Online coding bootcamps have revolutionized the education industry by providing flexible pathways to acquire job-ready tech skills. By leveraging high-quality curricula coupled with the personalized attention that bootcamps are known for, the best online bootcamps can help you launch a tech career in a matter of months and relatively cheaply.
If you don’t live near a big city or can’t commit to the intensive schedule of an immersive program, a remote coding bootcamp could be the perfect solution to upskill or reskill and land a high-paying tech job. In this article, we show you the top coding bootcamps with online programs and delve into their course offering, career services, strengths, and weaknesses.
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Why Choose a Remote Coding Bootcamp?
You should choose a remote coding bootcamp because it offers greater flexibility along with all the benefits of an in-person program. Below, we review the main advantages of the best remote coding bootcamps:
- Flexible schedules and curricula. Remote coding bootcamps offer a wide range of schedules and curricula, allowing you to choose the one that suits your availability and learning style. Whether you prefer live instruction or a self-paced approach, you can find an option that fits your needs.
- Efficient skill acquisition. Despite their shorter duration, coding bootcamps cover a comprehensive curriculum and provide in-demand technical skills. This intensive approach enables students to enter the workforce quickly and efficiently.
- Affordable tuition. Coding bootcamps are much cheaper than traditional college degrees. In addition, coding bootcamp typically offer several financing methods, including income share agreements and loans. Many bootcamps accept the GI Bill and many give out scholarships.
- Job placement services Many coding bootcamps provide job placement services to assist graduates in securing employment. These services can include resume building, interview preparation, and connections to potential employers.
- Emphasis on practical experience. In the eyes of employers, practical experience often outweighs the importance of formal education credentials. Coding bootcamp graduates acquire this experience through hands-on projects with real-world applications.
Is an Online Bootcamp Different From an In-person Bootcamp?
Yes, an online bootcamp will be different from the in-person experience. There are both positive and negative aspects to this. On the positive side, online coding bootcamps tend to be cheaper, some costing up to several thousand dollars less than the in-person option. In addition, remote bootcamps offer greater flexibility.
On the other hand, in-person bootcamps are simply better when it comes to nurturing a sense of community and belonging among students. Although remote bootcamps do strive to create strong student communities via platforms and tools like Slack, the truth is that the on-campus experience still comes up on top in this regard.
Another important difference is the localization of career services. In-person bootcamps are able to partner with local companies, adjusting curricula to the needs of these employers. The remote bootcamps discussed in this article do offer strong career services, but that level of customization cannot be replicated because the student could be based in a completely different part of the world.
How Much Do Online Coding Bootcamps Cost?
In general, an online coding bootcamp costs between $5,000 and $20,000. The average remote coding bootcamp is about $1,000 cheaper than an in-person program. Add the fact that the student saves on transportation and relocation costs, and there is a clear winner when it comes to affordability.
Within remote programs, bootcamps that provide live instruction with small class sizes and individualized attention cost more than self-paced programs. For example, App Academy offers a remote, immersive software engineering bootcamp for $20,000. CareerFoundry has a self-paced program on the same subject for just $7,650.
Will an Online Coding Bootcamp Get Me a Job?
Yes, an online coding bootcamp is very likely to get you a job. The average coding bootcamp job placement rate is 71 percent, according to data collected by the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR). Some online programs boast job placement rates that surpass this average by a wide berth. For example, 90 percent of remote Flatiron School students landed an in-field job within the reporting period.
Remote bootcamps may not offer location-specific career services like in-person schools, but they still provide extensive professional development to maximize the student’s chances of landing an in-field job. Examples of career services offered by online coding bootcamps include personalized mentorship, resume reviews, workshops, and access to a network of alumni and employers.
What Jobs Can You Get After an Online Coding Bootcamp?
An online coding bootcamp will prepare you for a wide variety of high-paying entry-level tech positions. Some jobs you can get with a coding bootcamp include software engineer, web developer, UX/UI designer, data analyst, and cyber security analyst.
How to Choose the Best Online Coding Bootcamp for You
From the convenience of studying at your time to the support from peers and instructors, online coding bootcamps come with great resources. The right coding bootcamp teaches everything. From JavaScript basics to full-stack web development, there’s a great wealth of knowledge with this career education resource.
If you’re looking to make a career change and enter the tech field, then an online coding bootcamp is the right choice for you.
Schedule
You can generally choose to attend an online coding bootcamp part-time or full-time, but not all schools offer both options. If you want to work while you study, or have other time commitments, you might consider only applying to part-time programs. While part-time online coding bootcamps might take longer to complete, you might need the extra time to keep up with the curriculum.
If you want full control over your learning schedule, you might consider a self-paced online coding bootcamp. Self-paced bootcamps generally consist of pre-recorded lessons that you can complete on your own time. You will also have the opportunity to speak with instructors if you have questions or need feedback.
Career Services
The reason bootcamps often boast such high job placement figures is that they put the emphasis on career services. All the schools in our ranking have dedicated career teams to help the student during the job search process.
Common professional development services offered by online coding bootcamps include a coach or counselor that you can meet remotely several times a week as well as sessions to enhance your resume, review your portfolio, and help you build your professional image. Another benefit is that bootcamp students are often connected with potential employers and are referred to relevant job openings as they arise.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Coding bootcamp scholarships are a great way of lowering your tuition, and some schools offer generous opportunities to students with financial needs or members of underrepresented groups in tech. BrainStation, Coding Dojo, and Metis are a few schools that offer online coding bootcamp scholarships to qualifying students.
If you are unable to pay the full tuition for your bootcamp upfront, you might want to choose a school that accepts coding bootcamp loans and other flexible payment plans. Some students are also able to cover their online coding bootcamp tuition with GI Bill benefits. It’s always a good idea to fully understand your payment options before enrolling in a program.
Curriculum
Before enrolling in a bootcamp, review all the skills covered in the courses and ensure you will have a chance to practice what you need to know for your chosen career. Some programs are more specialized toward a specific career path, while others provide a more generalized skillset. Ultimately, the best online coding bootcamp curriculum for your situation will depend on your professional goals.
Job Guarantee
Job guarantees are not uncommon in the bootcamp industry and many students prioritize this feature during their search for the perfect bootcamp. Coding bootcamp job guarantees take several forms, the most common one being a refund of the tuition if the student fails to get a job after a specified period of time, often six months.
Other schools, however, do promise the student an actual job with an employer in their network. For example, students joining Launch School’s Capstone Program are guaranteed a job if they complete the course.
Lastly, some online bootcamps offer deferred tuition. This is also considered a form of job guarantee because students can join the program without any upfront costs and often don’t have to repay the school if they fail to secure a job after graduation.
Are Online Coding Bootcamps Worth It?
Yes, online coding bootcamps are worth it if you are eager to break into the tech field and are unable to attend in-person classes. The best online bootcamps can provide a supportive learning environment with plenty of individualized attention. With so many flexible scheduling options, you’ll be able to study and gain essential coding skills without having to quit your job.
Online bootcamps prioritize project-based learning so that by the time you graduate, you’ll have the hands-on practice you need to land an entry-level position. They also provide career services like mock interviews, resume assistance, and career coaching. If you are hoping to launch a new tech career, you’ll find enrolling in an online coding bootcamp worth it.
