Fullstack Academy Review, Cost, and Courses: The Ultimate Guide
Overview
Locations
Remote, New York City
Disciplines Offered
Coding, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Project Management, Software Engineering, Web Development
Payment Options
Loans, Scholarships, UpfrontFullstack Academy is one of the bigger names in tech bootcamps, with over 7,000 alumni. It offers various programs throughout the year in full-time and part-time formats. Pre-pandemic, it offered in-person courses but has since switched to online only. It's not clear yet if it will return to in-person classes or continue only with remote.
As with many other big-name bootcamps, the admissions process can be difficult. You can only apply to Fullstack Academy twice. For those who make the cut, Fullstack Academy boasts some of the best student outcomes. It has a 91% job placement rate and works with over 840 hiring partners to help students land great jobs after graduation.
Fullstack Academy Courses
Coding
- Cost: $19,910
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part TIme
- Length: 17 weeks (Full Time), 28 weeks (Part Time)
This beginner-friendly course is divided into three phases. In the first phase, you'll learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript basics. The second phase covers the foundations of front- and back-end web development and databases. Then, you'll use your new skills to create a group e-commerce project, a personal hackathon project, and a capstone project.
Cybersecurity
- Cost: $17,980
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
- Length: 13 weeks (Full Time), 26 weeks (Part Time)
The cybersecurity specialty prepares you with the knowledge and experience needed to enter the security field and take the Security+ and CySA+ exams. The course covers basic cryptography, system administration, and data encoding. You'll also learn about ethical hacking and incident response. By the course's end, you should know how to handle email and internet fraud, identity theft, ransomware attacks, and data breaches.
Data Analytics
- Cost: $13,495
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
- Length: 10 weeks (Full Time), 26 weeks (Part Time)
The data analytics specialty teaches students how to use Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, and AWS to interpret and visualize data. This bootcamp is for anyone aiming to work as a data analyst, business consultant, or data analytics consultant. You can also choose to add on a Tableau and AWS certification, though they are not included.
Grace Hopper Program
- Cost: $19,910
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time
- Length: 19 weeks
This program follows the same curriculum as Fullstack Academy's web development bootcamp but is specifically for women and nonbinary students. This three-part program will teach you the basics of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and front- and back-end development. You'll finish the bootcamp with a group e-commerce project, a personal hackathon project, and a capstone project.
Product Management
- Cost: $13,495
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Part Time
- Length: 25 weeks
During this part-time program, you'll spend between 4-7 hours a week learning the ins and outs of product management. The curriculum covers UI and UX design, product design and marketing, and software development and metrics. You'll also learn how to use Figma, Google Analytics, Balsamiq, and Jira Software.
Software Engineering
- Cost: $19,910
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time
- Length: 17 weeks
Fullstack Academy made this program for intermediate coders (specifically with JavaScript) with previous experience. The three-phase program focuses on both front- and back-end development and working with databases. In the final phase of the program, you'll complete an e-commerce group project, a personal hackathon project, and a team capstone project.
Web Development
- Cost: $19,910
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time
- Length: 19 weeks
The web development course resembles the software engineering bootcamp but starts with a beginner-friendly introduction to coding. You'll start with six weeks of learning the foundations of web development and then move on to the same last two phases as the software engineering program.
Fullstack Academy Admissions Process
Unless specifically stated, most Fullstack Academy courses require incoming students to be intermediate to advanced JavaScript programmers. As part of the application process, you'll complete a multiple-choice JavaScript assessment. Fullstack Academy will invite students who do well in the first assessment to the next phase, which involves a technical and behavioral interview.
You can complete a bootcamp prep course, which allows you to bypass the coding assessment and go right into the technical and behavioral interview for $199. The interview comprises three parts, the introduction, pair programming, and the Q&A. The introduction simply allows the interviewer to get to know you. Fullstack Academy's prep material states that the most important thing they are looking for in incoming students is passion. It is important to demonstrate why you want to be in the program and why you choose Fullstack Academy. In the programming section, potential students need to demonstrate their ability to think critically and understand the fundamentals of programming. Finally, in the last section, students can relax and simply ask any questions. It is not easy to get into Fullstack Academy, and the admissions process can be hard. The good part is Fullstack Academy is very open and clear about what they are looking for and have compiled all of the information in this admissions blog post.
Fullstack Academy Payment Options
You can find more information on Fullstack's website and through Veterans Affairs.
Find out more information on the three lenders on Fullstack's payment page.
Fullstack Academy Student Outcomes
Fullstack Academy is a part of the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR). This means it regularly publishes reports that have been through vigorous processes to verify and ensure credibility. The CIRR is a nonprofit organization that aims to promote the integrity and transparency of results reporting in education. CIRR works to develop and promote best practices for results reporting in education and offers a certification program for organizations that meet its standards.Note that Fullstack Academy has only completed CIRR Reports before 2019, so all reports are from its in-person cohorts, which are currently not available.
| Graduation Rate | Employment Rate After 180 Days | Average Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 84.7% | 91.3% | $82,500 |
| Graduation Rate | Employment Rate After 180 Days | Average Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | 84.3% | $90,000 |
Fullstack Academy Pros vs. Cons
Pros
-
It has some of the best-reported student outcomes. -
Online programs allow students to join from anywhere. -
Fullstack Academy works with 840 different companies to help students find jobs after graduation.
Cons
-
It has a very competitive entry process. -
Online learning is not the best learning environment for all students. -
It does not offer any type of guarantee and has limited student services.
General Assembly vs. Fullstack Academy
With nearly every school and bootcamp moving online since the pandemic, there are increasingly few differences between the schools. Both General Assembly and Fullstack Academy offer programs online, either full or part time, and with a fairly similar offering. Both also have a fairly high price point, difficult admissions processes, and strong student outcomes from graduates.
This can make it difficult to choose which school might be the best for you, but there are some slight differences.
| General Assembly | Fullstack Academy | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs Offered | Data analytics, data science, front-end web development, product management, software engineering, and UX design | Coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, product management, software engineering, and web development |
| Duration of Programs | 12 weeks full time or 24 weeks part time | Varies significantly by program, generally between 10 and 28 weeks |
| Cost | $15,950 for most programs | Many programs cost between $17,000-$20,000See above for pricing specifics. |
| Payment Plans | Accepts the GI Bill, employer sponsorship, income share agreement, paying in installments, loans, and scholarships | Accepts the GI Bill, employer sponsorship, loans, and scholarships |
Frequently Asked Questions About Fullstack Academy Coding Bootcamp
What is Fullstack Academy?
Fullstack Academy is an online education program that prepares you for careers in tech. It has seven specialization tracks and offers new classes starting every few weeks. Fullstack Academy is expensive and competitive but boasts some of the best student outcomes.
Is Fullstack Academy worth it?
Getting into and graduating from Fullstack Academy is not an easy process, but it can be worth it for those who make it through. In just a few months, you can prepare yourself for a new career in exciting and often well-paid fields. Fullstack Academy also comes with career services and strong name recognition to help you excel in the field.
Is Fullstack Academy hard to get into?
Fullstack Academy is among the more competitive and difficult to get into programs. It offers a bootcamp prep course that can help you prepare for the admissions process, but there are no guarantees.
Is Fullstack Academy free?
No. Fullstack Academy programs can cost up to nearly $20,000. These programs are for people who are serious about a career change and not just looking to learn something new for fun. Fullstack Academy also offers prep courses to help students pass the admissions process. There is a free version of this class with no instructor input or one with help for $199.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp.
Feature Image: Maskot / Getty Images
