{"id":6455,"date":"2022-02-10T18:21:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T18:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.computerscience.org\/?p=6455"},"modified":"2024-08-09T18:28:03","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T18:28:03","slug":"companies-that-dont-require-a-college-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.computerscience.org\/resources\/companies-that-dont-require-a-college-degree\/","title":{"rendered":"Companies That Don’t Require a College Degree"},"content":{"rendered":"

Workers with no degree in the tech industry earn significantly higher salaries than workers without degrees in other sectors.<\/p>\r\n

According to a 2019 study<\/a> from the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, tech workers with no degree earned 58% more<\/a> than those with no degrees in other industries, on average.<\/p>\r\n

A 2017 Harvard Business Review article<\/a> stated that \"competency is more important than credentials.\" Numerous leading tech companies have since adopted this viewpoint in their hiring practices. Our guide explores companies that don't require a college degree and the benefits of alternative education.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Shifting Trends in Technology<\/h2>\r\n

Career development platforms including LinkedIn and Glassdoor note an increasing move away from degree requirements in technology industry hiring practices. For tech companies, applicants' skills and abilities are often more important than their degree-based credentials. This shift also removes barriers to employment, leading to more equitable job access.<\/p>\r\n

Tech employers may still consider a job-seeker's formal education when looking at their profile. However, many now place more importance on demonstrated hard skills than college degrees. Bootcamp education, industry-standard certifications, and self-taught abilities have all emerged as viable alternatives to a degree.<\/p>\r\n

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For tech companies, applicants' skills and abilities are often more important than their degree-based credentials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n

Even so, the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation found that workers without a degree tend to experience an earnings gap compared to workers with one or more degrees. However, the 2019 whitepaper reported that this gap is 15% smaller<\/a> for workers in tech than their peers in other industries.<\/p>\r\n

Salary data only tells part of the story. Professionals who do not earn degrees can enter the workforce more quickly. This may boost workers' career-long earning potential.<\/p>\r\n

Skipping college also means skipping student loans. The typical bachelor's graduate of a public university is $28,600 in debt<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Multiple industry sources report that the COVID-19 pandemic triggered sharp increases in the number of available technology jobs<\/a> as companies and institutions adopted remote formats in mass numbers.<\/p>\r\n

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The typical bachelor's graduate of a public university is $28,600 in debt.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n

Tech employers shifted to more inclusive hiring practices in part to address large numbers of job vacancies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

How Can You Get Hired With No Degree?<\/h3>\r\n

Job-seekers without degrees must stress their mastery of key skills when seeking roles with tech companies. \"Equivalent practical experience\" is an increasingly common phrase in tech industry job posts. This signals that employers care more about a candidate's actual skills than where they acquired those skills.<\/p>\r\n

On resumes and CVs, candidates can highlight hard skills ahead of their educational credentials. However, colleges often build career development and job recruitment opportunities into their technology-oriented programs. Thus, professionals who do not attend college may have to work harder to achieve similar levels of exposure.<\/p>\r\n

Personal connections and networking alone may not suffice in getting your foot in the proverbial door. Alternative education like bootcamps may offer a solution. These short-term programs usually offer career-building and schooling-to-job resources that can lead to entry-level employment.<\/p>\r\n\n

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\n Find work-from-home tech jobs that pay well<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/sonic-icon>\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n
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Top Online Programs<\/h2>\n

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.<\/p>\n <\/sonic-editorial-listings>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n\r\n

Should You Get a Degree or Pursue a Bootcamp?<\/h3>\r\n

Degree programs support structured, in-depth learning at a pace suitable for total beginners. They also afford students strong interpersonal networking opportunities and ongoing access to the experts who lead their classes.<\/p>\r\n

Degrees are expensive, and the cost of higher education continues to rise at rates that outpace wage growth<\/a>. An undergraduate degree also requires 2-4 years of full-time study. That is a major time commitment for many people — especially adults considering a career change.<\/p>\r\n

Bootcamps focus on quickly building job-ready skills in targeted areas. They cost less<\/a> and students usually complete them much faster than a degree. Even the longest bootcamps typically last less than one year. Many bootcamps also connect graduates to job opportunities with top employers.<\/p>\r\n

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Degrees are expensive, and the cost of higher education continues to rise at rates that outpace wage growth. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n

Unlike a college or university program, bootcamps move through material very quickly. Beginners face steeper learning curves, which means bootcamps may be a better option for learners with an existing background in technology.<\/p>\r\n

In weighing your options, consider your learning style and your comfort level with fast-paced, intensive learning. Make the choice that best matches your situation and personal objectives.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\n

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\n Explore tech jobs that don't require a degre<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/sonic-icon>\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n\n
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\n Explore companies that will pay for your degree<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/sonic-icon>\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n\n
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\n Learn more about bootcamps and whether theyre the right choice for you<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/sonic-icon>\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n\n
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\n Online courses that teach you computer science for free<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/sonic-icon>\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\r\n<\/sonic-columns>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Popular Bootcamps<\/h3>\r\n

If you pursue a bootcamp, research is key. You should apply as much care and attention to your bootcamp search as you would to choosing a degree program.<\/p>\r\n

The links below lead to our rankings of reputable bootcamps with strong reputations among employers. Use them to begin your search for a suitable learning opportunity.

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Best Coding Bootcamps<\/h3>\n
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Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps<\/h3>\n
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Best Free Coding Bootcamps<\/h3>\n
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Best Full-Stack Bootcamps<\/h3>\n
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Best Web Development Bootcamps<\/h3>\n
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Most Affordable Bootcamps<\/h3>\n
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Companies You Can Work For Without a College Degree<\/h2>\r\n

The following list highlights well-established tech companies that don't require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree. Note that it is not a complete list. Also, keep in mind that businesses may change their hiring policies and standards on short notice.<\/p>\r\n

The list is presented in no particular order.<\/p>\r\n\n

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