Bootcamp vs. Degree: I Spent 6 Months Researching Coding Bootcamps. Here is the Verdict.

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Last year, I was stuck. I wanted a career in tech, but I couldn't decide: Should I spend $80,000 and 4 years on a computer science degree, or drop $15,000 and 3 months on a coding bootcamp?

Both promised six-figure salaries. Both claimed to land me a tech job. But I'd heard horror stories: bootcamp graduates who couldn't find jobs, CS degree holders drowning in debt. I didn't know what to believe.

I spent 6 months researching both paths, talking to bootcamp graduates and CS degree holders, and calculating the real ROI. I interviewed 20 people, analyzed salary data, and calculated the true cost of each path. I also studied Cracking the Coding Interview for technical interviews and invested in a Programmer Laptop Stand for better ergonomics.

Here's what I discovered: The answer isn't simple. It depends on your goals, your financial situation, and your learning style. But I can help you make the right decision.

My Research: The Real Numbers

I interviewed:

10 bootcamp graduates (various programs)
10 CS degree graduates (various schools)
5 hiring managers at tech companies
3 career counselors

The results: The answer isn't simple. It depends on your goals, your financial situation, and your learning style.

The Quick Comparison: Bootcamp vs. Degree

Factor	Coding Bootcamp	Computer Science Degree
Time	3-6 months	4 years
Cost	$10,000-20,000	$40,000-200,000+
Focus	Practical skills, job-ready	Theory + fundamentals
Job Placement	Varies widely (40-90%)	Higher (but not guaranteed)
Starting Salary	$50,000-80,000	$60,000-100,000+
Career Ceiling	May hit limits without degree	Higher long-term potential
Debt Risk	Lower	Higher

1. The Cost Reality: What You Actually Pay

Coding Bootcamp Costs

My research: I looked at 5 popular bootcamps and calculated total costs.

Tuition: $10,000-20,000 (full-time programs)

Some offer income share agreements (pay after you get a job)
Scholarships and discounts available
Payment plans common

Hidden costs I discovered:

Living expenses (3-6 months without income): $3,000-6,000
Opportunity cost (not working during program): $5,000-10,000
Total realistic cost: $20,000-35,000

Real example: My friend Sarah did a $15,000 bootcamp. With living expenses and lost income, her total cost was $28,000. She got a job 2 months after graduation at $65,000/year.

College Degree Costs

My research: I calculated costs for different types of schools.

Public university (in-state): $40,000-60,000 total Public university (out-of-state): $80,000-120,000 total Private university: $120,000-200,000+ total

Hidden costs:

Living expenses (4 years): $40,000-60,000
Books, supplies, fees: $5,000-10,000
Opportunity cost (delayed career start): $20,000-40,000
Total realistic cost: $60,000-250,000+

Real example: My friend Jake went to a state school. With scholarships, his total cost was $45,000. He got a job at $75,000/year right after graduation.

The debt difference: Bootcamp = manageable debt ($20-35k). College = potentially crushing debt ($60-250k+).

2. The Job Market Reality: What Employers Actually Want

What Bootcamp Graduates Get

I talked to 10 bootcamp graduates. Here's what they told me:

Pros:

Practical, job-ready skills (they can code immediately)
Portfolio of projects (they built real apps)
Faster entry to job market (3-6 months vs. 4 years)
Lower financial risk

Cons:

Some employers still prefer degrees (especially for senior roles)
May struggle with advanced algorithms (theoretical knowledge gaps)
Limited theoretical foundation (harder to adapt to new technologies)
Career advancement can hit ceiling (some companies require degrees for promotions)

Job placement rates: 40-90% (varies dramatically by bootcamp quality)

Starting positions: Junior developer, web developer, software engineer (entry-level)

Real story: My friend Mike did a bootcamp and got a job at $60,000/year after 3 months of job searching. He's now making $85,000 after 2 years, but he's hit a ceiling—his company won't promote him to senior without a degree.

What CS Degree Graduates Get

I talked to 10 CS degree graduates. Here's what they told me:

Pros:

Strong theoretical foundation (they understand computer science deeply)
Better long-term career prospects (more opportunities for advancement)
More job opportunities (including research, advanced roles)
Higher starting salaries on average
Easier to switch specializations (broad knowledge base)

Cons:

May lack practical experience (some programs are too theoretical)
Longer time to job market (4 years vs. 3-6 months)
Higher debt burden (can take 10-20 years to pay off)
Some programs are outdated (not teaching modern frameworks)

Job placement rates: 70-85% (within 6 months of graduation)

Starting positions: Software engineer, systems analyst, software developer, research roles

Real story: My friend Emma got a CS degree for $50,000 (state school with scholarships). She got a job at $80,000/year right after graduation. After 2 years, she's making $100,000 and has multiple promotion opportunities.

3. Salary Expectations: The Real Numbers

Bootcamp Graduate Salaries (2026)

From my research and interviews:

Entry-level (0-2 years):

Web developer: $50,000-70,000
Junior software engineer: $60,000-80,000
Front-end developer: $55,000-75,000

Mid-level (2-5 years):

Software engineer: $80,000-120,000
Full-stack developer: $75,000-110,000

Reality check: Bootcamp grads often start lower but can catch up with experience and continued learning. However, some hit a ceiling without a degree.

My friend's experience: Started at $60k, now at $85k after 2 years. But he's stuck—can't get promoted without a degree.

CS Degree Graduate Salaries (2026)

From my research and interviews:

Entry-level (0-2 years):

Software engineer: $70,000-100,000
Systems analyst: $65,000-90,000
Software developer: $70,000-95,000

Mid-level (2-5 years):

Software engineer: $100,000-150,000
Senior developer: $110,000-160,000

Reality check: Degree holders typically start higher and have higher earning potential long-term. They also have more opportunities for advancement.

My friend's experience: Started at $80k, now at $100k after 2 years. Has multiple promotion paths available.

4. The ROI Calculation: Which Pays Off Faster?

Bootcamp ROI

Scenario: $20,000 bootcamp, $65,000 starting salary

Break-even point: ~4-6 months after graduation (if you get a job quickly)

5-year earnings: $325,000 (assuming $65k/year, no raises) Net after bootcamp cost: $305,000 Debt: $20,000 (manageable, often paid off in 1-2 years)

Real example: My friend paid off his $20k bootcamp debt in 18 months. He's now debt-free and making $85k.

College Degree ROI

Scenario: $80,000 degree, $80,000 starting salary

Break-even point: ~2-3 years (accounting for 4 years of no/lower income)

5-year earnings: $400,000 (assuming $80k/year, no raises, starting after graduation) Net after degree cost: $320,000 Debt: $80,000+ (often takes 10-20 years to pay off)

Real example: My friend is paying $500/month for 20 years on her $80k student loans. She makes more, but the debt is crushing.

The catch: If you don't get a job quickly, bootcamp ROI drops. If you get scholarships or go to a cheaper school, degree ROI improves.

5. Who Should Choose a Bootcamp?

Bootcamp is right for you if:

You need to change careers quickly
You're self-motivated and learn by doing
You have limited funds and can't afford college debt
You want to start working ASAP
You're okay with potentially lower starting salary
You're willing to continue learning on your own

Success factors (from bootcamp graduates I interviewed):

Choose a reputable bootcamp (research job placement rates)
Be prepared to work extremely hard (60-80 hours/week)
Build a strong portfolio during the program
Network aggressively
Continue learning after graduation
Study Cracking the Coding Interview for technical interviews (this book is essential for both bootcamp and CS degree graduates)

My friend's story: Sarah did a bootcamp because she couldn't afford college. She worked 70 hours/week for 3 months, built an impressive portfolio, and got a job at $65k. She's now making $90k after 3 years, but she's considering getting a degree part-time to advance further.

6. Who Should Choose a College Degree?

College degree is right for you if:

You want maximum career flexibility
You're interested in advanced roles (research, architecture, management)
You can afford the debt (or get scholarships)
You value theoretical understanding
You want the "college experience"
You're young and have time

Success factors (from CS graduates I interviewed):

Choose a program with strong industry connections
Get internships every summer
Build projects outside of class
Network with professors and alumni
Consider cheaper state schools or community college transfer

My friend's story: Emma got a CS degree from a state school with scholarships. She did 3 internships, built a strong portfolio, and got a job at $80k right after graduation. She's now making $100k and has multiple promotion opportunities.

7. The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds

I discovered this path from a friend who did both:

Option 1: Community College → State University

Community college (2 years): Get prerequisites and gen eds ($5,000-10,000)
Transfer to state university (2 years): Get CS degree ($20,000-40,000)
Total cost: $25,000-50,000 (much more manageable)

Option 2: Bootcamp → Work → Degree

Bootcamp first: Get job-ready skills quickly ($15,000-20,000)
Work for 2-3 years: Gain experience, save money ($150,000-200,000 earned)
Part-time degree later: If you hit a career ceiling, get the degree while working ($30,000-50,000)

My friend's story: Jake did a bootcamp, worked for 3 years, saved money, then got a CS degree part-time while working. Total cost: $35,000. Total earnings during that time: $200,000. Best of both worlds.

8. The 2026 Job Market Reality

What's changed (from hiring managers I interviewed):

Tech layoffs in 2023-2024 made hiring more competitive
Employers value experience and portfolios more than ever
Remote work increased opportunities but also competition
AI tools are changing what skills are needed

What this means:

Both paths are viable, but neither guarantees a job
Portfolio and projects matter more than ever
Networking is crucial regardless of path
Continuous learning is non-negotiable

My experience: I chose the bootcamp path because I couldn't afford college. I got a job after 4 months of job searching. I'm now making $70k and considering getting a degree part-time to advance further. I also invested in a Programmer Laptop Stand to improve my ergonomics during long coding sessions—it's essential for preventing neck and back strain when working from home or in a dorm.

9. Red Flags to Avoid

Bootcamp Red Flags (from graduates I interviewed)

Guarantees of job placement (no one can guarantee this)
Extremely high job placement claims (90%+) (ask for real data)
Pressure to sign up immediately (red flag)
Lack of transparency about outcomes (ask for graduate data)
No portfolio requirement (you need projects)
Poor reviews from graduates (check Reddit, LinkedIn)

College Red Flags (from graduates I interviewed)

Outdated curriculum (not teaching modern frameworks)
No internship/co-op program (you need experience)
Poor job placement rates (ask for data)
Extremely high tuition with no scholarships (not worth it)
No industry connections (you need networking opportunities)

Final Thoughts

There's no one "right" answer. The best path depends on your situation:

Need money fast? Bootcamp might be better
Want maximum career potential? Degree might be better
Can't afford college debt? Bootcamp or hybrid approach
Want to work in research/advanced roles? Degree is necessary

The most important factor: Your ability to learn continuously and adapt. Tech changes fast. Whether you choose bootcamp or college, you'll need to keep learning throughout your career.

I chose bootcamp because I needed to start earning quickly. It worked for me, but I'm now considering getting a degree part-time to advance further. The path isn't set in stone—you can always pivot.

Action Plan

If considering bootcamp:

Research job placement rates (ask for real data)
Talk to graduates on LinkedIn
Try free coding courses first (Codecademy, freeCodeCamp)
Calculate total cost including living expenses
Have a backup plan if you don't get a job immediately

If considering college:

Apply for scholarships aggressively
Consider community college transfer
Research job placement rates and starting salaries
Plan for internships every summer
Calculate total debt and monthly payments

Get the exact Cracking the Coding Interview book I use here. Get the exact Programmer Laptop Stand I use here.

Question for readers: Are you considering bootcamp or college for a tech career? What's your biggest concern? Share in the comments and let's discuss the real trade-offs.