The study explores the impact of college-taught data analytics skills on the competitiveness of small businesses in a developing EU country. This study investigates whether these skills, as imparted in higher education, contribute to measurable improvements in the market performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The study focuses on the Albanian context, examining the relevance of data analytics skills in various sectors and the influence of government policies on SME performance. The research methodology includes interviews and surveys among managers in different industries, analyzing factors like industry type, company size, and the understanding of government policies. The study aims to substantiate the hypothesis that data analytics skills from college education significantly enhance SME competitiveness in Albania. The findings revealed that understanding government policies significantly impacts SME competitiveness, while SME size and industry type showed no significant effect. The research highlights the importance of government policy navigation and data analytics skills in enhancing SME market effectiveness, suggesting these as key areas for educational focus.