By Michael Stromberg, Hack Reactor graduate (2016) · Last verified November 9, 2026

Bootcamps and certificates aren’t the only ways into tech. This directory covers everything else: online learning platforms, free curricula, tuition-free job training, company apprenticeships, university programs, and online computer science degrees. Each will get its own in-depth review.

Online learning platforms

Platform	Best for	How you pay	Our review
Coursera	Certificates from Google, Meta, IBM, and universities	Monthly subscription or Coursera Plus; many courses free to audit	Coming soon
edX	University courses (Harvard, MIT, and others) and IBM and Google Cloud certificates	Pay per certificate; many courses free to audit	Coming soon
Udemy	Low-cost single courses, especially certification-exam prep	Pay per course; now part of Coursera	Coming soon
Udacity	Project-based tech programs (Nanodegrees)	Subscription	Coming soon
Codecademy	Interactive coding lessons in the browser	Free tier; Pro subscription	Coming soon
DataCamp	Data analysis, SQL, Python, and AI	Free tier; subscription	Coming soon
Pluralsight	IT, cloud, and software skills for working professionals	Subscription	Coming soon
Treehouse	Beginner web development by video	Subscription	Coming soon
Scrimba	Interactive front-end and AI engineering courses	Free tier; Pro subscription	Coming soon
Frontend Masters	In-depth JavaScript and front-end workshops	Subscription	Coming soon
Zero To Mastery	Career-focused courses across web, data, and DevOps	Subscription	Coming soon
Boot.dev	Back-end development through coding challenges	Free to read; subscription for interactive lessons	Coming soon
Mimo	Learning to code on your phone	Free tier; Pro subscription	Coming soon
Educative	Text-based interactive courses, including the Grokking interview series	Subscription	Coming soon
TryHackMe	Beginner-friendly hands-on cybersecurity labs	Free tier; subscription	Coming soon
Hack The Box Academy	Hands-on offensive and defensive security training	Free tier; paid tiers	Coming soon
TCM Security Academy	Practical ethical hacking courses and certifications	Pay per course or subscription	Coming soon
KodeKloud	DevOps, Kubernetes, and cloud labs and exam prep	Subscription	Coming soon
Adrian Cantrill	In-depth AWS certification courses	Pay per course	Coming soon

Free programs

Program	What you learn	Credential	Our review
freeCodeCamp	Web development, JavaScript, Python, data, and more	Free certifications	Coming soon
The Odin Project	A full-stack web development curriculum built around real projects	None; your portfolio is the proof	Coming soon
Harvard CS50	Computer science fundamentals, from C to Python to web apps	Free certificate; paid verified certificate on edX	Coming soon
Full Stack Open	Modern web development with React and Node.js, from the University of Helsinki	Free certificate	Coming soon
OSSU Computer Science	A complete self-taught computer science curriculum built from free university courses	None	Coming soon
Learn to Cloud	A free, self-paced roadmap into cloud engineering	None	Coming soon
Cloud Resume Challenge	A project-based challenge: build and deploy your résumé on the cloud	None; the project is the proof	Coming soon

Tuition-free and low-cost job training

Nonprofit programs that train adults for tech jobs with little or no tuition, usually with career placement support. Eligibility rules vary and seats are competitive.

Program	What it is	Where	Our review
Per Scholas	Free full-time training, about 15 weeks, in IT support, cybersecurity, software, and AWS cloud, with employer connections	Many U.S. cities and online	Coming soon
Year Up United	Free training plus a corporate internship for young adults	U.S. cities	Coming soon
Pursuit	Seven-month AI-Native Program with paid apprenticeships, for low-income New Yorkers	New York City, in person	Coming soon
The Marcy Lab School	One-year Software Engineering or Data Analytics fellowship, built as an alternative to college	New York City	Coming soon
Ada Developers Academy	Tuition-free, cohort-based coding school with company internships, focused on people underrepresented in tech	Seattle area and online	Coming soon
Apprenti	Paid registered apprenticeships in tech roles: you earn while you learn, and most need no prior experience	Nationwide, through partner employers	Coming soon
Merit America	Part-time training in IT support, data analytics, and UX design built around Google certificates, with career coaching. Cost: $5,700 with $0 upfront and 0% financing. If you don’t earn at least $40,000 within two years of finishing, you don’t pay; full scholarships for some learners	Online	Coming soon
LaunchCode	Free software development and AI training with job placement. Applications for the current cohort are closed. Cost: Free	St. Louis, Kansas City, Philadelphia, and online	Coming soon
CodePath	Free courses in AI engineering, interview prep, web, mobile, and cybersecurity, taught by industry engineers. Cost: Free for computer science students	Online, through 1,000+ partner colleges	Coming soon

Company apprenticeships and returnships

Some employers train people themselves: apprenticeships for career changers, early-career programs for new graduates, and returnships for people coming back after a career break. Application windows are seasonal, so check each company’s careers page.

Program	Who it’s for	Status and timing (fall 2026)
Microsoft Leap	Career changers and people from non-traditional backgrounds; 16-week paid apprenticeship	Active. Applications for the next cohort typically open August–October
Apprenti	Paid registered apprenticeships with partner employers; most need no prior experience	Active, year-round
JPMorganChase ReEntry	Experienced professionals returning after a career break, including technology roles	Active. The next application window runs about mid-November to February 28
Goldman Sachs Returnship	Professionals with 3+ years of experience who have been out of work for 2+ years; paid, 12 weeks	Active; check Goldman’s site for the next Americas cohort
Path Forward	Returnships at partner companies for caregivers returning to work	Active; openings vary by company
Capital One Technology Development Program	Recent graduates with programming skills; a full-time, rotational engineering program	Active; cohorts start in February and August
JPMorganChase Software Engineer Program	Recent graduates with programming skills	Recruits through the campus hiring cycle
LinkedIn REACH, Capital One Developer Academy, Airbnb Connect	Career changers	Reported paused
Multiverse (U.S.)	Apprenticeships with employers	Paused its U.S. registered apprenticeships to focus on upskilling
Twilio Hatch, JPMorgan Tech Connect	Career changers	Closed

University programs

Program	What it is	Our review
eCornell	Cornell University’s online professional certificates	Coming soon
MIT xPRO	MIT’s professional programs, delivered with education company Emeritus	Coming soon
Harvard Extension School	Undergraduate and graduate certificates from Harvard’s continuing-education school	Coming soon
University-branded bootcamps	Bootcamps sold under a university’s name but usually run by a company such as Fullstack Academy. Know who actually teaches you before you pay	Coming soon

Online computer science degrees

Program	Degree	Cost	Our review
Western Governors University (WGU)	B.S. Computer Science, online and self-paced	$3,835–$4,410 per six-month term (2026 rates), unlimited courses per term	Coming soon
University of the People	Online bachelor’s in computer science	Tuition-free; you pay per-course assessment fees	Coming soon
Georgia Tech OMSCS	Online Master of Science in Computer Science	One of the lowest-cost accredited CS master’s degrees	Coming soon

Comparing these with other options? See coding bootcamps, professional certificates, and certifications, or start with our Learn to Code guides.