Data is what drives today’s world. It’s how we quantify financial markets and how we magically discover a new series on Netflix. It’s how Google knows what to recommend to us and how autonomous vehicles function. If you want to be included in the next wave of data-driven technology, learning Structured Query Language (SQL) is essential. As the most popular database language in the world among developers, database administrators and data scientists, SQL is used to efficiently harness, manage and share massive lakes of information.
Luckily, Chicago is home to some of the most in-depth, intensive and SQL-friendly bootcamps, classes and courses around. By teaching everything from the basics to data modeling, these classes are preparing students for SQL jobs at innovative companies all over the Chicago area and beyond. We’ve rounded up eight SQL training courses that will help you sharpen your skills.
Top SQL Courses in Chicago
- General Assembly
- Accelebrate
- ONLC
- Certstaffix Training
- NobleProg
- Netcom Learning
Location: River North (444 W. Wabash Avenue)
Duration: Two hours to two days (depending on the course)
Cost: $45 to $275 (depending on the course)
Training Overview: General Assembly offers a hefty amount of SQL-related classes, ranging from a few hours to a few days. The two-and-a-half hour “SQL for Beginners” course teaches students how to write basic SQL queries while working in cloud-based learning databases. The two day “SQL Bootcamp Series” moves from basics to more advanced teachings to give students a firm overall grasp of SQL.
Location: On-location at your office
Duration: Three days
Cost: Cost depends on the requested class size and expertise level
Training Overview: Accelebrate provides private tutoring and classes for groups of three or more either online or at any business location in the Chicago area. The company’s wide range of SQL courses includes everything from “SQL Server Query Performance Tuning” to “Designing Self-Service Business Intelligence and Big Data Solutions.” Accelebrate has trained groups of employees at well-known Chicago-area institutions like Abbott, Gogo and the University of Chicago.
Location: The Loop (233 S. Wacker Drive)
Duration: One to five days (depending on the course)
Cost: $995 to $2,995 (depending on the course)
Training Overview: ONLC hosts dozens of SQL-related classes. Located in Willis Tower, the company’s courses range from very basic to expert level. Beginning classes include learning the fundamentals of SQL querying and introduction to SQL databases. Meanwhile, the more expert-level classes range from “Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure” to “Developing SQL Data Models."
Location: River North (420 N. Wabash Avenue) and other locations in the suburbs
Duration: Two days
Cost: $599
Training Overview: Computer Training Source holds introductory courses on SQL Queries and MySQL. Throughout the two days, CTS instructors will teach students the basics and have them work their way up to doing more intensive practices, like organizing data and retrieving data from multiple tables.
Location: The Loop (500 N. Michigan Avenue)
Duration: One to four days (depending on the course)
Cost: $495 to $2,280 (depending on the course)
Training Overview: Certstaffix holds instructor-led or self-paced courses for all expertise levels. For beginners, the company holds “SQL Querying — Basic” courses and “SQL Querying — Advanced” and “My SQL Workbench: Data Modeling & Development” for those who already have a good grasp of the language.
Location: The Loop (243 S. Wabash Avenue)
Duration: Four days
Cost: $975
Training Overview: The DePaul University Institute for Professional Development "Introduction to SQL" program is designed for professionals in need of basic data extraction and analysis skills. Additionally, DePaul hosts more advanced courses on SQL for business intelligence and SQL server database administration.
Location: West Loop (10 S. Riverside Plaza)
Duration: One to five days (depending on the course)
Cost: $2,750 to $10,550
Training Overview: NobleProg hosts both in-person and remote courses for students looking to get an in-depth look at SQL. While the company hosts courses on broader topics, like intros to different SQL servers, their speciality is in-depth courses for specific products, like the Oracle and Microsoft SQL servers.
Location: The Loop (200 S. Wacker Drive)
Duration: Two days to two weeks (depending on the course)
Cost: $925 to $8,355
Training Overview: NetCom Learning provides more than 2,700 business training courses throughout Chicago, including dozens related to SQL. The company offers everything from a two day long introductory to SQL course to a weeks long bootcamp that will dive into intricate and expert-level SQL practices and theories.
Location: Mag Mile (401 N. Michigan Avenue)
Duration: Four to five days (depending on the course)
Cost: $1,795 to $2,495 (depending on the course)
Training Overview: Nicomp not only offers training courses on in-depth querying topics, but also classes dedicated to SQL certification. The company provides myriad Microsoft Certification Training sessions, ranging from Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) to Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD).
