Self-Taught vs. Bootcamp vs. CS Degree: What's the Best Way to Learn to Code?

Jun 6
"I want to learn how to code, but I'm unsure what's the best way to start!"
So you've decided to dive into the world of coding, but the question is, HOW should you learn to code? You might hear experienced programmers say "Just learn yourself! The information is out there!". You might know friends that are committed to a four-year university degree. Or you might have been tempted to try one of the many faster-paced coding bootcamps that exist. 

The truth is, there's no single "right" answer. However, understanding the pros and cons of each path can help you choose the one that truly fits your learning style, goals, and available resources. Let's dive into the three primary pathways to becoming a developer and explore why we believe that CodeClassroom is a unique approach to learning that might just be the best fit for you!

The Self-Taught Journey

Who's this for: Highly disciplined, self-motivated individuals with exceptional self-learning abilities and no strict timeline for career entry.

Pros

Cost-Effective

Ultimate Flexibility
Fosters Independence

Cons

Lack of Learning Structure
Motivation Challenges
No Direct Feedback
Limited Community & Network

Many successful developers kickstarted their careers by teaching themselves, often out of curiosity or a burning desire to build something. It's an appealing option because it's cost-free and offers the ultimate flexibility in terms of WHEN and HOW you learn. You also get to flex your independence, as you’re forced to quickly develop a skill that every programmer eventually learns—a strong resilience and ability to debug problems by yourself!

The BIG ISSUE with this is you'll probably Lack Structure! The vast amount of programming content accessible to you is a blessing and a curse. On the one hand you have that ultimate flexibility where you can choose what you learn, on the other hand it’s easy to get into “Tutorial Hell”—the phenomenon where you get lost in endless tutorials, constantly consuming content but not building cohesive and useful real-world tech skills. After all there’s an infinite amount of frameworks, languages, tools, and skills to learn but only a small few will really align with your interests and the current career market. How do you know what to prioritize and learn if you're just starting off!

With great independence also comes great responsibility. Without a great community and support, it's incredibly easy to Lose Momentum, get frustrated by a bug, and simply give up without any accountability. The other BIG ISSUE is without direct feedback and advice from mentors, bad habits can form. You also won't know if your code is efficient, well-structured, or if you've truly grasped how to use core concepts. 
You spend hours following a Calculator App tutorial, but without instructions can you build something similar on your own?

Coding Bootcamps

Who's this for: Career changers, busy professionals, and motivated individuals who prefer structure, expert guidance, and direct support. It's ideal for those who value a strong community and personalized attention.

Pros

Clear Structured Curriculum

Supportive Community of Peers
Direct Face-time with Industry Experts

Cons

No Flexibility
(not at Codeclassroom!)
Can be Costly
(not at Codeclassroom!)
Requires Commitment

Coding bootcamps represent a non-traditional approach to a tech education. These programs are designed to offer a structured and highly supported learning experience, often providing an accelerated path to job readiness. With guidance from instructors with industry experience, this approach provides the real-time debugging assistance students need.

The BIG ISSUE is most bootcamps make the barrier to entry very costly with the median bootcamp price being a whopping $13,500!  While significantly more affordable than a degree, it's definitely not free—even if you're just trying to test the waters in tech.

The other BIG ISSUE with coding bootcamps is that you generally don't have the luxury of a flexible curriculum and while highly supported, it's an active learning experience that demands your commitment and effort.

Our Solution!
At Codeclassroom we believe exploring a coding career should be accessible and fit into your life, without demanding a hefty investment or abandoning your day job. 


That's why we've pioneered a Hybrid Model, taking the best elements of traditional bootcamps and E-learning platforms (like Codecademy or Coursera).

You can learn more about our Hybrid Model here!

Traditional CSS Degree

Who's this for: Individuals who value a traditional academic environment, or those with significant time and financial resources.

Pros

Formal Curriculum

Established Brand

Broad Network

Cons

High Cost
Significant Time Commitment
Slower Pace
Potentially less real-world applicable skills

The classic academic route, is a common one for many aspring programmers. Learning in the academic setting allows you to have a formally structured education and access to a broad network of peers and instructors. It also will allow you to carry your school name with you on your resume.

The BIG ISSUE here is pretty apparent. Most people are unwilling to spend the high costs and the few years it takes to get a traditional degree, especially if they are looking to career switch. 

A potentially bigger BIG ISSUE is that even those willing to pay the high costs and the time commitment may be learning theory, but less real-world application. After all many who go this route, find themselves relearning how to actually apply their theory once they get on the job training.

What Learning Path Fits You?

If you're unsure what learning path fits your goals, schedule a FREE 15 minute consultation with one of our Industry Experts!