Springboard vs General Assembly

What is Springboard?

Springboard teaches through a project-based curriculum that is set up to let students work around their schedules. Cohorts start monthly, and although it is a self-paced program, accountability measures include setting weekly goals with a mentor. Each career track has a job placement guarantee, and students will get the opportunity to practice interview skills, build a portfolio, and polish their resume.

Highlights: Most students dedicate 20 hours each week to coursework. Classes are online and asynchronous, so students work from anywhere and at their own pace. The curriculum is designed around real-world projects so students will gain first-hand experience with technical skills. Springboard's tuition includes access to student advisors, personal mentors, career coaches, and a peer community for networking. Some programs require prerequisites, such as professional work experience.

Financing/scholarship options: Full tuition varies depending on the program, but payment options include a monthly installment plan, a deferred tuition option, or a credit loan. Scholarships are available for women and veterans. Some programs grant a tuition refund if all terms are met and an individual is not offered employment in the field within six months.

What makes Springboard unique?

Springboard has free learning tutorials in UX Design, Python, digital marketing, search engine optimization, mobile application development, and a bootcamp in business analytics. Springboard also hosts an annual conference for students, alumni, and mentors to connect.

What is General Assembly?

General Assembly has over 30 campuses spanning six countries and has part-time, full-time, and online course options. Programs are designed to teach in-demand skills for the global tech industry. General Assembly works with 19,000+ hiring partners and offers graduates a dynamic alumni network.

Highlights: Students in immersive programs receive additional benefits including job search support and networking opportunities. General Assembly also provides a free online learning platform called Dash where students can find a collection of introductory live streams in data analytics, HTML, JavaScript, digital marketing, UX design, and more. Remote versions of General Assembly's programs use Zoom and Slack, so students attend virtual classes in real-time.

Financing/scholarship options: Individuals in full-time, immersive programs have access to tuition installment plans, loans, and other financing options including an income share agreement (ISA). General Assembly works with current employers to sponsor employee education, and the company's Social Impact team assists participants in identifying scholarship opportunities.

What makes General Assembly unique?

General Assembly provides students with an extensive alumni network and active partnerships with major tech companies. Graduates from General Assembly programs have gone on to secure employment at Google, Microsoft, and IBM. There are also free events and workshops for individuals seeking more information.