Path Unbound vs. Springboard: Which is Best for Me?

The main difference between Path Unbound and Springboard is Path Unbound offers university-level UI/UX design courses with 1-on-1 instructions and a dedicated Portfolio School program while Springboard offers a range of programs in UX design, software engineering, cybersecurity, data analytics etc.

Path Unbound vs. Springboard

1.1 Overview

While Path Unbound and Springboard offers similar UI/UX design courses, there are some key differences in methods of instructions, student management and ways of accessing courses.

Features

1:1 instructions

Career Services

Homework Grading

Portfolio Coaching

On-Demand Learning

Designer-Written Curriculum

Path Unbound

Yes

Yes, by expert-instructors

Yes

Yes, extensive coaching

Yes

Yes

Springboard

Yes

Yes, by general coaches

Yes

Some limited-scope coaching

No

Links heavily to outside resources

1.2 Path Unbound vs. Springboard: Course Offerings and Learning Approach

Path Unbound specializes in UI/UX design education while Springboard has a variety of courses in data science, software engineering, cyber security and design.

Features
Path Unbound
Springboard
Type of Courses

Path Unbound specializes exclusively on design disciplines.

Springboard offers courses in Data + AI, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, and Design.

Learning Approach

Path Unbound offers personalized instruction from a curated team of expert instructors.

Springboard provides flexible and fast-paced online learning with mentor support.

1:1 Instructions
Path Unbound
Springboard

Yes, by team of expert instructors

Yes, by crowd-sourced mentors

Career Services
Path Unbound
Springboard

Yes, by expert instructors

Yes, by general coaches

Homework Grading
Path Unbound
Springboard

Yes

Yes

Portfolio Coaching
Path Unbound
Springboard

Yes, extensive coaching

Some limited-scope coaching

On-Demand Learning
Path Unbound
Springboard

Yes

No

Designer-Written Curriculum
Path Unbound
Springboard

Yes

Links heavily to outside resources

1.2 Course Offerings and Learning Approach

Type of Courses
Path Unbound
Springboard

Specializes exclusively on design disciplines.

Offers courses in Data + AI, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, and Design.

Learning Approach
Path Unbound
Springboard

Personalized instruction from a curated team of expert instructors.

Flexible and fast-paced online learning with mentor support.

Ready to land your dream design job?

Your dream design career doesn’t start itself and our expertly-written curriculum and dedicated team of instructors can help you make that happen.

1.3 Path Unbound vs. Springboard: Curriculum and Mentorship

Path Unbound offers university-level curriculum and 1-on-1 instructions weekly while Springboard has a curated curriculum updated by industry experts, also with 1-on-1 mentorship.

Features
Path Unbound
Springboard
Curriculum Quality

Path Unbound offers university-level curriculum, ensuring high-quality graduate work.

Springboard’s curriculum is continually updated by industry experts.

Mentorship

Path Unbound has award-winning instructors hand-selected for each student.

Springboard provides industry expert mentorship tailored to student needs.

1.4 Path Unbound vs. Springboard: Course Structure and Support

Path Unbound offers a flexible but structured course schedule while Springboard offers a similar learning model. Path Unbound offers specialized career coaching while Springboard offers general coaching.

Features
Path Unbound
Springboard
Course Structure

Path Unbound provides flexible but structured course schedule optimized for efficient learning outcomes.

Springboard provides 100% online courses with full-time worker-friendly schedules.

Career Support

Path Unbound offers specialized assistance in helping students find the best fit in the job market.

Springboard provides career coaching, resume/portfolio refinement, interview preparation, and job search support.

1.3 Curriculum and Mentorship

Curriculum Quality
Path Unbound
Springboard

University-level, ensuring high-quality graduate work.

Continually updated by industry experts.

Learning Approach
Path Unbound
Springboard

Award-winning instructors hand-selected for each student.

Industry expert mentorship tailored to student needs.

1.4 Course Structure and Support

Course Structure
Path Unbound
Springboard

Flexible but structured course schedule optimized for efficient learning outcomes.

100% online courses with full-time worker-friendly schedules.

Career Support
Path Unbound
Springboard

Specialized assistance in helping students find the best fit in the job market.

Career coaching, resume/portfolio refinement, interview preparation, and job search support.

1.5 Path Unbound vs. Springboard: Pricing

Path Unbound offers more flexible pricing starting at $1,600 for Portfolio School and $6,800 for School of UI/UX Design and starting at $29/month for its on-demand learning model while Springboard has a higher tuition price point.

Courses

Design Career Program

Portfolio School

On-Demand Learning

Path Unbound

$6,800

$1,600

$29/month

Springboard

$11,900

Not offered

Not offered

Design Career Program
Path Unbound
Springboard

$6,800

$11,900
Portfolio School
Path Unbound
Springboard

$1,600

Not Offered

On-Demand Learning
Path Unbound
Springboard

$29/month

Not Offered

Why Choose Path Unbound Over Springboard?

Choosing Path Unbound over Springboard might resonate more with you if your passion lies distinctly within the realms of design. Path Unbound’s laser-focused approach not only fosters mastery in design principles but also ensures that every educational facet is tailored to enhance your creative skills. The intensive mentorship provided by experienced designers could transform your theoretical knowledge into practical expertise, making a substantial impact on your career trajectory.

Laser-Focused Specialization in Design

Path Unbound’s curriculum is specifically crafted for aspiring designers, ensuring deep immersion in the field. This focus provides a clearer pathway to mastery in design compared to broader educational platforms.

Affordability, Flexibility and Value

The cost-effective pricing of Path Unbound makes high-quality design education more accessible, reducing financial barriers for students eager to break into the creative industry.

Highly-Vetted Instructional Team

The personalized instructions at Path Unbound stands out, offering tailored guidance that aligns closely with each student’s individual learning style and career goals. This one-on-one attention ensures that you not only learn but excel.

FAQs

We are glad you are interested in exploring design as your next career! It is a wonderful field with many opportunities, as you can read up on our Career Paths page. Job growth is optimistic and salary range is on the higher end compared to many other industries.

 

With that being said, you will have to actually learn and work hard in order to find out 2 things - do you like it and are you good at it. No one can tell you if this is for you, but yourself. Our job is to provide the right guidance with our industry expertise and a high-quality pool of instructors.

You can expect to complete our Certificate of Design in 6-8 months depending on the number of hours you commit to every week. We generally recommend at least 10-15 hours per week.

 

Unlike many "bootcamps", we do not encourage an accelerated program approach because design is a serious craft that cannot be learned in a few weeks. Rather than fast and furious, we'd rather make sure you learn it well and learn it right.

 

With our flexible financing options, we'd like to make your career transition as easy as possible with full support as fewer financial hurdles.

 

If you need a customized payment split other than what we stipulated in our Tuition page, feel free to talk to us by booking an admission call. We are all about helping each student individually!

Yes we sure do! We regularly update our student work and success stories in our Student Outcomes page.

Yes, no matter where you are in the world, the language of design is universal. You might find yourself needing to learn a few local customs and practices that are particular to the region you live and work in, but the general principles of design is the same everywhere in the world in the digital space.

While we do not have a job guarantee or job placement due to the reasons we specified in the "Why don't you have a job guarantee like other design schools" below, we do place students to work with startups during the Portfolio School phase in their program to make sure they gain real world experience. This experience will make sure students are well-prepared for design interviews.

Ready to Start Your Design Career Yesterday?

Your dream career doesn’t start itself, but we are here to help as boutique design school founded by designers that cares about quality over anything else.

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