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Actualize

Average Rating4.93
612 Reviews
1 Course

Actualize is an online software engineering bootcamp focused on both full stack web development and AI engineering, the skills for building software on top of large language models. Instructors with professional educational experience teach students relevant technologies, including Python, FastAPI, Ruby, Rails, JavaScript, ReactJS, LLM APIs (from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Hugging Face), and LlamaIndex. Students learn core AI engineering techniques such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), evaluation frameworks (evals), AI agents, and LLM observability tools.

The Online Live classes are conducted in real time with video conferencing. Actualize integrates a “Job Hacking” curriculum focused on personal branding and networking — skills they view as equally essential as technical training.

To apply, students can submit an application via the website and then interview with an admissions advisor. There are no coding challenges, but students must complete 5 weeks of prework before the live training starts.

After the program, students can continue to work with the career advisors to help with the job search process.

612 Actualize Reviews

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  • Jeffrey Dean
    Jeffrey Dean
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Jul 26, 2024
    Overall Experience
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    Top Tier Experience!

    I did quite a bit of research on different camps and thankfully found Actualize at the last minute. With some of the contenders I just had this feeling like it may not be the best fit for me and everything I read about Actualize sounded great. I couldn't have been happier with my time at Actualize. The instruction is in a league of its own and the instructors know how to convey the information to every student (including those that do not come from a computer bootcamp like myself). The i...
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  • Aaron Riggs
    Aaron Riggs
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Jul 26, 2024
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    Good experience to refresh and grow

    Even though I had a degree in computer science I hadn't programmed in a couple years and found this program extremely helpful in refreshing my previous capabilities as well as learning some new languages/frameworks. The instructor was extremely helpful and it was structures in a great way to scaffold more and more experience into developing something great. 
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  • Zach Engel
    Zach Engel
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    May 10, 2024
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    An Amazing Bootcamp

    I was undecided if I wanted to join a bootcamp and had looked into many different ones. I decided on Actualize because of all the positive feedback from graduates, and now I can see why. Amanda was an amazing teacher and made learning fun with all the coding we got to do throughout the day and the TAs, Emily and Ann, helped out a ton with any questions we had or issues with code. A new instructor, Leon, took over near the end of the cohort and he was just as amazing and fit in perfectly ...
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  • Thomas Sandoval
    Thomas Sandoval
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    May 10, 2024
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    Fantastic Learning Experience at Actualize!


    My journey at Actualize Coding Bootcamp has been nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I enrolled, I was met with a supportive environment that fostered growth and learning.

    First and foremost, the instructors and teaching assistants deserve immense praise. Their dedication to our success was evident in every lecture, workshop, and one-on-one session. They were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly approachable, always ready to provide guidance and as...
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  • Karen Keen
    Karen Keen
    Student • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    May 10, 2024
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    Great Experience

    I am just finishing the course and am very happy with how much I have learned. The instructors and TA's are amazing---somehow they make the hours go quickly. Before beginning this course I expected to be bored while learning the material since the material is pretty dry. Instead, I was engaged and interested every day and (almost) wished that class was longer. There is a lot to understand about coding and I don't think it is fair to expect a class to take you from 0 to a professional dev...
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  • Andy Dietz
    Andy Dietz
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    May 10, 2024
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    Really great intro to web dev

    Overall I really enjoyed my experience with Actualize. I had next to no coding experience and loved the structure and overall curriculum of the bootcamp. I now feel like I have a great grasp on coding languages and feel confident learning other languages on my own. My only critique would be that I wish there was a little more time spent on other languages. The instructors were great and very helpful and the career resources are very valuable as well. Highly recommend!
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  • Stephanie Twardak
    Stephanie Twardak
    Graduate • Online
    Feb 16, 2024
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    Look, mom! I'm a coder!!!

    Joining Actualize has been a transformative decision for me and my career. The comprehensive curriculum was both challenging and rewarding. It equipped me with a solid foundation in both back-end and front-end development, preparing me for a diverse range of projects and roles in the tech industry and giving me the skills and confidence to learn new things.


    What truly set Actualize apart for me was the exceptional support and guidance provided by the instructors an...
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  • Van Wilson
    Van Wilson
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Jan 05, 2024
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    Amazing curriculum and people

    Actualize Bootcamp has a well-organized curriculum that progresses at the perfect pace. I never felt overwhelmed or bored by the coursework. Amanda, our instructor, was amazing! The cherry on top of the program is career counseling that continues after graduation.
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  • vishal patel
    vishal patel
    Student • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Jan 05, 2024
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    Learned lots with cool folks

    I loved my time here, it was super informative.  our instructor Amanda was the best and our ta's were super helpful.  It was a great experience to work through problems and learn about creating a fully functional web app with ruby and react.  I am really happy with my time here and would recommend it to anybody that's looking to learn
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  • Tori Keeling
    Tori Keeling
    Support Specialist • Student • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Chicago
    Nov 16, 2023
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    Extremely Happy I Chose Actualize

    I enrolled because of how highly my friend Joey, one of the instructors with Actualize, spoke of the class. I feel super grateful for the pre-work portion with Kevin. I felt prepared when the live classes started. The career counseling aspect was extremely informative and helpful, I was able to get promoted at my current job in tech before the bootcamp ended because of it. Thank you for all your help and insight Lisa! A highlight for me was the learning how to learn aspect. I am going to...
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  • Mason Ishee
    Mason Ishee
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Nov 16, 2023
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    Exceeded My Expectations

    I first chose Actualize based on good reviews and my initial interview with the advisor. I had zero prior experience with programming and wanted the best learning/challenging experience possible. The way this boot camp was set up with Prework and the actual course was phenomenal. It is beyond clear everyone here has done their research on best teaching practices and they give their all to the students. The instructors and career advisors care so much about the students and their success....
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  • John Tarleton Moore
    John Tarleton Moore
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Oct 13, 2023
    Overall Experience
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    Fantastic

    This was my second bootcamp and I loved it. The pacing was great and very beginner friendly. My instructor was Brian and he did a great job explaining/teaching everything. The structure of the program was also great. Would highly recommend Actualize if you are new to coding or want to take a deeper dive into it.
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  • Ariella G
    Ariella G
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Oct 10, 2023
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    Full Stack Web Development Course

    Actualize's slogan is "Educators first, developers second." I found this to really be true throughout the whole course, starting from pre-work all the way through building full stack apps. Everything was explained clearly and questions were encouraged and answered. The pace was perfectly timed, we learned concepts without even realizing it, we were given real life examples of what may happen on a job, the opportunity to work in groups and experience the power and skills necessary to work...
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  • Eli Hinshaw
    Eli Hinshaw
    Software Engineer • Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Jul 21, 2023
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    A Life-Changing Journey with Actualize!

    Choosing Actualize was the best decision I ever made for my career growth. From the moment I enrolled in the program, I knew I was in for something special. The experience was nothing short of transformative, pushing me beyond my limits and unlocking skills I never knew I had. I had been very secluded and personally kept to myself, prior to the camp. Actualize really helped me push myself both professionally and socially!

    The instructor I was provided at Actualize was exceptional,...
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  • Ian Thomas
    Ian Thomas
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Jul 21, 2023
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    Focused on your future

    I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the actualize bootcamp. Before classes started I had little to no knowledge on coding and upon graduating I felt FULLY capable of furthering myself into a software development career. Not only do they serve to teach you the basics needed to get into coding, but they also are heavily invested in your career. Long after the course is over they continue to work with you as far as job acquisition AND tech mentorship. Amazing value in this course
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  • Kimber Ogden
    Kimber Ogden
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Jun 16, 2023
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    Hands down the best learning experience!

    This course has not only taught the fundamental skills to be a developer, but also how to manage a good mental headspace. Not to mention supreme job hacking guidance.  I strongly suggest this course for anyone looking to switch careers. As they say, anyone can learn to code! I wouldn't have thought it possible if I didn't take the leap into this and I'm glad I did! I went from being a dog groomer and knowing nothing about coding to being able to build full-stack apps. Thank you to all at...
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  • Sam W
    Sam W
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    Jun 16, 2023
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    Game Changer!

    I couldn't be happier with my experience at Actualize. Making a career change is scary, but the approach to teaching and the support we're given throughout bootcamp and post graduation is absolutely incredible. I feel really thankful that I chose Actualize after doing a ton of research of different coding bootcamps to attend. Highly recommend to any prospective bootcamp attendees!
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  • Edward Minaya
    Edward Minaya
    Student • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Chicago
    May 19, 2023
    Overall Experience
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    Best Bootcamp

    Actualize provided a great structure that not only taught you the necessary skills for web development but also taught you how to learn. It prepares you very well to take on new challenges and to continue learning new technologies after the program is over. The support system was what made me pick actualize and it didn't disappoint. The cohorts are small the instructor and TAs were incredibly helpful and attentive to your learning needs. 
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  • Jamaal M. Harris
    Jamaal M. Harris
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Chicago
    May 18, 2023
    Overall Experience
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    N/A

    The change I needed.

    I didn't want to spend any more time working odd hours away from my family, so I did something. I decide that now was the time to change gears and change my mindset. Love the focus on the fundamentals of coding and the best practices to ensure you get a job.  The resources they organize and provide are fantastic and their instructors are great. Enrolling in this course was one of the more difficult decisions I made in terms of my career. However, it is one that I believe will end up bein...
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  • Micheal C. Fitzgerald
    Micheal C. Fitzgerald
    Graduate • AI + Fullstack Engineering • Online
    May 18, 2023
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    The Best Experience Ever!

    I interviewed with a lot of coding bootcamps and Actualize was the only one that didn't feel like a people mill. They actually invest you beyond class hours. Every single one. Instructors and Career Advisors. My teacher, Katherine, was nothing short of amazing. Even the CEO was available to me to ask questions! and class sizes were kept small(less than 8 to a teacher). What other school could you attend with this kind of individualized care? 
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Actualize Alumni Outcomes

Recent Actualize News

Jess Feldman
Jess Feldman
Updated December 01, 2025
As a response to the COVID pandemic in 2020, most in-person bootcamps quickly transitioned to online or remote classrooms. In 2025, hybrid classrooms and immersive online learning continue to be popular, but in-person bootcamp options are available again. If you’ve been waiting for an in-person classroom to start your career change, then here are the 33 in-person coding bootcamps with campuse...
Jess Feldman
Jess Feldman
Updated December 01, 2025
Oh Summer, one of the best seasons of the year! While it’s a time to relax, bask in the sun, and plan trips with family and friends, summer is also an awesome time to learn. If you’re a current student, teacher, or professional looking to learn to code, a summer bootcamp is a great opportunity to learn to code in a short time frame. Various coding bootcamps offer summer courses to help you la...
Liz Eggleston
Liz Eggleston
Updated December 04, 2024
The landscape of online coding bootcamps is vast – ranging from $30/month subscriptions to full-time bootcamps that cost around $20,000. And many online coding programs now offer Income Share Agreements (ISA), which adds another layer of complexity when comparing online coding bootcamp costs. In addition to flexibility, remote code bootcamps cost less than in-person bootcamps – the average on...
Imogen Crispe
Imogen Crispe
Updated November 29, 2018
This November has been super busy in the immersive coding education world, and at Course Report! We read about how Amazon’s new headquarters will impact the coding bootcamps in New York City, we celebrated successful coding bootcamp grads, we were sad to hear that a school is closing, we heard advice for being successful at bootcamp, and found out about new initiatives to improve diversity ...
Lauren Stewart
Lauren Stewart
Updated October 21, 2020
Jay Wengrow founded part-time web development bootcamp and apprenticeship program Actualize in Chicago in 2014 to make learning to code efficient and accessible. Now the coding bootcamp has campuses in New York and San Francisco, and in June 2017 they are launching their new online part-time program to further reduce barriers to entry into tech. We asked Jay about the format of the new onli...
Imogen Crispe
Imogen Crispe
Updated December 04, 2024
  How do you get a job after coding bootcamp if you have no relevant, real-world work experience? Only 1.4% of bootcampers have worked as developers in the past, but most career-changers have little – if any– client experience when they start looking for a developer job. Some bootcamps help students overcome this hurdle by offering opportunities to work for the bootcamp itself, or with ...
Imogen Crispe
Imogen Crispe
Updated March 31, 2016
Luke was ready to make the transition from chemical engineer to software engineer, but wasn’t ready to quit his full-time job. He found part-time coding bootcamp Anyone Can Learn to Code in San Francisco, learned to code while working full-time, then got real-world experience in his apprenticeship with The Difference Engine- an opportunity that ACLTC guarantees all its grads. Luke tells us th...
Kassia Shishkoff
Kassia Shishkoff
Updated October 21, 2020
If you’re determined to learn to code, there are a lot of factors you should consider when deciding how to accomplish your goal. What sort of budget do you have for the tools you might need? How much free time do you have, or are you willing to make? Do you want to quit your job and learn full-time? Another factor to consider is your own style of learning. Kassia Shishkoff of Anyone Ca...
Liz Eggleston
Liz Eggleston
Updated February 03, 2016
Thinking about applying to Anyone Can Learn to Code? The part-time Chicago programming bootcamp just opened a new campus in San Francisco and is a great option for career-oriented bootcampers who can't quit their day jobs quite yet.  But not everyone is accepted into Anyone Can Learn to Code, so what can you do to ace the interview? We're covering the A...
Nick Toscano
Nick Toscano
Updated April 30, 2019
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Harry Hantel
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Updated May 05, 2015
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Jess Feldman
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Updated October 24, 2025
While quitting your job and diving headfirst into your coding education can yield impressive results, we also understand that not everybody can commit to a full-time, 12-week programming bootcamp. Jobs, school, families - life, in general, can prevent that kind of commitment. For all the students who can’t give 40 hours a week to a code school, we’re outlining some part-time web development b...
Liz Eggleston
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Updated February 08, 2021
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Liz Eggleston
Liz Eggleston
Updated December 01, 2014
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Liz Eggleston
Liz Eggleston
Updated January 23, 2014
Anyone Can Learn To Code, based in Chicago, launches in June 2014, and can turn you into a web developer in 12 weeks.  The best news?  You don't even have to quit your job.   We talk to founder Jay Wengrow about his background in tech and education, his choice to teach beyond "Vanilla" Rails, and how focused Chicago students can learn to code without leaving ...

Actualize Alumni Reviews Summary

Overall Experience
4.9
Instructors
5.0
Curriculum
4.9
Job Assistance
4.8
Write A Review
More Information
Guarantees Job
Job Assistance
Includes Housing
Offers Corporate Training
Accepts GI Bill
Licensing
No
FAQs

How much does Actualize cost?

Actualize costs around $16,900.

What courses does Actualize teach?

Actualize offers courses like AI + Fullstack Engineering.

Where does Actualize have campuses?

Actualize teaches students Online in a remote classroom.

Is Actualize worth it?

Actualize hasn't shared alumni outcomes yet, but one way to determine if a bootcamp is worth it is by reading alumni reviews. 612 Actualize alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Actualize on Course Report - you should start there!

Is Actualize legit?

We let alumni answer that question. 612 Actualize alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Actualize and rate their overall experience a 4.93 out of 5.

Does Actualize offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?

Right now, it doesn't look like Actualize 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 Actualize reviews?

You can read 612 reviews of Actualize on Course Report! Actualize alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Actualize and rate their overall experience a 4.93 out of 5.

Is Actualize accredited?

No

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