The Tech Academy
The Tech Academy is a trade school headquartered in Portland, Oregon that offers full-time and part-time bootcamps online and in-person at their Portland campus.The Tech Academy offers bootcamps in computer programming, website development, cybersecurity, game development, mobile development, data science, and front-end development. The immersive experience aims to create well-rounded technology professionals, and also gives students the option to take the course at their own pace. There are also no set starts dates or rigid scheduling. Students can enroll at any time, study from home, and choose whatever study schedule they would like.
The Tech Academy’s bootcamps cover topics including computer science fundamentals, programming basics, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, C#, Python, Bootstrap, jQuery, React.js, project management, Agile, Scrum, MVC, version control, Java, and more. Each bootcamp also includes a Live Project, where students gain real-life experience to add to their resume as well as job placement assistance.
None of The Tech Academy's bootcamps require any tech background or experience. To apply, applicants need to take an IQ test with logic-based questions (to ensure applicants can read, write and perform basic math), followed by an admissions interview.
The final part of every The Tech Academy bootcamp is the Job Placement Course which covers interviewing skills, resume writing, where to find tech jobs, and gives students access to job placement staff who assist students in landing technical positions.
407 The Tech Academy Reviews
D.M.StudentFeb 09, 2016Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob AssistanceThorough Curriculum
Although I haven't yet completed the program, so far I have really understood what I am studying. Sometimes I can forget what I was reading when I intake too much data at once, but there are coding challenges that have let me practice and thus retain what I have learned.
- AnonymousGraduate • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandSep 16, 2015Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's a reason that The Tech Academy has a 100% job placement rate. Actually, there are a ton of reasons! If you really want to learn what you need to get a job in this industry, this is the place!!!
- AndrewGraduate • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandFeb 04, 2016Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Exceeded Expectations
To start things off, I would like to say that the experience here has been phenomenal. The entire staff, the flexible scheduling, course work layout, lessons, and teaching style has been nothing short of great.
I came to this school with zero prior knowledge on sofware development. I came from a dental background. Starting off with computer basics, it was a good course for me to get my feet wet within the computer world. They have laid out the courses in a great way that makes s...
To start things off, I would like to say that the experience here has been phenomenal. The entire staff, the flexible scheduling, course work layout, lessons, and teaching style has been nothing short of great.
I came to this school with zero prior knowledge on sofware development. I came from a dental background. Starting off with computer basics, it was a good course for me to get my feet wet within the computer world. They have laid out the courses in a great way that makes sense and logical for the students to learn.
Moving through the courses in succession is a great sensation. I never would have thought I'd learn this much about software development. Definitely not possible on my own without The Tech Academy. Learning both front-end and back-end development is a great way to make yourself a well-rounded developer.
Funny thing is, I landed a job at a fantastic location before even finishing the entire program. Now I am making a salary for the first time in my life and taking over my household as the main income provider (I'm only 24 years old). I couldn't have been more thankful for enrolling here. It is life changing and great relationships were built.
- Coderdev • Graduate • OnlineSep 08, 2016Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Got a job!
The main reason I attended this boot camp was to land a coding job. Here's my experience:
1. It started with talking with the Registration staff about the program. They were helpful and not pushy (which I appreciated). I wasn't into the entry testing but I did it and passed.
2. The first course was computer basics. For me this was beneficial because I hadn't written code before. The first 2 or 3 courses really helped me understand computers and programming a...
The main reason I attended this boot camp was to land a coding job. Here's my experience:
1. It started with talking with the Registration staff about the program. They were helpful and not pushy (which I appreciated). I wasn't into the entry testing but I did it and passed.
2. The first course was computer basics. For me this was beneficial because I hadn't written code before. The first 2 or 3 courses really helped me understand computers and programming and I felt more confident that I could learn coding.
3. Most of the rest of the classes were on coding (Python, JavaScript, C#). It went pretty smoothly but there were some rough patches. The instructors helped out when I needed it. I had to wait a couple times but most of the time help was instantaneous.
4. The live project was awesome. I got to help on an app they were making and it allowed me to use some of my skills and I found out I had a bit more to learn... It was nice to do a real life project.
5. Finally, I got into the job placement section. They have a short class on job placement and a job placement director to help students. At first I had thought that I would just be handed a job but this wasn't the case. I had to apply at various places and it was rough for me because I'd never had a tech job before. Luckily the school helped me out a lot and after 3 weeks I got hired.
I am now making three times what I made before going to The Tech Academy. Anyways, I basically went from never coding to having a coding job. I am glad I went here. There you go
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Oct 24, 2016
Wow! Your jump in pay-grade is very impressive. So happy to hear that you had an overall positive experience here, and that you ultimately achieved what you wanted to and now you're coding for a living. Congrats to you! Thank you for the review! - JesseGraduate • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandSep 02, 2016Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Great SQL Course
The course on SQL was my favorite. It's a very well-designed curriculum. I went from knowing very little to being very confident of my knowledge and skills. I like the focus on actual practice to build skills.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 30, 2016
Hi Jesse! Thank you for the review. Yeah, a lot of people going into development don't realize how important it is to know databases. No matter what you're doing, you're bound to have to deal with databases here and there, if not every single day! And not all coding boot camps teach you about coding. So, yes, emphasis definitely is put on the essentials you will need in a real world. - AnonymousApplicant • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandSep 08, 2016Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Seems Legit
I recently attended an open house hosted by The Tech Academy. More than anything, they seem to genuinely WANT every student to succeed. They literally have staff members that are available at virtually all times to assist students when they need help (Each one has completed the course him/herself as well). I think that's critical for students. At the open-house I was able to speak with quite a few graduates who spoke very highly of this program. I'm not surprised to see all the 5-star rati...
I recently attended an open house hosted by The Tech Academy. More than anything, they seem to genuinely WANT every student to succeed. They literally have staff members that are available at virtually all times to assist students when they need help (Each one has completed the course him/herself as well). I think that's critical for students. At the open-house I was able to speak with quite a few graduates who spoke very highly of this program. I'm not surprised to see all the 5-star ratings.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Oct 24, 2016
Glad to hear you made it to one of our Open Houses! We have them every Friday afternoon, so feel free to come to another! - Bill SGraduate • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandJul 04, 2016Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
I have accepted a job offer as a web developer for one of Portland's largest employers
I had been working in the semiconductor industry for most of a decade when I learned about The Tech Academy. I had known about code schools for a couple of years and was intrigued by the idea, but I didn't know that they had begun opening inPortland. I had become dissatisfied with my career and I have always enjoyed working with computers, so after researching some of the local schools I chose to quit my job and enroll in The Tech Academy. I chose The Tech Academy because of its focus on t...
I had been working in the semiconductor industry for most of a decade when I learned about The Tech Academy. I had known about code schools for a couple of years and was intrigued by the idea, but I didn't know that they had begun opening inPortland. I had become dissatisfied with my career and I have always enjoyed working with computers, so after researching some of the local schools I chose to quit my job and enroll in The Tech Academy. I chose The Tech Academy because of its focus on the .NET framework and the flexibility of its schedule.
The Tech Academy's curriculum is very well thought out because it does not assume a student has a background in computer science or programming. Although a lot of the Computer Basics Course was a review for me, it was a useful review that I needed. Each course in the program builds on what a student has already learned. Along with all the computer languages and database work, students also learn the basics of project management as well as the skills they need to write a quality resume and stand out during a job interview.
All of the instructors I met were friendly and wanted me to succeed. If I asked a question they did not know the answer to, they admitted it instead of telling me something that was wrong. They also encourage students to attend Meetups so we can meet people that are working in the industry and learn about all of the different kinds of work in which we can get involved.
I have accepted a job offer as a web developer for one of Portland's largest employers and it was only possible with the skills I learned at The Tech Academy. For the first time in a while, I feel positive about my future. Thank you.
- AnonymousApplicant • OnlineApr 02, 2016Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob AssistanceN/A
I reiterate the mind games
I had the exact same experience as the other person that spoke of the mind games. However I left a review several months back that appears to have been deleted. So I will repost. You are given a Scientology personality test (first red flag) and also an IQ test. They then call you back and tell you you have a personality flaw but did great on the IQ test, so they are willing to make an exception so long as you sign their waiver. The basics of the waiver are that you cannot ask for a refund...I had the exact same experience as the other person that spoke of the mind games. However I left a review several months back that appears to have been deleted. So I will repost. You are given a Scientology personality test (first red flag) and also an IQ test. They then call you back and tell you you have a personality flaw but did great on the IQ test, so they are willing to make an exception so long as you sign their waiver. The basics of the waiver are that you cannot ask for a refund of any amount, which actually violates Oregon law, and that you cannot in any way speak negatively about the company or the program on any social media. Just as the other person said, this basically means the school has zero responsibility to the student, and should things not go well, for whatever reason, tough luck. And if you speak negatively about us in any way, expect a lawsuit. I obviously cannot speak to the actual program because I wasn't in any way willing to play their game or sign such a ridiculous contract. No one in their right mind would sign such a document. Caveat emptor. Let's see how long it takes for this review to be deleted.Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 29, 2016
I'm sorry that we did not accept you into our school. There are plenty of other boot camps out there that you may be able to attend.
However, I would like to clarify one thing. You mentioned that we have students sign a waiver that they will never write a negative review. I want to clarify this: we have students take entry testing. One of the purposes of this testing is to locate negative personality types that are hyper-critical and will cause problems on the program. A couple years ago, one of our Registration Directors (Morgan) was using a "loophole" for students that failed entry testing. He created a waiver that protected the school from potentially problematic students and it included in it that these students that failed our entry testing would not attack the school publicly (since it was already clear from their entry testing and our experiences with them that they were highly critical). Very few people ever signed the waiver and our Co-Founder canceled its use over a year ago (I estimate only 10 out of the 300+ people we've signed up ever signed it). None of the reviews on this site are from one of the very few students that signed this waiver. - Dennis KravetsJnr dev • Graduate • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandJun 21, 2016Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Completing this program has landed me a job with a well-known company
The Tech Academy has been one of the best choices that I could have made for furthering my education. Going through multiple jobs in multiple fields really put a perspective on what I wanted to do for a career and I know It was with coding and software developing. With The Tech Academy I was able to accomplish this in a faster, more cost effective way without the extra classes that didn't relate to my studies! I was able to go through the courses at my own fast pace and really get a ...
The Tech Academy has been one of the best choices that I could have made for furthering my education. Going through multiple jobs in multiple fields really put a perspective on what I wanted to do for a career and I know It was with coding and software developing. With The Tech Academy I was able to accomplish this in a faster, more cost effective way without the extra classes that didn't relate to my studies! I was able to go through the courses at my own fast pace and really get a true understanding for the fundamentals. Each course that you go through gives incorporates the past ones so you don't forget and you see real life applications of using it. Completing this program has landed me a job with a well known company making an awesome salary! It even gave me the knowledge to start my own business on the side to help other business owners with their websites! Many thanks to The Tech Academy for doing what they do with highly qualified instructors that help you along every step of the way.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 29, 2016
Wow! I would say this is the quintessential success coming from one of the graduates of the Tech Academy. Thank you so much for sharing your win, and very well done on your part on making things go right to be in the career you want. - Archana MGraduate • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandJul 06, 2016Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
The live project helped me get hired!
I joined The Tech Academy in November 2015 aiming to switch my career to software development from a background in Electrical Engineering and many long years of voluntary work. I had sensed that the growing tech community in the city would be a great opportunity to be hired as a Software Developer. I had been checking out several options and ultimately decided to join Tech Academy because of the curriculum that covered web development using Microsoft Technologies. The se...
I joined The Tech Academy in November 2015 aiming to switch my career to software development from a background in Electrical Engineering and many long years of voluntary work. I had sensed that the growing tech community in the city would be a great opportunity to be hired as a Software Developer. I had been checking out several options and ultimately decided to join Tech Academy because of the curriculum that covered web development using Microsoft Technologies. The self-paced learning environment was another selling point. Although I was aware of some aspects of software development, it was during the bootcamp training that I got to learn and understand a lot more. I believe I gained a solid foundation on the basics as a result of my training at The Tech Academy.
The way the course is designed was of great benefit to me as it helped me to get a firm grip on programming basics starting with terms and abbreviations and then moving on to more complex topics such as databases, data structures, Object Oriented Programming concepts and layered architecture. The video tutorials, starting from WordPress and version control to actual full-stack development using .NET, the follow-along exercises and the short drills at the end of each topic also were very helpful.
The job placement course with the short videos on etiquette and soft skills, resume and cover letter preparation and mock-interview drills helped me to be interview-ready.
Working on live projects was very useful for me, as it prepared me to get a foretaste of what to expect in the real world of programming. In addition to practice in solving technical challenges, I experienced how it would be to work in a team, collaborate, communicate status, and complete tasks in a deadline-driven environment. In fact, in my job interview the focus was on the live project and my contribution in it which eventually helped me get hired!
I want to express my gratitude to the team of instructors at Tech Academy who helped me throughout the course and for encouraging me to never give up but keep on persevering. The journey was long and hard but it was worth the whole time. My experience here taught me a lot that has, I believe, helped me not only secure my first programming job, but will also help in building a career in software development.
- JDev • Graduate • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandJun 04, 2016Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
I now am a nerd
Prior to The Tech Academy, I could operate a computer alright. Type documents, send emails, use Facebook, etc. I never considered myself a nerd and when I heard programmers talking I wanted to fall asleep.
But I was attracted to learning coding because I thought I could do well at it and it pays well. I tried some self-training and crashed and burned. The data was way over my head and I didn't know what to study.
My friend told me about boot camps and I re...
Prior to The Tech Academy, I could operate a computer alright. Type documents, send emails, use Facebook, etc. I never considered myself a nerd and when I heard programmers talking I wanted to fall asleep.
But I was attracted to learning coding because I thought I could do well at it and it pays well. I tried some self-training and crashed and burned. The data was way over my head and I didn't know what to study.
My friend told me about boot camps and I researched a few. I chose The Tech Academy for two reasons: 1. Their staff was friendly, helpful and nice and 2. Their curriculum looked more thorough than other schools.
Four months later, I can now code in seven languages and I have my highest ever paying job.
The program was laid out in a great sequence so nothing was too over my head but at the same time it was challenging. The Instructors and job placement staff were amazing and I couldn't have finished without them.
I'm now working in tech and totally couldn't have done it without these guys. Anyways, that's my story - hope it helps
- Chris CarterSoftware Developer • Graduate • Software Developer Bootcamp • PortlandJun 06, 2016Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
It was fun!
Twelve weeks ago, I began my studies at The Tech Academyand next week I begin an intellectually challenging job, developing software for one of the biggest names in I.T.!
Software development is a great field to be a part of: it is creative, intellectually rich, full of dynamic people, and in high demand. Plus it's fun! Changing careers has been an exciting process, and I can now say that my training at The Tech Academy has clearly given me the foundation I need to be successfu...
Twelve weeks ago, I began my studies at The Tech Academyand next week I begin an intellectually challenging job, developing software for one of the biggest names in I.T.!
Software development is a great field to be a part of: it is creative, intellectually rich, full of dynamic people, and in high demand. Plus it's fun! Changing careers has been an exciting process, and I can now say that my training at The Tech Academy has clearly given me the foundation I need to be successful.
The three greatest merits of The Tech Academy are the Job Placement resources, the Live Project experience, and the selfpaced structure. When I refer to Job Placement resources, I don't mean that The Tech Academy sets you up with prospective employers—which will be a disappointment to some prospective students. But the Academy brings in speakers each week, which introduced me to the recruiter who worked so amazingly to place me. I also got great advice in the Job Placement course, which gave me a terrific looking resume and got me in the right forums. Most importantly, the weekly technical Round Tables prepared me specifically for my interview, which was quite technical.
The Live Project gave me the crucial experience I could point to, using the very technologies that are most in-demand. That, of course, is by its design, because the projects are real contracts from the I .T. marketplace. And unlike an internship, where one could potentially be placed in a niche doing entry-level tasks, I worked on the full functional breadth of a large website.
The selfpaced structure of The Tech Academy is its great two-edged sword. It allowed me to start immediately, and to devote myself fully to progressing. In the timeframe that I would be waiting to start the next course at another bootcamp, I was able to complete the Tech Academy curriculum and move on to putting my skills to work.
The self-pacing also allowed me to take sidetrips for a few minutesor a few daysto more fully understand various concepts that I was introduced to in the courses. I would not have passed my technical interview if I had not done this. Although we covered the concept early on, I revisited database normalization repeatedly throughout my training before I really understood it. I spent an extra hour studying garbage collection in .NET, and I spent two days understanding delegates, event handling and the associated Observer Pattern. I was quizzed on all of these topics, so that was certainly time well spent!
To make the curriculum at The Tech Academy work, though, students have to be selfmotivated to a great degree. You will get out what you put in. One of the beautiful things about a self-paced program is that it accommodates competing priorities in peoples' lives—but it is also possible to lose momentum. So you have to maintain the energy. You also have the responsibility for really learning the material. The Tech Academy curriculum is like a freeway—it will get you across the country, but if you just race across the freeway as fast as you can, you haven't seen the country.
You have to pull over at the historical markers and read the plaques. It certainly worked for me, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at The Tech Academy for all their hard work and their assistance! It was a lot of work, and a lot of fun.
Danny Condon of The Tech Academy
Lead Job Placement Director
Sep 29, 2016
Chris, thank you so much for your review! I have to say, you were the picture-perfect student and example here at the Tech Academy! Very well done on your studiousness, and on all of the hard work and effort you put into making this go right. And thank you for sharing your successful tips at one of our Technical Interview practice sessions. Keep up the good work, and we'd love to have you back here again for a Friday Tech Talk!
The Tech Academy Alumni Outcomes
| Employed in-field | 70.1% |
| Full-time employee | 70.1% |
| Full-time apprenticeship, internship or contract position | 0.0% |
| Short-term contract, part-time, or freelance | 0.0% |
| Started a new company or venture after graduation | 0.0% |
| Not seeking in-field employment | 11.2% |
| Employed out-of-field | 2.8% |
| Continuing to higher education | 4.7% |
| Not seeking a job for health, family, or personal reasons | 3.8% |
| Still seeking job in-field | 8.5% |
| Could not contact | 10.2% |
Recent The Tech Academy News
The Tech Academy Alumni Reviews Summary
How much does The Tech Academy cost?
The Tech Academy costs around $14,000. On the lower end, some The Tech Academy courses like Self-Paced Front-End Web Developer Boot Camp cost $1,800.
What courses does The Tech Academy teach?
The Tech Academy offers courses like Online C# and .NET Framework Boot Camp (full-time), Online C# and .NET Framework Boot Camp (part-time), Online Cyber Security Boot Camp (full-time), Online Cyber Security Boot Camp (part-time) and 29 more.
Where does The Tech Academy have campuses?
The Tech Academy has in-person campuses in Portland. The Tech Academy also has a remote classroom so students can learn online.
Is The Tech Academy worth it?
The data says yes! The Tech Academy reports a 72% graduation rate, a median salary of $54,000 and 85% of The Tech Academy alumni are employed. The Tech Academy hasn't shared alumni outcomes yet, but one way to determine if a bootcamp is worth it is by reading alumni reviews. 407 The Tech Academy alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed The Tech Academy on Course Report - you should start there!
Is The Tech Academy legit?
We let alumni answer that question. 407 The Tech Academy alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed The Tech Academy and rate their overall experience a 4.85 out of 5.
Does The Tech Academy offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?
Right now, it doesn't look like The Tech Academy 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 The Tech Academy reviews?
You can read 407 reviews of The Tech Academy on Course Report! The Tech Academy alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed The Tech Academy and rate their overall experience a 4.85 out of 5.
Is The Tech Academy accredited?
We are a licensed trade school through the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (and other state licensing bodies), authorized to certify students in coding and other technical professions.