Top 10 Part-Time Coding Bootcamps in 2026 (For Working Professionals)
By Irene Holden
Last Updated: January 4th 2026

Too Long; Didn't Read
For working professionals in 2026, Nucamp and General Assembly stand out - Nucamp if you need an affordable, job-friendly schedule, and General Assembly if you can invest more time and money for broader brand recognition and career support. Nucamp’s hybrid model costs under $4,000, asks about 8 to 15 hours per week, and reports roughly 78% of grads employed in-field, while General Assembly’s part-time software engineering track runs about 32 weeks at roughly 15 hours per week with tuition near $16,450 and reported placement rates close to 96%.
You know that moment in the grocery aisle where you’re staring at a wall of frozen dinners, phone in one hand, basket in the other? The article promised “Top 10 Healthy Meals,” but now you’re squinting at the tiny print: cook time, sodium, price, serving size. Picking a coding bootcamp as a working adult feels the same way. A “Best Part-Time Bootcamps” list gets you to the aisle - but it still doesn’t tell you which single box fits your actual life, your energy, and your budget.
Understanding what “best” really means
Most rankings surface the same big brands over and over, and they’re not wrong that bootcamps can work. Industry analyses like DigitalDefynd’s guide to coding bootcamp benefits and outcome roundups from sites such as Course Report consistently find that graduates report a median salary increase of around 51%, with average first roles starting near $70,698. That’s the tempting promise on the front of the box. But “best overall” doesn’t answer questions like: Can you really carve out 12 hours every week after your shift? Do evening live classes work if your schedule changes every month? How much financial risk can you take on without losing sleep?
The trade-offs hiding behind the label
Once you flip the box over, you start to see the trade-offs. Some part-time programs expect roughly 8-15 hours per week over a longer stretch; others compress things into 20+ hours weekly for a few intense months. Tuition can range from a few thousand dollars for leaner, budget-friendly options up to well over $20,000 for prestige brands and advanced immersives. On top of sticker price, there’s the “cart total”: interest on loans, the risk of an Income Share Agreement, and the opportunity cost if a program pushes you toward burnout and you never finish. Knowing your own “microwave minutes” and money bandwidth matters more than chasing whatever sits on the top shelf.
| Bootcamp “meal type” | Typical tuition range | Weekly hours (part-time) | Common duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget-friendly part-time | $2,000-$4,000 | 8-15 hours | 4-6 months |
| Mid-range structured | $6,000-$12,000 | 15-20 hours | 4-9 months |
| High-end immersive (part-time) | $16,000-$22,000+ | 20+ hours | 8-12 months |
How to use this guide like a savvy shopper
This guide isn’t here to crown a universal #1. It’s here to act like a curated aisle of strong part-time options, so you can read the label instead of believing the marketing on the front. For each bootcamp, we’ll look at the “cook time” (weekly hours and total duration), the real cost (tuition, financing, job guarantees, and risk), reported outcomes (placement rates and salary lifts), and the schedule pattern (evenings, weekends, or self-paced). Your job is to compare those details against your own reality: your work schedule, family obligations, debt, and how much mental space you actually have in your basket right now.
As you read, start thinking like a label-checker, not a hype-chaser. Which programs fit within your realistic weekly bandwidth? Which ones land in a tuition range you can handle without betting the house? And which two or three are worth a deeper look - booking an info session, asking blunt questions about results for working students, and mapping where those hours would live in your week - before you put anything in your cart.
Table of Contents
- Why the right bootcamp fit matters
- Nucamp
- General Assembly
- Springboard
- Coding Temple
- TripleTen
- Flatiron School
- App Academy
- Codesmith
- CareerFoundry
- Tech Elevator
- How to read the label and choose for your life
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Nucamp
If you’re scanning the “shelf” for something that won’t wreck your budget but still has decent ingredients, Nucamp is that store brand that quietly overdelivers. It’s an international online bootcamp serving learners in more than 200 U.S. cities, built specifically for career changers who can’t quit their jobs. With tuition that starts under four figures and tops out under $4,000 for AI programs, it consistently shows up in guides like Forbes’ rankings of affordable coding bootcamps as a budget-friendly option for working adults.
Format and schedule built around a day job
Nucamp’s model is hybrid part-time: you work through lessons and assignments on your own during the week, then join live online workshops on weekends. Most career-change tracks run 15-25 weeks within an overall range of 4-25 weeks, with an expected commitment of about 8-15 hours per week. That rhythm is intentionally designed so you can spread study time across evenings, lunch breaks, and early mornings, then use Saturdays or Sundays for guided review and hands-on practice with an instructor and small cohort.
Curriculum and AI-focused options
On the coding side, Nucamp covers full modern stacks: programs like Full Stack Web and Mobile focus on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node.js, and mobile-friendly development, while the Back End, SQL and DevOps with Python bootcamp (16 weeks, $2,124) builds Python, SQL, cloud deployment, and DevOps fundamentals that translate well into data and AI roles. Its AI offerings go further: AI Essentials for Work (15 weeks, $3,582) teaches practical AI-assisted productivity, prompt engineering, and tools like ChatGPT, while the Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur bootcamp (25 weeks, $3,980) dives into LLM integration, AI agents, and SaaS monetization for people who want to ship AI products, not just experiment with them.
| Program | Duration | Tuition | Primary focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Development Fundamentals | 4 weeks | $458 | Intro HTML/CSS and web basics |
| Front End Web and Mobile Development | 17 weeks | $2,124 | Front-end web and mobile-friendly UI |
| Full Stack Web and Mobile Development | 22 weeks | $2,604 | JavaScript, React, Node.js, full-stack apps |
| Back End, SQL and DevOps with Python | 16 weeks | $2,124 | Python, SQL, DevOps, cloud deployment |
| AI Essentials for Work | 15 weeks | $3,582 | Workplace AI skills and prompt engineering |
| Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur | 25 weeks | $3,980 | AI products, LLMs, agents, SaaS monetization |
| Cybersecurity Bootcamp | 15 weeks | $2,124 | Practical cybersecurity foundations |
| Complete Software Engineering Path | 11 months | $5,644 | End-to-end path to software engineer |
Cost, outcomes, and who Nucamp fits
Across its catalog, most web development and Python/cloud programs fall between $2,124-$2,604, while AI-focused bootcamps land between $3,582-$3,980. That’s significantly below the $10,000-$20,000 price tags common at larger competitors, and Nucamp leans on flexible monthly payment plans instead of Income Share Agreements. Shorter options like Web Development Fundamentals (4 weeks, $458) offer a low-risk trial, while the 11-month Complete Software Engineering Path ($5,644) bundles multiple bootcamps for a structured, longer runway into software roles. On outcomes, Nucamp reports roughly 78% of graduates employed in-field and about 75% graduation, with a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating from around 398 reviews and roughly 80% five-star feedback, alongside career services that include 1:1 coaching, portfolio development, mock interviews, and a job board.
For a tired but motivated working adult, the fit question is simple: can you see yourself consistently finding 8-15 hours each week for several months, mostly on weeknights and weekends, in exchange for a structured path into web, backend, cybersecurity, or AI? If your budget sits closer to a few thousand dollars than five figures, and you like the idea of live weekend workshops plus a lot of flexibility during the week, Nucamp’s “nutrition label” lines up well. The main trade-off is that the hybrid, lower-cost model expects you to bring steady self-discipline between those weekend sessions - something to be honest about before you put it in your cart.
General Assembly
On the bootcamp shelf, General Assembly is that eye-level, name-brand box you recognize immediately. Employers know the logo, friends have probably taken a course there, and it shows up on almost every “best coding bootcamps” list. For a working adult, that recognition can feel reassuring - especially if you’re betting scarce time and money - but it also comes with a higher price sticker and a more demanding weekly rhythm than leaner options.
Schedule and structure for people with day jobs
General Assembly’s part-time Software Engineering Immersive is designed so you can keep your full-time job, but you will feel it. The program typically runs about 32 weeks, with roughly 15 hours per week of live online classes, projects, and independent study. Most cohorts meet on weeknights with some weekend time, which works well if your schedule is predictable and you can block off the same evenings consistently. Industry roundups like Course Report’s list of top coding bootcamps highlight General Assembly partly because of its reported job placement rate of around 96% for immersive grads, but that outcome is built on a serious, steady time commitment.
Curriculum, projects, and learning experience
The part-time software engineering track gives you a broad, modern stack rather than a narrow specialty. You’ll work with JavaScript on both the front end and back end, often alongside Python, build and consume APIs, interact with databases, and practice Agile/Scrum workflows. The program centers on multiple portfolio projects, including a capstone that simulates a real-world product cycle - requirements, iterations, and all. Live lectures, pair programming, and code reviews create more of a “mini CS degree” feel than a purely self-paced course, which can be a big plus if you learn best with real-time accountability and instructor feedback.
| Aspect | General Assembly (part-time SE immersive) |
|---|---|
| Duration | ~32 weeks |
| Weekly hours | ~15 hours (evenings + some weekends) |
| Tuition | About $16,450 |
| Format | Live online, instructor-led + projects |
| Reported outcomes | ~96% job placement in-field for immersive grads |
Reputation, cost, and realistic fit
Tuition for the part-time immersive sits around $16,450, putting GA firmly in the “premium entrée” category compared with budget bootcamps under $5,000. Financing options usually include upfront payment, installments, and loans, plus some scholarships. The upside of that higher investment is a strong employer brand: companies like Adobe, Google, and Amazon are regularly cited as organizations that hire bootcamp grads, with General Assembly appearing in employer-focused pieces such as Noble Desktop’s overview of companies that hire bootcamp graduates. The trade-off is that you’re taking on a sizable financial and time load at once. If you can reliably dedicate 15 focused hours every week and want the confidence that comes with a widely recognized school and structured live instruction, General Assembly can be a good fit. If your schedule or budget are tighter, you may need to reach for something on a lower shelf that still meets your goals without overflowing your cart.
Springboard
Springboard is built for people whose calendars don’t play nice with fixed class times. Instead of asking you to show up three nights a week, it gives you a structured path you can move through on your own schedule, plus a real human mentor checking in every week. For working adults with rotating shifts, kids, or unpredictable workloads, that combination of flexibility and accountability is the main draw.
Self-paced, but not solo
The Software Engineering Career Track is 100% online and designed to be completed in about 6-9 months (up to roughly 40 weeks) on a part-time basis. You’re expected to put in around 11-17 hours per week, whenever you can fit that time in. The key difference from many self-paced courses is the weekly 1:1 mentor call with an industry engineer who reviews your progress, unblocks you on tough concepts, and keeps you moving forward. That format shows up repeatedly in Springboard’s own outcomes stories, where students describe the program as a “support system and cheerleader” rather than just a video library.
Curriculum and job guarantee
Springboard’s Software Engineering Career Track is centered on the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express, React, Node.js), along with algorithms, data structures, testing, and deployment. You build several portfolio projects, including at least one that mimics a production application you can talk through in interviews. Tuition for this track is about $13,860, with options for upfront payment, installments, and in some cases an income share or deferred-tuition model. A major selling point is the job guarantee on flagship tracks: if you meet the job-search requirements and don’t land a qualifying tech role within a set window (often around six months after graduation), you can be eligible for a tuition refund. That risk-sharing structure is one reason Springboard appears in expert roundups like Springboard’s own analysis of top part-time coding bootcamps, which compare programs on flexibility and outcomes for working adults.
| Feature | Software Engineering Career Track |
|---|---|
| Format | Online, self-paced + weekly 1:1 mentor calls |
| Typical duration | 6-9 months (up to ~40 weeks) |
| Weekly time | 11-17 hours, flexible scheduling |
| Tuition | About $13,860 |
| Career support | Job guarantee on eligible tracks, 1:1 career coaching, portfolio and interview prep |
“It was the best career-related decision I’ve ever made… I especially valued the depth of the curriculum in Python and AI topics.” - Michael Garber, Software Engineering Graduate, Springboard
For a tired but motivated professional, the practical question is whether you can reliably find 11-17 hours somewhere in your week without locking into fixed class times. If your shifts change or family obligations pop up unpredictably, the ability to move work around while still having a mentor and career coach in your corner can make Springboard a strong fit. The flip side is that self-paced doesn’t mean low effort - you’ll need to be honest about your follow-through and willing to treat those hours like a non-negotiable part of your schedule if you want the job guarantee and career outcomes to work in your favor.
Coding Temple
Coding Temple is the bootcamp that feels like a hearty, high-protein dinner: not the lightest thing on the shelf, but designed to fill you up with real, hands-on experience. It’s explicitly aimed at people who want to keep working while they study, but are willing to push hard for a few months in exchange for faster results and a job guarantee that reduces some financial risk.
Schedule and structure for working adults
The part-time option typically runs about 4-5 months, with an expected commitment of roughly 20 hours per week. That time is split between live, instructor-led online sessions (often in the evenings) and self-paced lab work you can schedule around your job. The idea is that you treat it like a serious second job for a short, defined period rather than stretching lighter work over a year. Industry roundups, including lists of the best coding bootcamps to get a job, tend to highlight Coding Temple for this blend of structure and flexibility that still acknowledges most students are employed while they learn.
Curriculum and experiential learning
Coding Temple focuses on modern, employable stacks. Many tracks emphasize Python, SQL, and back-end foundations, with some offerings also covering full-stack JavaScript. You’ll work with APIs, databases, and cloud deployment patterns, but the real differentiator is how project-heavy the experience is. Forbes Advisor has called Coding Temple “Best for Experiential Learning” among coding bootcamps, reflecting its emphasis on building multiple real-world style applications rather than just completing isolated exercises or quizzes.
| Aspect | Coding Temple (part-time) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4-5 months |
| Weekly time | About 20 hours |
| Tuition | Around $6,000 |
| Format | Live online instruction + self-paced labs |
| Key focus | Python, SQL, back-end/full-stack projects |
| Job guarantee | Money-back guarantee if no qualifying job within 270 days (conditions apply) |
Cost, job guarantee, and realistic fit
At roughly $6,000, Coding Temple lands in the mid-range: significantly cheaper than many $15,000-$20,000+ prestige programs, but more expensive than the most budget-focused options. What changes the risk equation for many career changers is the money-back job guarantee. If you meet their requirements - completing projects, staying active in your job search, and following the career services process - and still don’t land a qualifying tech role within 270 days of graduation, you can be eligible for a full tuition refund. That guarantee is a big part of why it’s frequently mentioned in discussions of outcomes-focused and job-guarantee bootcamps.
The trade-off is intensity. Twenty hours per week on top of full-time work is a serious lift, especially if you have caregiving duties or a draining day job. Coding Temple makes the most sense if you can clear your plate for a few months - trimming non-essential commitments, getting family on board, and treating the program like a temporary sprint. If you’re looking for a slower pace or have very unpredictable hours, you may be better off with a lighter “meal” on the shelf; if you want to move quickly, build a deep project portfolio, and like the added security of a refund-backed job guarantee, it’s a compelling option to keep in your basket for closer inspection.
TripleTen
TripleTen is the “family-size” option on the shelf: plenty of structure, lots of servings of real-world projects, and clear instructions on the back of the box. It’s built for busy career changers who want a part-time schedule, strong guidance, and the psychological safety of a job guarantee, without having to show up for live lectures multiple nights a week.
Part-time pacing with milestone check-ins
TripleTen’s programs are online and part-time, typically running around 20-46 weeks depending on the track. They’re designed so you can study roughly 15-20 hours per week on your own schedule, hitting clear project milestones instead of attending fixed nightly classes. That structure works well if your work hours shift or you’re juggling caregiving, because you’re measured on progress and deadlines, not on being in a Zoom room at 6 p.m. sharp every Tuesday.
Project-based learning and career prep
The Software Engineering track covers JavaScript, React, Node.js, backend APIs, databases, and DevOps basics, but the emphasis is on building out a portfolio of realistic projects. You move through staged “sprints” that culminate in production-style apps you can walk through in interviews. Alongside the technical work, you get access to tutors, code reviews, and mock interviews, plus structured career support that runs in parallel with the curriculum so you’re not starting your job search from zero on graduation day.
| Feature | TripleTen (Software Engineering) |
|---|---|
| Format | Online, part-time, project-based |
| Duration | ~20-46 weeks, track-dependent |
| Weekly time | Designed for busy adults, typically 15-20 hours |
| Average tuition | About $11,874 (varies by program) |
| Job guarantee | Tuition refunded if no relevant job within 10 months of completion (conditions apply) |
“The real-life projects and mock interviews were transformational… They helped me present myself to employers with confidence.” - Demetrus Simmons, TripleTen Graduate
Cost, job guarantee, and who it’s best for
With average tuition around $11,874, TripleTen sits in the mid-to-upper range: more than budget bootcamps, less than the priciest, prestige-heavy names. The standout feature is its job guarantee: if you follow their job-search process and still don’t land a qualifying role within ten months of finishing, you may be eligible for a full tuition refund. That kind of risk-sharing is one reason TripleTen shows up in independent comparisons of coding bootcamps, including an overview of bootcamp programs, costs, and jobs that highlights providers offering strong employment support. For a working adult, TripleTen makes the most sense if you like structured checkpoints and real-world projects, want the psychological safety of a guarantee, and have enough weekly “microwave minutes” to put in 15-20 solid hours without needing to be live on camera several nights a week.
Flatiron School
Flatiron School sits in the “premium frozen entrée” category of bootcamps: not the cheapest option on the shelf, but known for strong career services, a sizable alumni network, and a reputation that shows up in many rankings. If you’re a working adult who wants robust support and can handle a higher price sticker in exchange for guidance and structure, Flatiron is worth reading the label on carefully.
Part-time structure for working adults
Flatiron offers online part-time programs that typically run anywhere from about 20 to 60 weeks, depending on the track and pace you choose. For most part-time options, you’re looking at roughly 15-20 hours per week of study, spread across self-paced lessons, live support, and project work. That slower, extended timeline can be a real advantage if you’re balancing a full-time job, caregiving, or other commitments and don’t have the bandwidth for a 20+ hour “second job” every week.
Curriculum and learning experience
Flatiron focuses on three major areas: Software Engineering (full-stack web), Data Science, and Cybersecurity. The Software Engineering track usually covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript, a modern front-end framework like React, and a back-end language such as Ruby or Python, plus databases, APIs, and testing. Learning is project-based, so you’ll ship multiple applications as you progress. Part-time students mix self-paced modules with scheduled support like office hours and live Q&A, so you’re not left alone with recorded videos for months at a time.
| Aspect | Flatiron School (part-time) |
|---|---|
| Main tracks | Software Engineering, Data Science, Cybersecurity |
| Duration | ~20-60 weeks, depending on program/pace |
| Weekly time | Typically 15-20 hours |
| Tuition range | About $9,900-$16,900 |
| Reported outcomes | Roughly 90% of job-seeking grads employed after graduation |
Outcomes, cost, and whether it fits your life
On the outcome side, Flatiron reports that around 90% of job-seeking graduates land roles after completing their programs, and it consistently earns strong reviews (often around 4.6/5) on major bootcamp platforms. Tuition sits in the $9,900-$16,900 range depending on the program, with financing options like upfront payment, loans, and scholarships. That puts it above budget-focused schools but still competitive with other “top shelf” names highlighted in resources like Career Karma’s rankings of best coding bootcamps. For a working professional, the real question is whether the combination of longer pacing, strong career coaching, and brand recognition is worth the higher investment. If you value intensive 1:1 career support and a large alumni network - and can commit 15-20 hours a week over many months - Flatiron can be a strong fit. If your budget is tighter or you need a lighter weekly load, you may want to compare it closely with lower-cost options before putting it in your cart.
App Academy
App Academy is one of the highest-intensity options in the part-time space: it takes the workload of a famous full-time immersive and stretches it over nearly a year. In return, you get a strong reputation with employers and the possibility of deferred tuition through an Income Share Agreement (ISA), but you also take on a heavy weekly load and a sticker price that sits at the very top of the market.
A “second job” level schedule over 48 weeks
The part-time online Software Engineering track runs for about 48 weeks. Even though it’s labeled part-time, you’re still looking at a significant weekly commitment - often 20+ hours per week between live sessions, projects, and independent study. For most students, that means treating App Academy like a true second job for almost a full year: multiple evenings plus chunks of the weekend dedicated to lectures, pair programming, and coding challenges. It can work alongside a full-time role, but usually only if your day job hours are stable and you have buy-in from family or roommates to protect that time.
Full-stack JavaScript and rigorous assessments
App Academy leans heavily into full-stack JavaScript, with a focus on technologies like React and Redux on the front end and Node.js, Express, and SQL/NoSQL databases on the back end. The curriculum also weaves in computer science fundamentals, algorithms, and system design at a level meant to prepare you for interviews at competitive companies. The program is known for its rigorous assessments and project requirements: you’re expected to build multiple substantial applications and pass frequent evaluations to stay on track, which is part of why it frequently appears in “best coding bootcamps” lists such as the IT Support Group’s rankings of top bootcamps.
| Aspect | App Academy (part-time online) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 48 weeks |
| Weekly time | Often 20+ hours |
| Tuition | About $22,000 upfront |
| Financing | Upfront or Income Share Agreement (ISA) with payments after landing a job (terms apply) |
| Format | Online, structured cohort with live instruction and projects |
| Employer reach | Graduates placed at a range of brand-name tech companies |
Deferred tuition, risk, and realistic fit
With upfront tuition around $22,000, App Academy is one of the most expensive options on this list. The ISA or deferred-tuition model can soften that hit: instead of paying everything before or during the program, you agree to pay a portion of your future salary after you land a qualifying role, subject to minimum salary thresholds and time limits. For some career changers, that feels more manageable than loans; for others, the long-term obligation and the possibility of paying more than sticker price are important trade-offs to weigh. App Academy makes the most sense if you want a highly structured, prestige-leaning program, you’re ready for a nearly year-long grind at 20+ hours a week, and you’re comfortable with the financial model - whether that’s paying upfront or signing an ISA. If your bandwidth is limited or you’re already running close to empty, you may need to think hard about whether this level of intensity fits the life you’re actually living right now.
Codesmith
Codesmith is the extra-large, high-protein “athlete meal” of part-time bootcamps. It’s not designed to be light or easy; it’s designed to push you toward advanced engineering skills and high-paying roles. For a working adult, that can be incredibly powerful - but only if you’re ready to treat it like a serious second commitment for most of a year.
Workload that feels like a serious second job
The part-time online Software Engineering Immersive runs roughly 38-39 weeks. Even though it’s labeled part-time, you should plan on 20+ hours per week between live sessions, pair programming, group work, and independent study. That’s on top of your existing job and life responsibilities. In practice, most students need a stable day-job schedule, clear support at home, and the ability to dial back other obligations for the duration of the program. This “second job” level of cook time is one of the key things to be honest about before you sign up.
Advanced curriculum targeting mid-level skills
Codesmith’s curriculum is built to cultivate mid-level engineering habits rather than just junior-level syntax. You’ll go deep into advanced JavaScript, React, and Node.js, along with complex front-end and back-end architectures, system design concepts, performance optimization, and open-source contributions. The projects are ambitious - closer to what mid- to senior-level engineers tackle - so you graduate with experience discussing not just what you built, but how and why you architected it that way. Because of this depth, many learners come in with some prior coding or STEM background, even if they’re self-taught.
| Aspect | Codesmith (part-time immersive) |
|---|---|
| Format | Online, part-time immersive with live instruction |
| Duration | ~38-39 weeks |
| Weekly time | Typically 20+ hours |
| Tuition | About $22,500 |
| Focus | Advanced JavaScript, React, Node.js, system design, open-source |
| Reported earnings | Alumni report average annual salaries of $162,055+ years after graduation (across all alumni) |
High-end outcomes, high-end price, and realistic fit
Codesmith sits at the top shelf in terms of both cost and outcomes. Tuition is around $22,500, placing it among the most expensive bootcamps in this guide. On the outcomes side, alumni report average annual earnings above $162,055 a few years after graduation across all alumni, according to a graduate outcomes comparison published by Hack Reactor’s analysis of coding bootcamp outcomes. That combination - high price, high earning potential - is what attracts ambitious career changers and upskillers who are aiming for competitive, higher-comp roles.
For a tired but driven working professional, Codesmith makes the most sense if you already have some technical footing, can realistically give it 20+ focused hours every week for most of a year, and are intentionally aiming for advanced engineering roles where the upside justifies the cost and intensity. If you’re brand new to coding, on a tight budget, or already at your bandwidth limit, this may be less like a quick weeknight dinner and more like training for a marathon - something to take on only when the timing, support, and energy in your “basket” all line up.
CareerFoundry
CareerFoundry is designed for people who want guided flexibility: you don’t have time for rigid evening lectures, but you also don’t want to slog through videos alone. Everything is online and self-paced, but you’re paired with both a mentor and a tutor so there’s always someone to review your work, answer questions, and keep you moving toward an actual career change instead of just “taking another course.”
Self-paced, with real humans in your corner
Programs are structured to be completed in about 5-10 months on a part-time basis, with an expected load of roughly 10-20 hours per week. You work through modules on your schedule, then get feedback from a senior-industry mentor on the big-picture direction of your projects and from a tutor on day-to-day technical issues. That model is one reason CareerFoundry consistently earns ratings around 4.6/5 on major bootcamp review sites and is featured in resources like CareerFoundry’s own overview of free coding bootcamps, where it positions project-based, supported learning as the key to employability.
Tracks, curriculum, and the job guarantee
CareerFoundry is best known for UX and UI design, but it also offers a Full-Stack Web Development program alongside Data Analytics and related tracks. The web development path covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript, front-end frameworks, back-end fundamentals, databases, responsive design, and deployment, all wrapped around a sequence of increasingly complex projects that become a job-ready portfolio. Tuition varies by program and region but is often in the mid five-figure range in local currency terms, generally lower than many U.S.-based peers charging premium prices. A major selling point is the job guarantee: if you meet the requirements and don’t land a job in your chosen field within a specified period after graduation, you may be eligible for a tuition refund. CareerFoundry reports that about 96% of eligible graduates either find a job or receive that refund, which shifts some of the risk off working adults who can’t afford to gamble blindly.
| Program | Typical duration | Weekly hours (part-time) | Key focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Stack Web Development | 5-10 months | 10-20 hours | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, front-end & back-end, deployment |
| UX/UI Design | 5-10 months | 10-20 hours | User research, interaction design, prototyping, design systems |
| Data Analytics / related tracks | 5-10 months | 10-20 hours | Data wrangling, visualization, dashboards, basic statistics |
Who CareerFoundry is (and isn’t) right for
For a working professional, the real question is whether you want a flexible but guided path with regular 1:1 support and are ready to commit a steady 10-20 hours each week over several months. CareerFoundry is a strong fit if you’re drawn to full-stack web development or adjacent fields like UX/UI and analytics, and you like the security of a job guarantee rather than taking on all the risk yourself. The trade-off is that it’s not the cheapest option, and the self-paced model means you’ll need to be disciplined about logging those hours consistently so you can actually take advantage of the mentorship, tutoring, and guarantee you’re paying for.
Tech Elevator
Tech Elevator is built for people who want structure, live teaching, and serious career coaching without stepping completely away from their current job. It leans into a cohort model with scheduled sessions, small-group work, and a dedicated career pathway that runs alongside the technical training, making it feel more like a guided transition than a solo online course.
Part-time schedule with consistent touchpoints
The part-time program is designed to run for about 30 weeks, with a weekly commitment in the 15-20 hour range. You can expect a blend of live, instructor-led online lectures, independent coding time, and small-group programming sessions. That rhythm is ideal if you like knowing exactly when you’ll be in “class” each week, while still having flexibility to complete solo work around your job. Because Tech Elevator has historically had strong roots in the Midwest and partnerships with regional employers, it’s especially appealing if you live near those markets or in time zones that align well with its live session schedule.
Enterprise-focused curriculum and the Pathway Program
Technically, Tech Elevator focuses on making you productive in enterprise environments. Tracks often emphasize Java or C# for back-end development, plus SQL and relational databases, web application structure, and Agile team practices. You’ll do a lot of pair programming and collaborative work so you understand how real development teams function. Running in parallel to the technical side is the Pathway Program, a structured career-prep track that covers everything from resumes and LinkedIn to mock interviews and employer matchmaking. Bootcamp market overviews, such as EducateMe’s analysis of bootcamp statistics and hiring trends, often highlight this kind of integrated career curriculum as a key factor in graduates landing roles quickly.
| Aspect | Tech Elevator (part-time) |
|---|---|
| Format | Online, live lectures + independent work + small-group sessions |
| Duration | ~30 weeks |
| Weekly time | About 15-20 hours |
| Tuition | Around $16,500 |
| Focus | Java or C#, SQL, web apps, pair programming, Agile practices |
| Career support | Structured Pathway Program, coaching, mock interviews, employer events |
Cost, outcomes, and who it’s best for
With tuition around $16,500, Tech Elevator is priced similarly to other “top shelf” bootcamps. In return, it offers a strong placement record, particularly with corporate and regional partners, and a reputation for thorough, personalized career coaching. It frequently appears in rankings that focus on job outcomes and employer relationships, placing it among bootcamps that are especially oriented toward getting graduates into full-time roles rather than just teaching skills. For a working adult, Tech Elevator makes the most sense if you want a structured, community-oriented experience with live teaching, are comfortable with a higher tuition in exchange for robust career support, and can reliably devote 15-20 focused hours every week for about seven months. If you need extreme flexibility or a much lower price point, you’ll want to compare it carefully with lighter, more budget-friendly options before deciding it deserves a spot in your basket.
How to read the label and choose for your life
Standing in that bootcamp aisle, it’s tempting to grab whatever’s on the top shelf and hope for the best. But the difference between a program that quietly fits into your life and one that burns you out usually comes down to what’s on the back of the box: the hours, the true cost, and the kind of support you’ll actually get when things get hard. Rankings can narrow the choices, but they can’t tell you how much energy you really have in your basket right now.
Start from your actual week, not the marketing copy
Before you compare brands, get brutally honest about your “microwave minutes.” Look at a normal week and block out work, sleep, family, commuting, and non-negotiables. Whatever’s left is your realistic study window - not the idealized version where you suddenly become a productivity robot. If you consistently see small pockets of time, a program with flexible, self-paced modules may fit better than one with three fixed evening lectures. If you can carve out larger, predictable chunks, a more structured, cohort-based bootcamp might give you stronger accountability. The key is to choose a schedule you can sustain for months, not one you can only survive for a couple of adrenaline-fueled weeks.
Balance price, risk, and the kind of support you need
Next, look past the price sticker and think about the full “cart total.” Lower tuition reduces financial stress but may come with fewer live touchpoints; higher-cost programs can include intensive career coaching, but only matter if you use it. Some schools add job guarantees or deferred tuition, shifting when and how you pay; others keep it simple with upfront or installment plans. Analyses like CodeOp’s breakdown of post-bootcamp salaries point out that outcomes have as much to do with how actively you engage in projects and career support as they do with the brand on your certificate. So as you compare, ask yourself: Do you learn best with frequent 1:1 feedback or are community forums enough? Do you want the psychological safety of a guarantee, or the clarity of a straightforward, lower-cost option?
Use rankings as a shortlist, then interrogate the details
Finally, treat every “Top 10” list as a starting point, not a verdict. Shortlist two or three programs that match your time and budget, then dig into the specifics: average weekly hours, completion rates for part-time students, what “career services” really looks like week to week, and how long graduates typically take to land roles. Book info sessions and bring pointed questions about working while enrolled. Sketch out what a sample week would look like with each program layered on top of your life. When you pick the bootcamp that makes it into your basket, you’re not choosing the internet’s #1; you’re choosing the option whose label lines up with your reality, so you have the best chance of finishing strong and actually using the skills you worked so hard to learn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which part-time coding bootcamp is best for working professionals in 2026?
For many working adults the best fit is Nucamp: it’s explicitly built for people who can’t quit their jobs, with hybrid weekend workshops and self-paced weekday work, tuition typically under $4,000, and expected commitments around 8-15 hours per week. Nucamp reports roughly 78% of grads employed in-field and a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating, making it a strong budget-friendly option to shortlist.
How many hours per week do part-time bootcamps actually require?
Expect a range: budget-friendly part-time options usually ask for about 8-15 hours/week, mid-range programs 15-20 hours, and premium or intensive part-time tracks often push 20+ hours. Pick a program whose weekly hours match the pockets of time you realistically have - Nucamp’s common commitment is about 8-15 hours/week, for example.
How much should I budget for a reputable part-time coding bootcamp?
Costs vary widely: you can pay as little as ~$458 for a short fundamentals course up to $22,500 for high-end programs, with typical ranges of $2,000-$4,000 for budget options, $6,000-$12,000 for mid-range, and $16,000-$22,000+ for premium offerings. Nucamp’s core web and backend programs commonly fall between $2,124-$2,604, while its AI tracks run around $3,582-$3,980.
Which part-time bootcamp is best if I work rotating shifts or have an unpredictable schedule?
If your hours change week to week, choose a self-paced model with scheduled 1:1 mentor support - Springboard is a strong option here, offering flexible pacing (about 11-17 hours/week) plus weekly mentor calls and a job guarantee on eligible tracks. CareerFoundry and other mentor-led, self-paced programs are also good fits because they measure progress by milestones rather than fixed live class times.
What quick checklist should I use to decide which bootcamp fits my life before I apply?
Do a one-week time audit to confirm real study windows, compare weekly hours vs. your available minutes, and weigh total cost including financing and guarantees; check completion and in-field employment rates (e.g., Nucamp reports ~75% graduation and ~78% employed in-field) and whether the program offers live support or mentor calls that match your schedule. Then shortlist two or three programs and book info sessions to ask targeted questions about outcomes for working students.
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Irene Holden
Operations Manager
Former Microsoft Education and Learning Futures Group team member, Irene now oversees instructors at Nucamp while writing about everything tech - from careers to coding bootcamps.

