Which Python Bootcamp is Best?

Deciding which bootcamp is best for Python training can be a daunting task. Reading through the many course descriptions, pricing tiers, and reviews from graduates requires time and effort. This article aims to take some of the challenges off of potential students’ plates, covering part-time and full-time, in-person and online, and bootcamps vs. certificate programs. Read on to learn which Python bootcamp can be your ideal training option.

What Are the Most Important Criteria to Evaluate in Python Bootcamps?

Every student has a particular set of criteria for evaluating Python training. While some look for advanced Python skills, others seek basic Python training as part of a broader data science or development curriculum. For this reason alone, it is impossible to dictate criteria that will work for every learner’s needs.

However, one essential criterion applies to virtually every Python student, whether they come to class with no programming experience or already have some knowledge and training: determining the best course requires knowing how and where they plan to use the skills and knowledge they receive.

Consider two students with radically different needs. One comes to training with zero programming experience but the desire to qualify for an entry-level data science position. The other has several years of JavaScript development experience but plans to transfer to a position as a Python Developer.

The inexperienced student can benefit from an intensive program like the Data Science Certificate from Noble Desktop. This beginner-friendly course prepares programming novices for entry-level data science or Python engineering roles—a perfect match for the beginner student.

Experienced JavaScript professionals can get all the necessary training from Noble’s Python Developer Certificate program. They should already be familiar with coding HTML and CSS, and this course will provide them with intensive Python web development with Django training. Their selection criteria differ from the inexperienced student: different goals, curriculum, and outcome.

What are the Top Python Bootcamps?

Top Python bootcamps and certificate programs typically have several common characteristics: they are comprehensive, get great graduate reviews, and garner high marks from independent reviewers.

For example, the Python Developer Certificate from Noble Desktop ranked in the top three among Forbes Advisor’s Best Python Bootcamps of 2024. The respected financial advisory service noted that programs from App Academy and Le Wagon also rate highly, although these are much more expensive than the Noble course.

The Python Developer Certificate ranks high because it takes only three weeks, but potential applicants should consider several other advantages. Registrants also receive a bonus Python elective when they apply: data science fundamentals, data visualization, or machine learning. Like many Noble Desktop certificates, the Python Developer program also includes four 1-on-1 mentoring sessions from an expert instructor with experience in the field.

The 30-hour Python Programming Bootcamp that makes up the first unit of the Python Developer Certificate is among the best Python bootcamps around. While you can take this foundational training module separately, remember that you can save money by taking it as part of the Python Developer Certificate, FinTech Bootcamp, or Data Science Certificate.

Students who want to get their Python training as part of a machine learning or data science curriculum also have multiple options. For example, the 30-hour Python Machine Learning Bootcamp provides those with Python data science knowledge with an intensive hands-on learning experience. However, you can save by taking the Python Machine Learning Bootcamp as part of the longer Python Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp. This course includes Python for automation, data visualization, and interactive dashboards. If you plan to be a Machine Learning Engineer, Data Engineer, or Data Analyst, consider this one of your options. Check course listings for more details, including any prerequisite information.

Enrolling in a Python Bootcamp Part-Time or Full-Time

Full-time and part-time attendance in Python training can each have unique advantages but can also have potential drawbacks. Every situation is different, so it’s essential to consider the pros and cons before committing to a course.

Attending a Python bootcamp or certificate program full-time has an obvious benefit: the experience will be comprehensive. Students with the availability and willingness to commit to a three- or four-week program usually report high engagement and satisfaction levels with the experience. If full-time attendance has a downside, it’s the need to immerse oneself in the curriculum. Full-time bootcamps often require additional hours outside the classroom, so the commitment is serious. However, you can gain maximum knowledge and experience faster this way.

Part-time Python training has the opposite advantages and drawbacks. Although students can often attend classes part-time, it will extend the timeframe by a significant margin. For example, the Data Science Certificate program is available in just four weeks full-time but will take 20 weeks if students attend evenings or weekends part-time. Consider the advantages and potential drawbacks within the context of other commitments, including work or family obligations.

Enrolling in a Python Bootcamp In-Person or Online

Some students prefer to learn Python in person, whereas others prefer to learn live online. Training in the traditional classroom setting offers unique advantages. Face-to-face training delivers the highest level of engagement possible. Participants can interact with the instructor and classmates, so many report feeling more connected to the material when they learn in a classroom. If in-person training has a disadvantage, commuting and finding parking or taking another means of transportation to attend class is it.

While there’s no doubt that in-person training offers the highest possible level of engagement, online training has become an increasingly popular way to learn. Online education was once a niche market, but even before the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more students signed up for virtual courses. Online learning offers engagement comparable to in-person coursework, but you can train from the comfort of your office or home. 

Even if you prefer in-person training, you should remain open to the online live option. The reason is simple: adding virtual training to your list of potential courses will expand your choices exponentially. Some course providers offer in-person classes, others mostly live online, but many providers offer both alternatives. If you live in a large metropolitan area, you might have both options, but if not, virtual Python courses can bring world-class training into your home.

Do You Want to Start a New Career Using Your Python Training?

If you want to start a new career after you receive Python training, consider learning which bootcamps offer career support services and what they entail. Different bootcamps have different levels of focus on graduates finding jobs. Some are in class, but others are outside the classroom. These can include networking or graduate events, 1-on-1 mentoring, support for veterans, or other resources.

The Python Developer Certificate, recently awarded Best Python Bootcamp by Forbes Advisor, is one example of a program that offers career support. This certificate includes four 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, and you can retake the program for up to a year at no additional charge—even if you are already on the job. The program is also Veteran’s Affairs (VA) eligible.

Several training options can be appropriate if you want to switch from an existing role to a more Python-centered position. For example, the Python Developer Certificate can be a good choice for a JavaScript Developer with HTML/CSS experience but not Python experience. Those looking to transition to a financial analysis, data analysis, or data science role can get Python training in the FinTech Bootcamp. The four-week program is open to Python beginners who have finance experience or knowledge of concepts like financial statements and stock fundamentals.

Which Python Bootcamp is Best For Me?

Like beauty, the best Python bootcamp is often in the eye of the beholder. Tech professionals have different goals, so one person’s ideal format or program type can be another’s worst-case scenario.

Still, there are some criteria by which you can select the best training for your needs, goals, and budget—even before you enroll in a Python class. Remember that top Python bootcamps and certificate programs have several common characteristics: they are comprehensive, get great graduate reviews, and garner high marks from independent reviewers.

Consider the following Python courses and whether one might work best for you.

Python Developer Certificate- Experienced JavaScript professionals or those with HTML/CSS experience who want to become Python Developers can get their Python training through the immersive Python Developer Certificate program. It covers everything from using Django for web applications to querying models and API endpoints. Early registrants may also be eligible to receive a bonus Python elective at no additional charge. The Python Developer Certificate from Noble Desktop ranked in the top three among Forbes Advisor’s Best Python Bootcamps of 2024. 

Data Science Certificate- Beginner students seeking entry-level data science or Python engineering positions should consider the Data Science Certificate from Noble Desktop. Available in four weeks full-time or twenty weeks part-time, this zero-to-hero approach takes Python novices from inexperienced to confident users through its multiple bootcamps and mentoring sessions. Topics include data visualization, automation, SQL, and machine learning, to name a few.

Data Analytics Certificate- Data professionals who plan to take on a more analysis-centered role can get their Python training within a broader data analytics curriculum by enrolling in the Data Analytics Certificate program. This immersive course includes Python for data science, automation, and data visualization, among other topics. Beginners are welcome and can finish in six weeks full-time or 24 weeks part-time.

FinTech Bootcamp- Python beginners who plan to work in data science, finance, or data analysis can train for entry-level roles through the Noble Desktop FinTech Bootcamp. The 114-hour program functions like a certificate, comprising multiple shorter bootcamps and six additional 1-on-1 mentoring sessions. Topics include Python for Data Science, Automation, and Machine Learning.

Students with the availability and willingness to commit to a full-time program usually report high engagement and satisfaction levels with the experience. You can gain maximum knowledge and experience faster this way. However, those with work or family obligations may prefer to attend part-time evenings or weekends.

Training in the traditional classroom setting offers unique advantages. Participants can interact with the instructor and classmates, so many report feeling more connected to the material when they learn in a classroom. However, online training has become an increasingly popular way to learn. Online learning offers engagement comparable to in-person coursework, but you can train from the comfort of your office or home.

Some students might want to consider alternatives to bootcamps or certificate programs. For example, if someone knows the job they want requires a four-year degree, then college might be an upfront requirement. However, the need for Python pros is so urgent that many companies hire entry-level workers based on a certificate from a respected course provider. They may even pay for an employee to go back to school, and Noble Desktop is among the providers with students whose employers reimburse them for tuition. Consider all the options before you decide on a course of action, and your Python education can be a rewarding and challenging experience.