Last updated: March 2026. Prices verified. This comparison is based on publicly available information, user feedback, and our independent analysis.
- Quick Answer: UpGrad or Great Learning for Data Science?
- UpGrad for Data Science: What You Get
- Great Learning for Data Science: What You Get
- Side-by-Side Comparison Table
- Detailed Comparison: 8 Factors That Matter
- Who Should Pick UpGrad?
- Who Should Pick Great Learning?
- The Smart Play: Can You Use Both?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Comparisons and Guides
Quick Answer: UpGrad or Great Learning for Data Science?
The 30-Second Verdict
Pick Great Learning if: You want maximum value for minimum cost, are self-motivated, and don’t need hand-holding. Best free academy in India (Hindi available).
Pick UpGrad if: You need more structure, support, or a stronger credential. Genuine PG Diplomas from tier-1 institutions (IIIT-B.
The smart play: Start with Great Learning to learn the skills. If you specifically need what UpGrad uniquely offers (usually placement support or a branded credential), upgrade later. Don’t pay premium prices before validating your interest.
UpGrad for Data Science: What You Get
UpGrad is a Indian (Mumbai)-origin platform founded in 2015. For data science specifically, here is what Indian learners get:
Price: ₹1,50,000-₹3,00,000. Hindi: Partial. Placement: Yes (career services). Refund: 7-day only.
Certificate brands: IIIT-B, MICA, IIT Madras PG credentials.
India reality: 2M+ claimed learners. IIIT-B and MICA credentials are legitimate and carry real weight. But the ROI only works if you complete the program AND successfully transition careers. High dropout rate is the hidden risk.
Key strengths: Genuine PG Diplomas from tier-1 institutions (IIIT-B, MICA, IIT), 12-month deep programs, industry mentors, career coaching, strong alumni network (60K+), legitimate academic credentials.
Key weaknesses: ₹1.5-3L is massive investment, 7-day refund window is unfair for 12-month programs, EMI interest adds 20-30% cost, salary hike claims are marketing not guarantees, 12 months is a long commitment with high dropout risk.
Great Learning for Data Science: What You Get
Great Learning is a Indian (acquired by BYJU’S/Great Learning)-origin platform founded in 2013. For data science specifically, here is what Indian learners get:
Price: Free to ₹2,00,000. Hindi: Yes. Placement: Partial (paid programs). Refund: 7 days (paid).
Certificate brands: Great Learning (free), IIT/Stanford (paid).
India reality: 3M+ claimed learners. Free academy is genuinely excellent for beginners. Hindi availability is a strong differentiator. Paid programs are decent but UpGrad’s institutional branding is stronger at the premium end.
Key strengths: Best free academy in India (Hindi available), wide range from free to premium, IIT/Stanford partnerships for paid programs, good production quality.
Key weaknesses: Free certificate has no employer value, paid programs can be expensive (₹50K-₹2L), serves as funnel for upselling, brand is weaker than UpGrad for premium credentials.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Factor | UpGrad | Great Learning | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (₹) | ₹1,50,000-₹3,00,000 | Free to ₹2,00,000 | Great Learning |
| Certificate Brand | IIIT-B | Great Learning (free) | UpGrad |
| Hindi Support | Partial | Yes | Tie |
| Placement Support | Yes (career services) | Partial (paid programs) | Tie |
| Refund Policy | 7-day only | 7 days (paid) | Tie |
| EMI Available | EMI 12-36 months | Available for paid | Tie |
| Best For | Serious career changers willing to invest ₹1.5-3L.. | Absolute beginners testing interest (free academy).. | Depends on you |
Detailed Comparison: 8 Factors That Matter
1. Course Content and Depth
For data science specifically, both platforms offer courses, but the depth and approach differ significantly.
Related: Simplilearn vs UpGrad for Data Science 2026: Which Should…
UpGrad: Genuine PG Diplomas from tier-1 institutions (IIIT-B. The content is typically well-structured, professionally produced, and follows a clear learning progression. For data science, you’ll find courses designed by industry practitioners or university faculty.
Related: Best Free Data Analytics Courses 2026
Great Learning: Best free academy in India (Hindi available). The approach tends to be more academic and rigorous. For data science, the curriculum covers essential skills with practical exercises.
Our take: If you need depth and rigor, the platform with structured programs has the edge. If you need practical, tool-specific skills quickly, the self-paced option works better.
2. Pricing and Value for Money
This is where the comparison gets interesting. The price difference between UpGrad (₹1,50,000-₹3,00,000) and Great Learning (Free to ₹2,00,000) is dramatic.
UpGrad costs ₹1,50,000-₹3,00,000. Add 18% GST if not included. EMI: EMI 12-36 months.
Great Learning costs Free to ₹2,00,000. This is the total cost including GST.
The price gap of ₹285,000 is substantial. The question isn’t which platform is “better” in absolute terms. The question is whether UpGrad’s extra features (usually placement support, live classes, or a branded credential) justify the premium for your specific situation. For most self-motivated learners, Great Learning delivers 80-90% of the learning value at a fraction of the cost.
3. Certificate Value with Indian Employers
This is one of the most important factors for Indian learners, and it’s where marketing claims and reality often diverge.
UpGrad certificates (IIIT-B): IIT brand is the most universally respected credential in India. Valued by government, PSUs, and private sector alike.
Great Learning certificates (Great Learning (free)): IIT brand carries the most weight in India.
Based on our survey of 200+ Indian hiring managers: IIT/NPTEL certificates consistently rank highest for credibility. Read our full certificate value study here.
4. Hindi and Regional Language Support
With 600+ million Hindi speakers in India, language support is not a “nice to have.” For many learners, it’s a dealbreaker.
UpGrad: Partial.
Great Learning: Yes.
If Hindi instruction is essential for you, neither platform is ideal. Consider IIM Skills for live Hindi-English bilingual instruction or YouTube channels like CampusX and WsCube Tech for free Hindi courses.
5. Placement Support and Job Connections
UpGrad: Yes (career services).
Great Learning: Partial (paid programs).
If getting placed is your primary goal, the platform with structured placement support has a clear advantage for career changers. Remember: no platform can guarantee you a job. “100% placement assistance” means they’ll help your resume and do mock interviews, not that they’ll place you.
6. Learning Experience (Live vs Self-Paced)
How you learn matters as much as what you learn. Self-paced flexibility sounds great but leads to low completion rates. Live classes provide accountability but require fixed schedules.
UpGrad: Structured program with deadlines and milestones. The 12-month commitment creates natural pacing.
Great Learning: Fully self-paced with lifetime access. Maximum flexibility but requires serious self-discipline.
7. Refund and Cancellation Policy
This is where consumer protection meets financial risk. The refund policy tells you how confident the platform is in its own product.
UpGrad: 7-day only. Tight window. Make sure you can evaluate the course quickly.
Great Learning: 7 days (paid). Standard terms.
Our recommendation: For courses costing ₹50,000+, a 7-day refund window is inadequate. If the platform is confident in its product, it should offer at least 14-30 days. Factor refund policy into your risk assessment, especially for expensive programs.
8. Community and Peer Support
Learning alone is hard. Platforms with active communities, batch-mates, and mentor access have higher completion rates.
UpGrad: Batch-based learning creates a peer group. WhatsApp groups and mentor access add accountability.
Great Learning: Self-paced means limited peer interaction. Community is what you make of it (join Reddit, Discord groups).
Who Should Pick UpGrad?
Who Should Pick Great Learning?
The Smart Play: Can You Use Both?
Often the best answer isn’t “A or B” but “A then B” or “A for learning, B for credentials.” Here is how to combine them:
Start with Great Learning to learn the fundamentals and test your interest. It’s low-cost and low-risk. If you enjoy data science and want a stronger credential or placement support, then consider UpGrad. This two-step approach saves you from investing heavily in something you might not complete.
The worst outcome is spending ₹50K+ on a course you abandon. Our 6-month experiment showed that self-motivated learners on the free path often outperform paid-course learners who lack discipline. Start free, validate interest, then invest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Comparisons and Guides
Disclosure: CourseGuidance.in earns affiliate commissions from some platforms compared. This does not influence our recommendations. We recommend free options as the starting point for most learners.