Some things change, but the need for coders is constant. And if you’re looking to become a coder, or if you’re looking to improve your coding skills, then you should definitely consider online coding classes, one of the most popular options today.
But this rising demand for coders has also led to a glut of online coding schools, and with so many options available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.
That’s why we’ve created this guide. Below, we’ll detail the nine best coding schools and what they offer. With this list, you’ll be able to ascertain which online coding is best for your needs.
Ready? Then let’s go.
What Is an Online Coding Course?
An online coding course provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to pursue a career in software development. It includes coding tutorials, lectures, coding assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Company | Course/Bootcamp | Rank | Price | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
Software Engineering Bootcamp | 4.2 | $11,610 | Learn More | |
Python for Everybody | 4.8 | N/A | Learn More | |
The Web Developer Bootcamp | 4.7 | $18.95 | Learn More | |
CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science | 4.6 | $149. | Learn More | |
Software Engineering Bootcamp | 4.2 | $19.99 | Learn More | |
Coding Bootcamp | 4.6 | N/A | Learn More | |
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python | N/A | $75 | Learn More | |
The Complete JavaScript Course | 4.8 | $18.95 | Learn More | |
Full-Time Coding Bootcamp | 3.3 | $9,500 | Learn More |
Best Online Coding Courses
As you research different online coding classes, you’ll notice that each one is tailored to different students. Some are designed specifically for beginners, while others cover more advanced topics. Some will teach you specific languages like JavaScript, SQL, C++, HTML5, or PHP, while others might focus on broad concepts like web development or mobile application development.
Software Engineering Career Track
Rating
Career Karma: 4.6
Course Report: 4.64
Switch Up: 4.7
Trustpilot: 4.2
Overview
If you’re looking for tech education but also learning how to get a job in the field, then the Springboard Software Engineering Bootcamp is the program for you.
With 800 hours of content, students can learn the skills necessary to become software engineers with hands-on experience. In addition to building strong technical skills, students can work one-on-one with mentors in an environment where they’re encouraged to ask questions and learn collaboratively.
Building your portfolio is essential to any online coding school’s curriculum—it demonstrates what you’ve learned and gives you something tangible to show future employers. As a Springboard student, you’ll learn how to develop an impressive portfolio of projects to showcase your new skills to potential employers.
Get To Know Other Software Engineering Students
Jack Mayer
Software Engineer at Whitepages
Tetyana Ilyichova
Software Engineering Apprentice at Affirm
Elena Nurullina
Junior Web Developer at G/O Media
Best For
The course is the perfect fit for anyone looking to launch their software engineering career with a solid foundation in coding. It’s also an excellent choice for students looking to change careers or become full-stack engineers.
This immersive bootcamp is suited for people already familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript fundamentals who want guidance to expand their knowledge further. The online programs are interactive and engaging, with instructor-led discussions, live coding sessions, and mentorships from experienced software engineers.
Price
The Springboard course costs $11,610, or $9,900 if you pay upfront. You can also pay an enrollment fee of $700 and then $439 per month for 36 months after starting a new job.
Python for Everybody Specialization (the University of Michigan on Coursera)
Rating
Education Speaks: 4
Class Central: 4.9
Overview
The Python for Everybody curriculum is a quick and easy way to learn fundamental programming concepts and best practices using the Python programming language.
This course and its instructors have been reviewed as extremely helpful, ensuring students can fully grasp core programming concepts and how to use them to build their own programs. You will learn not only how to write your programs using Python but also how to think like a programmer so that you can begin building your applications after taking this course. You’ll be taught how to utilize the core tools of Python, such as variables and loops, with the help of easy-to-understand examples and exercises.
Best For
Python for Everybody is a great course for anyone who wants to learn Python and develop their application. The lessons are well-paced, and the content is high-quality, making it easy to learn Python as a beginner. The course also includes excellent interactive quizzes that help you to reinforce your learning.
The class guides students through various aspects of computer science, from functions to algorithms and data structures. This makes Python for Everybody a perfect fit for students who want to continue their tech education in software engineering.
Price
Python for Everybody is a free course, but the online learning platform requires you to subscribe to their plan. The plan costs $49 monthly and gives you access to all Coursera courses on their website.
There is a free 7-day trial with no commitments, so you can evaluate how you like the platform before making a decision.
The Web Developer Bootcamp 2022 (Colt Steele on Udemy)
Rating
Udemy: 4.7
Overview
The Web Developer Bootcamp is a self-paced training program that will take students from beginner to intermediate in web development. The course starts at the very beginning, covers all the important core technologies, and ends with an actual application that can be used as a portfolio piece or resumé booster.
Related Read: 11 Free Online Coding Classes
The course begins by teaching the basics of HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. From there, you’ll jump into creating your website using HTML and CSS, then look at databases and how to create dynamic websites. You’ll learn everything from SQL basics to how to create SQL tables.
Related Read: 12 Best SQL Courses to Sharpen Your Programming Skills
Best For
The Web Developer Bootcamp is a comprehensive, step-by-step introduction to all the skills you need to become a web developer.
It’s perfect for beginners who want to learn how web applications work and people who want to change careers or start their businesses as freelancers or consultants. It’s also a great choice for those who cannot commit to a course full-time.
Price
The Web Developer Bootcamp costs $14.72 and includes all 63.5 hours of content, exercises, and all the extra resources you need to complete the course.
CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science (Harvard University on edX)
Rating
Class Central: 4.6
Overview
CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science course focuses on computer science as it is practiced in the field. Students learn how to solve problems by thinking algorithmically, and learn about:
- Web Development. This takes students from the basics of how websites work to building a fully functional web app using the latest technologies.
- Algorithms. CS50 teaches you all about algorithms, explaining a wide range of methods and their applications.
- Data structures. Data structures are fundamental in computer science, and CS50 teaches you everything you need to know about them, including the most common data types and how they’re used.
- Software engineering. CS50 teaches software engineering principles through working on real projects. You’ll learn to use Github, collaborate on projects as a team, and design good APIs (application programming interfaces).
Best For
This entry-level course is for you if you are comfortable with self-directed learning. While there are plenty of forums for asking questions, CS50 is still a self-paced course. There are no deadlines (other than your own) and no grades to be earned. However, you need a satisfactory score to earn a certificate of graduation.
Price
CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science course is free to access. However, if you’re interested in getting a certificate of graduation (which will list you as a CS50 student and prove that you’ve successfully completed the course), you need to pay a one-time fee of $149.
Codecademy
Rating
SwitchUp: 3.3
PCMag: 4
G2: 4.2
Overview
Codecademy is the easiest way to learn how to code. The site’s interactive online classes take you from beginner to pro, teaching you the fundamentals of programming languages and technologies like HTML, CSS, Python, and more. Codecademy has helped students learn programming through in-browser coding challenges and hands-on projects.
It continues to be an essential resource for people looking to become fluent in popular programming languages like HTML and CSS (the skills required for basic website creation) and more advanced languages like JavaScript and Python (the skills needed for building apps). It also offers courses on machine learning, game development, mobile development, java programming, or full-stack development.
Best For
If you’re just getting started in coding, or if you don’t have prior knowledge of programming languages, Codecademy is an excellent place for you to start learning.
Since the courses are self-paced and you can learn them at your own speed, they’re straightforward and convenient to go through. There is no job guarantee, which makes Codecademy a great resource for people looking to become freelancers.
Price
Codecademy offers different pricing tiers for individuals, students, or teams. You can access all the introductory courses for free. However, the prices can go up to $19.99 per month for more complex online classes, skill paths, or career paths.
The Odin Project
Rating
Switch Up: 4.7
Course Duck: 4.6
Overview
The Odin Project is an online self-paced course that will teach you the basics of web development from scratch. It will walk you through everything from understanding a website to learning how to build your own with Ruby on Rails or JavaScript.
It starts with a foundation course that teaches front-end web development basics and how to build functional websites. From there, if you’re interested in building Ruby on Rails or JavaScript/Node.js-based websites from scratch, The Odin Project has unique tracks designed just for that. You can take one of these tracks alongside the foundation course to learn more about specific frameworks and languages used in modern full-stack development.
Best For
The Odin Project is a free, open-source programming environment that gives you access to various tools and tutorials. It’s aimed at students who want to learn how to code, but it also has something for anyone who wants to learn about programming languages such as Ruby on Rails or JavaScript.
Price
The Odin Project is open-source and doesn’t have an enrollment fee.
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python (MIT OpenCourseWare)
Rating
This course has not been rated yet.
Overview
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python is a course by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that gives students a head start in software engineering. It helps students have the ability to write complex programs and includes quizzes and problem sets that involve programming with Python.
The course also has many helpful resources such as an integrated development environment, code editor, debugger, and tutorials. Students will be able to build a foundation in software design, problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, computer science principles, and programming skills.
Best For
The course is best for students with little or no coding experience. Students do not have to attend on-site classes, but they do need to be available for three hours a week during lectures and recitations.
Price
You can enroll in this course by signing up for EdX. The course is free, but if students want to get a certificate of completion, the fee is $75.
The Complete JavaScript Course 2022: From Zero to Expert! (Jonas Schmedtmann on Udemy)
Source: Udemy
Rating
Udemy: 4.8
Course Duck: 4.7
Overview
The Complete JavaScript Course promises to take you from a beginner position to an intermediate JavaScript developer in just 69 hours.
You’ll learn what JavaScript is and gain a basic understanding of how JavaScript works. The course also covers advanced topics such as functions and scopes, objects and classes, and general theories behind coding.
Students learn about essential concepts related to JavaScript, like DOM and events fundamentals or modern operators and strings.
Best For
There are many reasons why this is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a programmer. Still, one of the best things about it is that it’s designed for people with absolutely no experience in coding whatsoever. That makes it great for beginners, but it also means that even experienced coders can pick up hard and soft skills from this course.
Price
The Complete JavaScript Course fee is $18.95 through the Udemy online learning platform.
MIT xPRO Professional Certificate in Coding
Rating
Course Report: 3.3
Career Karma: 3.6
Switch Up: 3.7
Overview
The MIT xPRO Professional Certificate in Coding helps you become a software engineer in sixteen weeks through hands-on training.
This MIT xPRO course is immersive, meaning students can be offered personalized feedback and a 1:1 learning experience with course leaders. Upon completion, you’ll get to develop and add a full-stack developer portfolio to your resume.
Best For
This program is for anyone looking to expand their career opportunities and enter the software development industry. It is for students just starting out in their careers and mid-career professionals looking to switch over to this high-growth field.
Price
The MIT xPRO Professional Certificate in Coding course fee is $9,500. However, flexible payment methods make it easier to pay in two, three, or six installments.
How To Choose an Online Coding Course
Online coding courses are a great way to expand your knowledge, but you can’t just jump in blindly without knowing what to expect. Here’s what to look for when picking a coding course:
Curriculum
The most important point when choosing an online course is its curriculum. Make sure that you’ll meet your learning and career goals during the timeframe set by the school or tutor. Check out their syllabus and browse through previous years’ lectures.
Find out what topics are covered and figure out whether that’s what you hoped for or not. If you’re a beginner, make sure the course is for beginners and ideally starts with fundamentals rather than jumping straight into more advanced topics like building websites or apps with JavaScript or Python.
Instructors
The best course for you will be one with tech professionals who are experts in their field and can give you tailored feedback on your code while giving you comprehensive instruction in the language they’re teaching.
Some courses might have instructors with years of experience working in tech or academia, while others might have instructors just starting out as developers.
Programming Language You Want To Specialize In
If you already have a pretty good idea of which language or languages you want to learn, then it’s easier to narrow down your options. However, if you’re still unsure about which languages would be best for your needs, it’s worth taking some time to research and ensure that the online programming courses offered by different schools will help you achieve your goals.
Time Commitment and Schedule
Some courses require students to spend a lot of time independently, while others offer more structure, flexible schedule, and support from instructors. If you’re looking for a course that will help supplement your current job, or if you want to take the course during your free time after work hours, this is important to consider.
Reputation
It’s always good to check out what other people say about any program before enrolling—the last thing you want is a bad experience! It also helps if there is evidence of student success stories, so look into them.
Budget
Finally, be realistic about how much money you can spend on online coding schools.
Online coding courses can range from $50-$2,000+ per month, depending on how much support they offer and how many hours of content they cover. Some courses may provide monthly payment options.
Making the Most Out of an Online Coding Course
If you’re taking a coding course, you’re probably wondering how to make the most out of it. Here are some tips:
What Should You Expect To Learn?
Most online programming courses will teach you the basics of HTML and CSS, as well as JavaScript and Python. You’ll also get an introduction to algorithms, data structures, and functional programming.
In addition to these foundational skills, some advanced courses will also teach you mobile app development and how to build web applications with NodeJS.
What Will the Schedule Generally Look Like?
This is where the syllabus comes in handy again—it should give you an idea of how long each lesson might take and when they’ll happen throughout the week/month/year, depending on how long your class takes.
Some courses may have one lesson per day; others might have several classes per week; others may consist of lessons you can take at your own pace.
What’s the Best Way To Implement What You Learn?
We recommend keeping up with your coding course through a repository or notebook where you can store all of your notes from each session as they happen so that they’re easy to access later on if necessary.
Never stop practicing what you learn. Build your projects and showcase them in your portfolio whenever you apply for a coding job.
FAQs About Online Coding Courses
We’ve got answers to your most frequently asked questions.
Is a Career in Coding the Right Fit for Me?
If you’re interested in a career in technology and have always wanted to learn more about computer programs, then learning to code and enrolling in a coding course is a great choice.
Coding courses are perfect for people who want to learn more about the world of programming and how it works or even develop soft skills that can help them with their day-to-day lives.
Is Coding Hard To Learn?
Coding is not as hard to learn as it might seem at first glance. Most people who take an online coding course find it quite easy once they get started—especially if they’re already familiar with other programming languages or full-stack web development tools.
You’ll learn to use different programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript by writing real-world code for websites or apps.
How Long Does It Take To Learn To Code?
The amount of time it takes to learn to code varies from person to person, depending on their previous knowledge of the subject matter and their commitment level.
If you are motivated enough and willing to put in the effort required to learn to code, you can expect it to take anywhere between 15-20 hours per week over several months.
Are Online Coding Courses Worth It?
Absolutely! Online courses are a great way to learn the basics of coding and get yourself on the path to landing your first coding job. They’re also a great resource if you’re already in the industry but want to improve your technical skills.
Are There Any Prerequisites to Taking an Online Coding Course?
It depends on the course and how in-depth it is. Some courses are designed for people with a lot of experience in the field, and some are designed for complete beginners.
Look at the prerequisites listed on the course’s website before signing up.
Can I Land a Job With a Coding Course?
Yes! If you take the right course for your skill level and practice what you learn, there’s no reason you can’t land a job after completing an online coding course.
Many companies hire entry-level software developers with no previous experience in the field—all they need is someone willing to learn from them and work hard.
Since you’re here…
No one wakes up knowing how to code – they learn how to code. Tens of thousands of students have successfully learned with our courses, like our Software Engineering Bootcamp. If you’re a total newbie, our Software Engineering Career Track Prep Course will be a perfect fit. Let’s do this!