How to Learn JavaScript

Learn how to learn JavaScript with our list of top-rated online coding bootcamps that offer accredited online courses.

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by Bethanny Parker

Updated September 15, 2022

Reviewed by Monali Mirel Chuatico

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Along with HTML and CSS, JavaScript helps power the web. It drives interactivity and is used in more than half of all websites on the internet. Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and many other major web browsers have JavaScript engines so they can run JavaScript code.

If you want to learn more about JavaScript, you're in the right place. There are many ways to learn JavaScript through coding bootcamps and online courses. This guide will examine some of the best JavaScript bootcamps and courses available.

Coding Bootcamps

Coding bootcamps provide an intensive learning experience that prepares students for entry-level jobs in their area of interest in just a few short months. You can take a coding bootcamp online or in person, and many programs offer full-time and part-time options. Some are self-paced, but many online coding bootcamps offer live virtual classes where all students log in at the same time for a shared learning experience.

Although bootcamps dedicated specifically to JavaScript may be hard to find, many web development and software engineering bootcamps include JavaScript as part of the curriculum. Coding bootcamps provide a great option for students who want to get into the workforce quickly, without attending school for 2-4 years.

Online Courses

Online courses offer another alternative for those who do not want to attend college or a coding bootcamp. Most of these courses are self-directed so you can learn at your own pace, and many are offered free of charge. Additionally, paid online courses typically cost much less than a coding bootcamp. And most online courses require only a few hours per week of work. They are a great option for those who don't have the time or money required to enroll in a full coding bootcamp.

Online Courses vs. Bootcamps

Coding Bootcamp Pros and Cons
Pros Cons
  • Bootcamp instructors typically engage with their students, answering questions as they arise.
  • You'll gain experience working in pairs or teams, a necessary skill for many jobs.
  • Bootcamps quickly prepare you for a job by focusing on the skills employers want and need.
  • Bootcamps typically cost much more than online courses.
  • If the bootcamp is in person, you'll have to commute.
  • Since the cost is higher, the risk is higher as well. Some bootcamps are better than others at placing graduates in jobs.
Online Course Pros and Cons
Pros Cons
  • Online courses offer some of the cheapest ways to learn JavaScript — in fact, many of them are free.
  • Most online courses take only a few weeks to complete.
  • Most online courses are self-paced, so you can go through them as quickly as you want.
  • There may not be a teacher available to ask for help.
  • In most cases, you'll have to pay extra if you want a certificate proving you completed the course.
  • By learning JavaScript in isolation, you may miss out on learning how to integrate it with HTML and CSS in a website, as you would learn in a web development bootcamp.

Coding Bootcamps to Learn JavaScript

Coding Dojo

  • Location: Remote, Bellevue, Boise, Chicago, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley
  • Program Cost: $16,495
  • Learning Format: In Person, Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time

Accepts GI Bill®
Career Services
Evening & Weekend Options

Coding Dojo offers a full-time software development bootcamp for in-person and online learners. Students start by learning about web fundamentals like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in weeks one and two. Then they learn full-stack web development in Python, MERN, and Java. Additional technologies covered include MySQL, Ajax, jQuery, MongoDB, and React.

The program takes 14 weeks to complete and requires 70-90 hours of work each week. Coding Dojo offers lifetime access to career services to students who complete the program.

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DevPoint Labs

  • Location: Remote, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City
  • Program Cost: $8,800
  • Learning Format: In Person, Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time

Accepts GI Bill®
Career Services
Evening & Weekend Options

DevPoint Labs offers a web development bootcamp. This 11-week course includes modules investigating Ruby on Rails, object-oriented programming basics, Git and Github, and raw SQL. Students also learn about ActiveRecord, Bootstrap, and user authentication.

The curriculum covers basic JavaScipt, jQuery, Advanced Webpack, and JEST. Throughout the program, students also work on putting together a project portfolio.

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DigitalCrafts

  • Location: Remote, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Tampa
  • Program Cost: $14,950
  • Learning Format: Hybrid, Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time

Accepts GI Bill®
Career Services
Evening & Weekend Options

DigitalCrafts offers a full-time web development bootcamp that uses a flexible online format to teach front-end and back-end web development. Students learn about responsive design, React, frameworks, and JavaScript. They also learn Python, Node.js, JSON, and PostgreSQL.

The bootcamp takes 16 weeks to complete. A typical day starts with a lecture at 10:00 a.m., followed by a one-hour lunch break. Students work on labs and projects in the afternoon. Students who can't dedicate at least 40 hours per week to classes should opt for the part-time program.

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Tech Elevator

  • Location: Remote, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Wilmington
  • Program Cost: $15,950
  • Learning Format: In Person, Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time

Accepts GI Bill®
Career Services
CIRR Member

Tech Elevator offers a 14-week, full-time coding bootcamp. This coding bootcamp covers introductory programming in C# or Java, database programming with SQL, and web programming with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

According to data from the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting, 89.2% of graduates from Tech Elevator's July-December 2020 Cincinnati bootcamps were employed within 180 days of completing the bootcamp. These professionals reported a median salary of $60,000.

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TrueCoders

  • Location: Remote
  • Program Cost: $4,500
  • Learning Format: Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time

Career Services
Evening & Weekend Options

TrueCoders offers a full-stack web development bootcamp and a full-stack software engineering bootcamp. Both courses cover HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL.

The web development bootcamp investigates Node.js and React.js, while the software engineering bootcamp includes coursework on ASP.net MVC and C#. Both courses culminate in a final project. Students can enroll full time for nine weeks or take the part-time flex program, which takes 3-6 months.

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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.

JavaScript Jobs

Web Developer

Web developers create websites. Sometimes they work with graphic artists or designers, who determine how the website will look. A web developer brings the designer's vision to life by converting the various elements of the webpage into code. Web developer is one of the most in-demand JavaScript jobs.

Median Annual Salary (May 2020)
$77,200

Computer Programmer

Computer programmers write the code that makes computer applications function properly. They use a variety of computer languages, such as C++, Java, Python, and JavaScript. Computer programmers test their programs to make sure they work properly and troubleshoot them if there are any problems.

Median Annual Salary (May 2020)
$89,190

Software Developer

Software developers talk to users to find out what they need and then design software to meet those needs. They decide what each part of the software program will do and how the pieces fit together. They create plans and diagrams to show programmers what the code needs to do.

Median Annual Salary (May 2020)
$110,140

What Are the Benefits of a JavaScript Certification?

There are several certifications available for JavaScript programmers. These include the JavaScript developer certificate from W3Schools, the certified JavaScript developer credential from the International JavaScript Institute, and Microsoft technology associate exam 98-382: introduction to programming using JavaScript certificate. These certificates verify that the bearer can program in JavaScript, and may help a candidate's resume stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning JavaScript

Is JavaScript easy to learn?

JavaScript is a high-level programming language. Its difficulty varies depending on a user's background, although many people find it easier to learn than Ruby or C++. JavaScript works well with HTML and CSS, which makes it a popular choice for coding web pages. It can be used to create a dynamic and interactive user experience on the web.

It is fairly easy to get started programming in JavaScript. You don't need any fancy software. You can type the code directly into a text file using a free text editor, such as Notepad. There are many online courses and tutorials that can help you learn JavaScript.

Where can I learn JavaScript for free?

You can start with the free options listed under the online courses section above. W3C's JavaScript introduction course is a good place to start. This five-week course teaches students to use JavaScript in their websites in just 6-8 hours per week.

You can also take the JavaScript courses offered for free with a Codecademy membership. The beginner-friendly learn JavaScript course takes about 20 hours and is completely self-paced, so you can get through it in just a couple of days or take your time and finish in a few weeks.

FreeCodeCamp also offers a free full-stack web development bootcamp that contains several modules. The second module in the bootcamp is called JavaScript algorithms and data structures. You can take it on its own or as part of the full bootcamp.

Individuals interested in a less-structured learning environment can also find free lectures and tutorials on YouTube.

What is the best way to learn JavaScript?

There is no one "best" way to learn JavaScript. If you are an independent learner who doesn't need any help from teachers or instructors, online courses might be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you need someone to be around to answer your questions, a bootcamp might be a better option. The best coding bootcamps have mentors who can help you through the program.

Bootcamps also help give you more structure. Most online bootcamps require you to log in at a specific time each day and follow along with the day's lesson. This is good for those who have trouble maintaining the discipline required for self-paced study options, such as individual online courses.

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Feature Image: Cavan Images / Cavan / Getty Images

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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