14 Best Computer Programming Courses to Upskill Your Career

Computer programming is one of the fastest-growing careers in the US today. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 25% growth between 2021 and 2031, adding over 400,000 jobs to the national economy. 

Software developers are also amongst the best-paid tech workers, the median salary being just a bit over six figures. But the skill gap for software developers continues to widen—the Society for Human Resource Management, a professional human resources membership association, found that 79% of CEOs are concerned about a lack of essential skills, and have identified this as a threat to their growth. 

The good news is that there are a plethora of computer programming courses that can help bridge this skill gap. The problem, however, is that there are now so many computer programming courses available that it can be difficult to pick one. 

That’s why we’ve created this guide. Below, we’ll tell you all about the 14 best computer programming courses, and what makes them great, so that you can pick the course that will help you gain the skills you need. 

What Is a Computer Programming Course?

A computer programming course is an educational program that gives you the coding skills and experience you need to find a job in programming, software engineering, or application development. A good course will provide you with a strong foundation, help you build a few projects to add to your portfolio, and facilitate a transition into a career.

14 Best Computer Programming Courses

Here are the 14 best computer programming courses.

Springboard: Software Engineering Bootcamp

Rating

• Course Report: 4.64
• SwitchUp: 4.69
• Career Karma: 4.6
• Average: 4.64

Overview

The Springboard Software Engineering Bootcamp includes 800 hours of content in full-stack development, with lessons and practice exercises in full-stack web development, databases, data structures, algorithms, and behavioral skills. It offers several practice exercises and two full-stack capstone projects to add to your portfolio. You will work directly with a mentor, who will provide 1-on-1 guidance and support throughout the online program. You also have access to a career coach who will help you design your job strategy, create a resume, prepare you for interviews, and guide you through negotiating compensation. The course also offers a money-back job guarantee. 

Best For 

The program requires some familiarity with programmatic problem-solving and coding with JavaScript. HTML and CSS skills are also recommended. It is best for those who need an introduction to fundamental concepts, learn basic programming skills, and are looking for a structured and supported learning program to kickstart a career in software engineering.

Duration

The program is structured to be completed over nine months part-time, with a commitment of 20-25 hours each week. It is 100% online and flexible, so you can learn at your own pace.

Prices Starting From

The upfront tuition fee is $9,900. You can pay month-to-month at $1,450 each month. You can also choose the deferred tuition plan, in which you pay $439 monthly after starting a job.

Codecademy: Full-Stack Software Engineer

Rating

• SwitchUp: 3.35

Overview

Codecademy’s programs are designed to give you the freedom to choose your learning path. It offers two options: skills paths and career paths. The skills path includes many specialized courses in topics such as building a website, analyzing data, creating a back-end app, developing Andriod apps, and designing databases. You can put together the skills you need based on the career you want to have. The career paths are more comprehensive such as front-end web development and full-stack engineering. Each of these paths includes a set of lessons, quizzes, and projects.

Best For

This program gives you the freedom to choose what you want to learn. Some courses, like the Code Foundations Path, are beginner friendly. Others, like the Build Deep Learning Models with TensorFlow course, might need some experience with Python, NumPy, and machine learning. So this is best for those who know what they want and are comfortable learning without the support of a mentor or a career coach.

Duration

Each course is different. Some are two weeks long, and others are over ten weeks long.

Prices Starting From

You can subscribe to Codecademy Pro for $17.49, billed yearly or $34.99 monthly. When you do so, you can access all courses on either path.

freeCodeCamp: Responsive Web Design

Rating

• Indeed: 4.7
• Trustpilot: 3.6

Overview

The Responsive Web Design Program from freeCodeCamp is geared towards web design using HTML and CSS. It is a practice-driven program that includes modules in learning by doing various projects. It includes modules in HTML web design, CSS, typography, accessibility, responsiveness, and CSS animation. Each module consists of a certification project you can add to your portfolio.

Best For

This is a beginner-friendly course, with each module growing in complexity.

Duration

This is a self-paced course that you can complete in your own time.

Prices Starting From

freeCodeCamp is a donor-supported organization offering all online coding courses for free. 

MIT: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python

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Rating

• Class Central: 4.5
• Course Duck: 4.5

Overview

This program teaches computer science and coding using Python, one of the most popular programming languages today. It is the first of a two-course sequence designed to help complete beginners write programs to solve real-world problems, created by professors of MIT. It covers a breadth of topics such as computation, Python, simple algorithms, testing, and data structures.

Best For

The program expects leaders to have a good grasp of high school algebra and mathematics. While it is beginner friendly, those without a programming background will need to put in extra effort and might take more time.

Duration

This instructor-paced course is spread over nine weeks, demanding a commitment of 14-16 hours per week.

Prices Starting From

You can audit the course for free. But to get a certificate, you need to choose the verified track that costs $75.

International Open Academy: Coding with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Rating

• Trustpilot: 4.4
• Indeed: 4.7

Overview

The International Open Academy Coding program is a beginner’s introduction to programming. It contains seven modules. The first two are dedicated to the basics of theoretical computer science. The next four offer an introduction to JS Bin, HTML, CSS, and Javascript respectively. The final module is a hands-on project using the job-relevant skills gained in the program to build a web application. 

Best For

This course is best for absolute beginners with no experience in computer programming. 

Duration

This is a self-paced program.

Prices Starting From

You can access this course for $99. You can also access all courses at $9 a month or $299 for a lifetime.

Khan Academy: Computer Programming

Rating

• Trustpilot: 4.3
• g2: 4.5

Overview

The Khan Academy Computer Programming course is a comprehensive introduction to coding with JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and SQL. It covers several modules in drawing and animation, building web pages, querying and managing data, games, visualizations, simulations, and interactive web design. These modules include video lectures, practice exercises, learning resources, and quizzes. The final module contains video interviews with industry professionals discussing what it means to be a programmer today. 

Best For

This program is best for beginners looking to learn web design.

Duration

This is a self-paced program.

Prices Starting From

Khan Academy is a free educational platform. All lessons are free and publicly available.

iOS & Swift – The Complete iOS App Development Bootcamp

Rating

• Udemy: 4.8

Overview

This is an introductory program that teaches you how to develop iOS apps using XCode, SwiftUI, ARKit, CoreML, and Core Data. It includes nearly 60 hours of video content on topics around mobile development, including storyboarding, interface building, Swift programming, responsive UIs, iOS app design patterns, networking and APIs, version control, in-app purchases, and machine learning models. In addition to app development, it also introduces you to machine learning and augmented reality. It is a practice-driven program, and by the end, you’ll have 15 mobile apps that you can add to your portfolio. 

Best For

This is best for beginners with no coding experience.

Duration

This is a self-paced program.

Prices Starting From

This course costs $24.99.

Code Avengers Pro

Rating

• Trustpilot: 3.5
• SwitchUp: 5

Overview

Code Avengers Pro is a flexible educational platform that allows you to learn what you want at your own pace. You can start slowly by learning website/app/game development. You can learn languages such as Python, HTML/CSS or JavaScript in 1-3 months or build a career in web design, web development or software engineering in 6+ months. These learning tracks include lessons and practice assignments to help you develop your skills in that area. 

Best For

This program is best for beginners with no familiarity with programming.

Duration

Depending on your learning path, you may need anything from a couple of weeks to 6+ months. A software engineering track will take you over six months.

Prices Starting From

You can subscribe to Code Avengers Pro at $29 a month or $240 a year. 

Tim Buchalka’s Java Programming Masterclass

Rating

• Udemy: 4.5

Overview

This program is designed to help learners gain essential Java programming skills and prepare for the Oracle Java Certificate exam. It includes 80 hours of video content, 52 coding exercises, and several learning resources. The curriculum includes an introduction to Java terms, expressions, statements, code blocks and methods, collections, concurrency, Lambda expressions, debugging, databases, and network programming. 

Best For

This is a beginner-friendly course.

Duration

The course includes 80 hrs on-demand video of 401 lectures. You can take them at your own pace.

Prices Starting From

This course costs $17.99.

Pluralsight Code School: Java Language Fundamentals

Rating

• Class Central: 4.5

Overview

The Plural Sight Java Language Fundamentals is designed to give learners a solid foundation in Java. It is structured into three modules: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The beginner module includes lessons in control flow, object-oriented programming, and collections. The intermediate program teaches generics, lambda expressions, and Java streams. The advanced module introduces you to relational databases and APIs. There are also interactive courses to test your skills. 

Best For

Beginners interested in Java programming

Duration

The course includes 52 hours of lessons over 26 courses. You can take them at your own pace.

Prices Starting From

$29 per month when billed monthly or $199 per year on an annual subscription. 

Udacity: Learn to Code Nanodegree Program

Rating

• Udacity: 4.7
• Course Report: 4.72
• Class Central: 4.8

Overview

Udacity’s Learn to Code is an introductory course in programming. The curriculum includes lessons in programming with HTML, CSS, Python, and JavaScript. At the end of each module, you will work on a project such as creating web pages, an adventure game, and a shopping cart. During the course, you will have technical mentor support with industry experts answering your questions, motivating you, and keeping you on track. The course also includes career services. 

Best For

This is best for beginners as it expects no coding experience at all.

Duration

The program is designed to be completed in 4 months with a commitment of 10 hours a week.

Prices Starting From

You can pay $399 monthly or $1356 for the 4-month program.

Harvard University: CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science

Rating

• Class Central: 4.5

Overview

Harvard’s introduction to computer science is an entry-level program designed to teach students how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently. It includes modules in abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, and software development. The languages you will learn in this program are C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. By the end of the program, you will also complete a hands-on project that you can add to your portfolio.

Best For

Beginners with no prior computer science or programming experience.

Duration

It is designed to be taken over 12 weeks, committing 6-18 hours a week. But it is self-paced, so you can take your time with it.

Prices Starting From

This is a free program, which you can upgrade for a verified certificate.

IIT Bombay: Programming Basics

Rating

N/A

Overview

This is an introductory program with a particular focus on C/C++ programming. It includes lessons in algorithms, basic data types, sequential and conditional execution, iterative solutions, functions, string processing, structures, and file processing. The practice exercises include reading and understanding sample programs as well as writing your own code. At the end of this program, you will have a strong foundation in statistical programming using C/C++.

Best For

Familiarity with high school mathematics and pre-calculus is necessary. However, no programming skills are required.

Duration

This program is scheduled over nine weeks with a commitment of 6-8 hours a week, but given that the course is self-paced, it can be done on your own time.

Prices Starting From

This is a free program, which you can upgrade for a verified certificate.

Treehouse: C# Basics

Rating

• PCMag: 4.0

Overview

This Treehouse program is designed to teach the fundamental programming concepts with C#, a popular language for building products in the Microsoft ecosystem. The curriculum includes lessons in C# syntax, types, strings, numbers, and if statements. You also get to do practical assignments at the end of each module.

Best For

This is a beginner-friendly program, but some understanding of computers and programming will be helpful.

Duration

It is a self-paced program.

Prices Starting From

Subscriptions start from $25 a month.

How Do You Choose a Computer Programming Course?

You can learn computer programming from a wide range of courses—part-time, full-time, online, in-person, structured, self-paced, free, and paid. With so many options available, choosing the one that’s right for you can be difficult. Here are some of the important criteria to consider.

Your Goals

Before you begin evaluating online programming courses, consider your learning goals. Do you want to specialize in a specific language like Python/C# or master an ecosystem like Microsoft or iOS? Are you looking to start a career or gain advanced skills? Are you a fresh graduate or looking to transition from another career? Understand your career goals and choose a program that helps you achieve them.

Course Curriculum

Each program has a unique curriculum. Some focus on mastering a language, while others focus on building specific products like websites or iOS apps. Others include behavioral skills like problem-solving, design thinking, communication, and presentation. Choose a curriculum that gives you everything you need. If you’re a beginner, pick a program that gives you a robust foundation. If you’re a professional looking to upskill, choose one with challenging assignments.

Instructor Credibility

A good instructor will have a combination of academic credentials and industry experience. Before deciding, see if the instructor has worked in reputable organizations and has taught courses before. Read their blog or watch their videos/talks to get a glimpse of their communication style. And, if they’re available, read testimonials from past students.

Schedule

Each course demands a time commitment from you. Even a part-time program will require 15-20 hours each week. If you’re in college or employed, make sure that the course comfortably fits into your schedule. 

Fees

There are various pricing models available such as monthly subscriptions, upfront payments, and deferred payments. Many courses also offer scholarships. Some courses might cost much lesser but might not help you achieve your goals. While choosing a program, focus on return on investment. 

Reviews & Ratings

The best way to gauge the effectiveness of any computer programming course is to listen to past graduates. Go through the ratings. Also, read reviews carefully to understand what resonates with you most.

Making the Most Out of Your Computer Programming Course

Ask yourself these questions to get the most out of your course:

How Does A Computer Programming Course Work?

A good computer programming course helps you build a strong foundation for a career in software engineering. A typical program is broken down into various modules containing video lectures, reading material, resources, and practical assignments. At the end of the program, you would have several practice tests and 1-2 capstone projects that you can add to your portfolio. Some bootcamps, like the Springboard Software Engineering Career Track, include 1-on-1 mentorship, career coaching, and a job guarantee.

What Should You Expect to Learn From a Computer Programming Course?

A comprehensive computer programming course teaches algorithmic thinking, at least one programming language, front-end and back-end development, databases, data structures, and agile application development.

What Will Your Schedule Look Like?

This depends on the kind of program you choose. A typical bootcamp, which is a foundational programming course, will demand 15-20 hours of commitment per week. You might break this down into about 1-2 hours of study every weekday and 10-12 hours over the weekend. 

FAQs About Computer Programming Courses

We’ve got the answers to your most frequently asked questions.

Since you’re here…
Interested in a career in software engineering? Join our mentor-led Software Engineering Bootcamp or our foundational Software Engineering Course if you’re just starting out. We help people make the switch every day (just peep our reviews). You can do it, too!