Coding Bootcamps in 2026: Who Survived the Shakeout and What's Changed

After a period of rapid expansion, the bootcamp industry experienced a significant shakeout. According to BestColleges, by 2017 nearly 100 coding bootcamps had been established across the US and Canada, but oversupply led to at least 8 bootcamps shutting down in 2017 alone—including Dev Bootcamp, one of the pioneers.

The closures continued in 2023-2024 as market conditions shifted. Launch Academy cited 'a shift in the value proposition thanks to an influx of new programs and a saturated market' when ceasing operations. Codeup closed late in 2023 as companies could attract experienced professionals instead of bootcamp graduates in the tight hiring market. Epicodus also announced closure.

The causes were structural: a tech hiring slowdown reduced demand for entry-level developers, AI concerns about junior developer displacement spooked prospective students, and established bootcamps couldn't differentiate in a crowded market.

Despite the consolidation, with over 600 bootcamps around the world in 2026, the industry is far from dead. According to Course Report, a 2023 industry report identified 115 coding bootcamp schools in the US that met quality criteria. The survivors share common traits: strong job placement rates, established employer relationships, and adaptation to market demands.

Surviving bootcamps have adapted to the new market reality in several key ways:

• Curriculum pivot to AI — Programs now include generative AI, prompt engineering, and AI tool integration as core skills
• Specialized tracks — Beyond generic 'full-stack,' bootcamps offer cybersecurity, data engineering, and cloud-focused paths
• Enterprise partnerships — Stronger ties with employers who hire directly from programs (Tech Elevator's 93% rate reflects this)
• Outcome transparency — CIRR reporting and third-party auditing of job placement claims
• Flexible payment — Deferred tuition, income share agreements, and employer-sponsored options

As 2U noted, employers are 'increasingly focused on hiring for more specialized tech skills, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence and machine learning.' Bootcamps that adapted to this demand have thrived; those that stuck with 2018-era curricula struggled.

Despite the junior developer hiring crisis, Verified Market Research projects the global coding bootcamp market will grow from $899 million in 2023 to $2.4 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 15%.

The value proposition depends on your situation:

• Worth it if: You choose a bootcamp with 85%+ placement rates, target growing specializations (AI, security, data), and have realistic salary expectations
• Risky if: You expect easy entry-level jobs after a generic web dev bootcamp—the 73% drop in junior hiring makes this path harder
• Alternative: Self-study plus certifications may offer similar outcomes at lower cost for disciplined learners
• Best ROI: Career changers with adjacent experience (IT, analytics) who need to formalize skills

A McKinsey & Company survey found that up to 80% of programming jobs will remain human-centric, countering fears that AI makes bootcamps obsolete. The issue isn't AI replacing developers—it's that companies are hiring fewer juniors regardless of training source.

With over 100 options in the US alone, choosing the right bootcamp requires due diligence:

1. Verify placement rates — Look for CIRR-reported data or third-party audited outcomes, not marketing claims
2. Check curriculum relevance — Does the program include AI tools, cloud platforms, and current frameworks?
3. Research employer partnerships — Which companies hire directly from the program?
4. Understand payment terms — ISAs can be expensive long-term; calculate total cost under different salary scenarios
5. Talk to recent graduates — LinkedIn alumni can share honest experiences about job search difficulty
6. Consider specialization — General full-stack may be harder to place than cybersecurity or data engineering tracks