Flatiron School in a Nutshell
Years operating
11
Tuition
$16,900-$17,900
Variety of courses/programs
4
Suitable for
Fast-tracking your coding career
Online experience
- Streamlined but long application process
- High-quality learning resources
- Transparent pricing
- Live video and session recordings
Overview
Flatiron School is an educational institution offering a range of coding bootcamps and courses to help you launch your career in tech. It has won various online awards over the years, including being voted the best coding bootcamp multiple times by industry-recognized bootcamp reviewers.
Flatiron offers four courses, which are available both online and through its Denver and New York City campuses. You can take them either part-time (40 weeks) or full-time (15 weeks). The full-time option is intensive, with 40 hours a week of structured learning, but it will leave you with a comprehensive suite of coding skills.
What is Flatiron School?
Flatiron School’s four courses are perfect for anyone wanting to develop their coding skills and build a career in the field. With part-time study available, it’s an attractive option for professionals who want to balance study with work commitments. And because of its excellent reputation as a top-rated coding bootcamp, it also stands out as a great choice for younger people who want their resume to stand out.
Here’s a closer look at Flatiron’s courses.
Software Engineer Bootcamp: This course is designed to teach you foundational skills and build these into advanced practical knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and more.
Data Science Bootcamp: This course works primarily with Python and SQL and teaches you how to manage, manipulate, and analyze data.
Cybersecurity Bootcamp: Here, you’ll learn a range of skills related to the constantly developing world of cybersecurity, including how you can leverage ChatGPT.
UX/UI Product Design Bootcamp: This course teaches the fundamentals of HTML, CSS, ethical and inclusive design, and more. It will equip you with user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design skills.
These courses will leave you with skills you can use in real-world tech positions—including designers, software engineers, data scientists, and cybersecurity consultants.
Is Flatiron School Safe and Reliable?
Flatiron School is a safe, reliable option for completing a coding bootcamp. While it is featured on both the Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau sites, there are only a handful of reviews on each, making it hard to accept any overall rating as an accurate reflection of the school.
A stronger indication of Flatiron School’s positive reputation is its approval and regulation by the relevant state authorities in 15 US states. In California, for example, it’s regulated by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
Flatiron School accepts students from all US states except Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. It also accepts international students from selected countries.
How Flatiron School Works
Flatiron School offers training to students in both online and on-campus formats. It has intensive full-time courses and self-paced part-time options, and its regular intake dates enable you to start when you want.
In addition, Flatiron School provides outstanding instructor support. You’ll have a clear curriculum to work through, and you’ll be able to reach out for help whenever you need it.
How to apply to Flatiron School
I really appreciated how clear and straightforward Flatiron School’s application process was. Although you can apply online anytime, I’d recommend scheduling a pre-application call with the Flatiron team first. This will help you understand what’s involved in the application and how you can perform as well as possible.
Once you’re ready to apply, head to the Flatiron School website and hit the Apply button. You’ll need to enter some personal information, including your name, email, and phone number. You’ll also need to answer questions about your desired course, how you want to study, and why you think you’re a good fit.
Submit this, and then wait for an admissions team member to contact you to schedule your admissions interview. This is a 20- to 30-minute call that will help the Flatiron team understand whether or not you’ll be suited to the program.
Next comes the admissions assessment, a short 15-minute test containing around 50 questions. You’re not expected to answer them all—most applicants only get through about 25.
Your performance in the written application, admissions interview, and admissions assessment will impact the final admissions decision. You can expect a decision within one to two business days.
Flatiron doesn’t state an average acceptance rate on the website, but I highly recommend taking some time to prepare for the admissions process if you’re serious about getting a place.
If you’re accepted, you’ll need to complete a set of pre-work to ensure you have a solid base understanding before you start. This involves around 40 hours of work, depending on your existing knowledge, so ensure you allow enough time for it.
Prerequisites
Flatiron School has a small number of admissions requirements, but you don’t have to have any special tech knowledge or experience to get started. You must:
Be at least 18 years old
Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent credential
Be fluent in English
Complete the admissions process
Cost
Flatiron School has four courses ranging from $16,900-$17,900, and the prices are the same for both part-time and full-time study. You’ll also have to pay a $99 deposit on enrollment. Course prices are listed below.
Software Engineer: $17,900
Data Science: $16,900
Cybersecurity Engineering: $16,900
Product Design: $16,900
Flatiron School also offers three different ways to pay. You can do this upfront, use a loan, or pay in 12 installments of $1,400 ($1,484 for the Software Engineer course).
Flatiron School Student Resources:
You can contact Flatiron School via phone, email, or by scheduling a chat with the admissions team. You can also reach out via social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
I emailed Flatiron with some basic questions and received a response in a few hours.
Additionally, there are numerous resources available at different stages of your journey.
Pre-admissions
When you’re in the pre-admissions process, you’ll only have access to a few student resources. You can contact the admissions team via email, phone, or social media. I gave them a quick call at around 4pm ET on a Wednesday and received an answer almost immediately.
The Flatiron School support center is also publicly available to browse. It contains a decent amount of information about the school and how it works, and you’ll also find a blog with informational and educational resources.
Studying
Once you’re enrolled and have begun studying with Flatiron School, you’ll have access to a suite of resources.
For starters, you can speak with your instructors if you need assistance with your coursework.
There are also two Discord servers and a Slack workspace that you’ll have access to. These are great for receiving important updates and communicating with your fellow students.
But the standout for me is Flatiron School’s Student Assist Program. This is designed to help you take care of your mental, physical, and emotional well-being if you’re struggling during your studies. You can contact an independent professional for a chat, advice, or support anytime via phone, email, or SMS.
Post-graduation
When you’ve finished your studies, Flatiron School will pair you with a Career Coach. All graduates can benefit from 180 days of one-on-one coaching, advice, and help finding a job.
In my opinion, this is an invaluable tool you should take advantage of. Your Career Coach can help you with everything from resumes and cover letters to mock interviews.
If you need more help, there’s a Career Prep curriculum. This is a free course with 50+ lessons designed to help you start your career in tech. Flatiron also provides graduates access to the Flatiron School Job Portal, which contains a selection of roles shared by its employer partners.
Flatiron School Alternatives
How Flatiron School compares with other tech bootcamps
Flatiron School
Springboard
Kenzie Academy
General Assembly
Years operating
11
10
6
12
Tuition
$16,900-$17,900
$8,900-$13,860
$10,000- $20,000
$950-$16,450
Variety of courses/programs
4
5
5
20
Student resources
- Student services
- Phone and email support
- Mental and physical health support
- Career counseling
- Academic mentorship
- Career support
- Academic advisors
- Free academic support
- Academic support
- Phone and email support
- Online Helpdesk ticketing
- Mental and physical health support
- Career support
- Career coach
- Technical support
- Free workshops and events
Online experience
- Streamlined but long application process
- High-quality learning resources
- Transparent pricing
- Live video and session recordings
- Quick application process
- Transparent pricing
- Smooth admissions process
- Flexible learning options - Live classes and on-demand recordings
- Transparent pricing
- Useful FAQ page and educational blog
- Dedicated Learning Success Advisor
- Straightforward signup
- Blogs
- Detailed FAQs
- Transparent pricing
- Live video instruction
Flatiron School vs Springboard
Like Flatiron School, Springboard offers a small number of intensive, short-term coding bootcamps. But while Flatiron School has a set course schedule, Springboard has flexible deadlines and is designed for you to work through in your own time. It’s also a more affordable option, and I’d recommend it as a quality choice if you’re on a tight budget.
Flatiron School vs Kenzie Academy
Both Flatiron School and Kenzie Academy offer a small number of intensive bootcamps related to coding, cybersecurity, and UX design. They both have excellent student support resources and smooth admissions processes, and they’re similarly priced. However, Flatiron School’s programs are significantly shorter, making it a better choice if you’re looking for a more compressed, intensive coding bootcamp.
Flatiron School vs General Assembly
General Assembly offers a range of full- and part-time courses covering similar topics to Flatiron School’s. Its longer bootcamps are similarly priced to Flatiron’s programs, but it also has a selection of more affordable shorter courses. Beyond this, separating the two is difficult, but I’d suggest checking out General Assembly if you’re looking for a shorter or more budget-friendly option.
Bottom Line
Flatiron School stands out as one of the best coding bootcamps in the US. It offers online courses alongside on-campus learning through its Denver and New York City campuses, and there are flexible part-time and full-time study options.
What’s more, Flatiron School’s courses include everything you need to kickstart your tech career. It’s slightly expensive, but there are various payment options, including an interest-free 12-month payment plan.
It also offers excellent student support resources. I’d highly recommend chatting with the admissions team if you’re looking for a high-quality coding bootcamp that’ll prepare you to enter the job market immediately.
FAQs
Does Flatiron School have a good reputation?
Flatiron School is, without a doubt, one of the leading coding bootcamps available. It runs a variety of specialized courses and is known for its helpful instructors and advanced course content. It also offers a 12-month payment plan to new students. According to Flatiron, over 90% of graduating students get a job in tech.
Is Flatiron School beginner-friendly?
Yes, Flatiron School is a beginner-friendly coding bootcamp catering to students of all skill levels. There are no technical pre-admission requirements. This means it’s an excellent choice for tech newbies who want to build their coding and software engineering knowledge.
How long is the Flatiron bootcamp?
If you choose the full-time pathway, the Flatiron bootcamp will take you 15 weeks, with an expected workload of around eight hours per day, Monday-Friday. There’s also a part-time pathway that takes 40 weeks. This is slower-paced, meaning you can work on it in your own time.