5 Coding Bootcamps In The Bay Area

Coding bootcamps can help current tech professionals and industry hopefuls change careers, pursue promotions or enhance their existing skills. According to a Forbes Advisor survey of bootcamp graduates, most grads increase their salaries by at least $20,000 after completing a bootcamp.

The San Francisco Bay Area is a thriving tech hub offering many opportunities in the industry, including specialty roles in software engineering, full-stack development and data science. You can complete a coding bootcamp in the Bay Area to build a foundation in coding. Bootcamps use abbreviated timelines and intensive coursework to prepare students for the workforce; some even offer job guarantees.

Explore this list of San Francisco coding bootcamps to learn about tuition, course delivery formats, financing options and other key details.

Coding Bootcamps in the Bay Area

• App Academy Software Engineering Bootcamp
• Berkeley Coding Bootcamp
• General Assembly Software Engineering Bootcamp
• Magnimind Academy Data Science Bootcamp
• Nucamp Full-Stack Web and Mobile App Developer Bootcamp

App Academy Software Engineering Bootcamp

App Academy‘s software engineering bootcamp uses mostly synchronous online delivery and features several scheduling options. Students can opt for two full-time pathways—one standard and one accelerated—or a part-time track with evening courses.

App Academy also allows part-time learners to skip weekend classes if they meet makeup work requirements. This bootcamp primarily prepares students to work as software engineers, though they also delve into coursework in web development and artificial intelligence.

This provider has enrolled students since 2012, demonstrating its long-term commitment to tech education. Though App Academy does not offer a job guarantee, the company features career services such as one-on-one career counseling, mock interviews, résumé guidance and salary negotiation workshops.

Quick Facts About App Academy’s Software Engineering Bootcamp

• Tuition Cost: $20,000 to $22,000
• Time Commitment: 16 weeks (full-time, accelerated); 24 weeks (full-time); 48 weeks (part-time)
• Bootcamp Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time, accelerated
• Prerequisites: N/A
• Finance Options: Income share agreement, deferred tuition, credit financing
• Scholarships Available: N/A
• Online Offerings: All programs available online

Berkeley Coding Bootcamp

At UC Berkeley, students can complete a coding bootcamp and qualify for full-stack web developer roles in 12 or 24 weeks. Faculty deliver coursework through live online instruction, and learners can choose from full-time and part-time options. Assignments cover various programming languages and tools, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap and React.js.

After completing this coding bootcamp, learners might work as QA engineers, front-end developers or back-end developers. The university also offers bootcamps focusing on cybersecurity, user experience and data analytics.

UC Berkeley’s bootcamps do not provide a job guarantee, but its career services include access to industry workshops and an extensive employer network. Students can craft their résumés with advisors to connect with open positions worldwide.

UC Berkeley also administers these bootcamps:

• Coding bootcamp
• Cybersecurity bootcamp
• Data analytics bootcamp
• UX/UI bootcamp

Quick Facts About Berkeley’s Coding Bootcamp

• Tuition Cost: $9,995 to $14,495
• Time Commitment: 9 hours/week for 24 weeks (part-time); 20 hours/week for 12 weeks (full-time)
• Bootcamp Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
• Prerequisites: N/A
• Finance Options: Interest-free payments for three, six or 24 months
• Scholarships Available: Berkeley alumni scholarship
• Online Offerings: All programs available online

General Assembly Software Engineering Bootcamp

The software engineering bootcamp offered by General Assembly emphasizes practical skills, preparing graduates for various tech professions, including UX/UI developer, JavaScript developer, solutions engineer and full-stack developer. General Assembly has operated for more than 12 years to educate more than 97,000 students. Its software engineering program uses synchronous online coursework in part-time and full-time schedules.

This program suits beginners and seasoned professionals, though it has no prerequisites. Coursework explores coding languages like JavaScript and Python, in addition to various project management techniques. General Assembly does not feature a job guarantee policy. However, its employer network and career coaches can set graduates up for success.

General Assembly also offers these programs in the Bay Area:

• UX design bootcamp
• Data science bootcamp
• Data analytics bootcamp

Quick Facts About General Assembly’s Software Engineering Bootcamp

• Tuition Cost: $16,450
• Time Commitment: 40 hours/week for 12 weeks (full-time); 20 hours/week for 24 weeks (part-time)
• Bootcamp Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
• Prerequisites: N/A
• Finance Options: Installment plan, deferred payments, 0% interest loan, income share loan, GI Bill® benefit
• Scholarships Available: Break the Glass, Career Climb
• Online Offerings: All programs available online

Magnimind Academy Data Science Bootcamp

Magnimind Academy‘s data science program uses a 15-week schedule with live online classes and coding sessions to prepare students for data analysis employment across many sectors. This program has educated prospective data science professionals for about eight years. The curriculum includes classwork in Python, SQL, machine learning and statistics.

This bootcamp culminates in a capstone project, which learners can use in their coding portfolios to demonstrate experience while job hunting. There is no job guarantee policy at Magnimind Academy, but students can receive career assistance from mentors through mock interviews and résumé assessments.

You can also take the following bootcamps in the Bay Area through Magnimind Academy:

• Full-stack data science
• Cybersecurity bootcamp

Quick Facts About Magnimind Academy’s Data Science Bootcamp

• Tuition Cost: $2,500
• Time Commitment: 10-15 hours/week, 15 weeks
• Bootcamp Enrollment Options: Full time
• Prerequisites: N/A
• Finance Options: Installment plan, income share agreement
• Scholarships Available: N/A
• Online Offerings: All programs available online

Nucamp Full-Stack Web and Mobile Developer Bootcamp

In Nucamp‘s full-stack web and mobile developer bootcamp, enrollees spend 22 weeks focused on creating and overseeing apps and websites in the cloud. Nucamp partners with Google Cloud, which provides hands-on opportunities to build familiarity with the platform before entering the workforce.

Throughout this online program, students complete sections such as JavaScript fundamentals, mobile app development and server-side development, building their coding portfolios with projects. This Bay Area bootcamp connects nearby learners remotely and welcomes all levels of expertise. However, Nucamp recommends that students have completed education or professional experience with subjects like Bootstrap, CSS and HTML.

Nucamp offers one-on-one career coaching and support after graduation but does not feature a job guarantee policy.

Nucamp also offers these Bay Area-based bootcamps:

• Full-stack web and mobile development
• Front-end web and mobile development
• Web development fundamentals
• Cybersecurity fundamentals
• Backend, SQL and DevOps with Python

Quick Facts About Nucamp’s Mobile Developer Bootcamp

• Tuition Cost: $458 to $2,604
• Time Commitment: 10-20 hours/week plus a four-hour weekend class for 4-22 weeks
• Bootcamp Enrollment Options: Part-time
• Prerequisites: Working knowledge of HTML, CSS and Bootstrap for 22-week course
• Finance Options: Fair Student Agreement, deferred payments
• Scholarships Available: Nu You Scholarship, Women in Tech
• Online Offerings: All programs available online

Should You Enroll in a Bootcamp in the Bay Area?

If you’re unsure about committing to a Bay Area bootcamp, consider your starting point and end goal. Forbes Advisor surveyed 500 coding bootcamp graduates on their experiences and outcomes, and the responses may aid you in your research.

For example, if you’re looking purely at salary growth, data from our survey is encouraging. Even on the lower end, 23% of participants reported increasing their salary by $10,000 to $20,000. Nearly 16% of respondents reported an increase of more than $50,000.

Data also reveals that bootcamp graduates can quickly land employment. About 7% of survey participants said it took more than 12 months to secure a job after completing a program, and an encouraging 23% took only one month.

Most respondents advanced in their current roles or found entirely new jobs, too. If you’re looking to pivot to a new career or pursue a promotion with your current company, our survey indicates that a bootcamp can help you achieve these goals.

Coding Bootcamp Credibility

As the U.S. economy continues to add jobs in the data sector, employers have begun to hire more bootcamp grads instead of limiting the candidate pool to college grads. While this lends credibility to bootcamps, these programs lack the same quality assurance standards as traditional college degrees.

Universities and colleges use a process called accreditation, through which third-party organizations evaluate schools for their student outcomes, resources and curricular offerings. Bootcamps lack this stamp of approval, but the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR) provides a similar service.

Since bootcamps focus on career readiness, CIRR uses this as a key metric in verifying these programs. The CIRR seal of approval can offer some peace of mind that your bootcamp will be worth it. You can also research the bootcamp’s history. A program launched last year may not have the same level of reliability as a bootcamp with 10 years of operations.

How To Find the Right Bay Area Bootcamp for You

As you research coding bootcamps in the Bay Area, consider several factors to find the program that meets your personal and professional needs. Start with your career goals: Do you have a specific role in mind? How long can you spend learning the ropes before pursuing employment?

Use these considerations to guide your search. For example, some bootcamps may offer more specialized courses that align with your intended profession. Timelines vary among programs, as well. Most bootcamps display their employer networks on their websites. If a program offers job placement or networking opportunities, they may provide an ideal pathway for you.

Consider your availability, too. Can you commit to a full-time schedule? If not, prioritize bootcamp with part-time enrollment options and/or evening classes. Along with this bandwidth, your finances can play a big part in your program search. Fortunately, there are several types of aid available for bootcamp attendees.

Paying for a Coding Bootcamp

Coding bootcamps are often more economical than traditional degree programs, but they can still be costly. Here’s how to pay for a coding bootcamp.

How Much Is a Coding Bootcamp in the Bay Area?

Tuition for coding bootcamps in San Francisco can vary drastically based on several factors, including prestige, program length and subject matter. Among the coding programs on this page, tuition ranges from $2,500 to $22,000, averaging out to about $10,500.

Research by Forbes Advisor indicates that the median cost for a bootcamp is $8,300. This figure considers more than 300 programs from over 50 institutions. With only five schools in our list, it makes for a tough comparison, but you will likely encounter a range of coding bootcamp costs in the Bay Area and other metro areas.

Financing Options

While bootcamps might pay off in the long run, paying for a bootcamp poses a significant burden for many students. Most companies offer multiple financing options.

Upfront Payment

Most bootcamps offer upfront payments as a tuition option. With this method, you pay a lump sum at the start of the program. Upfront payments typically allow you to pay the lowest possible rate but require a significant initial investment.

Pay In Installments

With an installment plan, you can make tuition payments as you progress through the program. You’ll likely pay more in total tuition, but spreading out payments offers more flexibility than paying a lump sum.

Deferred Tuition

Tuition deferment is similar to installment-based payment but does not require you to make payments until after a specific period. For example, some schools allow you to delay tuition payment until after graduation or, in some cases, landing relevant employment.

Income Share Agreement

With an income share agreement (ISA), you pay an agreed-upon percentage of your income after finding a job. This payment plan shares some similarities with tuition deferment and installment plans, with one key difference: The amount you pay in tuition is based on your salary.

While this may seem appealing, you may end up paying significantly more if you earn a high salary. For instance, if you agree to a 12% income share agreement and land a job paying $50,000, you’d pay $6,000 in tuition per year. Increase your salary to $200,000, and your annual tuition payment increases to $24,000. Fortunately, some programs cap tuition costs to keep these payments from becoming too exorbitant.

Always make sure to read the fine print before committing to an ISA.

Job Guarantee

A job guarantee sounds pretty appealing: If you do not land a job within a specific period after completing the bootcamp, you can receive a full or partial refund. Much like an ISA, be sure to read the fine print for any bootcamp’s job guarantee policies.

You often need to meet eligibility requirements, such as your location, and demonstrate your search efforts by attending conferences, applying to a certain number of jobs or networking with professionals. If you choose not to accept a job offer, you may lose your refund eligibility. Most programs have career services departments to assist with your job hunt, making it easier to meet the stated requirements.

Loans, Scholarships and Other Aid

Students pursuing a traditional degree typically fill out the FAFSA to determine their eligibility for federal loans and grants. Bootcamps, however, do not qualify for federal financial aid. Instead, learners can take out private loans. Many bootcamps maintain partnerships with private lenders, who may even offer 0% interest periods.

Of course, loans of any kind require you to pay them back, making scholarships a more ideal funding source. Bootcamps and independent providers offer scholarships based on identity, need or academic achievement. Before applying to a coding bootcamp in San Francisco, research whether the program provides scholarships.

You can also apply GI Bill® funding toward your tuition with some providers, including General Assembly. The U.S. government also established the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses, or VET TEC program, which provides additional aid to former and current military members.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Coding Bootcamps in the Bay Area