Coding bootcamps offer short-term, intensive training programs that prepare professionals for information technology careers. Because bootcamps provide a quicker, less-expensive alternative to traditional higher education, they have become a popular choice for aspiring tech professionals.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects computer and information technology occupations will add 377,500 new jobs from 2022-2032. As of May 2023, computer science professionals earn a median annual salary of $104,920, more than double the national median for all occupations. A coding bootcamp can prepare graduates to pursue entry-level positions in the field.
Eligible bootcamps allow students to pay their tuition and sometimes other costs with GI Bill funds. The roundup of bootcamps below can be a great place to start searching for the right program.
What Is a GI Bill Eligible Bootcamp?
Qualifying students can use their GI Bill funds to pay for coding bootcamps. These programs must hold approval with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Some bootcamps may also qualify for funding under the Veterans Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program.
Dozens of coding bootcamps accept GI Bill funding. Typically, these programs last about four months for full-time participants. Bootcamps eligible for the GI Bill may deliver courses in-person, online, or in a hybrid format. They can be full-time or part-time, independent or university affiliated. The GI Bill may even provide a basic housing allowance or other funding for eligible students.
However, using the GI Bill toward a bootcamp may reduce the funding available for an associate or bachelor's degree. These degree programs typically take 2-4 years to complete. Bootcamps can provide quicker, less expensive pathways to the workforce than colleges.
Skills Learned in GI Bill Eligible Bootcamps
Bootcamps teach more than programming languages. These programs can cover a breadth of skills and topics. Commonly, these skills include data science, digital marketing, technical sales, UX/UI design, cybersecurity, and full-stack web development. The topics students may learn in Bootcamps eligible for the GI Bill include the following:
Computer Languages: Coding bootcamps include intensive study of the most common computer languages such as HTML, CSS, and Python. Bootcamps may also help students develop fluency in other critical, high-level programming languages.
Database Management: Database management refers to the skills required to navigate database software effectively. These skills include knowing how to write queries, using tools to analyze data, and maintaining data integrity and security. Database managers must also understand database planning and design.
Front- and Back-End Development: In front-end development, programmers focus on a site's visual appeal, including buttons, layout, and navigation. Back-end developers work with the site's framework, database, and code. Together, front-end and back-end development comprise full-stack development. Some coding bootcamps may label themselves full-stack development bootcamps.
Cybersecurity Analysis: Bootcamps can equip participants with the skills to prevent, detect, and manage cybersecurity threats. Good cybersecurity analytics requires deep knowledge of hacking strategies, computer forensics, and statistical analysis. Bootcamp curriculum may cover some or all these areas of knowledge.
What Will a GI Bill Eligible Bootcamp Cost?
Coding bootcamps may cost less than bachelor's degrees, but prices vary widely among bootcamps. According to a 2019 RTI Press Report, bootcamp costs ranged from $7,500-$13,950. Students should also budget for the cost of application fees, prep courses, and any software or materials.
Many bootcamps offer payment options. For example, some programs allow graduates to pay their tuition in installments. Other bootcamps offer deferred tuition, employer-sponsorship models, or loans. Income-share agreements allow students to pay the bootcamp a portion of their income for a period of time after landing a job.
Some coding bootcamps do not require money up front. Others may provide job guarantees for graduates. Students who can pay for bootcamp with a GI Bill have a distinct financial advantage.
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 Jobs Can I Get After a GI Bill Eligible Bootcamp?
Coding bootcamps can open the doors to exciting technical careers. The BLS projects that the computer and technology industry will add 356,700 new jobs between 2023 and 2033. To compare top computer science careers, click on the link below.
Database Administrator
Working across a variety of industries, database administrators update, store, organize, and maintain information. In this fast-growing career, technology professionals work with vital information such as health, financial, or customer records. Bootcamps offer courses in data analytics, computer languages, and operating systems to prepare students for jobs as database administrators.
Median Annual Salary, May 2023:$101,510
Job Outlook (2023-33):+9%
Data Scientist
Data scientists use programming tools and languages to collect, analyze, and address data problems. A high-paying field, data science offers an intriguing career for professionals who enjoy solving complex challenges. Some bootcamps specialize in data science while others cover data science and computer languages.
Median Annual Salary, May 2023:$108,020
Job Outlook (2023-33):+36%
Software Engineer
Software engineers design computer programs. These professionals may analyze computer software needs, discuss design elements, create mathematical models, and anticipate project outcomes. Software engineers need knowledge of major computer languages, such as Python and Java.
Average Annual Salary, May 2023:$132,270
Job Outlook (2023-33):+17%
Computer Programmer
Computer programmers create software, programs, and applications. Programmers write and test code based on designs they receive from software engineers. A bootcamp can equip students with the necessary programming language skills. While many computer programming jobs are getting outsourced, the field offers many positions in Texas and California, which are home to large technology companies.
Median Annual Salary, May 2023:$99,700
Job Outlook (2023-33):-11%
Web Developer
Web developers create and design websites. These technology professionals may work as front-end designers who focus on user experience, or they may code the site's back end. Some web developers work independently. Others find employment with marketing agencies or IT departments.
Median Annual Salary, May 2023:$84,960
Job Outlook (2023-33):+8%
Other Computer Science Education Options
GI Bill benefits can help pay for both academic and vocational education. Graduates from a coding bootcamp may wish to continue their education by earning a two-year or four-year degree in computer science. These degrees offer more breadth and scope than a bootcamp and may prepare graduates for advanced technical or leadership roles.
Associate Degree in Computer Science
People who want to work as web developers, computer programmers, or computer support specialists can launch their careers with an associate degree. This credential provides students with a quicker route into the workforce than a bachelor's degree.
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
A bachelor's degree in computer science can prepare graduates for many tech careers. Professionals with a four-year degree can become hardware engineers, software developers, or information security analysts. They can also qualify for admission to a graduate program.
Master's Degree in Computer Science
A master's degree in computer science can lay the groundwork for a career in technology research, IT management, or software development. It can also provide the foundation for a Ph.D. in the discipline.
Ph.D. in Computer Science
Students who aspire to work as researchers or postsecondary teachers can pursue a Ph.D. in computer science. This degree typically requires 60 credits beyond a bachelor's degree. Students may need to complete original research in the form of a dissertation.
Explore Other Coding Bootcamps
Coding bootcamps offer a wide variety of educational options. Students can learn career-focused skills in general computer science, web development, UX/UI design, data analytics, software engineering, or IT and cybersecurity.
Questions About GI Bill Eligible Bootcamps
Will GI Bill pay for coding bootcamp?
The GI Bill can pay tuition for qualifying veterans who enroll in coding bootcamps. The bootcamp must hold approval from the Veterans Administration or the VET TEC program to qualify for funding.
What can I use my GI Bill to pay for?
GI Bill benefits can cover tuition for an entire program, select classes, and housing and other associated costs. Applicants should ask their bootcamp's admissions professional what the GI Bill covers for their particular program.
Are coding bootcamps worth it?
Coding bootcamps can help students gain specific coding skills and computer knowledge quickly. However, a bootcamp covers less topics than a two-year or four-year degree and does not lead to a credential.
Are coding bootcamps for beginners?
While it is possible to join a coding bootcamp with no experience, exposure to the basics can help students make the most of their bootcamp experience. Prospective applicants may learn the fundamentals from online tutorials or community classes.
Best GI Bill Eligible Bootcamps
Many coding bootcamps accept GI Bill benefits. This page features an alphabetical, unranked list of GI Bill-eligible bootcamps accepting students.
Every school on our list offers intensive bootcamps that prepare students to pursue careers in the tech industry. The five highlighted programs below are some of the most popular in the field, but all bootcamps listed accept GI Bill funding.
Bootcamps offered in partnership with Trilogy Education Services
Founded in 2015, Trilogy Education Services partners with universities to offer training and bootcamps in in-demand tech skills. Programs cover web development, UX/UI design, data analytics, and digital marketing.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
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