If you’re looking to transition to a career in web development, a coding bootcamp with job guarantee is a great option to consider. Coding bootcamps can provide a fast and effective path to launch a career in the tech industry without a traditional background or experience.
With so many options out there, it can be hard to decide which program to choose and what to look for. If you’re worried about making the financial investment in a bootcamp and getting a job after, a coding bootcamp with job guarantee is one solution.
We’ll cover what a job guarantee actually means, and what to look for in a coding bootcamp. In this article we’ve rounded up the top 5 coding bootcamps with job guarantee, highlighting the key features and benefits of each. By the end you should be able to make an informed decision and take the first step towards a career in tech.
If you need to skip to a particular section, just use the clickable menu:
- What is a job guarantee?
- How to choose a coding bootcamp with job guarantee
- Five of the top coding bootcamps with job guarantees
- Wrap-up
1. What is a job guarantee?
Coding bootcamps with job guarantees generally come in three forms: a full tuition refund, deferred tuition and/or income-share agreements.
- Tuition refund: After a certain period of time if you do not get a job you get your full tuition refunded.
- Deferred tuition: Don’t pay anything until you get a job.
- Income-share agreement: Only pay once you get a job, after that you pay a percentage of your income for a specified period of time. These often end up more expensive than upfront costs. If you’re considering this option, it helps to learn more about how ISAs work.
These options provide an extra sense of security depending on your situation. It also shows the bootcamp really believes in their program and curriculum.
Keep in mind there are always requirements you need to meet to be eligible for a coding bootcamp’s job guarantee. Besides successfully completing the program, these requirements might involve your location, whether you do the bootcamp on- or offsite, following their job search guidelines, and/or your financial standing with the institution.
2. How to choose a coding bootcamp with job guarantee
Choosing a coding bootcamp with job guarantee is not so different from choosing a bootcamp in general.
You’ll want to make sure the style of education is a good fit for you, look into the curriculum, and even reach out to some alumni if possible (usually the bootcamp can help you with this or use LinkedIn). Most coding bootcamps offer some lectures, and/or prep work beforehand you can use to check if their teaching style works for you.
In 2024, a career in coding means staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies—this includes being ready to use AI tools on the job when you graduate. Look for a bootcamp that promises to educate you about using generative AI to become more effective in your work.
Looking into each bootcamp’s hiring program and what support systems they offer is important, too. Will you be supported and mentored or left to fend for yourself once the program is over?
With the job guarantee, make sure to go over the requirements in detail. This is the time to be real with yourself. Especially regarding the length and intensity of the program. For example, if you do a self-paced bootcamp while working full-time, and are unable to keep up, then you may lose the chance for a money-back guarantee.
Do you have trouble with self-discipline? Maybe an in-person bootcamp is a better choice. Does the job guarantee require you to live in a certain city? If so, can you afford to relocate to take the program onsite? All things to consider.
3. Five of the top coding bootcamps with job guarantees
Let’s look at five coding bootcamps with job guarantees. We’ll break down each program to show the price, duration, and mode of study.
After that we’ll briefly go through what coding subjects the course is composed of, as well as the extent of their career support and/or job guarantee.
So, let’s get started!
CareerFoundry
Price: $8500 (with payment options)
Duration: 5 months (full-time study) -10 months (part-time study)
Mode of study: Asynchronous and 100% online at your own pace. You’ll have regular contact with your mentor, tutor, student advisor, and career specialist—as well as full access to their active student community on Slack.
Subjects: The program is broken into three sections: Intro to Frontend Development (HTML, CSS, Git), Full-Stack Immersion (JavaScript, Node.js, React, Testing, React Native, Angular), Full-Stack Specialization (Python or Cloud Computing) CareerFoundry’s cutting-edge curriculum introduces you to AI tools that can help leverage your work. You’ll learn how and when to use AI—and when not to.
Career support: Career specialist in your timezone, alumni job board to find jobs from alumni and employer network, online and in-person career events.
Job guarantee: CareerFoundry offer a 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t find a job within 180 days of graduation. Here are the conditions to meet this:
Must be at least 18 years of age, with a high school diploma or equivalent, live in (or be willing to relocate to) an eligible metropolitan area, complete your program and pay in full, and complete the Job Prep Course, keep in touch with your career specialist, and follow their job search advice. If you want to learn more, check out how CareerFoundry’s job guarantee works.
Want to check out how it works in reality? Then read CareerFoundry graduate Justin’s story about why he had to use the job guarantee.
Thinkful
Price: $16,000 (with payment options)
Duration: Full-time (5 months), Part-time (6 months, 20-30 hrs/wk)
Mode of study: All online. Study full-time with a cohort, or independently part-time with more flexibility.
Subjects: Full-stack web development including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, REST APIs, Node.js/Express, PostgreSQL, Knex, data structures and algorithms, Git and GitHub.
Career support: Mock behavioral and technical interviews, workshops and career-focused Q&As on topics including networking, resume and LinkedIn reviews, cover letter writing, negotiating, navigating the job search, and interview preparation.
Job guarantee: 100% tuition refund if you do not find a job within 180 days. Requirements include being at least 21 years old, legally allowed to work in the U.S., live within an hour of one of their “Approved cities”, complete the program and pass all assessments, and follow all their career services period guidelines.
