The 20 Best Udacity Courses In 2024

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Want to know what the best Udacity nanodegrees and classes are?

If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Udacity has 200+ courses taught in collaboration with the likes of Google and Amazon. So there’s a lot to choose from.

In this Best Udacity Courses article, I’ll be looking at the best courses Udacity has to offer so that can cut through the noise and find the best courses for you.

If you want to learn about the top classes on one of the world’s top e-learning platforms, read on!

Quick Summary

We chose the top Udacity courses and nanodegrees by looking at enrolment rates, student feedback, reviews, credentials, and course descriptions. With that in mind, here are the best Udacity courses by category:

Android: “Android Basics” (Google collaboration, 4.8 rating)
Data Science: “Business Analytics” (Mode collaboration, 4.8 rating)
C++: “C++” (4.5 rating)
Digital Marketing: “Digital Marketing” (4.7 rating)
Deep Learning: “Deep Learning” (4.7 rating)
Business Strategy: “AI for Business Leaders” (BMW collaboration, 4.6 rating)
Excel and Spreadsheets: “Marketing Analytics” (4.7 rating)
Functions: “Introduction to Programming” (4.7 rating)
Game Development: “2D Game Development with libGDX” (Amazon Appstore collaboration)
HTML: “Front End Web Developer” (4.6 rating)
Interview Practice: “Data Science Interview Prep”
JavaScript: “React”(4.7 rating)
Machine Learning: “Data Scientist” (collaboration with Bertelsmann, Figure Eight, IBM Watson, Insight, Kaggle, Starbucks, 4.7 rating)
Neural Networks: “Intel® Edge AI for IoT Developers” (collaboration with Intel)
Partitions: “SQL” (4.6 rating)
Python: “Programming for Data Science with Python” (collaboration with Mode, 4.7 rating)
Spark: “Data Engineer” (collaboration with Insight, 4.6 rating)
User Research: “UX Designer” (4.7 rating)
Variables and Constants: “Learn Swift Programming Syntax”
Whiteboarding: “Android Interview Prep” (collaboration with Grow with Google)

Of these classes, our top pick for Udacity’s best course is “Android Basics.” Partnered with Google and taken by over 3,000 students, this class is ideal for aspiring programmers who are looking to learn real-world skills.

Click Here To Explore More Courses On Udacity

Best Udacity course reviews

As you can see, Udacity has a range of course categories and topics to choose from. And, the platform also has different course types available, including:

Executive programs – These are Udacity’s mid-length courses (around 4-8 weeks on average). While there are feedback and projects, these are usually limited when weighed up against Udacity’s Nanodegrees
Nanodegrees – Udacity-trademarked, Nanodegrees are 3-4 month skills-based courses designed to equip you with the real-life skills needed to succeed in your field. Unlike other Udacity courses, these classes consist of multiple projects with mentor feedback and formal assessments.
Free courses – Udacity’s free courses lack the end-of-course certificate you get with the other options. But, these are still great for if you lack the budget/time to invest in full Nanodegrees, and are also ideal for exploring new subjects. To date, there are over 80 free courses to choose from.

Taking these different course types into account, here are the best Udacity courses in each category:

1. Android Basics

Category: Android | Instructors: Katherine Kuan, Jessica Lin, Jennie Kim Eldon, Asser Samak, Lyla Fujiwara, Joe Lewis, Vicky Tu, Chris Lei | Length: 3 months (estimated) at 10 hrs/week | Number of reviews: 3,183 | Certificate: Yes | Free: No

Taught with Google, Udacity’s Android Basics Nanodegree covers real-world programming basics so you can build your skills toward becoming a professional Android Developer.

Among its teachers includes Katherine Kuan, a former developer advocate at Google and software engineer on the Android Apps team. Also in the mix is Jessica Lin – Udacity’s Android Basics Curriculum Lead.

It’s therefore no wonder this is one of Udacity’s most highly rated and reviewed classes. For many aspiring programmers, Google is the dream place to work. So, this chance is really unrivalled.

Unlike some of the other more daunting courses on Udacity, Android Basics appeals to so many because there are no prerequisites. So, you don’t need to have taken any prior classes to get the most out of this Nanodegree.

Plus, you’ll learn:

How to develop Android apps without prior experience
Programming foundations (namely, Java)
How to use XML markup language
The basics of Android networking (including HTTP)
How to plan and develop an app from start to finish

Click Here To Go To Android Basics With Udacity

2. Business Analytics

Partnered with Mode, Udacity’s Business Analytics Nanodegree teaches you foundational data skills applicable to any industry. This course covers SQL, Excel, and Tableau, with the goal of helping you to make data-driven decisions.

Lead Data Science Instructor at Galvanize, Josh Bernhard is the foremost instructor for this class. With a range of data science experience under his belt, Bernhard gives excellent insight into the field – especially for those who are “non-technical” learners.

As the course collaborator, Mode, is itself a data science platform, this course has been carefully tailored to give you the analytical skills you need to go forward in any data-driven field.

In sum, you’ll learn to:

Interpret, analyze, and manipulate data
Summarize data using statistics and visuals
Understand different types of data and statistics
Visualize and analyze data using spreadsheets and functions
Familiarize yourself with common business metrics

Click Here To Learn Business Analytics With Udacity

3. C++

Third on our list, this Nanodegree teaches you how to use C++ for a range of exciting jobs like robotics and gaming. With five real-world projects to dive into, this class optimizes your chances of success in a range of engineering fields.

Research engineer David Silver leads the class, along with Ph.D. graduate and content developer Stephen Welch. Plus, with Ermin Kreponic from Abstract Thinking and Andreas Haja, Professor at the University of Applied Sciences, this course is led by the best in the industry.

So, in this class, you’ll learn:

C++ basics like syntax, functions, and containers
How to use the A* search algorithm
Write multi file programs with C++
What Object-Oriented Programming is
Memory management and allocation

Click Here To Learn C++ With Udacity

4. Digital Marketing

One of Udacity’s most popular Nanodegrees, this Digital Marketing course is an impactful learning journey for anyone interested in digital marketing. With growing demand for digital market researchers both in and outside of the US, this class is worth the investment if you’re looking for career progress.

Head instructor, Anke Audernaert, personally led the development of digital marketing programs at Udacity. And, her fellow instructors are both digital marketing experts. As underlined in the many student reviews, this course is helpful for those who are already in marketing and those starting out.

So, with this in mind, you’ll learn how to:

Build data-driven insights about your customers
Grasp newly emerging marketing technologies
Plan and strategize effective marketing content
Analyze marketing performance with digital tools
Create your own marketing campaign for business

Learn Digital Marketing With Udacity

5. Deep Learning

With a focus on how deep learning can help you to fix complex problems and maximize results, this Nanodegree introduces you to the world of AI. With intermediate knowledge of Python required, this program equips you with the skills needed to excel in an AI- or programming-based career.

This Nanodegree also boasts an impressive host of instructors, from AI researcher, Erick Galinkin, to data scientist Nathan Klarer. Representing leading software companies like Rapid7 and Cape Analytics, this panel of teachers provides an ideal training ground for Deep Learning.

In particular, you’ll learn:

The differences between AI, machine learning, and deep learning
How to use PyTorch to preprocess data
The essential concepts in neural networks
How to test and validate a trained network
The basics layers used in CNNs

Click Here To Find Out About Deep Learning With Udacity

6. AI for Business Leaders

The AI for Business Leaders program is a foundational course geared at management professionals. Its goal is to help you master artificial intelligence basics for AI implementation. Namely, you’ll learn how to use machine learning technologies to increase efficiency and power corporate growth.

With this in mind, leading the course are corporate development leader, William Ross, Apple engineer, Luis Serrano, and data scientist Josh Bernhard. William Ross is also an experienced AI investor – so who better to learn this challenging yet engaging course from?

In this 4-8 week program, you’ll learn:

The fundamental terms of machine learning
How to implement AI infrastructures
Methods for incorporating ML/AI into business
How to create strong ML/AI project proposals
Considerations for business use cases

Click Here To Explore AI For Business Leaders

7. Marketing Analytics

With marketing analytics the fastest growing area in marketing (accounting for nearly 10% of marketing spend in 2018), this Nanodegree program teaches you how to analyze data and unlock new marketing opportunities.

This program is led by marketing executive Brad Batesole, data scientist Josh Bernhard, and content developers Dana Sheahen and Mat Leonard. With extensive experience in marketing strategy and user experience, Batesole has even led teams of top marketers at companies like TMZ, LegalZoom, and LinkedIn.

So, in this Nanodegree program, you’ll learn to:

Understand and use Google Analytics, Excel, Data Studio, and Tableau
Interpret data visualizations and survey data
Use Excel for pivot tablets, data, and presentations
Tell impactful stories through data using Tableau dashboards
Create campaign reports and ensure ROI

Click Here To Learn Market Analytics With Udacity

8. Introduction to Programming

Category: Functions | Instructors: Karl Krueger, Kelly Howard, Julia Van Cleve & James Parkes | Length: 4 months (at 10 hrs/week) | Number of reviews: 3,847 Certificate: Yes | Free: No

This Intro to Programming Nanodegree is perfect for anyone with an interest in coding but no prior experience. If this sounds like you, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are no prerequisites for this class.

In this Nanodegree program, you’ll learn from instructors Karl Krueger, Kelly Howard, Julia Van Cleve, and James Parkes. Before joining Udacity, Krueger was a Site Reliability Engineer at Google, and James Parkes received his degree in Computer Science and Mathematics.

With these minds behind the Programming Nanodegree, you’ll learn how to:

Make basic web pages using HTML and add style using CSS
Use Python to create text-based games, draw, and write code
Define and call functions to create reusable code
Use primary data types in JavaScript, declare variables, and represent data
Take practical steps toward a career in programming

Take Your Introduction To Programming With Udacity Here

9. 2D Game Development with libGDX

Category: Game Development | Instructors: Peter Heinrich & Jeremy Silver | Length: 8 weeks (estimated) | Certificate: No | Free: Yes

As a free Udacity course, this program lacks the end-of-course certificate that’s a selling point for most Udacity classes. However, as a collaboration with Amazon AppStore, this class is still taught by industry experts, and it’s also a lot shorter than Udacity’s Nanodegree programs.

The course is taught by Udacity course developer Jeremy Silver and Amazon Evangelist Peter Heinrich. First working on Red Baron, Heinrich has a strong background in 2D game development. Plus, hacking the Asteroids source code, Jeremy Silver is also seasoned in 2D game exploration.

In this class, you’ll learn:

How to use LibGDX to build 2D games on mobile/PC
What makes games different from other types of apps
How to decompose a game
Understand game engines
Develop your games through animation

Learn How To Develop 2D Games With Udacity

10. Front End Web Developer

Udacity’s Front End Web Developer Nanodegree teaches you how to build high quality websites and dynamic applications. Through this, you can optimize user experiences and ensure that business voices are heard.

In this class, you’ll learn from expert programmer, Daniel Silber-Baker, front end web developer Rachel Manning, full stack developer Alyssa Hope, and Udacity course developer Richard Kalehoff. Together, they aim to teach you the best methods for building front end software for businesses.

You’ll learn:

Intermediate CSS, including layouts and component design
How to build interactive and responsive websites
Skills to become an expert at designing data-driven user interface
How to test and deploy websites for businesses
The best way to connect web applications to back end server data

Click Here To Learn Front End Web Development With Udacity

11. Data Science Interview Prep

Category: Interview Practice | Instructors: Arpan Chakraborty & Jimmy Lafontaine Rivera | Length: 1 week (estimated) | Certificate: No | Free: Yes

One of Udacity’s perks is that it offers free interview practice in a range of categories. While these are by no means 1-1 courses, they are well-tailored to help you sell yourself in your job interview.

This free course in Data Science Interview Prep is led by instructor Arpan Chakraborty and data scientist Jimmy Lafontaine Rivera. Between them, they aim to help you ace the data science interview with practice interviewing and behavioral questions.

By the end of this course, you’ll learn how to:

Design experiments or models for your interview
Be prepared for problem-solving questions involving Python and SQL
Demonstrate connecting data skills to business strategy
Review common questions asked in data science roles
Answer questions relating to machine learning and impress your interviewer

Click Here To Prep For Your Data Science Interview

React

React is a free JavaScript library for building user interfaces. In this React-focused Nanodegree, you’ll learn how to become a successful React developer by learning to build dynamic and interactive web applications.

This class is taught by course developer Andrew Wong, senior software engineer Michael Tsamis, full stack developer Alyssa Hope, Google Developer Expert Tyler McGinnis, and course developer Richard Kalehoff. In fact, McGinnis is even the organizer of React Utah and currently runs the React Newsletter.

So, in this React Nanodegree program, you’ll learn how to:

Build declarative user interfaces with React
Develop mobile apps using React Native
Create interactive React components for application
Build more efficient React apps using recent features such as Hooks
Explore and understand the basics of Redux

Become A React Developer With Udacity Here

13. Data Scientist

In collaboration with IBM, this Nanodegree program is an analysis-focused course that gives you real-world experience through hands-on projects. The prerequisites for this class are Python, SQL & Statistics.

This course is led by data scientist Josh Bernhard, data science instructor Juno Lee, and instructors Luis Serrano and Andrew Paster. Also featured in this class are data scientist and content developer Mike Yi, VP of Engineering at Insight, David Drummond, and Senior Data Engineer at Netflix, Judit Lantos.

Together, these experts equip you with skills in:

Pursuing and excelling in a range of data science jobs
Using statistics and probability to design A/B tests and recommendation engines
Manipulating and analyzing distributed datasets (in Apache Spark)
Communicating results effectively with stakeholders
Enriching business decision-making with data

Click Here To Study Data Science With Udacity

14. Intel® Edge AI for IoT Developers

Category: Neural Network | Instructors: Stewart Christie, Michael Virgo, Soham Chatterjee & Archana Iyer | Length: 3 months | Certificate: Yes | Free: No

In collaboration with Intel, this Nanodegree teaches you how to use Intel Edge AI applications for the Internet of Things. You’ll also learn how to use Intel’s OpenVINO toolkit to optimize these systems.

Community Manager for the IoT Developer Program at Intel, Stewart Christie leads this class. Christie has been with Intel for over 20 years and has extensive hardware and software knowledge. Also joining him are Senior Curriculum Manager at Udacity, Michael Virgo, Software Innovator Soham Chatterjee, and Research Engineer Archana Iyer.

Requiring some knowledge of Python as well as experience with Deep Learning, Command Line, and OpenCV, this class teaches you how to:

Use OpenVINO for computer vision inferencing
Assess and select the right hardware for your projects
Identify the key specifications of Intel’s CPUs and Integrated GPUs
Implement optimization techniques to improve model performance
Use DevCloud to test model performance on various hardware types

Click Here To Learn Intel Edge AI For IoT Developers

15. SQL

As Udacity puts it, SQL is the core language for Big Data analysis. So, in this Nanodegree, you’ll learn how to master data analysis on relational and non-relational databases systems to fuel business decision-making. And, the only prerequisite for this course is a basic understanding of data types.

This course is led by experienced software developer, Ziad Saab, who previously co-founded and taught full stack web development at DecodeMTL. He’s joined by Product Manager at Waymo, Malavica Sridhar, who considers data and ML needs for organization expansion.

In this Nanodegree, you’ll learn to:

Analyze data through SQL to provide key businesses insights
Build and manipulate everything database and data-related
Understand the key difference between using relational vs. non-relational databases
Determine, create, and execute SQL and NoSQL queries that dissect datasets
Use SQL commands, functions, and data cleaning methods for business strategy

Click Here To Master SQL With Udacity

16. Programming for Data Science with Python

Udacity has designed its Programming for Data Science Nanodegree as the perfect gateway to data science careers through programming. With no prerequisites, this program is ideal for anyone looking to take a step in the right direction when it comes to learning the fundamental data programming tools: Python and SQL.

The course is led by data scientist Josh Bernhard, CEO at Mode Analytics, Derek Steer, curriculum lead Juno Lee, and instructors Richard Kalehoff and Karl Krueger. Derek Steer is also the author of SQL School and a mentor at Insight Data Science.

So, this Nanodegree is a great entryway into the field of data programming. You’ll learn how to:

Grasp the fundamentals required for a data science career
Write common SQL commands and JOINs
Represent data using Python’s data types
Run and edit Python scripts
Use Git and Github to manage program versions

Click Here To Learn Programming With Python For Data Science

17. Data Engineer

With a focus on how to build production-ready data infrastructure, Udacity’s Data Engineer Nanodegree teaches you the essential skills to advance your career in data science. With intermediate knowledge of Python and SQL required, this course isn’t for beginners.

That being said, the instructors aim to further your knowledge through real-world exercises. You’ll be taught by developer advocate Amanda Moran, data engineer Judit Lantos, and curriculum lead at Udacity, Juno Lee. Joining her are staff engineer Ben Goldberg, Novelari CEO Luis Serrano, data engineer Andrew Paster, and VP of Engineering, David Drummond.

In this Nanodegree program, you’ll learn to:

Design data models and build data warehouses
Automate data pipelines and work with massive datasets
Create user-friendly relational and NoSQL models
Build and interact with a cloud-based data lake
Develop proficiency in Spark, Airflow, and AWS tools

Click Here To Learn Data Engineering With Udacity

18. UX Designer

With user design at the heart of the best products, Udacity’s UX Design Nanodegree recognizes the importance of optimizing user experience with their products. So, in this program, you’ll learn UX fundamentals and how to conduct design research.

This course is taught by UX Designers at Google, Shuang Liu and Michael Dedrick, UX leader, Gabriel Ruttner, and Founder of Context Leap, Melissa Hui. With extensive experience working in UX Design, Liu received her Master’s in Human Computer Interaction from The University of Michigan.

So, with instructors of the highest caliber, you’ll learn:

The foundational skills all UX Designers use
How to create development-ready designs
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
How to synthesize user research and frame design opportunities
Design conversion into a wireframe through to a high-fidelity interactive design

Click Here To Learn UX Design With Udacity

19. Learn Swift Programming Syntax

Category: Variables and Constants | Instructors: Gabrielle Miller-Messner | Length: 3 weeks (estimated) | Certificate: No | Free: Yes

This quick Swift Programming Syntax course is a free program for intermediate learners. Designed especially for iOS development, Swift comes with tools to make visualizing code a lot less difficult.

In this course, instructor Gabrielle Miller-Messner focuses specifically on Swift’s syntax to help you grasp its essential and unique aspects. Miller-Messner is a Senior Instructional Engineer at LinkedIn and also has 9+ years of teaching experience.

You’ll learn:

An introduction to Swift types and operators
The difference between value types and reference types
Develop deftness in defining variables and constants
Gain experiences with exercises in Swift playgrounds
Learn about the Swift Collection Types

Click Here To Learn Swift Programming Syntax

20. Android Interview Prep

Category: Whiteboarding | Instructors: Eric Gonzalez | Length: 1 week (estimated) | Certificate: No | Free: Yes

If you’re looking to prepare for a technical interview, this is the class for you. And, because it’s completely free, there really is nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain. This course features mock interviews, industry-related questions, and whiteboard problems.

Taught by Android Engineer, Eric Gonzalez, this course puts you in good hands for learning how to impress your interviewer. Gonzalez is an industry pro and engages your attention through interactive quizzes, behavioral questions, and a range of practice methods.

You’ll learn how to:

Understand tech interview formats at different companies
Gain insights into how interviewers think
Answer industry-specific questions with confidence
Break down steps for answering whiteboarding questions
Assess and decide if these industry roles are for you!

Prep For Your Tech Interview With Udacity

How to find the best courses on Udacity

As you can tell, Udacity has a huge scope of courses available for equipping you with job-ready digital talent. While this is great, it can make it hard to know where or how to start looking for the best course for you.

That being said, we have some top tips for finding the best courses on Udacity.

In particular, you can filter by:

Topic/field
Difficulty level
Duration

As well as this, you can sort courses by:

Best match
Most reviewed
Highest rated

Of course, you can also search for keywords if you have a specific topic or area in mind.

Once you’ve signed up, Udacity will recommend courses based on your history. Plus, when you take a course, you’ll also see course recommendations to further your learning.

Scrolling down to the bottom of any course, you’ll see the “Related Programs” header, which features at least two similar courses beneath it. This is an excellent way to expand your learning and explore relevant fields further.

As well as using Udacity’s own filters, here are some other ways to discover the best Udacity programs:

Reading reviews from impartial sites like Learnopoly
Checking out student comments/reviews on the course page
Assessing the average rating and course popularity
Looking at the instructors’ credentials
Seeing how many students are enrolled/how long the course has been established

Explore Courses On Udacity

How much does Udacity cost?

As of September 2023, Udacity stopped offering individual enrolment in, and purchase of, its programs. 

It is now a subscription platform.

A Udacity subscription membership costs:

$249 per month
$2,390 per year (a saving of 20%)

Both includes access to the:

Entirety of Udacity’s catalog of best-in-class content including 80+ Nanodegree and Executive programs and all their courses
Talent Transformation Suite for tailored learning
Support Forum to get answers and discuss ideas

Is Udacity’s price good value?

With the new subscription model you are saving over $150 per month on the cost of an individually purchased Nanodegree.

And if you purchase the annual subscription the value you are getting is exceptional:

	Cost per month	Saving per month
Average Nanodgree cost per month*	$399	–
Monthly subscription	$249	$150
Annual subscription (billed annually)	$199	$200

*Remember, these can no longer be purchased individually

What’s more, the value of a Udacity Nanodegree is enhanced in the context of a subscription because you can supplement your learning at no extra cost.

For example, if you want to be a Product Manager, you’ll have noticed many PM roles require SQL experience. So you can now take the Product Manager Nanodegree and incorporate content from Udacity’s SQL courses at no extra cost.

And it’s important to consider what Udacity can do for you in terms of your career, business growth, and earning potential. Udacity’s teachers are from world-leading institutions (including Google, AT&T, Microsoft, and Amazon).

So, you’re not just learning from competent and engaging teachers, you’re learning from the best in the business – and the very people that will be looking to hire you. In my opinion, this makes Udacity pretty unbeatable.

Of course, some of the courses on Udacity are completely free, and this is a great way to get a taste for a topic without risk of loss. In fact, there are over 200 free courses, with most being 1 week/month in length.

For full details on Udacity’s pricing check our article, Udacity Costs.

Check Latest Prices For Udacity

How to get the best value out of Udacity

Now that Udacity is a subscription platform, the way to get value is to check out everything the platform has to offer that is relevant to your goals and ensure you complete as many programs as possible.

As with all online learning, the value that you get out really comes down to the time and effort you put in.

Our methodology

It’s hard to summarize the best courses on such a large platform like Udacity. In fact, with all the subject niches, this list could have been a lot longer!

But, to pick the top courses on Udacity, I compiled the list by:

Focusing on “umbrella” topics and in-demand fields
Searching for the highest rated courses
Filtering by most reviewed and most enrolled
Seeing what people said both on and outside of Udacity

Relevant articles: Udacity vs Coursera

Conclusion – is Udacity worth It?

All in all, you’d struggle to find another e-learning platform as focused on data science as Udacity. Its Nanodegree programs are taught by industry leaders and are a strong investment in your career.

In my opinion, whether you’re a new learner, a graduate, or an established professional, Udacity is a wonderful way to build upon current skills and learn new ones. Sebastian Thrun, Udacity’s founder, designed the platform for anyone looking to break into exciting industries or progress in their career.

And, while there are so many different topics to explore, our top pick for the best Udacity course is the “Android Basics.” This is because the level of tutelage is unbeatable. In collaboration with Google, it’s no wonder this class is one of the most popular on the site.

Despite its prestige, it’s also a universal course that is geared toward anyone with any level of interest in programming. As such, this course can either be a great step toward more advanced programming study, or, a fascinating insight into the greatest minds in the field!

Plus, with Udacity’s 7-day refund policy, you really have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain from this impressive platform.

Best Udacity courses and nanodegrees – FAQs

What is the best course on Udacity?

Android Basics (in collaboration with Google).

What is the best Python course on Udacity?

Programming for Data Science with Python (in collaboration with Mode).

What is the best data science course on Udacity?

Business Analytics (in collaboration with Mode).

What is the best free course on Udacity?

2D Game Development with LibGDX (in collaboration with Amazon AppStore).

Rebecca Salter

Rebecca graduated from King’s College university with a first class honours in English Language, followed by a Masters’ Degree in Eighteenth Century Studies.