Analytics is the system of applying certain methods and techniques to understand the performance of data, generally in an organization or industry. The application of analytics can be used to uncover and interpret relevant patterns of data, which can be later used to make better decisions. Analytics relies on good data as part of its usefulness, as well as the aspects of statistics, computer programming, and operations research to quantify performance. Analytics exists in business when companies use statistics and software processes in assessing how a particular product, service, or project measures up in scope. Businesses perform analytics to pinpoint strengths, identify challenges or weaknesses that may exist, and pull out key data points to help make decisions regarding future growth for the organization.

Learning analytics is a key skill that helps you solve problems to existing challenges. When you use analytics tools to research data patterns, you use methods of analyzing performance characteristics that are essential to a business organization. This is important in today's world of big data. Understanding analytics can make you a valuable asset when assessing areas rich with recorded information, performance indicators, and target goals.

What are typical careers that use analytics?

Analytics is found in a wide range of careers, including business analyst, budget analyst, financial controller, data scientist, and operations researcher. Individuals who move into these and other careers in data analytics often work with raw data and algorithms through mechanical processes to make assumptions and theories. Essentially, with knowledge of analytics, you can move into a job that requires a familiarity with numeric relationships, data structures, and trends and metrics relevant to an organization.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn analytics?

When you take online courses in analytics, you can gain a new understanding of key concepts like data analysis and visualization, mathematical optimization, regression analysis, predictive modeling, and other areas focused on business analytics. Taking online courses about analytics can help you achieve basic data literacy to help you make more informed decisions in any area you work in, like finance, operations, or marketing. As you branch out, you may advance your analytics understanding to include how to extract and manipulate data points, how to use different statistical analysis methods to break down the data, and how to eventually interpret and present your findings.

What are the benefits of taking an online Analytics course?

Online Analytics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Analytics skills. With a wide range of Analytics classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Analytics career.

What Analytics courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Analytics, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Analytics Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Analytics Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
Status: New AI skills
Google
Google Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Rmarkdown, Data Literacy, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Data Ethics, Interactive Data Visualization, Interviewing Skills, Data Cleansing, Data Validation, Ggplot2, Professional Networking, Tableau Software, Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Stakeholder Communications, Dashboard, Sampling (Statistics)
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
169K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Introduction to Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Big Data, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive, Data Warehousing, Apache Spark, Data Cleansing, Data Lakes, Data Visualization Software, Relational Databases
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
19K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: People Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Human Capital, Business Analytics, Descriptive Analytics, Business Intelligence, Financial Data, Marketing Analytics, Analytics, Talent Management, Financial Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Human Resources Management and Planning, Peer Review, Business Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Customer Insights, Workforce Planning, Demand Planning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Data Visualization & Analytics in Tableau
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Tableau Software, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Data Analysis, Statistical Visualization, Geospatial Mapping, Histogram, Advanced Analytics, Spatial Analysis, Scatter Plots, Data Manipulation, Data Presentation, Data Import/Export, Forecasting
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Google Advanced Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Storytelling, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Ethics, Data Visualization Software, Sampling (Statistics), Data Presentation, Regression Analysis, Feature Engineering, Data Transformation, Descriptive Statistics, Professional Networking, Data Visualization, Tableau Software, Data Manipulation, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Machine Learning, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Analysis, Interviewing Skills
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.4K reviews
Advanced · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Johns Hopkins University
Business Analytics with Excel: Elementary to Advanced
Skills you'll gain: Risk Modeling, Operations Research, Regression Analysis, Microsoft Excel, Business Analytics, Risk Analysis, Business Modeling, Resource Allocation, Statistical Analysis, Process Optimization, Financial Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Transportation Operations, Linear Algebra
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.8K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
People Analytics
Skills you'll gain: People Analytics, Human Capital, Talent Management, Human Resources Management and Planning, Workforce Planning, Performance Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Analytics, Employee Retention, Data Analysis, Employee Performance Management, Predictive Analytics, Network Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
6.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Simplilearn
Business Analytics using Excel
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Analysis, Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Pivot Tables And Charts, Dashboard, Excel Macros, Business Analytics, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Analytics, Data Cleansing, Data Processing, Regression Analysis, Data Validation, Productivity Software, Descriptive Statistics
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Advanced Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Data Governance, Data Visualization, Data Storage Technologies, Predictive Analytics, Analytics, Business Analytics, Data Storage, Big Data, Risk Analysis, Databases, Data Modeling, Business Analysis, Business Intelligence, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Data Cleansing, Predictive Modeling
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
5.2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Illinois Tech
Data Analytics and Deep Learning
Skills you'll gain: NoSQL, Machine Learning Algorithms, Big Data, Apache Hadoop, Deep Learning, Statistical Analysis, Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Apache Spark, Data Presentation, Generative AI, Data Infrastructure, Data Cleansing, Real Time Data, Apache Kafka, Image Analysis, Artificial Neural Networks, Keras (Neural Network Library), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Illinois Tech
Data Analytics and Big Data
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, Relational Databases, Database Application, Database Systems, Database Management, NoSQL, Database Theory, Databases, Database Development, Machine Learning Algorithms, SQL, Big Data, Apache Hadoop, Database Management Systems, MySQL, Statistical Analysis, Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Apache Spark, Data Modeling
Build toward a degree
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
63 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Coursera
YouTube Analytics: Optimize Performance
Skills you'll gain: Benchmarking, Search Engine Optimization, Content Performance Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Performance Analysis, Web Analytics and SEO, Performance Measurement, Content Strategy, Trend Analysis, Customer Insights
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks