How long does it take to become a software engineer?
(2025 realities)
Bootcamp vs. self-taught vs. degree. Which path fits your goals, timeline, and resources? Compare routes, costs, and outcomes.
A traditional degree can take 4–6 years. Self-taught routes span 1 to 2.5+ years. Bootcamps like Codesmith can compress that into ~10 months.
Where Codesmith graduates get hired in 2025
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Data Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Data Engineer
Software Engineer
Choose your path wisely.
Balancing time, risk, and reward.
Every route has tradeoffs. Here’s what to consider.
- Degree: 4 years + job search → structured but long
- Bootcamp: ~12-16 weeks + job search → fast track and extensive efford
- Self-Taught: 6-18 months + job search → flexible but high self-discipline
- Apprenticeship: paid learning with job flip potential
- Factors: portfolio, network, specialization, referrals
Accelerated timeline
Realistic outcomes
Comparative clarity
Market conditions matter
Acceleration strategies
Transparent data you can trust
Community and mentorship that keep you moving
Awarded best
coding bootcamp
Codesmith is honored to be ranked as a top coding bootcamp!
What our grads say
.svg)
The foundation I needed
Codesmith’s community was everything I could have asked for and more!
Tyler Savitsky,
Full Stack Engineer @ SonoSim
A way to "level-up"
It was and will always be the best decision I made for my career. Codesmith isn't just a bootcamp or a way to "level-up" your coding skills. It's a roadmap to a new way of thinking...they teach you how to learn anything you need to in order to succeed in any position.
Katherine Angelopoulos,
Sr. Software Engineer @ Farm to People
The mentorship
I have so much love for the hiring support team answering every ridiculous, anxious question I ever hit them with, day or night... I would NOT have gotten a job as smoothly as I did if it wasn’t for their mentorship.
Maxwell Shick,
Software Engineer @ ButcherBox
Copyright @ 2025 Codesmith | All Rights Reserved
Terms and ConditionsPrivacy PolicyRegulatory Information