A Guide to the Best Digital Marketing Bootcamps
Digital marketing is a lucrative and popular career choice in the tech industry. People with a natural inclination for business thrive in the field, and opportunities present themselves frequently. Even though the profession doesn’t usually require coding, there are a fair number of digital marketing bootcamps that prepare students for careers as digital marketers.
The changing consumer and technological landscapes mean that today’s marketers require digital skills that only a marketing bootcamp can provide. But are digital marketing bootcamps worth it? Will you actually get a job after a bootcamp? Read on to discover which of the best digital marketing bootcamps offers you the most enticing path into this exciting new field.
Table of Contents
- The 10 Best Digital Marketing Bootcamps
- Why Choose a Digital Marketing Bootcamp?
- How Much Does a Digital Marketing Bootcamp Cost?
- How to Pay For a Digital Marketing Bootcamp
- Will a Digital Marketing Bootcamp Get Me a Job?
- The Best Entry-Level Digital Marketing Jobs
- How to Pick a Digital Marketing Bootcamp
- Are Digital Marketing Bootcamps Worth It?
The 10 Best Digital Marketing Bootcamps
The recent rise of digital marketing bootcamp programs is a testament both to the high demand for people with digital marketing skills and to the wide range of foundational skills that bootcamps are equipped to teach. While marketing bootcamps of the digital variety come in all shapes and sizes, the ten best digital marketing bootcamps are outlined below.
Cost: $9,995 | Length: 18 weeks | Format: Online
Berkeley Extension, a subsidiary of UC Berkeley, offers seven different courses, including its Digital Marketing Boot Camp. Made up of online classes, this part-time online marketing bootcamp approaches its subject from many angles. Students learn how to run a digital marketing campaign, develop digital marketing strategies, and get the most out of digital advertising.
Students also gain exposure to the top tools in the field, including Google Analytics and WordPress, by completing hands-on projects. They also get to put these skills to use as part of a micro-internship, a unique paid internship opportunity made possible by Berkeley Extension’s employer partnerships. Few bootcamps can match this level of real-world experience.
Cost: $997 | Length: 41 hours | Format: Online
Boot Camp Digital teaches students how to become successful digital marketers through its certification programs. Not only is the school beginner-friendly, but it also helps professionals further improve their skills. Students customize their education by selecting the courses they wish to take. The $997 price refers to the Digital Marketing Master Certification bundle.
The bundle includes eight courses in total, covering email, social media, Google Analytics, SEO, and more. In addition to the video lessons, you’ll get one-on-one facetime with an instructor. If you pass the exam at the end of your training, you will get an industry-respected certification. Graduates from Boot Camp Digital have gone on to work at Nike, Verizon, Google, and Meta.
Cost: $15,000 | Length: 12 weeks (full-time) or 8 months (part-time) | Format: Online, In-person
BrainStation is a large coding bootcamp with several part-time and full-time programs. One of its many programs is its Digital Marketing Bootcamp. Students can take the course in person if they live in New York, Miami, London, Toronto, or Vancouver. The course teaches students how to develop a content strategy, start social campaigns, and measure performance.
The strength of this digital marketing course rests in the hands-on experience BrainStation gives to its students. The course is punctuated by challenges from the school’s industry partners, and students are required to work together to come up with a digital solution. When they graduate, they get to show off their real-world projects in front of all of BrainStation’s hiring partners.
Cost: $950 – $4,500 | Length: 9 weeks (part-time) or 1 year (self-paced) | Format: Online
Of the many programs General Assembly has to offer, the Digital Marketing program is one of the most versatile. This program is available as both a course that you can take online with a group of peers and as a set of learning materials that you can study at your own pace.
The course covers topics such as research, social media marketing, and digital marketing foundations. Taught by knowledgeable instructors, the program comes with a promise that students will become digital marketing experts by graduation. Flexible payment options for the part-time program include employer sponsorship, installments, and zero-percent loans.
Cost: $3,995 | Length: 126 hours | Format: Online, In-person
Noble Desktop helps students build careers in web design, programming, and digital marketing. Students can attend their program at the New York City campus or take part in live seminars online. Courses can take anywhere from four to 12 weeks to complete. While there are no scholarship opportunities, students do have loan financing options and can receive discounts.
The Digital Marketing Certificate is broken into 14 units, which range in length from six to 18 hours. After learning about traditional concepts, such as search engine optimization and email marketing, and traditional tools, such as Google Ads and Google Analytics, students dive into bespoke modules about Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok marketing.
Cost: $5,341 | Length: 3 months | Format: Online
Thinkful is a high-powered online coding bootcamp that teaches in-demand tools and skills for six different tech subjects, including digital marketing. Known for its mentorship program, Thinkful is flexible enough for a career changer and personalized enough for anyone in search of one-on-one attention. The digital marketing bootcamp requires a 15 hour to 20 hour commitment.
The program begins with an overview of the digital marketing industry before moving on to specific topics. There are units on customer insights, branding, analytics, and much more. With its comprehensive curriculum, exclusive network of hiring partners, and flexible schedule, Thinkful’s digital marketing bootcamp is definitely worth it.
Cost: $1,649 | Length: 1 year | Format: Online
Simplilearn is an online certification and professional training platform with courses that run the gamut of tech subjects, from software engineering to digital marketing. Most of the courses are self-paced, meaning that you are given the entire curriculum when you sign up and then you set your own schedule.
The platform’s most popular digital marketing offering is a certification for a digital marketing specialist, and it consists of seven courses, culminating in a capstone project. The points of emphasis are search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and social media strategy. Tools covered include Google Ad Manager, SE Ranking, and YouTube Analytics.
Cost: $6,210 | Length: 7 months | Format: Online
CareerFoundry is one the most highly rated online bootcamps in the industry. Until recently, it had specialized in UX/UI design and web development, but it has now expanded its course catalog to include courses in product management and digital marketing. The school’s self-paced curricula are beginner-friendly, so you don’t need prior experience to join.
What distinguishes CareerFoundry’s digital marketing bootcamp is that it is like five programs in one. Each of its five major units ends with a capstone project, so when you graduate you can play to your strengths and choose how you market yourself to employers. The five types of marketing covered are content, email, social media, performance, and multi-channel.
Cost: $1,999 – $3,999 | Length: 7 weeks | Format: Online
Located in British Columbia, Jelly Academy is the only Canadian bootcamp on our list. Unlike most of the other schools in this section, moreover, it is a bootcamp that focuses exclusively on digital marketing. Its signature program is fast and affordable, and it is available in two formats. The self-paced version costs $1,999, and the version with live online sessions costs $3,999.
The seven-week course moves at a manageable pace, tackling one module per week. Introductory modules on social media and SEO are followed by modules on Google Ads, Instagram Ads, Facebook Ads, and Google Analytics. The course ends with public relations and email marketing. Along the way, you will prepare for industry-respected certifications.
Cost: $1,099 | Length: 3 months | Format: Online
JobPrepped is an online training program that combines on-demand learning with real-world work opportunities for aspiring digital marketing professionals. The course content is packed with everything a digital marketer needs to know, and includes seven certifications. Students then work with a former top executive performing real marketing tasks.
The work experience is great resume fodder, but JobPrepped doesn’t stop there. It also helps you prepare your application materials and conducts mock interviews with you. With extensive career services like these, it should come as no surprise that 94.3 percent of JobPrepped graduates either land interviews or get job offers within three weeks of graduation.
Why Choose a Digital Marketing Bootcamp?
You should choose a digital marketing bootcamp because digital marketing careers require digital know-how that bootcamps are well positioned to provide. Digital marketing is a complex field, but years of glowing student testimonials demonstrate that the bootcamp model works for this occupation.
Historically, most marketing careers began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, or with an MBA. But today, digital marketing bootcamps provide a number of advantages over the traditional model. Below are some further reasons you should consider a digital marketing bootcamp:
- Bootcamps are cheaper. When compared to a four-year college program, digital marketing bootcamps provide the same in-demand skills at a fraction of the cost. For example, a complete four-month program at a bootcamp could cost the same as just one year of tuition in a college program.
- Less time-consuming. A bootcamp program typically lasts months in its entirety as opposed to years in a college program.
- More adaptive to industry trends. Bootcamp curricula are designed around up-to-date industry trends to get grads hired right away. This means more flexibility for bootcamps to adjust and update the skills taught alongside the foundational knowledge.
- Sky-high job placement rates. Alongside the program itself, bootcamps usually offer career services and access to employer partnerships in their mission to help their students transition to a digital marketing career.
How Much Does a Digital Marketing Bootcamp Cost?
A digital marketing bootcamp costs between $1,000 to $15,000. More expensive bootcamp programs are not always better. The right digital marketing bootcamp for you depends not only on your budget, but also on your goals, curricular needs, learning style, and other factors. If you’re looking into a more costly program, there are usually several financing options.
How to Pay For a Digital Marketing Bootcamp
There are several ways to pay for coding bootcamps, and the most common bootcamp financing methods typically apply to digital marketing bootcamps as well. For example, if you can afford to pay for your entire program upfront, you will usually qualify for a small discount. Bootcamps may also allow you to make the tuition payment in monthly installments. Further payment options include the following:
- Loans through a third-party lender
- Scholarship
- Deferred tuition
- Income share agreement (ISA)
- GI Bill benefits
Will a Digital Marketing Bootcamp Get Me a Job?
Yes, a digital marketing bootcamp will get you a job in digital marketing. This is the main mission of all bootcamp programs, and besides teaching in-demand industry skills, they also offer career services such as resume review, interview preparation, and networking opportunities. Most bootcamps also have employment partnerships with key employers and companies who hire their graduates after program completion.
The Best Entry-Level Digital Marketing Jobs
If you want to become a digital marketer, you’ll have a lot of job titles to choose from. Indeed, even at the entry level, digital marketing jobs are quite plentiful and versatile relative to other professions. Whether you’re looking for freelancing gigs, part-time work, or part-time digital marketing jobs, there should be something on the following list for you.
| Role | Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Content Marketing Manager | $73,356 | 10% |
| Email Marketing Specialist | $56,415 | 19%* |
| Content Strategist | $49,829 | 19%* |
| SEO Specialist | $44,597 | 19%* |
| Social Media Specialist | $40,905 | 19%* |
Content Marketing Manager | Average Salary: $73,356
A content manager is in charge of the development of a content marketing strategy for a company and the production of this content. They will also monitor the performance of the strategy and make necessary adjustments. The responsibilities of this role will depend on the size of the company and its marketing department or team, and its particular strategy. This managerial position is a common career progression for digital marketers who specialize in content marketing.
Email Marketing Specialist | Average Entry-Level Salary: $56,415
An email marketing specialist develops email marketing campaigns and strategies for a company’s greater marketing strategy. These professionals focus on building email contact lists and creating and writing optimized emails to send to prospective or current clients or consumers.
Content Strategist | Average Entry-Level Salary: $49,829
A content strategist is a digital marketer who advises companies on the blog content they should create in order to generate traffic, draw eyeballs to their products, and get people to buy what they see. This is a great career path if you’re looking for remote digital marketing jobs because it’s the kind of thing you don’t have to be in person to do.
SEO Specialist | Average Entry-Level Salary: $44,597
Search engine optimation (SEO) is perhaps the most important digital marketing tool in the industry. Whereas other types of marketers cast a wide net in search of an audience, an SEO specialist lets the audience come to them. They study Google’s algorithm to identify new ways to connect popular search terms to the products they’re trying to sell.
Social Media Specialist | Average Entry-Level Salary: $40,905
A social media specialist does not use Google to connect with potential customers, but rather social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. By mastering the core principles of social media advertising and analytics, you could get an entry-level digital marketing job working to increase user engagement with a startup’s social media accounts.
How to Pick a Digital Marketing Bootcamp
When picking the right digital marketing bootcamp for you, there are various aspects of programs today that could affect whether you succeed in graduating and landing a job after. Below are some important factors to consider:
Curriculum
With your career goal in mind, review bootcamp program curriculum to ensure that it will teach you the skills necessary to land the type of job you want in digital marketing.
Instructors
The instructors of the bootcamp courses should have relevant and current industry experience and a deep understanding of the digital marketing field. They should also be able to offer additional guidance and assistance throughout the program where needed.
Career Services
The scope of a bootcamp’s career services can make or break your ability to land a job after graduating. Look for bootcamps that offer career services like resume review, interview preparation, networking opportunities, career coaching, and even employer partnerships.
Cost
The cost of a bootcamp is a major factor that should not be taken lightly. If your budget is smaller, look for affordable digital marketing bootcamps. Many also allow you to pay the cost of tuition using loans, scholarships, or through tuition programs like deferred tuition or income share agreements (ISAs).
Schedule
The duration and intensity of a program are major factors and should be chosen based on your personal level of commitment. For example, should you study full-time or part-time? Do you prefer to study in a classroom environment or online from home?
Reputation and Job Placement
The reputation of the bootcamp is very important and is typically connected to the bootcamp’s ability to fulfill its mission of helping bootcamp grads land jobs. A bootcamp’s job placement rate is a good indicator of a bootcamp’s reputation in elearning and with employers in the tech field.
Are Digital Marketing Bootcamps Worth It?
Yes, a digital marketing bootcamp is worth it. These programs have comprehensive curricula, covering both foundational topics and more complex subjects. In the end, students tie it all together with a capstone project, learning the ins and outs of campaign development by working on a real-world scenario that will be sure to impress prospective employers.
The best digital marketing bootcamps are also worth it for the stellar career services they offer. Students can meet with career counselors to build a resume, a LinkedIn profile, and an entry-level portfolio. If you’re interested in working in the high-level career field of tech and marketing, then a digital marketing bootcamp may be worth it for you.
FAQ
What is digital marketing?
Digital marketing is the use of the Internet to connect consumers to products of various kinds. This involves email, content, social media marketing, and the use of search engines. The term digital marketing stands in opposition to traditional marketing, which focuses on analog forms of media like newspapers and magazines.
Do I need to know coding to work in digital marketing?
No, digital marketers do not need to know how to code, though they should possess a basic understanding of how web development works. Coding bootcamps are a great way to learn digital marketing because they know what it takes to succeed in the tech industry. Â
Is digital marketing a good career?
Digital marketing is a lucrative career choice because people’s attention is a valuable commodity. Companies are willing to pay high digital marketing salaries to anyone who can demonstrate an ability to identify a target audience and capture its attention. According to PayScale, digital marketing as a skill is worth a $73,000 annual salary.Â
Can a digital marketing bootcamp help me get a job?
Yes, digital marketing bootcamps can help you get a job through their career services and hiring partners. Many bootcamps help their graduates prepare for interviews, update their resumes, and polish their portfolios. The most well-connected bootcamps can pull strings with their industry partners, putting their own graduates at the front of the line for new job openings.
