Coding Classes: What to Expect at a High Level
Key Takeaways
- The high demand for tech talent: Though the market has seen a recent slowdown, the “Great Resignation” had nevertheless contributed to an increased need for skilled workers, and the technology industry is still actively hiring. This has made coding bootcamps a popular choice for prospective students thinking about learning to code in order to transition into tech careers.
- No formal technical background needed: Many coding bootcamps are designed to be beginner-friendly and accessible even for individuals without formal training in tech. You don’t need a computer science background or a STEM degree to get started. These programs teach essential tech skills such as machine learning, data science, web development, and more preparing students for entry-level tech roles in a short, immersive period.
- Bootcamps can offer real-world, job-ready skills: Coding bootcamps aim to prepare their students with valuable skills that are immediately applicable to real-world challenges in technology. Graduates typically leave with a strong portfolio of coding experience built through hands-on projects, which is highly valued by employers. The courses are designed to ensure learners can work collaboratively with other developers and demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills within coding environments.
- Flexible learning options—in-person vs. online: There are options for both in-person and online courses, allowing students to choose the learning format that best fits their schedule and lifestyle. In-person bootcamps provide a structured environment with instructor-led sessions and assignments, while online bootcamps offer greater flexibility, making it easier for part-time or full-time workers to participate.
- Bootcamp growth and affordability: The coding bootcamp market is expected to grow by 15% from 2024 to 2030. Bootcamps are seen as a more cost- and time-effective alternative to traditional four-year computer science degrees, and there are many free coding classes available. Many employers value experience and a solid coding portfolio over a formal degree, making bootcamps a viable option for career changers or those seeking rapid skill development in tech.
Do you spend every weeknight dreading your next day at work? It doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re feeling the desire for professional growth, or just looking for a new creative and fun challenge, learning to code could help you expand your skill set and opportunities as you transition to a career in programming.
The pandemic’s Great Resignation, when millions of employees decided suddenly to quit their jobs, is still happening. In 2024, a USA Today poll showed that three in 10 employees were planning to quit their job in the coming year.1 That leaves companies with hard-to-fill tech roles open and waiting for the right candidate. Now may be the time to invest in your programming skills—finding the right coding class can help you develop them.
According to CIO, a top-rated business trade publisher, technology industry recruiting is still going in high demand despite the recent stagnation.2 And as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a growing number of openings in web development and software development through 2033 (9% and 18% respectively, both faster than the U.S. average of 4% job growth), professionals from all backgrounds are turning to coding classes to fulfill the high demand.3,4
Designed to help those looking to move into tech roles in a shorter timeframe and at a lower cost than traditional 4-year degrees, many coding bootcamps don’t require you to have a computer science background prior to taking their coding classes. Even without formal technology training or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in STEM, you can still attend a coding bootcamp to build your skills. Whether online or in a classroom, bootcamps in software engineering, data science, and more teach logical thinking in subjects such as programming languages, machine learning, and data structures. Their intensive, immersive format is designed to help you quickly adopt complex skill sets.
And with both full-time, part-time, and even self-paced schools available, you can learn the coding curriculum on your own timeline, increasing access for learners who may have existing work or family commitments.
Transitioning to a computer science career and becoming a student are major considerations for those working full time. This article will help you explore the world of coding bootcamps so you can make a well-informed decision when kicking off your career transition.
Let’s dive into why a coding course can work for anyone willing to throw themselves headfirst into a coding skill, the differences between in-person and online bootcamps, and exactly what to expect when you enroll in either format.
Why bootcamps might work for you
Accessible Curriculum, From the Basics to In-Depth Specializations
Whether you’ve had previous experience in programming, dabbled in becoming a web developer or software engineer in the past, or are making a full transition into a computer science-driven field, coding classes help hone all skill levels. This includes beginner-friendly courses in the basics of web development, to exploring advanced programming languages and specializations such as artificial intelligence or ethical hacking. Similar to an internship, a coding bootcamp will offer you the chance to explore real-world examples through hands-on projects, so you can demonstrate your ability to solve the types of coding problems you’d encounter as an entry-level software developer.
Common coding concepts include programming languages such as Python and Java, artificial intelligence, and object-oriented programming vs. functional programming. You can also learn these concepts and get a head start through online coding courses.
Both part-time and full-time coding classes aim to teach workplace-relevant tech skills as well as soft skills that build a dynamic computer science portfolio and put you in a strong position to impress hiring managers. In many cases, schools emphasize making sure graduates collaborate well with other developers, are comfortable at proposing multiple solutions when problem solving complex concepts, and have a fluent understanding of modern programming languages used by some of the largest companies in the world. There are many popular programs, including Khan Academy, Code Avengers, and the Odin Project, to help you get started.6
Lower Financial Barrier
With an average cost of around $14,000, coding bootcamps come with a much lower price tag than their more traditional tech education counterparts.7 This way, students have an opportunity to develop the tools needed for a future in tech with a smaller investment of both time and money.
Nevertheless, with tuition fees ranging from a few thousand to more than $20,000, these programs can still come with a hefty cost that could be a barrier to many. Typically, federal student loans aren’t available for coding bootcamps, but many still offer alternatives, including scholarships, payment plans, private loans, and income share agreements.
In-Person, Online, and Hybrid Coding Bootcamp Options
If you’re interested in a career transition, 2025 may prove an ideal year to pursue a coding course over a formal degree. Forbes found that experience, a solid portfolio of coding projects, and practical skills such as logical thinking, creativity, and communication are valued; a traditional four-year degree is no longer a necessity.5 According to their report, “individuals seeking a time- and cost-effective option for getting into tech are increasingly opting for bootcamp programs. In fact, Verified Market Research projects the coding bootcamp market to grow by 15% from 2024 to 2030.”8
Those popular alternatives to teaching coding in-person have seen an increase in access as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we continue to adopt remote technology across every industry, coding courses are more readily available, but hybrid and on-ground classes are still out there. In-person coding classes are offered at specific locations with set dates, times, and durations. They’re led by instructors and include required assignments, projects, and exams. Many in-person classes also still require at-home, self-paced learning.
In-person coding bootcamp courses can be in the same synchronous format as online classes, though online courses provide flexibility to part-time and full-time students alike. Online programs also teach the same programming languages and other new skills, though with less face-to-face interaction and opportunities for connections with peers and industry professionals.
Students with a background in tech or computer science, or those hoping to make a quick career transition may enjoy full-time coding classes with a set schedule throughout the week. These courses are led by programming instructors and feature highly focused, short-term schedules. On the other hand, part-time classes are available for someone who has other commitments in their life, though the program length is then typically extended (24 weeks on average, as opposed to 12 weeks for full-time bootcamps).9
Career Services
Several schools also provide career support for their students, in addition to the coding curriculum. These can include a range of services including resume workshops, mock interviews, opportunities to network with industry professionals, access to job boards, and more. It’s important to remember, though, that the comprehensiveness and efficacy of these services will vary between programs, so during your research, you’ll want to pay attention to whether former students claimed that the bootcamp not only prepared them for real-world computer science careers, but was also helpful in their navigation of the job search process.
And if the school makes any job placement claims, you’d do well to do careful research into the numbers—for example, in their job placement rates, do they include jobs that aren’t in a relevant computer science field, or do they include in-house hires? What’s the sample size? Was the data verified by a third party, such as the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR)?
This way, you can have confidence that in finding the right course, you’ll then be able to take advantage of these tools and, when using them to their fullest potential, ultimately see a benefit from them in the future.
Enrolling in a Coding Bootcamp
Once you decide on the format, schedule, and other features you prefer for your coding classes, there are six steps to getting started in your course with confidence:
- Reach out to your top three bootcamps of choice.
- Discuss with admissions representatives the course costs and available financing options, next start dates and schedules, any prerequisites they may require such as a skill test or interview, and what you’ll need for course completion, such as submitted progress reports, a capstone project. etc.
- Weigh your options then communicate with the bootcamp of your choice.
- If necessary, set up the financing option that works best for you, then submit your agreement or contract with the bootcamp.
- Do any prework the school asks for, and also take advantage of free online coding classes so that you can brush up/get a head start on the curriculum and set yourself up for success.
- Become a student and start learning to code.
Building new technical skills takes time and focus. Whether you enroll in coding courses in-person or online, the job market numbers for web development, data science, and other computer science professionals are an encouraging sign for entry-level coders. Interested in having fun coding and building new skills by enrolling in a class near you or online? Start your search for the best coding bootcamps for you by filling out our questionnaire.
Sources
2 https://www.cio.com/article/230935/hiring-the-most-in-demand-tech-jobs-for-2021.html
3 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm#tab-6
4 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm#tab-6
5 https://ift.tt/ZjBtwo3
6 https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/04/20/bootcamps-a-viable-alternative-to-college/
7 https://www.learningrevolution.net/bootcamp-market-statistics/
8 https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/the-global-coding-bootcamp-market-size-and-forecast/
9https://careerkarma.com/blog/how-long-are-coding-bootcamps/
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