Computer science is a rapidly-growing, high-paying field, and computer science bootcamps prepare students to enter this field by teaching them the in-demand skills and technologies that employers are looking for. While there are countless reputable bootcamps available on the internet, it’s important to choose one that provides a learning environment and curriculum that sets you up for success. To help you find the best option, we researched and reviewed the 10 best computer science bootcamps.
- Thinkful — Software Engineering Bootcamp — Top Pick
- App Academy — Software Engineering — Best Deferred Tuition Plan
- Flatiron — Software Engineering — Most Flexible
- Fullstack Academy — Live Online Coding Bootcamp — Best for Collaborative Learning
- General Assembly — Software Engineering Immersive Online — Most Beginner-Friendly
- Hack Reactor — Software Engineering Online Immersive — Best Online Learning
- Devmountain — Java Software Engineering — Most Affordable
- DigitalCrafts — Web Development Bootcamp — Most Comprehensive Curriculum
- Ironhack — Web Development — Shortest Course
- Codesmith — Computer Science Bootcamp — Best Free Learning Resources
Our Ranking Criteria
Computer science bootcamps vary greatly in several ways, including course length, prerequisites, schedule flexibility, curriculum, and more. The best bootcamps cover a wide range of in-demand technologies and skills and allow students to apply their knowledge through practical projects and collaborative learning environments. To find the best courses available, we reviewed over 90 of them and narrowed our list down to the 10 best computer science bootcamps.
Basic Ranking Criteria
To narrow down our selection of the best computer science bootcamps, we started by reviewing a few basic criteria that are conducive to student success throughout the course and post-graduation. These criteria include course length, necessary prerequisites, schedule flexibility, and whether or not the courses provide a certificate of completion.
Time to complete. Shorter course lengths allow students to get started on their new career paths as quickly as possible. Our list mostly contains bootcamps that can be completed in six months or less.
Prerequisites required. Prerequisites make it more difficult for beginners to gain acceptance into a bootcamp. In creating our list, we looked for bootcamps that either do not require prerequisites or require prerequisites that are relatively easy to meet.
Flexible schedule. While many full-time bootcamps have fixed schedules, working students often benefit from flexible schedules that allow them to balance their coursework with other obligations. We’ve included several bootcamps with part-time and self-paced enrollment options.
Certificate of completion. While not a necessity, a certificate of completion can be a valuable inclusion on your resume, and in some cases, can count as college credit for students that want to pursue a degree following their bootcamp graduation.
Advanced Ranking Criteria
The best computer science bootcamps should offer everything students need to prepare themselves for a career as a programmer or developer. To ensure our selection includes the best courses available, we reviewed bootcamps based on the following advanced criteria:
- The course must cover several in-demand technologies and coding languages, including but not limited to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and Java.
- The course requires students to complete several practical projects that they can add to their professional portfolios.
- The course provides career services and support to help graduates find employment.
- The course teaches both frontend and backend development.
- Students are able to collaborate with other students and instructors through live lectures and collaborative working sessions.
- The course provider offers multiple financing options to help students offset the cost of tuition.
- The course’s instructors are experienced developers, programmers, or software engineers.
10 Best Computer Science Bootcamps
Thinkful
Software Engineering Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Top Pick
Thinkful’s software engineering bootcamp earned our top pick due to its comprehensive curriculum, flexible schedule, excellent career coaching services, and on-demand technical coaching services. Students will learn a variety of widely-used technologies, including JavaScript, React, and Node through live lectures and mentor sessions. Thinkful course graduates can earn a certificate from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) that translates to credits towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s of Science degree at the university. There are several generous financing options available beyond the standard loans and scholarships offered by other bootcamps, including a deferred tuition plan that allows students to postpone their tuition payments until they are employed, and students are eligible for a full tuition refund if they aren’t offered a qualifying position within 180 days of graduation.
- Price: Full-time: $16,000; Part-time: $7,900
- Time to complete: Full-time: 5 months; Part-time: 6 months
- Prerequisites required: 4-week self-paced prep course
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Thinkful’s software engineering bootcamp is a great option for anyone interested in pursuing a career in computer science and for individuals interested in pursuing a degree following course completion.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Flexible schedule. | Must first complete a 4-week prep course. |
| Deferred tuition and tuition refund eligibility. | |
| Comprehensive curriculum. |
App Academy
Software Engineering
Intelligent Award: Best Deferred Tuition Plan
App Academy offers the most student-friendly financing options on our list, with the best option being its deferred tuition plan which states that students don’t have to pay a dollar until they are hired and making at least $50,000. The course teaches two of the most in-demand coding languages, Python and JavaScript, alongside other useful tools like SQL, Flas, and ReactJS. Students are paired with experienced mentors to guide them through the program. The learning structure consists of a combination of live lectures, pair programming, group reviews, and homework. By graduation, students will have dozens of projects for their portfolios, and you’ll work with a dedicated career advisor to prepare for your job search.
- Price: $20,000
- Time to complete: 24 weeks
- Prerequisites required: Self-paced technical learning challenges
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: No
Who should take this course? Due to its great financing options, App Academy is a great choice for students that can’t afford the costly tuition required by many of the providers on our list.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Great financing options. | Expensive tuition. |
| Comprehensive curriculum. | No certificate of completion. |
| Dozens of portfolio projects. |
Flatiron
Software Engineering
Intelligent Award: Most Flexible
With the option to complete the course on a self-paced basis, Flatiron’s software engineering bootcamp is the most flexible course on our list. You’ll learn both frontend and backend development with a focus on JavaScript and Ruby. Students receive weekly technical mentorship to help them refine their skills, and group study sessions provide opportunities for collaboration. Every graduate receives individual career coaching, and Flatiron boasts a vast employer network to help students find employment soon after completing the course. There are no prerequisites, making this a great option for beginners that want to start a new career in computer science.
- Price: Full-time: $16,900; Part-time: $16,900; Self-paced: $9,600
- Time to complete: Full-time: 5 months; Part-time: 10 months; Self-paced: 15 months
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? With part-time and self-paced enrollment options, Flatiron is ideal for students with work or family commitments.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Flexible schedule. | Limited financing options. |
| Large employer network. |
Fullstack Academy
Live Online Coding Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best for Collaborative Learning
Fullstack Academy is a great option for students that value collaboration. This bootcamp focuses on developing students’ skills through pair programming sessions in which students will solve programming challenges and review each other’s work. The curriculum features frontend and backend development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and by the end of the course, you’ll have a portfolio that features a variety of professional applications. You’ll also build your GitHub profile, LinkedIn profile, and resume with your instructors and career success team. The course does not start at a beginner level, but interested students can get started with a free self-paced bootcamp prep course or a paid prep course that features live lectures and group learning.
- Price: $17,910
- Time to complete: 17 to 28 weeks
- Prerequisites required: Prior Programming Experience
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Fullstack Academy is ideal for intermediate-level programmers that want to advance their skills through collaborative learning sessions. The additional exposure to the other students in the class also makes it a great choice for anyone looking to jumpstart their professional network.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Emphasis on collaboration. | Not a flexible schedule. |
| Practical real-world projects. | Not for beginners. |
| Free prep course. |
General Assembly
Software Engineering Immersive Online
Intelligent Award: Most Beginner-Friendly
Unlike many of the other bootcamps on our list, General Assembly offers a completely beginner-friendly program with no prerequisites or prior coding experience required to enroll. No matter what your experience level is, the program aims to help you gain fluency in the coding languages, frameworks, and libraries that modern tech companies are looking for. The course is available year-round on a full-time or part-time basis. Students will learn frontend and backend development, version control with Git and GitHub, and will work on several projects to add to their portfolios. Students will prepare for employment with mock technical interviews and whiteboard challenges, and graduates have access to General Assembly’s vast employer network to aid their job search.
- Price: $14,950
- Time to complete: Full-time: 12 weeks; Part-time: 24 weeks
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? General Assembly’s immersive bootcamp is ideal for beginners with no technical background and those looking to transition their career into tech. Those with a more intermediate level of coding experience should explore other bootcamps though.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Beginner-friendly curriculum. | Not a flexible schedule. |
| Technical interview prep. | |
| Deferred tuition and tuition discounts. |
Hack Reactor
Software Engineering Online Immersive
Intelligent Award: Best Online Learning
Whereas many other online bootcamps rely on pre-recorded lectures and individual working sessions, Hack Reactor’s online software engineering bootcamp utilizes the same curriculum as its on-campus courses, including live interactive lectures and group working sessions. Full-time students can expect to complete the program in just 12 weeks, making it one of the most streamlined programs on our list. You’ll learn full-stack development with JavaScript and will work with teams to develop applications from scratch. Students will also receive interview coaching, negotiation training, and personal branding advice from Hack Reactor’s dedicated career services team. Several financing options are available, including income share agreements, loans, and scholarships.
- Price: $17,980
- Time to complete: Full-time 12 weeks; Part-time: 9 months
- Prerequisites required: Complete admissions challenge
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: No
Who should take this course? Best for learners who like live interactive sessions. If you anticipate having lots of questions or want to build a professional network by getting to know your instructors and classmates, this bootcamp is for you.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Comprehensive online curriculum. | Part-time course takes 9 months. |
| Project-based bootcamp. | Not a flexible schedule. |
Devmountain
Java Software Engineering
Intelligent Award: Most Affordable
At $7,400 Devmountain is the most affordable bootcamp on our list while still offering a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for a career as a software engineer. The course focuses on teaching students how to build applications with Java in conjunction with tools like Git, GitHub, and SQL. The course is entirely remote and includes live lectures, instructor interaction, and pair programming sessions. Devmountain helps students launch their careers with resume optimization, interview prep, career advice, and employer networking services. While there are no prerequisites, the course is not entirely beginner-friendly, and applicants will have to complete a skills review before being accepted into the bootcamp.
- Price: $7,400
- Time to complete: 16 weeks
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Devmountain is a great option for students on a budget and individuals interested in a Java-specific program. The need to pass a skills test before enrolling means it may not be the best fit for true beginners.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Great career support services. | Doesn’t cover frontend development. |
| Affordable tuition. | No certificate of completion. |
DigitalCrafts
Web Development Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Most Comprehensive Curriculum
DigitalCrafts offers the most comprehensive curriculum on our list, covering everything HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to SQL, Python, and Node. The curriculum is constantly updated to reflect current industry trends and demands. After completing the course, students will be familiar with several in-demand technologies and have the full-stack development skills they need to land a job as a software engineer or web developer. The course features a flexible online format with live lectures, workshops, and projects. Students receive career support in the form of mock interviews, portfolio guidance, and exposure to a large employer network.
- Price: Full-time: $14,950; Part-time: $9,950
- Time to complete: Full-time: 16 weeks; Part-time: 26 weeks
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: No
Who should take this course? DigitalCrafts is a great option for students searching for a bootcamp that teaches modern technology stacks and stays up to date with industry trends.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Comprehensive full-stack development curriculum. | Not a flexible schedule. |
| Full-time and part-time enrollment options. |
Ironhack
Web Development
Intelligent Award: Shortest Course
Full-time students enrolled in Ironhack’s Web Development bootcamp can complete the course in just nine weeks. That makes this course the fastest on our list for getting students started on their new tech careers. Ironhack recommends that students have some prior coding experience, but it is not a requirement. You must first complete the 50-hour prep course in order to take the web development bootcamp where you will learn valuable web development technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Git, and GitHub from expert instructors. You’ll also get to collaborate with other students via daily pair programming exercises. Ironhack is also perfect for international students because it hosts in-person bootcamps in countries around the world, including the U.S., Portugal, Germany, Mexico, and Spain, and the remote course is available to students around the world.
- Price: Full-time: $12,500; Part-time: $13,000
- Time to complete: Full-time: 9 weeks; Part-time: 24 weeks
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Ironhack is a perfect choice for students looking for the quickest path to becoming a web developer. Having some prior coding experience may be necessary to move at this faster pace.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Short course length. | Not a flexible schedule. |
| International locations. | Limited financing options. |
| Beginner-friendly. |
Codesmith
Computer Science Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best Free Learning Resources
Codesmith offers in-person and remote immersive 12-week bootcamps that teach frontend and backend development, as well as advanced topics like machine learning. For students that want to continue their studies outside of the bootcamp, Codesmith offers a variety of supplemental free resources, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced JavaScript lessons. In comparison to the other courses on our list, Codesmith goes beyond coding to teach engineering soft skills like DevOps best practices, project management, deployment, and performance monitoring, which are great resume builders for those starting their career in tech. Throughout the course, students work on several projects to help improve their skills and build professional portfolios. Codesmith’s career support services include resume building, interview prep, and post-graduation support.
- Price: $19,350
- Time to complete: Full-time: 12 weeks; Part-time: 38 weeks
- Prerequisites required: High school diploma or equivalent
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: No
Who should take this course? Codesmith is a great choice for students that want to supplement their studies with a variety of free coding resources.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Free learning resources. | Expensive tuition. |
| Great career support services. | Not flexible. |
| Teaches other important soft skills. |
Online Course Comparison Chart
| Course | Price | Features |
| Thinkful — Software Engineering Bootcamp— Top Pick | Full-time: $16,000
Part-time: $7,900 |
X No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| App Academy — Software Engineering — Best Financing | $20,000 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule X Certificate of completion |
| Flatiron — Software Engineering — Most Flexible | Full-time/Part-time: $16,900
Self-paced: $9,600 |
✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Fullstack Academy — Live Online Coding Bootcamp — Best for Collaborative Learning | $17,910 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| General Assembly — Software Engineering Immersive Online — Most Beginner-Friendly | $14,950 | ✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Hack Reactor — Software Engineering Online Immersive — Best Online Learning | $17,980 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule X Certificate of completion |
| Devmountain — Java Software Engineering — Most Affordable | $7,900 | ✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| DigitalCrafts — Web Development Bootcamp — Most Comprehensive Curriculum | Full-time: $14,950
Part-time: $9,950 |
✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule X Certificate of completion |
| Ironhack — Web Development — Shortest Course | Full-time: $12,500
Part-time: $13,000 |
✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Codesmith — Computer Science Bootcamp — Best Free Learning Resources | $19,350 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule X Certificate of completion |
Tips for Succeeding in a Coding Bootcamp
1. Consider the cost
How much do online computer science classes cost?
Computer science bootcamps can be costly, with most falling between $10,000 and $20,000. App Academy offers the most expensive course on our list at $20,000, while Devmountain is the cheapest at $7,900. While this might be considered a significant investment, bootcamps are relatively affordable compared to traditional college degrees and are often successful in helping students find high-paying positions as developers and programmers. For students having trouble paying their tuition, most bootcamps offer financing options like loans, scholarships, and deferred payment plans.
Will my employer pay for me to take the course?
Computer science skills are in very high demand, and as such, many employers are willing to pay for their employees to learn these skills through college courses and online bootcamps. Talk to your boss or HR department to learn whether or not they are able to provide financial assistance.
2. Get your tech squared away
For most computer science bootcamps, the only equipment you’ll need is a modern desktop or laptop. While Windows computers are suitable for these bootcamps, many professional developers use Macs, and many developer tools are built specifically for Macs and Macbooks. Your computer should have at least 8GB of RAM, a modern OS, and should be less than five years old. Students should also be sure that they have access to a fast and reliable internet connection.
3. Use the right study resources
Many of the bootcamps on our list are designed to take students from total beginners to industry-ready professionals, but it can be helpful to supplement your coursework with outside study resources.
To refine your skills and increase your knowledge, you can check out free study resources like Khan Academy’s computer programming resources, Codecademy’s free online coding lessons, and Codewars’ programming challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Computer Science Courses
What jobs can you get after completing a Computer Science course?
As a computer science bootcamp graduate, you may be eligible for a job as a software engineer, web developer, app developer, devops engineer, game developer, web designer, and other positions.
While salaries depend on your specific job title and location, The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average national salary for a software developer as $110,140.
Are there free online computer science courses?
Yes, there are countless free online computer science courses available on the internet. While they are typically not as intensive or comprehensive as paid bootcamps, many free courses teach participants the foundational skills they need to begin their path towards becoming a professional developer or software engineer.
Popular free online computer science courses include freeCodeCamp, CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science, and Programming for Everybody by the University of Michigan.
How long is the average online computer science course?
Computer science course lengths vary depending on whether you enroll as a full-time or part-time student. Most courses on our list take three to six months to complete when taken on a full-time basis. Part-time and self-paced courses may take anywhere from six to 12 months to complete.
Which coding bootcamp is the best?
The best coding bootcamp depends on your current programming experience, work schedule, and financial circumstances. While Thinkful’s software engineering bootcamp is our top pick due to its well-rounded curriculum, excellent career services, and flexible schedule, it’s not necessarily the right course for every student. We recommend carefully reviewing our list to find the coding bootcamp that offers the curriculum, learning environment, and resources that best fit your needs.
Will a coding bootcamp get you a job?
In many cases, yes, a coding bootcamp will help you land a job. Many of the course providers on our list boast very high hiring rates and offer exceptional career services to help graduates find high-earning positions. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no guarantee that you will find employment following your course completion. It’s important to commit the time and effort necessary to successfully develop your skills to a level that makes you eligible for employment.