How Much Are Coding Bootcamps? Tuition, Scholarships, and Financing Options

If you have a career in software engineering, web development, or more in mind, there are two main ways to gain the technical skills needed to get there: a traditional four-year computer science degree or a coding bootcamp. The latter, whether online or in-person, full-time or part-time, is a shorter and more intensive training program with a clear focus and a hands-on approach. This means you learn how to code and are prepared to enter the tech job market in under a year—a much shorter time than a typical degree takes to complete.

But how much are coding bootcamps? There is no one-size-fits-all, so tuition varies depending on format, location, curriculum, and duration. As you are about to see, some courses charge as little as a few thousand dollars, while others cost over $20,000. Available payment methods can also vary, so we’re here to help you learn how to research the best choices for you. 

We’ll start with a total cost breakdown, including additional expenses beyond tuition and opportunity costs from having to forgo a salary while attending school; financial aid and payment plans available; and the potential salary you might earn after graduating from a coding bootcamp.

Intro to the Bootcamp Experience

Over the past several years, bootcamps have rapidly emerged as a popular pathway for individuals looking to gain coding experience and break into the tech industry. These intensive programs are designed with the goal of equipping learners with practical, job-ready skills in software engineering, web development, and other tech fields in just a matter of months. Unlike traditional college degrees, coding bootcamps focus on hands-on learning and real-world projects, making them an attractive option for those who may not be able to invest several years in order to enter a new career. With an array of options from part-time to full-time, and from in-person to online to hybrid, prospective students are able to find the schools that best match their learning styles and schedules

Breakdown of a Coding Bootcamp Cost

You may find one-month coding courses for as little as $500, as is the case with Intro to Python or Software Engineering for Beginners provided by LearningFuze, or around $2,600, like for example Nucamp’s full-stack web developer course.^1,2

Based on all the coding bootcamps we researched for this guide, average tuition hovers around $13,500 when paid upfront, with deferred payments pushing the total as much as $23,000 plus interest for programs at schools like App Academy.³ With bootcamps, costs may vary widely depending on format, location, curriculum, and other factors. And while full-time bootcamps typically require a greater time commitment and are often more expensive, part-time options can offer more flexibility and affordability for those who need to balance other responsibilities.

Here’s a cost comparison of some of the most popular online coding bootcamps that offer training in software development and their upfront tuition as of July 2025:

Now, whether a coding bootcamp was taught online or on a campus may have mattered more to students’ wallets in the past, but the recent shift to fully remote tech education has leveled the playing field. By 2022, the average costs of these two formats had less than $1,000 difference.¹⁰ As bootcamp cost and effectiveness may vary widely depending on the provider, program duration, format, and additional services offered, what often matters most when deciding whether or not to opt for an online course is how close you are to campus, and whether you find it easier to learn in a classroom. Here are a few examples:

• Tech Elevator: $16,500 whether full-time (14 weeks) or part-time programs (30 weeks), remote (live) or on campus in Columbus, OH¹¹
• Code Platoon: $20,000 for their Full-stack Software Engineering program, with full-time programs in 15 weeks or part-time programs on evenings and weekends in 28 weeks, as well as remote or in-person options in downtown Chicago, IL¹²
• LearningFuze: $16,500 for their Web Development and Data Science programs (full-time in 18 weeks, part-time in 42 weeks), online or on campus in Irvine, CA¹³

While in-person bootcamps offer the benefit of face-to-face collaboration with instructors and peers, online programs on the other hand can provide the convenience of learning from anywhere, making it easier for learners to balance their studies with other commitments. Some schools even offer hybrid models, blending online coursework with occasional in-person sessions. When deciding between in-person and online bootcamps, it’s important to take into account your preferred learning style, time commitment, and current location restraints to find the best fit.

And for those considering online bootcamp options, you may also be able to choose between a course that’s live online, with real-time instruction and interactions with teachers and classmates, or a self-paced format, allowing you to progress through the online course content at your own speed. Because the online course content may differ widely between live online and self-paced programs, it’s important to review each provider’s curriculum and determine which structure will work best with your schedule, learning style, and education goals.

Additional Costs Beyond Tuition

However, the cost of a coding bootcamp isn’t just tuition. There are often extra expenses depending on the program format, location, and required tools. For example, some bootcamps charge application fees to cover administrative costs and/or require a deposit to secure a spot. Some of these amounts are included in the advertised tuition, such as the $600 registration fee at CMU. Others are refundable deposits, such as the $99 due at the time of enrollment with Fullstack Academy.Suppose a program does not mention whether the deposit is refundable or part of the total tuition cost? In that case, it’s best to contact the admissions team directly before deciding on a coding bootcamp, to be sure you have all your costs mapped out and in order. For example, Code Platoon mentions a deposit of $500 to secure a spot in their program after acceptance—but as of July 2025, no further details are provided on their website.¹²

If you fare better at an in-person, full-time bootcamp, you may also need to budget for living expenses such as housing and transportation. With the number of these programs decreasing across the country due to the convenience and advancement of virtual learning platforms, you may need to relocate if you want to attend in-person. Additional costs can also pop up if you decide to study from home, as you will need a quiet, dedicated workspace, which may incur childcare or home office costs.

Then, there’s the equipment and software needed to learn how to code. Many programs use free or open-source tools, but access to paid software or cloud services is not entirely off the table for specialized programs. On top of that, bootcamps may also have minimum technical requirements that your laptop has to meet.

Some bootcamps prepare their learners for industry certifications, but exams (like AWS or CompTIA) often have separate fees.¹⁴ The Full-stack Software Engineering course at Code Platoon ends with a certificate but only mentions “training and testing” for the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification exam, and as of July 2025, this exam costs $100.¹⁵

All of these factors—living expenses, equipment, and additional fees—contribute to the overall price, and depending on the school, can add significantly to your investment.

Note: Career coaching and job search assistance are usually free, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be exceptions. For example, if you want access to the alumni network, you should check whether this perk is included in the coding bootcamp cost or if continued networking events, job boards, or mentorship require a fee once you graduate.

Financial Aid and Alternative Payment Options for Coding Bootcamps

Although the average cost of a bootcamp is significantly less than a traditional college degree, it can nevertheless be a significant barrier for many. So with tuition prices ranging anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over $20,000, many prospective students find themselves looking for ways to reduce the upfront price tag and save money. One meaningful way of reducing the impact of a coding bootcamp on your wallet is to qualify for scholarships or grants. For example, Code Platoon supports veterans, active-duty service members, and military families with GI Bill® benefits though the Department of Veterans Affairs.¹⁶ While many bootcamps offer their own scholarships, you’ll also want to look into third party scholarships that can be applied to your bootcamp.

Some employers also provide tuition assistance as an education benefit, helping to cover the cost to enroll in bootcamp programs through tuition reimbursement for current or prospective employees, in exchange for a commitment to remain with the company for a set period of time. This can be a great way to cover the cost of your program, but you’ll want to make sure you read the contract carefully. For example, in some cases, if you stop working that job before the contract expires, you’ll be required to pay back the full amount of your tuition.

After going through all scholarship and reimbursement possibilities, though, some may still need additional assistance to afford tuition. Because of this, several programs offer installment plans with bi-weekly or monthly payments rather than one large sum. Some of these plans are interest-free, while others work like loans with additional interest and fees.

In many cases a bootcamp will also partner with third party lenders to provide loans—these typically have lower monthly amounts than a payment plan, but as they usually include an interest rate, the overall cost will often be greater than the total tuition. Depending on the lender, there may be immediate repayment or a deferral period, with either fixed or variable interest rates.

Another way to defer tuition is through an income-share agreement, or ISA. In this case, payments aren’t required until the student lands a job with a minimum income threshold. Afterward, they pay a percentage of their salary for a set period. While income-share agreements usually cap the total repayment amount, costs still end up higher than the original tuition.

Note: Deferred tuition via private loans needs to be paid regardless of job placement.

Some organizations also offer free coding bootcamps to help students get into tech without debt. These are typically shorter than regular bootcamps, focus on teaching the basics, and do not offer a certificate upon completion. One example of such a program is the free web development short course provided by CareerFoundry.¹⁷ Other providers, like Skillcrush, introduce students to a wide range of concepts in a free coding bootcamp to help them choose their career track and then offer them a $2,999 Break Into Tech Job Training program with a 14-day satisfaction guarantee.^18,19 Many providers now offer free access to course materials or cloud labs, allowing prospective enrollees to try out the curriculum before committing.

Coding Bootcamp Cost vs. Traditional Computer Science Degrees

We’ve already seen that a coding bootcamp can cost anywhere from $2,999 (Skillcrush) to $20,000 (Code Platoon), with many programs hovering between $10,000–$16,000 when paid upfront and possibly increasing to $23,000+ with deferred payments and interest (App Academy). With many affordable bootcamps available for people in a variety of situations, it’s easier for individuals to access career-ready technology skills without the high cost of traditional education.

For example, while Carnegie Mellon University’s software development bootcamp costs $18,600, its computer science degree comes with a price tag of $64,596 in tuition for the 2024-2025 term alone.²⁰ And beyond private colleges, the average annual cost of tuition in the U.S. is $9,750 for students enrolled in a four-year in-state public college—while out-of-state students pay, on average, $28,390 a year (not to mention costs like housing and transport).²¹ While a bachelor’s degree is the traditional alternative to a coding bootcamp, it often comes with a much higher financial and time commitment.

The cost comparison between a coding bootcamp and a four-year computer science degree can be significant, but tuition cost alone isn’t the only factor to consider. Another substantial financial advantage of a coding bootcamp, which further contributes to its great return on investment, is that students can complete their tech education in a matter of months instead of four years. This is great for career changers, who can start working much sooner and make a successful career change. Graduation rates are also an important metric to consider when evaluating bootcamps, as they provide insight into student outcomes and program quality.

On top of that, coding bootcamps tend to focus on practical skills and hands-on projects, skipping academic subjects like calculus and hardware design. While some employers still require a degree for R&D jobs, several technology companies are increasingly appreciative of the type of coding skills built through hands-on experience over traditional tech education, with coding bootcamp graduates landing jobs as web developers or software engineers, and more. Many bootcamps also hire experienced developers as instructors, ensuring students learn from professionals with real-world expertise.

"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

Find Your Bootcamp Match

In fact, “overall employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations,” says The Bureau of Labor Statistics.²² And the pay is competitive too—as of May 2024, the median annual wage of software developers in the U.S. was $133,080.²³

Choosing the Best Coding Bootcamp for You

Coding bootcamps come with all levels of price tags, but in general, they’re a faster and more focused way to get into tech than a traditional computer science degree. Some programs keep base costs low but charge extra fees, while others include career support and certification prep in the price. No matter the cost, flexible payment plans and scholarships can save the day and make it all more manageable. After all, budget is often a central factor in the decision-making process, so be sure to consider the overall expenses and what you can get in return.

The key is knowing what you’re paying for. If you’re serious about enrolling, don’t just look at tuition—dig into the details. What payment options are available? Does the curriculum match your goals? Are there any hidden costs? Can you learn online to fit your schedule and avoid commuting? A little research upfront can help you avoid surprises and find a coding bootcamp that fits your budget and your desired career path.

While coding bootcamp graduates can land the web development or software engineering jobs they hoped for when they enrolled, no program guarantees success. What you put in matters just as much as what you pay. When comparing program features, look for a curriculum that teaches the relevant technical skills needed, with hands-on projects and real-world applications; a format and schedule that fits your needs; a range of financing options, including scholarships, payment plans, income share agreements, loans with or without deferred tuition, the GI Bill®, and employer education benefits; as well as career services such as job search support, resume help, and industry connections.

With demand for software and web developers growing, and salaries in the six-figure range, choosing the best coding bootcamp for you and committing to learning can set you up for success in a fraction of the time it takes to earn a degree and at a fraction of the cost. By carefully researching and comparing different programs, you can find a bootcamp that aligns with your career goals, budget, and preferred learning style. After all, given the right training and support, a coding bootcamp graduate can launch a new career in the tech industry, take advantage of growing job opportunities, and achieve their professional goals.

Sources:

¹ https://learningfuze.com/courses/intro

² https://www.nucamp.co/bootcamp-overview/full-stack-web-mobile-development

³ https://www.appacademy.io/course/software-engineer-online

⁴ https://4geeksacademy.com/us/coding-bootcamps/part-time-full-stack-developer

⁵ https://generalassemb.ly/students/courses/software-engineering-bootcamp 

⁶ https://www.codingtemple.com/software-engineering/

⁷ https://www.fullstackacademy.com/programs/coding-bootcamp

⁸ https://www.hackreactor.com/financing-options/

⁹ https://bootcamps.cs.cmu.edu/coding-bootcamp/

¹⁰ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/student-loans/how-much-is-coding-bootcamp 

¹¹ https://www.techelevator.com/bootcamp/tuition-cost/

¹² https://www.codeplatoon.org/full-stack/

¹³ https://learningfuze.com/ 

¹⁴ https://www.comptia.org/testing/exam-vouchers/buy-exam/exam-prices

¹⁵ https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-cloud-practitioner/

¹⁶ https://www.codeplatoon.org/maximizing-the-gi-bill-at-a-coding-bootcamp/

¹⁷ https://careerfoundry.com/en/short-courses/become-a-web-developer/

¹⁸ https://learn.skillcrush.com/skillcrush-free-bootcamp/

¹⁹ https://skillcrush.com/break-into-tech-blueprint-oldjan2025/ 

²⁰ https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/tuition/undergraduate/2425.html

²¹ https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college

²² https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm#tab-6

²³https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm#tab-5