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February 25, 2025

Springboard vs. CareerFoundry: Cost, Curriculum & Job Outcomes Compared

Choosing the Right UX Bootcamp: What Really Matters?

If you're serious about starting a career in UX, you've likely come across Springboard and CareerFoundry. Both promise to take you from beginner to job-ready UX designer, but which one is the better fit for you?

Instead of just comparing numbers, let's dive into what really matters for your learning experience, job prospects, and budget. We'll cover curriculum, mentorship, career support, and pricing—and by the end, you'll have a clear idea of which one is right for you.

Who Should Choose Springboard vs. CareerFoundry?

Every UX bootcamp has a unique approach, so let's start by breaking down who each one is best for:

Springboard

✅ Best for: Career changers who want a structured, mentor-led experience with a job guarantee.
✅ Key Features: 1-on-1 mentorship, flexible online schedule, and real-world projects.
✅ Ideal if: You prefer self-paced learning but want strong career support to land a UX job.

CareerFoundry

✅ Best for: Those looking for a project-based approach with hands-on feedback.
✅ Key Features: Personal mentor + tutor, real-world portfolio work, and a job guarantee.
✅ Ideal if: You want a guided learning path with structured deadlines and accountability.

💡 Still unsure? Check out our Remote UX Job Board to see the types of jobs these bootcamps can help you land!

Curriculum & Learning Experience

The curriculum is where the two schools differ the most. Let's break it down:

Springboard Curriculum

Self-paced, mentor-led courses.
Covers UX research, wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and usability testing.
Includes real-world projects that build your portfolio.
Requires job-ready portfolio completion for certification.

CareerFoundry Curriculum

More structured, with deadlines and progress tracking.
Covers UX fundamentals, UI design, prototyping, and front-end basics.
Includes two portfolio projects reviewed by a mentor.
Offers specialization tracks like UI for UX Designers or Voice Design.

👉 Which One is Better? If you prefer structured learning with deadlines, CareerFoundry (affiliate link) is a great choice. If you need flexibility but still want mentorship, Springboard may suit you better.

Career Support & Job Outcomes

One of the biggest reasons to join a UX bootcamp is to land a job. So how do these two compare?

Springboard Career Support

✅ 1-on-1 Career Coaching (resume, LinkedIn, portfolio reviews).
✅ Job Guarantee: Get a UX job within 6 months or your tuition is refunded.
✅ Real Client Work: You work on an actual industry project for your portfolio.

CareerFoundry Career Support

✅ Dedicated Mentor + Tutor: One reviews work, the other answers daily questions.
✅ Job Guarantee: Same as Springboard—if no job in 6 months, get a refund.
✅ Career Services: Includes networking support and job application help.

👉 Which One is Better? Both offer job guarantees, but Springboard's real-world project experience may give you an edge in job applications.

Cost & Payment Options

Pricing is a major factor when choosing a bootcamp. Here's how they compare:

Springboard Pricing

Full Tuition: $7,900
Monthly Plan: $1,690/month
Deferred Tuition: Pay after landing a job
Financing Available? Yes

CareerFoundry Pricing

Full Tuition: $7,505
Monthly Plan: Starts at $1,400/month
Deferred Tuition: No
Financing Available? Yes

👉 Which One is Better? Springboard is slightly more expensive, but its deferred tuition option is a big plus if you can’t pay upfront.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?

Feature	Springboard	CareerFoundry
Best For	Career changers who need flexibility & mentorship	Learners who want structure & hands-on guidance
Curriculum	Self-paced, mentor-led	Structured with deadlines & feedback
Real Projects?	Yes, industry projects	Yes, two mentor-reviewed projects
Career Support	1-on-1 career coaching, job guarantee	Mentor + tutor, job guarantee
Cost	$7,900 (deferred tuition available)	$7,505 (no deferred tuition)
Job Guarantee?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

Alternative UX Learning Paths

If neither bootcamp feels like the right fit, here are other UX learning options:

🔹 Bootcamps: Programs like Designlab (affiliate link) also offer UX mentorship and job support.
🔹 Self-Study: Platforms like Interaction Design Foundation (IDF) and Nielsen Norman Group (NNG) offer great UX theory courses.
🔹 University Degrees: If you want a formal education, a degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) could be an option.

No matter which path you take, UX is a field full of opportunities. Start learning, build your portfolio, and check out remote UX job opportunities on UX Remote Talent! 🚀

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