Computer science is a rapidly growing, high-paying field, and computer science bootcamps prepare students to enter it by teaching them the in-demand skills and technologies employers seek. While countless reputable bootcamps are 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 eight best computer science bootcamps.
- Codesmith — Software Engineering Immersive Program — Top Pick
- App Academy — Full-Time Coding Bootcamp— Best Deferred Tuition Plan
- Flatiron School — Software Engineering Bootcamp — Most Flexible
- Fullstack Academy — Live Online Coding Bootcamp — Best for Collaborative Learning
- General Assembly — Software Engineering Bootcamp — Most Beginner-Friendly
- Hack Reactor — Intermediate Full-Time Coding Bootcamp — Best Career Services
- DigitalCrafts — Software Development Certificate Bootcamp —
- Most Comprehensive Curriculum
- Ironhack — Web Development — Shortest Course
Our Ranking Criteria
Computer science bootcamps vary greatly in several ways, including course length, prerequisites, schedule flexibility, curriculum, and more. The best bootcamps cover many 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 eight best computer science bootcamps.
Basic ranking criteria
To narrow down our selection of the best computer science bootcamps, we reviewed a few basic criteria 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 start 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 necessary, a certificate of completion can be a valuable inclusion on your resume. In some cases, it can count as college credit for students who 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 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 front-end and back-end development.
- Students can 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.
8 Best Computer Science Bootcamps
Codesmith
Software Engineering Immersive Program
Intelligent Award: Top Pick
Codesmith’s Software Engineering Immersive Program teaches frontend and backend development and advanced topics like machine learning. This bootcamp’s project-based teaching method is particularly effective, with students learning computer science concepts through a series of small projects culminating in a larger Open Source Product that is the main focus of the second half of the course. You’ll also learn through live lectures, pair programming, and workshops. For students who want to continue their studies outside of the bootcamp, Codesmith offers a variety of supplemental free resources, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced JavaScript lessons.
- Price: $21,800
- Time to complete: Full-time: 14 weeks, Part-time: 39 weeks
- Prerequisites required: Basic coding skills
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: No
Who should take this course? This course is an excellent option for anyone who wants to refine their computer science skills and take the next step in their career.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Comprehensive curriculum. | Expensive tuition. |
| Highly effective teaching methods. | Not flexible. |
| Free supplemental resources. |
App Academy
Full-Time Coding Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best Deferred Tuition Plan
App Academy offers the most student-friendly financing options on our list. The best option is its deferred tuition plan, which states that students don’t have to pay a dollar until 18 months after graduation. 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 combines 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: $15,900
- 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 various financing options, App Academy is a great choice for students who can’t afford the costly tuition required by many 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. |
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Flatiron
Software Engineering Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Most Flexible Scheduling
With the option to complete the course on a self-paced basis, Flatiron School’s software engineering bootcamp is the most flexible course on our list. You’ll learn both frontend and backend development with a focus on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. 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 who want to start a new career in computer science.
- Price: $14,900
- Time to complete: Full-time: 15 weeks, Part-time: 40 weeks
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Flatiron is ideal for students with work or family commitments, with part-time and self-paced enrollment options.
| 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 who 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 showcases a variety of computer science skills. 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.
- Price: $19,910
- Time to complete: 12 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 who 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 Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best for Collaborative Learning
Unlike many 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 your experience level, 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 about coding languages like Python and JavaScript, agile and scrum project management, testing and debugging, version control, and cloud computing. They will also work on several projects to add to their portfolios. Students will prepare for employment with mock technical interviews and whiteboard challenges, and graduates can access General Assembly’s vast employer network to aid their job search.
- Price: $16,450
- Time to complete: Full-time: 12 weeks; Part-time: 32 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 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. | |
| 0% interest loans available. |
Hack Reactor
Intermediate Full-Time Coding Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Best Career Services
Whereas many other online bootcamps rely on pre-recorded lectures and individual working sessions, Hack Reactor’s online software engineering bootcamp utilizes live interactive lectures and group working sessions. You’ll learn full-stack development with JavaScript and 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: $19,480
- Time to complete: 12 weeks
- 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 many 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 curriculum. | Not a flexible schedule. |
| Project-based bootcamp. | |
| Helpful career services. |
DigitalCrafts
Software Development Certificate Bootcamp
Intelligent Award: Most Comprehensive Curriculum
DigitalCrafts offers the most comprehensive curriculum on our list, covering everything from 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 through mock interviews, portfolio guidance, and exposure to a large employer network.
- Price: $9,500
- Time to complete: 15 to 30 weeks
- Prerequisites required: None
- Flexible schedule: No
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
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 to take the web development bootcamp, where you will learn valuable web development technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from expert instructors. You’ll also get to work with other students via collaborative projects. Ironhack is perfect for international students because it hosts in-person bootcamps in countries worldwide, including Portugal, Germany, and Spain, and the remote course is available to students everywhere.
- Price: €8,000
- 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 perfect 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. |
Online Course Comparison Chart
| Course | Price | Features |
| Codesmith – Computer Science Bootcamp — Top Pick | $21,800 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule X Certificate of completion |
| App Academy — Full-Time Coding Bootcamp — Best Financing | $15,900 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule X Certificate of completion |
| Flatiron School — Software Engineering Bootcamp — Most Flexible | $14,900 | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Fullstack Academy — Live Online Coding Bootcamp — Best for Collaborative Learning | $19,910 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| General Assembly — Software Engineering Bootcamp — Most Beginner-Friendly | $16,450 | ✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Hack Reactor — Intermediate Full-Time Coding Bootcamp — Best Career Services | $19,480 | X No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule X Certificate of completion |
| DigitalCrafts — Software Development Certificate Bootcamp — Most Comprehensive Curriculum | $9,500 | ✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
| Ironhack — Web Development — Shortest Course | €8,000 | ✓ No prerequisites required
X Flexible Schedule ✓ Certificate of completion |
Tips for Succeeding in an Online Computer Science Course
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. Codesmith offers the most expensive course on our list at $21,800, while Ironhack is the cheapest at €8,000. 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. Most bootcamps offer financing options like loans, scholarships, and deferred payment plans for students having trouble paying their tuition.
Will my employer pay for me to take the course?
Computer science skills are in very high demand, so 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 can 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 and a modern OS and be less than five years old. Students should also ensure 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, or other related position.
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 $130,160.
Are there free online computer science courses?
Yes, countless free online computer science courses are available online. 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 toward becoming a professional developer or software engineer.
Popular free online computer science courses include freeCodeCamp, Harvard’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 full-time. Part-time and self-paced courses may take 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 Codesmith’s software engineering bootcamp is our top pick due to its well-developed curriculum and teaching methods, 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, a coding bootcamp will help you land a job. Many 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 remember that there is no guarantee that you will find employment after your course completion. Committing the time and effort necessary to successfully develop your skills to a level that makes you eligible for employment is important.