Becoming a programmer is a popular career path, thanks to the rise of technology and the huge salaries that pair with these careers. While many people enroll in four-year college programs in order to become programmers, others choose to learn these skills on their own via online coursework.
So, which is better? This guide breaks down the college vs self taught programmer debate to help you figure out which path might be for you.
I’ll go over some of the different reasons why each of these choices is a good pick and throw in what factors to keep in mind as you decide. With that said, let’s get started.
Learning Styles at College vs Self Taught Programmer Classes
To start our decision-making process, let’s jump in and go over the different learning styles at college vs. self-taught classes. Each of these educational methods has different pros and cons, and each is suited to different personality types.
At the end of the day, the ‘better’ path between college and self-taught programming is truly subjective. It depends on individual goals, resources, learning styles, and desired outcomes. Remember, the key to a successful career in programming is not just about how you learn but how effectively you can apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios.
That said, here’s a brief overview of the learning styles and curriculum at each.
College: Structured Learning and Curriculum
If you are someone who thrives in a structured environment, enjoys digging deep into the theoretical aspects, and appreciates collaborating with peers, going down the college route may be a better option for you.
You’ll have access to a curated curriculum, faculty guidance, peer learning, support services, and internships, which could all prove invaluable in your journey. A Computer Science student at a four-year university, for instance, would have the opportunity to participate in complex group projects, labs, and research. This formal, structured environment often provides a comprehensive and broad curriculum that dives deeply into programming theories and fundamentals.
For example, Mark Zuckerberg co-created Facebook while he was a college student. His connections and access to university resources played a significant role in his success.
Self-Learning: Flexibility, Faster Pace, Focused Learning
On the other hand, if you prefer a flexible study schedule, a faster pace, focused learning, or if you already have some expertise in the field, being a self-taught programmer could be a better match for you.
You create your own curriculum and learn through a plethora of resources, be it books, online courses, coding platforms, and more.
For example, a self-learner could start by accessing resources from websites like Codecademy, reading programming books, participating in projects on GitHub, or even watching YouTube tutorials. The learning pace is set by the learner, and this journey is often marked by a focus on practical skills necessary for a job.
Many successful developers are self-taught, and it’s the willingness to constantly learn, experiment, and innovate that largely contributes to their success. Take, for instance, the story of Elon Musk, who reportedly taught himself programming and created a video game at the age of 12, and we all know the heights he has reached since!
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Path:
As a prospective programmer, your journey might be influenced by various personal and professional factors. It’s crucial to weigh all these considerations carefully as you make the important decision between venturing ahead as a self-taught coder or pursuing formal education.
Costs of Education
Considering the factors related to cost, college programming education is usually more expensive compared to being self-learning. Yet, it offers a degree that is still highly recognized in the industry.
On the contrary, being a self-taught programmer is financially less draining, but it may require you to demonstrate your skills in more tangible ways, like building an impressive portfolio. If faced with financial constraints, you might want to choose to be a self-taught programmer.
Who You’re Learning From
Another thing to think about when choosing whether to go with self-taught study or college is where you’re getting your information from.
In a college scenario, you draw knowledge from an academic syllabus curated by experienced faculties. As a self-taught programmer, the internet is your university. You dig for information from different corners of the web, filter the essential from the non-essential, and apply what you’ve learned in real-world contexts.
Personal Learning Style
Going hand-in-hand with the source of knowledge, your personal learning style also makes a huge difference. Are you someone who thrives in a structured classroom environment with direct guidance from instructors, or do you prefer to explore topics independently and learn through trial and error?
If the former is true, college may be a better fit for you. On the other hand, if you prefer to be more independent and autonomous, it’s likely that the self-taught route will be a better fit.
Time Commitment
Time commitment is another one of the most important considerations to bear in mind as you consider where to study programming. Are you able to commit to full-time studies in a college for three or four years, or do you prefer learning at your own pace in the comfort of your home?
For example, if you are already working a full-time job and are looking to switch careers, the flexible schedule of self-teaching might suit you better.
Which Skills Are in Demand?
A formal degree is needed for certain specializations and roles in software development or if you’re planning to work in government sectors or large multinational companies. However, there are plenty of successful programmers in the industry who acquired skills through self-learning and hands-on projects.
Thinking about which skills are in demand can help you determine what may best fit the industry’s requirements.
Career Goals
Career goals are often a deciding factor. If you are aiming for a research-intensive field or plan to pursue higher education such as a Master’s or PhD, a college degree would be beneficial. If you wish to become a freelancer or launch a start-up, being a self-taught programmer could be an advantage as it might give you more practical, hands-on experience quickly.
Pros and Cons of College and Self-Taught Paths:
Choosing between being a self-taught coder or getting a formal college education is no easy decision, even once you’ve considered the above factors. To help you weigh your options, let’s dive into the advantages and disadvantages of each path.
College Programmer Path Pros
To start off, let’s take a look at the college programmer path. In terms of advantages, you can enjoy:
- Structured learning: The systematic course combined with peer-to-peer interaction provided in college offers a holistic understanding of the field. It helps you learn not just to code but to understand the theories and principles behind it.
- Networking opportunities: College provides a chance to build connections with professors, students, and the alumni network. Building your network and fostering these connections can be vital when searching for internships, co-ops, or post-graduate jobs.
- Accreditation: A degree from a reputed institution can provide validation and may make your resume more appealing to certain employers.
With these benefits, you can help boost your career and make finding a job after graduation even easier.
College Programmer Path Disadvantages
While there are certainly some great advantages to going to college to become a programmer, there are a few disadvantages as well. These include:
- Cost and time: College is a significant investment of time and resources. You’d need to spend about four years, not to mention the tuition fees can be quite steep, depending on the institution.
- Out-of-date curriculum: The pace of change in technology can outstrip the speed at which the college curriculum is updated. That means you may sometimes end up learning something that’s outdated.
As you make your decision, bear these factors in mind to ensure you’re making the right choice.
Pros of the Self-Taught Programming Route
Now that you know why you might want to attend college to become a programmer, let’s talk about why becoming a self-taught programmer could be a good choice. A few key benefits of this path include:
- Flexibility: As a self-taught coder, you have the flexibility to learn at your own pace and focus on specific areas of interest, making learning more personal and engaging.
- Affordability: You have access to numerous free or cheaper resources online, making this option budget-friendly.
- Real-time skills: You can learn the most current skills demanded in the industry as online resources are regularly updated.
Each of these benefits can help make your professional path much smoother and easier.
Disadvantages of the Self-Taught Programmer Path
While there are some great advantages of becoming a self-taught programmer, there are also a couple of disadvantages. Here are a few to know about:
- No official recognition: Without a formal degree, you may have to work harder to prove your skills and knowledge to potential employers.
- Limited networking opportunities: Being self-taught can be lonesome and could lack the vibrant exchange of ideas that you’d get in a classroom.
- Requires self-discipline: This route leans heavily on your self-motivation and discipline. Without it, sticking to a learning routine could be challenging.
Knowing these cons can help you be more prepared for the challenges of pursuing a career as a self-taught programmer.
Preparing for a Job as a College or Self-Taught Programmer
Embarking on your career journey, whether you’re fresh out of college or a self-taught programmer, can feel overwhelming. It nags at those nerves of anticipation and anxiety. Here’s the encouraging part: Your preparation for this journey may not be as daunting as you might think.
Develop a Robust Portfolio
One commonality among all programmers, regardless of how they were trained, is the significance of developing a robust portfolio. For instance, contributing to open-source projects can provide real-world experience with code review and collaboration.
Try your hand at developing a mobile app, creating a responsive website, or tackling a problem-solving algorithm. There’s nothing like coding your own project from scratch to understand the challenges and triumphs it brings.
In fact, many companies today place as much, if not more, importance on a programmer’s social networking profile as on their formal education credentials. Remember, your portfolio is a reflection of your skills and interests; it’s your storyboard, telling a tale of your coding journey.
Gain Work Experience through Internships
College programs often facilitate such opportunities where you can develop software applications along with seasoned professionals, but it’s not exclusive to them.
Self-taught programmers, too, can venture to reach out to companies that offer internships. This hands-on industry experience not only boosts your resume but also significantly broadens your perspective and network.
Even after you’ve mastered your first programming language and got that first job, the learning never really ends in this ever-evolving technology space. I’ve found that the most successful programmers are those who adapt, learn, and grow with the industry trends.
Consider Picking Up Complementary Skills
Some examples of these are project management and communication to stand out in the job market. Understand that programming doesn’t exist in a vacuum; in most job roles, you’ll be working as part of a team. So, being able to communicate effectively and manage your work well can be just as important as your programming skills.
Job Outlook for College and Self-Taught Programmers
In today’s global information age, programming is becoming increasingly indispensable. It’s an exciting time for us who are immersed in the world of programming, whether we have taken the traditional college path or the self-taught route.
The job outlook, however, can be slightly different depending on how you became a programmer in the first place. Let me break down what I mean.
College-Educated Programmer Prospects
If you’re a college-educated programmer, the career prospects are generally quite positive. Companies, especially larger ones, have traditionally favored college-educated applicants due to the broad curriculum that they have covered, along with the ability to demonstrate discipline and commitment.
Some even provide a platform for internships or direct placements. For instance, Microsoft runs a well-known internship program that is primarily targeted to college students.
Self-Taught Programmer Prospects
The tech industry is now giving more credence to talent and skills rather than academic qualifications alone. Google, for instance, no longer strictly requires a college degree for certain programming roles. This means there are more opportunities for you now than there would have been a decade ago.
Startups and smaller tech companies, in particular, are more likely to hire self-taught programmers. They tend to value practical skill sets and the ability to quickly adapt and learn, traits often found among self-taught individuals.
Average Salary for College vs Self-Taught Programmers
Embarking on a career in programming is not just about following your passion or interest in problem-solving and creating new technologies; it’s also about securing a financially stable future. One commonly asked question is: “Does the learning path, whether through college or being self-taught, impact the salary I might earn?”
Let’s take a look at what you can expect to earn as a programmer, whether that’s self-taught or fresh out of college.
Remember, these are just averages and ranges. I’ve encountered stories of self-taught programmers who’ve out-earned their degree-holding counterparts due to their hard work, innovation, and expertise.
Likewise, there are college-educated programmers who climb to top-paying positions by leveraging their comprehensive understanding of computer science trends in conjunction with their programming skills.
With that said, here’s what to know about salaries for programmers.
Factors that Influence a Programmer’s Salary
Numerous factors influence a programmer’s salary. These include:
- level of expertise
- specific programming languages you know
- years of experience
- Location
- The company you work for
However, bear in mind that your path to learning programming—whether you went to college or taught yourself—does not directly determine your salary. It is the skills you acquire and how proficiently you utilize them that truly count.
Average Programmer’s Salary
Generally, based on my research, the average salary for programmers is around $93,000 per year. For instance, a self-taught programmer with a few years of experience and proficiency in popular languages like Python or Javascript might earn within that average range, given they can demonstrate their competencies convincingly.
On the other hand, college-educated programmers might have a slight advantage at the start of their careers due to the credibility of a degree and possibly diversified skill sets obtained from a comprehensive curriculum. As such, they may command higher starting salaries.
Job Progression
Although college graduates may be able to get better starting salaries initially, as a self-taught programmer gains more experience and continues upskilling, they could likely close this salary gap.
In other words, the playing field levels off eventually. Your growth and advancement in the field are not merely defined by how you started but by your dedication, continuous learning, and contributions.
Choose Your Programming Career Path
As we come to the end of this deep dive into the world of programming and the different paths to becoming a programmer, it’s essential to remember that neither a college degree nor self-teaching is a sure ticket to success. Both come with unique sets of advantages and challenges.
If you’re someone who thrives in structured environments with clear guidelines and appreciates the values that come from formal education — rich network, solid theoretical foundation, and resources — then a college degree might suit you best. On the other hand, if you’re the type who loves pushing boundaries, questioning norms, and charting your own path, then self-teaching might be your ticket to the stars in the programming world.
The deciding factors should be a mix of your personal learning style, professional goals, available resources, and the kind of investment you want to make in your future.
One thing remains constant, though, no matter the path you choose: the tech world is an ever-evolving beast that demands continuous learning. If you still feel unsure what the best course might be for you, our team of dedicated career coaches is ready to guide you. Reach out today and let us help shape your future as a successful programmer, whether you choose the college or self-taught path!
