If your goal is to become a software engineer, the choice between university and a bootcamp depends on time, cost, and your current stage in life. University is a longer, theory driven path that takes years and a large financial commitment, while bootcamps focus on practical skills and getting you job ready in months. Both can lead to similar roles and salaries, but bootcamps are often the faster option for career switchers who want to start earning sooner, while university suits those early in their career who want a deeper academic foundation.

Read what experts say about coding bootcamps: are bootcamps worth it?

TL;DR

• Time: 4 years for university vs 3-6 months for bootcamp
• Cost: $40,000-$200,000+ for degrees vs $7,000-$20,000 for bootcamps
• Bootcamps work best for: Career changers, people who need jobs fast, hands-on learners, anyone with budget constraints
• Universities work best for: Recent high school grads, theory lovers, future researchers, people with time and money
• Starting salaries: Bootcamp grads make $70,000-$90,000; degree holders make $75,000-$95,000

Should I Go to University or Join a Bootcamp?

Here’s the thing: you want to become a software engineer. Maybe you’re graduating high school. Maybe you’re 30 and hate your current job. Maybe you’re just tired of feeling stuck.

You’ve got two choices. Spend four years getting a computer science degree. Or spend a few months in a coding bootcamp learning to actually build stuff.

Both get you to the same place, which is a career writing code and solving problems. But the journey? Completely different. And honestly, picking the wrong one could cost you years and money you don’t have.

Software engineers make around $113,000 a year according to Glassdoor. But how you get there matters. Let’s figure out which path makes sense for your situation.

What Actually Happens if You Go To a University?

You spend four years studying computer science. Not just coding computer science. That means algorithms, data structures, discrete math, computer architecture, operating systems, compilers. Heavy stuff.

You’ll learn why computers work the way they do. How memory management actually functions. Why certain algorithms run faster than others. It’s deep, theoretical knowledge that gives you a solid foundation.

Most programs also make you take general education classes. English, history, science electives. Some people love this well-rounded approach. Others find it frustrating when they just want to code.

What’s the Cost to Incur as a University Student?

State schools run about $40,000 total if you’re in-state. Private universities? Try $200,000 or more. Then add rent, food, books, and everything else. Many students graduate with massive debt that takes decades to pay off.

Plus you’re giving up four years. Four years you could be working, earning money, building experience. If you’re 18, that’s fine. If you’re 28 with bills to pay? That’s a much harder call.

Who Should Do This?

University makes sense if you’re a recent high school graduate with support from your parents. If you love learning theory and don’t mind slow, methodical education. If you want to do research or pursue a PhD someday. If you have the time and money and aren’t in a rush.

The degree still carries weight. Some companies (especially big tech firms) prefer candidates with CS degrees. Campus recruiting, alumni networks, and internship programs create opportunities. That credential opens certain doors more easily.

The Truth Nobody Tells You

Here’s what they don’t mention: most CS grads feel unprepared for real jobs. University teaches you theory, but building actual applications? That’s different. Companies know this. They expect to train you anyway.

What About Bootcamps?

How They Work

Bootcamps are intense and focused. You learn one thing: how to build modern web applications. 12-16 weeks full-time, or 4-6 months part-time. No fluff, no theory you won’t use, just practical coding skills with hands-on-projects.

Metana’s Full Stack Software Engineer Bootcamp runs 16 weeks part-time. You learn JavaScript, Node.js, React, MongoDB, SQL, exactly what companies hire for right now. You build real projects. You get daily one-on-one mentorship.

The best part? Job guarantees. Metana promises you’ll land a job within months of graduating, or they refund your tuition. You don’t need any prior experience or a tech background. Just show up ready to work hard.

What does a Bootcamp Cost?

Most bootcamps run $7,000-$20,000. Metana starts at $7,500, with payment plans as low as $1272 monthly, for five moths, compared that to $100,000+ in college debt.

Time-wise, you’re looking at a few months of intense work instead of four years. Full-time bootcamps need 40-60 hours weekly. Part-time options let you keep your current job while learning 20-30 hours weekly.

You can be job-ready and earning a developer salary before a university student finishes their sophomore year!

Who Should Do Choose a Bootcamp?

Bootcamps work for career changers who need income soon. If you’re in your late twenties or older, switching industries, or supporting a family, you probably can’t disappear for four years.

They’re perfect for people who learn by doing instead of studying. If you’d rather build a website than write a paper about website architecture, bootcamps match how you think. If you’re self-motivated and thrive under pressure, the intensity won’t break you, it’ll push you forward.

Money matters too. Can’t afford six figures in debt? Bootcamp is your realistic option.

What You Should Know?

Bootcamp grads get hired. You’ll have modern skills and projects to show employers. But you won’t have the deep computer science knowledge of a degree holder. Some companies still prefer degrees, though this is changing fast as bootcamps prove themselves.

Your success depends heavily on choosing the right program. Look for job placement support, mentorship, and actual guarantees.

Bootcamp vs Degree Comrparison in SE

Aspect	University Degree	Coding Bootcamp (e.g. Metana)
Time Commitment	Locked in for 4+ years minimum with fixed academic timelines.	Job-ready in months, not years. Part-time options available if you can’t quit your current job.
Cost	$40,000–$200,000+ before living expenses, housing, and fees.	$7,000–$20,000 total. You also start earning years earlier, compounding income faster.
What You Learn	Focuses on theory and fundamentals—algorithms, data structures, and the “why”behind computing.	Focuses on practical engineering skills—frameworks, tools, libraries, and the “how” of shipping real products.
Getting Hired	Graduates often need additional training or internships to apply theory in real jobs.	Students build job-ready portfolios during the program and graduate ready to contribute immediately.
Flexibility	Rigid schedules and semester calendars. Even online degrees follow strict timelines.	Flexible schedules, including part-time formats designed around work and life commitments.
Support	Access to resources, but students are expected to be self-directed.	High-touch support: daily mentorship, weekly code reviews, and dedicated career coaches to help land the first job.

How Do I Actually Decide?

Ask yourself these questions honestly:

What’s your life situation? 
Just graduated high school with parents covering expenses? University could work. Supporting yourself, paying rent, maybe have a family? Bootcamp makes way more sense.

Can you afford debt?
 If taking on $100,000+ in loans doesn’t scare you, university is an option. If that sounds insane (because it kind of is), bootcamps offer a path without crushing debt.

How do you learn best?
 Love textbooks, lectures, and theoretical frameworks? University might be your speed. Prefer building things, breaking them, and figuring out why? Bootcamps match that learning style.

What’s your timeline? 
Need a job within a year? Only bootcamps deliver that fast. Can invest four years before working? University remains viable.

What guarantees do you need? 
Some bootcamps offer job guarantees or money-back policies if you don’t get hired. Universities offer zero guarantees and your degree doesn’t promise employment, just credentials.

Think about your goals too. Want to do research, work in academia, or tackle highly specialized computer science problems? You’ll probably need a degree eventually. Want to build web apps, work at startups, or freelance? Bootcamp skills are completely sufficient.

Finally…

There’s no perfect answer that works for everyone. Only the answer that works for you right now, given your circumstances.

Universities provide depth, traditional credibility, and time to explore computer science broadly. Bootcamps provide speed, affordability, and direct paths to paychecks.

What matters most: both paths actually work. Employers care increasingly about what you can build, not where you learned. Your GitHub portfolio matters more than your diploma. Your problem-solving ability matters more than your pedigree.

The tech industry needs people who can code. Lots of them. Whether you take four years or four months to learn, commit fully and you’ll find opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a software engineer without a degree?
Yes. In 2025, it is completely possible and increasingly common to become a software engineer without a formal degree. Many professionals are self taught or bootcamp trained, and employers now prioritize real skills, strong portfolios, problem solving ability, and hands on experience over credentials. Major companies like Google, Apple, and IBM have removed degree requirements for many roles. After your first job, experience quickly becomes the most important factor.

Do employers prefer bootcamp grads or university grads?
It depends on the company and role. Large tech firms and traditional enterprises may still prefer CS degrees as an initial filter. However, startups and mid sized companies often view bootcamp graduates as equally or more job ready because of their practical training. Studies show over 72 percent of employers see bootcamp grads as on par with degree holders. After a few years of experience, your performance matters far more than your education path.

How long does it take to get a job after a bootcamp?
Most graduates from reputable bootcamps land roles within three to six months. Some find jobs faster, while others may take longer depending on market conditions, location, effort, networking, and interview preparation.