In an increasingly technologically-driven world, it’s understandable that many young people are interested in learning to code. Acquiring such a versatile skill at an early age will set you apart from other students your age and boost your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Careers in coding exist in a wide variety of industries, meaning that learning to code can bring some unexpected and lucrative opportunities your way. While taking a class over your summer break might sound overwhelming, it can be a great way to find out if coding is a good fit for you before you change your major or spend a whole semester on something you might not enjoy.
Here, you’ll learn about some of the many summer programs available to help you learn to code.
Why Learn Coding During the Summer?
Spending a summer learning to code can make an excellent addition to your resume when you’re ready to begin looking for a job. These skills can also help you land an internship or part-time job as you continue your education. Some students choose to freelance to earn additional income and create their own schedule while they finish college.
In terms of full-time work, coding can help start an array of exciting careers. Depending on which language (or languages) you learn, you can work towards a career in a field like web development, cybersecurity, or data science.
#1: Noble Desktop - Data Science Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
Noble Desktop offers an immersive Data Science Certificate that can be taken over the summer. In this program, students are taught essential skills that can help them land entry-level data science positions. The course discusses topics like programming with Python and developing machine learning models.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This program is geared towards beginners. The only requirement is that students possess basic computer skills before joining the class.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This course is available in person at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan campus. Students can also participate via Zoom from their homes. Remote students need access to a Mac or PC, but staff from Noble Desktop will assist with setting up to ensure your remote working environment sets you up for success.
How Long Does This Program Last?
Full-time students will spend three weeks in this class; the part-time version is three months.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Noble Desktop’s classes are for students 18 and up.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This certification program costs $3,495 per person. There are payment plans and financing options available. This price includes individual career counseling sessions with an instructor who can provide support with resume development, portfolio design, and tips to find employment after the program is over. Noble Desktop also allows students to retake the course for free within one year.
#2: Noble Desktop - Python Developer Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
Noble Desktop’s Python Developer Certificate is an excellent choice if you want to learn how software and web development can be done with Python. Here, students will gain exposure to several industry-standard development tools like Git, SQL, and Django. Students will complete projects that they can add to a portfolio to assist in their job search throughout the course.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This class is for more intermediate students. Previous experience with Python is not required to join this class, but students need to be comfortable coding with HTML and CSS.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This class can be taken online via Zoom or in-person at Noble’s Manhattan campus.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This class is held for three weeks over the summer. Sessions take place Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students 18 or over can enroll.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The Python Developer Certificate costs $3,995 per person. Students have the option to pay in installments or apply for 12-month financing. If they are already employed, they are encouraged to see if their employer offers any tuition reimbursement support as well. Additionally, students can retake the class for free within one year.
#3: Noble Desktop - Front-End Web Development Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
For students who want to learn to code for web development, Noble Desktop has a Front-End Web Development Certificate available over the summer. This course teaches students to code the visual or client-side of web pages using tools such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WordPress. By the end of the program, students will be able to design and edit their own websites from scratch.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This is a beginner-friendly certification that only requires students to have general computer skills.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
The program can be taken in person at Noble’s New York City campus or remotely via Zoom. Remote students must have access to their own computers.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This course is available full-time for four weeks or part-time for four months. The part-time program holds sessions on weekday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Noble Desktop courses are for students who are 18 or older.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This certification is $3,495 per student. Students can pay their tuition through installments or 0% interest loans. Noble Desktop will also provide your employer with the appropriate documentation if they offer any tuition reimbursement. Additionally, this price includes the opportunity to retake the course for free within a year.
#4: Noble Desktop - Full-Stack Web Development Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
Students who are curious about all aspects of web development might find the Full-Stack Web Development Certificate to be a better fit. In addition to learning all of the front end skills mentioned above, students are also taught critical back end programming skills to help manage server-side requests and manage the data their websites produce.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This class is designed for beginners with no prior web development experience.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Students who live near New York City can participate in person. All of Noble’s courses are also available online. Using Zoom, remote students will still be able to interact with their instructor and classmates in real-time.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This class is one of Noble Desktop’s lengthier offerings. It is 12-weeks for the full-time version and nine months if you enroll part-time.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students must be 18 or over to participate in this program.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This program is priced at $6,995. In addition to the nearly 300 hours of instruction, this price also includes one-on-one career mentoring sessions with your instructor and the opportunity to retake the course for free within one year. This course can be paid for through installments or financing through Climb Credit. Students are also encouraged to speak with their employers about any potential tuition reimbursement they may offer.
#5: NextGen Bootcamp - Java Summer Program NYC
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp’s Java Summer Program begins with fundamental Java programming skills. From here, students are exposed to more advanced concepts such as object-oriented programming and recursive functions. The course ends with the creation of a final project that students will add to a portfolio, which is a crucial component of many job interviews in the tech industry.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
NextGen’s Java program targets beginner learners who don’t have prior coding experience.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Students can either participate in person at NextGen’s Manhattan campus or remotely at the same times the class is taught (Eastern Standard Time). Remote students use Zoom to connect with their peers and instructor.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This program is three weeks long. Sessions take place on weekdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
All of NextGen’s classes are designed for high school and college students.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This summer program costs $1,999, with the total amount being due before the class begins. This price includes a certificate of completion and additional learning materials that students take with them and can refer back to as they continue their education. Financial aid or payment plans are not available for this course. If you’re also curious about coding with Python, NextGen also offers a Computer Science Summer Certificate Program, which combines the Java course with a Python course for additional savings.
#6: NextGen Bootcamp - Python Data Science Summer Program
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp offers a Python Data Science Summer Program to college students over the summer. In this class, students study different methods to clean and organize data. They also learn to create eye-catching visualizations of complex datasets and use machine learning algorithms to locate patterns in their data.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This is a beginner-friendly class with no prerequisites. Students should have basic computer skills.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This summer Python program can be taken either in-person or live online. The campus is near Grand Central Station in Manhattan, so commuting is relatively easy for students living in nearby areas. Virtual students utilize Zoom to interact with their instructor and classmates.
How Long Does This Program Last?
The in-person version of NextGen’s Python program lasts for two weeks, and the virtual program is three weeks long.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
NextGen courses are designed for students in high school or college.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The cost of NextGen’s program varies between the virtual and the in-person formats. The live online version is $1,999, and the in-person class costs $2,495, with the total tuition being required before class begins. Financial aid is not offered for this course, but students can enroll in the Computer Science Summer Certificate Program, which also teaches basic coding skills with Java as well.
#7: NextGen Bootcamp - Computer Science Summer Program
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp is a partner program of Noble Desktop that teaches in-demand tech skills to high school and college students. The school offers a Computer Science Summer Program. Students will learn programming fundamentals with both Java and Python in this class. The class emphasizes computer science and data science concepts. As they navigate the curriculum, students will become proficient at manipulating large datasets, machine learning algorithms, and they’ll even be able to design a simple computer program from scratch.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
Previous experience is not required to enroll in this class. However, students should possess basic computer skills. Students who participate in the class remotely must have their own PC or Mac.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This class takes place at NextGen’s campus in New York City. Students who don’t reside in New York or the surrounding areas can participate remotely instead. Students use Zoom to interact with fellow classmates and their instructor in the online version.
How Long Does This Program Last?
The in-person version of this class is four weeks long, with classes being held from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm every weekday. The live online class lasts for a total of six weeks. Here, sessions take place from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
This program is specifically designed for high school and college students.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The live online program costs $3,695, and the in-person program costs $3,990. These prices include materials that students take with them and refer back to as their education progresses. Additionally, students are given a certificate of completion at the end of the program. While no financial aid is available, this program combines NextGen’s Python and Java courses, meaning that students who enroll save up to 25%.
#8: General Assembly - JavaScript Course
What is Taught in This Program?
The JavaScript Course through General Assembly teaches this popular web development language through a series of hands-on projects. Students complete activities like designing interactive websites, coding challenges, and learning to persist user data on their own single-page application.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
Prior experience with HTML and CSS is required before starting this course.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
General Assembly has several in-person locations in bigger cities like Boston, Chicago, and Denver. The program is available online for students who cannot conveniently access a campus.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This course is available on a part-time schedule and takes roughly two months to complete. Classes are held on two weeknights a week for three hours each.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students need to be over the age of 18 to participate.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This program costs $3,950 per person. General Assembly can provide support with setting up tuition reimbursement through your employer if it is offered. Students can also take advantage of installment plans or loans through Ascent, Climb, or Meritize.
#9: BrainStation - Python Programming Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
BrainStation has a Python Programming Certificate available over the summer. The class starts by exposing students to the interface of Jupyter Notebooks, the primary tool they’ll use to write and edit their Python code. The curriculum also covers topics such as advanced data structures and Python libraries that are used for data science tasks.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course is suitable for beginner learners.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This program is currently offered online only, though in-person classes may resume in the future.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This class lasts for five weeks. Each class is on Thursday afternoon or evening for three hours.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
BrainStation requires that students be 18 or older to attend.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The price for this course is $2,450 per student. Additional information about financing and scholarship opportunities can be found on the course website.
#10: ONLC Training Centers - Java Programming Level 1
What is Taught in This Program?
A Java Programming Level 1: Introduction for Non-Programmers class is available at ONLC Training Centers. Here, students will learn about how Java compares with other programming languages, Java Syntax, and how the language can be used to build simple programs. Be aware that this program is designed to prepare students for more advanced Java training rather than preparing them for a new career.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This introductory course does not require any prior experience with Java.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
There are over 300 ONLC locations of on-site computer labs across the country. You can also attend remotely from your home.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This program lasts for four days. Sessions are held Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:45 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students must be 18 or older to enroll.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The price of this class is $1,595. Be mindful of registration, which closes a few days before each session. Financial aid is not discussed on the course website, but ONLC does offer students a free retake policy within one year as long as the software versions are the same. Java does get updated fairly often, so you’ll want to speak with your instructor or another staff member about retakes.
Which Coding Summer Program is Right for Me?
The number of different programs and coding languages available might make you feel unsure of where to begin. Luckily, there are a few key factors you can consider that will help you narrow down your options and make you feel more comfortable making a concrete decision.
The first thing many students worry about is the price of some of these programs. One way to alleviate this stress is by focusing on courses that offer financial aid or other perks like free retakes. It’s also important to look at the cost per hour of instruction rather than the grand total since this is a more accurate depiction of how far your money is going.
Let’s say you’re interested in front end web development, and you’re deciding between the Noble Desktop certificate at $3,495 and the General Assembly class at $3,950. The General Assembly course provides 60 hours of instruction, and the Noble Desktop course offers 96. Not only is the Noble program less expensive overall, but the hourly cost is also significantly less as well, giving you much more value for your money.
It’s also important to reflect on your ideal learning environment and comfort level with programming. Most of the above courses can be taken online. Still, some students find virtual learning distracting or impersonal, so you may want to focus on courses that offer in-person opportunities in your area. If you’re a more advanced student, taking a beginner course would likely be a waste of your money, and you might not be able to engage with the material if you don’t feel challenged.
Because coding encompasses so many different languages and potential career paths, it may be worth your time to conduct some preliminary research to learn more about what each language can do. For instance, Python is commonly used in areas like data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. These careers typically earn a six-figure salary, but they also tend to require significantly more education and training. If you’d like to be a bit more creative and enjoy creating appealing designs and page layouts, web development might be a better fit for you.
While you’re already a busy college student, taking on an additional class is a big decision. While it may take some time to decide which path you want to take, ensuring you’re enrolling in a program that suits your interests and individual needs will go a long way toward setting you up for a brighter future.