Page Text: 2021 Best Online Coding Bootcamps received an average 4.72 of 5 based on 7250 reviews.
What is an Online Coding Bootcamp?
A coding bootcamp is a short class that teaches technological skills in areas such as cybersecurity, user experience, and web development. There are fully online bootcamp options. Like in-person ones, these aim to quickly equip students with the skills needed to get a job in tech.
According to research firm Statista, the number of individuals graduating from online coding bootcamps increased by roughly 142% between 2015 and 2020.
Online bootcamps can be suitable for anyone looking to learn new technological skills, including recent graduates with bachelor's degrees, mid-level professionals weighing a career change, software engineers interested in further honing their abilities, or individuals looking for opportunities beyond a high school diploma or GED. While some prior familiarity with technology or coding is useful, many bootcamps are designed to train students with little to no prior experience in web development. However, coding bootcamps are by no means easy, and can be a challenging experience for some. To determine whether a bootcamp will be a good fit, prospective students should explore providers' websites and read about others' experiences to gauge how difficult a particular online bootcamp can be.
Day-To-Day Experience of an Online Bootcamp
Though no two days are the same, online students can expect to spend their day viewing lectures, attending lunches virtually with peers, or working on projects independently. In most programs, students receive support via dedicated communication apps and shared folders, regular feedback on coding assignments, and weekly check-in meetings with instructors.
The typical online coding bootcamp lasts 24 weeks for a full-time program. However, bootcamps can range from 12 to 36 weeks as well. Many programs also have a part-time option or a flex program, both of which are designed to fit into a busier lifestyle. Full-time students typically commit 40 hours a week and are encouraged to complete as many coding tasks as they can during this time.
Is an Online Bootcamp Different From an In-Person Bootcamp?
While online bootcamps can offer many of the same benefits as in-person ones — such as instructor feedback, peer mentorship via communication apps, and applied learning — they may require more self-direction. This is especially the case if the bootcamp allows you to complete courses at your own pace.
Applying to an Online Coding Bootcamp
Once you've chosen a bootcamp you'd like to attend, gaining admission involves filling out an application and, in some cases, passing an interview and successfully completing an at-home skills test. Depending on the program, you may then be invited to complete a coding task, non-technical interview, technical interview, or some combination of the three.
Because in-person bootcamps involve collaboration and collective problem-solving, they tend to have certain prerequisites for admission that make the admission process competitive. By contrast, some online coding bootcamps may be less competitive to get into because they allow students to learn at their own pace with a mentor who can work with them at their skill level. It's important to note, however, that online programs may expect applicants to take admission prep courses or require students to complete pre-work that covers basic coding skills as part of the admissions process.
How Can You Prepare for an Online Coding Bootcamp?
If you are brand new to coding, taking a prep course can be beneficial. Prep courses are designed to help you get familiar with programming languages and the basics of coding. They also give you a feel for a bootcamp's intense pace. Bootcamps will often list whether they offer a prep course. If they don't, you can take an online coding course before enrolling in a bootcamp to see if it's something you're ready to invest your time, money, and energy into.
How Much Do Online Coding Bootcamps Cost?
Online coding bootcamps vary widely in terms of cost, with tuition ranging anywhere from $1,500 to $30,000. Prices vary based on the type of bootcamp, whether it is full-time or part-time, and whether the program includes additional aspects such as job placement support. Some providers also offer individual prep courses which typically cost less than $1,000. Online coding programs are not always more cost-effective than in-person ones, even though both are significantly cheaper than a four-year computer science degree.
There are some free online coding bootcamps available, but they often don't include mentorship, instructor support, or help with job placement. Free coding bootcamps may still be a good option for beginners as they offer self-paced courses and projects which help you learn the basics. They can also be a cost-effective way to determine whether taking a full online coding bootcamp is a worthwhile investment for you.
Financial Support
Although students who attend programs offered by private institutions likely do not qualify for federal financial aid, it is possible to find financial support to attend an online bootcamp, usually through scholarships or programs offered by bootcamps. Veterans can also use the GI Bill to pay for bootcamps approved by the Veterans Administration.
We have compiled a list of more than 80 bootcamp scholarships that are based on merit or need. You can also take advantage of bootcamps' own payment plans which allow you to pay your tuition fees in monthly installments, though these may include interest. Some programs offer income share agreements , where, rather than paying upfront, students agree to give the provider a percentage of their future income for a specific number of years and up to an agreed amount.
Careers for Coding Bootcamp Graduates
A coding bootcamp can help you land a job in tech because they are geared toward teaching students real-world, applied technical skills in areas such as web development, data management, cybersecurity, or software engineering. Some bootcamps, including online ones, also include career services teams and job placement support as part of their program. Students may find support in terms of job market portfolio development, technical interview training, and alumni networking. Some bootcamps may also teach students soft skills such as communication and teamwork.
Some bootcamps, including online ones, also include career services teams and job placement support as part of their program.
Companies such as Codesmith and Hack Reactor claim hiring rates for their graduates, which includes those that attend online and in-person bootcamps, at 80%-86% and 98% respectively. Nevertheless, attending a bootcamp doesn't guarantee a job with a tech company. In addition to coding experience, students will need interview skills and will likely have to consider factors such as relocation in their job hunt. In some cases, online bootcamp graduates may have to spend up to six months on the job market before landing a suitable tech position.
While attending a bootcamp isn't guaranteed to get you a lucrative and rewarding job, it may open new career opportunities that were previously unavailable to you. For more information, we've put together a guide that outlines career options for bootcamp graduates .
Is an Online Coding Bootcamp Worth It?
Coding bootcamps are a relatively cheap and fast way to find out if the tech industry is the right career path for you. However, while employment in the tech industry is expected to increase rapidly through 2030, this work may not be for everyone.
Online coding bootcamps can have advantages over in-person ones.
If you have limited to no prior experience in coding, an online program can help you learn at your own pace. Online programs are also great for people who work full or part-time, have travel constraints, or cannot relocate. Finally, the online format is well-suited to learning how to code if you're comfortable working independently.
However, there are some drawbacks to online bootcamps.
In-person bootcamps provide a real-time, responsive, peer-collaboration environment that online camps may not be able to fully replicate. This can make the learning experience both difficult and isolating, especially if you need immediate help.
Because attending a bootcamp is a personal choice, you should also evaluate your personal and financial circumstances before deciding to enroll. For students who are still unsure about whether this is the right choice for them, we've put together additional information about whether coding bootcamps are worth it .
SwitchUp Rankings Methodology
SwitchUp's rankings are based on over 20,000 reviews from verified students and alumni, across over 500 bootcamps in operation. Because student and alumni feedback and ratings are indicative of bootcamp quality, rankings are ordered by review score. If bootcamps have the same review score, bootcamps with more reviews are ranked higher to break the tie. The order of the ranking is based on data at the time of publishing, but the ratings and review counts will change as more reviews come in.
To be considered for the 2021 rankings, bootcamps must help students land jobs in tech through excellent instructor support, curriculum, and career resources; each review left on SwitchUp evaluates the bootcamp on all of these aspects.
All bootcamps considered for the best online coding ranking were required to meet the following criteria at the time of publication:
Offer an immersive or part-time coding program that is completely online
Have at least 5 verified reviews of online coding programs
For those online coding program reviews, average at least 4/5 stars
Please see our full ranking methodology to see requirements for other rankings.
Bootcamp Highlights
Looking for a school with specific qualities? We've awarded merit badges to schools in several key areas:
Available Online
Offer either part-time or immersive courses that are available online. This includes courses that are offered temporarily online due to COVID-19.
Verified Outcomes
Offer a job outcomes report that was independently verified by a third-party auditor.
Flexible Classes
Offer self-paced, part-time, or evening classes.
Job Guarantee
Offer guaranteed job placement after graduation, or the student's tuition is refunded. Visit the official school site for related terms and conditions.
GI Bill
Approved to accept GI Bill funds according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs .
VET TEC Provider
Approved as a VET TEC Provider according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
References
Are Coding Bootcamps Worth It? What Employers Really Think. [online] Indeed.com. Available at: https://www.indeed.com/lead/what-employers-think-about-coding-bootcamp [Accessed 10 September 2020].