Codesmith vs Thinkful

Thinkful Reviews and Key Information

Thinkful is one of the most popular and extensive online bootcamps in the tech industry. The accelerated program has full-time and part-time options that last for six to 26 weeks. It offers courses in data science, digital marketing, software engineering, data analytics, UX/UI design, product management, and technical product management. If you want to prepare for a lucrative job in the tech industry, you should enroll at Thinkful. This bootcamp offers courses all around the country and online to help you learn. Learning more tech skills can help you earn more money and deal with debt in between jobs.

Thinkful at a Glance

Cost of Tuition	$4,500 - $18,500
Financing Options	Income Share Agreement, Upfront Payment, Private Student Loans, Scholarships, Installments
Courses Offered	Software Engineering, UX/UI Design, Digital Marketing, Data Science, Product Management, Data Analytics, Technical Project Management
Career Services and Job Assistance	Career Coaching, Job Guarantee, Network of Industry Partners, High Outcomes

What Can You Learn at Thinkful?

At Thinkful, you can learn data science, digital marketing, software engineering, data analytics, UX/UI design, product management, and technical product management. The extensive curriculum is perfect for every subject. Read below for more about some of Thinkful’s most popular courses.

Software Engineering

The coding program at Thinkful addresses every type of development. It can teach you how to develop websites, mobile applications, games, and other software. You will learn HTML, JavaScript, and CSS for front end and backend development projects. This software engineering program also teaches frameworks, databases, and concepts like Node.js, React, Knex, PostgreSQL, Express Servers, and Git. You can also learn basic software algorithms, agile methodologies, data structures, and more. This program costs $16,000 full-time and $7,900 part-time.

Data Science

Another high-demand field in the tech industry is data science. Thinkful has one of the best data science programs in the bootcamp industry for anyone who wants to work in this field. Some classes include machine learning, Python, SQL, and RESTful APIs. This data science program also covers algorithms, Spark, Hadoop, statistics, data modeling, calculus, and data visualization. These are all vital classes that will help you in your career path as a data scientist. This program costs $7,900 part-time and $18,500 full-time.

Digital Marketing

Digital marketing has become an integral part of business promotion in the last few decades. Since it is an ever-evolving industry, you need to pay attention to the latest trends in the digital world. This program can teach you everything you need to know about successful digital marketing campaigns. You will learn how to promote businesses with content marketing, search engine optimization, email marketing, pay-per-click marketing, and a host of other trending digital marketing techniques. The full-time program costs $7,500 and the part-time program costs $4,500.

Product Management

Product managers are the figurative glue that holds the software engineering process together. They decide which products are worth pursuing and they oversee the entire process. This product management course from Thinkful is perfect for people who only have time for self-paced learning. The classes in this program include engineering methodologies, business acumen, strategy, road mapping, and UX design basics. You will also develop critical thinking skills. This program is only available in a flexible self-paced schedule which costs $4,900.

Admissions: How Do You Get Accepted to Thinkful?

You can get accepted into Thinkful by proving you’re the right candidate. Before you can apply, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. You should also be a good team player with excellent communication skills. While core technical skills aren't a requirement, you need to know how to use a computer.

Thinkful Application Process

The application process is online and it varies slightly between programs. To start, visit the Thinkful website and click on the contact form to fill in your contact details and program choice. An advisor will schedule a date for a virtual interview. After the interview, they will determine if you are an ideal candidate for the program. If you get accepted into the program, they will advise you to take the prep course as a preview. Depending on the course, a personal mentor will be assigned to you right after enrollment. This ensures that career coaching starts from the beginning and lasts throughout your program.

Thinkful Interview

The interview does not include any technical challenge. The interviewer just wants to know how willing you are to commit to the program. If you are driven and ready to commit your time to the process, the interviewer will give you a good recommendation. Thinkful is also looking for students who are willing to accept constructive criticism when necessary, as it is a crucial part of the learning process. Try researching interview questions and interview tips before you start practicing to ace your interview.

Paying for Thinkful

Tuition at Thinkful ranges from $4,500 to $18,500 depending on the program. The most expensive option is the full-time data science program, and the flex program options are the cheapest. Read below to find out how you can pay for your Thinkful tuition.

Upfront Payment

If you pay upfront, you can pay for all of your tuition before classes begin. There might be some discounts attached to upfront payment. You can also spread out this payment into different installments so you don’t have to pay at once.

Income Share Agreements

If you opt for an ISA, you can start classes without paying a dime. You can pay after you find a job that pays at least $40,000 per year. Then, you’ll pay Thinkful 15 percent of your monthly salaries until you complete the tuition. Under the ISA, you can apply for monthly stipends of $1,500.

Private Student Loans

Thanks to Thinkful’s partnership with Ascent Funding, you can get loans for tuition and living expenses. Just like ISAs, you only have to repay when you get a high-paying job. Loans usually come with interest, so make sure you read the terms before applying.

What Makes Thinkful Unique?

Thinkful is unique because it offers quality education and a job guarantee. This means you can get your tuition back if you don't get a job within the first six months after graduation. It links the success of the bootcamp to the success of each student. The top-notch tech bootcamp has a job placement rate of 84 percent in-field. Most graduates find a job shortly after the program ends. Companies like Google, Amazon, IBM, Webflow, Walmart Labs, and Twitter recruit Thinkful graduates. A bootcamp can prepare you for the workforce more than a university can. Thinkful provides job support from the beginning of the program until you get your first job. The one-on-one mentorship offers a more personalized experience compared to group career coaching. If you want to get a great job after graduation, Thinkful is a great bootcamp option.