Coding bootcamps didn’t exist several years ago. Now, in-person and online coding bootcamps are a multi-million dollar industry.
What makes a coding bootcamp unique is that while they generally come at a higher price tag, they are also more intensive than self-guided learning sites like Codecademy or Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) like edX or Coursera. What’s more, grads enjoy a median salary increase of 51% or $22,000 in their first job after attending a coding bootcamp. Plus, 80% of US tech companies have hired a coding bootcamp grad, and 99.8% said they would do it again!
Disclosure: I’m a proud affiliate for some of the resources mentioned in this article. If you buy a product through my links on this page, I may get a small commission for referring you. Thanks!
In-person coding bootcamps take place in a physical, on-campus setting, while online coding bootcamps bring that intense classroom environment online.
I’ve received numerous questions from readers asking about the best online coding bootcamps and what my thoughts are on bootcamps in general.
But… I never finished an online coding bootcamp myself. So, I made it my mission to research some of the most popular bootcamps on the market, talk with some online coding bootcamp graduates to learn what they thought, and see how the various programs compare.
Because this piece is a massive beast (of helpful information), I created a little table of contents so you can easily move around. Simply click one of the online coding bootcamp names to jump ahead.
Table of Contents
- Launch School
- Flatiron School
- Bloc
- CareerFoundry
- Designlab
- Hack Reactor Remote
- Fullstack Academy Remote
- Skillcrush
- Thinkful
- Coder Manual
- Actualize
- Lambda School
- The Tech Academy
- DigitalCrafts
- TripleTen
- NYC Data Science Academy
- Coding Dojo
- LearningFuze
Is an Online Coding Bootcamp Right for Me?
More specifically: Who should consider attending an online coding bootcamp?
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Co-founder of Course Report Liz Eggleston shines some light on this topic:
“Online bootcamps aren’t MOOCs; they’re structured, mentor-guided learning platforms that attempt to mirror the experience of in-class education. This means that you should expect to commit a good chunk of time to your class (between 5-20 hours per week), but does not mean that experience is necessary to succeed. Almost all online programs accept beginners and offer several course options catered to your experience level (ie. Intro to HTML/CSS, Front-End, or Full-Stack).
If you have a unique background or are a bit more experienced, be sure to ask the school’s admissions team if there is enough advanced content for you to benefit from the course.
While online coding bootcamps can be a great fit for any level of experience, students who have pinpointed their goals and motivations for learning to code may be more successful.
Why do you want to do an online coding bootcamp? If your goal is to change careers or get a technical job, then be sure you can commit 20 to 40 hours to the curriculum and outside work. If you’re taking the course to build your own app or company, be sure your mentor is able to adapt the course to your needs. For example, you may need to learn a bit of Node.JS even though the curriculum is front-end focused. Having a clear goal in mind will help you mentally commit to the course.”
– Liz Eggleston, co-founder of Course Report @coursereport
Things to Consider Before Enrolling in an Online Coding Bootcamp
Again, back to Liz:
“Before you sign up:
- Ask to review the bootcamp’s curriculum or even ask for a free trial (Skillcrush gives a free 10-day intro course, Bloc is open with their curriculum, etc)
- Know how much time you can devote to learning. Does the course cost make sense for your time commitment?
- How long will you have access to the course materials? Do you have to finish in 3 months? Can you put your course on hold or extend it?
- How many mentor sessions are guaranteed each week? Will you have access to your mentor outside of those designated sessions?
- Is it important that you can choose your mentor?
- How much access do you want to have to other students in the community?”
Basically: know your personal goals and preferences, and how the given coding bootcamp will be able to meet them.
Not ready to invest money in an online coding bootcamp just yet? Check out this list of 100% free resources to help jumpstart your coding journey.
Please note that pricing listed below may change in the future!
Online Coding Bootcamp #1: Launch School
💰 Price: $199/month
⏰ Duration: Self-paced (but most students finish in 6-12 months)
The Launch School online program teaches technologies and programming languages that don’t change. The idea is that when you master the fundamentals of programming first, you can easily learn any programming language in the future. Launch School is for serious learners only: those that want to make a complete career transition. Learn more about Launch School in this LTCWM podcast interview where I chat with the founder, Chris Lee.
What grads have gone on to do: The average starting salary for 2019 Capstone graduates is $115,339 within 12 weeks of graduation. Alumni work at industry leading companies like Intel, HP, and LinkedIn.
💻 Available program: The Slow Path to Proficiency
🎤 Launch School Previous Student Insight: Perry Carbone
Reasons for choosing Launch School:
“I chose Launch School for its pristine reputation, it’s cost to value ratio, the thoroughness it provides in the material it teaches, and its focus on fundamentals and first principles. There is simply no other bootcamp out there that provides all of these things in spades like Launch School does. Another big factor was that it was online and self-paced. As a career changer, part-time musician, and husband and father of three, I needed the flexibility to accomplish the transition on my own terms while juggling the other priorities in my life. Launch School provides the perfect balance–it’s flexible while being fully supported. And their mentoring program (which I participated in) guarantees job placement if you are willing to work really hard and not give up.”
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
“This program is perfect for serious beginners who are not just looking for any job, but top-level engineering jobs in the industry. If you are willing to work very hard, put the time in and be fully committed to the process, Launch School will guide you all the way to the finish line.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #2: Flatiron School
💰 Price: $15,000 (financing available)
⏰ Duration: Self-paced (but most students finish in 4-12 months)
Flatiron School’s online coding bootcamps offer curriculums for becoming a full-stack web developer, data scientist, or cybersecurity expert. During each program, you will complete hundreds of lessons, have access to study groups, and receive career training. The online coding bootcamp teaches Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, React, and more.
What grads have gone on to do: Flatiron School boasts a 93% job placement rate with an average starting salary of $76K.
💻 Available programs:
✏️ Free online classes:
🎤 Flatiron School Previous Student Insight: Ziv Zamechek
🔗 Website: ziveloper.com
Reasons for choosing Flatiron School:
“I chose Flatiron School because it is a part-time program that can run around my schedule, has opportunities for great networking, and guarantees a job. They have many TAs that respond very quickly, and Avi is a great teacher who really takes his time to help when needed. Tried out the pre-course and really enjoyed learning and becoming part of a friendly community.”
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
“Flatiron School is a great bootcamp for anybody who is seeking a career as a developer and for those who want to learn programming at their own convenient time, especially for those who have jobs they want to keep.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #3: Bloc
💰 Price: $7,500 (financing available)
⏰ Duration: Self-paced (but most students finish in 6 months)
Bloc is the world’s largest online bootcamp. You can learn at your own pace, develop apps with real-world use cases and communicate with a mentor on a weekly basis. Bloc offers two tracks: web developer and web designer. During the course of the bootcamp, you’ll build a professional portfolio with 6-8 projects you can show off to future employers, plus you’ll get tech interview ready.
What grads have gone on to do: 75% of students who graduated from Bloc’s web developer track in 2019 secured jobs within 180 days, and alumni have secured top jobs at Sephora, Starbucks, Groupon, and more.
💻 Tracks:
- Web Developer ($7,500, self-paced)
- Web Designer ($8,500, self-paced)
🎤 Bloc Previous Student Insight: Lauralee Flores
🔗 Website: lauraleeflores.com
🎓 Program Completed: Full Stack Development
Reasons for choosing Bloc:
“I was familiar with other bootcamps and had always wanted to attend them, but they either required that I be physically present at their location or the curriculum wasn’t challenging enough. I wanted something remote but still challenging.
I also chose Bloc because I got to work with a Bloc mentor one-on-one. After starting the program I was surprised at how much time I got with the mentor each week. It was a very pleasant surprise!
The reason that ultimately led me to choose Bloc was that I got to work one-on-one with a mentor on a capstone project of my choosing. I had been working on majorfinder.com for a while and together we created a personality test. I have since expanded it and am about to release it on majorfinder.com/personality.”
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
“I feel like the program is good for anyone who is willing to work. It starts out easy and gradually gets harder. There’s a mentor there with you every step of the way, so if you ever need help there’s someone there to help you. And if you’re a more advanced programmer you can fly through the easier stuff and get into more advanced rails projects. Regardless of where you’re at when you begin, Bloc will challenge you and allow you to grow and improve.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #4: CareerFoundry
💰 Price:
- Full-length programs: $6,555
- Introductory courses: $690
- Specialized courses: $1,900
⏰ Duration:
- Full-length programs: Either ~15 hours/week for 7-10 months or 30 hours/week for 3-5 months, depending on the program
- Introductory & specialized courses: ~15 hours per week for 1-2 months, depending on the course
By the time you complete a program at CareerFoundry, you will have built an entire app from scratch, a portfolio, and a CV. You also will have had one-on-one mentorship from an industry expert, who is available to help whenever you need it, to guide your education.
What grads have gone on to do: 96% of CareerFoundry grads get a job within 6 months. Many of their grads have landed tech jobs at companies like Google, Apple, Netflix, and PayPal.
💻 Available courses (with 6 month job guarantee):
👩💻 Introductory courses:
- Intro to UX Design Course
- Intro to UI Design Course
- Intro to Frontend Development Course
- Intro to Data Analytics Course
🎨 Specialization courses for designers:
- Voice User Interface Design Course
- UI for UX Designers Course
- Frontend Development for Designers Course
🎤 CareerFoundry Previous Student Insight: Samuel Boguslawski
🔗 Website: samuelboguslawski.com
🎓 Program completed: Full-Stack Web Development
Reasons for choosing CareerFoundry:
“I started teaching myself web programming a while ago and tried many things like Codecademy, Treehouse, Udemy and The Odin Project. With the first four websites my main problem was the missing complete curriculum. I was looking for something where I could learn everything I need to know in the right order without having to learn through many different tutorials here and there. I wanted to be guided through a proper learning plan…
That’s why I found The Odin Project–which is an awesome website! The only problem with that one was, that when you get stuck you don’t have someone to ask. You also really have to motivate yourself to stay on track and keep the learning up.
That’s why I started looking for paid solutions. Because I knew if I pay for something I am gonna force myself to really put time and effort into it.
I looked at many different courses like Bloc.io or Viking Code School…even online universities. But in the end my main reason to choose CareerFoundry was the price. None of the other courses were nearly as affordable.”
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
“The program at CareerFoundry is perfect for people who want to get a general idea of web development and a deeper insight into back-end programming with Ruby on Rails. It is not for people who want to learn mainly about front-end, JavaScript, etc. because the JavaScript part of the curriculum is very short (at the moment)–but they are extending their curriculum all the time.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #5: Designlab
💰 Price: $6,349 (payment plans also available)
⏰ Duration: 15 weeks full-time, 28 weeks part-time
Designlab is unlike the others on the list. This bootcamp focuses on design more than coding. Aside from individual courses, they also have a more in-depth program, UX Academy, that is intended to prepare you for a career in UX design. It is more detailed than regular courses and comes with a job preparation component.
What grads have gone on to do: Designlab students often land UX jobs within a few months of completing the program, including roles at top companies like Microsoft, Facebook and Adidas.
💻 Available program: UX Academy
✏️ Single classes (4 weeks, 10-15 hours a week | $399):
🎤 Designlab Previous Student Insight: Alexa Denner
🔗 Twitter: @AlexajaneDen
🎓 Program completed: Design 101
Reasons for choosing Designlab:
“I chose to go with Designlab because I had heard of another Designlab student who went from a completely nonexistent graphic designer to a proficient one in 6 weeks and without learning photoshop! Inspired, I signed up and learned everything using the platform Sketch to design. I know how to use Photoshop, but I found Sketch was a more comprehensive platform and enabled me to keep up with the coursework by being simpler to use. The mentor I had was an insanely talented CTO, head graphic designer, and founder of his company. I was so lucky to find Designlab, and I can’t believe the experience I had. I would recommend it to everyone.”
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
“Now that I have completed Designlab I believe I have enough experience and skill (plus a portfolio) to apply for the Graphic Designer positions I had previously aspired to fill. I’m currently freelancing as a graphic designer and able to practice and perfect the skills Designlab had already begun to foster for me. This course is essential for any artist who wants to get the tools to learn how to innovate themselves in the digital world. The skills I have acquired through my Designlab course made me more marketable and far happier in my new work life.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #6: Hack Reactor Remote
💰 Price: $17,980
⏰ Duration: 12-16 weeks, depending on if you take the optional prep course (or 9 months part-time)
Hack Reactor Remote is an intense online coding program condensed into a 16-week immersive period. They teach one main thing: JavaScript. You’ll learn from instructors face-to-face over video conference, get partnered with another student, and have access to a help desk that’s ready to answer your questions over video chat.
What grads have gone on to do: Hack Reactor has more grads at top companies than any other coding bootcamp. Plus, its grads make more money than the average software engineer.
💻 Available Program: Software Engineering Immersive (full- or part-time)
🎤 Hack Reactor Remote Previous Student Insight: Bryan Bierce
Reasons for choosing Hack Reactor Remote:
“I chose Hack Reactor because for two reasons: curriculum and culture. In my research I could find no other program whose curriculum appeared as thorough and rigorous as Hack Reactor’s and had the short, three-month format. In fact, I found six-month programs that didn’t seem to cover the breadth of concepts that Hack Reactor did.
After reaching out and talking to people that had been through the program, it became clear that the ambitious curriculum and limited time frame created a very particular culture. A culture of people who are driven, hungry for knowledge, and really enjoy what they are doing. I knew that was the kind of program I wanted to be a part of and where I would grow the most.”
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
“Not everybody. This is not a program in which you participate casually. You won’t be taking a Friday off or a weekend away while you do it. It expects and requires you to immerse yourself fully in your growth for the entirety of the three months. When I started I told my friends and my family that I love them and I’d see them in three months. I don’t think I would have been as successful doing it any other way.
So if you are looking for something to do while you work full- or part-time, this isn’t it. If you are looking for something that you can complete with the hours that you would normally spend at work, this isn’t it. But if you are passionate about growing into a software engineer and want to immerse yourself for the most intense and rewarding experience of your life, this is it.
If you are ready to make the leap and be a software engineer, Hack Reactor Remote will help you get there like no other program.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #7: Fullstack Academy Remote
💰 Price: $17,910 (scholarships and financing available)
⏰ Duration: 17 weeks
By the time you graduate from Fullstack’s Remote Immersive program, you’ll have four impressive projects in your portfolio, plus pair programming experience, an elegant resume, and a strong GitHub profile to help you get hired by awesome companies.
What grads have gone on to do: Fullstack grads have been hired by Google, Amazon, Facebook, Spotify, and more.
💻 Available program: Remote Software Engineering Immersive
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Online Coding Bootcamp #8: Skillcrush
💰 Price:
- The Break Into Tech Course Package: $1,599
- Specific skill courses: $549
⏰ Duration:
- Specific skill courses: 3 months
- The Break Into Tech Course Package: Over 400 hours of class content
Skillcrush is catered to people who want to switch careers into the digital world. Their specialty is three-month specific skill courses tailored for the career you want. Try their free 10-day coding bootcamp to start with some beginner-friendly knowledge.
What grads have gone on to do: Skillcrush grads have switched careers, found 100% remote coding jobs, and landed fulfilling full-time and freelance tech jobs.
💻 Available program: The Break Into Tech Course Package (access to all specific-skill courses listed below)
✏️ Specific skill courses:
- Python for Web Apps & Data
- WordPress Development
- Front End Development
- Front End Development + ReactJS
- User Experience (UX)
- Visual Design
- Digital Marketing
🎤 Skillcrush Previous Student Insight: Debbie Labedz
🔗 Website: bibliofille.com | Twitter: @bibliofilleblog
🎓 Programs completed:
- Skillcrush 101: HTML & CSS (3 week course)
- Freelance WordPress Developer course (3 month course)
- Beginning Skillcrush 102: JavaScript & JQuery (3 week course)
Reasons for choosing Skillcrush:
“They know their niche and they execute well within it: 25- to 35-year-old women looking to change careers to something tech-related. That was me in a nutshell. Their content was broken down into easily digestible chunks, often following a tight sequence of short video, a chunk of content, an exercise, and a review. It was clear that they had invested in the pedagogical aspect of learning to code rather than just throwing a bunch of terms and concepts at you, but it still had a fresh tone that didn’t feel stuffy or academic.
The lessons often included cheat sheets, worksheets, exercises, and little quizzes to make the experience more interactive and make sure the concepts really stuck. All of their classes offer access to a Mightybell chat group where you could ask questions, connect with other classmates, and offer or get support. That was a big selling point for me. I knew I wouldn’t feel alone in this program. I also loved that they offer lifetime access to the courses you take. I still reference lessons from the class I took over a year ago when I’m developing sites now.”
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
“I think their individual courses are best suited for beginners, perhaps beginner-intermediate developers. They offer career-focused tracks for tech roles such as web designer, web developer, and freelance WordPress developer where the tech content is nicely mixed with job searching/freelancing strategies. Their programs are perfect for those who are early on in their journey toward a career change.”
* Full Disclosure: I sometimes write for Skillcrush.
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Online Coding Bootcamp #9: Thinkful
💰 Price: $4,500 to $16,000, depending on the program
⏰ Duration:
- Immersion programs (AKA full-time): 50-60 hours/week for 6 weeks to 5 months, depending on the program.
- Flex programs (AKA part-time): 25-30 hours/week for 6 months. Digital Marketing Flex program is 15-20 hours/week for 3 months.
Thinkful is more established than the others (they’ve been around since 2012). Choose programs in front-end basics, data science, full-stack development, or engineering immersion. They have a stronger emphasis on one-on-one mentorship and also will review your resume after each course is completed. Thinkful has an income share payment option which means you can choose to pay $0 in tuition until you’ve started your new career.
What grads have gone on to do: 82% of Engineering Immersive grads are placed as full-time developers at companies like Amazon, Boeing, and Google. Plus, students report an average salary increase of $16,010.
💻 Available programs (with full- or part-time options):
- Software Engineering
- UX / UI Design
- Digital Marketing
- Data Science
- Technical Product Management
- Data Analytics
- Technical Project Management
🎤 Thinkful Previous Student Insight: Zak Cagaros
🔗 Website: expresstuts.com
🎓 Program completed: Front-End Web Development
Reasons for choosing Thinkful:
“The main reasons behind my decision to go with Thinkful was its flexibility in doing a course at my own pace without having to make other sacrifices. I run my own training company, so this was ideal for me as it enabled me to learn part-time whilst continuing what I was doing. The other main factor that helped me decide was the number of projects that you get to work on and working with an experienced mentor. The projects are closely aligned with what is expected in a real world situation, and this, in my opinion, is the best way to learn to code.”
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
“I think the program would be ideal for any developers that want to learn front-end skills, and in particular beginners that would like to have a good foundation that they can build on further. Also, I think this course would serve as a nice prerequisite before taking a full immersive hands-on bootcamp course.
Since starting the course, Thinkful have increased the cost of all of their courses to $500, and now that I have gone through the entire course I believe that this is overpriced, given that they do not actually give you any resources. However, if the main priority is to get the time of an experienced mentor to help you to complete your projects then I think it’s definitely worthwhile, but in terms of the course curriculum and the learning resources, you can easily get [those] for free elsewhere.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #10: Coder Manual
💰 Price: $499
⏰ Duration: 12-18 weeks (or self-paced)
At Coder Manual, you’ll build the core of a real startup that you can use for your own business or online store. You’ll also develop a portfolio of 11 real apps found in sites like Facebook, Wikipedia, and Dropbox and get live help from your peers.
What grads have gone on to do: Coder Manual grads become job-ready web developers.
💻 Available program: Complete Web Developer Bootcamp with Rails
🎤 Coder Manual Previous Student Insight: PJ Joshi
“Before taking this course I had learned Ruby and Rails in parts from some sources and didn’t really have the courage to move full on. Thanks to Rob for this amazing course which may be arguably one of the best course experiences out there. He is not only knowledgeable but generous with his explanations and will never hurry you; and makes you work in a meaningful way. Rob is not just thorough in subject matter but has a great sense of humor! I cannot applaud enough for his responsiveness on the discussion forum. If you are remotely interested in learning web development then look no further. You will be glad you took this course. You’d be silly not to jump in and start this course!”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #11: Actualize
💰 Price: $13,900
⏰ Duration: 16 weeks
What sets Actualize apart from other online coding bootcamps is that its instructors have professional experience in both education and software engineering. Nothing is pre-recorded, which means you’re able to communicate directly with your peers and ask questions during each live class session.
What grads have gone on to do: Actualize grads have landed positions at innovative startups and top companies like Amazon, Salesforce, and Bank of America.
💻 Available program: Online Live Coding Bootcamp (daytime and nights/weekends option)
🎤 Actualize Previous Student Insight: Margaret Hobin
🔗 Website: github.com/mhobin
Reasons for choosing Actualize:
“I chose Actualize because of the part-time, online flexibility and the process in which they choose their instructors. All lead instructors have an education background in addition to their professional software engineering experience. Actualize’s online cohort is able to achieve the discipline of an in-person class, all from the comfort of your own home. Nothing is pre-recorded and you are able to see your Instructor along with all of your classmates in realtime. Knowing that I could ask my instructor questions as they came up was a critical point when deciding on a bootcamp. ”
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
“Any one really can learn to code! Prior to the program I had very limited exposure to coding. The program is extremely well designed; by the end you will not only develop the technical skills to be a developer, but more importantly the problem solving abilities necessary to be a successful developer. This is no doubt due to the instructors. I would recommend Actualize to anyone that needs the structure of an in-person class, but desires the freedom to work from wherever they please. This really is as good as it gets for an online course.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #12: Lambda School
💰 Price: $0 + 17% income for two years or $30K upfront
⏰ Duration: 9 months (or 18 months part-time)
This program is actually completely free up-front; students pay back a portion of their income once they land a high-paying job. You won’t find many lower-risk online coding bootcamps than that! Lambda School’s curriculum is taught by instructors from Google, Apple, and more. What’s more, you’ll get instant one-on-one help whenever you need it.
What grads have gone on to do: Grads have secured jobs with Lambda School’s 75+ hiring partners, including Slack and IBM.
💻 Available programs (with full- or part-time options):
🎤 Launch School Previous Student Insight: Vim Shah
🔗 Website: speechpedals.com
🎓 Program Completed: Full-stack Web Development (Full-time)
Reasons for choosing Lambda School:
“The reason I chose Lambda is after about 4 years of researching various Bootcamps and MOOCs they almost ALL wanted some money upfront. While this might be ok, I had no real way of testing if the investment would be worth it. Would I get a job? Who knows? Are the numbers they post on graduation rates accurate? Again, who knows? I spent many years paying off my student loans and didn’t want to get into another payment for education. Lambda’s model – I only pay if I get a job – was TOO good to be true. I asked so many questions to find out what the catch was. In the end, there wasn’t one. Just a company who truly wants me to become a developer and doesn’t charge me anything unless I get a job making over 50k. What a vision. If I don’t get a job in 5 years, we part our separate ways. As this point, it was a no-brainer.”
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
“I think this program is ideally for those that have some minimal programming experience and have about 40-60 hours/week. This program is everything I ever wanted. I had all these holes in my CSS/HTML/JS knowledge dueboo to being self-taught. These holes are getting filled. With live instructors, things started to make sense. I was on my computer from 7:45am – 6:45pm M-F, with breaks of course. I plan to sell my programming as a service. You really get out of it what you put in. For me, it means putting in the time and work. Believe it or not, I haven’t had this much fun in a very long time.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #13: The Tech Academy
💰 Price: $18,640-$26,640
⏰ Duration: 22 weeks (40 weeks part-time)
The Tech Academy teaches several in-demand programming languages like JavaScript, C#, SQL, and more. Students learn to code through real-world training and become full-stack software developers that can code on both the front- and back-end.
What grads have gone on to do: With a 90% hiring rate, Tech Academy grads become full-stack and junior-level software developers.
💻 Available program: The Software Developer Bootcamp
🎤 The Tech Academy Previous Student Insight: Cody Landry
🔗 Website: http://codylandry.github.io/
🎓 Program: Software Developer Bootcamp
Reasons for choosing The Tech Academy:
“When I went searching for a bootcamp, I was disappointed to find that most require you to be on site and are highly intensive programs spanning 2-6 months. As a working adult with a family to support, that wasn’t an option. I was relieved to find the Tech Academy which embraces remote students. When I called, I actually got to speak directly to Erik Gross about my goals and aspirations. We talked several times over the next couple of weeks before I signed up. The Tech Academy staff consistently provided expert knowledge and advice to help me develop my technical and soft skills as well as helping me build my confidence enough to make the career switch. Couldn’t be happier.”
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
“I think the Tech Academy is a great choice for people of all skill levels and schedule requirements. I had done some self learning prior to attending, but had no idea where I stood and no idea how ‘good’ you had to be to get hired. The Tech Academy starts you at the VERY BEGINNING. This is great for those with no background in coding. Others will simply breeze through these sections until they hit material fit for their skill level. I found that I actually had more knowledge than I’d thought and, while I did gain a lot of technical skills, I felt like I got the most out of the coaching and interview preparation. During my time with The Tech Academy, I had a very demanding work/family schedule. The staff made sure to keep in contact with me, helping me stay motivated.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #14: DigitalCrafts
💰 Price: $14,950 for immersive program, $9,950 for flex program (scholarships available)
⏰ Duration: 16 weeks (26 weeks part-time)
Taught live by experienced software engineers via Zoom, Slack, and their proprietary Learning Platform (beta), DigitalCrafts is an online bootcamp that teaches cutting edge technologies like HTML/CSS, React, PostgreSQL, Python, Express.js, Node.js, and much more. DigitalCrafts also offers automatic scholarships for all women.
What grads have gone on to do: With a 94% graduation rate, DigitalCrafts students have landed jobs at LinkedIn, Facebook, Indeed, and The Home Depot.
💻 Available programs:
🎤 Digital Crafts Previous Student Insight: Pierson
Reasons for choosing DigitalCrafts:
“Before this course I had never written a line of code in my life. I quit my job to try and become a developer in only 16 weeks. Most people would consider me crazy and at times throughout the course, I’d think they might be right. Learning a new discipline is never easy, but DigitalCrafts gave me the confidence to tackle anything new, coding or otherwise. If a former marketer and designer can learn to code than anyone can and I truly believe my journey wouldn’t have been possible without the curriculum and people at DigitalCrafts. They recognize that you’re making a big career shift and the main focus of the course is to prepare you for a job as a developer. If you have the chance, take this course. You will not regret the decision.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #15: TripleTen
💰 Price: $4,900-9,700, depending on the program
⏰ Duration: 5-10 months
TripleTen is an online coding bootcamp that currently offers three different programs: Software Engineering, Data Analytics, and Data Science. You’ll also get to build 6-15 projects to add to your portfolio, depending on the program you choose, and attend regular code reviews and live sessions with tutors to build up your soft skills.
What grads have gone on to do: Just 13% of TripleTen’s students have a background in STEM, but the post-graduation hiring record speaks for itself:
- 87% of TripleTen’s students were hired within 180 days
- Over half of those received a job offer before they even graduated
- The median salary for TripleTen graduates is over $75,000
💻 Available programs:
🎤 TripleTen Previous Student Insight: Mabel
Reasons for choosing TripleTen:
“I started this program 3 months ago and I couldn’t be happier with the structure and the curriculum. The program is 10 months long and it covers both front and backend technology needed to become a web developer. The curriculum starts with a free introductory course on HTML and CSS then progresses to more advanced topics in HTML and CSS, JavaScript, React and Node. The work is completed in two weeks sprints. Every two weeks a number of lectures and exercises become available followed by an independent project assignment. Each project is reviewed by an experienced developer who will ensure your project uses best coding practices. In the end you will have a professional project to add to your portfolio.
In addition to the curriculum, I like the community aspect of the program. There are tutors and a slack group for students. There’s also bi-weekly live coding lessons where students have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the project work.
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
I would recommend this bootcamp to anyone who wants to learn web development. Since this is a longer program, students really get a chance to learn the material covered and practice using real developer tools such as Figma, Git and Github. Definitely give this program a try!”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #16: NYC Data Science Academy
💰 Price: $17,600
⏰ Duration: 12-16 weeks (or 24 weeks part-time)
NYC Data Science Academy offers two remote data science bootcamp options: one that can be completed on your own schedule through recorded lectures and another that offers real-time instruction via Zoom. Students learn beginner and intermediate levels of data science, with the option to specialize in either big data or deep learning. Technologies covered include Python, R, Hadoop, Spark, AWS, and more.
What grads have gone on to do: Ranked 2020’s #1 best data science bootcamp by Switchup, NYC Data Science Academy grads have gone on to land jobs at companies like Google and Verizon.
💻 Available programs:
🎤 NYC Data Science Academy Previous Student Insight: William Zhou
Reasons for choosing NYC Data Science Academy:
“Even though it is an online bootcamp, I was investing 40+ hours /week on studying slides, having office hours with TA, and NYCDSA can provide tremendous assistance on your job hunting after your graduation. Vivian and Chris know what you need to have on your resume to catch HR’s eye and get an interview, and they have a strong network which can expose you to much more opportunities.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #17: Coding Dojo
💰 Price: $14,995 for full-time, $6,995 for part-time
⏰ Duration: 14 weeks (or 28 weeks part-time)
With Coding Dojo, students learn three full stacks in 14 weeks, including Python, MERN, and Java. This coding bootcamp also offers its students access to a wide range of career services, such as one-on-one sessions with a career advisor, forums with industry leaders, job-hunting workshops, and more.
What grads have gone on to do: The average starting salary for Coding Dojo graduates is $76,500, with 72% of students finding jobs in under 90 days and 20% finding jobs before graduation.
💻 Main programs:
✏️ Other workshops & programs:
🎤 Coding Dojo Previous Student Insight: Andrew Wheeler
Reasons for choosing Coding Dojo:
“I had my eye on the Coding Dojo for several years before making the leap to enter the program. It is a huge commitment to dedicate 14 solid weeks of your time and resources to learning 3 full stacks. But if you’ve ever seen Coding Dojo testimonial videos pop up on your YouTube feed from alumni talking about how awesome the program is, then you’ve seen and heard the truth! Without question, entering this program was the best decision I have ever made for my career.
Who do you think the coding bootcamp would be good for?
The Coding Dojo creates an intensive, immersive learning environment with an unparalleled curriculum and pedagogy. In my opinion, there is no better way to learn. The platform is built to stretch you but not crush you, and the classroom (even virtually) is interactive with ready access to your instructors. There are plenty of bootcamps, videos, and learning modules available out there, but if you’re truly serious about making a career change, I highly recommend the Coding Dojo. I believe it will save you time, money, and actually get you where you want to go.”
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Online Coding Bootcamp #18: LearningFuze
💰 Price: $12,995 (discounts & scholarships available)
⏰ Duration: 14 weeks
LearningFuze offers live, remote instruction led by professional engineers. It boasts a low student-to-teacher ratio, a curriculum developed in collaboration with employers (so you’re learning what employers want most), and comprehensive career services.
What grads have gone on to do: Companies that have hired LearningFuze alumni include Apple, Nike, Zillow, Verizon, and more.
💻 Available programs: Full-Immersion Remote
🎤 LearningFuze Previous Student Insight: John Choi
Reasons for choosing LearningFuze:
“[The] best learning experience of my life, I truly mean it. I am highly satisfied with my learning experience at LearningFuze and cannot wait to go through the rest of the program. From its atmosphere to environment, and most importantly the instructors and peers at LearningFuze are amazing. They’ve got all the resources and help students need.
LearningFuze provides a friendly and supportive environment for all students so that the students are able to focus on their curriculum. We can really feel that the instructors care about each and every student, and the instructors will make sure that no students are left behind. Coding is extremely difficult for beginners and the struggle is real, but with LearningFuze team on your back, anyone will be able to overcome these challenges and hardships.”
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A special thanks to all the participants who made this guide to the best online coding bootcamps possible!
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Additional Online Coding Bootcamp Resources:
- YouTube Video with Course Report: Hosted by Liz from Course Report, this video has representatives and founders from different online coding bootcamps providing further insight on their experiences.
- Firehose Project’s Definitive Guide: Broken down into nine chapters, this guide helps career-switchers, entrepreneurs, etc. figure out which bootcamp they should choose.
- Bloc.io’s Programming Bootcamp Comparison: This interactive mind-map compares various bootcamp and course options—online and offline—based on their intensity and other factors.
Online Coding Bootcamps Offer Flexible, Affordable Learning
In addition to helping aspiring tech career-changers, in-person and online coding bootcamps are starting to act as a supplement to college education. Even Ivy League graduates sign up for them. The industry is only growing, online and offline.
With all the options available—each varying in price, duration, and intensity—there’s something for everyone. Which one is the best online coding bootcamp really depends on your goals. It’s important to do your research and consider exactly what you want to get out of the online coding bootcamp before choosing one and signing up.
Each of these online coding bootcamps offer different things, for different people. So reflect on what is important to your future, and how you learn best before making a final decision.
Note: there are affiliate links in this post.