As a result of this demand, FinTech bootcamps have emerged as a popular educational pathway for anyone fascinated by this industry. However, these courses' varying price structures impact their overall value to learners. As a result, anyone considering a FinTech bootcamp in Chicago should read this article to learn about the costs of these programs as well as available financing options and course benefits.
Average Cost of FinTech Bootcamps in Chicago
The best FinTech bootcamps in Chicago provide high-quality education in a hands-on environment. Whether in-person or online, they work through theoretical concepts and practical exercises to reinforce skills. Like any training, though, they come with specific cost factors.
In fact, anyone researching these expenses might be shocked at just how much they vary. In particular, Chicago residents can find courses costing less than $1,000 and many closer to a full college semester. Here’s an in-depth look at these average expenses that learners can utilize.
Overview of Typical Price Range
FinTech courses in the Windy City come in many prices, including costs as low as $1,500. In a short-term program like that, students typically get about 20-30 hours of training in about a week of hands-on learning. Costlier and longer programs may last 12 weeks and cost about $16,500.
That said, most classes range from about $2,000 to $5,000, creating a pretty diverse range of expenses. Generally, tuition varies depending not only on what a school offers but also on the quality of the facility. Later, readers will learn more about these price-influencing factors.
Comparison of Average Costs Between Different Bootcamps
Chicago is a Midwestern educational hub with multiple learning opportunities spread throughout the city. These include colleges, universities, and private institutions. These tech-oriented programs immerse learners in high-quality learning that can transform their lives for the better. Just a few educational opportunities in the city, along with their typical prices, include:
- Noble Desktop: Noble is New York City’s most popular and effective training team. Since 1990, they’ve helped innovate new and exciting learning techniques. Expect prices from between $1,300 to about $5,000, which depends most heavily on length.
- Practical Programming: This school focuses heavily on shorter programs that feel a bit more like primers than completely comprehensive education. Their more focused approach means courses generally cost about $1,500 to $3,000, depending on length.
- General Assembly: With a variety of courses lasting between 14 hours and 12 weeks, this provider gives students many unique learning opportunities. Longer and more intensive classes generally cost $16,500, with shorter ones hitting closer to $4,500.
- Northwestern Boot Camps: Northwestern is a popular college near Chicago and Evanston that can provide a broad range of different training options. Available through Trilogy Education services, their classes often vary in price but usually hit about $15,000.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Chicagoland FinTech Bootcamps
Anyone trying to gauge typical Chicago-area FinTech bootcamp prices might find themselves incredibly confused. After all, the previous section highlighted four different schools with very different costs. By understanding what impacts these expenses, learners can more easily choose a course. Here are several factors to consider before picking a FinTech program.
Duration of the Program
As might be expected, FinTech bootcamp duration will influence their costs. Intensive, full-time programs that last 12-16 weeks or longer will be more expensive than part-time programs. After all, these longer classes often offer more hands-on projects and faster learning options. There may even be 1-on-1 mentoring opportunities that heavily improve the educational experience.
Curriculum and Specializations Offered
FinTech bootcamps with specialized curricula in unique focuses, such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, quantitative analysis, or machine learning, may charge more due to the complexity and demand for these skills. By contrast, programs that cover more basic financial analysis and Python programming may be more affordable, though not as finely tuned.
Reputation and Ranking of the Bootcamp
Not all schools are made equal, and FinTech bootcamps with a strong reputation and a high job placement rate tend to charge premium prices. It makes sense. After all, their established relationships with financial institutions and tech companies in Chicago can justify the higher cost. That’s because they provide students with better networking opportunities and jobs.
Location and Facilities
Downton Chicago learning teams typically charge more because they have to pay a lot simply to offer. While many bootcamps do offer remote or hybrid options, some might even charge more due to these physical locations. Furthermore, any FinTech bootcamps with modern classrooms, technology labs, and coworking spaces usually pass those operational costs onto students.
Instructor Qualifications
High-quality Chicago-area FinTech bootcamps typically make enough money to hire excellent instructors from the finance or tech industries as instructors. These experts bring real-world knowledge and insight, which can be invaluable for students transitioning into the FinTech sector. Understandably, these teachers have higher salaries, which impacts class costs.
Benefits of Attending FinTech Bootcamps in Chicago
The many high-quality FinTech courses in Chicago provide fantastic learning opportunities that benefit learners in so many ways. While they can always learn in colleges or universities, bootcamps offer a focused experience emphasizing critical learning skills in exciting ways. Here are a few reasons why attending bootcamps in Chicago is a brilliant opportunity.
Structured Learning Environment
A key benefit of attending a FinTech bootcamp is the structured learning environment. Sure, they get that from a college or university as well. But they pay a lot less for bootcamps. That structured approach can really help students stay on track with their learning goals and progress systematically through complex concepts. It ensures they don’t get in over their heads.
Access to Experienced Instructors and Mentors
FinTech bootcamps offer direct access to experienced instructors who have worked in the finance and tech sectors. These experts aren’t just skilled in theoretical ideas but understand practical work and can apply their abilities to finely tuned and accurate lessons. This access to industry professionals ensures students gain insights into current trends and best practices.
Networking Opportunities with Peers and Industry Professionals
Most Chicago-area FinTech bootcamps provide the opportunity to network with both peers and industry professionals, including skilled coders, security experts, and financial pros. These connections can be crucial for securing job placements in Chicago's competitive FinTech landscape. Universities and colleges simply don’t provide the same kind of support here.
Career Services and Job Placement Assistance
Many FinTech bootcamps offer comprehensive career services, such as resume workshops, mock interviews, and direct job placement assistance. This support can significantly increase the likelihood of landing a job in the FinTech industry after graduation.
Why Paying for a FinTech Bootcamp is Better Than Learning For Free
Though free seminars might seem tempting to people in Chicago who want to save money, they’re really nowhere near as good as a strong FinTech bootcamp. These resources provide far more educational value and ensure that learners walk away confident in their skills. Here are a few reasons why just buckling down and paying for a program is a smart choice for most.
Accountability and Motivation
Investing in a bootcamp adds a layer of accountability for learners who might need it. After all, some individuals struggle to stay focused on their training without investing money. By contrast, paying for a class helps students stay committed and finish on time. Free courses have a high drop-out rate simply because there’s no real incentive to stay in the class if students get bored.
Hands-On Projects and Real-World Experience
FinTech bootcamps offer hands-on projects that replicate real-world scenarios. By contrast, free classes don’t have the kind of resources to provide that support. Tools like these give students the practical experience they need to succeed in a professional environment. Working on real-world projects also lets students add them to their portfolios to show off their abilities.
Immediate Feedback and Personalized Support
The immediate feedback and support provided by instructors and peers in a bootcamp setting are invaluable. Unlike learning alone in a free course, where learners may struggle with errors or misunderstandings, bootcamps provide personalized guidance to keep them on track. In many cases, that’s the difference between complete success and utter failure in training.
Community and Collaborative Learning
Being part of a bootcamp cohort offers the opportunity to collaborate with peers, share ideas, and solve problems together. Rather than working alone in front of a computer without anybody around, this collaborative environment mirrors what students would experience in most FinTech roles. These jobs require strong teamwork skills that help take graduates to the next level.
Financing Options for FinTech Bootcamps in the Windy City
Trying to balance life expenses with bootcamp tuition can seem impossible to many people. It’s understandable, as these courses are often quite pricey. However, there are many high-quality financing options available to reduce these costs. Taking advantage of them gives learners the best chance to stand out in their field and make good money without falling into severe debt.
Scholarships and Grants
Many FinTech bootcamps offer scholarships, particularly for underrepresented groups in tech, such as women, minorities, and veterans. However, they also provide funding to high achievers in high school or college. When earned, scholarships can reduce the overall cost and make bootcamps more accessible. They’re often very hard to find due to their competitive nature.
Income Share Agreements (ISAs)
Some bootcamps offer ISAs, allowing students to pay for their education only after they land a job in the industry. When available, these no- or low-interest payment options make FinTech skills far more affordable to master. By reducing the student’s upfront financial burden, these financing tools align the bootcamp’s success with the student’s career outcomes in great ways.
Payment Plans and Deferred Tuition
Flexible payment plans are another financing option that may work well for many learners. These allow students to pay in installments over time, usually over 3-6 months but sometimes longer. Similarly, deferred tuition programs may also be available. These are set up to let students pay off their expenses after completing the bootcamp and securing a FinTech job.
Loans and Financial Aid
Some bootcamps partner with financial institutions to offer private loans tailored explicitly for bootcamp tuition. Note that federal loans are generally not available. Instead, lenders include private banks and credit unions that can make classes more affordable. Getting these loans can cover the total cost of tuition with repayment terms that extend over several months or years.
Available FinTech Bootcamps in Chicago
Finding a high-quality FinTech bootcamp in the Chicagoland region can help learners push their careers to the next level. Anyone who is seriously interested in learning it properly needs to research not only identify great bootcamps but figure out their costs. The following three schools and courses should help learners throughout the Windy City jump right into FinTech.
Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop is New York City’s most popular training team and offers high-quality classes that make a big difference in learner’s lives. Dedicated to in-person and online courses, this school offers 1-on-1 mentoring, multiple financing options, and much more. Anyone interested in what it has to offer can choose from a myriad of programs that can take them further in life.
FinTech Bootcamp
FinTech Bootcamp is a 114-hour course that costs just $5,000. In those jam-packed hours, learners will study Python, SQL, automation, data science, and much more. By the time they’re done, they should feel comfortable working in this field or getting more training. Just as importantly, they can utilize these lessons to stand out in a very competitive and exciting field.
Practical Programming
Practical Programming provides affordable training options in New York City and Chicago. Their courses thread the middle ground between affordability and value for learners in the Windy City. Students can learn in person or online, depending on their needs. Within the FinTech field, this school provides a handful of courses that may work for many learners.
FinTech Bootcamp
FinTech Bootcamp lasts 60 hours and costs $3,000, making it a strong middle ground between longer and more expensive classes and those shorter and more affordable options. Throughout this program, learners study Python, machine learning, and algorithmic training. When done, they’ll have a portfolio of work (like with Noble Desktop) that they can share with employers.
Northwestern Boot Camp
Northwestern Boot Camps is an extension of Northwestern University and provides courses in Chicago and Evanston. Their programs come from Trilogy Education Services, a provider that focuses heavily on adult-oriented education. Classes focus specifically on tech-related subjects, including cybersecurity, data science, and FinTech. Subjects usually include hands-on work.
FinTech Boot Camp
FinTech Boot Camp is a 24-week course that covers 10 hours of study every week. Costing a few thousand dollars (depending on the school’s needs), this course covers multiple subjects related to financial technology. Students learn about Python, blockchain, trading algorithms, and cryptocurrency. These studies help them walk away ready to look for a job that they’ll enjoy.
Skills Learned in FinTech Bootcamps in Chicago
Students in live and online Chicago-area FinTech bootcamps will learn a myriad of skills that help transform their careers and their lives. They’ll master some tough concepts, understand how they interact, and produce high-quality work that allows them to transition into exciting careers. Here are a few of the biggest techniques they’ll master when signing up for courses.
Core Programming Languages
FinTech experts must understand various essential programming languages to thrive in their careers. For example, they might study Python, SQL, and sometimes R, all of which are essential for financial analysis and automation. Just as importantly, they’ll use these tools when crafting security processes for their customers to ensure their information stays protected.
Problem-Solving and Algorithmic Thinking
FinTech experts must be very adaptable to new problems and able to solve them quickly and efficiently. As a result, they’ll not only practice problem-solving techniques but master algorithmic thinking. These tools are critical for data analysis and creating financial models, particularly for businesses looking to move up in their field or anyone who wants to avoid issues.
Software Development Methodologies
While not all FinTech experts will develop programs, many do. Even those who do not will learn software development methodologies. Concepts like Agile and Scrum are helpful practices for managing complex projects. They’re designed to adapt to unique challenges, such as bugs and other issues. Even better, they transition well into other tech-related markets and fields.
Version Control
As FinTech professionals develop security tools and software solutions, they will work through multiple product versions. As a result, they’ll learn how to use Git and GitHub to collaborate on code and maintain project history. These tools let them track changes and even restore older versions to ensure that they catch any bugs that might impact a system’s security and safety.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Few FinTech experts will work alone but, instead, collaborate with a network of skilled experts to protect their clients. That’s why group projects are common in these courses. They focus on simulating a real-world working environment that makes it easier to transition to a professional position. Just as importantly, this work helps emulate how FinTech experts in Chicago work.
Jobs Available After Windy City FinTech Bootcamps
FinTech careers in Chicago may include positions in finance and accounting as well as security-based jobs. As a result, this market provides a surprisingly diverse range of possibilities for learners that can take their earning potential into the stratosphere. Anyone who’s fascinated by the possibilities of this unique market should seriously consider the following careers:
- Financial Analyst: A Financial Analyst will use FinTech tools and skills to analyze a customer’s finances and ensure that they make intelligent decisions. In America, they make about $77,000 a year and a little more ($78,000) in the Chicago area.
- Security Engineer: While a Security Engineer may succeed in multiple fields, they often work heavily with financial institutions to spot potential network and security flaws. Salaries include an average of $83,000 in the United States and $129,000 in Chicago.
- Security Analyst: As a Security Analyst, FinTech experts will work hard to prevent and stop attacks on private data by utilizing firewalls and other security tools. They earn about $89,000 median salaries in the US and around $116,000 in Chicago.
- IT Security Specialist: As one of the highest-earning FinTech jobs available, an IT Security Specialist creates security measures to protect companies from hacking. Average national salaries hit about $113,000 nationally and $119,000 in Chicago.
Why Learning FinTech in Chicago is Rewarding
Mastering FinTech in Chicago requires not only understanding multiple skills but also paying close attention to things like trends in machine learning and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, completing training also provides many unique advantages for learners fascinated by this job market. Here are a few reasons why getting into FinTech is such a rewarding experience.
High Demand for Skills
As the financial market continues to expand, expert hackers continually identify and exploit loopholes in code to commit significant fraud. As a result, FinTech professionals remain in high demand. That creates strong job security because there will always be a need for this career. Even better, it’s not affected by AI because creative human-based threat detection still matters.
Creativity and Innovation
While FinTech might not seem like a creative career, anti-hacking technologies require constant diligence and innovation to stay ahead of hackers. These criminals work hard to find security loopholes, and FinTech experts must constantly find new ways to stop them. In a way, this field is not only intensely creative but can also feel quite thrilling and engaging for many people.
Remote Work Opportunities
In today’s market, tech jobs not only provide a fascinating range of roles and excellent earning potential but also the chance to work from home. Remote careers in FinTech let individuals set up a home office and find positions nationwide. Since there’s such a massive demand for this role, it should be reasonably easy for most people to find fascinating and rewarding ones.
Potential for Good Money
To put it bluntly, working in any financial career can make a student a lot of money. Six-figure jobs are typical in this industry, which is no laughing matter. As a result, people who want to earn good money often find FinTech a fantastic way to live well. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to enjoy a comfortable life and learning FinTech can help people reach that goal.
How Easy Is It to Learn FinTech?
FinTech is a lot like many coding skills: if it were easy to learn, more people would do it. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible or out of reach! In fact, like coding itself, FinTech simply requires a lot of focus, hard work, and determination from students who want to master it.
Synthesizing all the various elements of FinTech typically takes the most time for learners. For example, knowing multiple coding languages, mastering data visualization, and understanding finance security requires a lot of patience. Anyone interested needs to put in the work to thrive.
How Long Will It Take to Learn FinTech?
Most FinTech bootcamp graduates complete their training programs in a few weeks or months but may need a little more work before starting a career. Generally, it takes between 3 to 6 months or even up to a year to prepare for an entry-level job, depending on many factors.
For example, the intensity of the program and the student's prior knowledge impact how quickly a learner should master this field. Furthermore, continuous learning via regular practice and even new courses are essential for learners to thrive in the ever-evolving FinTech industry.
Author Bio
Eric Benac is an experienced writer with over 15 years of experience covering multiple subjects. He has written extensively about education, addiction, the financial industry, art, music, travel, and golf carts. In his spare time, he writes electronic music, reads, writes fiction, and swims. Eric continually seeks new experiences and looks to constantly expand his writing portfolio.