When it comes to learning to code, online coding bootcamps have become an increasingly popular option for those looking to break into the tech industry. With so many options available, it can be hard to know which bootcamp is the best fit for you. In this article, I will be comparing two popular online coding bootcamps, Springboard and Thinkful, to help you decide which one is the best fit for your goals and learning style.
Springboard and Thinkful both offer a variety of courses designed to help students find a job in the tech industry. Both bootcamp providers pride themselves on their programs’ ultimate results in helping students kickstart a new career. However, there are a number of key differences between Springboard and Thinkful, such as cost, curriculum, and job placement rates. By comparing these factors, we can determine which bootcamp is the best fit for you and your career goals.
Overview of Springboard and Thinkful
When it comes to online coding bootcamps, Springboard and Thinkful are two of the most well-known options available. In this section, I will provide a brief overview of each bootcamp.
About Springboard
Springboard is an online coding bootcamp that offers courses in a variety of tech-related fields including UI/UX Design, Data Science, Data Analytics, Web Development, and Full Stack Development. They offer flexible learning options, including self-paced, part-time, and full-time programs. Students can choose from a variety of payment options, including upfront payments, deferred tuition, and monthly payment plans.
Springboard provides students with access to a network of mentors and industry experts who can provide guidance and support throughout the learning process. They also offer a job guarantee, which means that if a student does not find a job within six months of completing their program, they will receive a full refund.
About Thinkful
Thinkful is another online coding bootcamp that offers courses in Software Engineering, Design, Data Science, and Data Analytics. They offer both full-time and part-time programs, as well as self-paced options. Thinkful provides students with access to a network of mentors and career coaches who can provide guidance and support throughout the learning process.
Thinkful offers a variety of payment options, including upfront payments, deferred tuition, and income share agreements. They also offer a job guarantee, which means that if a student does not find a job within six months of completing their program, they will receive a partial refund.
Overall, both Springboard and Thinkful offer flexible learning options, access to mentors and industry experts, and job guarantees. The main differences between the two bootcamps are the specific courses they offer and the payment options available.
Course Offerings
Aspiring coders have a lot of options when it comes to choosing an online coding bootcamp, but two of the most popular choices are Springboard and Thinkful. In this section, I will compare the course offerings of these two bootcamps.
Springboard Courses
Springboard offers a variety of courses in different areas of tech, including software engineering, data science, UX design, and digital marketing. Here’s a breakdown of some of their most popular courses:
- Data Science Career Track: This course teaches students the skills they need to become data scientists, including programming in Python and SQL, machine learning, and data visualization.
- UX Design Career Track: Students in this course learn how to create user-centered designs for websites and applications, including wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.
- Software Engineering Career Track: This course covers full-stack web development, including programming in JavaScript, React, and Node.js, as well as database design and deployment to the cloud.
Springboard also offers a few self-paced courses, including a web development bootcamp and a data analytics bootcamp.
Thinkful Courses
Thinkful offers courses in software engineering, data science, and UX/UI design. Here are some of their most popular courses:
- Software Engineering Immersion: This course is designed to teach students the skills they need to become full-stack web developers, including programming in JavaScript, React, and Node.js, as well as database design and deployment.
- Data Science Flex: This course covers the fundamentals of data science, including programming in Python and SQL, machine learning, and data visualization.
- UX/UI Design Flex: Students in this course learn how to create user-centered designs for websites and applications, including wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.
Thinkful also offers a few other courses, including a data analytics bootcamp and a product management bootcamp.
Overall, both Springboard and Thinkful offer a good selection of courses in different areas of tech. However, Springboard has a wider range of courses, including digital marketing and data analytics, while Thinkful focuses more on software engineering, data science, and UX/UI design.
Teaching Methodology
As an aspiring coder, it’s essential to choose a bootcamp that offers a teaching methodology that suits your learning style. In this section, I will compare the teaching methodologies of Springboard and Thinkful.
Springboard’s Approach
Springboard’s teaching approach is project-based and focuses on hands-on learning. The curriculum is designed to provide students with practical skills that are relevant to the job market. The curriculum is divided into modules, and each module has a project that students must complete. Students receive feedback on their projects from mentors, who are industry professionals, and peers.
Springboard’s learning experience is self-paced, which means that students can learn at their own speed. However, this does not mean that students are left to learn on their own. Students have access to mentors, who provide guidance and support throughout the program. Additionally, Springboard offers weekly one-on-one mentorship sessions and career coaching to help students prepare for job interviews.
Thinkful’s Approach
Thinkful’s teaching approach is also project-based, but it places more emphasis on mentorship. Each student is assigned a mentor who provides personalized guidance and support throughout the program. Mentors are industry professionals who have experience in the field, and they help students with everything from technical questions to career advice.
Thinkful’s curriculum is designed to be flexible, and students can choose between part-time and full-time programs. The curriculum is divided into modules, and each module has a project that students must complete. Students receive feedback on their projects from mentors, who help them identify areas for improvement.
Thinkful’s learning experience is also self-paced, but students are expected to complete the program within a set timeframe. The program includes weekly mentorship sessions and career coaching to help students prepare for job interviews.
Overall, both Springboard and Thinkful offer project-based learning and personalized mentorship. However, Springboard places more emphasis on self-paced learning, while Thinkful places more emphasis on mentorship. Students should choose a bootcamp that aligns with their learning style and career goals.
Cost Comparison
When it comes to choosing a coding bootcamp, cost is often a deciding factor. Let’s take a look at the pricing options for Springboard and Thinkful.
Springboard’s Pricing
Springboard offers a range of courses at varying price points. The cost of the courses depends on factors such as the duration and intensity of the program. Here is a breakdown of Springboard’s pricing options:
- Software Engineering Bootcamp: $7,500 for a six-month program
- Data Science Bootcamp: $7,500 for a six-month program
- UI/UX Design Bootcamp: $6,950 for a six-month program
- Data Analytics Bootcamp: $5,500 for a six-month program
- Digital Marketing Bootcamp: $4,200 for a three-month program
- UX Career Track: $4,200 for a six-month program
- Data Analytics Career Track: $5,500 for a six-month program
- Software Engineering Career Track: $8,940 for a one-year program
Springboard also offers a job guarantee for their career track programs. If you don’t get a job within six months of completing the program, you’ll get a full refund.
Thinkful’s Pricing
Thinkful offers a range of courses as well, with prices varying based on the course and program length. Here’s a breakdown of Thinkful’s pricing:
- Software Engineering Bootcamp: $16,000 for a full-time program or $9,500 for a part-time program
- Data Science Bootcamp: $16,000 for a full-time program or $9,500 for a part-time program
- UX/UI Design Bootcamp: $9,500 for a part-time program
- Data Analytics Bootcamp: $8,500 for a part-time program
- Product Management Bootcamp: $7,500 for a part-time program
Thinkful also offers a job guarantee for their full-time programs. If you don’t get a job within six months of completing the program, you’ll get a full refund.
Overall, both Springboard and Thinkful offer competitive pricing options for their coding bootcamps. It’s important to consider factors such as program length, course content, and job guarantees when making your decision.
Student Support Services
As a student, it’s important to have access to support services that can help you succeed in your coding bootcamp. Both Springboard and Thinkful offer a range of student support services to help you throughout your learning journey.
Springboard’s Support
Springboard offers several support services to its students, including:
- Student Advisors: Each student is assigned a student advisor who provides guidance and support throughout the program.
- Mentors: Students have access to mentors who are experienced professionals in their field and can provide guidance on specific topics.
- Career Coaching: Springboard offers career coaching to help students prepare for job interviews and build their professional network.
- Tuition Refund Guarantee: Springboard offers a tuition refund guarantee if a student does not find a job within six months of completing the program.
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Thinkful’s Support
Thinkful also offers several support services to its students, including:
- Program Managers: Each student is assigned a program manager who provides guidance and support throughout the program.
- Mentors: Students have access to mentors who are experienced professionals in their field and can provide guidance on specific topics.
- Career Services: Thinkful offers career services to help students prepare for job interviews and build their professional network.
- Learning Resources: Thinkful provides students with a range of learning resources, including videos, articles, and quizzes, to help them learn more effectively.
Overall, both Springboard and Thinkful offer comprehensive support services to their students. However, Springboard’s tuition refund guarantee may be a more attractive option for students who are concerned about finding a job after completing the program.
Job Placement Rates
When choosing an online coding bootcamp, one of the most important factors to consider is job placement rates. After all, the ultimate goal of attending a coding bootcamp is to land a job in the tech industry. In this section, I will compare the job placement rates of Springboard and Thinkful.
Springboard’s Success
According to Springboard’s website, 94% of their graduates secure a job within six months of completing the program. Additionally, the average salary increase for Springboard graduates is $26,000. Springboard partners with more than 300 companies, including Google, Microsoft, and Airbnb, to help their graduates find job opportunities.
Springboard offers career coaching and job search support to their students. They provide resume and LinkedIn profile reviews, mock interviews, and networking opportunities. Springboard also offers a job guarantee for their job-seeking graduates. If a graduate does not secure a job within six months of completing the program, Springboard will refund their tuition.
Thinkful’s Success
Thinkful claims that 90% of their graduates land a job in their field within six months of completing the program. They also claim that the average salary increase for Thinkful graduates is $22,000. Thinkful partners with more than 150 companies, including IBM, Amazon, and Google, to help their graduates find job opportunities.
Thinkful provides career services to their students, including resume and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, and job search support. Thinkful also offers a job guarantee for their job-seeking graduates. If a graduate does not secure a job within six months of completing the program, Thinkful will refund their tuition.
Conclusion
When it comes to job placement rates, both Springboard and Thinkful have impressive success rates. Springboard has a higher reported job placement rate and partners with more companies, but Thinkful also has a strong network of industry partners