Best Software Engineering Bootcamps

Attending a coding bootcamp has become an increasingly popular way for students to gain the technical skills and hands-on experience they need to land in-demand tech jobs. Enrolling in one of the best software engineering bootcamps can help you go from a complete beginner to a tech professional in less than a year. 

In-person and online software engineering bootcamp programs prioritize project-based learning, allowing students to focus on the specific skills they will need in their chosen field. We will provide details about all of the top software engineering coding bootcamps in this article, including course descriptions and tuition information.

What Is a Software Engineering Bootcamp?

A software engineering coding bootcamp is a short educational program that covers the skills you need to enter the workforce as a junior engineer or software developer. Coding bootcamps are designed to be a more flexible and affordable alternative to traditional college degrees. Benefits of attending a software engineering bootcamp include:

• Career services. Software engineering bootcamps aim to do all they can to help students successfully enter the workforce. Most programs offer career counseling, networking events, resume workshops, and mock interviews. 
• Flexibility. Most coding bootcamps offer a variety of scheduling options, including both in-person and remote courses. You can choose a highly-rigorous full-time program, or elect a part-time option where move through the curriculum at your own speed. 
• Payment options. Most software engineering bootcamps accept a wide range of payment methods to ensure their courses are available to as many students as possible. If you can’t pay upfront, you might be able to pay in installments, use loan financing, or take advantage of deferred tuition options. 
• Job-ready skills. Bootcamps frequently update their curricula to ensure students are learning the most in-demand and up-to-date methods and technologies. Everything you learn will be directly applicable to your future job in the tech sector.  

Top 10 Best Software Engineering Bootcamps

With such a wide variety of coding schools available, it can be difficult to sort through all the options to find the program that best suits your educational needs. Below, you will find detailed information about all of the best software engineering bootcamp programs available to help you come to a decision. 

App Academy | Software Engineering Bootcamps

• Format: Online, in-person, full-time, part-time
• Locations: New York City, San Francisco 
• Tuition: $17,000, $20,000, $22,000

App Academy offers three scheduling options, all of which provide the same high-quality and comprehensive curriculum. Whether you choose to study online or in person, you will have the chance to interact with your peers and instructors. While both remote programs feature live online lectures, the part-time option is designed to accommodate busy schedules. 

If you attend an App Academy software engineer bootcamp, you will have access to one-on-one meetings with an experienced career coach, resume workshops, mock interviews, and other career services. While beginners are welcome to apply, many students take advantage of App Academy’s various prep programs that cover programming basics before the main course starts. 

Codeworks | Software Engineering Immersive

• Format: Online or in-person, full-time
• Locations: Barcelona, Berlin, London
• Tuition: $14,800

You can attend Codeworks’ software engineering bootcamp online from anywhere in the world. Students begin with a 160-hour pre-course where they master introductory skills like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. The main course lasts 10 weeks and dives into more advanced technologies, including advanced JavaScript, backend frameworks, cyber security, and DevOps. 

This is one of the best software engineering bootcamp programs for anyone looking for a rigorous program that covers a range of advanced skills. Be prepared to study full-time from Monday to Saturday. The application process includes a preliminary interview, a technical interview, and a coding assignment.

Devmountain | Python Software Engineering

• Format: Online, in-person, part-time, full-time
• Locations: Dallas, Lehi
• Tuition: $9,900

This Python software engineering coding bootcamp lasts 16 weeks full-time and 24 to 36 weeks part-time. Full-time Devmountain students attend lessons on campus or remotely Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Part-time classes take place in the evenings two nights a week along with all day Saturday. 

The curriculum is designed to prepare students for junior software engineering roles in top tech companies. It includes essential skills such as Python, Git and Github, SQL, Flask, data structures, algorithms, and SQLAlchemy ORM. Students learn all together for the first half of the program, then break off into smaller groups to receive advanced instruction in their specialization.

Flatiron School | Software Engineering

• Format: Online, in-person, part-time, full-time
• Locations: New York City
• Tuition: $17,999

Flatiron School’s full-time software engineering coding bootcamp is available online or in person at its campus in New York. The course lasts 15 weeks, and you can expect to study eight hours per day, Monday to Friday. As you move through the six course modules, you’ll pick up essential skills like JavaScript, ReactJS, Python, SQL, and Flask.

The part-time software engineer bootcamp includes a similar curriculum, but you will have up to 40 weeks to graduate. This course features asynchronous learning through pre-recorded lessons. Students have the option of participating in live lectures and office hours. 

Fullstack Academy | Software Engineering Bootcamp

• Format: Live online, part-time, full-time
• Locations: New York City
• Tuition: $19,910

This online software engineering bootcamp is available for intermediate coders. Over 17 or 28 weeks, you will complete an advanced, project-based, JavaScript-driven curriculum designed to accelerate your career. Courses are taught by experts with real industry experience and students have access to professional career coaching.

Because Fullstack Academy prioritizes collaboration, you will have the opportunity to improve your interpersonal skills and practice presenting your code as you build your skills. Students begin with a self-paced foundations course before moving on to live online classes and group projects. Fullstack Academy also offers an online software development bootcamp for beginners. 

Galvanize | Software Engineering Immersive

• Format: Live online, full-time, part-time
• Locations: Boulder, Denver, Phoenix, San Francisco
• Tuition: $17,980

Galvanize, who acquired Hack Reactor in 2018, offers a 12-week full-time and a 36-week part-time software engineering immersive bootcamp. Both scheduling options feature live online classes and the same comprehensive curriculum. If you want to study remotely without losing the structure and community of an in-person program, Galvanize might be a coding bootcamp to consider. 

All graduates have access to an experienced career services team to help them build an online presence, prepare for job interviews, and workshop resumes. Students also participate in one-on-one coaching sessions for personalized guidance. 

General Assembly | Software Engineering Immersive

• Format: Online, full-time, part-time
• Locations: London, Manama, New York City, Paris, Singapore, Sydney
• Tuition: $16,450

General Assembly has over 30 campuses worldwide and over 19,000 hiring partners. The part-time software engineer bootcamp lasts three months and is offered remotely. The full-time program is occasionally available in-person, though its primary format is remote. Students learn a mix of front end and backend technologies to graduate as full stack developers. 

You do not need previous programming experience to apply for General Assembly, though some understanding of the basics will come in handy. Students have access to hiring panel discussions, guest speakers, and professional career coaches. 

Nucamp | Complete Software Engineering Bootcamp Path

• Format: Online, part-time, full-time
• Locations: Several online communities around the world
• Tuition: $6,439

Nucamp’s software engineering path is a unique program that consists of four individual bootcamp programs, including Web Development Fundamentals, Back End and DevOps with Python, Full Stack Web and Mobile Development, and Job Hunting. Altogether, the course lasts 11 months and includes over 1,400 hours of instruction.  

Students master skills such as JavaScript, Python, Django, Flask, MongoDB, SQL, Agile development, and how to deploy to the cloud. The Job Hunting Bootcamp is a four-week class that covers everything you need to know to craft the perfect resume, ace technical job interviews, and network effectively. 

Springboard | Software Engineering Career Track

• Format: Online, self-paced
• Locations: Online
• Tuition: $9,900

Springboard offers one of the best online software engineering bootcamps for students who thrive when they can learn on their own schedule. The program includes four 800-hour modules: Front End, Back End with Python, Node and Express, and ReactJS and Redux. You can move through the content at your own pace with the help of your mentor and student advisor. 

Most students complete Springboard’s software engineer course in nine months, studying 20 to 25 hours per week. The curriculum includes four capstone projects designed to help you gain hands-on experience and showcase your abilities to potential employers. Springboard also offers a job guarantee, meaning you may be eligible for a full refund if you don’t land a job within six months of graduation. 

Thinkful | Software Engineering Bootcamp

• Format: Online, full-time, part-time
• Locations: Several online communities around the world
• Tuition: $9,975-$16,000

This online software engineering bootcamp lasts five to six months, depending on your scheduling preferences. If you study full-time, you will progress through the program with a cohort of peers and have access to dedicated learning assistants. Part-time students study independently with optional office hours. 

Thinkful students are paired with a personal mentor, who can provide detailed feedback on coursework, video consultations, and career advice and tips. You will also receive technical interview practice and resume writing support. All Thinkful instructors and mentors have at least three years of relevant industry experience. 

How to Choose a Software Engineering Bootcamp

While every bootcamp included on our list offers the high-quality education you need to start a tech career, that doesn’t mean each program is right for every student. Below, we discuss the factors you should consider while selecting the best software engineering bootcamp for your unique situation.  

Format and Flexibility

Before you select a software engineering bootcamp, you will need to determine how much time you will be able to dedicate to your program. Full-time bootcamps cover a large amount of information in a short time and take a great deal of commitment, so it will be very difficult to keep up with the coursework if you are trying to work simultaneously. 

Part-time bootcamps for software engineering offer more flexibility, though it is still important to remember that some part-time bootcamps require that you attend classes at a certain time every day. If your schedule is difficult to predict or you prefer the freedom of setting your own deadlines, you may do better in a self-paced bootcamp. 

Cost and Payment Options

Software engineering coding bootcamps can be pricey, so most schools offer students a variety of payment options. These might include loan financing, income share agreements, deferred tuition plans, or installment payments. Most importantly, many offer scholarships and discounts to minority students or those with financial need. 

Carefully review the available payment plans for all of your favorite schools and make sure you understand the terms and conditions before making a decision. Additionally, keep in mind that software engineering bootcamp tuition varies significantly between schools and the most expensive option is not necessarily the best option for every student.  

Course Content

While there is a great deal of overlap when it comes to coding bootcamp curricula, not all software engineering programs will cover the same skills. If there are certain technologies,  coding languages, or skills that you know you want to learn, make sure they are included in the coursework before you apply. 

Level of Support

If you plan to attend your software engineering bootcamp online, you will have access to programs that offer very different degrees of interaction between yourself, your peers, and your instructors. If you thrive when you are able to work independently, you can select a self-paced program that provides pre-recorded lectures and optional office hours where you can ask questions as needed. 

If you prefer a learning environment where you can interact daily with a cohort of students and get to know your instructors, a software engineering bootcamp with live online classes might be a better fit. Either way, it is important to understand your own learning style and choose a bootcamp that will provide you with the support you need. 

What Jobs Can You Land After a Software Engineering Bootcamp?

Any of the best software engineering bootcamps will provide the education you need to land an entry-level job in the field. In this section, we will discuss some common job titles held by software engineering bootcamp graduates.   

Junior Software Engineer

• Average entry-level salary: $89,589

A junior software engineer will work under a more experienced member of the development team and assist with tasks such as code documentation, troubleshooting, and debugging and updating existing software. As you improve your skills and learn more about the company, you will be able to advance into higher-level roles.  

Software Developer

• Average entry-level salary: $84,548

As a software developer, you will work to maintain applications, write basic code, and assist the rest of your team in all aspects of the software development life cycle. Developers often work alongside product managers, UX/UI designers, and programmers, so you will need strong communication skills to effectively explain your ideas and limitations.   

Full Stack Developer

• Average entry-level salary: $77,964

A full stack developer is in charge of creating and maintaining both the user-facing and the server side of a website or web application. This means you will need to understand front end languages, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as backend technologies and frameworks.

Backend Developer

• Average entry-level salary: $73,478

Backend developers also work on web applications, but they exclusively focus on server-side operations. Doing so requires experience using languages such as Python, Java, PHP, and SQL, as well as various backend frameworks and databases. 

Mobile Application Developer

• Average entry-level salary: $82,568

Some software engineers choose to specialize in a specific field. As a mobile app developer, you will use your talents to create applications for mobile devices, such as smartphones. You will need experience working with operating systems like Android and iOS. You may also need some familiarity with basic UX/UI design concepts.  

Is a Software Engineering Bootcamp Worth it?

Yes, attending a software engineering bootcamp is worth it if you are interested in starting a career in the tech sector. You will master a wide range of technologies and various programming languages that will qualify you for roles such as full stack developer, software developer, and junior software engineer. 

All of the best software engineering bootcamps also provide career services, such as one-on-one mentoring, resume workshops, mock interviews, and access to employer networks. This ensures that you will have the support you need to find your first job after graduation. 

Best Software Engineering Bootcamps FAQ