/** * Old Tag Manage 7/4/24 * */ Is a Coding Bootcamp Worth it? | Java Coding Bootcamp BSB 7624 /** Old GTM 7/4/24 * */

Is a Coding Bootcamp Worth it?

Coding bootcamps are not easy and are expensive.

Should you attend one? Is it worth it? The answer is yes.

laptop-on-desk-with-code

To keep up with the demand for programmers, the coding bootcamp market is growing exponentially every year. There are over 110 full-time coding bootcamps in the United States, and the market has grown from around 2,000 graduates in 2013 to around 23,000 in 2019. 

bootcamp-graduates-per-year-graph

Coding bootcamps have continued to diversify their course offerings to keep pace with job demands. There are full-stack web developer bootcamps, front-end developer bootcamps, back-end bootcamps, Python bootcamps, JavaScript bootcamps, Java bootcamps, and many more. These choices can become confusing and overwhelming for an applicant who is deciding where to enroll. 

Bootcamp Tuition

Tuition adds to the difficulty of deciding which bootcamp to enroll in. Bootcamp tuition is around $16,000. That is not cheap for a few months of training. This investment may seem high. However, when put into perspective of the salaries that programmers make, it is a very worthwhile investment.

Salaries for programmer jobs are high, and for most people entering a bootcamp, it is two to three times their previous salary. These jobs are also not going away like many lower-paying jobs that will be replaced with automation. Job security when becoming a programmer is also worth the high initial investment. 

Financing Your Bootcamp

Most bootcamps have financing options. This allows students instant access to a fairly expensive program if they can not afford it. Some bootcamps offer income share agreements, which means you can start a bootcamp without paying anything. Then when you get a job after the program, you pay the tuition of the bootcamp. You can learn more about financing options for bootcamps with Climb or Meritize.

The Expenses

Here's an example:

Let's say you're moving to Denver for a 16-week or 4-month coding boot camp.

  • The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Denver is $1,265.00 a month. That equals $5,060.00 for the duration of the bootcamp.
  • For the average American who buys groceries and cooks at home, the cost of food is $299.33 per month or $1,197.32 for the duration of the bootcamp.
  • Public transportation will cost someone living in Denver about $114.00 a month, or $456.00 for the duration of the bootcamp.
  • Utilities will cost about $57.35 a month, or $229.40 for the duration of the bootcamp.
  • On top of that, the average tuition for a coding boot camp is $16,000.

Is a Coding Bootcamp Worth it? Yes.

  • Housing: $5,060.00
  • Groceries: $1,197.32
  • Transportation: $456.00
  • Utilities: $229.40
  • Boot Camp Price: $16,000
  • Total: $22,942.72

With such a huge cost for four months of training, why are bootcamps worth it? It's because the median salary of computer programmers is $105,590 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All the costs of attending a coding bootcamp can be recovered in less than a year. To read more about salaries, click here.