If you enjoy spotting patterns, working with numbers, or just want a job where you can work remotely and earn a solid salary, Data Analytics is one of the best fields to enter right now.
Merit America offers a specific track for this. Just like their IT Support program, it is designed for working adults who need to switch careers without quitting their day job.
Here is the honest breakdown of whether this program is worth your time (and eventually, your money).
The “Secret”: It’s More Than Just a Coursera Course
The core of this program is the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate.
- Skeptic’s Note: “Can’t I just take that on Coursera for $49/month?”
- The Reality: Yes, you can. But the completion rate for people trying to do it alone is remarkably low (around 14%). Merit America provides the accountability, structure, and career coaching that actually gets you hired. You aren’t paying for the content; you are paying for the job placement support.
The Quick Details
Here is the snapshot of the Data Analytics track:
| What to Know | The Details |
| Program | Data Analytics |
| Duration | ~20 Weeks (Part-Time) |
| Commitment | 20-25 hours/week (Remote) |
| Cost | $0 Upfront (Pay only if you get a job) |
| Tools Learned | SQL, Tableau, R Programming, Spreadsheets |
What You Will Learn
The curriculum is heavy on the tools you need to pass a technical interview.
- Data Cleaning & Analysis: Learning how to take “messy” data and fix it using spreadsheets and SQL (Structured Query Language).
- Visualization: How to build charts and dashboards in Tableau (a critical skill for analysts).
- Programming: You will learn R, a programming language specifically used for statistical analysis.
- The Capstone: You will complete a major case study to put in your portfolio. Note: You cannot get hired as an analyst without a portfolio.
The Cost: $0 Upfront (Success Sharing)
Merit America invests in you first. You don’t pay tuition until you get results.
- Upfront: $0.
- The Threshold: You only pay if you find a job making at least $40,000/year.
- The Total Cap: If you are successful, you pay a monthly fee for up to 60 months, capped at $5,700.
- The Guarantee: If you don’t find a job earning over $40k within two years of finishing the immersion phase, you pay nothing.
Who Is This For?
This track is slightly harder than the IT Support track. It requires a bit more “math brain” (though you don’t need to be a mathematician).
- Best For: Problem solvers, people who love Excel, and those who are detail-oriented.
- Requirements: No degree required, must be a US resident, 18+, and legally authorized to work.
Job Outcomes
Data Analysts are in high demand across finance, healthcare, and tech.
- Typical Roles: Junior Data Analyst, Marketing Analyst, Operations Analyst, Data Technician.
- Salary Potential: Entry-level analysts often start between $60,000 – $80,000, depending on the city.
How to Apply
- Go to the Site: Visit the Merit America Data Analytics Page.
- Check the Cohort: Look for the next start date (classes usually start every few months).
- The Assessment: You will likely have to take a logic/reasoning assessment. Take your time with this!
- Job Alert: Urgent Care Provider (NP/PA) in Rocklin, CA
- Career Alert: Launch a Data Analytics Career (No Degree Required)
- Career Alert: Break Into Tech Without a Degree (Merit America)
- Job Alert: Start Your Mechanic Career at Dot Foods ($22+ /hr)
- Job Alert: The “No Layoff” Trucking Job ($100k+ Potential)
