Best Coding Bootcamps for Women in 2023

Careers in the tech industry have historically been male-dominated. According to Zippia, women hold only 28 percent of computing and mathematical jobs in the US, despite the fact that women make up nearly half of the workforce. This is a problem numerous educational organizations aim to solve by providing dedicated resources like coding bootcamps for women. 

A women’s coding bootcamp is a career-centered training program that covers in-demand tech skills and prepares students for specific roles in the industry. What often sets these programs apart is that, in addition to providing hands-on training in hard skills, they provide a gender-inclusive supportive community and mentoring opportunities. To find out where you can find the best classes in coding for women, keep reading. 

The 10 Best Coding Bootcamps for Women

Access to the right educational resources is an important step in getting rid of the gender gap in the tech industry. The following schools and organizations have provided coding bootcamps for women and non-binary students that are specifically designed to help underrepresented communities master in-demand skills and receive the support and connections they need to succeed.

Here are the 10 best coding bootcamps for women:

• Hackbright Academy
• Ada Developers Academy
• The Grace Hopper Program
• Girl Develop It
• 23 Code Street
• Ladies Learning Code
• Kal Academy
• CodeOp
• SheCodes
• Black Codeher

Top Coding Bootcamps for Women: Explained

Below, we dive into the best women’s coding bootcamps in more detail, including their strengths, program offerings, and what makes each program unique. Some schools on our list even offer free coding bootcamps for women or substantial scholarship opportunities. 

Hackbright Academy

• Cost: $12,900
• Length: 24 weeks (part-time), 11 weeks (full-time)
• Locations: Online, San Francisco
• Subjects covered: Git, HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, Flask, JavaScript, Data modeling

Hackbright Academy provides a remote software engineering bootcamp program for women and non-binary students that fosters a sense of community and mutual empowerment. The course is designed to be a competitive alternative to a university engineering degree. Over 1,000 women and non-binary engineers have graduated from this coding bootcamp and gone on to work in major tech companies.  

In addition to its full software engineering program, Hackbright Academy offers short courses in coding for women and non-binary students. For example, the school has a six-course Python program that is completely free and self-paced. 

Does Hackbright Academy Offer Scholarships for Women?

Yes, Hackbright Academy offers scholarships exclusively for women and non-binary students. There are two different Hackbright Academy scholarships: the Hackbright Prep Grad Scholarship and the Hackbright Changemaker Scholarship. The Hackbright Changemaker Scholarship covers half of the tuition while the Prep grad scholarship is worth $1,000.  

To receive a scholarship, students must show a keen interest in a software engineering career path as well as technical ability. The Hackbright Prep Grad Scholarship is available for anyone who completes the five-week prep course and passes the technical interview. 

Ada Developers Academy

• Cost: Free
• Length: 6 months (class time), 5 months (internship)
• Locations: Seattle, Atlanta, online
• Subjects covered: Python, SQL, Flask, JavaScript, React, HTML/CSS 

Ada Developers Academy is a nonprofit organization providing cost-free coding classes to women and non-binary adults. This full-time program is in-person, includes internship placement, and ends with a capstone project to prepare women for the workforce. Ada Developers Academy has already helped women get salary increases amounting to over $38 million and it is one of the best coding bootcamps in Seattle.

Does Ada Developers Academy Offer Scholarships for Women?

As this coding bootcamp offers a free learning environment for women, there aren’t any coding scholarships available. However, to help with living expenses, Ada Developers Academy provides students with a stipend of $25 per hour during their internship. 

The Grace Hopper Program at Fullstack Academy

• Cost: $19,811 (full-time), $17,381 (part-time)
• Length: 16 weeks (full-time), 28 weeks (part-time)
• Locations: Online, New York
• Subjects covered: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Git/Github, React, APIs, Prototyping, SQL   

The Grace Hopper Program helps female and non-binary developers by offering coding training specifically to these groups. Women can learn all the fundamentals of software engineering through the 16-week program. Many graduates from this program have found career success at companies like Facebook, American Express, and Google. 

This bootcamp for women is offered by Fullstack Academy, one of the most well-known coding schools in the industry. The instructors all have multiple years of industry experience and students receive professional career coaching designed to help them ace interviews and reach their full potential. 

Does The Grace Hopper Program Offer Scholarships for Women?

At this bootcamp, students aspiring to become software engineers can apply for two different scholarships. These scholarships are the Edie Windsor Scholarship and the Ada Lovelace Scholarship.

The best Grace Hopper scholarship is the Edie Windsor Scholarship because it covers half of the tuition. However, it is only available for non-binary folk and LGBTQ+ women. The Ada Lovelace Scholarship, on the other hand, gives $1,000 off to any student who pays their tuition upfront. 

Girl Develop It 

• Cost: $60/month
• Length: Open-ended 
• Locations: Online
• Subjects covered: Python, User experience, JavaScript, Microsoft tools

Girl Develop It is a non-profit organization for women and non-binary individuals that provides courses in subjects like software engineering, data science, UX design, front end development, and ecommerce. Full membership with Girl Develop It comes with access to its full range of courses, personalized career coaching, and access to exclusive career events. 

Does Girl Develop It Offer Scholarships for Women?

Girl Develop It does offer scholarships for women. The organization’s Co-Op Scholarship Program provides students with a one-year scholarship. In turn, recipients agree to take on a role as a teaching assistant for at least two hours per month over the course of the following year. You can apply for a scholarship on the Girl Develop It website. 

23 Code Street

• Cost: Varies
• Length: 6-12 weeks
• Locations: Online, London
• Subjects covered: HTML/CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, Git/Github, pair programming, Agile development 

Based in London, 23 Code Street is a coding school for women and non-binary students that offers online coding courses. This coding school provides a 12-week masterclass in coding and a six-week web development program. These programs are for beginners interested in coding careers, and you should be committed to learning and ready to set ambitious career goals. 

Does 23 Code Street Offer Scholarships for Women?

Yes, 23 Code Street does periodically offer coding bootcamp scholarships to women. In 2017, 23 Code Street partnered with Amaliah to offer a coding scholarship for Muslim women. For up-to-date information about scholarship opportunities, you can visit the school’s website. 

Ladies Learning Code by Canada Learning Code

• Cost: 0-$35
• Length: Varies
• Locations: Online
• Subjects covered: UX/UI design, JavaScript, Python, SQL 

Canada Learning Code is a large organization that offers training resources to learners all over the world, including bootcamps for girls, women, teachers, and teenagers. Ladies Learning Code is a program designed specifically for women and includes a range of short courses for various skill levels in high-demand topics. 

These are some of the best coding classes for women because they are extremely affordable and can introduce learners to additional resources, such as a supportive community and female mentors, that will further their career ambitions. Ladies Learning Code also hosts numerous events and workshops all year round.   

Does Canada Learning Code Offer Scholarships for Women?

Ladies Learning Code doesn’t have any public scholarship opportunities, but its courses are often run on a pay-what-you-can model. Classes that do charge tuition are also very affordable, usually costing $35 or less.   

Kal Academy

• Cost: $420-$3,500
• Length: 16 weeks
• Locations: Online 
• Subjects covered: Artificial intelligence, software engineering, full stack web development  

Kal Academy hosts a range of skills courses and coding bootcamps designed to set students on the path toward their future tech careers. Kal Academy programs are aimed toward women and other underrepresented minorities, but all students are permitted to enroll. Classes take place on weekends and students have access to full recordings if they prefer to study on their own schedule. 

Does Kal Academy Offer Scholarships for Women?

No, Kal Academy does not offer scholarships to women, but its short courses are very affordable. Longer bootcamps cost $2,500 to $3,500 and individual classes cost $420. 

CodeOp 

• Cost: $6,450 (€5,900)
• Length: 11 weeks
• Locations: Barcelona, London, Malaysia, online
• Subjects covered: Full stack development, data science 

CodeOp is an online learning platform that also has in-person classes in Barcelona, London, and Malaysia. If you’re a woman who wants to become a data analyst, a full stack developer, or a product manager, this school is one to consider. CodeOp provides an inclusive learning experience in its full-time and part-time women’s bootcamps. 

Class size is capped at 15, ensuring all students have access to one-on-one attention. In addition to a senior instructor, students receive support from teaching assistants, career coaches, and mentors who work in the tech industry. 

Does CodeOp Offer Scholarships for Women?

CodeOp offers five partial scholarships per course, and they are awarded on a rolling basis. To qualify for a scholarship you have to be currently unemployed or underemployed, a single parent, or providing financial support or care to a family member.  

SheCodes

• Cost: $99-$1,990
• Length: Up to eight months
• Locations: Online
• Subjects covered: Front end development, UX/UI design, product management 

This organization hosts a range of women’s coding workshops covering essential skills and technologies like HTML/CSS, JavaScript, React, and search engine optimization. Students can choose the best program for their needs depending on how many skills they want to learn. 

The most basic bootcamp lasts 15 hours and covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Editor, while the longest and most comprehensive bootcamp lasts eight months and covers all the tools and languages you need to launch a career in web development, design, or product management. SheCodes creates coding bootcamps for women that are career-focused and designed for equity in the industry. 

Does SheCodes Offer Scholarships for Women?

Yes, the SheCodes Foundation does offer scholarships to students with financial need. You can apply for a scholarship on the organization’s website. SheCodes also provides a free 60-minute coding class for beginners wondering if a career in tech is right for them. 

Black Codher

• Cost: Free
• Length: 30 weeks (part-time)
• Locations: Online
• Subjects covered: Full stack development, databases, Python, HTML/CSS, JavaScript  

Black Codher is an organization that aims to train and support Black women in tech. It provides career-centered training in coding basics, front end coding, full stack development, and databases. This high-quality education program runs for 30 weeks, and the objective is to help Black women upskill and connect with mentors within the industry. 

Does Black Codher Offer Scholarships for Women?

Black Codher bootcamps are free, so it does not provide scholarships to help with tuition. Historically, Black Codher has helped fund childcare services, travel expenses, and the necessary equipment for students who need the support. 

Additional Resources for Female Coders

Full-length coding bootcamps are not the only educational resources out there for female programmers. Many websites offer free tutorials and short coding classes for women looking to gain in-demand tech skills. Here are some websites to check out if you are interested in learning more about tech careers or mastering tech skills.   

Coding Girls

Coding Girls is a gender-neutral network aiming to solidify the presence of women and girls in the tech industry. You can join regular meetups of like-minded women who want to share their ideas and experiences in the tech world. Workshops led by industry experts are also available to help you gain practical experience.

This website might not offer end-to-end bootcamps for women, but you can find online courses, roundtable discussions, panel discussions, and career development support. Coding Girls’ enthusiastic and motivated community also hosts hackathons and coding challenges to put your skills to the test. 

Rails Girls

Rails Girls provides ample resources for female coders. Women who want to code can attend events and access guides and tutorials to learn the skills they need. Aspiring female coders can also take advantage of Rails Girls’ presentations on coding. The website’s blog shares information about upcoming courses, events, and programs. 

Code First Girls

Code First Girls provides a wide array of resources, such as massive open online courses (MOOCs), career pathways, ways to learn to code for free, and upskilling resources. You can find training in software development or in data science, and Code First Girls has many employer partners who hire female coders from its ranks. 

You can join in on community discussions and check Code First Girls’ blog for the latest news. After becoming a member, you will have increased access to job opportunities at companies like HubSpot, BlackRock, and Perlego. 

AllWomen

AllWomen understands the importance of empowering women in the technology industry. This organization provides a range of short remote courses in topics including data analytics, leadership, and product management, as well as full-length bootcamps for women who are looking to launch a career. 

AllWomen has a community of over 30,000 learners and hosts job events, workshops, and other activities to promote a supportive learning environment where students have the chance to network and build strong bonds. 

Coding for Her

This website for female coders offers workshops for you to learn HTML, CSS, graphic design, Adobe Photoshop, and Shopify. There is also a one-on-one workshop on web design and a workshop on how to build a landing page. Coding for Her provides a blog where users can find informative guides to enhance their learning experience. 

Scholarships for Women in Tech

For many women, lack of financial resources is a major factor in why they are unable to pursue their dreams of working in the tech industry. Even the most affordable coding bootcamps and degree programs can be costly to some. Here is our list of the best bootcamp scholarships for women in tech. 

• Codeup | Women in Tech Scholarship. Codeup awards three scholarships to women in each cohort, adding to a total of $10,000. 
• Coding Dojo | Women in Tech Scholarship. All female students with financial need are eligible to apply for this $1,000 scholarship.
• General Assembly | Break the Glass Discount. All low-income students who identify as genderqueer, transgender, gender nonconforming, or as a woman receive a $1,500 tuition discount at specified General Assembly bootcamps. 
• BrainStation | Women In Technology Scholarship. Generous donors have made it possible for BrainStation to offer a wide range of need-based scholarships, including this one specifically for female students. 
• Lesbians Who Tech Scholarship. This scholarship is available at over a dozen coding bootcamps. The amount varies, but it can be as much as 50 to 100 percent of tuition. To apply, you must be a queer woman or nonbinary individual. 

Why We Need More Women in Tech

Even the most qualified and determined women often face obstacles when it comes to climbing the ranks in the technology industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), women held only 26.2 percent of all jobs in computer and mathematical occupations in 2022, proving it can be difficult for women to break into tech.

Further reports by Statista confirm that at Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook, 34 percent or less of the leadership roles are held by women. A report from Pew Research shows that 44 percent of women say discrimination is a major issue in the tech industry, with women of color facing the most significant discrimination. 

Further research has outlined the ways women in tech make less money, receive fewer promotions, and are more likely to leave the industry than their male counterparts. While these are complicated problems with numerous systemic causes, it is clear that gender inequality in tech is an issue that requires attention.

Most Influential Women in Tech

There are many influential women in tech who have left a long-lasting impact on female representation in the sector. The more women who launch careers in computer science, the more role models there will be for the next generation of girls to look up to. Learn more about some of the most famous female coders below.

• Reshma Saujani, Founder and CEO at Girls Who Code. In 2010, Saujani was the first Indian-American to run for Congress. During this time, she also ran the first campaign using tools like Square to generate donations. Two years later, Saujani founded Girls Who Code. This project provides coding training to females from third grade through college. 
• Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO at SpaceX. After becoming the chief engineer of an MLV-class satellite program in 2002, Shotwell became the 11th employee at SpaceX, taking the role of Vice President of Business Development. After years of hard work, Shotwell became the COO. As one of the most influential women in tech, she also gained a spot in the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame. 
• Kate Crawford, Co-Founder at New York University’s AI Now Institute. Crawford spent years researching the dangers and advantages of artificial intelligence and its role in history, politics, the environment, and more. After her work was featured in The New York Times, Nature, and The Atlantic, Crawford proceeded to co-found the New York University’s AI Now Institute in 2017. 
• Kimberly Bryant, Founder and CEO at Black Girls Code. Bryant won a scholarship to study at Vanderbilt University and took on various technology leadership roles. When her daughter grew passionate about computer science, she aimed to bridge the gap between Black women and the tech industry. In 2011, she founded Black Girls Code. 
• Elizabeth Churchill, Director of User Experience at Google. Churchill worked with FX Palo Alto Laboratory and the Palo Alto Research Center. She has worked with companies like Yahoo, eBay, and Google. Currently, Churchill has over 50 patents pending or granted and has published more than 100 articles dissecting psychology and computing. 

Are Coding Bootcamps a Good Option for Women?

Yes, coding bootcamps can be an effective pathway into a successful tech career for anyone, including underrepresented communities in tech like women. A women’s coding bootcamp is a good option because it allows you to learn hands-on, in-demand skills in a supportive community. In addition, many bootcamp programs provide extra resources like career support and mentoring. 

Online and in-person coding bootcamps for women can be a challenge to get into, but there are ways to maximize your chances. Attending a few prep courses, or preparing a portfolio showcasing your past work, can help you get accepted. During the admissions process, you should make sure to show your dedication, passion, and ambition for a future in tech.

Coding Bootcamp for Women FAQ