[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-4″]So you want a high-paying tech job, and you’re deciding between a computer science degree and a coding bootcamp. The real question is: What do hiring managers want?[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you are interested in becoming a web developer or a software engineer, there are a few paths you can take. Two of the most popular paths are getting a degree in computer science or earning a coding bootcamp certificate.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Comparing these two options isn’t really comparing apples to apples.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-computer-science/”]bachelor’s degree in computer science[/hen-ui-link] takes about four years to complete. The curriculum is focused on providing students with foundational, theoretical knowledge of computation and problem-solving that will prepare them for a variety of careers.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A certificate for a coding bootcamp typically takes between 8-16 weeks of full-time learning. Bootcamps are practical, project-oriented, and laser-focused on preparing students for job readiness in very specific roles.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-2″]Featured Online Coding Bootcamp Programs[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both options set graduates up for entry-level jobs as web developers or software engineers.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Deciding [hen-ui-link href=”/magazine/coding-bootcamp-vs-computer-science-degree/”]which option[/hen-ui-link] is right for you will depend on your stage of life, how much time and money you want to invest, and what your long-term career goals are.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If getting a job right out of the gate is what you really want, you probably also want to know: Who are hiring managers most interested in?[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We got dozens of responses from managers about what it’s like to work with bootcamp graduates vs. computer science graduates. Here’s what hiring managers really think.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Computer Science Majors[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”Computer science graduates have a strong grasp of software fundamentals like algorithms and data structures. Understanding how to use these and when they are applicable is very important for growing into a senior engineer role. On average, computer science graduates make stronger software engineers who grow further in their careers.”[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]— [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedricd/”]Cedric Dussud[/hen-ui-link], Co-Founder, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.narrator.ai/data-platform/”]Narrator AI[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”At my company, I’m perfectly fine hiring people without degrees — if you clearly know what you’re doing. That said, my company is significantly less likely to interview you or offer you a great starting salary if you don’t have a four-year degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”You can’t compare what you’ll learn at a coding bootcamp to the fundamentals of computer science that you will learn in a college program.”[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]— [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.shaunpoore.com/author/shaunpoore/”]Shaun Poore[/hen-ui-link], ShaunPoore.com[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”A computer science degree will open a lot of doors. It’s a common path into a development career and gives you great knowledge. The more complex your problems are, the more you’re going to rely on the knowledge a degree gives you. You can gain some great skills from a bootcamp, but a degree will help you understand the theory and maths behind the code.”[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]— [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisy-hanson-pub2020/”]Daisy Hanson[/hen-ui-link], Content Marketing Executive, Digital Grads[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”Coding bootcamps teach you how to code in the real world, but they don’t make you an engineer. Being a software engineer requires more than writing code: It requires calculus, linear algebra, operating systems, compilers, computer systems, and architecture — all of which you learn in a computer science degree. Those subjects are critical to understanding how software actually works and interacts with other domains.”[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]— [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrid-smith-1259622/”]Gerrid Smith[/hen-ui-link], CMO, Joy Organics[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-2″]Featured Online Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Bootcampers[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”I have hired three developers without formal degrees based on their skills and the certifications they have received. Coding bootcamp actually gives you more relevant and useful tools for a job than a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/computer-science-degree/”]computer science degree[/hen-ui-link]. While the degree sets you up with a solid foundation, a bootcamp teaches you specific skills that you can use immediately in a job.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”Both have merit, but from an employment perspective, bootcamps provide more concrete evidence of a candidates’ skill than a degree does.”[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]— [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/lundin-matthews-a4410289/”]Lundin Matthews[/hen-ui-link], Founder, AdminRemix[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”One of the biggest reasons for the gap in qualified developers and tech talent overall is that traditional education institutions have been slow to adapt. Often, the practices and training students learn in college aren’t job-relevant, and they have to be re-taught on the job.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”People coming out of bootcamps and apprenticeship programs are often more capable than their traditionally-educated peers — but they are not treated that way.”[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]— [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenroane/”]Jennifer Roane[/hen-ui-link], Partner, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.barokas.com/about/”]Barokas Agency[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”We’ve hired some truly amazing software engineers out of bootcamps. Folks who have previous experience and then choose to learn software engineering often have other skills from previous careers that translate extremely well: managing skills, people skills, leadership, etc.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”Bootcamp grads are more diverse in all metrics, including gender, race, and socioeconomic status. A diversity of life experiences is crucial for any workplace, but especially for tech, which is lagging behind.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”At the same time, bootcamps are still a bit of an unknown quantity. As a hiring manager, I don’t know enough about different bootcamps offhand to know which have a solid curriculum and which are less rigorous. It makes me wary of hiring someone straight out of a bootcamp versus someone who has held at least one job in the field.”[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]— [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedricd/”]Cedric Dussud[/hen-ui-link], Co-Founder, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.narrator.ai/data-platform/”]Narrator AI[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”Many employers are uneasy about hiring bootcamp graduates; while bootcampers are able to get through the interview process, they often have trouble hitting the ground running and being productive. Bootcamps, especially the short-term ones, have a bad reputation for not instilling the fundamental programming knowledge and problem-solving skills needed to work independently.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”You can still parlay a bootcamp into a job, but it is harder now. The interview process is far more intense than it was ten years ago, especially for the better jobs out there.”[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]— [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevordegnlarson/”]Trevor Larson[/hen-ui-link], CEO, [hen-ui-link href=”https://nectarhr.com/”]Nectar[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-2″]Featured Online Bootcamps[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Either Way, Your Portfolio Really Matters[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”Degrees and bootcamps don’t hurt, by any means. But they don’t matter half as much as your experience. When I’m hiring, I look at the real work the candidate has done — so I’d recommend contributing to open-source software. Skill comes from practice, and skill is what makes you marketable. Your portfolio is really what counts.”[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]— [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanvice/”]Ryan Vice[/hen-ui-link], Co-Founder and CEO, [hen-ui-link href=”https://vicesoftware.com/custom-application-development-services/”]Vice Software[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”At the end of the day, your portfolio or GitHub profile will mean more to a hiring manager. A person with a degree but no project work is going to look far less qualified than a bootcamp graduate with an excellent portfolio.”[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]— [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisy-hanson-pub2020/”]Daisy Hanson[/hen-ui-link], Content Marketing Executive, Digital Grads[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Computer Science Degrees vs. Coding Bootcamps[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Length of Schooling[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Learning Experience[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Cost[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Career Opportunities[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Reputation[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns=”1″ columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”tldr”]TL;DR[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hiring managers think computer science graduates:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are often the safest bet because they come from accredited programs with defined curricula.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are more likely to have the foundational knowledge required to be true engineers.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Have the deep computational understanding necessary for more senior positions.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Usually have more theoretical than hands-on experience, which means they have to learn a lot of new things on the job.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hiring managers think bootcampers:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]May be more up to speed with industry-relevant skills.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Have a lot of grit, discipline, and interesting work experience.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Bring much needed diversity to the field.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Have less regulated skills and training, which makes it difficult for managers to assess whether they truly have the knowledge required to hit the ground running.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm text-right”]Header Image Credit: kate_sept2004, Maximusnd | Getty Images[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”327,10532,1504″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]