For example, tech careers in the Windy City offer many potentially rewarding positions, including careers in programming and coding. In fact, the demand remains so high that coding bootcamps in Chicago have become a trendy learning model. In this article, potential students will learn all about the costs of these courses to help budget their course expenses properly and walk away satisfied with their personal educational investment.
Average Cost of Coding Bootcamps in Chicago
Trying to find the top coding bootcamps in Chicago requires a lot of careful research. After all, learners will pay varying expenses for their classes and deserve to feel comfortable with their overall choice. Just as importantly, they need to budget correctly to avoid overspending on what can be pretty expensive classes. Here’s some general pricing information to get them started.
Overview of Typical Price Range
Generally speaking, coding bootcamps in Chicago and across the nation aren’t going to be cheap. While some might cost only $2,000 at the lowest, these are usually short classes designed more as a primer than a real comprehensive learning experience. While useful for people who want a taste of coding, they don’t provide the total educational package for most.
Instead, expect programs to cost between $8,000 and $16,000, depending on the provider. Don’t worry; these longer courses come with far more extensive support. For example, learners typically have many hours of hands-on coding experience with professors and portfolio work. That extra help should make it easier for graduates to walk away confident in their skills.
Comparison of Average Costs Between Different Bootcamps
- Noble Desktop: Noble provides high-quality in-person tech-related bootcamps to learners not only in New York City but across the nation virtually. Coding courses cost anywhere from $1,500 to $11,000, depending on their specific scope.
- University of Illinois Chicago: This top-rated university provides multiple adult education training opportunities, including coding bootcamps. These typically cost about $15,000 and take 16 weeks, which are both significant personal investments.
- Northwestern Bootcamps: Offering part- and full-time courses in various subjects, this school provides bootcamps through Trilogy Education Services. Courses here cost around $11,500 to $12,000 but take 24 weeks and provide extensive education.
- Grace Hopper Program: Partnered with Fullstack Academy, this school provides coding education for women and non-binary students. Courses cost around $15,000 and last 16 weeks, though extensive financial aid is available through the facility.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Coding Bootcamps in Chicago
When investigating the various Chicago programming bootcamps available for learners, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed debating the costs. Why will one course cost $10,000 and another $16,000? There are many factors that come into play here, each of which can severely impact what a student pays. Here are some of the most important to keep in mind before choosing.
Duration of the Program
Understandably, shorter Chicago coding bootcamps (e.g., 8-12 weeks) tend to cost less than longer, more in-depth courses (e.g., 16-24 weeks). After all, full-time programs provide more immersive education, including even better learning resources. These include things like job placement tools that can help students transition into a career more easily after graduation.
Curriculum and Specializations Offered
Programming is a very diverse field with lots of specializations that might drive up class costs. These include in-demand programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, or Ruby, and personalized areas like data science, web development, or cybersecurity. These programs may charge higher tuition due to the advanced skills and tools that they teach, though not always.
Reputation and Ranking of the Bootcamp
Highly regarded Chicago programming bootcamps that provide strong job placement rates or great reviews usually come with higher price tags. After all, reputation plays a significant role in attracting students to a specific course. Most are willing to pay more for programs that boast successful alumni and high employability rates. After all, they deserve that kind of success.
Location and Facilities
Chicago is more affordable to live and operate a business in than New York City and Los Angeles. However, Windy City bootcamps with physical campuses in prime locations such as downtown tech hubs, may charge more to cover their expenses. They typically have more modern facilities with better computers, of course, which makes them a wise choice.
Instructor Qualifications
The best teachers help take the learning experience to the next level. Since coding is such a complex and in-depth topic, great teachers are even more critical for this skill set. However, courses that employ experienced instructors or industry professionals as mentors and teachers often charge more. That extra expertise and hands-on learning are worth the expense.
Benefits of Attending Coding Bootcamps in Chicago
Programming education gives learners the best chance to jump into a rewarding coding career that takes their lives to the next level. Just as importantly, they provide many benefits that give them a slight edge over other types of schools. Here are a few major bootcamp benefits that learners in Chicago should take advantage of when attending one of these rewarding courses.
Structured Learning Environment
Coding bootcamps are designed to work just like their military namesake: a strict regimen of structured learning. Of course, budding coders won’t have to do 50 pushups if they make a mistake, but that regimented learning path is far more effective than self-paced learning methods. It ensures that learners walk away confident with their overall coding education.
Access to Experienced Instructors and Mentors
Often, the best Windy City programming bootcamps provide access to experienced instructors with industry knowledge. In fact, they may have better teachers than many universities because they typically pay a better rate. That high-quality education allows students to receive real-time feedback and guidance as they learn to avoid common coding bad practices and mistakes.
Networking Opportunities with Peers and Industry Professionals
In Chicago programming bootcamps, students can network with their peers and build connections with industry professionals. For example, they might meet coding professionals, high-quality business leaders, and even startup owners. All of these connections can be valuable for future job opportunities and make it easier for them to thrive later in life.
Career Services and Job Placement Assistance
While some colleges might provide job support, just about every coding bootcamp in Chicago gives learners job placement assistance, including resume reviews and mock interviews. These services are often included in the tuition price, which makes courses far easier to budget. Just as importantly, support like this makes learning a smoother and happier process for many.
Why Paying for a Coding Bootcamp is Better Than Learning for Free
It’s tempting for many Chicago students to just skip coding bootcamps and jump into YouTube videos and free seminars. That’s understandable but ill-advised. These supplemental learning tools do provide a lot of advantages, sure. But nothing beats a bootcamp when it comes to reinforcing new career skills. Here are a few reasons why free resources just don’t cut it.
Accountability and Motivation
Many well-meaning learners step into a free learning course and stay motivated for a few days before losing interested. Unfortunately, there’s little to keep them coming back. However, the structured environment and financial investment of a bootcamp helps keep students accountable and motivated, reducing the likelihood of burnout or distraction from completion.
Hands-On Projects and Real-World Experience
The thing about free classes is that they almost never come with actual hands-on work and exercises that build real-world skills. By contrast, Chicago coding bootcamps focus on practical learning. This supports lets them focus on real-world projects to add to their portfolios. With the help of those skills exercises, graduates will stand out compared to others in the coding field.
Immediate Feedback and Personalized Support
Trying to learn outside of a bootcamp using free videos and other resources is tough when it comes to coding. There are so many variables and other elements that could go wrong here. Thankfully, instructors in bootcamps provide immediate feedback on assignments and projects, which is crucial for improving coding skills and understanding concepts in-depth.
Community and Collaborative Learning
Very few free courses provide any socialization element, which can make them feel boring and unengaging. For many people, sitting in front of their computer coding without friends around will make learning this skill tough. Bootcamps place learners in a fun cohort to not only make this experience more fun but to teach collaboration techniques necessary for software coding.
Financing Options for Coding Bootcamps in the Windy City
The cost of a Chicago-area coding bootcamp may be a significant investment for many people. In fact, some might look at these expenses and write off every becoming a programmer. That’s sad because there are several financing options available that can cut into these expenses. The following four tools can help Chicago residents transition into coding quickly and efficiently.
Scholarships and Grants
Whenever possible, Chicago learners should apply for scholarships and grants for their coding bootcamps. After all, they don’t have to pay this money back, which gives them free education (or close to it if their scholarships only cover part of the costs). Even better, some bootcamps offer scholarships for underrepresented groups in tech or merit-based awards for learners.
Income Share Agreements (ISAs)
Here’s an exciting payment option that not many students know is available. Income share agreements, or ISAs, defer payment for learners until they secure a job. Once they find a coding position, they’ll pay a percentage of their income for an agreed period. The rates will vary depending on class costs and other factors to ensure both parties have a fair experience.
Payment Plans and Deferred Tuition
Many bootcamps offer payment plans or deferred tuition. Payment plans break tuition into several installments, usually between 3 and 6. In this way, students can easily afford the cost of a course. By contrast, deferred tuition delays repayment until the class is done. Some programs break these expenses into smaller packages, while others demand full repayment immediately.
Loans and Financial Aid
Federal lenders rarely work with bootcamps, meaning that many types of student loans are not available. However, most schools partner with private lenders to offer loans for tuition at fair interest rates. Some even provide personalized loans to help learners afford a course more easily. Often, discounts might be available for people with severe financial limitations.
Available Coding Bootcamps in Chicago
Finding a high-quality programming bootcamp in Chicago isn’t going to be a huge challenge because there are so many options. In fact, most people run into the opposite problem: too many choices to make. How can they sort through all these bootcamps and find a course that makes sense for them? The following three places are a great place to start in this quest.
Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop is New York City’s primary training team of choice, particularly for tech-related careers. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people have taken not only their in-person classes but their innovative virtual courses. With amazing teachers, sterling portfolio support, and programs that teach common-sense lessons, Noble is a great opportunity for learners to master coding.
Software Engineering Certificate
Software Engineering Certificate is a 510-hour course that includes extensive training that costs about $11,000. That might seem like a lot, but it’s worth it. Learners will study HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Python, Django, Node.js, and Git. When they’re done, they’ll have a portfolio of amazing work to show off. Note: like many Noble courses, one-on-one support is available!
Flatiron School
Flatiron School provides on-site and virtual courses in various subjects, including software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, UX design, marketing, and programming. With schools in New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Austin, Denver, and Chicago, Flatiron provides learning experiences for many people, including in-person and live online courses.
Software Engineering Immersive
Software Engineering Immersive is a three-month learning program that costs $18,000. Throughout this 15-week program, learners will study fundamental programming concepts to enhance their skills and become more competent. Just as significantly, they’ll move onto more advanced concepts to become even more experienced and capable within this market.
New Horizons
New Horizons is a computer learning center located in Chicago and many other areas across the nation. Their on-site and virtual programs cover multiple technology subjects, including Adobe, Citrix, Microsoft, and coding. Classes typically take place over a few days and cost under $5,000, so people on a budget might consider this a good option for their needs.
Python 3 Essentials
Python 3 Essentials is a five-day course costing $3,500 that focuses specifically on Python. This popular language is used in many different projects and industries, which makes it a good one to learn. It’s also relatively easier to understand than other languages, so many people use it as a stepping-stone for future success. Students will focus specifically on skills-building exercises.
Skills Learned in Coding Bootcamps in Chicago
Whether students take in-person or live coding bootcamps, they’ll learn a myriad of new abilities that will push them forward in life. For instance, learners study multiple programming languages to deepen their knowledge and lay the foundation for success. But that’s not all! The following subjects are just some of the things graduates will master by taking Chicago coding bootcamps.
Core Programming Languages
The earliest days in a bootcamp focus heavily on teaching critical and popular coding languages to learners. They’ll study things like JavaScript, Python, Ruby, R, HTML, CSS, and even C++. The cool thing about these languages is that, at their core, they operate very similarly. As a result, learners may only need to practice different syntax techniques to thrive in this career.
Front-end and Back-end Web Development
Though many people think of programming in terms of app or video game development, it also applies to website development. As a result, many coding courses focus on front and back-end development processes. These require HTML, CSS, and JavaScript knowledge, as well as a deep understanding of various visual design concepts such as user-centered projects.
Software Development Methodologies
Programmers typically utilize development methodologies like Agile and Scrum to produce great results. Both these techniques create an easily adaptable (or agile) work environment that can quickly change to handle production problems. Throughout a typical Chicago coding bootcamp, learners will master these techniques and can even prepare for Scrum certification later.
Version Control with Git and GitHub
Software development typically goes through complex stages of progression that require developers to track changes in coding in case updates don’t work effectively. Tools like Git and GitHub let coders post their code online, share it with others, collaborate on projects, and save previous versions in the cloud to avoid loss risks. Mastering these tools helps minimize errors.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Websites, video games, online apps, and other digital tools rarely come from the mind and work of a single person. While there are exceptions to this rule, most coding projects require sustained teamwork from groups of a dozen or more people. As a result, most bootcamps emphasize collaboration skills to help graduates walk away ready for a professional field.
Jobs Available After Coding Bootcamps in Chicago
While completing a coding bootcamp in the Windy City might cost a bit of money, it’s more than worth it for people serious about starting a programming career. These courses help not only introduce learners to various coding concepts but also prepare them for exciting jobs in various markets. Just a few potential positions that learners could try out after graduating include:
- Web Developer: A Web Developer uses coding tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to produce websites and manage their code effectively. Average salaries include $80,000 nationally and around $102,000 in Chicago, which is nearly 27% higher.
- Software Engineer: As a Software Engineer, learners will use their coding skills to produce various program types, including apps and video games. Salaries for this role include a US average of $105,000 and $102,000 in Chicago, just a little below.
- .NET Developer: In a .NET Developer role, learners will use Microsoft frameworks to design, maintain, and produce software tools for various clients. Average salaries include a US average of $115,000 or $143,000 in Chicago (24% higher).
- Mobile Developer: A career as a Mobile Developer asks coders to create apps for mobile technology, including iOS and Android operating systems. Potential average earnings include $126,000 in the US or around $120,000 in the Windy City.
Why Learning to Code in Chicago is Rewarding
People interested in improving their lives often find that mastering coding is a rewarding experience. Chicago residents, in particular, often walk away from their courses more than ready to jump into one of many exciting and financially beneficial careers. Beyond the potential for a high-earning job, here are a few other reasons why learning to code is such a great idea.
High Demand for Coding Skills in Chicago
Chicago is the third-largest city in America and offers a broad economy filled with many potential coding-adjacent jobs. While not quite a tech hub on the same level as Los Angeles or even Seattle, Chicago still provides many job opportunities for bootcamp graduates. As a result, it’s more than worth jumping into a class to learn coding on a deep and complex level.
Opportunities for Creativity and Innovation
Programming gives learners the chance to stretch their creative minds in fun and innovative ways. In fact, programming mastery offers them the opportunity to create video games, new software apps, websites, powerful learning tools, and much more. Some of the most forward-thinking tech work today requires experts who fully understand coding techniques.
Potential for Remote Work and Flexible Hours
While programmers often work in large office facilities alongside their co-coders, that’s rarely the case in today’s internet-connected world. In fact, most programmers code from home, meaning they can find jobs just about anywhere. So, if there aren’t any coding positions available in Chicago for a graduate, they can apply in cities like New York and Los Angeles and find work.
Personal Satisfaction and Continuous Learning
People who learn coding often find their confidence and self-esteem skyrocketing. It’s understandable because few people ever learn this complex skill. Knowing something that others don’t usually makes individuals feel better about themselves in deep ways. Just as significantly, coding is constantly changing, meaning they can always learn something new.
How Easy is It to Learn Coding?
Becoming a coder isn’t an easy process, especially for people who have no experience with computers. Understanding multiple programming languages requires time and effort, especially since it can seem so foreign to most people. For example, grasping data types, intuiting logic loops, and knowing when to apply specific concepts will take much real work for most people.
However, there comes a time for most learners when coding just “clicks.” They’ll not only understand its logic but feel comfortable coding new lines. In other words, it just takes practice and willpower to master this skill. By working every day, understanding resources like GitHub, and collaborating with others, most graduates can walk away confident with their overall skills.
How Long Will It Take to Learn Coding?
While most coding bootcamps take several weeks or even months to complete, learning typically doesn’t end there. Graduates must consider these courses their first step in a rewarding new career, not the ending point. In other words, they must regularly practice, build a portfolio, and fine-tune their skills before they try to jump into any professional coding role.
So, just how long will it take for most people to master coding? The first few months often dictate their ultimate success. If they buckle down, work hard on their portfolio, and master foundational skills, some people could master at least one coding language in six months. Others might take a year or more, but anyone serious about coding can get there!
Author Bio
Eric Benac is an experienced writer with over 15 years of experience covering multiple subjects. He has written extensively about education, addiction, the financial industry, art, music, travel, and golf carts. In his spare time, he writes electronic music, reads, writes fiction, and swims. Eric continually seeks new experiences and looks to constantly expand his writing portfolio.