Coding Bootcamp vs Certification: Should I Attend a Bootcamp or Get Certified?

Coding bootcamps and programming certification programs are popular and effective options for career advancement in the tech industry. Both can be used as an alternative to computer science bachelor’s degrees or master’s degrees, or even as a supplement to them for continuous learning and career development. However, they each target a different type of professional, which means that you should do some research before settling for one or the other. In this article, we’ll dissect every aspect of coding bootcamps and programming certifications to help you decide which one is for you.

Despite recent slowdowns in the tech space, people are still gravitating toward the tech industry every year due to relatively high job prospects and salaries—so there’s no doubt that earning a credential that will help you stand out should be at the front of your mind. After all, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth rates through 2033 of 36%, 33%, and 18% for data science, information security, and software development, respectively.^1,2,3 Below, we’ll help you figure out the right career move by giving you the information you need to decide between enrolling in a bootcamp or becoming certified in a particular language, system, or tool.

What’s the Difference Between a Coding Bootcamp and a Professional Certificate Program?

Coding bootcamps and programming certifications are designed for different audiences, with multiple differences that you should know about before choosing to attend a bootcamp or become certified. Below, we present the key differences between these two types of credentials in table format for easy visualization.

What Is a Bootcamp?

A bootcamp is a training program that teaches specific technical skills in a particular area over a short period of time. They can be a great way for beginners, those looking to change careers, and even those who want to gain new skills applicable for their existing careers to learn the basics, gain experience, and build up a portfolio of projects that proves their abilities.

Bootcamps are designed to provide intensive, hands-on training and typically last between three to six months. You can find many bootcamps that train people in data science, software engineering, UX/UI design, web development, and more.

Pros of Coding Bootcamps

• They provide hands-on experience. Bootcamps provide you with practical skills. They are designed to give you plenty of opportunities to translate theoretical foundations into practical applications that you can then use to create a portfolio which showcases your experience and abilities to prospective employers. 
• You’re taught in-demand skills. The top bootcamps focus on providing skills that are in demand in your chosen industry, whether that’s a particular programming language, framework, or methodology. By finding bootcamps that are taught by industry experts and consistently stay up to date on current trends, you can help ensure your learning will be based on the needs of the market. 
• You have access to career services. Bootcamps typically provide career support to students and alumni, with the aim of helping their learners successfully land a job upon graduation. Depending on the program, these can include resume workshops, mock interviews, job placement services, networking opportunities, and more. If you’ve never had a tech job before, this support can make all the difference.

Cons of Coding Bootcamps

• They enjoy only limited recognition. While bootcamps are becoming more and more popular in the tech world, they still don’t hold as much weight as traditional degrees from colleges and universities, or certifications awarded by organizations with worldwide recognition. Despite more and more employers recognizing the importance of job-ready skills over college degrees, this could still limit your options when entering the workforce.
• They’re not covered by federal aid. Most coding bootcamps are not accredited, which means you cannot use the FAFSA form to help finance their cost. Although there are some exceptions to this, it’s generally hard to obtain federal aid for these types of programs, which is why they typically offer alternatives such as scholarships, payment plans, private loans, income share agreements, and more.
• They demand great discipline and commitment. The intensity of coding bootcamps has become their calling card. These programs pack thousands of hours of study into a curriculum lasting only a few months. To complete the program, the student must be serious about their studies and committed to learning to code. 

What Is a Certification?

A certification is a credential that demonstrates your competency in a particular subject or field. A coding certification demonstrates your skills and knowledge in a specific area of programming, such as database management or cyber security. 

A certification is typically awarded once you’ve passed an examination administered by a standard-setting organization with a strong reputation in its field. This means that, in order to obtain a certification, you need to have a working knowledge of your chosen field, and possibly some work experience as well. In addition, you need to fulfill ongoing requirements to maintain your certification over time.

These are some of the most popular programming certifications out there:

Pros of Certifications

• They constitute a reputable credential. Certifications are awarded by organizations that are widely recognized in their field and set the standards in their industry. Obtaining a credential from them can greatly increase your own reputation as an expert.
• They’re relatively cheap. The average cost of a certification exam is much lower than that of a bootcamp program. That, combined with the abundance of free resources you can use to learn coding, means you won’t need a great investment to start on your career path—making it more accessible to people from any financial situation. 
• You can learn the skills on your own. A certification measures your existing skills, not where you learned them. This means that you can choose whatever learning format works best according to your learning style and schedule.

Cons of Certifications

• They must be maintained. In order to keep your certification over time, you will have to fulfill ongoing requirements. This means you need to keep track of new requirements, brush up on your skills, and keep demonstrating your expertise through continuing education. 
• They require previous knowledge and experience. Certification exams are not designed for beginners. If you don’t have training and experience, whether formal or informal, you likely won’t be able to pass the examination. 
• They have a narrow focus. Certifications will demonstrate your expertise in a very specific area. This means that, depending on the focus, it could also narrow your range of opportunities when job hunting.

Bootcamps vs. Certifications: Compared

Both coding bootcamps and certifications can bolster your career, increase your credibility as a professional, and make you more attractive to prospective employers. But they will do it in different ways. Keep reading to find out more about the different ways a bootcamp and a certification can support your career.

Target Audience

Bootcamps and certifications are geared toward different audiences. A coding bootcamp is designed to train beginners or people with fundamental skills. They provide comprehensive training in a particular area of tech, and their curriculum covers everything from the very basics to the more advanced skills needed to land a tech job.

On the other hand, a certification is typically geared toward people who already have knowledge and skills in their chosen field. In fact, it’s usually preferable if they have work experience as well. It is a way to vouch for those existing skills, not build them up from scratch.

Credentials Obtained

When you successfully complete a certification exam, you’ll receive a credential you can attach to your resume. A certification is a piece of evidence that you’ll be able to present to prospective employers to demonstrate that a third party has tested your skills and deemed them on par with industry standards.

Bootcamps, on the other hand, offer no such credentials. Some bootcamps might award you a certificate of completion upon graduation, but they are not accredited to award a degree. What you gain upon graduation are the specific skills you need to land a job. Most bootcamps will also offer you career support to help you with your job search after you complete the program.

Requirements for Maintenance

Once you’ve completed your coding bootcamp, you can head out into the world and hunt for your dream tech job. The knowledge, skills, and experience you gain are with you, but bootcamp graduates are not expected to complete any additional requirements.

On the other hand, you’re typically required to sit for examinations periodically once you successfully obtain your certification. This is in order to ensure that you continue to stay on top of new developments in your field and continue to fulfill the standards set by the organization providing the certification.

Student Outcomes

Many bootcamps boast positive outcomes for their students—for example, according to Fullstack Academy’s website in 2025, their graduates have been hired at more than 1,500 companies across the U.S.⁴ Likewise, CareerFoundry states on their website in 2025 that their bootcamp grads have seen a $15,082 salary increase on average.⁵ Always remember, though, that it’s important to examine any outcomes claims carefully. Make sure they’re transparent about their methodology, sample size, and recency of the data, and also check to see if their numbers have been verified by a third party such as the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR).

The corresponding data for certification holders is hard to obtain, but it’s easy to see how earning a certification improves both your employability and salary prospects. You can find information related to your potential salary with a specific certification on sites like Indeed, Paycale, and Skillsoft. For example, according to Skillsoft, obtaining the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate certification correlates to an average salary of $157,400 in the U.S., while they place Microsoft Certified: Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty holders at $189,840 on average.⁶

Affordability

Bootcamps are generally considered one of the most pocket-friendly ways to gain the skills needed for a tech career, with your average 2025 program costing roughly $14,000.⁷ However, the cost of a bootcamp can actually vary widely, with some costing only a couple thousand dollars and others more than twenty thousand. Because of this, most offer financial aid to those who need help with the upfront cost, typically in the form of scholarships and grants, monthly payment plans, student loans, income share agreements, deferred tuition plans, and more.

Certification exams are even cheaper. Entry-level certifications can cost less than $100, whereas expert-level tests can set you back as much as $1,500. There are other factors that make certification more expensive than it appears. First, the numbers we’ve given you here cover just the cost of the exam. You will also have to pay for study materials like books. You may also have to take a course or undergo some form of training if you’re not yet ready for the exam. In addition, most certifications need to be renewed, which often involves paying a fee to retake the exam.

Format and Schedule

Bootcamps come in a variety of formats and can fit into the schedule of almost any student. Many programs offer full-time and part-time modalities. In addition, you can often attend the program on campus, online, or choose a hybrid option. This all amounts to great flexibility and an abundance of choice for the student, which makes bootcamps an attractive option for tech hopefuls—especially those who may already have a full-time job or other existing schedule or location constraints.

In the case of certifications, students also enjoy flexibility, as they generally have the freedom to choose any training program they want to prepare for the exam. For example, to prepare for one of Oracle’s Java certifications, you can study on your own, join an asynchronous course on Udemy or even enroll in a full-time Java coding bootcamp, to name a few options.

Should You Choose a Bootcamp or a Certification?

To choose between a coding bootcamp or a certification, you should first do some research and introspection. Spend some time learning more about both forms of training to get to know each as well as possible. Talk with representatives from bootcamps and certification programs that you find interesting and evaluate which one meets your particular needs. The key is choosing a program that has a high reputation in your desired field, will provide the most up-to-date knowledge, and that fits your learning style, schedule, budget, and goals.

Next, reflect on where you’re at in your career, as well as what your career goals are and what you’d like to get out of the whole process. Only once you’ve formed clear answers to these questions will you be able to decide with confidence whether you should enroll in a bootcamp or study for a particular certification. Whatever your choice, investing in creditable training and obtaining valuable skills will massively benefit your career prospects.

Bootcamps vs Certifications FAQ

Are bootcamp certificates worth it?

In many cases, a tech certificate from a coding bootcamp can be worth it, as long as it’s from a program with a positive reputation and a proven track record of providing high-quality training. It demonstrates that you’ve gone through intensive training and gained the skills to land a job in your chosen field. Graduating from a top coding bootcamp can be a great way to gain access to higher salaries and better job opportunities.

What can you do with a certification in coding?

You can land better-paying jobs in your chosen field with a certification in coding. In addition, many specialized jobs require applicants to hold a particular certification. Obtaining it will give you access to roles that would not be an option for you otherwise.

Are professional certificates worth it?

Professional certificate programs can be an effective way of mastering a particular skill, advancing your knowledge in your field, or demonstrating expertise in an industry. However, the quality of professional certificates varies widely, so make sure to do your research to ensure it is offered by a respected educational institution or an authority in the field.

"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"

Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot

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Sources

¹https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm#tab-6

²https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm#tab-6

³https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm#tab-6

⁴https://www.fullstackacademy.com/hiring-outcomes

⁵https://careerfoundry.com/en/graduate-outcomes/

⁶https://www.skillsoft.com/blog/top-5-highest-paying-microsoft-azure-certifications

⁷https://www.educate-me.co/blog/bootcamp-market-statistics