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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.
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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 377,500 new jobs between 2022 and 2032. 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 (2022-32): 8%
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 (2022-32): 35%
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 (2022-32): 25%
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 (2022-32): -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 (2022-32): 16%
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.
Coding Dojo
Since its founding in 2012, Coding Dojo has taught more than 6,000 students to code. The school revises its curriculum regularly to deliver career-relevant coursework.
Coding Dojo Bootcamps
Coding Dojo's GI Bill bootcamps welcome students with no prior coding experience. The school offers front-end and back-end software development, cybersecurity, and data science bootcamps. Program length varies with part-time and full-time enrollment, along with options for online and on-campus delivery.
Students receive access to one-on-one support online and after class. During weekly office hours, instructors answer questions and meet with 2-3 learners at a time. Each graduate earns a Coding Dojo certificate of completion.
- Cost: Varies
- Format: Online or on-campus; full time or part time
- Length: Varies
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Coding Dojo
- Software development
- Cybersecurity
- Data science
- UX/UI design
Coding Dojo's Job Placement Assistance
Coding Dojo boasts a 95.3% job placement rate in the first year after graduation and offers students career services for life. Graduates make an average starting salary of $72,325 annually.
General Assembly
Created in 2011 and headquartered in Georgia, General Assembly offers experiential bootcamps in web development, design, and data. Students can receive mentorship opportunities and become part of a global alumni network of more than 40,000 members.
Software Engineering, Data Science, and User Experience Bootcamps
General Assembly accepts GI Bill funds for select full-time courses at specific campuses. Students using GI Bill funding can apply to attend online bootcamps on a case-by-case basis. General Assembly offers individualized career coaching and job search support, including networking conferences, hiring events, and career development workshops.
General Assembly updates each course at least twice a year to reflect evolving industry needs. The school boasts relationships with more than 10,000 hiring partners.
- Cost: Varies by course
- Format: Online (on a case-by-case basis) or on-campus; full time
- Length: 12 weeks
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by General Assembly
- Data analytics
- Digital marketing
- Front-end web development
- JavaScript development
General Assembly's Job Placement Assistance
Each bootcamp enrollee can work with a dedicated career coach to find a job. In 2019, 99.2% of graduates who took advantage of full-time career services found a job in their field.
Metis
Founded in 2014, Metis offers online bootcamps, short immersive courses, bootcamp preparation, and corporate training in data science and analytics.
Metis Bootcamps
Metis' online data science and analytics-focused bootcamps include real-time and flexible asynchronous learning formats. The curriculum entails live and recorded lectures, along with projects exploring solutions to real-world problems.
Career support offers one-on-one career advising, resume-writing workshops, and mock interviews. Graduates join a 2,000+ member alumni network. Payment plans include scholarships, monthly installments, and third-party financing options.
Each data science bootcamp applicant must pass a technical challenge covering statistics, linear algebra, and Python.
- Cost: Varies by course
- Format: Online; full time or part time
- Length: Varies by course
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Metis
- Data analytics
- Data science
- Data science and engineering
- Data science and machine learning
Metis' Job Placement Assistance
Metis offers each bootcamp graduate one-on-one career support until they find a job. Resources include an alumni portal with job listings and a graduate directory for employers to view resume information.
Hack Reactor
Founded in 2012, Hack Reactor trains students to become software engineers. The company's industry-relevant curriculum was the first to focus on JavaScript.
Software Engineering Bootcamp
Hack Reactor offers a software engineering program with over 800 hours of computer science and JavaScript training. Students can choose from in-person and online options. All course formats are immersive, and online learners can study full or part time. Full-time learners graduate in 12 weeks, while part-time students typically take nine months.
Hack Reactor offers a 2- to 4-month introductory curriculum that prepares students for the software engineering course. Each applicant must pass a technical assessment for admission into the bootcamp.
- Cost: $17,980
- Format: Online; full time or part time
- Length: 12 weeks (full time); 9 months (part time)
- CIRR Member: No
Hack Reactor's Job Placement Assistance
Hack Reactor offers personalized job coaching and career support. A 2020 outcomes report states that 75% of graduates found an in-field job, began a relevant internship, or started their own company within 180 days of program completion.
Turing School
Turing School prepares students for tech careers through fully online, real-time web development bootcamps. Turing keeps classes small with an average 16-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Web Development Bootcamps
Turing School delivers real-time, online, teacher-led courses. Participants can specialize in front-end or back-end development. Student support includes financial coaching, a mentoring program, and mental health resources. The program takes about 10.4 months of GI Bill funding.
Each applicant must submit a three-part initial application that includes sections on basic information and a logic quiz. Turing School does not require previous coding experience but recommends that students complete its Try Coding workshop before applying.
- Cost: $20,000
- Format: Online; full time
- Length: 7 months
- CIRR Member: Yes
Turing School's Job Placement Assistance
Ninety-five percent of Turing alumni work in the tech industry. The average time-to-hire for graduates is 74 days, with an average starting salary of $75,000.
ADA Developers Academy
- ADA Developers Academy Bootcamp Course
- Seattle, Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; online
- Full time
- No cost
Alchemy Code Lab
- Alchemy Code Lab Bootcamp Course
- Online
- Full time
- $24,000
Boise CodeWorks
- Boise, Idaho
- Full time
BrainStation Miami
- New York, New York; Miami, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Seattle, Washington; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Dallas, Texas; online
- Full time or part time
Careers in Code
- Careers in Code Bootcamp Course
- Syracuse, New York
- Part time
- No cost
Claim Academy
- St. Louis, Missouri; online
- Full time
- $13,995
Code Fellows
- Code 201: foundations of software development, code 301: intermediate software development, code 400: advanced software development, ops 201: foundations of computer operations, ops 301: networking and systems administration, ops 400: advanced cybersecurity courses
- Seattle, Washington; online
- Full time or part time
Code Platoon
- Full-Stack Software Engineer Bootcamp
- Chicago, Illinois; online
- Full time, part time
- $17,000
Codeup
- Specific courses that accept GI Bill funding unspecified
- San Antonio, Dallas, Houston; online
- Full time
- $22,500
Deep Dive Coding
- All bootcamps are eligible except for data science and UX/UI, which are pending approval
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Full time, part time, or self-paced
DeltaV Code School
- Code 101, 102, 201, 301, and 401 Bootcamps
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa; online
- Full time, part time, or self-paced
DevCodeCamp
- Full-Stack Development or Web Development Bootcamps
- Online
- Full time or part time
- $15,500
DevPoint Labs
- Web development
- Online until further notice
- Full time or part time
- $5,500 (part time); $11,000 (full time)
DigitalCrafts
- Atlanta, Georgia; Austin, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; online
- Full time or part time
- $9,950-$14,950
Eleven Fifty Academy
- Indianapolis, Indiana; Fishers, Indiana; online
- Full time or part time
- $5,000-$18,000
Evolve Security Academy
- Cybersecurity Bootcamp
- Chicago, Illinois; online
- Part time
- $14,500
Fullstack Academy
- New York; online
- Full time or part time
- $17,910
Galvanize
- Online until February 2022
- Full time, part time
- $17,980
Launch School
- Launch School Bootcamp Course
- Online
- Self-paced
- $199/month (standard program); $299/month (deferred payment program)
Max Technical Training
- .NET Developer Bootcamp, Java Developer Bootcamp
- Cincinnati, Ohio; online
- Full time
- $14,000
PDX Code Guild
- Online until further notice
- Full time or part time
- $11,500-$18,400
Sabio
- Irvine, Culver City, Los Angeles; online
- Full time
- $15,000
Skill Distillery
- Online only due to COVID-19
- Full time
- $14,950-$19,950
Tech Elevator
- Tech Elevator Coding Bootcamp Course
- Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; online
- Full time
- $15,950
The Array School of Technology and Design
- Array Fall 2021 Bootcamp Course
- Online in 2021
- Full time
- $15,000 ($15,550 with a rental computer)
V School
- Online
- Full time
We Can Code IT
- Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; online
- Full time, part time
- $14,900
Zip Code Wilmington
- Zip Code Wilmington Bootcamp Course
- Wilmington, Delaware; online
- Full time
- $12,000
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.
- Arizona State University
- Columbia University in the City of New York
- Northwestern University
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Irvine
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of Texas at Austin
- Vanderbilt University
- Washington University in St. Louis
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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