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Coding bootcamps are intensive education programs that teach practical, job-ready tech skills. Bootcamps are a time-saving alternative to a traditional degree.
The Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR) reviews and verifies bootcamps. CIRR maintains transparent, objective standards that confirm student outcome data through tracking and auditing. The nonprofit organization examines job placement rates and other key outcome-related metrics.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the following job growth rates for tech careers from 2020-2030:
Students can build the skills to secure entry-level tech positions. CIRR-verified bootcamps offer an efficient, cost-effective path to this industry.
What Is a CIRR-Verified Bootcamp?
The Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR) is a nonprofit organization. CIRR counters deceptive claims about educational outcomes. The council partners with education providers on a voluntary basis. CIRR-verified bootcamps work with CIRR to provide transparent information regarding the following data points:
Graduation rates
In-field job placement rates
Median salaries among graduates working in the field
Many bootcamps unaffiliated with CIRR provide quality education and reliable student outcome data. However, a CIRR partnership indicates a bootcamp's exceptional commitment to transparency.
Bootcamps offer a shorter alternative to associate and bachelor's degrees. Programs typically run on compact schedules averaging around 12-16 weeks for full-time students. They focus on quickly equipping learners with the required hard skills for entry-level tech positions.
Bootcamps may offer full- and part-time schedules, along with in-person and online delivery formats. Independent companies and nonprofit groups typically operate them, though some maintain formal affiliations with community colleges and universities.
Skills Learned in CIRR Bootcamps
CIRR bootcamps teach targeted tech skills. For instance, cybersecurity bootcamps teach how to detect and respond to cyberthreats. Students can select a bootcamp based on how closely it aligns with their interests and career goals.
Skills learned through bootcamps include:
- Coding: Many bootcamps build foundational coding and programming skills. Students learn widely used
programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, Ruby on Rails, C#, and C++.
- Full-Stack Web Development: Full-stack web developers cover both the client and server sides of the
website-building process. Client-facing skills are known as "front end," while server-facing skills comprise the"back end." Many web development bootcamps emphasize both.
- UX/UI Design: The user experience (UX) describes the general nature of a user's interaction with a website
or other digital product. User interfaces (UIs) are a crucial aspect of the overall UX, including features likemenus, icons, and links. UX/UI design bootcamps teach students to create more intuitive digital products withsuperior ease of use.
- Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity bootcamps develop both offensive and defensive skills for protecting computer
networks and digital assets. They typically cover security essentials and ethical hacking techniques. Learnersoften test their skills to use by responding to simulated cyberattacks.
Top Online Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
What Will a CIRR Bootcamp Cost?
Typical bootcamp prices range from $7,500-$13,950, according to a 2019 RTI Press report. Many factors influence costs, including program length and location. In some cases, students may have additional costs related to:
Application fees
Lab fees
Necessary computer equipment, software, textbooks, or other learning materials
Preparatory courses or modules designed to bridge knowledge gaps
Payment options also vary. Students usually have the option of paying upfront or in monthly installments.
Some bootcamps allow learners to defer their tuition payments or enter into income-sharing agreements. These arrangements may enable students to delay their costs until they land a tech job. These programs effectively function as job guarantees.
Prospective learners should note that coding bootcamps do not currently qualify for federal financial aid programs. Bootcamp participants in need of funding can explore private loan options. However, some bootcamp providers offer various financial aid options for learners.
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What Jobs Can I Get After a CIRR-Verified Bootcamp?
CIRR-verified bootcamps help learners build in-demand tech skills. Some programs cater to experienced tech professionals seeking to enhance their existing abilities. However, most programs serve beginners and newbies transitioning into new careers.
View the link below to explore some of the most popular computer science career paths.
Web Developer: Web developers help launch and maintain personal and commercial websites. Theprofession includes client-facing "front-end" skills and server-facing "back-end" skills. Developers with both skillsets are known as "full-stack" developers. Web development bootcamps usually focus on building full-stackabilities.
Median Annual Salary: $77,200
Job Outlook (2020-30)+13%
Software Developer: Software developers create computer and mobile applications for specific userneeds. These professionals follow standardized workflow processes, including extensive quality assurance (QA) andtesting practices. Many entry-level roles focus on QA and testing tasks. Bootcamps can equip students with thefoundational knowledge needed for these jobs.
Median Annual Salary: $110,140
Job Outlook (2020-30)+22%
Web Designer: Web designers combine technical abilities and creative flair. This specializedprofession focuses on finding aesthetically pleasing solutions to technical specifications and user needs.CIRR-verified web design bootcamps focus specifically on building complementary skill sets in the field.
Average Annual Salary (November 2021): $52,240
Video Game Designer: Video game designers create entertainment products for both desktop and mobilecomputing platforms. Job roles often include generating gameplay ideas and content themes along with writing codeand testing early product versions. Bootcamps for aspiring game designers usually cover technical coding skills andgame theory essentials.
Average Annual Salary (November 2021):$66,610
Computer Programmer: Programmers have mastery of many coding languages. They create and test the codethat allows computer systems and software products to function. The BLS anticipates declining growth rates in thispopular career path, mainly due to overseas outsourcing.
Median Annual Salary: $89,190
Job Outlook (2020-30): -10%
Other Computer Science Education Options
Bootcamps typically appeal to learners seeking quick, career-oriented skills training. These programs offer value to those seeking entry-level tech jobs, but they don't suit everyone. Some students may prefer the pace and comprehensiveness of a traditional degree. Consider the advantages of degree programs:
Associate Degree in Computer Science
Associate degree programs cover the foundations of computer science. They typically appeal to learners with little existing knowledge or experience. Students can usually complete an associate degree in about two academic years.
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
At the bachelor's level, students can specialize in concentrated areas of computer science and technology. General programs are also available, allowing learners to explore specific areas of interest through electives. Most bachelor's programs span four academic years.
Master's Degree in Computer Science
Master's programs in computer science offer learners the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge and skills in highly targeted areas. These degrees mainly appeal to ambitious learners seeking career advancement.
Ph.D. in Computer Science
Computer science doctorates tend to attract those seeking to become recognized experts in a particular disciplinary branch. These research-heavy educational paths may lead to professor positions or highly specialized roles in niche technology fields or.
Explore Other Coding Bootcamps
The Council on Integrity in Results Reporting fills a vital function in the bootcamp space. However, there are many reputable learning programs unaffiliated with CIRR. The list below explores some of these options.
Top CIRR-Verified Bootcamps
This alphabetical list includes bootcamps verified by the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR). CIRR bootcamps follow a transparent reporting process for student outcomes like graduation and job placement rates.
The following intensive bootcamps are accepting students and can provide pathways to tech careers. The 10 highlighted bootcamps below are among the most popular on our list.
App Academy offers software engineering bootcamps in New York, San Francisco, and online. Founded in 2012, the school helps students gain in-demand skills to change careers.
Software Engineering Immersive
App Academy's online and on-campus CIRR bootcamps focus on software engineering and full-stack development. With two options for full-time learners and one for part-time students, the bootcamp takes 16, 24, or 48 weeks to complete.
Bootcamp participants can pay upfront or participate in an income-share agreement program. Income-share students pay nothing until they get a job making at least $50,000 a year. The curriculum includes hundreds of hours of practice using JavaScript and Ruby on Rails.
Upfront Cost: $17,000-$22,000 upfront; other tuition options available
Format: Online or on campus; full or part time
Length: 16 weeks or 24 weeks (full time); 48 weeks (part time)
CIRR Member: No
App Academy's Job Placement AssistanceApp Academy reports a 95% job placement rate for 2019 graduates of its in-person New York bootcamp. The average placement time for this group was 4.9 months.
Full-stack software engineer
Chicago, Illinois or online
Full time
$17,000
Frequently Asked Questions About CIRR and Bootcamps
What is the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting?
The CIRR is a nonprofit organization that audits the student outcome data generated by education providers like bootcamps. Its function is to provide prospective learners with a neutral, authoritative way to verify bootcamps' claims.
Does a bootcamp have to be CIRR-verified?
CIRR verification is entirely voluntary. Coding bootcamps are under no obligation to participate. Many reputable bootcamps do not affiliate themselves with the organization. However, CIRR membership signals high levels of transparency regarding graduation and job data.
Are CIRR bootcamps worth it?
The student outcome data published by CIRR-verified bootcamps is highly reliable. The organization independently audits and verifies these claims. Bootcamps with high in-field placement rates typically deliver strong returns on students' educational investments.
Will a bootcamp verified by CIRR cost more than other bootcamps?
Bootcamp providers set their tuition rates internally. Therefore, CIRR affiliation may or may not influence the program's cost. Prospective students should carefully compare the prices of all options and factor them alongside student outcome data.
