Are Online Coding Bootcamps Worth It?

In recent years, career switch without going back to college. Especially with social distancing measures currently in place across the country to slow the spread of COVID-19, online coding bootcamps can be an optimal choice for career changers looking to quickly gain skill sets that can lead to a successful career transition in less time, and at a lower cost, than traditional options.

If you’re thinking of enrolling in an online coding bootcamp, you’re probably wondering: “Is it worth it? If I choose to invest my time and money into an online coding bootcamp, what can I expect in return upon graduation?”

Below, we’ve outlined key considerations for potential bootcamp students to help determine the value of this investment and decision.

JOB DEMAND FOR CODING BOOTCAMP GRADS

Today’s businesses are increasingly relying on coders and need people with the right skills to keep their businesses competitive in the digital age. Extending well beyond traditional tech companies, virtually every industry—finance, health care, manufacturing, retail, etc.—is in need of tech talent. In other words, there’s no shortage of good tech jobs available. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for software developers are projected to increase by 22% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The challenge, though, is acquiring the skills to land a job in tech. The best online coding bootcamps not only prepare students for a career in tech by teaching them all the right skills, but will also support them on the career side of things, from soft skills and career-readiness, to direct connections with employers; all designed to help land a fulfilling coding job.

At Tech Elevator, the right preparation comes through high-quality technical curriculum, peer learning, experienced instructors, and career support.

On the curriculum side, our 14-week bootcamp teaches students the skills necessary to be a full-stack developer, including:

• Database programming with SQL
• Building APIs
• Web programming using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Creating front-end JavaScript frameworks
• Completing a working web application product as part of a capstone project

Beyond the curriculum and quality instruction that’s focused on student success in the classroom, it’s critical to prepare students for their transition into a tech career and arm them with the tools, skills, and processes to land a job outside of the classroom. At Tech Elevator, our nationally-recognized career-readiness program, Pathway (™), is led by a team of expert career coaches to help students:

• Write standout resumes
• Build their personal brand as a software developer
• Learn life-long lessons and best practices for effective job searching
• Make connections and introductions to employers
• Practice and prepare for the interviewing process
• And much more

We’re proud that our alumni give as much credit for their success to our career preparation program as the quality of our curriculum and instruction.

FINANCING OPTIONS FOR CODING BOOTCAMP STUDENTS

Even with high job demand for coders, tuition costs can be one of the main consideration points before enrolling in an online coding bootcamp. When comparing online coding bootcamps, be sure to evaluate their financial aid options for opportunities like scholarships, grants, and loans.

Tech Elevator offers a number of financing options to support students for both tuition and cost of living. In fact, we’re one of only a few online coding bootcamps that is an approved provider with Sallie Mae. Along with our other lending

partner, Ascent, this means that students can receive money toward cost of living expenses and can choose between a fixed or variable interest rate, among other benefits. We also offer a student-friendly Income Share Agreement (ISA) option which allows you to pay tuition when you get a job making $40,000.

(The ISA tuition plan is currently only available for Tech Elevator’s Full-Time Program. ISA plans are not available for residents of: Alabama, California, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Maine, New York, South Carolina, Washington D.C. or Washington. Read more information on Stride Funding’s Privacy Policy)

Additionally, our Represent Tech Scholarship awards $13,175 (a majority of tuition costs) to recipients who belong to historically underrepresented groups in order to create greater accessibility to careers in technology.

ROI FOR CAREER CHANGERS

When deciding between online coding bootcamps, students want to know what kind of results they can expect from the program they enroll in. There are many ways to evaluate coding bootcamps, but the simplest way to understand your odds of success are in the published outcomes of the programs you are considering.

When making a career switch, Tech Elevator coding bootcamp grads typically see an average salary increase of 23% in their first job offer upon completing our program. Additionally, 92% of Tech Elevator graduates are hired in a new job with their new tech skills within six months of graduation, leading the bootcamp industry in job placement rate.

For individuals looking for career transition, credible outcomes reporting to validate job placement and salary information of graduates, by location, should be a requirement. Tech Elevator is committed to reporting straightforward outcomes to the highest industry standards so that students and hiring companies can make an informed and trusted decision when seeking a high quality  provider and partner.

DISCOVERING YOUR TECH APTITUDE

Worried that an online coding bootcamp might not be right for you without prior coding or tech experience? Coding is a dynamic field that can be fulfilling for problem solvers, creative thinkers, and people who enjoy learning new things. In fact, our students come from all different backgrounds—ranging from musicians and teachers to retail and restaurant workers —many of whom have no prior coding experience. Upon completing our 14-week program, we have then seen over 2,500 individuals transition into tech careers at quality hiring partners, including Accenture, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Progressive Insurance.

If you’re interested in learning more about whether coding could be a future career for you, we encourage you to head to our Get Started page, where you can take our risk-free Aptitude Test and find out if your problem-solving skills align with successful coders!  You can also try practice questions to see if you think like the many hundreds of individuals we’ve supported in their transition to a fulfilling tech career.