8 Best Free Coding Bootcamps of 2023

Price is important when deciding which coding bootcamp is right for you. Bootcamps are often expensive, ranging from $10,000 to $15,000. According to data collected by Best Colleges, the median bootcamp tuition was $13,500 in 2020. Paying for a bootcamp can be difficult, no matter your financial situation.

Recently, discounted or even free coding bootcamps have popped up. Some bootcamps try to make learning how to code more affordable for all. Other programs aim to increase diversity in the tech field by offering free or heavily discounted education for women and minorities.

A coding bootcamp is a compact and intensive training program that teaches students how to code and develop software in a short timeframe, often between a few weeks to several months. While a bootcamp’s duration and curriculum vary, most offer mentorship, hands-on training, and career support to help graduates land their first tech job.

Someone might enroll in a bootcamp for various reasons. These quick and efficient programs may be a great option for people who don’t want to or can’t go through a four-year degree program.

Enrolling in a coding bootcamp might also make it easier to find a job after graduation. Many bootcamps have connections to tech employers and offer career support services, such as mentorship and networking opportunities.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a coding bootcamp, including the program’s location, curriculum, and length. But for many potential learners, the cost of a coding bootcamp is the top concern.

Free online coding bootcamps relieve the stress of paying for your training with the added convenience of learning from home. Weigh the following factors when searching for the right free coding bootcamp for your needs:

Students can choose from various technical disciplines in a coding bootcamp. Most students seek out a free coding bootcamp in their desired career specialization.

Technical disciplines include software engineering, web development, cybersecurity, and UX/UI design. Bootcamps typically include a combination of technical training and career development, with a variety of hands-on projects. Some lead to professional certification.

Most coding bootcamps provide broad training in the most widely used programming languages. Since bootcamps focus on developing career skills, the curriculum often covers a variety of in-demand languages and applications.

Some free coding bootcamps emphasize a particular language, such as Python or JavaScript, although many cover multiple languages.

Students must decide what learning format works best for them. Free coding bootcamps commonly offer greater flexibility than a traditional degree, with options including full- or part-time enrollment and self-paced coursework.

Students may choose a part-time program if they have work or family obligations. Self-paced courses can help learners take as long as they need to learn the material.

Yes, according to the data that is available. While bootcamps are not accredited, some belong to the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR), a nonprofit developed to help students make informed decisions about enrollment based on a bootcamp’s student outcomes. Data voluntarily reported to CIRR lists how many students graduated from a bootcamp and how many obtained employment in their field of study.

According to CIRR, the average percentage of bootcamp graduates employed in the field 180 days after graduation was around 79%, based on data from 46 coding bootcamps between January and June 2019. While these are not necessarily free bootcamps, the overall track record of many coding bootcamps is promising.

Depending on your career goals, coding bootcamps can be worth it. Free bootcamps can let you see if coding is right for you without any investment other than your time.

The flexibility of full-time, part-time, and self-paced bootcamp options attracts both aspiring and existing programmers and career-switchers. Most bootcamps offer an online format for convenience.

Employers also recognize the value of completing a free coding bootcamp. Roughly 72% of employers indicated bootcamp graduates were equally or better equipped than other candidates for the same jobs, according to a 2020 HackerRank study.

There are more places to learn how to code for free than ever before. Since many of these bootcamps are run and funded by nonprofits, they often aim to increase diversity in the tech industry. That being said, there are also various programs that are open to all students.

Yes! In fact, developing skills to pursue tech jobs is the primary focus of a free coding bootcamp. CIRR data shows high employment rates for most CIRR-member bootcamps, with an average of 79% of bootcamp graduates from 46 bootcamps securing employment within 180 days from January-June 2019.

Some top companies that hire bootcamp grads include Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Capital One Labs.

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