Coding Bootcamp vs Computer Science Degree

Employers are increasingly looking to coding boot camps to cover recruiting gaps, whereas, in the past, the only way to get started in the digital industry was with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related discipline.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that between 2021 and 2031, there will be a 25% rise in software developer employment or 411,400 new positions. Over the same time frame, positions for web developers are expected to expand by 23%.

Degrees in computer science and coding boot camps are complementary routes to well-paying IT professions. Switchup’s data indicates that the five top tech companies employed alumni of coding boot camps at an average of 6.03% and four-year college grads at an average of 6.60%.

Because boot camps are more affordable overall and offer a quicker time to employment, many professionals choose to enroll in them. However, some employers still favor professionals who have completed their bachelor’s degree.

Cost

Many times, boot camps are less expensive than a year’s worth of tuition at a four-year university. For the 2020–2021 academic year, the average cost of a year of tuition and fees at a four-year private institution was $35,850, while at a four-year public college, it was $9,380.

On the other hand, a new profession can be launched in as short as a few months with coding bootcamps. The price range for many prestigious coding bootcamps is $10,000–$15,000. Coding boot camps cost an average of just $13,580 in 2020, according to data gathered by BestColleges from 620 boot camp programs.

Bootcamps, because of their lower prices, can assist students in reducing or avoiding student debt. Though not all coding boot camps provide scholarships, payment plans, or other financial options for students who are unable to pay in full, this is something to keep in mind when comparing them to degree programs.

Duration of the Time Commitment

A crucial distinction between computer science bachelor’s degrees and coding boot camps is the length of each program.

In a span of three to six months, coding boot camps aim to provide students with the information and abilities required for junior developer roles. They are highly intensive training programs. In terms of both classroom time and online involvement, the best full-time programs require 40 hours or more. The short time frame helps students prepare for the workforce more quickly. Still, the drawback is that there isn’t enough time to absorb and become proficient in the material and abilities.

However, a bachelor’s degree in computer science is a more comprehensive program that lasts four years and is roughly split into eight semesters. Because of this, there is less stress in the classroom, and the lecturer has more time to go into greater detail on the majority of computer science topics.

Career Results

Both graduates of coding boot camps and those with CS degrees can become professional developers. Still, their career paths diverge when they reach the workforce.

After finishing the program, boot camp alums aim to build a portfolio and acquire pertinent coding skills in order to be employed as junior engineers. Nearly all reputable boot camps also include career services, including practice interviews, company connections, resume writing help, and networking. However, a CS degree limits one’s access to opportunities from organizations that only hire people with four-year degrees.

On the other hand, those with a bachelor’s degree in computer science are prepared to work as junior to mid-level developers because they have theoretical and practical coding skills. A computer science degree fits the quality of education required in many industries because corporations want their employees to have one. On the other hand, one may counter that graduates of boot camps would be more adept at applying their knowledge in real-world situations right out of school.

Curriculum Comparison

The primary cause of these discrepancies is the fundamentally different approaches to training taken by computer science degree programs and coding boot camps.

Bootcamps concentrate on the technologies and tools that are now the most important in a modern developer’s toolkit. There is a greater emphasis on critical job-related abilities than programming knowledge. To improve the aims and objectives, instructional strategies include techniques like manual coding, project building, and group projects.

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, on the other hand, focuses on a broader range of theoretical and general topics within computing science, including networks, security, operating systems, software engineering, database management, algorithms and data structures, and programming languages. Students’ information literacy and coding abilities are to be developed through a combination of lectures, reading assignments, examinations, and assignments.

Procedure for Admissions

Usually, prior coding expertise is not required for either boot camps or college degree programs.

What’s required for admittance varies significantly beyond that. It can take longer and be more challenging to apply to a regular college. A high school degree or its equivalent with a minimal GPA, letters of recommendation, and admission essays are typical university prerequisites for associate’s and bachelor’s programs. Furthermore, a lot of bachelor’s degree programs demand SAT or ACT results.

With the help of coding boot camps, individuals with little to no relevant experience can quickly obtain the instruction and training required to pursue entry-level computer science positions.

It is deliberately more straightforward to get into coding boot camps than it is to get into a degree program. A skills exam, a resume, and an admissions interview are typical boot camp requirements.

Program Structure

Online, hybrid, and on-site learning alternatives are provided via coding degrees and boot camps. Online programs happen without scheduled meetings, both synchronously and asynchronously, in real-time.

While totally online programs may be more convenient for students who seek maximum freedom, in-person learning may be more beneficial for those who need more structure and in-person contact. A hybrid option may be the best balance between online and in-person learning for students.

Employment Possibilities

Opportunities for a career can vary. More career options may come with a degree, but several bootcamps provide employer partner programs to its graduates.

Bachelor’s degrees are preferred by many employers or perhaps required in order to be considered for the finest positions. Information security analyst and software engineer are two professions that could need a bachelor’s degree.

A degree could also be beneficial for someone who plans to enroll in an academic program along the road. The kind of career assistance that each program and school offers differs. Look into the details of your particular program to see what to anticipate.

Possibility of Acceptance

Depending on the school, computer science majors may be the hardest on campus due to their high demand and difficulty in admission. At most elite colleges, an average GPA of 3.6 to 4.0 is needed for admission, along with a list of extracurricular activities and prerequisites in math that are similar to those for other engineering degrees.

This often prevents a large number of prospective students from applying. Only 30 percent or less of applicants who match the rigorous standards of a computer science degree are usually accepted by computer science departments. If you’re serious about majoring in computer science, you’ll need to be at the top of your game from the minute you start college. In high school, an A is equal to a 3.6 GPA, and a B+ is equal to a 3.2 GPA. For certain people, this is fantastic, but not for others.

Coding bootcamp acceptance rates, on the other hand, range considerably from 100% to just a few percent. This is so because the requirements for admission to each bootcamp vary. Specific bootcamps only accept applicants based on their test scores; others require interviews and personality assessments. If you have the will and determination to put in a lot of effort, you will be accepted. There are boot camps that have requirements related to gender or ethnicity.

In general, bootcamps are less structured than traditional computer science programs. This  allows their students to enroll more quickly and come from a broader range of backgrounds and personality types, including those who have never coded or worked in engineering.

A boot camp that suits your needs, learning style, and experience level is much more likely to be what you’re looking for if you’re looking for a fast career shift than most computer science programs, which are far more difficult for the typical individual to get into.

The School’s Objectives

Although each coding boot camp has a different curriculum, they all aim to quickly turn you into a developer who is ready for the workforce. To put it briefly, you will be trained by most boot camps using a similar methodology. They will instruct you in a variety of programming languages, practical application development techniques, including Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr, and, in the end, a framework or tool that will simplify your life when you are coding more complex projects.

Learning Django, a Python framework that makes creating scalable applications simple, after learning Python is one way to do this. In addition, some boot camps will focus on teaching data science, while others will cover primary computer education (networking, internet, etc.) and algorithms in greater detail.

On the other hand, computer science programs emphasize a more comprehensive learning experience with a concentration on computer science and engineering theory. The subtleties of subjects like computer logic (algorithms), data structures, data management, bit manipulation, and hardware workings will all be covered in detail. You will gain an understanding of how computers work and how engineers think.

Many of the qualifications for computer science and computer engineering programs are actually the same, as they are under the engineering school at universities. These include technical writing and advanced mathematics courses. Although they will generally have a thorough understanding of computer systems by the end, they frequently lack a well-rounded portfolio.

Although developing terminal apps and deciphering complicated algorithms are valuable skills to acquire, they are frequently insufficient for landing a job as a developer straight out of college. You will need to learn how to program for a few months in addition to receiving your degree, and you will need to create a small portfolio on the side to present to potential companies. You’ll probably pick up programming far more quickly than the average individual because of your solid background in computer science.

To put it briefly, the objectives of the CS curriculum and the boot camp program differ. The goal of boot camps is to educate you on how to code and quickly secure a position as a developer. It is entirely up to you what you do once you have established a foothold. After completing boot camp, many graduates go on to work as developers and eventually become technical project managers or other tech-related positions in the companies they work for.

On the other hand, computer science programs aim to develop your skills as a computer scientist or engineer (a person who has a thorough understanding of how computers operate).  Additionally, you have a variety of employment options to select from with this knowledge. It’s not your only choice to become a developer, despite its popularity. Many computer occupations that don’t involve any actual programming at all require CS degrees.

Student Body Diversity

Diversity is still a big problem in the tech sector, and the majority of computer science degrees are still dominated by men, despite recent attempts by businesses and universities. Approximately 60% of computer science students are white, while women make up only 15% of classes. The remaining student body is primarily composed of Asian students, with a smaller number of Latino and African-American students.

Compared to a regular college computer science class, boot camps typically include a more significant number of participants from a broader range of backgrounds. Normally, women make up 40% of boot camp cohorts, compared to 15% in computer science majors. Latinos make up 20% of a boot camp class, compared to 6.8% in a computer science school, demonstrating an improvement in ethnic diversity. Additionally, 3.2 percent of African Americans study computer science, compared to 5% in programming boot camps.

Remember that boot camp attendees are typically older than college students as well. The average student is 28 years old, with the majority being between 23 and 35 years old, and has seven years of job experience. In addition to helping students who have recently lost their jobs, many boot camps—especially non-profits—also focus on finding methods to support diversity by offering scholarships. However, specific boot camps—such as those that are exclusively for females or minorities—are only open to students from different backgrounds.

Benefits of Bootcamps for Coders

The optimal course of action for someone considering a career in technology isn’t always obvious. But there are certain benefits to a coding bootcamp if that’s something you’re thinking about.

Obtainability

Many of the physical venues of coding boot camps are easily accessible or centrally located. Virtual learning solutions are typically available for individuals who cannot attend in person due to distance or other reasons.

This increases the accessibility of coding bootcamps for a larger pool of prospective students, mainly because most of them are far less expensive than degree programs.

Adaptivity

Students may be required to enroll full-time at many four-year institutions, particularly if they are receiving financial aid. Conversely, coding bootcamps frequently provide programs with a range of scheduling options, including part-time options for individuals who might want a more accommodating schedule in order to continue their study.

Curriculum With Specific Goals

Students pursuing computer science degrees at colleges and universities are typically required to take courses outside of their majors or primary fields of study. However, bootcamps are a superior option for anyone looking for a relevant, focused, skill-based course of study because they only cover computer programming-related content.

Computer Science Degree’s Benefits

Similar to the benefits of coding bootcamps, earning a computer science degree from a conventional four-year college has certain perks as well. What advantages come from attending a university when comparing a CS degree with a coding bootcamp?

Higher Prospect for Salary

It is a fantastic career choice for stability and longevity, regardless of how you enter into the field. A computer science degree can be financially beneficial, even though it might take four years to complete. For these kinds of credentials, some employers would be willing to pay more. A bachelor’s degree can also serve as a springboard for obtaining graduate-level coursework, such as a master’s, which can boost your earning potential even further.

All-encompassing and Well-Scope Education

It’s not always as simple as it seems to decide between a computer science degree and a coding boot camp. Because they are aware that individuals with a bachelor’s degree have acquired a comprehensive education that extends beyond the specialized knowledge and skills required for the industry, certain tech companies may favor hiring recent graduates in computer science.

College curricula in computer science typically include general education requirements that push students to become well-rounded thinkers and problem solvers in addition to immersing them in theory-driven learning experiences that can provide a solid foundational understanding of software engineering.

Approved Courses

The majority of colleges hold third-party accreditation. This means that they adhere to an explicit, uniform curriculum that guarantees students are adequately equipped for their post-graduation activities.

In conclusion: Coding Bootcamp vs CS Degree

The objectives of computer science degrees and boot camps are actually highly dissimilar. The distinction between learning Adobe Photoshop exclusively and attending design school is a similar example. Both options will help you land a job as a graphic designer. However, Adobe Photoshop is a specialized expertise, and design school focuses more on your fundamental grasp of the industry. It takes more time and covers more ground to achieve this profound comprehension.

Many computer science students attend bootcamps to refresh their practical programming abilities, and some bootcamp graduates enroll in computer science courses to acquire a more in-depth grasp of the subject. These two alternatives frequently operate in combination.

What’s best for you will ultimately only be known by you. Remember that bootcamps and colleges are two distinct institutions, and that not all colleges and bootcamps are the same. Please keep in mind that, in order to remain competitive in the developer field, a bootcamp or degree alone won’t cut it if you don’t continue to improve and hone your abilities.