10 Free Coding Classes in NYC

Last updated: June 2024

Whether you already have programming experience or are preparing for a career change, NYC-area residents interested in honing their programming skills have a lot of options. New York is an established and growing tech hub, and a number of New York City organizations offer free, localized courses and programming exchange opportunities.

Read on for a list of 10 coding workshops, classes, and meetups in NYC where aspiring programmers can learn SQL, JavaScript, app development, data science, machine learning, and more—all without breaking the bank.

Learn to Code – 10 Free Coding Classes in NYC

1. Fullstack Academy’s Intro to Coding

Experience level: Beginner

Languages: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more

This intro to coding course by Fullstack Academy enables you to learn the fundamental concepts of programming. Designed for beginners, a series of self-paced learning videos and practical coding challenges in this course will equip you with the necessary skills to start your coding career.

Additionally, various free events like Fullstack Academy events provide introductions to Fullstack Academy's bootcamps and offer interview preparation guidance and job-search strategies.

2. New York Public Library: Project Code

Experience level: Beginner

Languages: Python, HTML, CSS, and more

The Tech Connect program at the New York Public Library offers more than 80 technology classes throughout the year at locations in virtually every borough. You can register for free Project Code workshops to learn Python, HTML, and other core programming skills.

For those interested in more in-depth training, the library also offers a free 12-week Phase 2 program every spring and fall that teaches the basics of JavaScript and React for front-end web development.

All students who complete the courses will receive a Project Code certificate and will be armed with new additions to their web development resume.

3. Noble Desktop Seminars

Experience level: Beginner

Languages: Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and more

Noble Desktop offers coding bootcamps on data science and web development basics—including in-person and virtual courses focused on mobile and responsive design, WordPress, Fintech, and much more. Although its bootcamps cost money, Noble Desktop offers free seminars both at their NYC campus and online. Check out its free events and resources here!

Below are some of the free coding meetups in NYC:

4. NYC Codecademy Meetup

Run by the good folks at the popular (and free) learn-to-code site Codecademy, this group gives Codecademy users the opportunity to meet in person to discuss their progress, address questions, and work on supplementary projects in groups. Check its Meetup page for upcoming dates.

5. Code Crew Meetup

Code Crew meetup group brings together coders, designers, and entrepreneurs in NYC who aspire to learn how to code. This meetup group organizes various coding classes, and workshops and offers courses on programming concepts. They cover a range of programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and many more. They help the coding aspirants in NYC get a structured learning experience.

6. New York Code and Coffee Meetup

The New York Code and Coffee meetup group organizes a series of coding meetups for dev-curious, aspiring, and experienced programming professionals. As they encourage individuals of all skill levels to participate, it provides a great platform for young programming aspirants to network and learn fast. This group helps individuals progress on their coding side projects and even gain insights into the coding jobs and companies they’re interviewing for.

7. Hacker Hours Meetup

The Hacker Hours group is a great resource for beginner and intermediate-level programmers. They host informal “office hours” events at multiple locations around the city on various days of the week. Simply attend one of its events, bring your projects or lessons along with you, and ask for help from an organizer if you get stuck. It’s the perfect place to be productive, discover new dev resources, and make coding friends!

Event times and locations can be found on its Meetup page.

8. League of Women Coders

League of Women Coders is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting female software developers. It likens itself to “a book club for superhero women coders,” and hosts “cupcakes and code” events where you can hack the night away or get help with the new language you’re learning.

Whether you are working with Python, Java, C, Perl, Haskell, Bash, PHP, or Coq, you can expect to find a supportive community and tasty snacks to help you get that next line of code down.

9. Learn Python NYC

Python is one of the most popular programming languages out there and is a great tool for both beginners and experienced programmers. Learn Python NYC is an ultra-committed Meetup group that holds office hours on everything related to Python. Activities include informal talks, technical discussions, dev sharing, and Q&A sessions.

Participants are welcome to suggest topics or sign up to be a featured presenter. While the focus is Python, it also conducts useful non-Python info sessions on occasion, like a tutorial on the basics of setting up and using Git + Github.

10. Operation Code: NYC

Operation Code is a nonprofit devoted to helping the military community learn software development and enter the tech industry. It offers monthly meetups focusing on whiteboard challenges, technical interview prep, project management, and more.

While NYC offers a variety of free coding classes and meetups, for those seeking a quicker and more immersive path to a tech career, some coding bootcamps such as Fullstack Academy Coding Bootcamp are definitely a game-changer. These intensive programs provide a structured learning environment, mentorship, and valuable hands-on experience in a short period of time. Designed to equip you with the in-demand skills employers seek, they offer a compelling alternative to traditional education.

Benefits of Free Coding Classes

Free coding classes offer a valuable introduction to the world of coding, making them a great starting point for anyone curious about a tech career:

• Reduced Financial Barrier: Free classes eliminate the upfront cost often associated with coding education, making it more accessible to a wider range of learners.

• Flexible Learning Options: Many free classes provide flexible scheduling, allowing you to learn at your own pace and manage other commitments.

• Developing Foundational Skills: Structured lessons can help you build a strong foundation in coding basics, preparing you for further learning or potential coding bootcamps.

• Exploring Coding Careers: Free classes offer a taste of coding without a heavy time investment. This allows you to see if coding aligns with your interests and career goals.

By taking advantage of free coding classes, you can gain valuable skills and determine if a coding career is the right fit for you. Additionally, after a free class, you might be more confident in pursuing a more intensive coding bootcamp if you decide to further your coding education. In that case, you can explore the Fullstack Academy Coding Bootcamp.

Tips for Choosing the Right Free Coding Classes

With a variety of free coding classes available, it's important to choose one that aligns with your goals and learning style. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Learning Objectives: Identify what interests you most within coding (web development, data science, etc.). Choose a class that aligns with your initial goals and provides an introduction to relevant programming languages or tools.

• Time Commitment & Schedule: Consider your existing commitments and learning style. Free classes may offer flexible online options, evening sessions, or condensed workshops. Choose a class pace that allows you to learn comfortably.

• Learning Style: Do you prefer interactive lectures, video tutorials, or hands-on exercises? Research the class format to see if it aligns with your preferred learning style. Some classes might emphasize hands-on coding exercises, while others may focus on theoretical explanations.

• Prerequisites & Progression: Some classes may have basic prerequisites. Consider your prior knowledge and choose a class that aligns with your current skill level. If the class offers a clear learning path for further topics, that might be beneficial for your learning journey.

By carefully considering these factors, you can select a free coding class that provides a valuable introduction to coding and helps you determine if you want to pursue further learning in this field.

FAQs

1. Are there free coding classes in NYC?

Absolutely! NYC is home to a range of free coding classes—offering intensive training in web development and other tech skills. This blog post explores some top options to launch your tech career at no upfront cost.

2. Can I get free coding classes?

Yes! Numerous free coding classes in NYC provide introductory lessons or cover specific coding skills. These are a great way to test the waters before diving into an intensive coding bootcamp to launch your coding career.

3. Is it free to learn to code?

While free coding resources like online tutorials and classes exist, some coding classes do have eligibility requirements or hidden costs. This blog post focuses on free NYC coding classes with no upfront tuition fees.

Interested in taking your coding skills to the next level? Register for one of our upcoming Bootcamp Prep courses.