Certified Coder Boot Camp vs. College Education

If you’re looking to break into the booming tech field, there’s no better time than now. But whether you’re fresh out of school or looking to make a mid-life career change, what’s the best way to get started?

For those who want to find a well-paying career in IT, two of the most popular options include going to a college and a certified coder boot camp. While both paths of education are great options, there are some important differences between the two.

Keep reading to learn more about which choice might be the right one for you.

The Costs of College Compared to a 14 Week Certified Coder Boot Camp

When it comes to cost, the difference is staggering. On average, code boot camps will require an investment of $9,000 to $20,000 for a 3 to 6-month period. And while this time is brief compared to what’s required for a bachelor’s degree in computer science, be prepared to spend a significant portion of your time practicing, studying, and performing hands-on work. Code boot camps are designed to give you all the knowledge and skills you need to find a programming career quickly and succeed. As such, expect intensive work that requires serious dedication.

On the other hand, a bachelor’s degree in computer science will cost between $10,000 to more than $30,000 per year at many colleges and universities. If you want to attend a more prestigious university, expect to pay as much as $60,000 per school year. These tuition costs also don’t include other expenses like books and housing. But these increased costs do pay off thanks to the diverse array of subjects taught in college.

How Much Time Are You Willing to Spend?

Asides from cost, another large difference between college and a certified coder boot camp is the amount of time you’ll invest in learning these skills. With a bachelor’s degree in computer science, students are expected to attend college for 4 years. Coding boot camps typically last between 3 to 6 months maximum. If you don’t need immediate work and want to learn an array of subjects, then college might be a good option. But if you don’t want to spend years of your life at school, then a coding boot camp can quickly teach you everything you need to land a high-paying IT job in just a few months. Even former President Obama endorsed tech camps as a quick ticket to earning a great income.

Your Potential Earnings as a Graduate

On average, graduates with a degree in computer science can earn $60,000 per year but have the potential to earn well over six-figures down the road. Students who’ve graduated from a coding academy have reported starting incomes between $60,000 to $80,000 per year.

On average, college graduates may have the potential to earn more than coding boot camp graduates as some senior-level positions at large companies may require a degree. However, this isn’t always true as there are many IT boot camp graduates who work at fortune 500 companies without a degree.

With more than three years of a head start, graduates of a coding academy can climb up the career ladder quicker than a college graduate.

Because there are so many tech startups looking for new and talented programmers, many don’t require college educations – only proof that you’re capable of performing the work. And because these startups can quickly turn into multimillion-dollar businesses, a coder boot camp graduate does have the potential to earn a great sum of money.

Which Option Is Best for You?

If you want to quickly join the ranks of software programmers with little upfront time and money invested, then a certified coder boot camp is a great option. In just a few months, you could find yourself earning a considerable salary in a tech company. For those of you who want to move up into high-level positions at large firms, a well-rounded college education could be more beneficial.

But the good news is that you don’t necessarily have to choose one or the other!

Some students start with an intensive coding course at boot camp so they can quickly find a job that will help pay for their college education. In other cases, college graduates simply enjoy participating in a boot camp to swiftly accelerate their career.

No matter which option you pick, you can expect a fun and highly lucrative career in the field of technology.