How Much Do Coding Bootcamps Cost?

Coding bootcamps are immersive and fast-paced tech educational programs. Bootcamps focus on hands-on learning along with acquiring practical skills for a career in technology. You also learn soft skills through workshops, professional events, and career counseling to prepare for your career. 

You will find in-person, hybrid, and online coding bootcamps to suit your learning goals. The flexibility is ideal for busy professionals wanting to upskill as well as those who want to change their career paths.

One key factor to consider when choosing between a bootcamp and a college degree in computer science is the tuition costs. In this guide, you will find how much coding bootcamps cost and the financial assistance options they typically offer.

How Much Is the Average Coding Bootcamp?

The average cost of a bootcamp is $13,584. However, there is a wide range of bootcamp programs and prices vary drastically, which means you can find an option that works for you regardless of your financial background. Moreover, the cost for an online program tends to be lower than that of an in-person bootcamp. 

In addition, the overall cost may vary depending on your unique situation. On top of the tuition, you might have additional expenses like rent, books, and transportation. To help you face these costs, bootcamps typically offer financing options like loans, discounts, deferred tuition, and income share agreements. Many bootcamps also offer scholarships for women, members of underrepresented and underprivileged communities, and military personnel.

Cost Breakdown: What Exactly Are You Paying For?

Bootcamp programs cover computer science fundamentals and the key theoretical concepts of the target subject. Most importantly, students gain proficiency in the in-demand skills that will get them hired. 

Bootcamp programs are taught by seasoned instructors in the fields of web development, software engineering, data science, and cyber security. In addition, bootcamps come in several formats to fit the needs of every student. You can join a bootcamp full-time or part-time. You can also choose to attend instructor-led online classes or attend an on-campus program. Many students choose to have a self-paced schedule. 

But what really justifies the cost of a coding bootcamp are the results: coding bootcamps boast very high job placement rates. For example, Flatiron School has a self-reported 86% global placement rate for its campus and online students. Bootcamps achieve this through their strong career support which includes services like interview preparation and practice sessions with industry professionals. 

Bootcacmp students also have access to portfolio reviews by career services teams and industry professionals to enhance their job search results. In addition, students are able to join a professional network of employer partners, alumni, and mentors.

Will a Coding Bootcamp Get You a Job?

Yes, attending a coding bootcamp can help you get a job. In fact, the best coding bootcamps have high job placement rates. According to General Assembly’s 2019 report, 90.5% of its students are able to find a job within just 180 days of graduation. 

As a coding bootcamp student, you will graduate with a large portfolio of projects that you can show future employers. With the skills you have gained during your program and your professional portfolio, you’ll be able to secure a job as a junior web developer, full stack developer, UX/UI designer, or blockchain professional. 

Moreover, most bootcamps also ensure you can confidently secure employment by providing job search assistance. This helps bootcamp graduates land jobs with Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Samsung, IBM, Accenture, Spotify, Shopify, Facebook, and other tech giants.

How Much Do You Make After Coding Bootcamp?

Most bootcamp students are able to secure high-paying technical jobs after their programs. In fact, the average salary for a coding bootcamp graduate is $70,000 per year. Additionally, graduates commonly report large salary bumps within two years of working. Some can see their salaries grow as much as 50 percent. 

But that’s not it. Let’s take a look at salaries in the tech industry in general. This will give you an idea of how much you could end up making. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary of a software developer is $110,140 per year. Web developers are also earning good money. According to BLS, the average web developer brings home $77,200. 

Coding Bootcamp Financing Options

Most bootcamps offer several financing options to help students afford their education. Common options include income share agreements, deferred tuition, installment plans, personal loans, scholarships, and veteran benefits. To learn more about your options and chart a financial plan, you can meet with advisors from the school.

Income Share Agreements

Income share agreements, or ISAs, allow students to attend a program and only start paying once they have graduated and landed a job earning above a certain amount. When you enter an ISA with a coding school, you agree to pay a set percentage of your income when that income is above a certain threshold. 

In some situations, you may end up paying more than you would if you had paid your tuition upfront, particularly if you are earning a high salary. Popular schools that offer ISAs are BrainStation, Thinkful, and General Assembly.

Deferred Tuition

Much like ISAs, deferred tuition schemes allow students to pay little or no money during their program. In return, they agree to pay back the school once they land a job in their chosen industry. The main difference between a deferred tuition plan and an ISA is that the former has a cap on the total amount of money to be repaid. This makes deferred tuition a safer option. Sabio is a coding bootcamp that offers this payment alternative.

Installment Plans

With installment plans, students pay the tuition over several months. This reduces the strain on the student pocket and makes the programs more affordable. A host of coding bootcamps offer this option, including General Assembly. 

Personal Loans

Students can also take out a loan from a lending company partnering with their coding bootcamp of choice. However, students should be aware that some of these loans come with high interest rates. Many coding schools, such as Ironhack and App Academy, partner with lenders like Climb Credit and Ascent Funding to offer this service.  

Scholarships

In many instances, students can also apply for scholarships to help pay for tuition. Some bootcamps offer scholarships based on income as well as skill. There are also scholarship options for women, minority groups, and servicemen and women.

Veteran Benefits

Coding bootcamps are a great alternative to transition into civilian life after military service. To facilitate that transition, a slew of coding schools allow students to finance their studies using their veteran benefits. Galvanize, for example, accepts GI Bill benefits, while LearningFuze gives a $500 discount to veterans.

Coding Bootcamp vs College

Coding bootcamps offer learners a different style of learning. The curriculum is designed to be intensive and practical. In addition, bootcamp students enjoy a wide range of career support services, from access to a network of alumni and employers to interview prep to workshops. This results in a very high chance of becoming employed shortly after graduation. 

College degrees, on the other hand, focus more on the theory behind each subject. The curriculum of a computer science degree is more comprehensive but not as hands-on as that of coding bootcamps. 

If you attend one of the best computer science bachelor’s degrees, you’ll graduate with a well-rounded education but lack hands-on experience. In addition, because you’ll have little career support, you may find it harder to land a job right after your degree.

Cost Comparison: Coding Bootcamp vs Computer Science Degree

Coding bootcamps and colleges are both viable options to learn coding. Before you make a decision, a critical factor to consider is the cost of the program. As we have already seen, the average cost of a coding bootcamp is around $13,500. This may seem like a lot, but, as you will see, a college degree is a lot more expensive.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition cost of a four-year degree is $19,081. This is a yearly figure. Since a bachelor’s degree typically lasts four years, this means you’ll be spending on average over $76,000 to complete your degree. This does not include the cost of room and board. 

Best Coding Bootcamps in 2022

There is a wide range of coding bootcamps out there. They offer programs in many different technical topics, from software engineering to web development to UI design. Below, we list the top coding bootcamps that cost over $15,000, the best coding schools that cost less than $15,000, and the best coding bootcamps that you can attend for free.

Top Coding Bootcamps Over $15,000

• App Academy: This is a software engineering bootcamp with a great record of helping students find jobs at popular firms. Students can take a prep course before enrolling in the immersive program.
• General Assembly: General Assembly offers bootcamps in data science, data analytics, web development, programming, and product management. It has immersive, part-time, and on-demand courses.
• Hack Reactor: This bootcamp offers excellent courses in software engineering. You’ll receive career support and networking opportunities to help you get a high-paying job.
• Lambda School: This bootcamp will train you to become a data scientist or software engineer. 
• Thinkful: Thinkful offers programs in software engineering, data science, data analytics, UX/UI design, digital marketing, and technical project management. Students can join a course and delay tuition payments until they find a job.

Top Coding Bootcamps Under $15,000 

• Actualize: In this bootcamp, you will benefit from expert instruction that will help you become a software engineer. Students first need to do precourse work and can take advantage of live online training.
• UC Berkeley Extension: This bootcamp offers a market-driven curriculum to teach you the most in-demand programming languages and help you build a large portfolio of projects. The program is delivered through engaging virtual classes that fit your schedule.
• Bottega: In this bootcamp, you will work closely with professionals and learn from a curriculum that is regularly updated to teach you in-demand skills.
• Coding Temple: This is an online bootcamp for coding, data, and Python. They offer scholarships every three months to support students financially.
• Ironhack: This bootcamp will teach you web development, UX/UI design, data analytics, and cyber security. You will have access to flexible payment plans and career coaching to help you pursue a career in tech.

Top Free Coding Bootcamps

• Ada Developers Academy: At Ada, you can learn full stack web development and coding basics in-person and online. This school is for women and non-binary individuals. The school prioritizes Black, Latinx, Indigenous Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, and low-income people.
• Codecademy: This school offers a large collection of free programming courses including Python, JavaScript, Swift, Kotlin, and Ruby. These beginner-friendly and intermediate courses give you the coding foundations and resources to begin a tech career.
• CodeGym: This platform gives you access to coding courses you can complete at home. You can track your progress and learn through gameplay and exams. This is a good option if you are looking to become a Java developer, Android developer, or QA expert.
• Code Institute: This school offers a free five-day challenge to learn the basics of key programming languages. You will focus on CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.
• freeCodeCamp: This company offers free coding courses to kickstart or advance your learning journey. Students complete real-world projects and advance their learning through tutorials. The subjects covered include data visualization, machine learning, and information security.

Is a Coding Bootcamp Worth It?

Yes, coding bootcamps are worth it. These programs may be expensive but their high return on investment makes them a great educational option. During a coding bootcamp, you will master the skills that employers are looking for and get ready to join the job market.

In addition, you will have access to a suite of career services, including dedicated career coaches, to maximize your chances of landing a job after graduation. This career support will also ensure you are fully prepared for your professional life. 

Coding Bootcamp Cost FAQ