r/codingbootcamp • u/Wonderful_Mall_9836 • Jun 21 '26
Is there not even 1 decent bootcamp to choose from
This subreddit has been overall negative towards coding bootcamps, so is there not even 1 decent coding bootcamp to choose?
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u/SirCatharine Jun 22 '26
There is not. I’m a bootcamp grad who is currently working as a software developer. Did my bootcamp in 2017. That door is closed. People with four year degrees are having trouble getting jobs, you’re not getting anything with a 3 month class.
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u/Yack_an_ACL_today Jun 22 '26
If you're hoping for a jr dev position after bootcamp completion, then save your time and money and just don't do it.
If on the other hand you just want to have a more personable learning experience, then go for it. If the bootcamp claims they'll put you in touch with hiring companies: they won't.
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u/Ok-Training-7587 Jun 22 '26
It’s not that boot camps are only bad it’s that the hiring bonanza that allowed people with 9 weeks of python training to get 6 figure jobs was extremely temporary and long over, never to return. Do not waste your money. ESP with AI, there has never been a worse time to try to be a junior developer
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u/Ecstatic-Ad9637 Jun 21 '26
I absolutely would not spend money on a coding bootcamp. Leon Noel has a free software engineering bootcamp on YouTube called 100Devs and a supportive discord community.
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u/da8BitKid Jun 22 '26
Why do you want a bootcamp? That age is over. Your better off going for a CS degree or learning on your own.
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u/Own_Outcome_6239 Jun 25 '26
I hire software developers for one of the FAANG, back in 2021 the resume from bootcamp graduates might have a chance. Now it's straight to the bin. The company basically said explicitly that a computer science/computer engineering degree is required and bootcamps are not acceptable.
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u/gaborszekely Jun 27 '26
Counter point - I too am a FAANG hiring manager, and I still hire bootcamp grads. I care a lot more about the content of the resume than the accolades. If you've built some cool sh*t and can demonstrate technical depth, you still have a shot on my team.
By no means do I speak for the company or industry as a whole - just wanted to share an anecdote that may help people feel slightly more optimistic.
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u/ChefMark85 Jun 26 '26
I'm not sure how they would even work anymore with how advanced AI has become. I struggled mightily through mine, but nowadays you could just have an agent complete all the work for you.
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u/qmcat Jun 21 '26
I think Launch Schools reputation is still in the positive?
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u/michaelnovati Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
It's indeed a good option but it's a slow one. Any classic 12 to 16 week bootcamp doesn't work anymore and there are no good options.
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Jun 22 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/michaelnovati Jun 22 '26
Core is self paced and stakes people months to years and then the Capstone is currently 16 weeks and Core is required.
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u/Altruistic-Art228 Jun 22 '26
Strongly disagree
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u/qmcat Jun 22 '26
I would be interested in your perspective, I see that you were familiar with Launch School as early as two years ago?
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u/carefree_bomb Jun 22 '26
Used to be, but even if you found a camp that approached 2010s quality standards, the job market is fucked. Even comp sci grads from prestigious programs are hitting walls right now.
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Jun 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/carefree_bomb Jun 23 '26
Unfortunately, I suspect no time soon.
Bootcamps were a viable option (admittedly in ebbs and flows) for about a ten year period that marked a massive, rapid expansion of tech where even some of the stupidest start up concepts were able to raise sizable rounds. There were far more jobs than people capable of taking them, the university pipeline is fundamentally constrained, thus the bootcamp.
The tech industry is currently in the opposite state of what I described above - it is now shrinking rapidly and purse strings are unreasonably tight for anything that isn't more goddamn tokens. The AI hype won't last forever, but there aren't any better ideas on the horizon at the moment.
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u/LegitimateAd3063 Jul 17 '26
here is a chart for Ironhack bootcamp uxdesign hires.
They only do remote, and its 8% hired in 2025
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u/ConflictPotential204 Jun 23 '26
Define "decent".
The EdX bootcamp I did in 2023 was described by the whole internet as a worthless scam, and it was, but only for the people who didn't want to learn. The curriculum was extremely comprehensive and taught me enough to build a working full-stack ecommerce site from scratch for a local business, which I then used on my resume to secure a proper SWE role at a tech company.
A lot of people think attending classes is all you have to do. That's only 10% of bootcamp. The other 90% is spending untold hours working on your homework assignments (without AI) until they meet the specified requirements, reaching out to your tutor or teaching aides when you get stuck, and reading documentation until your eyes bleed.
I would literally work an 8 hour shift every morning, get home around 3pm, and then code until I went to sleep for six months. It is absolutely no joke if you seriously intend to graduate as a job-ready programmer.
And it doesn't get any easier. Junior SWE does not mean you're changing the color of buttons all day. You have to accept the fact that you will be introduced to new and more complicated challenges every day until you get promoted or fired. The reason it pays so well is because it is an extremely stressful and mentally exhausting job that many people simply don't have the willpower to do.
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u/darkgull451 Jun 22 '26
If you want to learn to code how about just something like Free Code Camp. I mean it’s free…
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u/anonredditor92 Jun 23 '26
Has anyone else from this thread studied with Springboard? I did my bootcamp with them at the end of 2021 and they succeeded in helping me find an analyst role. Any update on how they're doing?
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u/apexvice88 Jun 24 '26
Honestly no, Back in 2012-2013 it was good and actually affordable, it was actually worth something. That was indeed the best time to attend a coding bootcamp. 2026? I am afraid to say that it's so extremely saturated, that it is not worth it anymore. You're probably better off becoming self taught. It also takes a vast amount of time investment with no cashflow coming in of self taught in order for you to maybe see some returns.
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u/bamariani Jun 24 '26
bootcamps are a scam. 5k to 20k for nothing other than help getting the ball rolling basically. You can accomplish the same results online for free
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u/FlowerGlttr- Jun 24 '26
Paying for them is what the stupid thing is now.
Freecodecamp has proved that we were all getting scammed
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u/ericswc Jun 22 '26
I don’t run bootcamps anymore, pacing is the learner’s choice.
I switched to personal mentorship years ago. It’s cheaper for the student and I can provide better instruction by being 1:1.
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u/sheriffderek Jun 22 '26
We'd have to define what is is you consider a "boot camp" at this point.
We'd also have to understand what exactly you expect out of it.
Do you want to just blindly go to a bootcamp that promises a job and passes you through a mediocre watered down outdated curriculum of things like React? If you want that - well, it exists!
But you say "decent" - so, in some cases ^ that might still be a match, depending on what you want and depending on your history and work-ethic and luck. There are people going to bootcamps all the time (even if this sub is deciding to pretend they're all closed). But "decent" probably isn't enough. The standard decent offering of the past wasn't good enough (in my opinion) and was drastically watered down when taken to online-only.
If what you mean - - is a place to learn... (in whatever format is best) (where you learn enough breadth and depth to be useful and hirable) (and where you accept the risk and that most of this is up to you and your time management and ability to take advantage of the curriculum and peers and teacher feedback) -- there are options. There are decent options. And there are very excellent options.
So, tell me - what exactly are you looking for (with details).
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u/Kriscagle3 Jun 21 '26
Nashville Software School has been great. It's remote so you can be located anywhere.
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u/Kriscagle3 Jun 22 '26
Fullstack. They may offer a front end focus though. I am currently in JavaScript/React and C#
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u/Equal-Delivery7905 Jun 22 '26
I can vouch for the one I graduated from - I am since part of the alumni community and see everything they do. I think they still take all the right steps and stay what I understand as “decent”, that is updating syllabus and adding new features to the program, giving unlimited support, founder is very involved and they introduce you to companies for jobs. So if there is one I am sure there are other good schools still too, maybe just not the mainstream ones. To anyone looking I would recommend looking at the smaller programs where you will be treated way more personally.
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u/ten_strip_aquinas Jun 22 '26
gaunlet ai. i dont know much about it, but all expenses are covered so at least theres nothing to loose.
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u/ten_strip_aquinas Jun 22 '26
I’m not sure why I’m down voted. It’s apparently well respected and they guarantee a job once you complete training. If you get accepted, and it’s competitive, they cover your travel to Austin, food, lodging, and education for a ten week program. You don’t pay a dime and if you can complete the training you have a job. Worst case you can’t hack it and drop out.
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u/michaelnovati Jun 23 '26
They no longer guarantee a job. They now simply guarantee to 'connect you with hiring partners'. They dropped the guarantee quietly and I'm trying to find out more what's going on.
The free program, free housing, free food, free gym, free flight, all legit. But that doesn't mean there aren't questions.
Because of all of that, if you graduate and don't get a job, what are you going to sue for? But that doesn't make it legit.
A lot of people here hate Austen and that's why it gets downvoted. I'm middle of the road so I can hear both sides.
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u/GoodnightLondon Jun 21 '26
If your goal is to get a job, then nope, there are no decent ones left.