- 1.Top bootcamps report 80%+ job placement rates within 6 months, though methodology varies significantly (CIRR)
- 2.Bootcamp graduates earn $60,000-$80,000 starting salary—approximately 60% of CS degree holders' starting wages
- 3.Average bootcamp cost of $15,000 pays back within 6-12 months of full-time employment at typical starting salaries
- 4.Long-term earnings gap: CS degree holders earn 20-30% more at the 5-year mark than bootcamp graduates in equivalent roles
- 5.Best ROI for career changers already earning $40K+ who can't afford 4-year opportunity cost of degree programs
The Bootcamp Value Proposition
Coding bootcamps promise to transform career changers into job-ready developers in 12-24 weeks for $10,000-$20,000. Compared to a 4-year CS degree ($100,000+ at private universities) requiring 4 years of lost income, the math seems compelling. But the reality is more nuanced.
Bootcamps excel at teaching practical, immediately applicable skills—HTML/CSS, JavaScript, React, and basic backend development. They struggle with computer science fundamentals that matter for senior roles: algorithms, data structures, systems design, and theoretical concepts. This creates a trade-off between speed-to-employment and long-term career ceiling.
Source: Course Report, CIRR
Bootcamp Costs Breakdown
Bootcamp pricing has stratified significantly. Premium programs from established brands charge $15,000-$20,000, while newer entrants and online-only options range from $5,000-$12,000. Income Share Agreements (ISAs) defer payment until employment but typically cost more overall.
Bootcamp Pricing Models Compared
| Payment Model | Typical Cost | When You Pay | Total Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront Payment | $10,000-$18,000 | Before/during program | $10,000-$18,000 | Those with savings |
| Monthly Installments | $12,000-$20,000 | During + 12mo after | $12,000-$20,000 + interest | Those needing flexibility |
| Income Share Agreement (ISA) | 15-18% of salary | After employment | $18,000-$30,000+ | Those with zero savings |
| Deferred Tuition | $15,000-$22,000 | After employment | $15,000-$22,000 | Risk-averse students |
| Free (Stipend) Programs | $0 | Never | $0 | Highly competitive admission |
Source: Course Report 2024
Major Bootcamp Pricing (2024)
| Bootcamp | Format | Duration | Tuition | ISA Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| App Academy | In-person/Online | 16-24 weeks | $17,000 upfront / ISA | Yes (24 months) |
| Hack Reactor | In-person/Online | 12-36 weeks | $17,980 | Yes |
| Flatiron School | In-person/Online | 15-60 weeks | $16,900 | Yes |
| General Assembly | In-person/Online | 12-24 weeks | $15,950 | Financing available |
| Springboard | Online | 6-9 months | $9,900-$16,500 | Yes |
| Codecademy Pro | Online | Self-paced | $240/year | No |
Source: Bootcamp websites, Course Report 2024
Job Placement Reality Check
Bootcamps advertise impressive placement rates—often 80-95%—but methodology varies wildly. Some count any job (including non-technical roles), exclude students who don't complete job search requirements, or use 12-month windows. The Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR) provides standardized metrics, but not all bootcamps participate.
CIRR-reporting bootcamps show 70-85% of graduates employed in-field within 180 days. This is still strong compared to many degree programs, but below the 90%+ figures some bootcamps advertise. Expect 3-6 months of job searching post-graduation.
Bootcamp Graduate Job Search Timeline
75% of bootcamp graduates find in-field employment within 180 days according to CIRR data. Timeline has lengthened from ~90 days pre-2022 due to increased competition and tighter tech job market.
Salary Outcomes: What Bootcamp Grads Actually Earn
Bootcamp graduate starting salaries typically range from $55,000-$80,000, with $65,000-$70,000 being most common. This is significantly below CS degree holders who average $85,000-$100,000 starting salary, but represents a substantial increase for most career changers coming from $40,000-$50,000 roles.
Starting Salary: Bootcamp vs CS Degree
Comparing first-job compensation for new developers
CS Degree Graduate
Median Annual Salary
Bootcamp Graduate
Median Annual Salary
Bootcamp vs Computer Science Degree
The bootcamp vs degree decision depends on your starting point and goals. For career changers in their late 20s or 30s, bootcamps often make more sense. For 18-year-olds with family support, a CS degree offers better long-term outcomes.
Bootcamp vs CS Degree: Complete Comparison
| Factor | Coding Bootcamp | CS Degree | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to Employment | 4-9 months | 4+ years | Bootcamp |
| Direct Cost | $10,000-$20,000 | $40,000-$200,000 | Bootcamp |
| Opportunity Cost | 3-6 months income | 4 years income | Bootcamp |
| Starting Salary | $60,000-$80,000 | $80,000-$110,000 | Degree |
| 5-Year Salary | $90,000-$130,000 | $120,000-$170,000 | Degree |
| FAANG Eligibility | Difficult (< 5%) | Standard path | Degree |
| Career Ceiling | Senior Engineer | Staff+/Architect | Degree |
| Best For | Career changers 25+ | Traditional students | — |
Source: BLS, NACE, Course Report analysis
Bootcamp vs Self-Study
Self-study via free resources (freeCodeCamp, The Odin Project, YouTube) costs nothing but requires exceptional self-discipline and takes longer. Bootcamps provide structure, accountability, career services, and employer relationships that self-study lacks.
Structured curriculum eliminates decision paralysis. Career services and employer relationships provide job search support. Cohort model creates accountability and networking. Compressed timeline (12-24 weeks full-time).
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Web Developer
- • Frontend Engineer
- • Junior Developer
Zero financial cost. Complete flexibility in topics and pace. Can work while learning. No geographic restrictions. Demonstrates exceptional self-motivation to employers.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Web Developer
- • Freelance Developer
- • Junior Developer
Which Bootcamps Have the Best ROI?
The best ROI comes from bootcamps with strong employer relationships, rigorous curriculum, and honest outcome reporting. CIRR-reporting schools provide verifiable data. Avoid schools that refuse to share outcomes or use inflated statistics.
Top Bootcamps by Verified Outcomes (CIRR Reporters)
| Bootcamp | In-Field Employment | Median Salary | Time to Employment | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| App Academy (SF) | 85% | $95,000 | 120 days | $17,000 / ISA |
| Hack Reactor | 82% | $85,000 | 90 days | $17,980 |
| Flatiron School | 78% | $68,000 | 150 days | $16,900 |
| Turing School | 80% | $75,000 | 180 days | $21,000 |
| Launch School | 75% | $82,000 | 180 days | $199/mo |
Source: CIRR Outcomes Reports 2024
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Attend a Bootcamp
Bootcamps aren't for everyone. The best candidates have specific characteristics, while others should consider alternatives.
Bootcamp Candidate Assessment
IDEAL: Career changer with transferable skills
Already employed earning $40K-$60K in a non-technical field. Has professional soft skills. Can dedicate 3-6 months full-time. Previous degree in any field. Strong ROI due to quick salary increase and low opportunity cost.
GOOD: College graduate who missed CS
Has a bachelor's degree in non-technical field. Recent graduate or 1-3 years in workforce. Realizes interest in tech too late for CS degree. Bootcamp provides fastest path to entry-level roles.
CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES: Traditional student (age 18-22)
If you can attend a CS degree program, it offers better long-term outcomes. Bootcamps make sense only if CS programs are inaccessible due to cost, grades, or other barriers.
NOT RECOMMENDED: Already in tech wanting advancement
If already working in IT/tech support, self-study and internal mobility often work better than bootcamps. The credential value matters less when you have industry experience.
CAUTION: Expecting FAANG immediately
Bootcamp → FAANG is possible but rare (<5%). Most FAANG entry-level roles require CS degrees. Realistic expectations: startups, agencies, mid-size companies, then potentially FAANG in 3-5 years.
This analysis combines self-reported bootcamp outcomes, CIRR verified data, salary surveys, and degree program statistics to assess coding bootcamp ROI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue Your Research
Data Sources and References
Third-party verified bootcamp outcomes data
Annual bootcamp industry surveys and graduate outcomes
National Association of Colleges and Employers degree graduate salaries
Software developer employment and wage statistics
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.