Springboard Vs Thinkful: Which is The Best Online Coding Bootcamp?
In recent years, online coding bootcamps have risen in popularity as alternative pathways to traditional higher education for those seeking to break into the tech industry. Two such bootcamps, Springboard and Thinkful, stand out for their unique offerings and track records of student success.
These learning platforms have been lauded for their comprehensive curricula, dedicated mentorship, and flexible, student-centered learning experiences.
As prospective students explore their options, comparing Springboard and Thinkful can provide valuable insights into which bootcamp may be the best fit for their personal and professional goals. Learners need the right information to make an informed decision about the best program to launch or advance their careers in the technology sector.
This article is intended to provide that information comprehensively. To begin with, we will have a refresher on what bootcamps are, including their types and key differences..
Then, we’ll discuss the two career services bootcamps before going into a Thinkful vs Springboard detailed comparison. We will cover all relevant aspects, including course availability, tuition costs, program structure, and career support services.
Key Takeaways on Springboard Vs Thinkful
- Both Springboard and Thinkful offer comprehensive coding bootcamps to equip students for careers in the tech industry.
- Comparing course offerings, tuition costs, and program structure can help prospective students decide between the two bootcamps.
- Career support, curriculum quality, and user experience are crucial factors to consider when evaluating Springboard and Thinkful.
Understanding Bootcamps
Bootcamps are intensive, short-term educational programs that focus on teaching specific skills. They usually last between a few weeks to several months and are designed to provide students with the knowledge and experience required for a particular job or industry.
There are different types of bootcamps available: full-time, part-time, online, and on-campus options. We will briefly overview each type.
Full-Time
Full-time bootcamps require a significant time commitment, often lasting eight hours per day for several weeks or months. These programs are intense, fast, and require immense dedication to pull through; missing too many sessions or classes can be bad, as it gets harder to catch up on your own time.
Cybersecurity programs are usually of this type, designed to immerse students in the subject matter, allowing them to learn and practice their skills quicker. On the other hand, you have the less demanding part-time bootcamps, which offer a more flexible schedule, with classes usually held during evenings or weekends.
This format allows individuals who have other commitments, such as work or family, to still participate in the learning process.
Online
Online bootcamps provide the convenience of learning from anywhere with an internet connection and a smart, video-enabled device. This type of BootCamp has risen in popularity largely due to its most defining feature: blended learning.
It’s basically omni-media learning that leverages such things ass apps, games, video, audio, and other media to create an immersive, engaging, flexible, and interactive learning environment. The appeal of this learning system is that it offers a less structured experience, and the aesthetics are optimized to stimulate learning.
This format is particularly suitable for those who may not have access to a physical campus or prefer the flexibility of learning from home.
On-Campus
On-campus bootcamps are more traditional career training programs holding at physical locations, providing students with a more traditional classroom experience.
This setting often encourages collaboration, networking, and a higher degree of hands-on learning. Perhaps the biggest advantage is that students can benefit from in-person interactions with instructors and peers, which suits many people more than online learning.
Now, we will offer some tips for selecting a Bootcamp later, but for now, note that factors like time commitment, format, location, and the specific skills that will be taught, are very important considerations for choosing the best bootcamp.
Finding the right one can help individuals gain the necessary knowledge and experience to excel in their desired career path.
Springboard Overview
Springboard is an online, part-time, and self-paced learning platform that offers various courses in the field of design data science, data analytics, software engineering, cybersecurity, UI/UX design, and web development.
The curriculum is designed to accommodate the needs of both beginners and professionals who are looking to upskill and advance their careers.
One of the key features of Springboard is its mentorship model, which provides students with access to industry professionals who guide them through their learning journey. This personalized support ensures that students receive the necessary help and feedback to not only focus on the curriculum, but also on practical applications of the knowledge they gain.
Tuition for Springboard courses varies depending on the program, but financing options are available to assist students. Deferred tuition and scholarships are offered to help make the courses more accessible to people with different financial backgrounds.
Additionally, some programs come with a job guarantee, which reflects the confidence Springboard has in the efficacy of their courses in preparing students for the job market.
The online learning platform is known for its flexibility, allowing students to create their own schedules while working through the coursework at their own pace. This benefits individuals with busy lives or those who prefer to have control over their learning experience.
Springboard’s programs cover a wide range of topics, including machine learning, data analytics, web development, and more. The courses often begin with prep courses to level up students’ skills before diving into the main curriculum.
The application process for Springboard is straightforward and requires candidates to complete an online form, including information about their work and educational background. Once enrolled, students gain access to numerous resources, such as career support and networking opportunities with fellow students and professionals in the field.
Thinkful Overview
Thinkful is an online coding bootcamp that offers a variety of courses in fields like data science, data analytics design, software engineering, and UI/UX design, and digital marketing.
As an online learning platform, it provides both full-time and flexible options to cater to the schedules of its students, including month-to-month options for a more tailored learning experience. Thinkful is available in multiple locations, giving students a widespread network of learning opportunities.
The curriculum at Thinkful is designed for optimized learning experiences, covering a wide range of topics such as web development, data analysis, and machine learning.
Students can also take part in prep courses to familiarize themselves with the material before beginning their main courses. Instructors at Thinkful are experienced professionals who provide quality education and support to students throughout their journey.
Students at Thinkful not only receive high-quality educational content but also benefit from a strong support system of mentors and career coaches. This support extends to their job-seeking phase, with Thinkful offering a job guarantee to its students, ensuring that they find employment in a related field after completing their courses.
The application process at Thinkful is streamlined, allowing applicants to easily navigate through enrollment. The tuition cost for Thinkful is competitive with other online bootcamps, offering deferred tuition and climbing credit options to alleviate the financial burden on students. Additionally, Thinkful has scholarships available to provide easier access to education for those who qualify.
With a high success rate, Thinkful has established itself as a leading online coding bootcamp. Through its dedicated instructors, supportive mentors, and extensive curriculum, students are given the tools and knowledge necessary to excel in fields such as data science, web development, and UI/UX design.
Springboard vs Thinkful Comparison
We will compare all the relevant aspects of these two career services platforms, including course availability, tuition and finance, technology, community support, outcomes, and sector prestige.
Course Comparison
Springboard and Thinkful offer a variety of courses in the technology industry. Both platforms provide training in data science, software engineering, web development, UI/UX design, cybersecurity, and data analytics. This section presents a comparison of the courses offered by both platforms.
Springboard is known for its job-focused approach, with numerous courses aiming to prepare students for their respective industries. Each course has a well-designed curriculum, focusing on both technical and soft skills.
Students often work on real-life projects and develop a professional portfolio as they undertake the courses. Some of the popular courses provided by Springboard include Data Science Career Track, Software Engineering Career Track, and UI/UX Design Career Track.
On the other hand, Thinkful offers full-time and part-time courses in web development, data science, and several other fields. The curriculum is constantly updated, ensuring that students receive the most up-to-date and relevant information.
They also emphasize mentorship, personalized feedback, and hands-on experience. Some popular courses by Thinkful are Web Development Bootcamp, Data Science Bootcamp, and UI/UX Design Flex.
When it comes to tuition, Springboard and Thinkful differ in terms of payment options and course prices. Springboard allows students to choose between standard upfront payment and deferred tuition, meaning they can pay once they secure a job. The platform also offers financing options, assisting learners through partner platforms like Climb Credit and Sallie Mae.
Thinkful, in contrast, provides four payment options: monthly, upfront, income-share agreements (ISA), and loan financing. ISAs enable students to pay back their tuition once they secure a job with a certain minimum income, while loans can be obtained through Ascent Funding or Skills Fund. As for prices, Thinkful’s courses tend to be more expensive than Springboard’s.
| Course | Springboard | Thinkful |
| Data Science | $8,940 | $18,500 |
| Software Engineering | $8,200 | $16,000 |
| UI/UX Design | $10,000 | $9,500 |
Tuition and Financing
When comparing Springboard and Thinkful, both offer various tuition and financing options to accommodate students’ financial needs.
Springboard’s tuition varies depending on the course. For example, the Data Science Career Track costs $7,500, while the UX Design Career Track is priced at $5,900. The majority of Springboard’s courses can be paid upfront or through financing options such as income sharing and deferred tuition.
Using the Income sharing option, you can take the course, and your payment will be settled by ISAs taking a portion of your income.
The deferment option allows you to settle the tuition, after finding a job, by making 36 separate payments spread out over a certain period. Financing is available through Climb Credit, with monthly payments from as low as $66; although, depending on the course, the payments may be higher than the advertised amount.
In addition, the platform has a limited number of scholarships available for eligible students, reducing the overall cost of the course.
Thinkful, on the other hand, has a wide range of tuition costs. For example, the cost of a coding course ranges from $7,800 to $21,000. Similar to Springboard, Thinkful provides its own payment plans and financing options through Climb Credit, enabling students to make affordable monthly payments.
Additionally, Thinkful offers an income share agreement (ISA) for select programs, in which students can pay the tuition only after securing a qualifying job with a minimum salary threshold. They also provide upfront payment discounts and need-based scholarship options for applicants who are eligible.
To summarize, while both Springboard and Thinkful offer a range of tuition costs and financing options, including deferred tuition, financing through Climb Credit, and scholarship opportunities, the specific offerings vary depending on the chosen course or program.
Prospective students should thoroughly research the tuition and financial options for their desired course to make an informed decision.
Experience and Outcomes
Springboard and Thinkful are both well-known coding bootcamps that offer a range of tech career-focused courses. They stand out for their job guarantee, career coaching, and comprehensive career support. In this section, we’ll explore the experience and outcomes of students who have gone through these programs.
At both Springboard and Thinkful, students can expect a thorough and immersive learning experience. They provide access to expert mentors and a supportive community, ensuring that students build a strong foundation in tech skills.
Students typically have weekly mentor calls for personalized guidance and encouragement. In addition, they have access to numerous resources, such as coding challenges, webinars, and Q&A sessions, which enhance their learning experience.
In terms of outcomes, both bootcamps boast impressive success rates and career placement, as can be gleaned from their graduate reviews. Springboard and Thinkful offer a job guarantee, meaning that if students don’t find a job within a specified timeframe after graduating, they’re eligible for a tuition refund.
The job guarantee showcases the confidence these bootcamps have in their programs and ability to prepare students for a tech career.
The success rate matches the confidence, as both bootcamps do offer great job outcomes. According to Thinkful, for instance, over 80% of its Web Development alumni have found full-time employment within 6 months of graduation. And according to Springboard, over 93% of its alumni received job offers within 6 months of graduating.
Additionally, the bootcamp reports an average salary increase of $18,859 for its graduates on their first jobs for students who reported their salary increases. Thinkful reports an average annual salary increase of $20,000 for its graduates.
Career coaching and support are integral aspects of the Springboard and Thinkful experience. They offer resume reviews, job search strategies, networking tips, and interview preparation through their dedicated career coaching sessions.
Sector Prestige
The prestige of both bootcamps strongly impacts your chances of finding the right career opportunities. After all, firms are always on the lookout for high-performing professionals from prestigious learning centers.
Springboard and Thinkful both have a lot of clout in the tech sector due to their extensive connections and partnerships with major tech companies. Both bootcamps frequently partner with big tech companies to refine their curriculum and forge connections for graduating students in every field from digital marketing and tech sales to design data science and project management.
However, Thinkful is the more pretigious option here, as its alumni placement are all over the sector, in companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Tesla; they are featured on the prestigious journals and blogs like the Wall Street Journal, Tech Crunch, Forbes, and VentureBeat. Springboard, though less prestigious, still has alumni in Google, Facebook, AirBnb, and Lyft.
Technology and Curriculum
Springboard and Thinkful are popular coding bootcamps that offer comprehensive curriculums in various technology fields. Both bootcamps cover web development, data science, data analytics, and UI/UX design.
Additionally, Thinkful offers a cybersecurity program, while Springboard focuses on machine learning and deep learning pathways.
The core technologies taught at both bootcamps include JavaScript, Python, HTML, CSS, and React. In web development programs, students gain proficiency in frontend and backend technologies, such as React for user interfaces and Node.js for server-side programming.
The data science and data analytics programs at both Springboard and Thinkful cover Python, SQL, data visualization, and statistical analysis. Springboard’s machine learning and deep learning courses emphasize artificial intelligence algorithms, while Thinkful’s cybersecurity program delves into network security, cryptography, and ethical hacking.
The curriculum at both bootcamps is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the chosen field, followed by extensive hands-on experience through projects and case studies.
This ensures that students can readily apply their newly-acquired skills in real-world scenarios. Some key features of both Springboard and Thinkful curriculums include:
- Mentorship: Both bootcamps offer one-on-one mentorship with experienced professionals, which plays a significant role in guiding students through the learning process and ensuring individual success.
- Project-based Learning: Students engage in a range of practical projects, giving them the opportunity to build a portfolio showcasing their skills.
- Career Support: Both bootcamps provide extensive career support, including resume reviews, job-search guidance, and interview preparation.
Community Support
he community of alumni and other students is another vital source of support on these career training bootcamps. And where this is concerned, Springboard and Thinkful differ significantly.
There are about 20,000+ Springboard students and alumni, giving potential students a large community for networking and sourcing for new career opportunities.
However, Thinkful boasts about 60,000+ students and alumni, which is an even bigger community than Springboard. On the thinkful vs springboard comparison for community size and support, Thinkful offers a better option.
However, both still offer great student community support as well as access to alumni networks and job boards, which can be helpful for finding job opportunities and making connections in the industry. Ultimately, you can decide whether you want an all-students community, an all-alumni one, or a general membership one.
Locations and Accessibility
Both bootcamps and their programs and campuses are accessible from a number of approved cities in the US. Springboard. Both Springboard and Thinkful are available in many major cities in the US, including Atlanta, Dallas, Salt lake city, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Minneapolis, Miami, Phoenix, Seattle, Tampa, Washington, and Houston.
Conclusion and Recommendations
When comparing Springboard and Thinkful, both platforms offer valuable resources and support for their students. Each has its own unique features and focuses on different aspects of the tech industry.
Springboard is known for its emphasis on one-on-one mentorship, project-based learning, and flexible schedules. This platform may be better suited for individuals looking for personalized guidance, hands-on experience, and the ability to learn at their own pace.
Thinkful offers a more structured approach with a focus on immersive learning experiences. With regularly scheduled sessions and a collaborative learning environment, Thinkful might be the better choice for students who thrive in a classroom-like setting and want a strong sense of community.
When making a decision between Springboard and Thinkful, it is essential to consider personal learning preferences, desired career outcomes, and financial considerations. Both platforms offer financing options and job placement guarantees, making them attractive choices for individuals looking to break into the tech industry.
Check out this other similar post: Springboard vs CareerFoundry
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost comparison between Thinkful and Springboard courses?
Thinkful and Springboard offer a variety of courses with varying costs. Generally, Thinkful’s courses range from $1,500 to $6,000, while Springboard’s courses range from $400 to $7,000.
The cost depends on factors such as the duration and intensity of the course. Additionally, both platforms offer payment plans, financing options, and scholarships to help students afford their courses.
Which platform has a better job placement rate, Thinkful or Springboard?
Job placement rates for both Thinkful and Springboard are quite impressive. Thinkful boasts a job placement rate of 86%, while Springboard claims a 94% rate.
It is important to note, however, that these figures may vary depending on the specific course and industry focus. To get a clearer understanding of the job placement rate for a specific program, it’s advisable to research the individual course’s statistics.
How do the cyber security courses in Thinkful compare to those in Springboard?
Thinkful and Springboard both offer comprehensive cybersecurity courses. Thinkful’s Cybersecurity Engineering program is a full-time, immersive course that covers various topics such as network security and cryptography.
In contrast, Springboard’s Cyber Security Career Track is a part-time, online course focused on hands-on experience, with students working on real-world projects. Both courses provide mentorship and career support to help students break into the cyber security field.
What are the differences between Springboard and Thinkful in terms of course offerings?
Thinkful focuses on web development, data science, and cyber security courses, while Springboard offers a wider range of courses in data science, UX design, software engineering, and cyber security.
Springboard also has shorter introductory and foundational courses available. Both platforms provide mentorship and project-based learning to ensure students acquire practical skills.
Are the certificates provided by Springboard and Thinkful equally valuable in the industry?
Certificates from both Springboard and Thinkful are well-regarded in the industry. However, the value of a particular certificate may depend on various factors, such as the type of course, the relevance to the specific industry, and an employer’s familiarity with these platforms.
In general, demonstrating the practical skills gained during the course and showcasing portfolio projects will be more important to employers than the certificate alone.
Can I expect dedicated career support from both Springboard and Thinkful?
Yes, both Springboard and Thinkful provide dedicated career support to their students. This includes one-on-one mentorship, resume reviews, interview preparation, job search assistance, and networking opportunities.
They both also have a strong focus on placing students in relevant jobs after course completion, as evidenced by their impressive job placement rates.
