5 Coding Bootcamps for Student Veterans
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- Coding bootcamps are a popular way to start or grow a tech career.
- Veterans can pay for some coding bootcamps with the GI Bill®.
- Many bootcamps also offer hands-on experience and networking opportunities.
Coding bootcamps teach essential technology skills with a hands-on approach. The length of bootcamps, which are usually 3-6 months long, set them apart from the years-long process of earning an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree. Bootcamps focus on teaching coding skills and, unlike most college degree programs, do not require general education courses in literature, social sciences, or the humanities.
Students in a bootcamp usually focus on the practical aspects of tech, such as learning to code and how to apply coding knowledge and skills in a business context. Bootcamps may also focus on the basics of computer programming languages and introduce students to UX and UI skills. Students may build apps from scratch throughout the course or as a final project.
Bootcamps can help expand your tech knowledge, experience, and career options in a short amount of time and at a lower cost than a degree. Options such as deferred tuition and income share agreements can also expand access to bootcamps if paying for them concerns you. For many programs, you don't need a technology background or computer science experience to enroll.
According to a 2021 analysis of LinkedIn data, the percentage of bootcamp graduates working in tech was comparable to that of people with traditional computer science degrees working at five leading tech companies — Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft.
All these reasons make bootcamps a good choice, including for military veterans. About 200,000 people leave the military annually. Overall, the U.S. has about 18 million veterans. If you're a veteran or know someone who is, bootcamps can help you upskill or start a new career as you re-enter the workforce. Check out our roundup of five coding bootcamps for veterans.
Find the Right Coding Bootcamp For You
Code Platoon
- Location: Remote, Chicago
- Program Cost: $15,500
- Technical Disciplines: Software Engineering, DevOps
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Full-Time, Part-Time
Code Platoon focuses on helping active duty service members, veterans, and military spouses become professional software engineers. The program also offers career coaching, networking, and post-graduation paid apprenticeship opportunities. Code Platoon says 80% of its graduates are employed within six months of graduation. Learning options include a 15-week, full-time, full-stack software engineer program or a seven-month evening and weekend program. A free self-paced program is also available, but it's important to know Code Platoon does not award certificates for the self-paced program. Participants don't receive any direct feedback from faculty either.
According to data from the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR), 94.7% of graduates from the 2019 Chicago Code Platoon bootcamp found employment in the tech industry within 180 days of completing the program.
Coding Dojo
- Location: Remote, Bellevue, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley
- Program Cost: 8,745
- Technical Disciplines: Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Development, UX/UI Design
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Full-Time, Part-Time
Coding Dojo says its alumni community includes "thousands of military-affiliated graduates." Its website features stories and photos of military veteran bootcamp graduates. The program also says many of its faculty and staff are military veterans, and the website features their photos and stories, too. The program even has a military affairs support team to help with military-related questions.
Coding Dojo says nearly 84% of 2020 graduates found a relevant job within six months, and 91% of grads found an industry-relevant job within a year of graduation. More than 8,000 people have graduated since 2012. Prospective participants should note that Coding Dojo currently only accepts the GI Bill® for its onsite, full-time software development program.
Eleven Fifty Academy
- Location: Remote, Indianapolis
- Program Cost: Varies; $13,500 for Cybersecurity program
- Technical Disciplines: Software Development, Cybersecurity
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Full-Time, Part-Time
Eleven Fifty Academy has partnered with Hiring our Heroes, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to help military veterans start a coding or cybersecurity career. Eleven Fifty Academy offers a free three-hour course that can help people determine if a tech career is a good fit for them.
The free trial courses include an on-demand coding course, cybersecurity, and coding. This bootcamp also offers upskilling courses that allow you to earn a CompTIA PenTest+ or CySA+ certification. Eleven Fifty Academy says its intensive software development and cybersecurity courses are a great fit for veterans. You'll learn to develop a self-starter mentality and apply teamwork skills — attributes most veterans have mastered.
Launch Academy
- Location: Remote, Boston
- Program Cost: $17,500
- Technical Disciplines: Software Engineering
- Learning Format: Online, In Person
- Time Commitment: Full-Time, Part-Time
Although Launch Academy does not accept the GI Bill®, the program does offer $500 diversity and military scholarships. The program is focused on improving diversity in tech. In 2021, it partnered with the nonprofit Women Who Code to award $2,500 scholarships to 200 women. Launch Academy is a good fit for people with a passion for puzzle solving, an interest in collaboration, a love for learning, and a commitment to building a new career.
According to data from CIRR, almost 93% of graduates from its 2021 Boston bootcamp were employed in the industry within six months of completing the bootcamp.
DeltaV Code School
- Location: Remote, Iowa
- Program Cost: $12,000
- Technical Disciplines: Software Development, Digital Marketing, Computer IT, Cybersecurity
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: 10 weeks
DeltaV offers tuition assistance for the following groups: women, U.S. military veterans, anyone who identifies as African American, Hispanic, Native American, Alaskan, Native Hawaiian, or anyone with a disability. A 20% discount is offered to military veterans and recent college graduates. Tuition awards are based on financial need.
In 2020, DeltaV introduced a Digital Marketing Developer learning track. Students interested in this track start by learning foundational skills but then pivot to learn about social media tools, SEO, Google Analytics and audience building.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coding Bootcamps for Veterans
Can you use military education benefits to pay for coding bootcamps?
Yes, you can use GI Bill® benefits to pay for some or all of the cost of attending bootcamps approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Some programs also are VA-approved under the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses, or VET TEC program.
Are there scholarships for coding bootcamps?
Yes, many bootcamps and veteran support organizations award scholarships for tech bootcamps. Some bootcamps also award scholarships for their programs or offer tuition discounts for veterans.
There are also scholarships for coding bootcamps for women, racial minorities, and people with disabilities.
What are some key differences between a bootcamp and a degree?
Time, cost, and breadth of content are the key differences between a bootcamp and a degree. Bootcamps are usually shorter programs and generally take weeks or months to complete versus years for a degree. They also typically cost less than earning a four-year degree. Bootcamps may provide job placement help and networking opportunities.
Bootcamps also usually have curriculums focusing more on skills and practical knowledge instead of theory. And, unlike degree programs, they do not have general education requirements in literature, mathematics, science, and the humanities.
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: Ariel Skelley / DigitalVision / Getty Images
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