There are many programs calling themselves a coding bootcamp. They vary widely, as there is no legal definition of the term.
There are two-week, vacation-esque bootcamps in the tropics that teach you only HTML/CSS. There are year-long programs with a more 9-5 schedule.
However, the most common coding bootcamp formats are intensive, immersive programs that last three or four months. Some are in-person, some remote, and some with part-time or flexible options.
Structure aside, all coding bootcamps are vocational programs. They teach you on-the-job skills in software engineering, usually focused on web development. While a university degree is longer and contains much more theoretical background, coding bootcamps are about teaching you the skills you need to get a job as a software developer quickly.
Overall across this industry, the facts show that in general coding bootcamps are worth it—a recent Course Report survey of over 3,000 bootcamp grads shows that 79% of them were already employed in a job using these new coding skills they’d learned.
Depending on the bootcamp, you might get training, mentorship, and hiring support as well.
How to decide are coding bootcamps worth it
Duration
Learning a new set of skills is a time commitment. Before deciding if a coding bootcamp is worth it, you’ll want to consider how you’ll fit the time into your schedule.
Do you prefer to juggle learning to code while working full-time? Or do you prefer spending a shorter period of time in an intensive program dedicated 100% to coding?
Cost
Here it’s worth considering the cost-benefit of a coding bootcamp. What kind of developer salary will you be earning in your new field?
This is crucial in terms of your return on investment—how quickly will the bootcamp pay off? With the graduates surveyed by Course Report reporting an average salary increase of 56% ($25,000), that might not be so long.
Coding bootcamps can vary in price widely based on their format and location. Are you willing to take out a loan? Are there scholarships that apply to you? Keep in mind that your salary is likely to be higher once you land a job in the field.
Teaching style
The big question here is in-person, remote, or even hybrid.
Most bootcamps offer some free coding classes as prep. It’s worth taking these once you narrow down your selection as it will give you an idea of your bootcamp’s teaching style. You’ll also need to check in with yourself about your own learning style and what works best for you.
Are you a visual learner, do videos work best for you to take in information, or are you able to learn a lot through reading materials?
Do you need face-time with a tutor or mentor to ask for questions and advice? Figuring these out will make your chances of thriving at your chosen coding bootcamp a lot higher.
Placement rate
You’re likely considering a bootcamp in order to get a job in the field. You want to make sure the bootcamp you choose is equipped to do that.
Some stats to consider: What percentage of graduates get a job in the field afterward? What’s the average time it takes a graduate to get a job? Is there a high drop-out rate? What kind of hiring support do they offer to help you navigate developer interviews?
Average salary increase
What’s the average salary for new graduates in their first job after the coding bootcamp? How high is this above the average salary for that location? Is this higher or lower than the market value for the field?
Alumni ratings
Alumni are a great resource to tell if the coding bootcamp is worth it. Likely the bootcamp itself can connect you with some alumni. It’s also worth utilizing LinkedIn here to get an unbiased opinion.
Once you’re very serious and have narrowed it down to one or two bootcamps, reach out to some alumni and ask them about their experience. Would they recommend the program? How did they find the job search?
Types of coding bootcamps
Online coding bootcamps
Online coding bootcamps are digital training programs that prepare you for a career as a web developer. They tend to be intensive and take place over several months, longer if the program is part-time.
Attending a coding bootcamp online is often the quickest and most accessible option. You can attend from anywhere and don’t need to live near the program. For those with jobs and/or family commitments, they can be an excellent option.
There are synchronous and asynchronous online coding bootcamps. In a synchronous program, everyone attends class and learns at the same time. Asynchronous programs allow you to work your way through the program at your own pace. If you attend a synchronous program, you’ll want to keep time zones in mind to make sure the hours work for you.
Support is a big factor to consider when deciding if an online coding bootcamp is worth it.
Free coding bootcamps
If budget is a big factor, then a free coding bootcamp or teaching yourself via online courses is a good option. The upside to this is, obviously, the cost. You can also go at your own pace and test if it’s for you.
Programs like Free Code Camp, for example, give you a structured course to work through for web development. They include algorithm practice, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, React, Node, and various projects, so you’ll have a developer portfolio at the end.
If you’re wondering are free coding bootcamps worth it, and the monetary investment is zero, you need to look at other finite resources. Are they worth the time?
The downside of online programs is similar to the upside…you can go at your own pace. Without structure and deadlines, it’s easier to fall off the wagon. When you get stuck, you’ll need to seek out somewhere to turn to find a solution. With some resourcefulness, dedication, and self-discipline though, it’s a great option.
Bootcamps with a certification
Coding bootcamps are not accredited like universities, though some offer certifications at the end.
What does this certification mean? In some countries, it might mean the program meets their rules for qualifying as valid vocational training. In other cases, it might just mean you get a certificate at the end, proving you finished the program.
What exactly this certification means is worth looking into. Each provider will come up with their own criteria for certification. It does mean there is a standard to finish the program, however. If the bootcamp has a good reputation, this can be a benefit, making these kinds of coding bootcamps worth it.
Best online courses and online class sites of 2023
Course topics cover the spectrum. Some can be professionally oriented, designed to update skills for older workers, or those with a degree outside the area of study. Other courses are designed to supplement knowledge, offering additional study, such as advanced training for a certification exam. However, it is not all so serious, with coursework also available that borders on entertainment, with options for a cooking class, or film appreciation. In any case, in a competitive work environment, having some recent coursework can be an important CV builder, without having to do the rigors of a formal degree.
- Coursera
Best for guided projects
Coursera is an online educator that also focuses on college-level education, and has partnered with leading universities including Arizona State University and Duke University, and also has alliances with many Fortune 500 companies. This platform is notable as the emphasis is on university courses, along with over a thousand free content videos, and also certificate programs. This content can be taken to acquire a college degree, all fully online.
The standout feature is the Guided Projects, which are done to allow the learner to put their newly acquired skills to use, under the watchful guidance of an instructor. Those looking to acquire some job-ready skills, whether in the form of a certificate, a degree, or an advanced degree, from a name-brand university should take a look at this platform.
- LinkedIn Learning
Best for professional development skills
LinkedIn Learning is an educational outgrowth of the highly popular, professional networking platform. As you might suspect, this platform is focused on the development of professional skills, with a catalog that is expansive at over 16,000 offerings. The plan is simplified, with only a single tier, but it can be subscribed to either annually or monthly. We also like the interactive basis of this platform, which focuses on the demonstration of the skills obtained, with online quizzes and exercise files available.
The content is also quite professional, with the education conducted via expert instructors in their fields. Learners also praise the flexibility in learning, via smartphone apps, an audio-only option (perfect for jogging), and offline learning possibilities. Finally, the integration with LinkedIn is apparent, with the ability to put the certification achieved upon successful completion of the course onto the learner’s LinkedIn page.
- MasterClass
Best for those looking for classes taught by celebrities
While some platforms have courses by the thousands, MasterClass offers less, in numbers, with just over a hundred courses on offer. However, what it lacks in the breadth of subject matter, it more than makes up for with its list of educators that easily qualify as Hollywood A-listers and the like.
We take exception to the annual billing without a month-to-month option, but there is a choice of plans among three tiers. Also, realize that learning cinematography from acclaimed director James Cameron has got to be an experience, but overall MasterClass offers more casual content, so don’t look for an online master’s degree here.
Another standout feature is that the content is high quality, with each course having trailers that could be shown in a movie theater to help students decide if the course is worth pursuing. While there are fewer courses on offer, also realize that each one is a comprehensive look at the subject, being broken up into around 20 segments, each averaging about 10 minutes in length.
- edX
Best for online degree seekers
For those looking for an online learning platform to obtain a college degree- either undergraduate or graduate – edX is an excellent choice. Rather than having to look at online schools one at a time, edX makes it possible to access coursework among 160 universities, the likes of Berkeley, Harvard University, and Boston University. Furthermore, this coursework is taught by university professors that teach over 3,000 courses.
Courses are designed to result in obtaining a certificate, an online college degree, or even applying for a degree at a university. This high level of quality education does not come at a bargain price, or an all-you-can-eat monthly subscription, but rather these types of degrees can have a cost in the thousands, however, keep in mind that they are less than attending the same school in residence, not to mention saving the costs of room and board at a dormitory.
- Alison
Best for affordable education
Alison is an affordable approach to a learning platform. The notable standout is that everyone can afford it, with a free (ad-supported) tier, and thousands of courses available for learners to take. We also appreciate the still affordable higher tiers, that eliminate the ads, with offerings of flexible monthly, annual, and lifetime tiers, with options to have a certificate of completion or letter of attestation of the completed coursework at bargain basement prices.
Some shortcomings need to be noted, such as the lack of degrees and the automated approach to support. Still, for those that just want some courses, and are on a limited budget, Alison is a solid starting point with a catalog sure to offer opportunities for its already 3.5 million learners.
- Udemy
Best for an expansive business course catalog
Udemy is notable for its super large course catalog, a ridiculously large 155k course focused on business content taught by over 56k instructors. This is driven in part by the over 7,000 enterprise customers. Users are sure to like the comments for the course that are integrated into the platform, the transparency in when the course was last updated, along with the high-quality trailers to help assess if a course is right for your needs.
We also noted the choice of tiers and the longer 30-day money-back guarantee period. Some downsides do encompass that some courses need to be purchased individually as opposed to a monthly subscription, the limited support options that are missing a direct phone number and an email address, and the bugs with the apps, especially with offline viewing. For those looking for the right business course, with support materials to support the learning, Udemy is worth a good look.
- FutureLearn
Best for online education with a British focus
Leave it to the Brits to package some great educational opportunities from the UK into an online learning platform, through the internet available from anywhere, anytime. The course content offered by FutureLearn fits into ExpertTracks, which is a 10 to 12-week block of learning and covers 3 to 4 courses leading to a certificate upon completion of the study. The content focuses on beginner-level content designed for job education.
Some significant downsides include the lack of smartphone apps, average user reviews, and unclear pricing. The limited support options also hamper this service. New users should check out the free course availability as some courses can be started on a trial basis, and also keep in mind the 7-day trial period. Those not looking for an ExpertTrack should also look for the single courses that are available as well.
