Best Online Software Engineering Bootcamps
Updated November 6, 2023
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Coding bootcamps offer a shorter — and often more affordable — alternative to computer science degrees. People looking to pursue tech careers in just a few months may opt for these intensive programs, particularly online software engineering bootcamps.
CompTIA's June 2022 tech job report shows a substantial demand for software developer and engineer jobs. Between April and May 2022, the software developer and engineer job postings ranked number one and reached more than five times the second-most popular tech job listings.
The demand for software engineers continues to grow. Students who pursue software engineering bootcamps may accelerate their education to quickly pursue job opportunities.
The list below includes the most popular software engineering bootcamps available online, plus several honorary mentions. Start your search for an intensive yet cost-effective bootcamp here.
What Is an Online Software Engineering Bootcamp?
While a college degree in software engineering covers similar topics, many individuals choose bootcamps to save time and money. Online software engineering bootcamps pack extensive information into a few months of learning. The programs may last 3-12 months, depending on the format. Whether students opt for full or part-time study, they can expect a thorough curriculum.
Other coding bootcamps focus on specific areas of computer science, like Java or front-end development. Software engineering bootcamps combine these topics into one curriculum. They typically prepare students to pursue work as full-stack developers. Many bootcamps include a foundations section covering JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
Students can complete software engineering bootcamps online or in person. Online courses provide increased flexibility and allow enrollees to continue to work while studying part time. They can also save money on transportation and housing by learning at home. Even online, students can participate in live lectures and paired programming.
What Jobs Can I Get After a Software Engineering Bootcamp?
A software engineering bootcamp can prepare students to pursue many computer science careers beyond software engineering. Graduates can take the skills learned in the bootcamp and use them in careers like web or software development.
Keep reading to learn more about in-demand tech careers available to software engineering bootcamp graduates.
Front-End Developer
Front-end developers create and maintain user-side software. They build visually appealing websites and functional applications. Software engineering bootcamps typically teach full-stack development, which includes front-end and back-end development.
Average Annual Salary: $77,460
Job Outlook (2020-30): +13%
Software Developer
Software developers create computer programs. They may specialize in systems or applications. Professionals typically work in office settings with programmers and systems engineers. A software engineering bootcamp teaches many core skills needed to work as a software developer, like JavaScript and SQL.
Average Annual Salary: $73,970
Job Outlook (2020-30): +22%
Software Engineer
While software developers focus on specific system functions, software engineers help develop and manage entire databases and systems. They need problem-solving skills and an understanding of engineering concepts to find system-wide solutions. Software engineers work alongside designers, programmers, and other developers, but their extensive responsibilities often translate to higher salaries.
Average Annual Salary: $88,990
Web Developer
These developers create websites and web applications. They focus more on website functionality than design. As such, web developers often work with web designers. Software engineering bootcamps cover many skills needed for web development, like JavaScript and front-end development.
Average Annual Salary: $60,860
Job Outlook (2020-30): +13%
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Online Bootcamps for Software Engineering
As the demand for software developers increases, many aspiring tech professionals turn to bootcamps. These short, intensive programs offer practical training for participants to pursue tech careers.
The following alphabetical list includes some of the most popular software engineering bootcamps in 2022. These programs last 12-52 weeks, depending on the format. They also include career assistance to help graduates pursue U.S. tech jobs.
App Academy
App Academy has provided software engineering courses since 2012. Its exclusive focus on software engineering has helped more than 4,500 graduates land tech jobs.
Software Engineering Program
App Academy offers three software engineering program options. Enrollees can study full time at the New York or San Francisco campuses. They may also opt for part-time or full-time online programs.
Each option combines lectures with paired programming, in which each student connects with a peer in their cohort. App Academy's software engineering programs cover mostly the same curriculum, but the in-person bootcamp includes Ruby on Rails, and the online options cover Python.
The competitive admissions process includes technical and non-technical assessments. Students can take one of App Academy's prep courses before applying to the software engineering program.
Cost: $17,000 (full time, on campus); $20,000 (full time, online); $22,000 (part time, online)
Format: On campus or 100% online (synchronous); part time or full time
Length: 16 weeks (full time, on campus); 24 weeks (full time, online); 48 weeks (part time, online)
CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by App Academy
Bootcamp Prep Online | Bootcamp Prep Live | App Academy Open
App Academy's Job Placement Assistance
App Academy offers career preparation in the final weeks of every bootcamp format. Students can use this time to create portfolios, work with career advisors, or prepare for tech interviews.
Code Academy
Codecademy began in 2011 as a modern way to learn tech skills. It offers tiered enrollment packages that provide students with access to self-paced courses.
Full-Stack Software Engineer
Codecademy features stand-alone courses and career path programs. Its full-stack software engineer program combines technical skills with interview prep and portfolio-building assistance.
Career path options require a monthly or yearly subscription. Students looking for something less intensive can take singular courses on software engineering topics, like HTML or CSS. Enrollees work at their own pace, and Codecademy provides opportunities for pair programming, group work, and code review.
Cost: Free (basic plan); $180/year (Pro Lite plan); $240/year (Pro plan); $150/year (Pro Student plan)
Format: 100% online (asynchronous); self paced
Length: 6 months
CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Codeacademy
Front-End Engineer | Back-End Engineer | Data Scientist: Machine Learning Specialist | Data Scientist: Analytics Specialist | Data Scientist: Inference Specialist | Computer Science | iOS Developer | Learn HTML | Learn JavaScript | Learn CSS
Codeacademy's Job Placement Assistance
The Codecademy Pro plan includes access to interview preparation and portfolio-building courses. Students can also use Codecademy resources to start networking and building a resume.
Flatiron School
Flatiron School offers technical training at its New York and Denver campuses, as well as online. It provides flexible training programs to individuals looking to pursue new tech careers or sharpen their existing software engineering skills.
Software Engineering
Each candidate must complete an interview and a problem-solving assessment before enrolling in the software engineering bootcamp. Flatiron School also provides 40 hours of pre-work lessons. Students with limited coding experience can complete the pre-work to prepare.
The software engineering curriculum includes four phases. It begins with front-end development and web applications. The last two sections cover back-end development and web API. Students complete group projects during each section, collaborating to prepare for real-world tech environments. The program also includes a final large-scale project.
Cost: $16,900
Format: On campus or 100% online; part time (asynchronous) or full time (synchronous)
Length: 40 weeks (part time, online); 15 weeks (full time, on campus or online)
CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Flatiron School
Data Science | UX/UI Product Design | Cybersecurity Engineering
Flatiron's Job Placement Assistance
Students complete weekly tasks to jumpstart their job search. Flatiron School also provides a career prep curriculum for graduates looking to enter the workforce. Each bootcamp graduate receives 180 days of career coaching and access to Flatiron School's employer network.
Fullstack Academy
New York City's Fullstack Academy offers several technical bootcamps. Fullstack graduates have gone on to work at companies like Spotify, Google, and Etsy.
Online Coding Bootcamp
The coding bootcamp immediately immerses students into intermediate topics. Before applying, candidates can complete Fullstack's preparatory courses. Once enrolled in the bootcamp, students begin with a self-paced foundations curriculum. Coursework covers topics like advanced JavaScript closure, web development, and HTML.
The intensive junior and senior phases include scheduled lectures and workshops. Students learn front-end and back-end development before building SQL database engines. They focus on team, individual, and capstone projects during the final nine weeks.
Cost: $18,910 (full time); $17,480 (part time)
Format: 100% online; part time or full time
Length: 28 weeks (part time, online); 17 weeks (full time, online)
CIRR Member: Yes
Other Courses Offered by Fullstack Academy
Data Analyst Training Accelerator | Cybersecurity Analytics Bootcamp | Online Product Management Bootcamp | Bootcamp Prep | Intro to Coding | Intro to Product Management: Skills to Career Pathway | Future Code | Online Data Analytics Bootcamp | Hacking 101 | Cyber OnRamp
Fullstack Academy's Job Placement Assistance
Fullstack Academy had a 91.3% job placement rate for 2019 software engineering graduates. Students build portfolios, write resumes, and receive career coaching during and after the bootcamp.
General Assembly
General Assembly has grown to include over 15 campuses worldwide since its founding in 2011. Its programs help connect aspiring tech professionals to a network with thousands of global employers and alumni.
Software Engineering Immersive
General Assembly's immersive software engineering bootcamp caters to beginners with self-paced pre-work for novice coders. The core curriculum includes four units covering front-end development and frameworks, along with APIs and full-stack development.
Learners explore these topics through group and individual projects. The bootcamp finishes with a collaborative capstone assignment, requiring enrollees to work as a team and develop full-stack applications.
As a bonus, bootcamp graduates can access additional curriculum content. They may continue learning topics like cloud development and DevOps through optional self-paced lessons.
Cost: $15,950
Format: On campus or 100% online; part time or full time
Length: 12 weeks (full time); 24 weeks (part time)
CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Grand Assembly
Data Analytics | Data Science | Digital Marketing | UX Design | Front-End Web Development | JavaScript | Product Management | Python | React JS | Visual Design
Grand Assembly's Job Placement Assistance
Over 93% of bootcamp graduates landed a tech job within one year. Students enjoy networking opportunities and work closely with career coaches.
Grace Hopper Program at Fullstack Academy
Fullstack Academy started the Grace Hopper Program in 2016 to help close the gender gap in the tech industry. The program, named for a female computer programmer, accepts women and nonbinary students.
Software Engineering Immersive
Candidates may complete the Fullstack preparatory courses before applying to this intensive software engineering bootcamp. Each applicant must complete a 30-minute coding challenge. The admissions team values allyship, open collaboration, and drive.
Students begin the program with four weeks of self-paced foundational work. The junior phase covers core software engineering topics. Learners spend weeks learning about databases, as well as front-end and back-end development.
The senior phase includes several projects. Students build applications and e-commerce sites. They can select any topic for the team capstone project.
Cost: $18,910 (full time); $17,480 (part time)
Format: 100% online (synchronous); full time or part time
Length: 17 weeks (full time); 28 weeks (part time)
CIRR Member: Yes
Grace Hopper Program's Job Placement Assistance
Learners receive career coaching throughout the bootcamp. They learn about salary negotiation, building a network, and handling imposter syndrome. Grace Hopper also offers insight into the challenges that women and nonbinary individuals in the tech industry.
Hackbright Academy at Strayer University
Hackbright Academy began in 2012 to empower traditionally underrepresented genders in tech. It accepts applications from all people in an effort to disrupt existing gender inequalities.
Software Engineering Program
Hackbright Academy expects applicants to hold some basic coding knowledge, like algorithmic problem-solving and creating simple data types. The application process includes a short coding challenge.
The core curriculum includes 12 modules. The first five cover core programming, web technologies, and data modeling. Modules 6-8 give students time to focus on independent projects while learning about data structures and more advanced technologies.
During the next two modules, enrollees finish their projects and present them during demo week. The program ends with intensive career preparation.
Cost: $12,900
Format: 100% online (synchronous) or in person; part time or full time
Length: 12 weeks (full time); 27 weeks (part time)
CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Hackbright Academy
Prep Course | Explore Python
Hackbright Academy's Job Placement Assistance
Students receive career development help during their final classes. They practice whiteboarding, interviewing, and salary negotiation. Hackbright Academy also hosts recruiting events and career development workshops.
Hack Reactor
Hack Reactor has exclusively offered software engineering courses since 2012. It promotes diversity in tech by supporting traditionally underrepresented students and providing scholarships.
Software Engineering Immersive
Hack Reactor's admissions process includes non-technical and technical assessments. Each candidate can complete a free preparatory course before attempting the coding challenge and the technical assessment.
Upon acceptance, learners begin their required pre-work. They spend about 90-120 hours reviewing topics like HTML and CSS.
The core curriculum includes a junior and a senior phase. The junior section explores computer science and JavaScript basics. Students build applications and complete capstone projects during the senior phase.
Cost: $17,980
Format: 100% online (synchronous); part time or full time
Length: 12 weeks (full time); 36 weeks (part time)
CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Hack Reactor
Software Engineering Coding Bootcamp with JavaScript and Python | Software Engineering Basic Prep
Hack Reactor's Job Placement Assistance
Hack Reactor offers one-on-one career coaching. Students participate in training exercises and mock interviews. They also receive guidance on creating online profiles.
DevLeague
- Full Stack Developer - Software Engineering
- Online; on campus at Honolulu
- Full time or part time
- $12,500
Momentum
- Software Development
- Online
- Full time or part time
- $17,500
Operation Spark
- Adult Workforce program with prep, bootcamp, precourse, junior, and senior phases
- New Orleans
- Full time
Prime Digital Academy
- Full Stack Engineering
- Online; on campus at Minneapolis
- Full time or part time
- $16,500 (full time); $16,000 (part time)
PunchCode
- Software Development
- Las Vegas
- Full time
- $15,900
Resilient Coders
- Resilient Coders bootcamp; free prep course in HTML basics
- Online for Boston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia residents
- Full time
- Free with weekly stipend
Rithm School
- Full-time program; free prep courses in HTML and CSS, JavaScript Fundamentals, and more
- Online; hybrid in San Francisco
- Full time
- $24,000
Techtonica
- Software Engineering
- Online
- Full time
- Free
- Discover other bootcamp programs
- Compare types of coding bootcamps
- Read our guide to bootcamp programs
- Learn how to get into a coding bootcamp
Skills Learned in Online Software Engineering Bootcamps
Online software engineering bootcamps develop diverse skill sets. While other bootcamps may focus only on front-end or back-end development, software engineering bootcamps typically cover both sides. Many include required pre-work assignments covering basic coding skills, HTML, and CSS.
Bootcamps also teach soft skills needed in the workplace. Students develop collaboration and communication skills through group projects. As students work on individual and group projects, they can gain the following hard skills.
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1
JavaScript
Most software engineering bootcamps spend significant time on JavaScript. Many offer prep courses or pre-work assignments reviewing JavaScript fundamentals since it forms an essential part of software engineering. Specific topics include JavaScript syntax, frameworks, and architecture. Learners also explore JavaScript libraries and APIs.
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2
Structured Query Language
Students work with this programming language and learn to manage data. Since all software uses data, aspiring software engineers must understand SQL to manipulate databases. Learners may create SQL database engines and explore object-oriented programming.
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3
React
Students use this front-end library to create intuitive user interfaces. Mastering React gives learners front-end and web development skills.
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4
Ruby on Rails
Many software engineering bootcamps teach the programming language Ruby for back-end development. Students use that foundational knowledge to explore Ruby on Rails, an object-oriented framework. Developing these back-end development skills prepare learners to create full-stack applications.
What Will an Online Software Engineering Bootcamp Cost?
Intensive software engineering bootcamps generally cost $12,000-$20,000. Some academies may charge different rates based on the bootcamp format. For example, App Academy charges $17,000 for full-time classes on campus. The same program costs $22,000 for part-time classes online.
Other institutions provide self-paced classes with yearly subscription plans. A few companies offer bootcamps at no charge but include a competitive application process. Still, most programs charge tuition. They typically offer several financing options, such as the following:
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1
Pay Upfront
Students pay the entire tuition when the bootcamp starts. This method generally costs less than monthly payments and deferred plans.
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2
Monthly Payment
Some academies offer no-interest monthly payment plans.
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3
Deferred Tuition
With this option, enrollees pay no tuition until they land tech jobs. Some bootcamps may require a deposit. They typically work with third-party financing groups to manage the deferred tuition.
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4
Hybrid Plans
Students pay a larger deposit and defer only a portion of the tuition.
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5
Loans
Bootcamps not affiliated with universities often partner with third-party financial groups to offer education loans.
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6
Income Share Agreements
With ISAs, students give a percentage of their salaries to cover tuition. They do not start paying until they land a job that pays more than the minimum salary established by the bootcamp.
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7
Scholarships
Institutions may also offer bootcamp scholarships. Some programs offer specific support for underrepresented groups in tech.
Students should carefully weigh each financing option. Software engineering bootcamps often start at the intermediate level — novice coders may need to take preparatory bootcamps, which can increase the final cost. They should also consider any equipment expenses.
- Get more details about bootcamp costs
- Learn how to pay for a coding bootcamp
- Explore financial aid and scholarship options
- Use the GI Bill® to pay for a coding bootcamp
Other Software Engineering Education Options
Aspiring software engineers should consider all education options, including college degrees, before investing in bootcamps.
A college degree typically takes longer than a bootcamp, but the slower pace allows students more time to absorb the information. Enrollees can also take classes in other fields and customize their education.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that many occupations expect an entry-level applicant to hold a bachelor's degree, but some employers may favor experience and skills over formal education. Application software developers rank among the most in-demand tech jobs requiring a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
A college degree may increase potential job opportunities, but bootcamps may lower cost investment and allow individuals to more quickly pursue tech careers. Students should carefully consider each option outlined below. They may also complete both degrees and bootcamps to sharpen their skills.
These programs typically last two years and provide a foundation in software engineering. Students looking to quickly enter the workforce and save money may opt for associate degrees. They can build upon this education later with additional degrees or certifications. Learn more about associate degrees in software engineering.
These four-year programs generally provide a more in-depth curriculum than associate degrees. Many employers consider a bachelor's degree a minimal requirement for entry-level positions. Students looking for more employment opportunities might pursue bachelor's degrees. Learn more about bachelor's degrees in software engineering.
Tech professionals who already hold bachelor's degrees can expand their knowledge with master's degrees in software engineering. Professionals in other fields can also pursue two-year master's degrees in software engineering to enter the tech industry. Learn more about master's degrees in software engineering.
A Ph.D. in software engineering prepares students for some of the most lucrative tech positions. Students interested in academia, research, or entrepreneurship may pursue these programs, which generally take 4-5 years or more. Learn more about doctorate degrees in software engineering.
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MATCH ME TO A BOOTCAMPExplore Other Coding Bootcamps
Depending on their interests, students may also opt for other coding bootcamps. Potential topics include data science, cybersecurity, and Python foundations.
Software Engineering Online Bootcamp FAQs
Is a software engineering bootcamp worth it?
A software engineering bootcamp can be worth it. Like any education path, a bootcamp's value depends on the effort you put into it. The curriculum typically covers front-end and back-end development. Students can also build professional portfolios to show potential employers.
How long does it take to become a software engineer?
The answer depends on your educational path. Software engineering bootcamps prepare students to pursue tech careers in a few months. An associate or bachelor's degree in software engineering generally takes two or four years, respectively.
What are the advantages of online study?
Online study allows learners to take classes anywhere. Instead of finding a local program and traveling to on-campus classes, students can attend the bootcamp from home. Some online programs also offer part-time or self-paced learning formats, which allow enrollees to keep their day jobs while studying in the evenings or on the weekends.
Can online bootcamps really help me get a job?
Most online bootcamps offer career services as part of their curriculum. Students typically work with career coaches to build effective portfolios and resumes. Bootcamps may also provide mock interviews and networking opportunities.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
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