Two major deciding factors for students enrolling in a Tableau course are the cost and whether the class is worth it. Training schools and universities offer classes at various price points, but you should consider your learning goals alongside the price of the program. It’s important to note that the most expensive course may not suit your needs, just as the least expensive or even free options may not fit your needs.
The total cost of learning Tableau depends on the depth of the program. Introductory courses, for example, are priced lower than courses that cover beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level Tableau. College programs, which often include data analytics or data science alongside Tableau, typically cost thousands more than an introductory class. This article will help you assess the price ranges of different classes to determine if the cost is justified.
College and University Programs: the Most Expensive Option
For a long-term, detailed learning experience, turn to college and university programs. These programs provide training in Tableau, typically as part of a broader data science or data analytics degree program. This is your most expensive option, with programs typically costing tens of thousands of dollars. If money is not an issue and you want to gain the skills necessary to become a data science professional, a college or university program will get you there. These programs typically range from two to six years, so this option is for those willing to commit to a long-term program. Upfront costs for this option run high, but you may find the skills and experience you’ll gain worth it.
Professional Development Programs: Immersive, Career-Focused Classes
Students seeking an immersive learning experience aimed at making them career-ready should explore professional development programs. These programs may run for several weeks or months—much shorter than the years-long training received in a college or university program—and can cost tens of thousands of dollars less than a college or university program. Professional development programs range from several thousand dollars to roughly $20,000. A Tableau course will help you understand data visualization, how to use Tableau, and how to look for a career where you can use your newfound skills.
Live Training Classes: Ideal for Beginners and Students Who Are Unsure
Live training classes provide beginners and students who are unsure if they want to commit to extensive Tableau training the opportunity to learn the basics of Tableau affordably. While more committed students looking to use Tableau in their day-to-day work benefit from a professional development program, students looking to use Tableau for an offhand project or interested in learning Tableau and exploring new career options can take a live training class in-person or live online. Students can attend these classes, which are much more affordable than the previous options, usually costing several hundred dollars, and typically lasting just a few hours during a weekday or weekend. In a live training class, students learn the basics of Tableau and spend time working hands-on with the software.
On-Demand Classes: Excellent Supplements at Affordable Prices
On-demand classes allow students to access course material and learn at their own pace. This method of learning is time and cost-efficient; on-demand classes allow students to work through material when they have time rather than attending scheduled classes, and tuition for on-demand classes is lower than for live classes. Through video lectures, readings, projects, and exercises, students will gain foundational knowledge of Tableau and its features. On-demand classes offer students a low-maintenance method of learning which can help them decide if learning Tableau is right for them, rather than immediately committing to a more expensive and intensive class. Online platforms offer on-demand classes in Tableau, as well as other data visualization tools, data analysis, and data science.
Free Resources: What Are They Useful For?
If you’re not ready to pay for a Tableau class, you can turn to the internet for free resources. Training schools and professional analysts offer free tutorials on YouTube to help learn Tableau basics and troubleshoot common problems. You can also often find forums online where students and professionals alike exchange knowledge and ask questions. In addition to online resources, your local library likely has books and guides to help you start learning Tableau. Just make sure that whatever free resource you’re using to learn is up-to-date and covers the version of Tableau that you have access to.
Free resources such as online tutorials provide the opportunity to learn Tableau basics and self-teach without spending money. However, many students find it challenging to learn everything they need about Tableau from free resources. Learning by yourself online means you don’t have access to a live instructor to ask questions or receive feedback from. It’s also crucial to ensure the source you’re learning from is credible and doesn't offer outdated or inaccurate information.
Learn Tableau with Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop offers several Tableau programs ranging in price. Classes take place in-person at their downtown Manhattan location, live online, or onsite if enrolling in their corporate training classes.
Noble Desktop’s 12-hour Tableau Bootcamp provides students with an introduction to beginner-level Tableau and data visualization. After learning the basics of Tableau such as filtering, analyzing, and structuring data, you’ll move toward intermediate and advanced-level topics and work with datasets to create an individual project under instructor supervision. The bootcamp is $499 and includes a proprietary workbook, a retake for free within one year, and a verified digital certificate of completion.
The Tableau Certificate Program offered by Noble Desktop will prepare you for the Tableau Desktop Specialist certification exam. This two-part, 18-hour class includes six hours of personalized private tutoring, where you and an instructor will go in-depth on topics of interest and ensure that you’re prepared for the certification exam, which you’ll take at the end of the program. The program costs $1,299 and includes the 12-hour class and the six hours of tutoring. If you want to take the class but don’t want to take the certification exam, let Noble Desktop know upon enrollment and they will schedule you for an extra hour of private tutoring instead.
If learning Tableau is one step toward your long-term goal of becoming a Data Analyst, consider learning Tableau in Noble Desktop’s Data Analyst Certificate program. The 156-hour course includes a 12-hour Tableau bootcamp which you’ll complete after learning the essentials of data analytics, Excel, Python, and SQL. This program costs $4,995 with 12-month financing and installment options available. In addition to hands-on, project-based training, you’ll receive access to eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, a free retake within one year, and a verified digital certificate of completion.
Companies and organizations looking to save money on Tableau training for their employees can look toward Noble Desktop’s Tableau corporate training options. With corporate training classes, you can purchase vouchers in bulk at a discount for your team to attend Noble’s Tableau classes at a time that suits their schedules. Noble Desktop also offers customizable curricula and onsite training options.