The Best Coding Bootcamps in Baltimore
Previously in the tech industry, preference was given to new hires with degrees in computer science. But today, many employers are viewing bootcamp graduates just as favorably. Baltimore is one city with plenty of tech bootcamps rising to the occasion to fill the demand for skilled tech employees.
Attending a bootcamp can save you time and money compared to a four-year degree. It’s even a valid option if you have no prior experience with coding.
Once you finish a reliable coding bootcamp, you stand a good chance of transitioning straight into a top tech job. For example, IBM has reported that around 15 percent of its employees do not have a college degree.
The Baltimore Tech Scene and Job Market
The tech industry in Baltimore is experiencing major growth. In 2020, local employers had 594 open tech positions in a single month. The month before, that number was even higher, at 1,020. This shows that Baltimore is a booming market for tech.
Some of the top tech companies hiring in Baltimore include Inc., Latitude, ITnova, and BGSF-Vision Technology Services. These companies were hiring for a range of tech positions, including software engineers, technicians, and network and systems engineers.
Tech Salaries in Baltimore
The average annual salary for a software engineer in Baltimore is $85,522. Many employers in the area are looking to bolster their tech infrastructure.
To do so, they are in desperate need of personnel who can oversee the storage, processing, and maintenance of large databases. This is why the highest earners in the area are cloud experts or data scientists, bringing in an average of $96,846 per year.
The Top 6 Baltimore Coding Bootcamps in 2021
There is a lot to consider when choosing a coding bootcamp in Baltimore. Cost is one consideration. However, some bootcamps offer scholarships to offset tuition costs. The average cost of bootcamps in Baltimore is $13,000, with some as high as $24,000.
Another consideration is the type of bootcamp you want to attend. Do you want a full-time, part-time, online, or self-paced bootcamp? Other important factors include job guarantees, income share agreements, and the bootcamp’s curriculum.
For example, some online coding bootcamps may not have every course you are looking for, such as those needed to become a UX designer, project manager, or data scientist. If you want to succeed as a data scientist or mobile app developer, you need a school that has the right course options.
Read on to discover the top six coding bootcamps in Baltimore and the features they offer.
Courses Offered | Full-Stack Web Development, Project Management, Front-End Web Development |
Program Types | Part-time |
Cost | $3,400 for Part-time |
Financing Options | Upfront Payment |
Scholarships Available | No |
Baltimore-based Betamore Academy offers a variety of part-time courses that require students to attend six hours of training per week. In these classes, students will learn how to use GitHub and Git software, and how to code in HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
Those attending the full-stack development program will study objects and methods, variables and literals, and lists and data structures.
Courses Offered | Data Science, Full-Stack Web Development, Web Development, Engineering Immersion |
Program Types | Full-time Immersive, Part-time, Online |
Cost | $16,995 for Full-time, $9,995 for Part-time |
Financing Options | Upfront Payment, Month-to-month Installments, Private Loans |
Scholarships | $1,500 for Veterans, $2,000 for Women |
Coding Dojo’s bootcamp helps people learn technical skills that can land them a job as a data scientist or a software engineer. Most of these bootcamps are offered full-time and in person.
However, it does offer a part-time introduction to programming course that is offered online. The school also has a data science bootcamp, as well as an introduction to machine learning course and a Python-specific course.
Coding Dojo might be a good choice if you don’t have any experience in data science or software engineering because the school offers several introductory courses, as well as extra guidance for those who need it.
Courses Offered | Software Engineering, Cybersecurity |
Program Types | Online |
Cost | $17,910 for Full-time, $15,980 for Part-time |
Financing Options | Upfront Payment, Private Loans |
Scholarships | $1,000 for Veterans, $1,000 for Women |
Fullstack Academy is an online coding bootcamp that offers immersive courses lasting 17 to 28 weeks. The classes include coding challenges, lectures, and real-time support from instructors.
The bootcamps each start with a part-time foundational course, then move on more advanced full-time classes. By the time the program ends, the students will each have a professional portfolio to use in their job search.
You don’t need to have any prior coding experience to join Fullstack Academy’s bootcamps. All you need is the drive to get a job as a cybersecurity analyst or a software engineer.
Courses Offered | Front-end Web Development, Full-Stack Web Development, UX Design |
Program Types | Part-time, Online, Self-paced |
Cost | $349 for Online, $1,880 for Part-time |
Financing Options | Upfront Payment, Month-to-month Installments, Fair Student Agreement |
Scholarships | $436 for Veterans |
Nucamp has weekend and night courses at its locations around the US, including in Baltimore. The school applies a hybrid learning method, with students studying online during the week, and meeting in person with their instructor on weekends.
To get into Nucamp, prospective students must already have an understanding of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. The application process requires that students fill out a form online and take a quiz to determine their interest and knowledge level.
Throughout the program, students will work in small teams to complete coding projects. This course is a good low-cost choice for anyone looking to switch careers.
ONLC Training Centers
Courses Offered | Python Programming |
Program Types | Part-time, Online |
Cost | $1,595 for Part-time |
Financing Options | Upfront Payment, Loan |
Scholarships | N/A |
ONLC hosts this three-day introductory Python programming course designed for people who have no prior programming experience.
It covers foundational Python concepts such as control statements, data types, how to use modules and functions, and using debugging programs. By the end of the course, students will understand how to write programs for simple applications.
Thinkful
Courses Offered | Data Science, Digital Marketing, Product Management, UI/UX Design, Software Engineering, Data Analytics |
Program Types | Full-time Immersive, Part-time, Online |
Cost | $16,000 for Full-time, $12,150 for Part-time |
Financing Options | Upfront Payment, Deferred Tuition, Income Share Agreement, Month-to-month Installments, Loan Financing |
Scholarships | $1,200 for Women |
Thinkful is one of the best coding bootcamps in the country, with classes available online for students in Baltimore. Full-time bootcamps take seven months to complete, but part-time programs are more flexible.
Thinkful students are taught by experts in a variety of tech fields, and also receive career coaching and mentorship throughout their program. Some courses include a job guarantee, which means students can get their money back if they do not get a job in tech within 180 days of graduating.
The school offers income share agreements, discounts, and living stipends for students who need assistance to pay tuition.
What Is a Coding Bootcamp?
Bootcamps are short-term, intensive, training programs in a specific area of tech such as web design or cyber security. Just like trade schools, coding bootcamps are run by private companies and offer programs either online or in person.
Most students enroll in bootcamps because they are hoping to start a career in technology. Coding bootcamps are popular because they fill the gap between what is traditionally taught in universities, and the tech skills that have become essential to modern businesses.
Is a Baltimore Coding Bootcamp Right for You?
If you are looking for a career in one of the US’s emerging tech hubs, a Baltimore coding bootcamp is right for you. The budding tech industry in Baltimore will soon see increasing demand for skilled employees, and a bootcamp is the first step toward landing one of those jobs.
There are a lot of bootcamps available online in Baltimore, as well as three that offer in-person courses. Both options are effective, so choose the one that fits well with your other responsibilities.