When it comes to choosing a program, it’s important to understand the differences between various offerings so you can make the best selection for your needs and goals. Two UX bootcamp providers, Springboard and CareerFoundry, both offer comprehensive UX/UI education. While there are some similarities between the two, there are also key differences that might make one program or the other better for you based on your specific situation..
Let’s take a deeper dive into how Springboard and CareerFoundry compare when it comes to what their UX bootcamps offer.
- Coursework & Structure
- Mentorship & Feedback
- Community Offerings
- Pricing & Financing
- Graduate Support
- Reviews
Coursework & Structure
CareerFoundry and Springboard both offer high-quality content when it comes to UX/UI education, with an intensive curriculum focused on having students be prepared to enter the working world upon completion. They are similar in that both offer a fully online learning format, where students can tackle the project work throughout the week in a flexible format.
Additionally, both programs offer flexible tracks, with part-time and full-time participation options. All graduates in both Designlab and CareerFoundry will complete capstone projects and build out a portfolio that they can showcase to potential employers during the job search process.
There are, however, some key differences between the two:
- Springboard integrates UI into the curriculum and has at least one module of learning dedicated to UI. CareerFoundry on the other hand has UI as an optional learning module that students can add to the course, as one of four different add-on options learners can select from. For individuals who aren’t as interested in UI, CareerFoundry could be a good option, as students can pick a different area of supplemental study. However, having a holistic education in UX/UI is important for many entry-level positions.
- Springboard graduates complete the program with two capstones and one project where they can work with a real-world client. CareerFoundry graduates also have a comprehensive portfolio; however, some students only graduate with two larger-format projects.
Mentorship & Feedback
Springboard and CareerFoundry both offer mentorship programs that support students as they work through their UX design programs. A mentor is an important aspect of learning as they provide critical feedback on coursework and guide students through the process of understanding design thinking and design decisions.
Both UX bootcamps offer robust mentorship, but there are some differences in terms of how that mentorship is provided:
- Springboard students have a dedicated mentor that they connect with throughout the program. This is also true of CareerFoundry students; however, CareerFoundry also offers a tutor who leaves the majority of the written feedback on project work, allowing for dual feedback. Some students may find this mentorship style to their liking, while others may prefer to have one dedicated mentor reviewing their work.
- Springboard students hold one video call with their mentor per week; however, CareerFoundry students are able to have up to three calls with a mentor per week. Both programs do, however, offer an additional pool of mentors or tutors for students to tap into online.
Community Offerings
When it comes to community, both Springboard and CareerFoundry offer ways to connect with other students and make sure that you aren’t feeling isolated as you learn. Both offer dedicated online spaces where students can meet one another, share projects, ask questions, and receive feedback.
Both Springboard and CareerFoundry also host some live events for their student population to provide continued options for engagement and education. In this way, both programs are actually quite similar: they identify that learning in a silo can be challenging for some students, and want to ensure their learners have ways to stay in touch.
Pricing & Financing
When it comes to pricing, this might be one of the largest differences between Springboard and CareerFoundry. The total cost for Springboard’s UX/UI bootcamp is $11,900 upfront, while CareerFoundry’s program is $7,505 upfront. In terms of overall cost, this puts Springboard in a much more expensive category.
Since cost can be a major factor when it comes to choosing the right program, it’s also important to understand the types of payment options and scholarships that are available.
- Both programs have an installment plan option, with Springboard offering a 9-month plan at $1,540 per month, while CareerFoundry offers a 10-month payment plan for $650 per month.
- Both programs also offer a tuition financing option; however, CareerFoundry is the only of the two that offers a deferred payment option, where students can begin making payments on their loan after they have completed it.
- Springboard offers a variety of scholarships (including full scholarships) for their bootcamp that promote diversity in the workflow, and have several partnerships dedicated towards that end. CareerFoundry does offer scholarships, but they seem to be discretionary and potentially less robust in terms of their support. There is also no full scholarship funding available.
Graduate Support
Springboard and CareerFoundry both offer graduate support for students upon completion of their UX programs. There is access to career coaching and guidance on how to best land a role.
In many ways, the career support offerings for these two programs are quite similar. Students will have access to a Career Coach who is an industry professional who will help guide them through the process of putting together resumes, understanding how to interview, and working on pain points along the way.
Additionally, both offer a Career Services curriculum to help graduates stay on track and understand how they should be approaching the job search process. Students can track applications, find useful resources, and continue to build their network.
Both programs also offer a Job Guarantee, where graduates may be eligible for a refund if they don’t find a job within a certain amount of time. However, it’s important to remember that these both come with a strict set of criteria in order to remain eligible, which are often challenging to meet throughout a bootcamp program.
Reviews
One great way to see how programs rank is by looking at reviews left by their students or graduates. Platforms like Switchup and Course Report offer insights into how participants rate their time in the respective bootcamps, allowing for transparency in terms of student experience. You can check out how each program ranked for both Switchup and Course Report below:
Switchup
Springboard: 4.68/5 Overall (Categories considered: Overall, Curriculum, and Job Support)
CareerFoundry: 4.43/5 Overall (Categories considered: Overall, Curriculum, and Job Support)
Course Report
Springboard
- Overall Experience: 4.6
- Instructors: 4.7
- Curriculum: 4.5
- Job Assistance: 4.4
- Overall Score: 4.62
CareerFoundry
- Overall Experience: 4.7
- Instructors: 4.7
- Curriculum: 4.6
- Job Assistance: 4.5
- Overall Score: 4.67
Conclusion
Both Springboard and CareerFoundry offer strong options when considering a UX design bootcamp program. They have a longstanding reputation in the market, provide a robust curriculum, offer mentorship and job support, and have a vibrant student community. Some key differences to consider include price point, mentorship structure, and important learning goals. Keeping these factors in mind will help ultimately decide which is the best program for you.
.jpg)
.jpg)
