Code Fellows vs Coding Dojo: Breaking Down the Differences

Table of Contents

• Focus
• Cost
• Location + Time Commitment
• Curriculum
• Teaching Approach
• Application Process
• Job Placement Support
• Coding Dojo & Code Fellows Reviews
• More Reading

Code Fellows and Coding Dojo both have several locations across the US and online that teach more than one tech stack, from Python to MERN Stack. Whether you are looking for a structured classroom environment, job placement focus or project-based learning, both Code Fellows and Coding Dojo offer more than your average bootcamp. We break down the differences between Code Fellows vs Coding Dojo.

As of July 2024, Code Fellows is closed.

Focus

Beginners, hobbyists and aspiring programmers seeking a career change will all find a place at Code Fellows. The way that Code Fellows classes are structured means a student can complete the full program (consisting of four courses) from start to finish, or enroll in a beginner’s course, take a few months to practice what they’ve learned, and then come back to take an intermediate or advanced course. Code 101 courses are offered as a one-day workshop for anyone exploring careers in tech. Full-time Code 201 and 301 (4 weeks each), as well as 401 courses (10 weeks) also each have a Nights & Weekends option. Students can self-study and test into any level to maximize the time they spend at bootcamp.

Coding Dojo’s focus is to create well-rounded developers fluent in a variety of technologies and programming languages. The program offers on-site, online and hybrid training options for beginners and career developers. Beginners can take an online/onsite bootcamp full-time in 14 weeks or choose one of their part-time options, over 16-32 weeks. Coding Dojo part-time program requires a 10/hour a week commitment from students, and part-time students can expect live instruction, a dedicated cohort, and career services. 

For beginners to current and aspiring developers who are ready to dive in, Coding Dojo offers a variety of options to learn 1-3 stacks either as a full-time or a part-time student. Code Fellows students can go from beginner to job-ready in 20 weeks, starting in Code 101 and finishing in a language-specific Code 401 course, or space out their training by taking time after each course to practice their new skill set.

Cost

If you choose a traditional, on-site, three-stack bootcamp, the tuition at Coding Dojo is $15,995 (14 weeks long). The part-time Accelerated program is $7,995 for 1 stack, $11,995 for 2 stacks, and $15,995 for 3 stacks. Coding Dojo’s part-time Flex program is $7,995 and covers 1 stack.

To take all courses from Code 101 to Code 401 (20 weeks long), Code Fellows will cost $20,099. Students have the opportunity to test into any level. Self-taught developers at intermediate-level ability can test directly into Code 401 and reduce their tuition to $12,000. 

Both Coding Dojo and Code Fellows both offer a significant amount of scholarships to prospective students. Code Fellows offers a diversity scholarship to women, U.S. veterans and minorities that covers 70% of tuition. Coding Dojo offers a variety of scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 for college students, veterans, women, career-changers and individuals seeking a career in philanthropy.

If you are a veteran, woman or minority and qualify for a scholarship, Code Fellows may be a more affordable option. If you’re a beginner looking for a shorter class and cost is your biggest concern, Coding Dojo is much more affordable. For intermediate developers with some programming knowledge, whether Code Fellows or Coding Dojo is more affordable depends on your exact level and which language you’d like to learn.

Location + Time Commitment

Both Coding Dojo and Code Fellows have campuses throughout the United States. Code Fellows has campuses in Seattle, Portland and Chicago. Coding Dojo has 10 campuses, including Los Angeles, Bellevue, Silicon Valley and Dallas. 

Coding Dojo bootcamps are 14-32 weeks, while Code Fellows courses, from Code 101 to Code 401, are 18 weeks. However, students who test into Code 301 or 401 can complete the bootcamp in 10 to 12 weeks. 

Code Fellows has several campuses on the West Coast and one campus on the East Coast. Coding Dojo offers more locations (limited to the West Coast/Southwest), flexible training options and shorter time commitments for bootcamp students.

Curriculum

Code Fellows classes are divided into four levels totaling 20 weeks from start to finish, which makes it easy for students to only take the classes they need at their skill level. Students are prepared in the fundamentals of HTML, CSS and JavaScript in Code 201 and add SQL, Front-End Architecture, MVC, and algorithms in Code 301. Advanced students seeking a career in development can choose one of three stacks— iOS, JavaScript, or Python.

Coding Dojo is one of very few bootcamps to offer three full stacks as part of their curriculum. All students learn HTML, CSS and JavaScript as Web Fundamentals. All Coding Dojo students then learn Python and MERN. Students in the online programs go on to learn Java. Depending on the campus, students enrolled in in-person programs learn C# or Ruby in place of Java.

Both Code Fellows and Coding Dojo cover web fundamentals. Code Fellows teaches HTML, CSS and JavaScript in their 201 course, and Coding Dojo students are taught web fundamentals at the beginning of all programs.

Code Fellows also teaches Cybersecurity and Coding Dojo also teaches Data Science.

If you want to become a specialist in JavaScript, Python or iOS, Code Fellows offers in-depth training. For aspiring programmers seeking to become a jack-of-all-trades, you’ll learn several technologies in a shorter time frame at Coding Dojo.

Teaching Approach

At Code Fellows, the first three hours of the day are dedicated to teaching—lectures, whiteboarding, and discussions about homework and code.  During the second three hours, students pair program, work on homework, and receive help from instructors and T.A.s. Code Fellows takes a more traditional approach to education by using graded assignments, quizzes, and textbooks as part of their course. The courses, with the exception of the one-day Code 101 course, all involve at least one project week where students work on a group project that they can add to their portfolio.

Coding Dojo has a similar teaching structure. In Coding Dojo’s full-time programs, students can expect one hour of algorithm every day guided by instructors, and one hour of lecture, one hour of group activity every day. Students will have five hours every day dedicated for lab and getting extra support in office hours. On Wednesday afternoons students break away from the dojo to enjoy an outdoor picnic and sports. Students are not pushed, rather they are provided access to instructors during the day and 24/7 access to the space to hone their craft.

15 hours (Code Fellows) vs 5 hours (Coding Dojo) of lectures per week—take your pick! For a more traditional approach to learning complete with lectures, textbooks, assignments and quizzes, Code Fellows is a good fit. For learners who enjoy self-teaching and project-based learning, Coding Dojo is ideal.

Application Process

At Code Fellows, the interview process for Code 201, 301 and 401 courses takes two to four weeks and includes an online application, a phone interview and code evaluation to ensure that your skill level is appropriate for the course. Code 401 applicants also have an in-person or Skype interview as a final step. Code Fellows looks for applicants who want to, advance their career, transition to a career as a software developer or launch their own startup.

Since Coding Dojo is for beginners oftentimes with no coding experience, there is no coding challenge in their application process. Coding Dojo’s application process begins with an online application, and for applicants of the full-time program, there is a required interview. The Coding Dojo application process offers one of the quickest turnarounds in the industry, as they’ll notify you of their decision within two business days. Students who aren’t accepted may re-apply. Coding Dojo instructors built Coding Dojo’s algorithm app, specifically to help students prepare for the program.

For a bit more help during the admission process, check out Coding Dojo’s algorithm platform.

Job Placement Support

Neither Coding Dojo nor Code Fellows is a member of CIRR, so both schools use their own frameworks to report alumni outcomes. According to the Code Fellows framework, within five months, 96% of Code Fellows graduates have secured a job. About 18% of graduates start a company. Students in Code 401 spend six out of 10 Fridays focused on industry guest speakers and career development and training. Code Fellows goes above and beyond, even sending out resumes to prospective employers. Nine percent of students landed a job offer before completing the full program.

According to Coding Dojo’s framework, within two months, 88.9% of Coding Dojo graduates are employed. Career support includes a dedicated career services team that works with students starting on Day 1 of the program. Students learn tips on writing a resume and building a portfolio and online presence. Students also receive 1:1 attention with a career mentor who helps students with a tailored career roadmap. Coding Dojo’s career services never expire, and students have access to career support for life. 

While there are no official employment partners, companies who have hired Coding Dojo grads include Expedia and TedX. The Coding Dojo placements team continues to build out a robust program. Coding Dojo recommends students be prepared to put two to three months of time aside after the bootcamp to secure a job, but quite a few of their students have graduated with offers and interviews from the likes of Google and Facebook before graduation.

Both Coding Dojo and Code Fellows offer lifetime job search assistance.

While Code Fellows may have a higher job placement rate overall, Coding Dojo graduates seem to get hired more quickly. Both schools offer strong job support, but neither participate in an industry-wide organization like CIRR, so it’s tough to compare apples-to-apples.

Coding Dojo & Code Fellows Reviews

Code Fellows may be for you if you are looking for:

• Career prep training and assistance.
• A warm, family-like environment.
• A lot of instructor support.

Coding Dojo may be for you if are:

• A self-directed learner that needs a program to stay on track.
• A Computer Science major or have experience coding (although previous experience is not required).
• Enthusiastic about learning from former bootcamp students like yourself.

More Reading

• LAMP Stack vs MEAN Stack vs Ruby on Rails
• 9 Questions about Coding Dojo Dallas with Katie Bouwkamp
• Student Spotlight: Sarah Hermanns, Code Fellows
• Scholarships We Love: Code Fellows Diversity Scholarship