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Technologies driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have become part of our day-to-day lives. We use this tech in language translation apps, healthcare diagnostics and energy consumption optimization. It’s also how we receive personalized music, movie and content recommendations based on our preferences.
Want to get in on the action in the booming AI industry? Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to advance your skill set or a tech newbie seeking a career change, online AI bootcamps offer an efficient way to acquire in-demand, job-ready AI skills.
Tech and coding bootcamps offer time- and cost-effective alternatives to traditional higher education. The best AI bootcamps provide comprehensive, practical training in machine learning, deep learning and other AI domains.
In this article, we overview all of the online AI bootcamps in the U.S. that meet our ranking criteria. We highlight key features and notable considerations of each bootcamp and discuss how to find an AI bootcamp that aligns with your career goals, scheduling needs and budget.
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The Forbes Advisor Education team is committed to bringing our readers unbiased rankings and trustworthy, informative articles covering higher learning institutions, individual degree programs, bootcamps, professional credentials and various career paths.
Our team sources data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We also pull information from reputable professional organizations and education providers’ direct websites. Our rankings use a strict methodology to determine the best schools, programs or bootcamps for each category.
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Clarusway Machine Learning Course
Total Upfront Cost: $6,000
Job Guarantee? No
Official Hiring Partners: Allianz, Google, Amazon, eBay, Siemens, IBM, The Home Depot, Moody’s, Viznet, Northramp, Inspark, Proximus, Comcast, Humana, AT&T, Agilis Technologies, ING Bank, Provalus, U.S. Department of Education, Den Norske Kirke
Why We Picked It
Clarusway’s machine learning course is designed for intermediate-level practitioners with a background in IT. The program equips learners with advanced skills for machine learning engineer and data scientist roles.
The curriculum focuses on machine learning algorithms, deployment techniques and using performance metrics to assess and deploy machine learning models into a production environment. Learners gain robust hands-on experience with 10 projects, three capstone projects and an internship.
Clarusway’s machine learning course runs for eight weeks, comprising 78 hours of lessons, seven hours of labs and projects, and career services.
What To Know
- Time Commitment: Eight weeks
- Bootcamp Enrollment Options: Part-time
- Notable Bootcamp Courses: Machine Learning
- Prerequisites: Data analysis with Python, Git
- Finance Options: Upfront, installment plans, income share agreement (ISA), loan, deferred payment plan
- Scholarships Available: N/A
Should You Enroll in an Online AI Bootcamp?
Enrolling in an online AI bootcamp makes sense for individuals seeking practical, in-depth AI learning in an accelerated format. These bootcamps follow a structured curriculum that systematically teaches fundamental AI concepts and techniques. Many programs emphasize hands-on learning projects that allow learners to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios and build portfolios of their work.
If you’re a self-motivated learner with strong time management skills who wants to learn job-ready competencies as quickly as possible, an online AI bootcamp might suit you. But if you work better in a cohort format or want a more well-rounded education, you might prefer an in-person program or a traditional degree.
Online AI Bootcamps’ Credibility
Online coding bootcamps, including AI bootcamps, typically operate independently of traditional college accreditation processes. As a result, there’s a general lack of regulation in the bootcamp space, so it can be tough to determine which programs offer high-quality curriculums and training.
When researching prospective bootcamps, indicators of program quality to look out for include reviews, testimonials from alums, graduation rates and job placement opportunities. You can also turn to the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR).
CIRR is a nonprofit organization that confirms bootcamps’ reported student outcome data through tracking and auditing. CIRR membership attests to a bootcamp provider’s credibility and adds an extra layer of quality assurance for prospective students.
How To Find the Right Online AI Bootcamp for You
The best online AI bootcamp for you depends on several factors, including your career goals, budget, preferred learning format and scheduling needs. It’s also important to consider a program’s student outcome rates, career services and job placement opportunities. Evaluating these factors can help you understand the quality and effectiveness of an AI bootcamp.
What Are Your Career Goals?
Before enrolling in an online AI bootcamp, determine your career goals and the specific AI skills you want to acquire. If you want to work in a specific AI niche, such as machine learning engineering or natural language processing, make sure your prospective program’s course offerings, hands-on components and curriculum align with your goals.
Current tech professionals looking to deepen their expertise and stay current on AI advancements might seek programs designed for continuous learning and skill enhancement. Career changers may instead seek beginner-friendly bootcamps that equip learners with in-demand, job-ready skills for the AI field.
What’s Your Availability?
Many bootcamps are designed to be intensive, allowing learners to acquire skills in a relatively short period compared to traditional academic programs. AI bootcamps can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months. Consider your day-to-day commitments and scheduling needs when selecting a bootcamp, and determine whether you’ll be able to work full time while completing your program.
What’s Your Budget?
The cost of an AI bootcamp depends on the provider, the scope of the curriculum and the program’s duration. Forbes Advisor research found that the median cost of a coding bootcamp was $9,500 as of November 2023. A Forbes Advisor survey found that most coding bootcamp graduates spent at least $2,500 on their programs.
How To Pay for an Online AI Bootcamp
Determining your budget can help you narrow your options and plan your coding bootcamp payments. When coming up with a budget, evaluate your financing options to ensure you’re making a well-informed financial decision that maximizes the value of your educational investment.
How Much Does an AI Bootcamp Cost?
The cost of AI bootcamps varies depending on factors such as program length, the depth and scope of the curriculum and any additional services provided, such as one-to-one mentoring and career support. The AI bootcamp listed on this page costs $6,000 in upfront tuition, or more for learners who choose long-term installment plans, income share agreements and deferred tuition payments.
Upfront Payment
Many bootcamp providers offer the option to pay the full tuition fee upfront in one lump sum. You may pay reduced fees or get special discounts compared to other payment options if you pay upfront.
Pay in Installments
Bootcamp providers often offer installment payment plans, which allow students to provide monthly or quarterly payments over an extended period. In many cases, the overall cost of an installment plan ends up being more than an upfront payment. However, this option is more manageable for many learners with budget constraints.
Income Share Agreement (ISA)
Some bootcamp providers offer income share agreements, allowing students to defer their tuition until they’ve graduated from the program and secured a job in the field. After gaining employment and reaching a certain income threshold, graduates pay a fixed percentage of their income for a specific period as outlined in their agreement.
You should carefully review the terms and conditions of an ISA agreement before committing to it. Review the percentage of income you’re expected to pay, the duration and the total payment cap. You may end up paying significantly more with an ISA overall than you would with an upfront payment or installment plan.
Job Guarantee
Some bootcamps offer a job guarantee, providing a tuition refund if you’re unable to secure a qualifying job within a certain period of time after graduating.
Under a job guarantee, a bootcamp provider might guarantee you’ll find a role earning a specified minimum salary within a set amount of time. If you’re unable to do so, you’ll be entitled to a tuition refund.
Job guarantees often require students to live in proximity to a major city and set other limitations. Read through the terms and conditions of a bootcamp’s job guarantee to ensure you understand its requirements before committing.
Loans, Scholarships and Other Aid
Students can explore additional funding options including scholarships, grants, loans and other types of aid. Some bootcamps offer scholarships and grants based on merit or financial need.
Federal student aid is rarely available for bootcamp students. However, some bootcamp providers have partnerships with private lenders. In some cases, employers might sponsor employees to enroll in an AI bootcamp as a part of their professional development.
The GI Bill® and Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) programs help veterans cover the cost of education and training, including bootcamps from participating providers. Veterans and servicemembers can use these funds for VA-approved bootcamps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online AI Bootcamps
What is an AI bootcamp?
An AI bootcamp is an intensive, accelerated training program that explores AI fundamentals, concepts and techniques and equips learners with career-ready skills. AI bootcamps focus on practical learning via portfolio-ready projects. These bootcamps serve students looking to start careers in the field, professionals seeking to advance their skills and career changers.
Are bootcamps worth it?
Enrolling in a coding bootcamp can be worth it depending on your professional goals, skill level and budget. Bootcamps allow newcomers and professionals in the field to develop their tech skills, stay current with the latest trends and carve accelerated pathways to new careers. Nearly 90% of coding bootcamp grads would recommend bootcamps to other aspiring developers, according to a Forbes Advisor survey.
