Coding Bootcamp ROI Calculator
Example: Bootcamp tuition: 15000 $ · Program length (months not working): 4 months · Current salary: 40000 $ · Expected salary after bootcamp: 75000 $
| Months to pay back | 10 |
| Five-year net return | $146,667 |
| Total investment | $28,333 |
| Annual salary increase | $35,000 |
Worked example
A $15,000 bootcamp that takes 4 months full-time means giving up about $13,300 of a $40,000 salary, for a $28,300 total investment. If it lifts pay from $40,000 to $75,000, that is a $35,000 annual bump, so the investment pays back in about 10 months. Over five years the salary lift is $175,000, a net return of roughly $146,700 after the investment.
Frequently asked questions
Are bootcamp salary claims reliable?
Be skeptical. Advertised outcomes often reflect only graduates who found jobs, and can exclude those who did not. Look for outcomes reports audited under standards like the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting, and use a conservative expected salary in this tool.
Should I count the income I gave up?
Yes, if you quit a job to attend full time. Those forgone earnings are a real cost of the program. Part-time or self-paced bootcamps where you keep working reduce this cost — enter zero months not working if that is your situation.
What if I do not land a job right away?
The payback period assumes you get the higher salary soon after finishing. A long job search delays every benefit. Build a cash cushion for the search, and re-run the tool with a more conservative salary to stress-test the decision.
Is a bootcamp better than a degree?
The better choice follows your goals. Bootcamps are faster and cheaper but narrower and less universally recognized than a computer science degree. For a career change into a specific coding role, a strong bootcamp with proven outcomes can have an excellent return; compare both with real numbers.