10 Best Business Intelligence Certifications [Free & Paid]

Business Intelligence analysts help businesses through large volumes of data with extensive querying and analytical practices.

BI experts can then produce reports and identify trends to generate actionable strategies for business optimization.

We’ve reviewed some of the most reputable business intelligence certifications on the market to find the best BI training programs worth pursuing.

10 Top Business Intelligence Certifications

1. Google Business Intelligence Professional Certification
2. IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
3. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
4. Meta Marketing Analytics Professional Certificate
5. Udacity Business Intelligence Analytics Nanodegree
6. Google Advanced Data Analytics Certification
7. Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate
8. Udemy The Business Intelligence Analyst Course
9. CFI Certified Business Intelligence & Data Analyst
10. IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate

1. Google Business Intelligence Professional Certification

The Google Business Intelligence Professional certification provides students with in-demand skills they can use to accelerate their careers.

Learners gain access to professional-level training from Google and an employer-recognized certification.

Additionally, Google’s course provides additional valuable resources, such as a free resume review, interview preparation support, and career guidance.

You’ll even be able to join the Google Employer Consortium as a graduate and apply for BI-related jobs from top employers.

This course is split into three core segments, covering the foundations of business intelligence (23 hours), data models and pipelines (23 hours), and dashboards and reporting (27 hours).

What You’ll Learn?

This Google career certificate is designed for people with prior knowledge of analytical principles. With this in mind, you may consider brushing up on some basic skills before applying.

Throughout the courses, you’ll explore the roles of business intelligence professionals within organizations and practice data modeling.

Students will learn how to extract, transform, and analyze data to meet organizational goals, create dashboards for communicating with stakeholders, and design data visualization graphs and charts.

The course segments include:

• Foundations: Students will gather insights into common careers and industries using BI technology, investigate the impact of data on decision-making, and develop a BI project plan based on their knowledge.
• Data models and pipelines: In this course, students learn how to build data models to answer business questions and apply the ETL process to scenarios. You’ll explore ETL tools and construct pipelines for delivering data.
• Dashboards and reports: Students will learn to design BI visualizations, practice BI reporting and dashboard tool creation, and create presentations. You’ll also develop materials to help with your job search.

The Google Data Analytics Certificate is recommended as an entry-level course before taking this certification if you don’t have prior knowledge.

2. IBM Data Science Professional Certificate

One of the most popular data analytics programs available today, the IBM Data Science certification helps students build skills in machine learning and data science through a range of 10 online courses.

The program is suitable for people who have no prior experience with data or BI analytics and requires around 11 months of study to complete.

With your registration, you can access soft skills training from IBM, resume reviews, interview prep, and career support.

The course also has ACE accreditation and is eligible for degree credits at participating colleges and universities if you expand your education.

What You’ll Learn?

The professional IBM certificate program consists of a 10-course series covering all of the essential insights students need to know to master data science, understand the roles of data scientists, and use crucial tools.

You’ll learn to work with SQL datasets and visualization tools, use Python for data analysis, and leverage machine learning capabilities.

The certificate starts with an introduction to methodologies and tools used for data science. As you progress through each stage, you’ll learn how to:

• Use tools like Libraries, packages, machine learning models, and data sets
• Utilize languages like Python, R, and SQL
• Implement methodologies like the CRISP-DM method for analysis
• Use Python programming for data science, AI, and development
• Build relational databases in the cloud
• Develop Python code and clean code for analysis
• Introduce machine learning methods to data science processes

At the end of the ten courses, there’s also a capstone project, where you’ll demonstrate your proficiency in the techniques you’ve learned and prepare a report for stakeholders.

3. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

Created for beginners without prior knowledge, the Google Data Analytics professional certificate consists of eight courses covering all the key skills experts need.

The Google course includes access to resume reviews, interview prep, and career support.

Plus, graduates can apply for roles posted in the Google Employer Consortium community from leading organizations like Adobe and Salesforce.

This entry-level course also comes with 12 college credits recognized by ACE, preparing you for a beginner role with an average salary of around $67,900 annually.

What You’ll Learn?

The Google Data Analytics professional certificate consists of 8 courses, which take approximately 8 months to complete. The first course covers the foundations of data analytics, providing an insight into the evolving data ecosystem.

Next, you’ll learn how to utilize data in the decision-making process and demonstrate how spreadsheets and other tools can be used to analyze insights. As students progress through each stage of the certification, they’ll learn how to:

• Prepare data for exploration and describe databases
• Use techniques to clean data and improve data integrity with SQL
• Analyze data to answer questions and apply functions and syntax
• Share data with stakeholders through visualization
• Conduct comprehensive data analysis with R programming

The courses include behind-the-scenes insights into valuable data analysis tools such as Tableau and SQL. Plus, at the end of the series, students can showcase their skills with a capstone project based on a case study.

4. Meta Marketing Analytics Professional Certificate

Produced by one of the world’s leading technology companies, the Meta Marketing Analytics professional certificate acts as a guide to social media data analytics.

Designed for beginners with no prior knowledge in the analytics or business intelligence field, the course was prepared by Meta in collaboration with Aptly.

The lessons cover everything students need to know about using data to make crucial campaign decisions.

It comes with industry-recognized certification, resume review, interview prep, and career support services.

Plus, successful graduates can join the Meta Career Programs job board to access over 200 hiring partners.

What You’ll Learn?

While the Meta Marketing Analytics certificate does provide plenty of guidance into Meta products like Facebook and Instagram, it teaches broad, transferrable skills.

You’ll learn basic Python, Tableau, SQL, and Google analytics techniques you can use anywhere.

The certificate is split into six courses designed to give you everything you need to start your career as a marketing analyst.

You’ll begin with an introduction to how data is used and measured in the marketing world, followed by an insight into the basics of data analytics.

The course also covers how to:

• Use data analysis processes like OSEMN
• Leverage spreadsheets, Python, SQL, and Tableau for visualization
• Understand crucial descriptive and inferential statistics
• Plan marketing strategies across different channels
• Use attribution and marketing mix modeling to optimize your efforts
• Evaluate and optimize your sales funnel

At the end of the course, students will complete the Meta Marketing Science certification exam to gain accreditation.

5. Udacity Business Intelligence Analytics Nanodegree

The Udacity Business Intelligence Analytics Nanodegree is a fast-paced training program designed to give students the confidence and skills to leverage data across all industries.

Over around 3 months, students will learn how to establish frameworks for data analytics, prepare data and model campaigns, and even use predictive analytical strategies.

Though the course is designed for beginners, you should have some knowledge of Excel and basic data skills before diving in.

Course applicants will also gain access to real-world case studies, real-time support from educational experts, career services, and a wide student community.

What You’ll Learn?

This course for business intelligence students covers everything you need to know about using data to answer crucial company questions.

During the first stage of the course, you’ll learn about data integrity, the four types of data analytics, and what kinds of statistical analysis options are available.

You’ll gain a basic overview of Power BI and prepare for the next stage in the course, which covers data preparation and modeling. Students will learn how to:

• Load, clean, and organize data in Power Query
• Create relational tables in Power Query and Power BI
• Use the Power BI Desktop for predictive analytics
• Leverage strategies like classification, regression, and forecasting
• Use data to understand future enterprise risks and opportunities

The course includes various hands-on tasks so you can use your data analysis knowledge in real-world case studies.

6. Google Advanced Data Analytics Certification

The Google Advanced Data Analytics certification is the more advanced version of the Professional Data Analytics certification from Google.

The course creators recommend that students have prior knowledge of foundational analytical principles.

Like many Google Certification programs, this course includes interview prep, resume review, and career support services.

What You’ll Learn?

Google’s Advanced Data Analytics professional certificate consists of 7 courses intended to prepare students for a role in data analytics, with an average salary of around $118,000 per year.

The courses start with an introduction to the foundations of data science and the career opportunities available to professionals.

Next, students will learn about Python building blocks, strategies, and data structures before discovering how to translate data into insights with the exploratory data analysis (EDA) process.

As you progress through each course, you’ll also learn how to:

• Explore and summarize data sheets and model data
• Investigate relationships in data sets
• Perform logistic and linear regression with Python
• Access machine learning and prepare data for ML models
• Build and evaluate supervised ML models with Python

The final course includes a capstone where students will learn to examine data to identify patterns and trends, build models with machine learning techniques, and create visualizations.

7. Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate

The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification is a comprehensive program created for budding business intelligence professionals. The candidates do need some prior experience in analysis.

You should be proficient at using Power Query and be able to write expressions using Data Analysis Expressions (DAX). Microsoft recommends checking out the Microsoft Learn training options for beginners.

Successful graduates will receive an industry-recognized accreditation and can choose between a self-paced or instructor-led program.

What You’ll Learn?

The Microsoft Power BI certification gives students two ways to prepare for their exams. The first option is to take an instructor-led course, which involves support and guidance from Microsoft experts.

Alternatively, you can choose the self-paced strategy, which provides full access to various educational resources split into modules.

The first section of the learning path includes two modules covering the basics of Microsoft data analytics and the Power BI environment. After that, students will learn how to:

• Prepare, clean, and organize data for analysis
• Model data in Power BI using Microsoft technologies
• Visualize data with graphs and charts in Power BI
• Conduct in-depth data analysis in Power BI
• Work with data sets in Power BI

Students can take the PL-300 exam and become Microsoft BI Certified Experts upon completing all the courses.

8. Udemy The Business Intelligence Analyst Course

The Business Intelligence Analyst Course by Udemy aims to transform beginner-level students into experts in statistics, SQL, Tableau, and data-driven problem-solving.

The course includes 21.5 hours of on-demand video, 177 articles, 248 downloadable resources, and a certificate of completion.

Students gain step-by-step guidance on presenting information in metrics, KPIs, dashboards, and reports to extract data from a database.

The course does require students to download and install Anaconda, MySQL, and Tableau Public, though you’ll be guided on how to do this.

What You’ll Learn?

This comprehensive course includes 52 sections, starting with an introduction to the resources and topics and an overview of data science, the career options available, and the purpose of data science techniques.

During the initial sections, you’ll also learn about common data science tools, career paths, and data science misconceptions. As students progress through the course segments, they’ll learn how to:

• • Use inferential and descriptive statistics with practical examples
  • Create and test hypotheses
  • Manage relational databases with SQL
  • Use Tableau functionalities in correlation with SQL
  • Experiment with Python functionalities and fundamentals
  • Integrate Python and SQL

Explore This Certification

9. CFI Certified Business Intelligence & Data Analyst

The CFI Business Intelligence and Data Analyst training program teaches students the most important skills they need to either advance or begin their BI careers.

You’ll learn how to use the most popular business intelligence tools and programming languages to master data science, developing skills in all areas of data analysis.

The program has more than 60 interactive exercises, 32 courses (consisting of over 2130 lessons), and expert instruction.

Graduates also earn a blockchain certificate to verify their skills and can access consistent course updates.

What You’ll Learn?

The CFI Business Intelligence & Data Analyst course is split into 5 core steps. Students can start with optional “prep courses,” which cover business intelligence basics, data science and machine learning, statistics, and analytical tools.

In step 2, students gain access to 14 core courses, which build a strong foundation for data analysis and business intelligence.

The modules cover Power Query, Power BI, Power Pivot, SQL, Tableau, and visualization fundamentals.

Students will also learn about Python, regression analytics, risk modeling, machine learning, and professional ethics.

After this, students can choose 3 elective courses from various options to take their skills to the next level before taking a final exam.

10. IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate

The IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate is a beginner-level course designed to help professionals unlock their potential in data analytics.

Taking approximately 4 months to complete, this flexible certificate comes with access to ACE-approved college credit.

This course covers everything from data visualization to spreadsheet management and Python.

What You’ll Learn?

The 9-course series created by IBM starts with an introduction to data analytics, covering the differences between different data analysis jobs, data structures, and analytical processes.

In the next stage of the course, students gain insight into Excel and spreadsheet evaluation for data analysis.

As you progress through the courses, you’ll learn how to visualize data using Excel spreadsheets, explain the role charts play in telling stories, and build interactive dashboards using Excel and Cognos Analytics.

Other topics include:

• Using Python for data science, AI, and development
• Creating a Python project for data science insights
• Databases and SQL for data science with Python
• Leveraging data analysis with Python
• Visualizing data with Python

The program ends with a capstone project, where you’ll apply different techniques to collect and manage data and showcase your data analysis and visualization skills.

Are Business Intelligence Certifications Worth It?

Getting a certification in Business Intelligence can be an excellent way to validate your knowledge and credentials in the data landscape.

The demand for data experts is increasing as companies continue to invest in new ways of using data to drive business goals.

The job market for BI analysts is expected to grow by 23% in the next 10 years.

The average salary for a Business Intelligence analyst is around $81,731 per year in the US, although earnings can vary depending on experience and location.

Earning a Business Intelligence certificate is a fantastic way to increase your earning potential and stand out to potential employers. They can also be a valuable way to learn fantastic skills you can use in various roles, from marketing analyst to business analyst or data engineer.

Methodology

We’ve reviewed many courses from known online academies, universities, and tech companies to find the most prestigious Business Intelligence Certifications.

The training programs included in our list have three major characteristics. The first is that top institutions deliver them, the second is that they are recognized worldwide, and the third is that they can help you build job-ready skills.

After completing any of the above programs, you can apply for entry-level jobs and start a career in Business Intelligence.