Big Nerd Ranch
Big Nerd Ranch Overview and Guide
Big Nerd Ranch is a coding bootcamp that offers short-term, fast-paced, and intensive courses. Should Big Nerd Ranch be on your radar? This Big Nerd Ranch review will cover all the questions you may have.
Based in Atlanta, Big Nerd Ranch helps students launch their careers as UI designers, mobile app developers, or web developers. Its 11 week-long programs cover various operating systems and tools. All courses are now online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
What You Need to Know About Big Nerd Ranch
Big Nerd Ranch offers one-week bootcamps on UI design, iOS and Android development, mobile web development, and Python. For the in-person courses, students are picked up from the airport and given meals onsite. While on campus, students listen to lectures and participate in workshops and other hands-on coding projects.
- Cost: $1,000 – $5,200
- Schedules: Full-Time
- Courses Offered: UI Essentials, Android Essentials, Advanced Android, iOS Essentials, Advanced iOS, Kotlin Essentials, Android & Kotlin Essentials, Swift Essentials, iOS & Swift Essentials, React Essentials, Python Essentials
- Upcoming Start Dates: Varies by course
Big Nerd Ranch Curricula: What Can You Study?
The main goal of Big Nerd Ranch bootcamps is for students to be able to make responsive websites, create polished digital projects, and build Node.js backend. This is why some of the courses include topics like ES6, HTML5, ReactJS, and Node.js.
UI Essentials
The UI Essentials course focuses on UI design. In collaboration with their peers, students learn to make apps that are well-built, easy to use, and attractive to users.
Android Essentials
In this course, students are introduced to a number of different frameworks for developing mobile applications. They learn how to use REST APIs, how to integrate Android apps with web services, and how to get started with animation.
Advanced Android
More experienced developers can sign up for the Advanced Android course. They learn to prepare applications for app store submission. The course also teaches students how to handle challenges they may face while keeping the app working properly.
Kotlin Essentials
This course teaches students the basic principles of Kotlin and how to use it to code new Android apps.
Android & Kotlin Essentials
This course begins with the principles of Kotlin as a programming language. It then moves on to Kotlin development techniques. It also covers Android development on a basic level and shows how users can migrate to Kotlin from Java.
iOS Essentials
This basic course is for students who prefer a fast-paced iOS introduction course. Students learn how to get data from web services, configure user interfaces, and prepare text input fields. All of these functions help developers improve the usability of iOS apps.
Advanced iOS
Like the Advanced Android course, this course teaches students how to monitor the performance of iOS apps after they have been built. Students learn languages used for iOS programming as well.
Swift Essentials
The Swift Essentials course is the shortest one that Big Nerd Ranch offers. In just two days, students will learn the basic syntax of Swift and how to catch and respond to errors in the code. Data organization and custom data structures are also a part of what you will learn.
iOS & Swift Essentials
This introductory course is for developers without much experience in iOS. The course teaches students how to write Swift apps for iPhones or iPads.
React Essentials
The React Essentials program is one of the shortest in the bootcamp. Students learn to develop responsive sites. HTML5, CSS3, ES6, and ReactJS are some of the languages used to build the sites.
Python Essentials
Students who have basic programming knowledge can enroll in the Python Essentials course, where students learn what Python can do in object-oriented programming contexts. If you want to learn Python for data science specifically, you may want to look elsewhere.
Big Nerd Ranch Campuses: Where Can You Study?
Big Nerd Ranch has both onsite and online courses. Its physical campus is located in Atlanta, Georgia. All courses are available online and onsite, though the latter has been suspended due to the pandemic.
- Atlanta
- Online
Big Nerd Ranch Schedules: When Can You Study?
Full-Time
Big Nerd Ranch only offers full-time training programs, so people who work or study full-time may find it difficult to juggle the program with other obligations. But since the programs only go for a week, some students may be able to get time off to attend.
Part-Time
Unfortunately, Big Nerd Ranch does not have a part-time program. All courses are full-time to ensure that students finish in a timely manner. If you do not have enough time to spare, this program may not be ideal for you.
Flex
Self-paced learning schedules are not available on Big Nerd Ranch. Students have no control over when to attend lectures or how many hours per week they commit to the program. If you want such a flexible learning schedule, then this coding bootcamp is not for you.
Big Nerd Ranch Tuition
Big Nerd Ranch does not have a uniform tuition cost. Every course costs a different amount. For instance, the Kotlin Essentials course is $1,000 and the React Essentials course is $2,250. The Advanced iOS and Advanced Android courses cost $2,400 each.
The most expensive programs on the list are iOS & Swift Essentials and Android & Kotlin Essentials. Both of these in-person programs cost $5,200.
Big Nerd Ranch Financing and Payment Options
- Upfront Payment. Big Nerd Ranch does not have a lot of financing options. Students who enroll must pay upfront for the tuition fees.
The school does not accept installment payments or loan payments. All payments must be done upfront. - Discounts. Members of certain groups are eligible for discounts. For instance, military personnel and educators can get 10 percent off. Graduates of one Big Nerd Ranch program who wish to explore other programs can also benefit from this discount.
Big Nerd Ranch Admissions: How to Get In
People who do not have any experience in mobile development, web development, or UI design can apply to this coding bootcamp. Big Nerd Ranch is mainly for those who want an intense and immersive bootcamp.
Big Nerd Ranch Application
The application process for Big Nerd Ranch is simple. You first must register on the website and fill out personal details, including meal preferences. To secure a seat in the program, simply proceed to checkout and make your payment.
Big Nerd Ranch Interview
Big Nerd Ranch does not interview its potential students. All you need to do is register on the site and prepare for classes.
Big Nerd Ranch Admission Rate: What Are My Chances of Getting In?
Big Nerd Ranch has not published its admission rate. Considering the lack of interviews or coding challenges, however, admissions are not especially competitive. Even those who lack coding experience stand a high chance of getting in.
Big Nerd Ranch Outcomes: Will I Find a Job?
Big Nerd Ranch has not published its student outcomes. However, the bootcamp claims that most of its graduates have landed rewarding jobs. Previous Big Nerd Ranch students have been hired at Turing School of Software and Design and Georgia Institute of Technology, to name a couple.
Job Placement Services at Big Nerd Ranch
Big Nerd Ranch does not guarantee a job after students graduate from its programs, nor does it provide career services to help students secure rewarding jobs. However, the fast-paced and immersive program should give learners the technical skills needed to land a job after graduation.
Should You Apply to Big Nerd Ranch?
Big Nerd Ranch is an excellent coding program for learners of all levels. It offers basic, intermediate, and expert training for software and app developers. There are so many good reasons to apply to this software development bootcamp. Below are just a few.
- Fast-Paced and Short-Term. Big Nerd Ranch is a fast-paced program for people who want to become web developers and have no time to waste. Even busy people should be able to clear a week from their schedules and enroll.
- Easy to Enter. Big Nerd Ranch is one of the few bootcamps that does not subject applicants to coding challenges or interviews. The application process is straightforward and only requires registration before payment.
- Variety of Programs. When it comes to variety, Big Nerd Ranch offers more courses than most of its counterparts. It offers several courses in app development, web development, and UI design.
- Affordability. Big Nerd Ranch has some of the most affordable programs in the industry. Some of the courses cost as low as $1,000.
The most expensive course is $5,200. Students can pay without getting bogged down in debt or signing an income share agreement (ISA).
Even though Big Nerd Ranch offers an array of courses, it might not have what you’re looking for if you want to become a data scientist or study product management. That being said, this program may be worth every penny if you live in Atlanta and want a short and fast-paced course in iOS or Android development.
Price Range
$0-$5,200Programs Available
Programs Pace
Financing Options
8 Reviews
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Anonymous
I attended the iOS Essentials with Swift bootcamp in Monterey. The Asilomar Conference center is beautiful and very comfortable. I was new to iOS programmng and so, for me, the pace was very fast. The course proved to be an excellent foundation for me to build upon. I am looking forward to attending an Advance course when I feel like I have progressed enough to benefit from it. I had wanted to attend a Big Nerd Ranch bootcamp for quite some and was not disappointed at all.
My instructor was excellent. Very knowledgeable and able to explain difficult (for me) concepts. Small class size and a wonderful group of fellow students made for an excellent learning experience.
January 5, 2018
Anonymous
Without a doubt, I highly recommend BNR’s iOS Essentials with Swift course. As an experienced developer that was looking for a springboard into iOS / Swift, this course was great. During the course of the program, we were exposed to important topics on iOS and Swift and were encouraged to think outside of the box and ask questions beyond the course material. At the end of the course, I had not only a large portfolio of working code examples, but also experience and knowledge beyond what could be found in just the book.
Location and amenities were great as well.
Helpful hints: 1) Make sure to be fully focused on the training while there. Do your best to avoid work emails, etc, unless required. 2) Have a project or idea to play around with during office hours in the evening. This is a great way to expand on the knowledge you have learned on a daily basis and will allow you to ask questions beyond what is covered in class, and the instructors will be helpful in answering your questions.
Only downsides are that it can be tough to get away for that long and cost can be high if your company is not covering the training.
I’ve attended the Android course as well, and it was great. Really looking forward to the Kotlin course in May!
February 7, 2018
Anonymous
I attended the iOS 7 day class with Objective-C.
I have been to literally dozens of training classes over the years and 90% of the bore me.
This was the best training class I have been to by far for the following reasons.
1. Immersion – If you can find the time, please try to. Being dedicated helps focus and results. There are a lot of online courses available and they are really good. This experience is world-class.
2. Instructors – My instructor was world-class. I was looking for industry expert which is what I got
3. Teaches you how to learn – Many classes and online sites tell you how to do things. BNR does some of that but more importantly they teach you how to use the Apple docs properly and find the correct answers yourself instead of relying on search engines
4. Classmates – You will find that all your classmates are very motivated because they also are dedicating the time. I love learning from others and since you eat and train together all day you get to learn a lot from many different angles.
(Please note my class was iOS with Objective-C but that was not an option in the drop-down list)
February 12, 2018
Anonymous
I took this 7 day bootcamp when it was iOS Essentials with Objective-C at the Historic Banning Mills location as did a couple of the other reviewers. The course was excellent. The instructor was awesome. The food was great. The accommodations were cool. The ziplines were a new experience. The mosquitoes were legion.
I didn’t really believe it when the instructor told us to plan to spend some late nights, but most of us were there every evening until 10:00pm or so. Worth every penny. Most technical training classes I attend usually end up with me sitting around fiddling with stuff that is not a part of the assignment because I complete assignments quickly. The instructor picked up on a few of us who were a little more advanced and gave us additional stuff to try. It was refreshing to be continually challenged. The instructor had also built apps for BNR clients, so he had enough experience with the pain points of development (and of Xcode) to give us additional information to minimize those potholes. The fact that there was almost literally nothing else to do there at night encouraged a lot of extracurricular studying.
BNR books are great, and you should have the collection regardless for reference and refreshing purposes, but if you can in any way make it down to one of the bootcamps you will not regret it. It is an intense, superior learning experience.
March 16, 2018
Anonymous
Just like Big Nerd Ranch’s books, their bootcamp courses are top notch. This was my first development bootcamp and I can say without a doubt it was the perfect introduction to both iOS programming and bootcamps in general. The instructors were very versatile, delivering a curriculum that they real-time adjusted to suit each student (we had some first time programmers and some seasoned developers in our class). There’s a reason BNR has been around for all these years and on a continued growth path, their attention to quality sets the bar for other educational companies to aspire to.
March 22, 2018
Anonymous
I was deeply impressed with the Big Nerd Ranch bootcamp. Our company was interested in expanding our IT systems into mobile applications and we decided to attend an iOS bootcamp at Asilomar. BNR does a great job at pairing excellent teaching with a retreat style getaway. The grounds look like you’re taking a vacation but the 12-14 hours a day of instruction and lab time ensured the material became second nature. The instructor was highly knowledgeable and was able to address any question we had. He sprinkled nature walks and other activities throughout the week so that our brains were able to decompress from the rigorous learning. While the overall course doesn’t cover everything required to launch an app of your own, you get a great level of knowledge that let’s you tackle the remaining learning much easier.
April 10, 2018
Anonymous
Big Nerd Ranch knows how to put on a bootcamp!
The curriculum was thorough and easy to follow. The instructors were engaging and very knowledgeable. If they didn’t know an answer off the top of their heads they would help me find the answer.
The location, Stone Mountain Resort, was breath taking and extremely comfortable. All of my needs were taken care of and provided the perfect environment to focus on learning.
I cannot recommend this bootcamp enough to anyone who is looking to jump into the Swift and iOS world. I was able to take the skills I learned from this bootcamp to launch my first iOS app!
April 13, 2018
Anonymous
The complete immersion into the subject matter is fantastic. I attended the iOS Dev and by the end of the course, I was not only skilled but confident in those skills. I am now a fulltime iOS dev.
I have recommended BNR to colleagues that have gone and loved it as well. I will be going back shortly to add Kotlin to my bag of tricks.
The format is well thought out and the material builds on itself nicely.
April 25, 2018