Advance your career with

Data Analytics

Gain skills and a Google Certificate in 20 weeks without quitting your day job. Pay $0 upfront.

  • 20 weeks
  • 16 hours/week
Entry-level data analysts discussing the benefits of taking the Merit America program.
Bank Teller     Data Operations Associate
Why Data Analytics

Why Data Analytics?

Considering a career change to data analytics? Data analysts prepare, process, and analyze data to drive decision-making across all industries, from startups to Fortune 500 companies. If you enjoy working with numbers and finding patterns in data, a career in data analytics could be right for you.

Competitive CompensationData analysts are in high demand, with median entry-level salaries starting at $76,700 — and a 34% projected growth rate over the next decade.
In-Demand CareersWith a Google Data Analytics Certificate and professional skills training from our coaches, you’ll open doors to over 74,765 U.S. entry-level data analytics job openings across small businesses and large organizations.
Fulfilling Work Engage in roles where you’ll query databases, identify trends, and construct visualizations to support key business decisions. Our alumni land entry-level roles such as:
Business Analyst
Data Operations Coordinator
Data Quality Analyst
Data Visualization Specialist
Junior Financial Analyst
Research Analyst
Diverse professionals collaborating on data analytics
Salary Trajectory · U.S. Median+34% Growth
Entry
$76K
Mid
$108K
Senior
$147K
Source: Lightcast, 2025
The Career Track

Coursework plus a coach who gets you hired

A Career Track is a guided pathway that pairs industry-recognized coursework with real human coaching — together, they turn a certificate into an actual career change.

The coursework

Industry-recognized coursework — the Google Data Analytics Certificate through Coursera. Built for career changers, no experience required.

The coach

Merit America career coaching — workshops, peer support, and 1:1 guidance that keep you on track and help you get hired.

The Path — Start to Hired
1

Get connected

We meet learners where they are and connect their prior experience to where they want to go — no degree required.

2

Learn with tech & “touch”

Complete Google Data Analytics coursework through Coursera while receiving Merit America coaching, peer support, and 1:1 guidance.

3

Get hired

We help learners identify tailored opportunities across a network of 500+ employers hiring for entry-level data analytics roles.

4

Keep growing

Lifetime Coursera access, ongoing alumni support, and continuing education — long after you complete the program.

Your 20-Week Roadmap to a Data Analytics Career

Our program structure is designed to fit your life while giving you the rigorous skills employers expect. We provide a blended learning environment where you’ll participate in live virtual meetings and complete coursework independently online.

Getting Oriented

Starting a new career is a big step, and we’re here to make it as smooth as possible. In your first 4 weeks, you’ll dive into the Google Data Analytics Certificate, meet your coach, and start building momentum.

This period helps you experience the pace and expectations of the program. You’ll have through the end of Week 5 to explore and receive a full refund if you decide not to continue.

~20 Hours / WeekExpected Commitment

Technical Skills

Data FoundationsGoogle Data Analytics Courses 1 & 2: Foundations and data-driven decision making.
Introduction to AILearn how AI is shaping the future of data exploration and analysis.
Portfolio CreationBegin building your website to showcase analytics projects to future employers.

Professional Skills

Orientation & CommunityAttend Orientation, meet your peers and coach, and establish your accountability rhythms.
Resume BrainstormingMap your experiences and identify transferable skills for a tech career.
Interviewing BasicsStart crafting your professional introduction and prepare for early-stage conversations.

Deep Technical Training

The Immersion phase contains the bulk of your technical and professional skill development, spanning Weeks 5–20. The focus is to ensure you’re prepared for your career transition.

You’ll engage in weekly cohort-wide workshops, career planning 1:1 sessions, and intensive training on tools like Excel, SQL, BigQuery, and Python — culminating in a Capstone project — before officially applying to roles.

~20 Hours / WeekPeak Intensity
Outcome:Google Data Analytics Certificate

Technical Curriculum

Excel & CleaningMaster spreadsheets and clean “dirty” data for exploration and reliable analysis.
SQL & BigQueryAnalyze massive datasets to answer complex business questions at scale.
Python & VizUse Python for analysis and visualization to share compelling data stories.
Final CapstoneComplete a portfolio-ready project that demonstrates end-to-end analytical thinking.

Career Preparation

Coach-Reviewed ResumeFinalize your tech resume and optimize your LinkedIn with 1:1 coaching support.
AI-Accelerated SearchUse AI to refine your materials and begin actively applying for data analytics roles.
Technical InterviewsPractice deep-dive technical questions covering SQL, statistics, and case studies.
Professional NetworkingBuild outreach plans, write cover letters, and prepare for hiring conversations.

Job Search Your Way

Once you complete the program, you’re in control of how you engage in your job search, with no single required path. Some learners choose a more structured, focused job search through our Alumni Career Accelerator program, while others take advantage of on-demand tools and resources.

Regardless of your path, you’ll retain full access to our Perspectives Wellness Program, lifetime Coursera access, continuing education opportunities, and ongoing alumni support.

Goal: Hired

Option A: Alumni Career Accelerator

A structured job-search sprint with weekly 1:1 coaching, strict accountability targets, and select employer partner opportunities.

Option B: Flex Support

On-demand access to our Career Services team for mock interviews, resume refinement, career coaching, and job boards.

How It Works

How Merit America fits around your real life

$0 upfront

Build a career based on your potential, not your bank account. You won’t pay anything until at least three months after you complete or exit your program.

Learn about the costs
And if it doesn’t work out — you don’t pay. If you don’t earn at least $40k within the two years after the Immersion end date of your chosen Merit America program, you don’t have to pay. Learn how it works.
A Merit America learner receiving one-on-one career coaching
  1. 1 Learn in-demand skills
  2. 2 Land a great job
  3. 3 Pay only after the program
  4. 4 Support future learners

Learn on your time, from anywhere, while keeping your day job

Our programs are built for people with busy lives. Your coursework and meetings are online, and live meetings are only 3–5 hours per week. You can complete the certificate coursework through industry-recognized partners like Google in-between shifts, on weekends — whatever works for your life.

Explore career options
A woman sits on the floor, working her remote job in tech

Work with a coach who gets you hired

Your coach is in your corner from day one — helping you build the job search skills, confidence, and strategy to land a role you actually want. Sessions are 1:1, scheduled around your life, and the support continues after you complete the program.

Meet our coaches

Hear what our alumni have to say

“The Google certificate and real projects at Merit America built my portfolio to show employers what I can truly do.”

Sergio|Data Analyst
Sergio, Data Analyst

“Merit America doesn’t change you from something — it can mold you to anything.”

John|Data Analyst
John, Data Analyst

“I loved the Merit model. It’s for people who want a fresh start but may not want a bachelor’s degree.”

Melissa|Data Solutions Analyst
Melissa, Data Solutions Analyst

“Merit provides the resources and support I wouldn’t have alone. It’s truly a safety net for career growth.”

Brittney|Financial Analyst
Brittney, Financial Analyst

“Merit America launched my tech career, proving I didn’t need a formal degree to succeed.”

Alexander|Administrative Support
Alexander, Administrative Support
Partners & employers in the Merit America network
Google
Amazon
JPMorgan Chase
Accenture
Infosys
Lyft
DoorDash
Intact Technology
CareerCircle
Instacart
OneTen
Opportunity@Work

How does Merit America compare?

If you’re considering a career change into Data Analytics, here’s an honest, side-by-side look at how we stack up against full-time programs and community college options.

CompareMerit AmericaFull-Time ProgramsCommunity College
Course Length20 weeks20–24 weeks50–100 weeks
In-Person or RemoteRemoteRemoteIn-person / Remote
Part-Time?20 hoursVariesVaries
Program Cost$5,700$16,000–$19,000$5,000–$10,000
Certificate EarnedGoogle Data Analytics CertificateVariesVaries
Organization TypeNon-profitFor-profitPublic / Non-profit
Coaching & Job Search SupportYesYesVaries
Downside ProtectionMerit America GuaranteeVariesNo

The Merit America Guarantee

We’re so confident in our program that we promise that if you don’t earn at least $40k within the two years after the Immersion end date of your chosen Merit America program, you don’t have to pay.

Learn how it works
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the Data Analytics program and how Merit America works.

When does the program start? Are there fixed cohort dates?

Merit America uses dynamic enrollment, which means new cohorts begin every two weeks — you don’t have to wait months for a single fixed start date. Once admitted, you’ll choose the cohort that fits your life, and if the timing isn’t right, you can defer to a later one.

Here’s how it works:

  • Apply when you’re ready. No application deadlines.
  • Once admitted, claim a spot in an upcoming cohort. Spots fill on a first-come, first-served basis — completing your onboarding steps early gives you the most flexibility.
  • Or defer to a later cohort if the timing isn’t right.
  • Complete onboarding steps like coach selection and device setup.
  • Begin your program when your cohort opens.

This structure ensures every learner starts when they’re ready — supported from day one.

Is the training in-person, online or both?

Merit America provides a blended online learning environment where you will participate in live virtual meetings and complete coursework independently online from industry-recognized partners, like Google.

We leverage learning tools such as the widely used digital workplace platforms and software, including: Zoom, Slack, Google Suite, and our customized Merit America Learner Portal.

What are the admission requirements?

To be eligible for any of Merit America’s programs, the following must be true:

  • You have a high school diploma or GED.
  • Associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree holders are welcome.
  • You are a resident of the U.S. and authorized to work in the U.S.
  • DACA and Temporary Residents must have a status/visa that does not expire within six months of the Immersion start date.
  • Residents of U.S. territories are eligible for our program.
  • You are 18 years of age or older.
  • You will be seeking full-time employment upon completion of the program.
What does a typical week look like at Merit America?

Merit America’s Data Analytics program is designed to fit into your busy schedule with a commitment of approximately 20 hours per week — a mix of self-paced online coursework and live, topic-based workshops focused on career coaching and skills practice. Technical advisors are available to help talk through coursework questions as needed.

Live workshops typically take place outside of standard business hours, and while you can complete coursework on your own time, there are required assignments and deadlines that must be met to move forward in the program.

What kind of support will I receive during the course?

When you join Merit America, there’s a team dedicated to your success.

Your coach helps you build the professional and job search skills you need to succeed in today’s market — from refining your resume and preparing for interviews to networking effectively and navigating job offers. They’ll also work with you to chart a clear career path aligned with your goals, and the support continues after you complete the program.

You’ll also join live, topic-based workshops alongside other learners on the same journey. You can pick the sessions that fit your schedule and the skills you want to focus on, like interviewing, resumes, or LinkedIn.

Your technical advisor is available to direct you to appropriate resources if you’re struggling with your Google Data Analytics Certificate coursework.

And our Career Services team provides on-demand support, with optional structured programs like the Alumni Career Accelerator if you want a focused job-search sprint.

Can you guarantee me a job?

We can’t guarantee job placement or salaries, but we do provide you with a structured training curriculum, professional career development, and dedicated job-placement support. Because of this, the majority of job-seeking alumni are placed in new jobs within three months of completion.

But under the Merit America Guarantee, if you qualify by fulfilling the requirements, and don’t earn at least $40k a year within two years of the Immersion end date of your program, you may be eligible for a full refund.

What does the Data Analytics program cover?

Our Data Analytics program is a 20-week pathway built around the Google Data Analytics Certificate, delivered through Coursera and supplemented with hands-on training, projects, and live workshops.

You’ll learn to prepare, process, and analyze data using spreadsheets, SQL, BigQuery, Python, and visualization tools — building the practical skills employers expect from entry-level analysts. The program culminates in a Capstone Project that demonstrates end-to-end analytical thinking and becomes a portfolio centerpiece.

In addition to technical training, you’ll hone your professional skills and chart your career roadmap with the help of a dedicated coach. Upon completing the program, you’ll be prepared for roles like Business Analyst, Data Operations Coordinator, Data Quality Analyst, Data Visualization Specialist, Junior Financial Analyst, or Research Analyst.

You can view the program syllabus here.

A Merit America learner ready to start their data analytics career
Take the next step

Your success is our mission. Get started.

Apply today and you’ll pair with a coach of your choosing. New cohorts open every two weeks — claim a spot in the next one or defer to a later cohort that fits your life.

20,000+Learners since 2018
75%Alumni success rate
$21KAvg wage increase
Application takes ~10 minutes · Dynamic enrollment
Resources
Not sure where to begin?

Learn more about how you can break into a new career