Guide
Are Cybersecurity Bootcamps Worth It?
Written By Jess Feldman
Edited By Liz Eggleston
Last updated on November 14, 2024
Written By Jess Feldman
Edited By Liz Eggleston
Course Report strives to create the most trust-worthy content about coding bootcamps. Read more about Course Report’s Editorial Policy and How We Make Money.
Course Report strives to create the most trust-worthy content about coding bootcamps. Read more about Course Report’s Editorial Policy and How We Make Money.
Are cybersecurity bootcamps worth it? For those seeking to enter this growing and essential field, the answer is a resounding yes! Reputable cybersecurity bootcamps offer immersive training that can equip career changers with the skills, certifications, career support, and experience they need to land entry-level or mid-level cyber and IT roles, even in a competitive job market. Find out the types of cyber and IT roles that are perfect for cybersecurity graduates, and salaries they can expect to earn. Plus, hear from actual cybersecurity bootcamp graduates who have recently made a career change!
The short answer is: Yes!
For career changers with no previous experience, cybersecurity bootcamps help you get the experience you need to get a cyber job.
The current tech job market is competitive! The career services and coaching at cybersecurity bootcamps will give you a leg up.
Employers are often looking for certified cybersecurity professionals, and there are many cybersecurity bootcamps that prepare you for industry-recognized certifications, such as CompTIA Security+.
https://www.coursereport.com/blog/live-q-a-how-to-break-into-cybersecurity-in-2023
The nationwide average salary for entry-level cybersecurity analysts is $132,151 or $70 per hour for contract work. Location, company, and whether you have cybersecurity or networking certifications may affect your salary as a new cybersecurity professional.
Career changers may also want to consider internships when entering the cybersecurity field. Internships (coupled with a cybersecurity bootcamp) can help recent career changers build up their experience in the field, which can boost their salary.
For instance, Bill landed a paid internship at cybersecurity consultancy Tevora after graduating from an online cybersecurity bootcamp, and this experience morphed into a full-time position as an Information Security Associate. “An internship is a great way to get familiar with the industry itself,” Bill says, “It's one thing to understand the processes from a technical perspective, but actually understanding the workflow of an organization is totally different. Another advantage of an internship is that you can leverage being in that position to seek out more mentorship and networking opportunities.”
Here at Course Report, we’ve spoken with so many bootcamp graduates that have landed cybersecurity & IT roles, including:
Intensive cybersecurity bootcamps that include mentorship, live instruction with qualified teachers, and career support typically run between $10K-$20K. Many of these immersive programs will include training for specific certification exams (such as CompTIA Security+ and CEH) within the curriculum, and tuition for a few bootcamps includes the certification exam cost. There are also a few cybersecurity bootcamps that offer students a job guarantee, tuition refund guarantee, or money-back guarantee!
|
Bootcamp |
Tuition |
|
$10,900 |
|
|
$11,400 |
|
|
$12,995 |
|
|
$16,500 |
|
|
$16,900 |
While short courses focused on a specific cybersecurity certification may be cheaper and can be quickly completed, keep in mind that they will often be self-paced and without any kind of career or mentor support. These certification courses may be helpful for those who are upskilling, but we find that career changers do best with intensive programs that include live instruction, access to mentors or TAs, and dedicated career support.
To understand if a bootcamp is worth it, you’ll need to calculate two figures: your total investment and your starting salary goal.
Expect to pay ~$15,000 and invest 3-6 months of time into a cybersecurity bootcamp. Many cybersecurity bootcamps require a part-time commitment, so it may be possible for you to work while completing the program. Your total investment should include Tuition + Computer.
Expect to pay ~$45,000 for a 4-year degree. Keep in mind that you’ll be covering opportunity cost + living expenses for the duration of the degree program, and won’t be earning income during this time.
Expect to earn ~$132,000, the nationwide average salary for entry-level cybersecurity analysts.
Using these average costs and salaries, a bootcamp will deliver higher ROI than a 4-year degree. You should replace these numbers with your own expectations to calculate your own ROI!
Salary isn’t the only reason to make a career change into the cybersecurity field. Many cybersecurity bootcamp alumni that we’ve spoken with also appreciated workplaces that may offer hybrid or remote working opportunities, more flexibility, and the opportunity for growth in the field.
Here’s how you can make sure that cybersecurity bootcamp is worth it for you:
Set your expectations and salary goals before enrolling in a cybersecurity bootcamp.
An immersive cybersecurity bootcamp can be demanding. Make sure you have committed time in your weekly schedule for your bootcamp studies and project work. Most cybersecurity bootcamps are online, so it helps to have a dedicated workspace that is conducive to learning.
Be prepared for the job search. A typical job search takes 3-6 months, and it can require a lot of job applications, interviews, and rejection. Get ahead of your job search by building your network before the bootcamp ends.
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💡 Did you know: You can read 50,000+ reviews on Course Report to learn more about which cybersecurity bootcamps students are raving about! |
Here are a few on-the-ground observations from cybersecurity bootcamp alumni:
Recent college graduate Gabrielle became a System Administrator: “[My employer was] interested in my Springboard experience because they needed to ensure I could do the role of a system administrator.”
Nathan made a career change from working in the entertainment industry to cybersecurity through Lighthouse Labs: “...it stood out to [my employer] because I attended a cybersecurity bootcamp. I didn't have that much IT experience before that, so this experience made the difference!”
Thomas, a single parent with three kids, relied on an online bootcamp to help him land his first cybersecurity job: “My bootcamp experience has also shown my kids an example of what's possible. By going back to school to change my career, I inspired one of my kids to have the confidence to pursue a double major at Butler University. My other kids are now considering future careers in the IT field services. My bootcamp experience has proven to my family the importance of continuous learning.”
Kennith had IT experience but used a cybersecurity bootcamp to upskill and get certifications: “I would not have gotten where I am now without DigitalCrafts! While a lot of the material I learned could have been learned for free, I benefited from the structure, the professional networking, and the ability to rewatch the videos any time.”
Military veteran Thomas looked to a cybersecurity bootcamp to help him land a civilian job: “I'm more confident in my ability to work any job now. If for some reason I wake up one day and decide cybersecurity is not for me, I still learned a lot about resume writing and applying for jobs in general, so it's already worth it for me.”
Since cybersecurity is a necessary facet for so many businesses, cybersecurity professionals are wanted across a diverse spectrum of industries. The cybersecurity bootcamp alumni that have spoken with Course Report have landed their first cyber and IT roles in:
Cybersecurity bootcamp alumni are in demand, and have been hired by companies, such as:
Jess Feldman is an accomplished writer and the Content Manager at Course Report, the leading platform for career changers who are exploring coding bootcamps. With a background in writing, teaching, and social media management, Jess plays a pivotal role in helping Course Report readers make informed decisions about their educational journey.
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