Coding Bootcamp vs Udemy to Learn to Code

With the existence of coding bootcamps and so many online learning platforms, the options available to aspiring coders can appear endless. However, when considering which option best serves your career goals, it's important to look at the structure of the coding class as well as its return on investment with getting a job in tech.

Here's a look at how both options compare.

Online Coding Course Curriculum Structure

The advent of online learning has enabled users to learn skills remotely, which is convenient not only for location, but also life circumstance. These remote learning opportunities let users learn how to code while managing a full time job or as a part of professional development.

However, many of these courses, such as Udemy, tout the fact that you can complete them at your own pace. That may seem convenient, but it's also not holding you accountable for completing your coursework. Nucamp, however, structures its courses around project deadlines, keeping your coursework on-track so that you don't fall behind in your learning.

For example, Nucamp's Web Development Fundamentals course guides students through the core skills of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. With three projects due over the course of the four-week class, students stay on track. This also lets students apply the skills they're learning to real-life projects.

The added benefit of community-based coding bootcamps is the access they provide to instructors. Although online learning platforms like Udemy have an array of impressive instructors, students have no interaction with the instructors. It's all recordings and maybe some worksheets.

Community-based coding bootcamps like Nucamp pair online learning with weekly live workshops where students meet with their peers and instructor to discuss their coursework.

Students get to interact with their instructor in real-time, to ask questions, get help with debugging, get guidance on projects etc. This enhances the learning process, and students learn to code faster.

With so many classes available on online learning platforms, it can be difficult to know where to start. Online coding bootcamps like Nucamp offer five distinct coding skills tracks for aspiring coders based on programming language and desired career path.

Plus, help prepare students to get a job in the tech industry.

• Web Development Fundamentals
• Front End Web & Mobile Development
• Full Stack Web & Mobile Development
• Backend, SQL, And DevOps With Python
• The Complete Software Engineering Bootcamp Path
• Job Hunting Bootcamp

Return on Investment of Online Coding Course

When considering any coding class or bootcamp, it's important to consider the return on investment (ROI). This includes the cost up-front, the time commitment to complete the class, as well as the result - the job opportunities available after course completion.

Online Coding bootcamps and recorded courses both offer a reduced price for classes relative to a traditional four-year university, where computer science degrees can cost upwards of $50,000 a year.

Sure, platforms like Udemy often offer courses at an even lower cost. However, without deadline-driven projects and zero access to instructors you are essentially paying for a recording.

At first glance, the time commitment to complete online courses and coding bootcamps is similar. However, look closely at the course schedule for each week.

• What skills will be covered in each module?
• Will you be able to apply your skills with project-based learning?
• If so, how will you know if you were successful?
• Will it take you longer to complete the course because it is not deadline-driven?

These are all important questions to consider when comparing interactive online coding bootcamps to recorded courses.

Many resources indicate the only 30% of purchased Udemy courses are completed.

Job opportunities and salary are perhaps the most important consideration. Although successful for professional development, online courses like Udemy do not have publicized data regarding job placement following course completion.

Community-based coding bootcamps like Nucamp, however, do.

In fact, data from CIRR shows that students saw a $20,000 average salary increase in their first job following bootcamp.

While Nucamp doesn't promise job placement, we track Job Skills Rate, a measurement of students who apply their new skills in their job, freelancing, and/or new job, which is 77% on average within 9 months of graduation.

Many companies are dropping their degree requirement when hiring software engineers.

And many companies have apprenticeships specifically for candidates who received their education in the non-traditional way, such as coding bootcamps.

Many businesses are hiring coding bootcamp graduates.

Network Access To Help With Job Search

Networking is a crucial part of any job search, and web development careers are no different.

With a very active alumni community, nationwide job board, and complimentary LinkedIn Premium access for graduates, Nucamp provides students with numerous opportunities to network while they are completing their coursework.

Recordings don't offer in-person or online networking opportunities.

You may learn core web development skills, but you won't be problem-solving alongside potential colleagues.

Conclusion

Community coding bootcamps such as Nucamp offer unique benefits as compared with online learning platforms like Udemy, in part because of their deadline-driven class structure that blends online and live learning opportunities.

Are you ready to see if coding is right for you?

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