Bootcamps: Are They Good Value for Money?

This is an entry in our series of FAQ articles in which we answer questions from the community. We’ve changed the names for the sake of privacy, but the things they asked haven’t been touched. So – fake names, real questions. To ask us a question, just fill in the form in our newsletter. Subscribe for the newsletter today!

Paul’s question:
I’d love to become a software developer. After looking into it, I’m thinking that online courses are probably the way to go. But how can I be sure that I won’t be throwing my money down the drain? If I spend my savings on a tech course and don’t get the right skills, it will take me years to save for a second attempt. How can I be sure I’ll get good value for money at an online tech course?

TripleTen team:

To make sure every cent you spend on your education pays off, it’s crucial to select a reputable bootcamp.

Before enrolling in a course, investigate its statistics: how long it takes graduates to land their first jobs in tech, how much they earn, who hires them, and so on. This data should be publicly available. Check if the course offers career guidance and a money-back guarantee. To optimize your budget, consider part-time courses instead of full-time ones.

Let’s take a closer look at these important aspects. We’ll back them up with real-life examples from our own experience.

A Course Costs Less Than One Year of College

The average cost of a college education in the US is $36,436 per student per year. Meanwhile, the average annual US salary is $53,490 per year.

Online tech courses are much more affordable. At TripleTen, people pay from $4,900 to $9,700 depending on the course’s length and intensity.

The cost disparity between colleges and bootcamps is easy to explain. The knowledge that you get with a college degree enables you to pursue many different careers — not only in business but also in academic research. At a bootcamp, you’ll get only the knowledge that you’ll need for your day-to-day duties in your chosen occupation. In short, bootcamps focus on giving you just the skills and theory to launch a successful career. You don’t need to overpay for extras.

When Choosing a Course, You Can Always Check the Average Starting Salary for Each Occupation

To find these statistics, you can explore websites such as Zippia.com or Ziprecruiter.com. However, top course providers share average or median starting salaries on their websites. At TripleTen, we share this data on the main page and the respective course pages. It’s easy to calculate that after getting employed, you’ll recoup the money that you spent on the course in just a couple of months.

Let’s imagine that you join the Business Intelligence Analytics program at TripleTen. It lasts four months and costs $6,000. The average starting salary for this occupation is $75,000 per year, or $6,250 per month. That means you’re likely to earn what you spent on your education in just one month.

If You Opt for a Part-Time Course, You Won’t Need to Quit Your Current Job to Study

Full-time courses are shorter than part-time ones. On the flip side, they demand all of your time and attention — often, people have to quit their jobs to study at these programs. And not everyone has enough savings to sustain themselves for three to five months without work. Plus, after graduation, you might need a few weeks to find your dream job.

At TripleTen, we offer part-time courses that last from four to ten months. Some of our classes are live and interactive. Other lectures are pre-recorded, so you can watch them when you wish. There are deadlines for submitting tasks, but the overall schedule provides enough flexibility for those who don’t want to live and breathe the bootcamp.

Graduate Success Stories and Statistics Will Help You Understand How Fast You’ll Begin to Earn Money in Tech

On the websites of course providers, you can come across dedicated sections with graduate stories as well as pages with graduate performance statistics. These data enable you to assess your career development opportunities and future income potential. Plus, they will inspire you and motivate you.

At TripleTen, we are proud of our graduates! Here are some facts and numbers that showcase their accomplishments:

Top Courses Offer Money-Back Guarantees

Nearly 45 million Americans have student debt. Forty percent of student borrowers in the US lack a four-year degree. For some people, a college degree indeed opens impressive career opportunities. For others, it’s financially risky.

When choosing an online tech course, pay attention to those that offer a money-back guarantee. If you study diligently, it’s unlikely that you’ll use this option. Nevertheless, it’s good to have it.

At TripleTen, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee to those who don’t land a job within six months of graduation. To qualify for the offer, it’s necessary to attend all the classes and submit all tasks on time. Please read the terms and conditions of the selected course to find out the details.

Most Importantly: Join a Course from an Established Provider Where You’ll Get High-Quality Knowledge

To assess the reputation of an online course provider, check these parameters:

• History — the longer it has been around, the better.
• Teachers — their experience and previous employers.
• Graduate success stories — how long it takes them to get hired, who hires them, and how much they earn.

TripleTen was launched in 2019 as Practicum. Since then, we’ve had over 1,000 alumni. Fifty-three percent of our students are hired even before graduation. TripleTen is an established platform and other participants in the tech industry take us seriously. So dive in! We’ll be happy to provide you with a confident start in tech.