science. While not a requirement, some familiarity with the basics of programming is recommended. The course is appropriate for entry-level geoscientists and geophysicists, managers who desire an up-to-date understanding of energy data, and mid-career professionals desiring a career change.
Noble Desktop—Data Science Certificate Online
Noble Desktop’s online Data Science Certificate prepares students with everything they need to know to be competitive candidates for entry-level data science and Python engineering jobs. Students will learn Python programming fundamentals, how to perform data analysis and manipulate databases, and how to create machine learning models. Participants will also discover how to make dashboards and visualizations with Python’s Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly, and Dash Enterprise. Upon completing the program, students will begin their job hunt with an impressive certificate, portfolio of real-world projects, and solid knowledge of programming languages and libraries necessary in data science.
The price of Noble’s online data science certificate program is $3,995. An installment plan and a 0% interest tuition financing plan are available. The course includes 114 hours of hands-on instruction, as well as one-on-one mentoring with an instructor to ensure you are prepared for your upcoming career in data science. Full-time students can complete the course in 19 sessions, or you may attend part-time, meeting twice a week for 40 three-hour sessions. Beginners with no prior experience are welcome in this data science certificate program.
Noble Desktop—Python for Data Science & Machine Learning Bootcamp Online
Noble Desktop’s Python for Data Science & Machine Learning Bootcamp teaches students the essential programming skills to apply Python to data science, data visualization, machine learning, and automation. Participants will learn how to analyze data with Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib, as well as how to create data visualizations and interactive dashboards. Instructors will also share how to use Sci-Kit Learn and other machine-learning packages to develop predictive models from data. In addition to 96 hours of instruction, students will receive additional one-on-one mentoring time. Graduates of the bootcamp will be competitive applicants for entry-level data science and Python engineering jobs.
The price for this Python-focused data science bootcamp is $3,495. Flexible payment plans are available. Students may take the class as 32 three-hour sessions or 16 seven-hour sessions, with the option to design their own schedule. This bootcamp is also available as an in-person course in NYC.
Houston Industries That Use Data Science
Ranked the fifth top emerging startup ecosystem in the world, Houston is overflowing with data science opportunities in the tech industry. Many of these are green energy businesses, which is no surprise considering Houston’s well-earned title of the Energy Capital of the World. The city is home to over 4,700 energy-related companies and employs nearly a third of the U.S.’s oil and gas extraction professionals. These include numerous data science jobs, as oil companies, startups, and universities all acknowledge the importance of data science in transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
While most data science job openings in Houston are in established energy companies, startups, and other tech businesses, NASA is another major employer of data science professionals in the area. The Johnson Space Center employs about 3,000 individuals—primarily professional engineers and scientists—but thousands of others work as contractors for NASA in Houston, including many data scientists.
Data Science Jobs & Salaries in Houston
Data science is a thriving career field across the U.S., and Houston is no exception. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Houston metropolitan area was home to 3,570 Data Scientists in 2022. The state of Texas employs the third highest number of Data Scientists in the country, with a high concentration working in the Dallas region. Those working in Houston report an annual mean wage of $94,000.
Computer and Information Scientists boast a higher annual mean wage of $144,000, with 510 working in the Houston region in 2022. Opportunities in statistics in the area are rarer, with only 250 Statisticians employed in Houston. They reported an annual mean wage of $92,000 in 2022.