Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Advertiser disclosure
Compare career development loans
Plus five tips for taking your career to the next level.
Keeping up-to-date on the skills you need in order to do your job well has never been more difficult — thanks to rapid advances in technology. Career development programs are a great way to stay relevant, whether you work for an organization or run your own business.
Signing up for a program, however, can take time and money you don’t have. If that’s the case, personal loans can help cover the costs of a course that could very well pay for itself by sending you into a higher pay bracket.
What’s the best way to finance a career development program?
The best financing option will depend on your specific situation. One way to pay for a career development program is with a personal loan. These flexible financing products allow you to borrow as little as $1,000 or as much as $100,000. You’ll receive the approved funds in one lump sum and then pay it back over three to seven years.
If you’re enrolling in a certificate program, you might want to look into loans specifically designed for career development programs. Lenders like Sallie Mae offer career development loans that come with grace periods and flexible repayment options, similar to a student loan.
Our top picks for career development loans
| Provider | Why it’s good for career development | Loan amounts | Starting APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Its unemployment protection and entrepreneur program lets you pause payments till you get back on your feet or get your new business off the ground. It also gives you access to financial advisors that can help you plan your next career move. | $5,000 to $5,000 to $100,000 | 8.99% | ||
Offers personal loans that can be used to cover the cost of a course or bootcamp, and considers factors like education and employment history in addition to your credit score. | $1,000 to $50,000 to $1,000 to $50,000 | 5.2% | ||
Multi-use personal loans that can be used for career development with a simple, quick application. | $1,000 to $100,000 | 2.49% |
How much does career development cost?
It depends on what type of program you want to enroll in. Trade school or a master’s program can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, though that’s generally more of a commitment than most career development programs. Here’s the breakdown of the cost of some common programs:
| Program type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
Management course | $150–$5,000 |
Coding/programming bootcamp | $10,000–$20,000, usually with $1,000–$2,000 scholarships available |
Technical writing workshop | $350–$3,000 |
Presentation skills seminar | $1,000–$1,500 |
Accounting/financial skills course | $2,000–$4,500 |
Systems security course | $1,500–$6,000 |
Web design course | $50–$1,000 |
More guides on Finder
-
4 times applying for a loan online makes sense
Online loans mean fast access to cash, especially if you don’t qualify with a traditional lender.
-
Revolut personal loans review: A quick-turnaround personal loan for Revolut customers.
Quick turnaround loans up to $30,000 — but they’re not available in the US just yet.
-
Bankrate personal loans review: Compare multiple lenders in one place.
Bankrate lets you quickly compare different personal loan options in one place.
-
BHG Money personal loans review: An option for high loan amounts.
Bankers Healthcare Group isn’t just for licensed healthcare workers. Compare large loans up to $200,000 with this legit online lender.
-
Best debt consolidation loans of September 2023
Compare 11 lenders to find one that’s a good fit for your needs.
-
Uplift travel loans review
Travel now and pay later with this unique lender that offers financing for flights, hotels, vacation packages and more.
-
Best no origination fee personal loans of 2023
Compare top lenders that offer personal loans with no fees for borrowers with good to excellent credit.
-
Fora Financial business loans review
Get funding of up to $500,000 with the benefit of early repayment discounts for qualifying borrowers.
-
PayPal Working Capital business loans review
Get financing for your e-business for a flat fee instead of interest, only if you have a PayPal account with consistent sales. No credit check required.
-
Swift Capital business advance review
Find out what Swift Capital can offer your business, with advances from $5,000 to $500K and short repayment periods that come with weekly repayment.
Ask an Expert