Merit America
Average Rating3.76
39 Reviews
3 Courses
Merit America is a non-profit career development program built for working adults who want to grow in their careers without putting their lives on hold. The flexible, part-time programs—typically lasting 14 to 22 weeks—are designed to help learners gain in-demand skills while balancing work, caregiving, and other responsibilities. Merit America currently offers career tracks in IT Support, Data Analytics, UX Design, Cybersecurity, Project Management, and Human Resources. Each program includes industry-recognized, third-party technical training from partners like Google, combining online learning with personalized coaching, weekly peer squad meetings, and job search support. Learners are matched with a dedicated career coach to help set goals, stay motivated, and prepare for job transitions, promotions, or professional growth.
The program includes four structured phases: Foundations (onboarding support, connect with coach and squad), Immersion (technical training), Job Success (personalized coaching and job search support), and Alumni (ongoing alumni support including free Coursera access, resume refreshes, and salary negotiation help).
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, be authorized to work in the U.S., and be fluent in English. Individuals currently pursuing or holding a graduate degree are not eligible. Learners can choose from multiple payment options, including the option to complete the program with no upfront cost.
Merit America has supported nearly 15,000 learners nationwide and driven an estimated $1 billion in cumulative wage gains.
39 Merit America Reviews
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- Briana ColemanGraduate • IT Support • OnlineVerified by LinkedInFeb 07, 2025Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Merit America: A Life-Changing Journey with Unmatched Support
My experience with Merit America was truly phenomenal! Don’t just take my word for it—check out my story on Merit America’s Promoted podcast, Season 1, Episode 11, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. I should also note that no I was not paid to share my story on the podcast and no I am not being paid to leave my review.
I completed the IT Support track, and it has opened countless doors for me. The curriculum is not only rigorous but also provides the fou...My experience with Merit America was truly phenomenal! Don’t just take my word for it—check out my story on Merit America’s Promoted podcast, Season 1, Episode 11, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. I should also note that no I was not paid to share my story on the podcast and no I am not being paid to leave my review.
I completed the IT Support track, and it has opened countless doors for me. The curriculum is not only rigorous but also provides the foundational knowledge needed for real-world scenarios. Beyond that, my coaches supported me every step of the way, making the journey even more rewarding.
I highly recommend Merit America to anyone considering it. The program’s value goes far beyond its cost—you gain motivating support from dedicated coaches, engaging monthly events, a powerful network of alumni (including myself!), and lifelong resources to help you thrive. You're never alone in this journey. Instead, you're part of a lifelong learning community with a village behind you every step of the way!Merit America of Merit America
Organization
Feb 10, 2025
Briana, we are so proud of you and your ability to inspire others. Thank you for sharing your story with us. - Logan SchaetzTechnology Support Technician • Graduate • IT Support • OnlineVerified by LinkedInMay 29, 2022Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Fantastic course and people
I have recently graduated from Merit America and have quickly found a new job using all of the knowledge that I have studied. This is a rigorous and fast paced course that definitely takes a lot of time and commitment, but the technical and professional knowledge I have gained is immense. The people I have met throughout my cohort and coaches during this program have all been wonderful and inspiring. This course has directly led to me getting a new job at a much higher rate. I couldn't...I have recently graduated from Merit America and have quickly found a new job using all of the knowledge that I have studied. This is a rigorous and fast paced course that definitely takes a lot of time and commitment, but the technical and professional knowledge I have gained is immense. The people I have met throughout my cohort and coaches during this program have all been wonderful and inspiring. This course has directly led to me getting a new job at a much higher rate. I couldn't be more thankful for these people and this organization!Merit America of Merit America
Organization
Feb 10, 2025
Amazing! We are so proud of you and your ability to inspire others. Thank you for sharing your story with us. - Yoni WerknehJava Development • OnlineVerified by LinkedInMay 09, 2022Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Full-stack Java development
I recently completed Junior Java Development Bootcamp with Merit America. The coaches I worked with and the tech instructors go above and beyond to help learners. The professional development part of the program is very effective! I received continuous help to polish my resume and sharpen my interview skills. I highly recommend Merit to anyone looking to break into the tech field. 
MattConstruction Site Supervisor • Graduate • Java Development • OnlineVerified by GitHubMar 30, 2022Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob AssistanceJava Failure
I couldn't get placed for a software development job out of this program. I tried until my money ran out and I had to take a job in the construction field. I still had to pay for the course, which wasn't exactly the understanding I had going in.
Wasted my time and money and would not do it again. No way.- BrandonStudent • DallasVerified by LinkedInDec 01, 2021Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Java
The program through Merit I will admit seemed a little daunting, however the support system and coaches have been so amazing thus far! The fact that they’re always just a slack message away from helping you get through whatever you’re struggling with has been great. The course is now 30 weeks and it’s been at a great pace for learning with a deeper level of understanding. If you’re thinking about whether Merit is right for you, reach out to them and you’ll see why I and so many others ar...The program through Merit I will admit seemed a little daunting, however the support system and coaches have been so amazing thus far! The fact that they’re always just a slack message away from helping you get through whatever you’re struggling with has been great. The course is now 30 weeks and it’s been at a great pace for learning with a deeper level of understanding. If you’re thinking about whether Merit is right for you, reach out to them and you’ll see why I and so many others are excited and will be reaping the great benefits of this program. - Shelby JohnsonVerified by LinkedInDec 01, 2021Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Java Development
My experience with Merit America was amazing! I went into the program looking for a career change and a way to escape retail. I was working odd hours while trying to raise two small children and it was hard! So after watching my husband go through Merit America’s Java program I thought to myself, I can totally do this! So I did! I worked my butt off learning how to code knowing there was a light at the end of the tunnel, with a new career waiting for me. I am now out of working retail, w...My experience with Merit America was amazing! I went into the program looking for a career change and a way to escape retail. I was working odd hours while trying to raise two small children and it was hard! So after watching my husband go through Merit America’s Java program I thought to myself, I can totally do this! So I did! I worked my butt off learning how to code knowing there was a light at the end of the tunnel, with a new career waiting for me. I am now out of working retail, working for a company that I love and with five year old who is always asking me to teach him to code! - Daved TadlockGraduate • OnlineVerified by LinkedInJul 05, 2021Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Brutal but Worth it
Merit America's Java full stack program is everything you should expect from a coding boot camp and more. It is a flexible yet rigorous 21-week program that covers Java, Spring/Springboot, SQL, JS, HTML, CSS, React/Redux, AWS, SQL and much more and not only that but you put all these concepts to use in an all inclusive full stack application to present at the end of the course. This is a 'Zero to Hero' program however if you have not had any bit of previous experience or knowled...Merit America's Java full stack program is everything you should expect from a coding boot camp and more. It is a flexible yet rigorous 21-week program that covers Java, Spring/Springboot, SQL, JS, HTML, CSS, React/Redux, AWS, SQL and much more and not only that but you put all these concepts to use in an all inclusive full stack application to present at the end of the course. This is a 'Zero to Hero' program however if you have not had any bit of previous experience or knowledge it will be much, much harder due to how fast you will move through this. You get out what you put in.
Not only do you gain new technical skill but there is also heavy emphasis on professional development from resume and cover letter writing, BI skills, networking, and more.
After all that there is the cost, which is LOW (near $8k) in comparison to other programs where the cost can reach $16k+.
- Luis IbanezSoftware Developer • Graduate • DallasVerified by LinkedInMar 01, 2021Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Java Training Program
Rigorous course which will for sure get you to think and be resourceful as a developer. It's focus is on Java, Spring Boot, SQL, JavaScript, React, Redux, etc. Best part about this program is that I was able to keep my current job while attending, it's extremely flexible and would be a great options for working adults. There's also professional coaching that's help you prepare for interviewing and landing a job. - Ashton BaileyGraduate • IT Support • DallasVerified by LinkedInOct 20, 2020Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Phenomenal Program
Merit America is a wonderful program that is wholly committed to helping working adults excel in the IT industry. Throughout the process, I was supported by an exceptional coach and team members. That support continues today in the form of Alumni services, furthering illustrating Merits America's desire to catapult its students into their success. Their passion and tireless efforts exerted on behalf of their students are truly inspiring, and I consider myself fortunate to have been apart...Merit America is a wonderful program that is wholly committed to helping working adults excel in the IT industry. Throughout the process, I was supported by an exceptional coach and team members. That support continues today in the form of Alumni services, furthering illustrating Merits America's desire to catapult its students into their success. Their passion and tireless efforts exerted on behalf of their students are truly inspiring, and I consider myself fortunate to have been apart of a game-changing program such as this. - Ricky WongBusiness Intelligence Analyst • Graduate • Java Development • DallasVerified by LinkedInOct 05, 2020Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Upskilled
I've always worked hard at everything I do. But it seems that I was going around in circles at times, most likely due to the lack of direction. Merit America provided professional mentorship as well as technical skills training and guidance. Concatenate the helpful support provided by the knowledgeable team with your perseverance, and you have a beautiful equation. More than often a helping hand goes a long way, even when I didn't know I needed it. Merit America allowed me to grow into a...I've always worked hard at everything I do. But it seems that I was going around in circles at times, most likely due to the lack of direction. Merit America provided professional mentorship as well as technical skills training and guidance. Concatenate the helpful support provided by the knowledgeable team with your perseverance, and you have a beautiful equation. More than often a helping hand goes a long way, even when I didn't know I needed it. Merit America allowed me to grow into a version of myself more fitting for a career in the technology industry that I didn't think possible. - Sunzida BegGraduate • Java Development • DallasVerified by LinkedInOct 05, 2020Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Excellent program
I would like to thank the CEO and all staff in Merit America for organizing this excellent program. I graduated from Merit America in 2019. I was always looking for an opportunity to work in the technology field and was looking for an opportunity to learn some programs. In Merit America I have learned JAVA and other programs from experienced trainers, coaches, and mentors. In Merit America I have developed both technolog...I would like to thank the CEO and all staff in Merit America for organizing this excellent program. I graduated from Merit America in 2019. I was always looking for an opportunity to work in the technology field and was looking for an opportunity to learn some programs. In Merit America I have learned JAVA and other programs from experienced trainers, coaches, and mentors. In Merit America I have developed both technology and professional skills. Merit America created my strong base and now it is easy for me to find my path. I think it would be more helpful if students were given some pre-course materials and links to go over before the course starts to gain some knowledge in advance. - Cody OrtizCloud Specialist • Graduate • Java Development • DallasVerified by LinkedInOct 04, 2020Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Java Development
Merit America is an organization that truly believes in their mission of providing the necessary skills to experienced workers who are looking to gain an entry role into the technology industry. As a full-time husband and father, I had to prioritize my career at an early age and wasn't able to go after my 4-year degree like I intended to. I had always been interested in technology and programming, but I knew I would need a degree to get into the industry. Finding Merit America after I co...Merit America is an organization that truly believes in their mission of providing the necessary skills to experienced workers who are looking to gain an entry role into the technology industry. As a full-time husband and father, I had to prioritize my career at an early age and wasn't able to go after my 4-year degree like I intended to. I had always been interested in technology and programming, but I knew I would need a degree to get into the industry. Finding Merit America after I committed to pursuing an education in Computer Science, I thought the promise sounded too good to be true. I finally decided it was worth the shot, and I am so grateful I made that choice today. Not only did I gain the necessary technical skills through the program, but I also gained the professional skills needed to immediately begin contributing in my new role. I can't recommend the program enough to those that are looking to take a challenging, yet incredibly rewarding step on their path into the technology industry.
Merit America Alumni Outcomes
Recent Merit America News
Jess Feldman
Updated May 31, 2024
This May, training programs and nonprofits helping women, people of color, low-wage workers, and nonbinary folks make career changes into tech received extra support from investors, philanthropists, and regional government organizations. Numerous grants are now available to Canadians looking to gain technical skills, and a cybersecurity bootcamp announced it is now offering college credit. At...
Jess Feldman
Updated December 29, 2023
2023 was a bit of a rollercoaster year! We’re rounding up the most impactful news we saw about coding bootcamps in 2023. Follow along as we highlight 2023’s top trends and break down the year’s biggest coding bootcamp acquisition, fundraises, and initiatives. Plus, we’re sharing our predictions for 2024 — from tech hiring to AI skills to bootcamp tuition financing!
Course Report · 2023: T...
Jess Feldman
Updated November 26, 2024
Skills training in the classroom and on the job continues to gain steam in November. With the rise in apprenticeships, there’s also continued momentum behind skills-based hiring. In honor of Veteran’s Day, we share a few initiatives helping military veterans get into tech careers. Plus, read recent news in the Online Program Manager (OPM) world and find out which 6 new bootcamps we added to t...
Jess Feldman
Updated May 04, 2022
Course Report · April 2022 Coding Bootcamp News Roundup
We kicked off the month with a great April Fool’s Day joke from The Onion about Vice President Kamala Harris enrolling in a bootcamp with the hopes of getting an entry-level tech position. Joking aside, we saw more discussion around the merits of a coding bootcamp education over college, and if companies should fully drop the 4-year...
Liz Eggleston
Updated April 11, 2022
Brandon was working in gig jobs for Instacart and Doordash, but saw an entry point into tech through IT Support. He enrolled at Merit America to learn IT alongside his career coach and used the Success Sharing Agreement to avoid upfront tuition, balancing the remote program while continuing to work in New York. The career team at Merit America set Brandon up with an interview at Infosys, and ...
Jess Feldman
Updated March 01, 2022
Course Report · February 2022 Coding Bootcamp News Roundup
After months of reporting about federal funding for short-term programs, it looks like the next step has been made to open up Pell grants to training programs like bootcamps. We’re covering the debate among bootcamps about the benefits (and challenges) of publishing alumni job outcomes. Learn more about February’s largest acquisi...
Rachel Meltzer
Updated April 17, 2025
While many coding bootcamps are for-profit educational institutions, there are a handful of non-profit coding bootcamps that are on a mission to help career-changers break into tech! Some non-profit coding bootcamps are working to make the tech industry more diverse while others exist to uplift underserved communities and provide training for high-wage jobs. There are also coding bootcamps th...
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Merit America Alumni Reviews Summary
Based on 20+ Merit America alumni reviews on Course Report, alumni appreciate the program's practicality, support from coaches, and real-world skill application, especially in Java Development. One review directly states: "Merit America was a life-changing experience that helped me land my first tech job." However, some alumni expressed concerns about job placement and financial support post-completion.
Overall Experience
3.8
Instructors
4.1
Curriculum
3.9
Job Assistance
3.6
More Information
Guarantees Job
Job Assistance
Includes Housing
Offers Corporate Training
Accepts GI Bill
Recent Merit America News
By Jess Feldman
By Jess Feldman
By Jess Feldman
FAQs
How much does Merit America cost?
Merit America costs around $8,400. On the lower end, some Merit America courses like IT Support cost $5,700.
What courses does Merit America teach?
Merit America offers courses like Data Analytics, IT Support, Java Development.
Where does Merit America have campuses?
Merit America teaches students Online in a remote classroom.
Is Merit America worth it?
Merit America hasn't shared alumni outcomes yet, but one way to determine if a bootcamp is worth it is by reading alumni reviews. 39 Merit America alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Merit America on Course Report - you should start there!
Is Merit America legit?
We let alumni answer that question. 39 Merit America alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Merit America and rate their overall experience a 3.76 out of 5.
Does Merit America offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?
Right now, it doesn't look like Merit America offers scholarships or accepts the GI Bill. We're always adding to the list of schools that do offer Exclusive Course Report Scholarships and a list of the bootcamps that accept the GI Bill.
Can I read Merit America reviews?
You can read 39 reviews of Merit America on Course Report! Merit America alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Merit America and rate their overall experience a 3.76 out of 5.
Is Merit America accredited?
While bootcamps must be approved to operate, accreditation is relatively rare. Merit America doesn't yet share information about their accreditation status.