Best Coding Bootcamps In Austin: 4 Options To Consider

• Austin Coding Academy
• Austin Community College
• Inventive Academy
• University of Texas at Austin

If you’re interested in a job in tech, a coding bootcamp is a great way to jumpstart your career. While a bootcamp is less comprehensive than a traditional bachelor’s degree, it provides the job-ready skills and hands-on experience you’ll need to enter the tech field.

Bootcamps usually cost less than traditional computer science degrees and take less time to complete. Graduates are equipped to start working in entry-level roles like web developer, back-end engineer and data analyst. A December 2023 Forbes Advisor survey of bootcamp grads found that around 76% of graduates found new jobs or advanced in their current roles after completing their bootcamps.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), web developers and digital designers make a median wage of $80,730 per year. Plus, the BLS projects an employment growth of 16% for these roles from 2022–32—much faster than average for all other occupations.

While coding bootcamps offer a fast-track path for entering a career as a digital engineer, the bootcamp market is a largely unregulated space. Bootcamps operate independently and are not subject to the same level of scrutiny as traditional educational institutions. Even when offered by accredited colleges, that accreditation does not apply to bootcamps, which are categorized as professional development or continuing education programs.

Lack of accreditation can pose challenges for students seeking quality education with reliable outcomes. The Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR), a nonprofit organization, helps establish transparency and accountability in the bootcamp industry. CIRR reviews and assesses bootcamps to verify their quality and credibility.

Bootcamps that voluntarily participate in the CIRR evaluation process agree to self-report accurate and verified outcomes data, including graduation and job placement rates.

Consider the following factors while evaluating your options for tech bootcamps in Austin.

• Career goals: Choose a program that sets you up to succeed in your desired tech role. For example, you’ll want to master languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript to work as a web developer or full-stack engineer. Career support resources and networking opportunities are also important considerations.
• Availability: Many coding bootcamps follow set class schedules, so make sure your chosen program fits into your life. If a bootcamp offers an online option, is the instruction delivered synchronously or asynchronously? Are there additional in-person requirements? Do your research to make sure you have the bandwidth to complete your bootcamp.
• Budget: How much are you able to invest in a coding bootcamp? Tuition prices, payment options and financial aid offerings vary among providers. Make sure you understand a bootcamp’s fee structure, financing options and material costs before committing.

How will you pay for your coding bootcamp? Though bootcamps generally cost less than traditional four-year degrees, they still require a hefty financial investment. Let’s look at some specifics.

How Much Is a Coding Bootcamp in Austin?

Total tuition for the bootcamps on our list ranges between $8,600 and $13,000. These bootcamp costs are pretty typical; bootcamps data collected by Forbes Advisor revealed that the median cost of a coding bootcamp is $9,500, or $8,300 for all types of bootcamps.

Financing Options

• Upfront payment: If you have the funds, paying for your bootcamp tuition upfront in a lump sum is the least expensive option in the long run. Most bootcamp providers promote this option by offering a discounted rate. However, not all students are able to front thousands of dollars at once.
• Pay in installments: While paying tuition in installments typically costs more than paying upfront, it can make the total cost easier to manage by splitting it into more affordable payments over time.
• Income Share Agreement: An income share agreement (ISA) is a financing option that requires students to repay the cost of their bootcamp at a fixed percentage of their future income—within a set time frame. Since they don’t involve any upfront costs, ISAs may seem attractive when no other financing options are available. However, students should proceed with caution. No matter what your post-grad salary is, you’ll be obligated to repay the loan according to the agreed-upon structure, and late penalties can be steep.

Job Guarantees

Some coding bootcamps offer job guarantees to ensure graduates secure employment in the tech industry. A job guarantee offers a tuition refund or extended career support if you don’t land a job within a specific time frame post-graduation.

Be sure to read the terms and conditions to understand a job guarantee’s eligibility requirements. These agreements often include program performance standards and minimum standards for job applications and interviews. Turning down a low-paying job may also disqualify you from receiving a tuition refund.

Loans, Scholarships and Other Aid

Because bootcamps lack accreditation, most bootcamp students don’t qualify for federal student aid, such as grants and loans. However, bootcamp providers may offer scholarships or partner with private lenders to provide low-interest rate loans. Military veterans may be able to use their GI Bill® benefits to cover the cost of certain bootcamps.