Because of the exponential amounts of data that corporations now have on hand, data scientists have become some of the most well-compensated professionals in the tech industry. And their hiring prospects are rosy too. By 2031, the number of data science roles is estimated to grow by about 36%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To fill this gap, a number of bootcamps have emerged that get students job-ready for a career in data science, with a fraction of the time and cost of a traditional four-year degree. So if you’re in the greater DMV area surrounding Washington DC, you may be wondering: how do I pick the data science bootcamp that’s best for me?
That’s why we’ve created this guide. Below, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the five best data science bootcamps in the DMV area so that you can pick the one that’s right for you.
Are There Good Data Science Bootcamps in the DMV?
The DMV region is home to a growing tech landscape, with Washington DC leading the way in developing STEM programs. Data science bootcamps in the area are an extension of the commitment to technology jobs. Let’s look at the five best data science bootcamps in the DMV and how they can equip you with the tools you need to excel in the data science field.
Best Data Science Bootcamps in the DMV
Here are our top five bootcamps:
University of Maryland Global Campus (Powered by Springboard)
The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) Data Science Bootcamp is a 100% online, part-time program featuring a well-rounded curriculum covering key data science skills like data storytelling, Python data science stack, SQL, and machine learning. Hands-on training is led by instructors in the data science field who will mentor you through two capstone projects. UMGC also offers career services, specialized tracks, and 24/7 student support.
Rating
Niche - 4.0
SwitchUp - 5.0
Grad Report - 3.0
Features
Two much-desired capstone projects for your portfolio
Backed by a top public university
1:1 mentorship and instruction from industry professionals at top companies
Foundational skills with fundamental concepts for beginners are available
Duration
Nine months, 15-20 hours per week
Price
$9,900 - When paid upfront
$11,500 - When paid over the course of five months
Flexible loan options and scholarship opportunities are available
General Assembly
General Assembly’s Data Science Immersive Bootcamp is an intermediate, full-time program that provides pre-course data science fundamentals and a well-rounded technical curriculum. Bootcamp students will learn programming languages and machine learning and practice predictive modeling techniques in five projects, focusing heavily on career services and job placement. Students complete a capstone project, and instructors are experts in the data science field.
Rating
Course Report - 4.3
Career Karma - 4.5
SwitchUP - 4.2
Features
One professional capstone project
Personalize job support with 19k+ hiring partners
Exclusive access to industry leaders and a professional network
Pre-work available for those with little experience
Duration
12 weeks
Price
$16,000 - When paid in full, upfront
$16,450 - When paid over the course of five months
Income share agreements and loan options available
Coding Dojo
The Coding Dojo Data Science Bootcamp prepares you for a career in data science in 16 or 20 weeks. This part-time program teaches data science fundamentals, machine learning with Python, and comprehensive hands-on learning of the entire data science process, including data prep, analysis, and visualizations. Live classes are led by industry professionals, and there are 24/7 student support services and career coaching.
Rating
Course Report - 4.4
SwitchUp - 4.5
Career Karma - 4.4
Features
Live classes available
Schedule group feedback sessions with instructors
Career service team to help with resume building and interview prep
Beginner and advanced friendly
Duration
Two part-time options: 16 or 20 weeks
25 - 30 hours per week
Price
$10,995 for the 16-week program
$13,995 for the 20-week program
Installment plans, loan options, scholarship opportunities
George Washington University
The George Washington University Data Analytics Bootcamp is a 24-week part-time program featuring structured flexibility, innovative instruction, and an industry-driven curriculum that teaches tools and technologies such as Python, API interactions, SQL, Tableau, machine learning, and more. Immersive projects reflect real-world scenarios and career coaching services.
Rating
SwitchUp - 5.0
Course Report - 4.6
Career Karma - 4.5
Features
Student support services through assistant instructors, a free tutor network, and more
Career service assistance for three months post-graduation
Pre-courses are available, with only a high-school diploma or GED required to start
Duration
24 Weeks
Price
$12,245
Scholarships and payment plans are available
Brainstation
Brainstorm’s Online Data Science Bootcamp is a full-time (12 weeks) or part-time (nine months) program with a live class schedule. Brainstorm boasts a 90%+ hiring rate within 180 days of graduation, thanks to instructor-led live lectures on data fundamentals, SQL, data modeling, and machine learning techniques. The course also offers interactive, project-based learning, guest lectures and panel discussions with industry professionals, and professional development.
Rating
Bootcamp Rankings - 5.0
Course Report - 4.68
Career Karma - 4.5
Features
90%+ hiring rate after successful completion
One-on-one support from students, instructors, and career coaches
Guest expert lectures featuring industry insiders
Duration
12 weeks when done full-time (classes Monday - Friday, with 7 hours of study per day)
9 months when done part-time (two weekday evening classes and Saturday classes)
Price
$3,250 - $16,500, depending on whether you opt for the part-time or full-time option
Monthly installments and scholarship opportunities
How Do You Choose a Data Science Bootcamp in the DMV?
All five data science bootcamps listed above are excellent for jumpstarting your career, but there are some differences in their approach to the curriculum, instructors, and hands-on training. Here are some key factors to consider.
Syllabus and Instructor Expertise
Look for data science programs that prioritize technical skills like the data science method and programming languages like SQL. It also helps land a job faster if you can gain industry experience while completing your bootcamp. Data science is a fast-moving field, so you should also be on the lookout for instructors who work in the industry and have relevant knowledge to share.
Career Goals
Data science is a broad field and entails many specializations, including data engineers, machine learning engineers, database administrators, and business intelligence developers. Assess whether the topics covered by the data science bootcamp will help you prepare for real-life scenarios and offer opportunities to learn different specialized skills.
Price
A data science bootcamp is cheaper than a two or four-year college program. But with a $8,000 to $20,000 price tag, they are still a big investment. Compare the price of bootcamps in the DMV area with a critical eye on the curriculum, instructors, and career support. Through an online search, you can evaluate the tuition, possible discounts, financing options, and if they offer scholarships.
Practical Experience and Training
Data science bootcamps prioritize hands-on training for critical skills you’ll need. Consider programs that offer capstone projects, like UMCG. These are highly valued by employers as they serve as the final step in preparing students for professional roles.
Job Support
Bootcamps with a track record of helping students get a job in data science should be high on your list. Some data science bootcamps offer career services like interview prep, resume building, one-on-one career coaching, and even direct job placement. Ask the admissions advisor about the program’s job support system and the possible resources they provide.
Time Commitment
Data science bootcamps in the DMV area have one thing in common—flexible learning schedules. From the duration of the bootcamp to the time you’re expected to dedicate to each week, you can find a bootcamp that fits your learning style and availability. There are part-time programs that are good for those who need to hold down a full-time job and full-time data science programs for those who want to dedicate 40+ hours a week.
Reputation and Reviews
Check out reviews online on websites like Career Karma or Course Report. And remember, both positive and negative testimonials can reveal themes or issues and help you make an informed decision.
Location and Proximity
Location and proximity matter, even for 100% online data science bootcamps. If you prefer in-person learning, choose a program with a convenient commute. When you attend a bootcamp in your desired work area, it can boost access to local data science jobs and valuable networking opportunities, especially in cities with thriving tech and data science industries.
Talk to Alumni
Talking to alumni can provide personal insight into the curriculum, the quality of the projects, and the success rate of students after graduating. Alumni have been through the program and can speak to how well the bootcamp can prepare you for a data science career and if there is effective job support.
Making the Most Out of Your Data Science Bootcamp in the DMV
Ask yourself these questions to make the most of your bootcamp:
How Do Data Science Bootcamps Work?
Data science bootcamps can be part-time or full-time programs, and can either be in-person or online. All of these formats provide job-ready skills for entry-level data science roles through a curriculum taught by industry professionals and immersive, and hands-on experience through real-world projects. Data science bootcamps may have capstone projects you can add to your professional portfolio, in addition to one-on-one career coaching or career services.
What Should You Expect to Learn in a Data Science Bootcamp?
In a data science bootcamp, you can expect to learn a wide range of data science fundamentals, tools, and techniques to help prepare you for a job. There are core topics that should be included in the curriculum.
Technical Skills
Programming Languages. These are crucial tools of the trade. You’ll use programming languages like Python, R, and SQL to create deep learning algorithms, manipulate databases, generate data visualizations, and more.
Data Manipulation and Analysis. As part of the data science method, you’ll learn how to clean, process, and store data sets, perform exploratory data analysis, and apply statistical methods to gain insights.
Machine Learning. Artificial intelligence and data science go hand-in-hand. You’ll learn algorithms like regression, classification, and clustering to tell computers how to sort and interpret data. You’ll master deep learning, predictive models, and techniques to train machine learning models, evaluate their performance, and make predictions using real-world datasets.
Data Mining and Visualization. These two skills go hand-in-hand. With data mining, you’ll learn how to extract knowledge and find patterns and trends, while data visualization is the culmination of that work in graphs, charts, maps, and infographics.
Soft Skills
Communication. As a data scientist, you need to be able to convey instructions to your team and break down highly-technical information for non-technical people. In a bootcamp, you’ll learn how to communicate effectively and comfortably with others.
Problem-Solving. This is two-fold. Your primary work helps companies solve problems that affect their bottom line. You’ll also create new algorithms and models for analyzing data and design innovative solutions to extract, clean, and store data.
Decision Making. You’ll develop confidence in your skills and abilities to do your job without second-guessing yourself. The better you are at it, the more you’ll be able to challenge your skills along the way.
What Are the Next Steps After a Data Science Bootcamp?
After completing a data science bootcamp, your next steps will vary based on your skills and interests. Here are some critical steps to take:
Finalize your resume and professional portfolio to show off your job-ready skills. Graduates of the UCMG Data Science Bootcamp will have a bonus capstone project to add to their portfolio of projects.
Network with current peers, online groups, and alumni to build connections.
Expand your knowledge through competitions or self-study until you find a job in the DMV area or nationwide.
Data Science Job Market and Outlook in the DMV
The data science job market in DMV has an excellent outlook. Data scientists in the DMV make an average salary of$126,160. Virginia is the third-ranked highest-paying state for data scientists at $133,990. At last count, LinkedIn lists more than28,000 data science jobs in the area, including entry-level positions perfect for newly graduated bootcamp students.
Resources to Find Data Science Jobs in the DMV
Here are the best resources to find a data science job in the DMV area:
Job Boards
Indeed, Monster, and ZipRecruiter are popular job boards, allowing you to filter your search for data science jobs in any location, including Washington DC. You can streamline your search by signing up for job boards dedicated to data science job openings, like ai-jobs.net, icrunchdata, and the Open Data Science job portal.
Network and LinkedIn
Networking with peers, industry professionals, and future employers is an excellent job resource that can give you access to unposted jobs and recommendations. You can do this by attending conferences, joining online communities, and connecting with professionals on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a social platform to connect with professionals and find data science job openings throughout the DMV area.
Online and Slack Communities
Online communities were tailor-made for tech groups. Joining a group on Reddit or Github helps you connect with peers and those in the tech industry. You can also find mentorship and grow your skills with these groups. Slack communities are growing, with new public groups popping up daily for all types of jobs and topics. Finding those relevant to data science may take some trial and error, but they can be a resource for jobs.
FAQs About Data Science Bootcamps
We’ve got the answers to your most frequently asked questions.
Can You Become a Data Scientist With Just a Bootcamp?
You can become a data scientist with just a bootcamp education. The coursework is designed to teach you data science fundamentals and specialized skills, give you access to industry professionals, and help you build a professional portfolio through hands-on projects and immersive learning.
Are There Any Prerequisites for a Data Science Bootcamp?
Most data science bootcamps require a high school diploma or equivalent. While a background in programming, statistics, and analytics is helpful, it’s not always a requirement for data science bootcamps. Other data science bootcamps, like the University of Maryland Global Campus, will test you before you apply to determine your skill level and offer pre-courses if needed.
How Much Does a Data Science Bootcamp Cost in the DMV?
Depending on coursework and duration, an immersive data science bootcamp in the DMV can cost between $8,000 and $20,000.
Should I Do a Data Science Bootcamp or Get a Master’s Degree?
It depends on your budget and time commitment. A master’s degree takes about three years to complete, while a data science bootcamp can be completed in under a year. A master's degree can also cost four or five times as much as a bootcamp does.
Is It Better To Study Data Science or Data Analytics?
Both data science and data analytics are lucrative careers, but there is a difference. Data analytics focuses on existing data to glean insights companies can apply immediately. Data scientists, on the other hand, focus on the quality of the data, where it comes from, and how it is stored and optimize it through machine learning and data modeling.