The Ultimate Guide to Free Coding Classes in 2024: What to Look For and How to Get the Most Value
Are you considering learning to code to break into the lucrative and fast-growing world of tech? With the right skills, you can launch a fulfilling career in software development, web design, data science, and more.
But if you‘re brand new to coding, it can be daunting to know where to begin. Bootcamps and computer science degrees offer a comprehensive coding education, but they come with a hefty price tag. For aspiring coders on a budget, or those who simply want to test the waters before committing to an intensive paid program, free coding classes can be an excellent way to start your coding journey.
In this guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about learning to code for free. We‘ll discuss the benefits of free coding classes, what to look for in a quality course, and how to get the most value out of your free coding education. By the end, you‘ll be equipped with the knowledge and resources to start your coding journey with confidence.
Why Learn to Code?
Before we dive into the specifics of free coding classes, let‘s discuss why you might want to learn to code in the first place. In short, coding is one of the most valuable and marketable skills in today‘s digital economy.
Consider these key statistics:
- Software developer employment is projected to grow 25% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- The median annual wage for software developers was $109,020 in May 2021, more than twice the median wage for all workers. (BLS)
- 58% of all STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) jobs are in computing. (Code.org)
- Programming jobs are growing 12% faster than the market average. (Burning Glass)
Learning to code opens up a wide range of lucrative and rewarding career paths, from web development to software engineering to data science. And with the rapid pace of digital transformation across all industries, the demand for workers with coding skills will only continue to grow.
But the benefits of coding go beyond just boosting your job prospects. Learning to code also helps you develop valuable problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity skills. It empowers you to build your own projects and applications, and contribute to the ever-expanding world of technology.
Free vs Paid Coding Classes
If you‘ve decided you want to learn to code, the next step is weighing your education options. Let‘s compare the pros and cons of free coding classes versus paid programs like bootcamps.
Free Coding Classes
Pros:
- No financial investment or risk
- Learn at your own pace on your own schedule
- Wide variety of options for different interests/goals
- Beginner-friendly way to explore coding fundamentals
Cons:
- Limited depth and scope compared to paid programs
- Lack of personalized feedback, mentorship, or career guidance
- Lower accountability and motivation without financial skin in the game
- Few opportunities to build a portfolio or work on group projects
- No certifications or formal credentials
Paid Bootcamps
Pros:
- Immersive and comprehensive training in 3-6 months
- Curriculum designed to build job-ready skills
- Mentorship and individualized feedback from experienced instructors
- Hands-on projects that build a professional portfolio
- Career support services and employer networks
- Accountability and motivation of a structured program
- Certifications and industry connections
Cons:
- Significant financial investment, with average costs around $15k
- Intensive and fast-paced schedule can be stressful
- Less flexibility and control over learning path
- Not as many niche/specialized programs as free courses
- Varying quality and outcomes across bootcamps
Ultimately, the choice between free and paid coding education depends on your goals, timeline, budget, and learning preferences. Free coding classes are an excellent way to dip your toes into coding and see if it‘s a path you want to pursue further. They can lay a foundation for more advanced paid training down the road.
If you‘re set on launching a coding career as efficiently as possible, a paid bootcamp may be worth the investment. These programs are designed to get you job-ready in months, not years, and often have strong employer connections and post-grad support.
However, many successful developers start with free coding resources to build their base knowledge before enrolled in a paid bootcamp. You don‘t necessarily need to choose one or the other – they can work well in combination.
What to Look For in a Free Coding Class
Once you‘ve decided to explore the world of free coding classes, it‘s important to choose your courses carefully. Not all free classes are created equal – some offer significantly more value and depth than others.
Here are the key features to look for as you evaluate free coding class options:
1. Comprehensive curriculum
The best free coding classes don‘t just teach you the basics of a single programming language. They cover a wide range of essential computer science and software engineering concepts, including:
- Computational thinking and problem-solving strategies
- Data types, variables, loops, functions, and other programming building blocks
- Object-oriented programming (OOP) principles
- Web development languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Backend languages like Python, Java, Ruby, etc.
- Algorithms and data structures
- Databases and SQL
- Version control with Git/GitHub
- Software testing and debugging
Look for classes that touch on all these fundamentals, with an emphasis on the languages and technologies that align with your specific goals (such as web dev vs data science).
2. Project-based learning
Watching coding tutorials and readings is helpful for grasping the basics, but you‘ll cement your skills by building real applications. Prioritize free coding classes that include hands-on projects and exercises.
Project-based learning helps you:
- Gain practical experience with a language/framework
- Learn how concepts apply to real-world scenarios
- Develop your problem-solving and debugging skills
- Build a portfolio to showcase to potential employers
3. Taught by experienced developers
Make sure the instructors for your free coding classes have real-world experience working as professional developers, not just teaching. They‘ll be able to offer industry insights, career advice, and practical tips you won‘t get from an academic computer science course.
Some green flags to look for in an instructor:
- Several years of professional software engineering experience
- Has worked for recognizable tech companies
- Expertise in the technologies they‘re teaching
- Teaches coding concepts, not just syntax
- Passionate about helping new developers learn and grow
4. Active learning community
One downside of free coding classes is that you may feel isolated learning on your own. Look for courses that have an active community of learners you can connect with for support, collaboration, and networking.
This could be:
- Forums or chat channels to ask questions and get help
- Regular live video study groups or code reviews
- Collaborative group projects you can contribute to
- Local in-person meetups or workshops in your area
Having a built-in network of peers keeps you motivated, accountable, and inspired as you learn to code.
5. Strong outcomes and reviews
Finally, do your due diligence and research the outcomes and student reviews for any free coding class before diving in. While you can‘t expect a free course to directly help you land a job like some bootcamps do, the best ones will have a strong track record of student success.
Some positive signs to look for:
- High ratings and positive reviews on third-party sites like Course Report, Switchup, Class Central, etc.
- Endorsements from professional developers or tech companies
- Student projects featured in public portfolios
- Testimonials from learners who went on to paid bootcamps or coding jobs
- Money-back guarantees if you‘re unsatisfied with the course
How to Get the Most Out of Free Coding Classes
Free coding classes have a lot to offer aspiring developers, but you‘ll get out of them what you put in. To make the most of your free learning resources, follow these tips:
1. Treat it like a paid program
Just because a class is free doesn‘t mean you should take it less seriously. Set aside dedicated time for your coding studies, show up consistently, and hold yourself accountable to your learning goals. The more effort you put in, the more you‘ll grow your skills.
2. Code along and build projects
You won‘t become a programmer just by watching tutorials – you need to write code and build applications yourself. As you work through a free coding class, resist the temptation to passively follow along. Pause the video and code along with the instructor. Complete all the exercises and projects, even if they‘re not required. The only way to learn is by doing.
3. Take notes and review regularly
Coding concepts build on each other, so it‘s important to solidify your understanding as you go. Take detailed notes as you work through a free class, in your own words. Review them regularly to quiz yourself and identify areas that are still fuzzy. The act of note-taking itself will also help you retain key information.
4. Supplement with outside practice
Free coding classes are a great starting point, but to really level up your skills, you‘ll want to practice coding outside of class as well. Websites like HackerRank, CodeWars, and LeetCode offer free coding challenges you can solve to test your understanding. You can also contribute to open source projects on GitHub for real-world experience.
5. Make connections and collaborate
Finally, don‘t underestimate the value of making connections with your fellow learners. If your free coding class has a forum or chat group, introduce yourself and engage in discussions. If there are opportunities for group projects or pair programming, take advantage of them. You never know when a peer connection could lead to a future job opportunity. Plus, having a supportive community makes the coding journey more fun.
Next Steps After Free Coding Classes
You‘ve completed some free coding classes, built a handful of projects, and caught the programming bug. What‘s next on your coding journey?
If you‘re committed to becoming a professional developer, the natural next step is to enroll in a coding bootcamp. Coding bootcamps offer the most efficient, streamlined path to job-ready tech skills. Most bootcamps can be completed in 3-6 months, with both full-time and part-time schedule options.
Unlike free coding classes, bootcamps have selective admissions, rigorous assessments, and a highly structured curriculum. They‘re a serious commitment, but for motivated learners, they can be absolutely game-changing. Bootcamp grads go on to land jobs at top tech companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, and more.
Many of the top coding bootcamps offer free prep courses or even scholarships for students who can‘t afford the upfront tuition. You can also find bootcamps that offer income share agreements (ISAs) or deferred tuition plans where you don‘t pay anything until you land a job.
Some highly-rated coding bootcamps to explore:
- Programming School – Offers both online and in-person courses in software engineering, cybersecurity, data science, and product design. Known for experienced instructors and strong career services support.
- Fullstack Academy – Immersive software engineering and web development bootcamps with a focus on JavaScript, Python and emerging technologies. Highly selective admissions and proven student outcomes.
- Hack Reactor – Rigorous software engineering bootcamp with a focus on computer science fundamentals and cutting-edge JavaScript frameworks. Offers online and in-person options.
- App Academy – Immersive Ruby on Rails and JavaScript bootcamp with a unique deferred tuition model. Only pay after you land a job.
- General Assembly – Offers full-time, part-time, and self-paced bootcamps in web development, data science, UX design, and digital marketing. Global campuses and a huge alumni network.
Of course, a paid bootcamp isn‘t the only path forward after free coding classes. You could also focus on self-study using paid platforms like Codecademy Pro, Treehouse, or Udacity. Or you might combine free and paid resources to craft your own study plan. The key is to keep practicing and building your skills every day.
If you‘re not sure whether a bootcamp or self-study is right for you, reach out to a bootcamp admissions representative. Most offer free consultations to help you get clarity on your goals and see if their program is a fit.
Wrapping Up
Learning to code is one of the best investments you can make in your career. While paid programs like bootcamps can accelerate your journey from beginner to professional developer, free coding classes are a great way to build your foundations and explore if programming is a path you want to pursue.
As you evaluate your options, remember to look for free courses that offer:
- A comprehensive curriculum that covers key CS concepts and in-demand languages
- Hands-on projects to build your practical skills
- Instructors with professional software development experience
- An active community of learners for support and collaboration
- Strong ratings, reviews, and student outcomes
With the wealth of free coding resources available today, there‘s never been a better time to start learning this valuable skill set. Why wait? Start exploring your options and take the first step toward an exciting new career in tech.
