According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for software developers is going to increase by 22% between 2019 and 2029, which is much greater than the 4% growth rate the BLS estimates for all occupations. Median annual pay for the career field in 2019 was $107,510, and there were 1,469,200 jobs available to software developers.
But how do pay for the training? These programs can be pricey, and students may not want to take on debt. There are options, including personal loans, that students can use to get the education they need to succeed as a coder.
What Do Students Learn in Coding Bootcamp?
Students will learn a variety of programming languages, rather than focusing on just one, to be equipped for a dynamic job market. When students graduate, they may have a portfolio, a website, profiles on programming websites, as well as interviewing and job hunting skills.
These programs teach frameworks and programming languages like JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Ruby on Rails, Python on Django, and PHP. According to a Course Report study, 83% of Bootcamp graduates find jobs as programmers.
Coding bootcamps are intensive programs that teach skills like data science, cybersecurity, full-stack web development, and technical sales, among others. Typically, the average Bootcamp is around 14 weeks long but can range anywhere from six to 28 weeks. Courses are offered online or in-person and at dedicated coding Bootcamp facilities or at universities a Bootcamp program might partner with.
How Much Does Coding Bootcamp Cost?
The coding bootcamp cost varies depending on the program. The average is $13,584, but they can range from $7,800 to $21,000. For example, IronHack is $11,000, while Codesmith is $17,200. Students are encouraged to ask about costs for the programs they might be interested in so they’ll have adequate information to compare programs. The cost of coding bootcamp might seem high, but paying for a college degree can be a much costlier investment.
If the cost seems out of reach, looking into free coding bootcamps might be an alternative. Programs that have no cost are typically available to students who meet certain criteria such as particular gender identification, a specific age range, income guidelines, among others, and acceptance may be quite competitive. Some of the free programs offer just basic instruction in coding, while others are more comprehensive.
Recommended: Are Coding Bootcamps Worth the Money?
Paying for Coding Bootcamp
There are a variety of options to pay for coding Bootcamp.
Loans
One option might be taking out a coding Bootcamp loan. Some coding bootcamps partner with lenders that offer various terms and interest rates depending on a variety of the student’s financial factors. Bootcamps might also offer their own financing, or students might choose to apply for a loan through a bank or credit union. Reading the fine print of any loan agreement will uncover fees such as origination or early repayment fees that a student may want to be aware of.
Alternative Ways to Pay Tuition
Coding Bootcamps may also offer an income sharing agreement (ISA) or deferred tuition. Students who choose an ISA agree to pay a percentage of their income to the school for a certain period of time after they graduate and find a job. With deferred tuition, students will either pay no upfront tuition or they’ll pay a small deposit, and then begin paying tuition once they graduate and secure a job.
The terms of each ISA or deferred tuition program differ by program. For instance, The Grace Hopper Program does not require students to pay tuition if they are unable to secure a job within one year of graduating. GeneralAssembly does not require students to pay tuition if they don’t secure a job that pays $40,000 within eight years of graduating.
Recommended: Ways to Pay for Your Child’s Tuition
Employer Funded
If students are already working, they might consider asking their employer to fund part of or all of their boot camp education. By demonstrating to their employer that by increasing their skill set they’ll be able to contribute more to the company and boost their productivity, their employer might be willing to pay for some of the program cost.
Recommended: How Does Tuition Reimbursement Work?
Military Benefits
US military veterans may be able to pay for their coding Bootcamp using their GI Bill benefits. Another funding source for veterans to look into is the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program . This educational assistance program funds education for qualified veterans in computer software and programming training, and data processing, information science, and media applications programs. Benefits include housing costs incurred during the training program as well as tuition for full-time students.
Paying Out-of-Pocket
Using personal savings to pay for a coding bootcamp program is an option some students might have. While it may be difficult to part with the money, the return might be worth it. The median starting salary for a coding bootcamp grad is $65,000 .
Coding Bootcamp Scholarships
Students seeking scholarship funds won’t have far to look. Like scholarships for any other education program, these are available to students who meet a variety of qualifications, for instance, residence in certain geographic locations, students of diverse genders and cultural backgrounds, veterans, military spouses, students who might have been impacted by Covid-19, among many others.
Some scholarships might be need-based, while others will be based on merit. The amount of tuition and other costs that are covered will vary by scholarship.
Types of Jobs for Coders
After graduating from coding bootcamp, students will be qualified to work in a variety of jobs, including:
• Software engineer: working with Ruby, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Data scientist: discovering insights from massive amounts of data.
• Back-end web developer: using PHP, Sql, Ruby, Python, or Java.
• Front-end web developer: utilizing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to design websites.
• Full-stack developer: troubleshooting website design on the front and back end.
• Mobile developer: building mobile apps.
There are many options, and students can look for a job that best suits their skills.
Paying for Coding Bootcamp With SoFi’s Personal Loans
If you want to be a part of the growing technology fields, a coding bootcamp might be a route you can take. After exhausting other options to pay the tuition, students might want to consider a personal loan from SoFi. The online application is fast and easy, and loans have flexible repayment options, no fees required, and competitive rates.
SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.
SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. SoFi Bank, N.A. and its lending products are not endorsed by or directly affiliated with any college or university unless otherwise disclosed.
SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
SOPS21003
