What is statistics for data science?

Statistics for data science refers to the mathematical analysis used to sort, analyze, interpret, and present data. It includes concepts like probability distribution, regression, and over or under-sampling. Descriptive statistics organizes data based on characteristics of the data set, such as normal distribution, central tendency, variability, and standard deviation. Inferential statistics incorporates the use of probability theory to infer characteristics of the data set.

Why learn statistics for data science?

Learning statistics for data science can lead to career opportunities in data science and related fields. As organizations increasingly rely on data to make decisions, they tend to seek out analysts who understand how to work with data and present it to stakeholders. Learning statistics for data science can also provide a good salary. As of 2020, the median pay for computer and information research scientists in the US is $122,840 and the job market remains positive, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mathematicians and statisticians have a similar job outlook and a median salary of $92,030 per year.

What are typical careers that use statistics for data science?

Data analysis, data architects, data scientists, and information officers typically use statistics for data science in their regular work. Data science is a broad field, and statistics can be useful in other roles that require analyzing and presenting data. This includes data warehouse analysts, data visualization developers, database managers, and machine learning engineers. Additional related fields include financial analysts, teachers, and researchers working for universities and corporate settings.

How can online courses help me learn statistics for data science?

Through online courses, you can learn the fundamentals of statistics for data science, including the theories and techniques statisticians use in their work. Some courses explore fundamental concepts like Bayes’ Theorem and probability theory. Others present methods for calculating and evaluating data sets. You can brush up on your knowledge of programs statisticians use, like Excel and Python, or examine the application of statistics specific fields.

What are the benefits of taking an online Statistics for Data Science course?

Online Statistics for Data Science courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Statistics for Data Science skills. Choose from a wide range of Statistics for Data Science courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Statistics for Data Science courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Statistics for Data Science, 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 Statistics for Data Science Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Statistics for Data Science Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
IBM
Statistics for Data Science with Python
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Probability Distribution, Statistics, Data Visualization, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Regression Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Data Science, Matplotlib, Exploratory Data Analysis, Probability, Correlation Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Jupyter
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
443 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Stanford University
Introduction to Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Statistics, Statistical Methods, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Regression Analysis, Statistical Inference, Probability, Exploratory Data Analysis, Quantitative Research, Data Collection, Probability Distribution
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Advanced Statistics for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Sampling (Statistics), Regression Analysis, Bayesian Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Inference, Statistical Methods, Statistical Modeling, Linear Algebra, Probability, R Programming, Biostatistics, Data Science, Statistics, Probability Distribution, Mathematical Modeling, Data Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Predictive Modeling
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
771 reviews
Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
DeepLearning.AI
Probability & Statistics for Machine Learning & Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Probability & Statistics, Sampling (Statistics), Probability Distribution, Probability, Statistical Inference, A/B Testing, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Machine Learning, Data Science, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Visualization
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
596 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Statistics with Python
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Modeling, Statistical Methods, Statistical Inference, Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Data Visualization, Data Literacy, Scientific Visualization, Matplotlib, Statistical Visualization, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Jupyter, Statistical Programming, Regression Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Predictive Modeling, Python Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3.3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
The Power of Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Sampling (Statistics), Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Analysis, Probability Distribution, Statistics, Data Science, Statistical Analysis, A/B Testing, Statistical Methods, Probability, Statistical Inference, Statistical Programming, Python Programming, Technical Communication
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
828 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

Start my career

Change my career

Grow in my current role

Explore topics outside of work

Coursera Project Network
Statistics For Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Correlation Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Science, Probability Distribution, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Inference
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
36 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Statistics for Data Science Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Probability, Probability & Statistics, Sampling (Statistics), Probability Distribution, Statistics, Data Science, Statistical Inference, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Analysis, General Mathematics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Duke University
Data Science Math Skills
Skills you'll gain: Probability, Bayesian Statistics, General Mathematics, Calculus, Graphing, Data Science, Data Analysis, Plot (Graphics), Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, Derivatives
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Data Science: Statistics and Machine Learning
Skills you'll gain: Shiny (R Package), Rmarkdown, Regression Analysis, Leaflet (Software), Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Inference, Predictive Modeling, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Machine Learning Algorithms, Plotly, Interactive Data Visualization, Probability & Statistics, Data Visualization, Feature Engineering, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Modeling, R Programming, Data Science, Machine Learning, GitHub
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
7.2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Amsterdam
Basic Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Methods, Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Histogram, R Programming, Scatter Plots
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Statistics and Data Analysis with Excel, Part 1
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Visualization, Data Transformation, Data Cleansing, Probability, Box Plots, Histogram, Probability Distribution, Probability & Statistics, Scatter Plots, Statistics, Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Data Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months