Are Coding Bootcamps Worth It? An Insider‘s Guide for 2024

The buzz around coding bootcamps has only grown louder in recent years. With the insatiable demand for tech talent showing no signs of slowing down, these short-term, intensive programs that promise to turn coding newbies into job-ready developers in a matter of months have become an increasingly popular alternative to computer science degrees.

But are coding bootcamps all they‘re cracked up to be? Having worked as a developer and programming instructor for over a decade, I‘ve seen firsthand the potential of these programs to change lives—as well as their limitations and pitfalls. In this article, I‘ll share an honest, thoroughly researched perspective on whether coding bootcamps are worth the time and money in 2024.

What Do You Actually Learn in a Coding Bootcamp?

First, let‘s look at what coding bootcamps actually teach. While there‘s variation across programs, most cover full-stack web development, meaning the tools needed to build and deploy complete web applications. Typically, the curriculum is split into:

• Front end development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React for creating the client-side of web apps
• Back end development: Server-side languages like Ruby, Python, Java, or Node.js, web frameworks like Rails or Django, databases like SQL or MongoDB
• Full stack development: Tying it all together to build complete, functioning web apps

Web development topics covered in a typical coding bootcamp curriculum. Image via Startup Institute

Some bootcamps have more specialized tracks, such as data science (heavy on Python, SQL, and machine learning), cybersecurity, or mobile app development. But generally, the focus is on teaching the most in-demand and employable skills as efficiently as possible.

Consequently, coding bootcamps are light on computer science fundamentals. You probably won‘t dive deep into algorithms, operating systems, or discrete math like you would in a CS degree. The tradeoff is that you‘ll spend more time actually building projects to gain practical skills.

Coding Bootcamp vs. Computer Science Degree: Time and Cost Comparison

The biggest selling points of coding bootcamps are the compressed timeline and comparatively low price tag vs. a traditional CS degree. Most immersive bootcamps run 12-16 weeks full-time, with some part-time programs lasting up to 9 months. Compare that to the 2-4 years required for an associate‘s or bachelor‘s degree in computer science.

In terms of cost, the average full-time coding bootcamp in the US charges around $14,000 as of 2024, according to data from Course Report. Meanwhile, the average annual tuition at a public 4-year college for in-state students is $10,740; for out-of-state students at public 4-year colleges, it‘s $27,560; and for private non-profit 4-year colleges, it‘s $38,070, according to Collegedata.com.

So purely based on sticker price, coding bootcamps are more affordable than a 4-year CS degree from all but the least expensive in-state public colleges (and a 4-year degree may be overkill for many entry-level developer jobs). But that doesn‘t account for lost earnings while in school. Assuming a 12-week bootcamp requires 1,000 hours of work (factoring in assignments and projects) and pays off with a $75,000 starting salary (the 2023 median for bootcamp grads according to Course Report), the ROI can still be quite positive:

Back-of-the-envelope calculation of a coding bootcamp‘s return on investment vs. a CS degree. Your mileage may vary.

Of course, this is a rough, generalized estimate. Actual bootcamp costs, time investments, and starting salaries vary considerably, as do financial aid options (more on that later). And there are non-monetary factors to weigh—you may simply prefer the breadth, depth, and academic prestige of a traditional degree. But strictly in terms of time-to-payoff, coding bootcamps have the edge.

The Coding Bootcamp Business Model: Follow the Incentives

To really understand if a coding bootcamp is worth it for you, it helps to understand their business model. Most operate on a for-profit basis, whether self-funded or VC-backed (though a few, like 42, are non-profit). While they vary in structure, most bootcamps make money through some combination of:

1. Upfront tuition: Students pay a flat fee ranging from $5,000 to over $20,000, often through loans or income share agreements (ISAs)
2. Recruitment fees: Employers pay the bootcamp to access their hiring pool or get a referral bonus for each graduate hired
3. Subsidized corporate training: Tech companies contract the bootcamp to provide training for existing employees

The exact revenue mix depends on the camp, but the key takeaway is that bootcamps have a strong financial incentive to get students hired—it proves their worth to both prospective students and employer partners. That‘s a good thing in the sense that it aligns the bootcamp‘s interest with yours. But it can create some perverse incentives.

For one, it means bootcamps are mainly focused on highly employable skills (again, full-stack web development more often than, say, operating system design). It also puts immense pressure on career services teams to maintain high placement rates, which has led some bootcamps to manipulate their jobs numbers.

More broadly, the profit motive means bootcamps spend heavily on marketing, giving rise to a flood of ads, glowing testimonials, and eye-popping salary claims that can oversell the experience. As with any investment, it‘s critical to comparison shop and look beyond the shiny brochure stats.

Coding Bootcamps Under Fire: The Criticisms and Controversies

Not everyone is sold on the coding bootcamp hype. They‘ve faced their share of criticism and controversy over the years, including:

• Overstated job placement rates: Bootcamps have been caught inflating their placement numbers by using vague definitions of "employment" or not disclosing key details about data collection. Lambda School is a prime example.

• Insufficient regulation: With little official oversight, some bootcamps have been accused of using overly aggressive sales tactics and making false promises about job prospects. Look for independent audits and alumni reviews.

• Poor educational quality: Not all bootcamp instruction is created equal. For every highly selective program with rigorous standards, there are others that churn through unprepared students. Do your diligence on the curriculum, instructors, and student outcomes.

• Lack of employer trust: Some hiring managers still see bootcamp grads as unproven compared to CS degree holders, viewing the programs as too short or not rigorous enough. Perceptions are changing, but bias lingers.

These issues highlight the need for prospective students to thoroughly vet programs. Reputable bootcamps will provide transparent, independently verified job outcomes data. They‘ll explain exactly how they collect and report their numbers. And they‘ll connect you with alumni to get unvarnished reviews.

Self-Teaching vs. Bootcamps vs. College: Which Path Is Right for You?

So far we‘ve mainly compared coding bootcamps to computer science degrees. But of course, those aren‘t the only two paths to becoming a software developer. You could also go the purely self-taught route using online courses and tutorials.

In fact, a 2020 StackOverflow survey found that over 20% of professional developers are self-taught, with no bootcamp or college experience. With the wealth of free and low-cost learning resources available today, it‘s certainly possible to acquire employable coding skills without any formal schooling.

Educational backgrounds of professional developers. Source: StackOverflow 2020 Developer Survey

The main advantages of self-teaching are flexibility and low cost. You set your own pace and schedule, and apart from maybe buying a few books or courses, there‘s minimal upfront expense. The downside is that you‘ll miss out on the structure, feedback, and human interaction of a classroom (physical or virtual). Self-directed learning requires tremendous motivation, discipline, and patience.

Coding bootcamps offer a balance between the on-your-own nature of self-study and the years-long commitment of a degree program. You‘ll benefit from expert guidance, peer collaboration, and a built-in support network while still having some autonomy over your learning. Yes, the pace is intense, but for many the structure and accountability is worth it.

As for college, a computer science degree is still the gold standard in terms of depth, prestige, and access to internships and research opportunities at top companies. If your goal is to work on cutting-edge technologies, contribute to open-source projects, or pursue graduate studies, a traditional college education may be the best foundation. But if you‘re mainly interested in web development and eager to start your career ASAP, a bootcamp could be a more direct path.

The Verdict: Are Coding Bootcamps Really Worth It in 2024?

Having looked at the data and weighed the pros and cons, here‘s my take as a longtime industry insider: coding bootcamps are absolutely worth it for the right person in the right circumstances.

If you‘re truly passionate about learning to code, willing to put in the hard work, and your top priority is getting an entry-level developer job as quickly as possible, a reputable coding bootcamp can be a fantastic investment. You‘ll gain highly marketable skills, build an impressive project portfolio, get personalized career guidance, and tap into a robust employer network, all in a matter of months. The potential ROI is hard to beat.

But—and this is a big but—not all coding bootcamps are created equal. With hundreds of programs out there and little regulation, quality varies tremendously. It‘s critical to do your homework, look beyond the marketing claims, and find a bootcamp that:

• Has a proven track record of student success, with transparent, verified job placement statistics
• Teaches a curriculum aligned with your career goals, using up-to-date tools and frameworks
• Provides expert instruction from experienced developers along with robust career support
• Offers a learning environment and pace that suits your needs, whether online or in-person, full-time or part-time
• Is upfront about costs and financing options, including stipends, scholarships, payment plans, and loan terms

If you can check those boxes, a coding bootcamp may well be one of the best investments you ever make. But if you have doubts about the program quality, your ability to keep up with the material, or the demand for bootcamp grads in your local job market, it may be worth considering other paths.

Key Takeaways

• Coding bootcamps are short-term, intensive programs that teach job-ready programming skills, with a focus on full-stack web development
• Most bootcamps run 3-4 months full-time and cost around $14,000, though part-time and online options are increasingly common
• Compared to computer science degrees, bootcamps offer a faster and often more affordable path to an entry-level developer job, but with less depth and theory
• Bootcamps have a mixed reputation due to some programs overstating job outcomes, providing lackluster instruction, or using aggressive marketing tactics
• Self-teaching using online resources is an even lower-cost option, but requires more motivation and patience than a structured bootcamp
• For the right student, a high-quality coding bootcamp can absolutely be worth it in terms of skills acquisition, career opportunities, and salary potential
• The keys to bootcamp success are aligning your goals with the curriculum, choosing a reputable program, and being prepared for the intense workload

Ultimately, whether a coding bootcamp is worth it depends on your unique circumstances and objectives. But if you have a passion for programming, a drive to succeed, and have done your due diligence to find a top-tier program, it can be a remarkably effective way to launch a fulfilling and lucrative career in tech. As an industry veteran and lifelong teacher, I‘ve seen firsthand the incredible trajectories made possible by the best coding bootcamps—and I expect that to only grow in the years ahead.