Top 5 Software Engineering Bootcamp in California in 2023
From computers and smart devices, to traffic lights and blood sugar monitors, software engineers write the code and develop the applications that are essential to our digital lives.
Now more than ever, software engineers are in high demand thanks to the rapid growth of technology use in every industry and the lack of trained professionals. New numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a 25% growth rate through 2031, 20% faster than the average occupation. California currently leads the U.S. in software engineering jobs and salaries.
One of the fastest ways to learn software engineering is through a bootcamp. In less than a year, software engineering bootcamps can teach you essential skills to become a software engineer, and for thousands of dollars less than a degree program. If you’re ready to jump into the software engineering job market, check out the best software engineering bootcamps in California.
Understanding Software Engineering Bootcamps
Geared towards getting students job-ready quickly, software engineering bootcamps teach essential skills needed for front-end development, full-stack development, and computer science. There are now more than a hundred software engineering nationwide, with several of the best software engineering bootcamps in California.
One of the most desirable parts of a software engineering bootcamp is flexible scheduling. Depending on the bootcamp, students can often choose between a part-time and full-time program. Full-time programs are typically shorter and require a Monday through Friday, all-day commitment. Part-time programs take longer to complete, some lasting 24 weeks. But students only attend classes two nights a week and on Saturday, giving them plenty of time to work full-time outside of the BootCamp.
While some skills are necessary for all software engineering jobs, there are also subsets within software engineering that have their own prerequisites, all of which can be learned through a bootcamp. Let’s now take a look at the skills needed for some of the most common software engineering specializations:
Front-End Development
A front-end developer works on the user interface or “front-facing” side of development. They write code using HTML, CSS, or JavaScript to create drop-down menus, page layouts, buttons, and fonts. While they primarily write code, they should also have a basic understanding of design principles and object-oriented programming.
Back-End Development
Back-end developers work on the server side, and are concerned with how applications connect and interact with the server, network, or database. Using programming languages like Python, Ruby, C, and C++, they create APIs (application programming interfaces) to ensure that the website is processing data correctly. They must understand object-oriented and functional programming, databases, and servers.
Full-Stack Web Development
Full-stack web developers work on both front- and back-end development. They must be well-versed in programming languages and coding, software testing and debugging, software development, object-oriented design and programming, and building new product features or APIs. They implement innovative website design and web database management.
Computer Science
Computer science is a broader career path that includes analysis, building databases, and creating algorithms. While software engineers focus on designing large-scale systems and digital products, computer scientists will also work on emerging technologies and research. They often have an engineering mindset in machine architecture and operating systems and understand advanced mathematics.
In addition to technical or hard skills, each software engineer must grasp several soft skills necessary for working with companies and fellow coworkers. These soft skills include:
Communication
Multitasking
Attention to Detail
Problem-Solving
Project Management
Comparison of Best Software Engineering Bootcamps in California
Here is our breakdown of the best software engineering bootcamps in California.
University of Massachusetts Global
The UMass Global Software Engineering Bootcamp is an online program that offers flexible, part-time learning 100% online. The career-focused curriculum is led by Colt Steele, a national-recognized instructor. You’ll learn fundamentals, participate in coding activities, partner with a tech industry expert for 1:1 mentorship, work with AI, and complete a real-world capstone project demonstrating your ability for future employers. Based in Irvine, California, UMass Global also offers career services that can help you get a job in California.
Rating
Features
The part-time program is flexible, so you can finish early by putting in more hours
1:1 mentorship with an industry expert that includes weekly video calls
Personalized real-world capstone project based on your selected technology stack
Learn to work with generative AI with a new AI learning unit
Duration
Part-time program, 9 months with 15-20 hours per week
Price
$9,900 when paid in full upfront. Or, five monthly payments of $2,790, totaling $13,950.
Coding Dojo
The Coding Dojo Software Engineering Coding Bootcamp offers part-time and full-time options, including an accelerated program that can be completed in 18 weeks. Classes feature live online lessons, meaning you can interact with instructors for discussion and group activities. It promises beginner-friendly lessons to help you get started and career services to help you get a job upon graduation.
Rating
Features
A full-time program with live online, classes
Accelerated program to allow you to finish sooner based on your time commitment
Lifetime career services support
Duration
16-week full-time program, at 70-90 hours per week
18-34 week accelerated program, at 30 hours per week
30-week, part-time program, at 10-15 hours per week
Price
Full-time program tuition - $16,995
Accelerated program tuition - $9,995-$16,995
Part-time program tuition - $9,995
Thinkful
Thinkful’s Software Engineering Bootcamp is a beginner-friendly program that offers part-time or full-time learning and flexible payment plans. Its immersive class structure provides hands-on experience and fundamentals and challenges students with real-world portfolio-building projects. Students are matched with a personal mentor who works in the tech industry, and each bootcamp program includes six months of exclusive career coaching to help you apply for jobs and negotiate offers.
Rating
Features
Partner with an admissions representative to review career goals before enrolling
1:1 industry mentorship that includes live video session calls
On-demand technical coaching
Six months of exclusive career coaching after graduation
Duration
5-month, full-time program, cohort-based
6-month, part-time program, self-paced
Price
$16,000 paid upfront
$17,600 paid monthly ($3,520/mo)
General Assembly
The General Assembly Software Engineering Bootcamp can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. Classes are led by industry experts to help you learn the fundamentals before advancing to frameworks and APIs and mastering full-stack web development. Students also participate in studio tours and engage with hiring panel discussions and guest speakers to learn more about the tech industry and what they need to know to succeed. The GA program also offers personal career coaching and career services and has a proven track record of helping students land a job within six months of graduation.
Rating
Features
Build a professional-grade portfolio with full-stack web applications
The curriculum is a combination of live online instruction and pre-recorded videos
Large hiring network of 19,000 hiring partners to help you find a job within six months of graduation
Duration
12-week, full-time program
24-week, part-time program
Price
$16,000 paid upfront (save $450)
$4,112.50 paid monthly, totaling $16,450
CodeSmith
As a coding bootcamp in Los Angeles, CodeSmith Software Engineering Immersive Bootcamp programs help prepare you for mid to senior-level software engineering roles through a computer science-based curriculum that includes lectures, workshops, project building, and more. Students can choose from their part-time or full-time program, with classes in multiple time zones. You’ll create open-source software in a team environment, build solo and scratch/iteration projects, and prepare for a job with a final reinforcement project. CodeSmith also offers flexible, interest-free payment options.
Rating
Features
Classes in multiple timezones available
Work on four projects to help build a portfolio and demonstrate your skills
Industry mentors and an alumni network
Duration
13-week full-time program
38-week part-time program
Price
Total cost is $20,925
A monthly payment option is available
Rise of Software Engineering Bootcamps
Silicon Valley has been the hub of computer and IT innovation for decades, and the rise of bootcamps is no exception. In fact, the origin of the bootcamp can be traced back to an offer in Hacker News to teach people coding in the Bay area in late 2011.
California continues to be a leading employer of software engineers, with more than 140,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With 70% of people learning how to code online each year, software engineering bootcamps have become instrumental in teaching people job-ready skills to help bridge the employment gap quickly in California.
Components of a Top-Notch Software Engineering Bootcamp
How do you choose a coding bootcamp? There are several components to consider when deciding on a top-notch software engineering bootcamp.
Curriculum
Research the courses and units each school offers. You’ll want to make sure it’s a well-rounded program that teaches technical skills and soft skills. By the end of the software engineering bootcamp, you should be able to demonstrate your ability to perform end-to-end development, build data structures, and create sorting and searching machine-learning algorithms.
Hands-On Experience
A 2019 Harvard University study revealed that students learned more in classrooms with active learning versus traditional lecturing. This is key to the success rate of bootcamp graduates. Software engineering bootcamps are focused on intense, hands-on training and extensive projects to help students learn necessary skills quickly. You want to find a bootcamp that offers active learning opportunities and hands-on experience.
Instruction From Industry Expert
Bootcamp instructors are employed as software engineering professionals and provide students with real-world context as they go through the lessons. This is especially important as technology changes quickly, allowing software engineering bootcamp students to keep up with trends in the tech industry.
Career Services
Learning job-ready skills is important, but not enough to land a job. Access to resume building, interview preparation, portfolio development, and career coaching are critical to joining the workforce. Career services can help you transition quickly and set you on the right career path.
Career Path for Software Engineers in California
In California alone, more than 250,000 people are employed in software engineering. Cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are metropolitan areas with the highest employment levels in software development at top U.S. companies. Here are some current job titles and salaries available in California.
The Benefits of Online Software Engineering Bootcamps
Software engineering is a unique career that offers junior and senior-level jobs. The skills learned in online software engineering bootcamps can prepare you for immediate employment in an entry-level junior role. And considering junior software developers earn an average of $111,751 in California, you can expect a great wage and plenty of opportunity.
There are several other benefits of a software engineering bootcamp program, including:
Building a portfolio of real-world projects, including capstone projects
Affordability, especially when compared to a degree program
Beginner-friendly options are available
Access to career services and hiring partners
Major tech companies hire bootcamp graduates
As one of the best software engineering bootcamps in California, UMass Global Software Engineering Bootcamp teaches a nationally-recognized, career-focused curriculum that prepares you for success. UMass Global also features optional career units, 1:1 mentorship with industry professionals, and a portfolio-building capstone project.
Preparing for a Software Engineering Bootcamp
Even if you’re a beginner, preparing for your future career is important. Many software engineering bootcamps in California are beginner-friendly. However, there are essential skills you’ll need throughout the program. Look for bootcamps that offer pre-work or basic courses to help you get up to speed in:
Basic computer skills like email, database management like Microsoft Excel
Coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Programming concepts like procedural programming, parallel programming, and functional programming
Become a Software Engineer in California
Choosing the best software engineer bootcamp in California can be a difference-maker when landing a high-paying job in the field. The right online program can set you up for success, especially those that offer career coaching and hands-on experience.
In addition to extensive career services, the UMass Global Software Engineering Bootcamp will get you up to speed on the fundamentals, pairs you with industry experts for mentorship, and allows you to build a solid professional portfolio with capstone projects. Visit our FAQ page to learn more, or apply today!