College or Coding Bootcamp: Which Tech Path is Right for You?

TLDR: If you’re debating whether to attend a coding bootcamp or pursue a computer science degree, you're not alone. Both paths have distinct advantages, and the best choice depends on factors like cost, accessibility, time commitment, and career goals. While a college degree can provide a deeper theoretical foundation, a coding bootcamp can get you into the workforce years sooner, with no debt and competitive starting salaries.

One of the most common questions we get at Code Platoon is: Should I attend a coding bootcamp or earn a computer science degree at a university? The answer isn’t straightforward, but considering practical factors can help you decide.

The Short Term: What is Accessible Now?

The first mistake many make is comparing any coding bootcamp to any college program. All coding bootcamps and colleges are not created equally. Instead, a better question would be: Which is better, the best coding bootcamp or the best computer science program? 

Even then, factors like accessibility, affordability, and career outcomes need to be evaluated. For instance, while top-tier universities may have better job placement rates, they may not be financially or logistically feasible for everyone. Similarly, the best coding bootcamps offer strong career support and accelerated learning, but they may require you to live somewhere that you just can’t move to at this time. So, the practical must always factor in: What is the best program that is accessible?

Time and Financial Investment

And yet we can still further refine that. Let’s imagine that a highly-ranked college and a highly-ranked coding bootcamp are both accessible, and let’s suppose that the college has an edge in its graduate outcomes. That means it’s the smarter choice, right?

Not necessarily. A key difference between the two paths is the time to employment. A coding bootcamp typically lasts 4-6 months, while a college degree requires 3.5-4 years. This disparity has major financial implications.

Consider this example:

• A computer science graduate lands a $90,000/year job.
• A coding bootcamp graduate starts at $80,000/year but enters the workforce 3 years earlier.
• Over those 3 years, the bootcamp graduate earns approximately $240,000 while the college student is still studying.

With this in mind, the key questions become: 

1. What is your current situation? 
2. How much time can you devote to training before you start earning? 
3. What are the practical options based on these factors?

The Long Term: Career Growth and Considerations

While a college degree may offer an advantage in advanced technical roles or research-based positions, coding bootcamps provide hands-on experience that can lead to quick employment without sacrificing long-term advancement.  Many employers today value practical skills over degrees, and bootcamp graduates often transition into software engineering, AI Cloud engineering, and cybersecurity roles with strong salary potential.

However, advancing your career after a coding bootcamp requires dedication. Some coding bootcamp graduates spend additional time—typically 3 to 6 months—building portfolios, networking, and refining skills through apprenticeships, freelance work, or entry-level tech jobs. Some higher-level tech roles may require continued self-study or obtaining industry certifications to stay competitive.

Despite these initial challenges, coding bootcamp graduates often experience rapid career growth. Because they enter the workforce earlier, they can gain hands-on experience and climb the career ladder more quickly than their college counterparts. Over time, bootcamp graduates who actively develop their skills can move into mid-level and senior positions, often reaching six-figure salaries within a few years.

Which Path is Right for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so be sure you’re taking into account what matters to you, as no one knows your situation better than you:

• Do you need a faster, cost-effective path to employment? → A coding bootcamp may be more ideal.
• Are you interested in academic depth and research roles? → A college degree might be a better fit.
• What are your financial constraints and time availability? → Consider the trade-offs between tuition, time commitment, and earnings.

At Code Platoon, we help Veterans and military families navigate these decisions. If you're considering a tech career, reach out to our student outreach manager to explore your best options and make an informed choice that aligns with your goals.