Christin Perry is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous outlets, including WeddingWire, The Knot, Parents and Verywell Family. When she's not working, Christin enjoys reading, gardening and hanging out with her husband and four young.
Christin Perry ContributorChristin Perry is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous outlets, including WeddingWire, The Knot, Parents and Verywell Family. When she's not working, Christin enjoys reading, gardening and hanging out with her husband and four young.
Written By Christin Perry ContributorChristin Perry is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous outlets, including WeddingWire, The Knot, Parents and Verywell Family. When she's not working, Christin enjoys reading, gardening and hanging out with her husband and four young.
Christin Perry ContributorChristin Perry is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous outlets, including WeddingWire, The Knot, Parents and Verywell Family. When she's not working, Christin enjoys reading, gardening and hanging out with her husband and four young.
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If you decide it’s time to level up your education, you’ve got plenty of options for doing so. Should you attend a bootcamp or a degree program? What’s the difference between a certificate vs. a degree? Which is right for you?
With so many programs available, especially in the tech sector, it can be difficult to choose. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between a bootcamp vs. a degree vs. a certificate so you can decide which path is right for you.
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A degree is a credential conferred by a college or university. Compared to certificate programs and bootcamps, degrees are a more traditional option for higher education. Options include associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Each requires a different investment of time (and money) to complete. Below, we provide an overview of each level of degree.
The educational landscape has shifted in recent years, but many employers still prefer candidates to hold traditional college degrees. Degree programs remain popular for good reason: A degree from a properly accredited university is reputable and can help individuals start or progress in a career.
On the other hand, degrees are the most expensive educational path compared to certificates and bootcamps. They typically cost tens of thousands of dollars and take several years to complete.
As stated above, traditional degrees are often costly. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, tuition and fees for undergraduate degrees cost the following per academic year:
Also according to the NCES, these are the average tuition and fees per academic year for graduate degrees:
A certificate is an educational credential, often offered by a college or university. A certificate program is much shorter and more focused than an associate or a bachelor’s degree program.
Certificates typically focus on specific topics and career paths. Certificate programs help students learn the skills they need to succeed in their desired trades. You can earn an undergraduate certificate or a graduate certificate. A bachelor’s degree is not required for an undergraduate certificate, but most graduate certificates require a bachelor’s.
Certificates and certifications are different. Certifications are usually offered by professional organizations, requiring self-study and an exam.
A certificate takes significantly less time to complete than a traditional degree program, and it is less expensive. That said, a certificate program alone may not be enough to qualify for employment, depending on your chosen career. In these cases, a certificate can still supplement a degree to verify your skills in a particular subject area. A certificate also makes a great option for those looking to change careers or deepen their professional knowledge.
The cost of earning a certificate varies. Most colleges and universities price their certificates per credit, similarly to degree courses. This can add up to as much as $10,000 per semester, though prices differ by program and school.
The upfront cost of a certificate program might seem steep, but certificates still cost less than traditional degrees since they run much shorter.
Most certificate programs take between four and 12 months to complete, requiring 15 to 30 credits of coursework. You can often complete a certificate in tandem with a bachelor’s degree.
A bootcamp is an accelerated education program that prepares students for employment, usually in tech. A bootcamp is a crash course in whatever material is being presented, such as a specific coding language or facet of computer science. Bootcamps have risen in popularity in recent years due to a talent shortage in the tech sector.
Bootcamps boast many advantages, especially for prospective tech workers. Many notable companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon now endorse bootcamps as a way for employees to learn specific skills in an intensive, accelerated format. Some bootcamps even guarantee employment or offer refunds on tuition. Bootcamps cost less than traditional degrees as well.
A major drawback of attending a bootcamp is that given the intensive schedule, most students do not have time to work while completing their program. If you can free up your schedule for a bootcamp, however, this can be a quick and effective path to employment in tech.
Most bootcamps cost between $10,000 and $20,000. On the lower end, some bootcamps are free or cost $5,000 or less. More expensive options can cost more than $20,000.
The average length of a bootcamp is 16 weeks, or four months. Some are as short as six weeks, and others run for six months or longer. In general, bootcamps are short and intensive.
Degrees, certificates and bootcamps all help students build knowledge and experience that can apply to future careers. When deciding among the three, consider the following:
When it comes to building your career from the ground up, a college degree may offer the most flexibility. Two- and four-year degrees allow you to explore your major and develop related skills through electives. You can work toward your degree part time, pursuing a master’s or even a doctorate while expanding your professional experience. Widely recognized as the gold standard for education, a college degree is often a worthwhile investment.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to learn a specific professional skill or enter the workforce quickly, a bootcamp or certificate may better suit your career goals.
A college degree is the most expensive option, and it takes the longest to complete. For a four-year bachelor’s degree, you can expect to pay at least $38,000 in tuition and fees. In comparison, a bootcamp might cost half of that amount (or less) and take less than a year. Certificate programs equip you with specific skills at a part-time pace with a more approachable price point than full degrees.
When determining your budget, consider factors like lost wages during your studies and your future earning potential.
If you want to work while pursuing your education, a bootcamp may not be the best choice for you. However, degrees and certificates are often available as part-time enrollment.
If you want to build a new skill set in an accelerated time frame, completing a bootcamp during a leave of absence or between jobs might suit you.
This depends on your goals. If you are pursuing a career for which employers prefer or require degrees, consider a traditional degree program. Otherwise, a certificate or bootcamp may suffice.
Yes, coding bootcamps are often worthwhile. A bootcamp allows you to learn career-ready tech skills in an accelerated time frame, and some programs even guarantee employment to graduates.
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ContributorChristin Perry is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous outlets, including WeddingWire, The Knot, Parents and Verywell Family. When she's not working, Christin enjoys reading, gardening and hanging out with her husband and four young kids. She also loves to do small home improvement projects any chance she gets.
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