Thanks to the modern technological world that we live in, knowledge has never been more obtainable than it is today. But while information is more accessible than it ever has been, the cost of a college degree has actually skyrocketed, resulting in a rise of individuals needing to take out student loans in order to pay for their education.
As more young Americans are getting degrees, the degrees themselves are actually losing value. When there is an influx of college-educated Millennials all competing in the same sector, that college degree no longer serves to distinguish you from the rest of the pack.
Fortunately, thanks to the technological advances we have seen during our lifetimes there are now alternatives to earning a four-year degree that might actually help you get ahead in the job market while saving time and money.
Before the days of the internet, the study of computer science was something you learned only in an institution of higher knowledge. Today, anyone wanting to learn how to code can do so without ever taking out a cent of student loans.
Coding boot camps, for example, have provided a viable alternative for those interested in pursuing a career in the tech field. Instead of graduating with $50,000 of student loan debt and no real world experience, those opting to attend coding boot camps will pay a small portion of the cost of a college degree while earning actual experience in a fraction of the time.
While the cost of boot camp programs varies from a few thousand dollars to as much as $20,000, the average cost is around $11,450. However, even the most expensive coding boot camps are cheaper than the average out-of-state or private school tuition costs for a traditional four-year degree program.
Another convenient aspect to these coding boot camps is the amount of time it takes to complete the course. Most of these courses last about eight weeks and after completion, many students transition directly into their careers. In fact, some of these programs operate on an apprenticeship model where students are actually earning money while they learn to code.
The demand for coding skills is not likely to decrease at any time in the near future. In fact, it is only expected to grow in the coming years. According to code.org, there are currently 523,222 job openings in the computing field and only 42,969 computer science students graduated into the job market last year. Colleges are not turning out enough computer science graduates to fill these jobs and coding boot camps are helping to fill these gaps.
There was a time when a college degree was essential to building a lucrative career, but thanks to the technological advancements of our time, a four-year degree is no longer the only option. For those looking for alternative ways to break into the tech world, coding boot camps offer financially feasible alternatives to the traditional college experience.
