Software engineering isn't just a career choice; it's a gateway to shaping the digital landscapes of tomorrow. According to a Grand View Research report, the software development market surged to a staggering $24.46 billion in 2021, poised for an impressive 22.3% growth from 2022 to 2030. If job security is your thing, this could be the perfect choice of profession for you!

So, how do you embark on this exciting journey and become a software engineer? The answer lies in the world of software engineering bootcamps. These are intensive, immersive training programs designed to empower aspiring developers with hands-on skills and real-world experience. These short-term programs focus on teaching coding languages, software development practices, and the essential techniques that propel careers in this dynamic field.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best options for software engineering bootcamps of 2024. We'll do our best to answer your questions to help you decide which bootcamp is the best fit for you.

Ready? Let's get started.

Software Engineer vs Software Developer

Before jumping into the best Software Engineering Bootcamps, let's compare software engineers vs software developers to distinguish the differences between the two. Remember that the roles can sometimes overlap, and the distinction between the two can vary between companies and industries.

Software Engineers focus on designing and architecting intricate systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to innovate and optimize complex solutions. Their role encompasses a broader scope of responsibilities, including problem-solving and system-wide design.

On the other hand, Software Developers specialize in coding, implementation, and testing of specific software modules, excelling in coding proficiency and working on predefined solutions. While they may work in smaller teams, their expertise lies in solving specific problems efficiently, making their contributions crucial in the software development landscape.

Software Engineering Career Paths: Opportunities and Growth

According to Springboard, there are 8 exciting career paths that are waiting for you after completing a Bootcamp. Here's a complete guide with job descriptions, salary ranges, and essential skills.

8 Software Engineering Career Paths with Salary Range

• Front-End Engineer: Designs and maintains user interfaces using languages like JavaScript and CSS. Average salary: $127,038 per year.
• Back-End Engineer: Writes server-side scripts and APIs for website functionality. Average salary: $126,594 per year.
• Full-Stack Engineer: Manages both front-end and back-end responsibilities. Average salary: $120,724 per year.
• QA Engineer: Identifies software issues and validates final products. Average salary: $86,107 per year.
• Data Engineer: Converts raw data into actionable insights. Average salary: $110,653 per year.
• Mobile Developer: Creates software for mobile devices using languages like JAVA and React. Average salary: $98,819 per year.
• DevOps Engineer: Enhances technological processes within a company. Average salary: $131,953 per year.
• Cloud Engineer: Designs and manages cloud-based systems. Average salary: $104,249 per year.

Software Engineer Career Tracks

1. Individual Contributor (IC): Starting as junior engineers, ICs advance to engineers and senior engineers. Responsibilities grow from writing and maintaining code to overseeing software development processes.
2. Management: Transitioning into management roles involves focusing more on interpersonal skills. Roles range from engineering managers to VP of engineering, contributing to high-level operations.
3. Freelance/Contract: Opting for freelance roles offers flexibility, with freelancers handling hands-on tasks, securing more clients, and gaining diverse contracts.

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Essential Skills for Success

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• Technical Skills: Proficiency in object-oriented programming, algorithms, data structures, testing, and debugging.
• Soft Skills: Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, flexibility, and patience.

5 Best Software Engineering Bootcamps 2024

Springboard: #1 Bootcamp for Aspiring Software Engineers

In this nine-month software engineering program, you'll gain full-stack skills. Learn the ins and outs of software engineering from coding legend—Colt Steele!

Top reasons why you should enroll in Springboard:

• AI for Engineers learning unit + AI interactive learning series. Get an “edge” on this exciting newly released module from Springboard! Discover the impact of prompts on shaping language models post GPT-3. Explore the mechanics of GPT-3 and GPT-4 through interactive exercises. Learn to create potent prompts for desired language model outcomes like Chat-GPT, optimizing coding efficiency.
• Explore 30 units with coding legend, Colt Steele! Develop front-end and back-end proficiency through projects and assessments. Learn collaborative AI utilization and efficient coding via an AI learning unit. The curriculum covers 30 units, including AI, web fundamentals, coding languages, frameworks, databases, and project work, with career support.
• Hands-on experience with a job-ready portfolio. Complete 20 mini projects, 2 cumulative, and 2 capstone projects in the bootcamp. Develop an interview-ready portfolio showcasing your capabilities to employers. Gain experience in design, coding, testing, and production. Create database-driven websites with APIs. Capstone projects involve Node/Express/React with enhanced features.
• 1:1 career coach, mentorship, and learning community. Move beyond self-study with a mentor, career coach, and student advisor. Gain the skills faster, secure job readiness, and stay on track toward graduation. Benefit from a supportive community of like-minded students invested in their growth.
• Job guarantee and deferred tuition. Short with finances? Springboard deferred tuition program got you covered! Unlike ISA, this financing option has a fixed payable amount per month which can save you thousands of dollars—a great alternative, indeed. Furthermore, if you don't get a job after your program, then Springboard will give you your money back.

On top of that, Springboard's graduates have an average salary increase of +$27,000 with an average starting salary of $76.605 and 96.8% job placement based on their transparency outcome report. Dive into their 100% online, part-time project-based curriculum program to change the trajectory of your career within nine months!

Ready? Enroll in the next cohort! The deadline for application is on October 2nd, and classes start on October 9th!

Pricing: $9,900 for upfront payment (the most affordable among the top software engineering bootcamps!)

What students are saying?

“I used every resource that Springboard provided to prepare for technical and behavioral job interviews. I was so happy to get an offer from Affirm. I landed an offer two weeks before I got my certification from Springboard.” - Tetyana Illyichova, From Admin assistant to Software Engineer

General Assembly: Full-time Immersive Bootcamp

Enroll in General Assembly's Software Engineering Bootcamp for comprehensive skill development, including creating web apps with frameworks like Angular/React, and building full-stack apps using technologies like Ruby on Rails, Python/Django, and Express/Node.js with API integration.

Benefit from versatile financing options, industry connections, and personalized learning. Build a professional portfolio, access expert-led instruction, and gain insider insights. The program's proven job placement success, diverse technical foundation, continued learning opportunities, career coaching, and transparent outcomes report make it a valuable choice for aspiring software engineers.

Top features:

1. Comprehensive Tech Mastery: General Assembly's Bootcamp covers essential skills in front-end, full-stack development, and API integration, using modern programming languages. Graduates are well-equipped for diverse coding roles.
2. Tailored Financial Options: The program offers flexible financing, including deferred tuition, loan financing, and ISA plans. This ensures accessibility and affordability for aspiring software engineers.
3. Vast Industry Network: Students benefit from a wide-reaching network of tech experts, instructors, and hiring partners, enhancing their opportunities and connections in the tech world.
4. Proven Career Success: With a strong track record of successful job placements, General Assembly's Bootcamp equips graduates with the skills and connections needed to secure high-growth, high-pay tech careers.

Pricing: $16,450

What students are saying?

“GA gave me the foundational knowledge and confidence to pursue my career goals. With caring teachers, a supportive community, and up-to-date, challenging curriculum, I felt prepared and motivated to build and improve tech for the next generation!” - Lyn Muldrow, GA San Francisco Graduate

App Academy: Online & In-person Bootcamps in 16 weeks!

App Academy is a global coding bootcamp offering tailored learning paths including a 16-week in-person in San Francisco & New York City, a 24-week full-time online, and a 48-week part-time online Software Engineering Program. The bootcamp has a proven track record with a 74.4% job placement rate within six months of graduation during the peak of the 2020 pandemic.

Top features:

• Industry-Relevant Curriculum: In-person curriculum covers full-stack Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, ReactJS, and Redux, while the online program includes SQL, JS, Python, and state-of-the-art tools like ReactJS, Express, Flask, and SQL Alchemy. Students build complex web applications, forming a robust portfolio.
• Career Success Focus: App Academy aims not only to secure graduates full-time Software Engineering roles but also to ensure long-term career advancement. Dedicated career coaches offer comprehensive job search support, including mock technical/non-technical interviews, resume reviews, and connections to a vast employer network.
• Expert-Led Instruction: Students benefit from expert-led instruction, gaining skills validated by industry practitioners. The curriculum covers essential tools, languages, and frameworks, preparing students for real-world coding demands.
• Flexible Financing Options: Students can choose from various tuition plans, including deferred tuition, upfront payments, loan financing, and ISA plans, making the bootcamp accessible to a diverse range of learners.

Pricing: Full-time - $17,000

What students are saying?

“Within a month of graduation, I was hired as a Senior Software Engineer at an international company that has over 5,000 employees.” -Jacob Richardson - '21 Online, Full Time Program Graduate

Flatiron School: One of the pioneers in the industry!

Flatiron School provides on-campus and online bootcamps in software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, and product design. The immersive courses focus on career services, including personalized coaching, and offer an accessible framework for students to transition into tech careers.

Prospective students engage in non-technical interviews and assessments during the application process. Career Services offers 1:1 coaching, mock interviews, and access to an employer network for job placement. Scholarships, including the Access Scholarship for underrepresented groups, contribute to diversity. Flatiron School's long-standing presence and third-party examined job placement reports reflect its credibility.

Top Features:

• Comprehensive Bootcamps: Flatiron School offers on-campus and online bootcamps in software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, and product design, with Full-Time, Part-Time, and Self-Paced options.
• Career Focus: The school emphasizes career services with dedicated coaching and a robust framework to help students transition successfully into tech careers.
• Long-standing Reputation: As one of the pioneers in the industry, Flatiron School's credibility is demonstrated through its established presence and third-party examined job placement reports.
• Inclusive Scholarships: Flatiron School offers scholarships, including the Access Scholarship, to promote diversity and provide opportunities to underrepresented groups in tech.

Pricing: $17,900

What students are saying:

“My biggest takeaway from Flatiron School was that I am capable of learning new tricks. I'd been in my former career for over a decade and worried that I wouldn't be able to adapt to a new setting. It took a while to believe in myself and get over impostor syndrome, but eventually, you do eventually feel like a real Software Engineer.” - Jon Brundage Jr.: TV Production to Software Engineering

CodeSmith: Innovative Pedagogy to Learn Software Engineering

Codesmith is a pioneering coding school that offers transformative full-time (13-week) and part-time (38-week) remote software engineering immersive programs, along with an NYC Onsite program. The immersive programs are advanced residencies crafted to assist individuals in initiating impactful, high-level careers within software engineering.

The admissions process involves a written application, nontechnical interview, and technical interview, with free prep resources. Extensive career support, transparent outcomes, and median salaries of $130,000–$137,000 enhance graduates' success. Various tuition options, financing, and scholarships are available.

Top Features:

• Innovative Pedagogy & Comprehensive Curriculum: Codesmith's unique block-driven development approach empowers students to become independent engineers, adapting to new technologies with ease. The curriculum covers full-stack JavaScript, computer science, machine learning, DevOps, and React.
• Meaningful Projects: Students build an immersive portfolio through a series of projects, culminating in a significant Open Source Product, honing skills and adaptability for industry demands.
• Transparent Outcomes: Codesmith boasts 82% job placement within 6 months of graduation, with median salaries of $130,000–$137,000. CIRR outcomes reports validate these achievements.
• Flexible Financing: Tuition options include upfront payments, installments, and financing through Ascent Funding. Scholarships further aid eligible students.

Pricing: $20,925

What partners are saying:

“It's clear from speaking with graduates that they have a vocabulary and comprehension of programming in a way I don't normally see in engineers with 1-4 years experience.” -*James O.Staff Engineer @ Google

Most Frequently Asked Questions of Aspiring Software Engineers:

What are Bootcamp Alternatives?

Bootcamp alternatives include obtaining a Degree in Computer Science, which often requires a bachelor's degree or certified online courses; completing a Certified Course or Bootcamp to access job opportunities; or pursuing a Self-Taught approach by building a coding portfolio for potential employment.

Is Software Engineering Bootcamp Worth It?

Yes, software engineering bootcamps are worth it as they provide intensive training with a focus on practical skills, offering a quicker path to entering the tech industry and advancing in a software engineering career.

Best Coding Bootcamp for Beginners?

Springboard and General Assembly are considered among the best coding bootcamps for beginners due to their comprehensive curriculum, strong career support, and inclusive learning environment.

Read also: 10 Best Product Management Bootcamps of 2024

This piece is a sponsored article, generously supported by Springboard. While Springboard has provided financial support, our commitment to unbiased and transparent reporting remains, and the perspectives shared within are solely those of the author and Teachfloor.