The Best Chicago Coding Bootcamps in 2023

Actualize

Actualize is a coding bootcamp that prepares you to enter the ever-growing tech field. The bootcamp caters to people who have the desire to learn to code. Among bootcamps in Chicago, Actualize is considered one of the best. Some web development graduates mentioned that they feel well-prepared for a career transition after completing Actualize.

Actualize offers courses in software and web development. Students can take part in full-time, part-time, or online courses. Graduates from Actualize have gone on to work at companies such as IBM, NorthShore, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and AT&T.

BrainStation

BrainStation offers part-time and full-time bootcamps in product management, UX design, data science, web development, and software engineering. The coding bootcamp has locations throughout the United States and Canada, plus one location in the United Kingdom. All bootcamp programs, excluding web development, can also be taken fully online.

The curriculum at BrainStation is project-based. Students learn through collaborative efforts that simulate working in the industry. Every instructor is trained within their field and they have several years of experience. Small class sizes allow instructors to give students the one-on-one time needed for a proper education.

Code Platoon

Code Platoon is one-of-a-kind coding bootcamp that is dedicated to helping military veterans and their family acquire crucial tech skills. It offers two main programs: full stack software engineering and DevOps with a focus on cloud engineering. The former is available in person at the Chicago campus, while the latter is fully remote.

To facilitate the transition for veterans and other students from non-technical backgrounds, Code Platoon recommends that you start with an Intro to Coding course. It is a free, self-paced course that focuses on the basics of JavaScript. The coding school also offers several scholarships for members of underrepresented communities to help fund their tuition.

Coding Dojo

Coding Dojo teaches students through their fully online courses and programs. Students learn through project-based, collaborative tasks that teach them how to work in the industry. The coding bootcamp is recognized for its unique learning style and the success students find after graduating.

While attending the bootcamp, students learn from experts in the industry. There are also advisors and mentors to further guide students to success. The flagship three-stack software development bootcamp is available both full-time and part-time while the other two programs are part-time only.

DevX School

DevX School is a Chicago-based education provider offering a series of fully online tech programs to help people break into tech. With accessibility in mind, DevX School offers three types of subscriptions with varying levels of access and features. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive option, the Pro or Premium plan may be suitable as they comprise hundreds of micro video lectures, daily challenges, access to a developer community, and more.

At the moment, only the SDET program is live. Those looking to enroll in other programs are encouraged to express their interest on the school page. Students are promised quality education, taught directly by instructors with experience working for top companies like Microsoft and Apple.

Evolve Security Academy

Evolve Security Academy offers two main programs that are designed to equip learners with cybersecurity skills. Its flagship program, Cybersecurity Bootcamp, covers essential topics like Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), social engineering, security operations architecture, and cryptography. Meanwhile, the OSCP program is meant to prepare learners for Offensive Security’s PEN-200 certification examination.

The school accepts GI Bill benefits for its in-person cybersecurity program and offers partial merit-based scholarships for all live online programs. According to graduates who have found employment in cybersecurity, Evolve Security Academy is a great training ground for those who prefer practical learning in a fast-paced environment.

Flatiron School

Flatiron School has established itself as one of the best coding bootcamps in the country. According to the school’s latest Jobs Report, over 90 percent of graduates from Flatiron School find employment upon graduation. A large number of graduates work with companies such as JPMorgan Chase, Infosys, Wayfair, Microsoft, and Forbes.

Programs offered include software engineering, data science, product design, and cybersecurity. Previously, Flatiron School’s Chicago campus offered several in-person programs but it has now limited its on-campus programs to its New York and Denver locations only. All programs are still available fully online.

Fullstack Academy

Fullstack Academy is a favorite among employers. It has an immersive coding bootcamp that provides students with all the necessary information needed to work across various tech divisions like data analytics and web development. Students at Fullstack Academy learn how to think like a developer and apply problem-solving skills to their work.

Fullstack currently offers online programs only. Through an involved curriculum taught by industry experts, graduates from Fullstack Academy often go on to find full-time employment with many high-profile tech companies like Google, American Express, Bloomberg LP, and Microsoft.

General Assembly

Students can choose to study data science, product management, digital marketing, and more at General Assembly. There are several learning programs to fit students’ schedules. Full-time students take less time to complete their courses. However, there are also part-time and self-paced learning options that are more flexible and less time-consuming.

General Assembly is partnered with several large companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Nast. This means that after graduation, you have the potential to connect and work with any of these companies. General Assembly’s Chicago location is not currently active but students who are interested can sign up for its online programs.

Make School

Make School is unique in that it offers a two-year fast-track bachelor’s degree program in computer science. Most coding bootcamps don’t offer degrees in their programs. This sets you apart from other bootcamp graduates. The coding bootcamp also offers free online courses in app development.

While Make School does provide a bachelor’s degree program, it is different from others. The curriculum only teaches you what’s necessary to break into tech. You’ll learn about the tools used in the industry and how to work as a programmer.

Nucamp

Nucamp students can learn how to become full stack mobile developers or web developers in just 18 weeks. This coding bootcamp also provides part-time courses to students that want to transition into a new career field without having to commit to a stricter schedule.

Courses at Nucamp are highly affordable and come in at a lower price point than most other bootcamps. There are financing options such as deferred tuition and installment plans which allow students to pay for the bootcamp at a pace that they’re comfortable with.

Product School

Product School offers certification programs that can help students climb the ladder in product management. Students learn with personal career coaches who guide them to new careers. Throughout the bootcamp, students take part in portfolio projects and labs to better develop their skills.

This Chicago-based school is committed to developing students’ skills in product development, product leadership, and product management. Students receive instruction from well-trained individuals who have several years of professional experience. Classes are also kept small, with an average of 14 students per class, to encourage tight-knit student-instructor bonds.

Techtorial Academy

Techtorial Academy offers four specialized tracks: SDET, cybersecurity, Salesforce, and DevOps. Classes are held live at its Chicago location, ensuring that students get the one-on-one time needed with experienced instructors. On top of live lectures, students gain access to exercises, assignments, and mentorship to help them prepare for the workforce.

Some of its programs like Cybersecurity and Salesforce are also designed to prepare students for industry-standard certifications like CompTIA+ and AWS. Techtorial Academy notes that all programs are beginner-friendly and that no former experience is required.

Tech Elevator

Tech Elevator offers quality in-person and online software engineering bootcamps. As of 2022, it boasts a 93 percent graduation rate and a 90 percent employment rate. Its outcomes report is also audited by the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR) which ensures that transparency is guaranteed.

Students are taught using an industry-aligned curriculum and are given career coaching that can help them become desirable job candidates. Online reviews show that many graduates are satisfied with the quality of instruction and are able to pave a new career path in tech upon completing Tech Elevator.

Thinkful

Thinkful offers several full-time and part-time courses to its students, which include software engineering, data science, digital marketing, and UX/UI design. The coding bootcamp has a strong focus on helping students find employment.

Through Thinkful’s job guarantee, students are eligible for a full-tuition refund if they do not receive a job offer six months after graduating. However, that is highly unlikely. Thinkful states that 90 percent of its graduates become full-time developers upon graduation.