Finding the Best Colleges for Coding Programs
For individuals passionate about coding and aspiring to build a career in technology, selecting the right college is a crucial first step. A strong coding program can provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and environment to thrive in the rapidly evolving field of computer science. This article explores various academic pathways, including degree programs and alternative options like coding bootcamps, to help you make an informed decision about your coding education.
The Value of a Computer Programming Degree
An online programming degree offers a structured approach to acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to launch a technology career. The computer programming specialization is currently undergoing significant change. However, professionals with programming expertise still have bright career prospects. Many educational paths can lead to a career in computer programming.
Academic Pathways in Computer Programming
Computer programming encompasses several facets of computer science, including web development, application design, and software development. To enter the field of computer programming, students often pursue degrees covering coding languages like Python, Java, and C++. The following computer programming pathways provide different methods of learning and student outcomes.
Computer Programming Certificates
Computer programming certificates are non-degree pathways that teach specific programming skills, like SQL database management or HTML coding. Certificates can sometimes lead to advancement opportunities in the computer programming field. Workforce development centers, community colleges, and universities offer computer programming certificates, usually taking a few months to one year to complete.
Associate Degrees in Computer Programming
The curriculum for an associate degree in computer programming covers general education courses in math, English, and science. These programs also introduce beginner-level computer programming coursework in programming languages, computer hardware, and network technology. Schools offer associate computer programming degrees through online, on-campus, or hybrid delivery. These programs introduce learners to the field and prepare them to pursue entry-level positions as web developers and computer support specialists. Students interested in entry-level programming work might choose associate degrees to enter the field quickly and gain practical experience.
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Bachelor's Degrees in Computer Programming
Computer programming bachelor's degrees are best for students looking to launch or advance their careers in the field. These programs require about 120 credits and a commitment of four years. Bachelor's degrees in computer programming explore topics like C++ programming, software engineering and testing, mobile application development, and algorithms. Online programming degrees are available through some schools.
Master's Degrees in Computer Programming
A master's degree in computer programming can take 1-2 years to complete after getting a bachelor's and may be delivered online, on campus, or in a hybrid format. Although employers do not always require master's degrees for computer programmers, this degree level can help professionals stand out, especially for advanced roles.
Doctoral Degrees in Computer Programming
Computer programming degrees at the doctoral level develop research skills relevant to the industry. These programs focus heavily on research through courses in research methods, research design, and dissertation development. Doctoral programs usually comprise 72-100 credits and take 4-5 years to finish after a bachelor's or master's program.
Alternative Learning Paths: Coding Bootcamps
Computer programming bootcamps are alternative programs to degrees that build career-ready skills. Bootcamp programs can be online or in person and are usually available on part-time or full-time schedules. Depending on the format, a coding bootcamp can take a few weeks to a few months to complete. Coding bootcamps may focus on full-stack development, JavaScript functions, and Python databases. They also develop career preparation skills, like portfolio building and mock interviews, to help graduates transition into the workforce.
You've heard of household bootcamps like General Assembly, Springboard, and Flatiron School - but have you noticed universities that offer coding bootcamps? Universities have now been partnering with coding bootcamps since 2016, but these university coding bootcamps aren't all the same!
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University Coding Bootcamp Partnerships
These are partnerships where a coding bootcamp either offers classes on the university campus, taught by the bootcamp’s own professors, or students can study at the coding bootcamp campus but get college credit.
Students who complete the Cyber Defense Analyst Program at Level Effect can earn 59 credits towards a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity at Purdue University Global. Historically, Alliant International University has partnered with Sabio to offer credits toward its Bachelor of Science Degree. San Diego Global Knowledge University offers a full-stack web development program. No college credit is awarded, but San Diego Knowledge University is a nationally accredited and state-approved university. Westcliff University offers a 24-week, online Full Stack Coding Bootcamp that is taught by Westcliff faculty. A number of universities have partnered with course provider Promineo Tech which provides curriculum for front end and back end development and data engineering bootcamps. A number of universities have partnered with course provider QuickStart which provides curriculum for coding bootcamps, data science bootcamps and cybersecurity bootcamps. A number of universities have partnered with course provider ThriveDX which provides curriculum for cybersecurity bootcamps and more. A number of community colleges have partnered with course provider Upright Education which provides curriculum for coding bootcamps and UX design bootcamps.
These examples are proof that collaboration between bootcamps and universities takes many nuanced forms. There isn’t a cookie-cutter formula that schools can apply to create a partnership. The partnership has to fit the needs of students and benefit both the bootcamp and the university.
Considerations When Choosing a Coding Bootcamp
- Student Outcomes: Ask for data about their alumni. What's the graduation rate? What percentage of graduates are employed within 3 months? What's their average starting salary?
- Instructors: Understand who will be teaching the course. Most often, a bootcamp instructor will be teaching this course - this means you can expect to learn from someone with real-world, professional experience.
- Research the Bootcamp Itself: It can be easy to get caught up in fancy university names. After all, if an Ivy League university is associated with the bootcamp, it has to be the best, right? Wrong! In 2021, there are about 120 university bootcamps in the Course Report directory (and counting)! The leading OPM is Trilogy Education/edX (owned by 2U), followed by Quickstart and Fullstack Academy, as well as HackerU.
- Financial Aid: Generally, no. Because coding bootcamps are unaccredited, they are not eligible for traditional student loans, Pell Grants, or FAFSA. Instead, bootcamp students use private loans through lenders like Skills Fund, Climb Credit, and Sallie Mae. There are a couple of exceptions - Dominican University + Make School students are eligible for financial aid - students should fill out the FAFSA and will receive a financial aid package within 2-7 days.
EQUIP Program
Curious about EQUIP? In essence, a university partnered with a coding bootcamp and a quality assurance entity (QAE), and as a result, students could effectively get financial aid and/or college credit for completing a coding bootcamp. The DOE called these partnerships “test sites” and announced awarded $17M in grants in August 2016.
Self-Training and MOOCs
Self-training by reading online tutorials or following experts on YouTube can be an excellent way to learn coding jargon and basic programming concepts for free. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) offer a self-paced pathway to fit a learner's schedule. Learners can search for programming internships to develop their skills on the job or find a mentor to guide them through training and skill development.
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Top Colleges for Coding Programs
When considering universities with strong computer science programs where you can focus on coding and programming, here are a few that often top the rankings:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Widely recognized for its computer science and technology developments, MIT provides a dynamic programming environment and encourages students to apply their coding knowledge through projects and competition.
- Stanford University: Stanford gives computer science students access to tech giants in Silicon Valley and emphasizes the practical application of programming skills.
- University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley): Besides having a robust computer science department, UC Berkeley fosters a strong community of coders and offers ample opportunities for internships in the surrounding tech industry.
- Carnegie Mellon University (CMU): Known for tailored programs to suit different career paths in computer science. They also have a great focus on practical coding projects.
- University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign: The university offers a vast curriculum addressing different areas of programming and code implementation.
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Caltech provides a stimulating intellectual environment and offers a wide range of computer science courses with a focus on coding and programming.
Additional Highly-Ranked Universities
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona is the highest-ranked new entrant this year, debuting in the ranking at joint 175th, making it the fourth best university in Spain for computer science.
Top 10 US Universities (QS World University Rankings 2024)
(Note: This list is based on overall university rankings and not specifically for computer science programs. Please refer to computer science specific rankings for a more accurate assessment.)
(The information about the top 100 US universities is omitted as it is not directly relevant to the topic of best coding programs and lacks specific details.)
Colleges Offering the Best Value for Computer Science Programs
To give you a jump start, PayScale crunched the numbers so you can see what colleges and universities currently offer the best value for their computer science programs. Spoiler alert: it helps to be on the West Coast.
- University of California Berkeley
- 20-Year Net ROI: $1,113,000
- Cost To Attend: $136,000
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Average Loan Amount: $23,300
- University of Washington
- 20-Year Net ROI: $1,050,000
- Cost To Attend: $107,000
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Average Loan Amount: $23,600
- University of California San Diego
- 20-Year Net ROI: $1,045,000
- Cost To Attend: $123,000
- Graduation Rate: 86%
- Average Loan Amount: $22,600
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- 20-Year Net ROI: $999,000
- Cost To Attend: $96,200
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Average Loan Amount: $31,700
- Brigham Young University
- 20-Year Net ROI: $966,000
- Cost To Attend: $70,500
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Average Loan Amount: $20,200
- California Polytechnic State University
- 20-Year Net ROI: $947,000
- Cost To Attend: $98,300
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Average Loan Amount: $23,400
- University of Virginia
- 20-Year Net ROI: $938,000
- Cost To Attend: $108,000
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Average Loan Amount: $29,300
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- 20-Year Net ROI: $936,000
- Cost To Attend: $117,000
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Average Loan Amount: $28,700
- James Madison University
- 20-Year Net ROI: $905,000
- Cost To Attend: $93,400
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Average Loan Amount: $29,600
- University of Delaware
- 20-Year Net ROI: $900,000
- Cost To Attend: $103,000
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Average Loan Amount: $34,400
Additional College Information
Here's a listing of Ten Best Colleges to Learn to Code to help you get started on your research.
- University of California Berkeley
- Cost To Attend: $136,000
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Average Loan Amount: $23,300
- University of Washington
- Cost To Attend: $107,000
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Average Loan Amount: $23,600
- University of California San Diego
- Cost To Attend: $123,000
- Graduation Rate: 86%
- Average Loan Amount: $22,600
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Cost To Attend: $96,200
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Average Loan Amount: $31,700
- Brigham Young University
- Cost To Attend: $70,500
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Average Loan Amount: $20,200
- California Polytechnic State University
- Cost To Attend: $98,300
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Average Loan Amount: $23,400
- University of Virginia
- Cost To Attend: $108,000
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Average Loan Amount: $29,300
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Cost To Attend: $117,000
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Average Loan Amount: $28,700
- James Madison University
- Cost To Attend: $93,400
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Average Loan Amount: $29,600
- University of Delaware
- Cost To Attend: $103,000
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Average Loan Amount: $34,400
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Coding Program
The best computer programming degree varies for each learner. Online computer programming degrees offer an affordable way to build versatile skills, giving them an appealing cost-benefit profile. However, your degree's long-term value depends on how you use it. Remember, a successful coding career doesn't solely depend on attending top-ranked universities. Look for schools that provide opportunities to apply your coding knowledge. Internships, coding competitions, hackathons, research opportunities-all these are valuable experiences that can supplement your computer science degree.
When doing your research you might want to search for Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Development, etc.
Consider whether the school is an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality.
Computer programming concepts only come naturally to some, while others might find it challenging to learn.
Coding Programs in Mississippi
Are you in Mississippi looking for a school where you can earn a degree in coding? Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in Mississippi.
The average cost for coding or related programs is $17,388 in Mississippi.
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