The Best Online Coding Bootcamps of 2023: A Complete Guide

Are you ready to launch your computer science career? A bootcamp can help. Explore our data-derived list of the best coding bootcamp online programs.
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Updated on November 10, 2023
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  • Discover what a coding bootcamp is and how it's different from a college degree.
  • Explore the best online coding bootcamps in the U.S.
  • Answer the question: Can you get a job after graduating from a coding bootcamp?
  • Get perspective on the top questions prospective students ask about coding bootcamps.

A good computer science specialist is hard to find. They aren't rare because computer science is an unpopular degree.

In fact, U.S. universities graduated 104,874 computer and information science students in the 2020-21 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). These graduates simply can't keep up with employers' demands.

Bootcamps are helping fill the employment gap. Career Karma reported that 115,673 people graduated from a bootcamp in 2021-22 alone. Their top employers included Accenture, Amazon, and JP Morgan Chase & Co.

While many bootcamps enroll students from major urban tech hubs like New York and San Francisco, online bootcamps are bringing technical education to everyone, no matter where you live.

Students across the country can study JavaScript, Python, MySQL, cybersecurity, data analytics, or another career-ready skill.

With so many online programs available, how do you choose which one is right for you? We created this guide to the best coding bootcamps online to help you decide.

What Are Online Coding Programs?

Coding bootcamps offer accelerated, intensive technical training in computer programming and other technical skills. They include special career training designed to make students job-ready upon graduation.

They typically offer a variety of scheduling options through full-time, part-time, or self-paced study. Bootcamps may also offer financial support like deferred tuition or income share agreements.

Online coding programs may deliver courses synchronously (live) or incorporate some asynchronous (pre-recorded) course content. Many online bootcamps follow a cohort model.

While the online format cannot replicate in-person learning completely, online coding bootcamps still emphasize project-based learning, collaborative work, and field experience.

Coding bootcamps usually prepare students for web and software developer jobs. Students learn to use the most popular programming languages like Java, JavaScript, and Python. Online coding programs incorporate hands-on projects, real-world experience, and professional portfolio development. They also focus on career skills, especially problem-solving and communication.

Are Coding Programs Worth It?

Understandably, you may want to know if coding programs are worth the hype. How much a coding bootcamp costs is always a top concern.

You may be debating if you should attend college or coding bootcamp. And, perhaps most importantly, you may be wondering — can a coding bootcamp get me a job?

Exploring the pros and cons can help.

Pros and Cons of Coding Bootcamps

Pros

  • Completion Times: Coding bootcamps can be completed in a short amount of time. You can find many programs that last for just a few months. Self-paced bootcamps can offer even greater flexibility for those with work or family commitments.
  • Cost: Students can save thousands on tuition compared to college by enrolling in an online coding bootcamp. Coding programs can cost as little as $4,000, compared to tuition of more than $16,000 per year for the average four-year degree. Bootcamps sometimes accept the GI Bill® and often include unique financing options, like deferred tuition plans.
  • Career Preparation: Online coding bootcamps incorporate professional skills into their curriculum. Bootcamp providers develop their programs to help graduates achieve employment in the tech industry.
  • Accessibility: Students who may not be able to attend an in-person bootcamp can access an online bootcamp program from anywhere with an internet connection. Almost all self-paced programs are held online as well, providing more flexibility for students with home or work commitments.

Cons

  • Low Curricular Depth: Online coding bootcamps provide a concentrated overview of broad technical skills, but they do not typically include acute study in a focus area. Students looking to pursue in-depth study in a particular niche may prefer a degree.
  • Not Accredited: Most bootcamps are not accredited like college degrees. This means they are not evaluated according to the standards set by national and regional accreditation agencies and the Department of Education.
  • Limited Financial Aid: Although bootcamps may cost less than a degree and many offer payment plans, online coding programs do not qualify for federal financial aid. Students earning a four-year degree can qualify for federal grants, loans, and scholarships through the FAFSA.
  • Narrow Field Skills: Coding bootcamps are designed to prepare students for jobs in popular fields like web and software development, but they typically lack the broader coverage that would enable students to branch out into a variety of fields. For example, graduates of a bachelor's in computer science may choose a career path in programming, data analytics, or IT management.

Popular Online Coding Bootcamps

Best Online Coding Bootcamps

Methodology

Bootcamp Ranking Guidelines

At BestColleges, we believe the best bootcamp is the one that fits your schedule, your learning needs, and your career aspirations. That's why we often present our recommendations in alphabetical order -- because the real best bootcamp is the bootcamp that's best for you.

Our Methodology

The Bootcamp Team at BestColleges has collected data for over 150 bootcamps to help you find the best bootcamp.

At BestColleges, we believe the best bootcamp is the one that fits your schedule, your learning needs, and your career aspirations. That's why we often present our recommendations in alphabetical order -- because the real best bootcamp is the bootcamp that's best for you.

At this time, our recommendation round-ups feature only immersive bootcamps designed to prepare students for job placement upon graduation.

To be included on our lists, bootcamps must meet the following criteria:

  • Must offer at least one bootcamp in the United States.
  • Must offer at least one bootcamp that is a minimum of 4 weeks long.
  • Must require at least 15 hours of work per week if the bootcamp is part time.
  • Must encourage at least 10 hours of work per week if the bootcamp is self-paced.

Pricing disclosure: The prices listed were collected from product websites in 2022. However, given the dynamic, fast-paced nature of the tech space, prices are subject to change throughout the year. To get the most up-to-date information about pricing, contact providers directly.

Methodology for Recommending Cheap Bootcamps:

  • The bootcamp must meet all of the general criteria listed above.
  • The bootcamp must cost less than $8,000 if it is offered full time, and less than $5,000 if it is offered part time. These numbers were chosen based on data collected by BestColleges in 2020 that determined the average cost of a coding bootcamp is $13,580.

App Academy

  • Programs Starting At: $17,000
  • Technical Disciplines: Software Engineering
  • Learning Formats: In Person, Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time, Self-Paced
  • Briefcase
    Career Services
  • Calendar
    Evening & Weekend Options
  • Cash
    Money-Back Guarantee
  • Cash
    Start For Free

App Academy specializes in providing bootcamps for aspiring professionals with no previous coding experience. Students can learn full-stack development in 16 or 24 weeks or through a self-paced program. App Academy admits only 5% of applicants through a highly selective enrollment process. Alumni are employed at companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.


BrainStation

  • Programs Starting At: $16,500
  • Technical Disciplines: Data Science, UX Design, Web Development
  • Learning Formats: In Person, Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
  • Briefcase
    Career Services
  • Calendar
    Evening & Weekend Options
  • Cash
    Start For Free

BrainStation bootcamps emphasize a project-based curriculum and encompass 400 hours of technical training. Students with no prior coding experience can learn popular languages like Python, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS through an immersive BrainStation program. BrainStation boasts that their graduates are hired by more than 6,500 companies, including Slack, Duolingo, and Samsung.


Coding Dojo

  • Programs Starting At: $10,495
  • Technical Disciplines: Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Development
  • Learning Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
  • Flag
    Accepts GI Bill®
  • Briefcase
    Career Services
  • Calendar
    Evening & Weekend Options

Coding Dojo claims that they train in more front- and back-end languages than any other full-stack bootcamp. The immersive curriculum emphasizes Python, MERN, Java, and .NET/C#, culminating in a professional portfolio. Students enjoy comprehensive career services for the duration of their bootcamp experience and for life.


Flatiron School

  • Programs Starting At: $16,900
  • Technical Disciplines: Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering, UX/UI Design
  • Learning Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Self-Paced
  • Briefcase
    Career Services
  • Calendar
    Evening & Weekend Options

Established in 2012, Flatiron School ranks among the most renowned forerunners of bootcamp-based education. Students can choose from highly flexible 15-, 20-, 40-, or 60-week online completion options. Flatiron School also offers a variety of synchronous and asynchronous learning options. Alumni are employed at high-profile tech companies including Intel, Amazon, and Microsoft.


General Assembly

  • Programs Starting At: Deposits between $250-$1,000
  • Technical Disciplines: Data Science, Software Engineering, UX/UI Design, Web Development
  • Learning Formats: In Person, Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time, Self-Paced
  • Flag
    Accepts GI Bill®
  • Briefcase
    Career Services
  • Calendar
    Evening & Weekend Options

General Assembly launched one of the first bootcamps in 2011. Today, students enjoy a wide variety of technical disciplines and exhaustive career services, including career coaching, mentorship opportunities, and hiring partnerships with employers like Salesforce, PayPal, and Bloomberg. General Assembly offers completion options over 12 or 24 weeks or through a self-paced schedule.


Hack Reactor

  • Programs Starting At: $17,980
  • Technical Disciplines: Software Engineering
  • Learning Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
  • Briefcase
    Career Services
  • Calendar
    Evening & Weekend Options

Hack Reactor delivers an immersive coding curriculum over 12, 19, or 36 weeks. Students learn full-stack development using popular languages like Python and JavaScript. Hack Reactor bootcamps feature hands-on experience and emphasize career skills for coveted technology jobs. Hiring partners include Microsoft, Amazon, and LinkedIn.


Springboard

  • Programs Starting At: $21,800
  • Technical Disciplines: Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Data Science, Software Engineering, Tech Sales, UX/UI Design
  • Learning Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: Self-Paced
  • Briefcase
    Career Services
  • Calendar
    Evening & Weekend Options
  • Cash
    Money-Back Guarantee
  • Cash
    Income Share Agreement

Springboard's bootcamps emphasize personal mentorship opportunities and career coaching services. The bootcamp format is highly project-based. Hiring partners include Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Students enjoy a wide variety of flexible tuition payment options.


The Tech Academy

  • Programs Starting At: $5,300
  • Technical Disciplines: Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Data Science, Software Engineering, UX/UI Design
  • Learning Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
  • Briefcase
    Career Services
  • Check Circle
    CIRR Member
  • Calendar
    Evening & Weekend Options

The Tech Academy focuses on the most in-demand coding languages in tech today. Students can learn up to seven coding languages through full-stack development training and partake in live coding projects.

According to data reported to the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting, 61% of graduates from The Tech Academy's 2020 online software development bootcamp were employed within 180 days of completing the bootcamp. These professionals reported a median salary of $60,000.


Thinkful

  • Programs Starting At: $9,975
  • Technical Disciplines: Data Analytics, Data Science, Software Engineering, UX/UI Design
  • Learning Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
  • Briefcase
    Career Services
  • Calendar
    Evening & Weekend Options
  • Cash
    Money-Back Guarantee
  • Cash
    Start For Free

Thinkful has extensive career coaching and one-on-one mentorship. Students can complete a Thinkful bootcamp over four or six months. The curriculum emphasizes languages, including Node, React, and JavaScript, alongside soft skills for tech careers.

According to data reported to the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR), 73% of graduates from Thinkful's 2018 online data science bootcamp were employed within 180 days of completing the bootcamp. These professionals reported a median salary of $77,500.

Get the Qualities You Want in a Bootcamp

We use icons to make browsing bootcamps easy for you. Use this breakdown to quickly identify program qualities you are looking for.

Accepts GI Bill®

Accepts the GI Bill® as funding for tuition.

Also Available In Person

This online bootcamp also offers in-person options.

Career Services

Offers career services to help you land your dream job after graduation.

CIRR Member

This bootcamp is a current member of the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting. Learn more at cirr.org.

Evening & Weekend Options

Bootcamps are offered during convenient evening and weekend hours.

Job Guarantee

Employment is guaranteed as soon as you finish your bootcamp.

Money-Back Guarantee

Tuition is refunded if you don't land a job within a given time frame after graduation. Visit the bootcamp website for terms and conditions.

Start for Free

No deposit is required to get started. Begin your bootcamp for $0.

Other Notable Online Coding Schools

Do Coding Bootcamps Get You Jobs?

Coding bootcamps can't guarantee you a job, but some don't charge you tuition until you land one. Statistics vary by source, but most research agrees that about 80% of bootcamp graduates are employed within 180 days of graduation.

A Gallup poll found that the median salary rose $11,000 per year among graduates employed full time before bootcamp and full-time after bootcamp.

As a bootcamp graduate you can qualify for one of many careers. Those listed below offer a look at top options, but some may require further academic study or certification.

Coding Careers and Wages
Coding Career Median Annual Wage (2021)
Computer Programmers $97,800
Computer Support Specialists $59,660
Web Developers and Digital Designers $80,730
Information Security Analysts $112,000
Network and Computer Systems Administrators $90,520
Source: BLS

A bootcamp is one way to get started in an exciting computer science career. Is it the right way for you?

Is an Online Coding Program Right for Me?

An online coding bootcamp can help you pivot quickly, deploying you into a new career in a matter of a few months. For some people, that's the right choice. If you're weighing the benefits of bootcamp against college, however, be sure to consider the full array of benefits college offers.

You are, after all, unlikely to secure a job paying $100,000 after 12 weeks of career education. But many people with computer science degrees can command upwards of six figures according to the BLS.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Coding Bootcamps

Is a coding bootcamp worth it?

A coding bootcamp is often an excellent choice for software engineers who are changing direction, college graduates who want to get into another field, and people without degrees who need job training fast.

If you choose the best bootcamp you can find, work hard in your courses, and take advantage of every opportunity you are offered, bootcamp can help you get started in your career.

Do employers take coding bootcamps seriously?

The discussions continue, but the data are clear — employers respect bootcamps. According to a study by Indeed, 84% of employers think bootcamp graduates are equally or better prepared for their jobs than computer science graduates. Of the 1,000 HR managers and technical recruiters surveyed, 80% had hired a bootcamp graduate.

Are coding bootcamps accredited?

No, coding bootcamps do not hold accreditation like colleges and universities do. However, bootcamps may be affiliated with an accredited educational institution, or they may hold recognition from a professional association like CIRR. While it can signify professionalism, CIRR membership does not strictly correlate with accreditation.

Are coding bootcamps hard?

All coding bootcamps are intense experiences, but some are more challenging than others. It all depends on how long the program and how advanced the curriculum is. For example, full-time bootcamps may feel more intense than part-time programs. In general, though, a bootcamp's difficulty, like its value, depends on how much effort you put into it.


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 website at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp.