2023 Best Online Coding Bootcamps
An online coding bootcamp may be the answer if you want to develop new technical skills quickly and conveniently. These programs might help prepare you for tech roles in just a few months. You might even find an online coding bootcamp with job placement assistance.
Managers are increasingly relying on coding bootcamp graduates to fill technical roles. A 2020 survey by HackerRank reports that 72% of managers consider bootcamp graduates to be just as skilled as applicants with bachelor's degrees.
SwitchUp has become a trusted source for people who want to find the online coding bootcamp options that best meet their needs since we began ranking online coding bootcamps in 2014. Our latest ranked list below contains only online bootcamps that have earned at least four out of five stars and have been thoroughly reviewed by a minimum of five graduates. See our methodology for more information on how we ranked bootcamps. You may also be interested in the best overall coding bootcamps.
Why Trust Our Rankings?
Ratings Based on over 25k Student Reviews
Annual Rankings Since 2014
What Is an Online Coding Bootcamp?
A coding bootcamp is an intensive program teaching critical technological skills such as cybersecurity, user experience and user interface (UX/UI) design, and web development. Bootcamps last an average of 3-6 months but can take as long as a year to complete.
Online tech bootcamps host coursework on learning management platforms where you can view lectures and complete assignments remotely. Students typically receive support via communication apps, shared folders, regular feedback on coding assignments, and weekly check-in meetings with instructors. Many programs have part-time options designed to help you balance your education with other obligations. Full-time students typically commit 40 hours a week and are encouraged to complete as many coding tasks as possible during this time.
Online bootcamp students come from a variety of backgrounds. They might be people looking for opportunities beyond a high school diploma or GED, mid-career professionals weighing career changes, or software engineers updating their skills. Familiarity with technology or coding can be useful, but most bootcamps are designed to train students with little to no prior knowledge or experience.
Virtual coding bootcamps are often challenging. You can explore providers' websites and read student reviews to gauge how difficult a particular online bootcamp might be for you.
Enrolling in a limited online coding course can help you test how well suited you are to online learning.
FAQs About Online Coding Bootcamps
Is an Online Bootcamp Different From an In-person Bootcamp?
The curriculum is usually very similar between online and on-location bootcamps. But an online program may require more self-direction on your part. This is especially the case if the bootcamp lets you complete assignments at your own pace.
How Much Do Online Coding Bootcamps Cost?
Online bootcamp costs can range anywhere from $1,000 to $30,000. Prices vary based on the type of bootcamp, whether it is full-time or part-time, and whether the program includes additional services such as job placement support.
It's worth pursuing any available bootcamp scholarships that can help pay for part of your tuition. If you're eligible, you can also apply to bootcamps that accept the GI Bill®.
There are some free online coding bootcamps available. But they often don't include mentorship, instructor support, or help with job placement. Free coding bootcamps may still be a good option for beginners because they offer self-paced courses and projects to help you learn the basics.
Do Online Coding Bootcamps Get You Jobs?
A coding bootcamp credential might help you interest employers enough to give you an interview. But you still have to do the hard work of applying for a job and acing the interview before you get hired.
Some institutions do have job guarantees. This means the school might issue a tuition refund if you can't find relevant technology work within a certain period after graduation. Some applicants give more consideration to programs with job guarantees when choosing a bootcamp.
Are Online Coding Bootcamps Worth It?
An online coding bootcamp is probably worth the cost. Computer and information technology careers tend to pay well above the median annual U.S. salary of $45,760, and the tech sector is projected to grow 15% in the 2021-2031 period. Attending a coding bootcamp online may be a relatively fast and affordable way to learn highly prized tech skills and become part of this wave of new hires.
An online program may be ideal if you work full or part time, have family obligations, or can't reliably travel to a campus. Finally, the online format is well-suited to learning how to code if you're comfortable working independently.
But there are some drawbacks to online bootcamps. For example, in-person learning provides a real-time, collaborative environment that online programs may not be able to replicate. And it's still possible that some employers will only consider candidates with bachelor's degrees in a technical major.
Make sure to evaluate your personal and financial circumstances before deciding to enroll. To help, we've put together additional information about whether coding bootcamps are worth it.