What's the cheapest way to get into tech?
An honest, cited answer. We make no ROI, salary, placement, or 'worth it' claim, and we don't track live job demand — where we don't know, we say so.
Cheaper than most people assume — because a lot of the training is free; you mainly pay for the exam. The vendors' own self-paced training is often free: AWS Skill Builder self-paced digital training and Microsoft Learn learning paths cost nothing. So the realistic floor to get started is roughly an exam fee plus your time — e.g., the cost-of-ownership pages show entry exams from about US$100 (AWS Cloud Practitioner). Free or funded structured programs also exist (AWS re/Start for unemployed/underemployed learners; WIOA-funded training via American Job Centers; employer tuition assistance up to US$5,250/year tax-free under IRS Section 127; VA benefits for veterans). The honest sequence: learn free → take the exam → add paid training only if you want instruction and structure (it buys teaching, not the credential).
What we don't know
Eligibility and amounts for funding programs vary and change — verify each at its official source.
Related
Sources
- AWS — training (free self-paced + re/Start): https://aws.amazon.com/training/
- Microsoft Learn — free training: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/
- IRS — employer educational assistance ($5,250, Section 127): https://www.irs.gov/publications/p970
Citation Ledger
| ID | Supports | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIT-01 | Answer to: What's the cheapest way to get into tech? | AWS — training (free self-paced + re/Start) | link |
| CIT-02 | Answer to: What's the cheapest way to get into tech? | Microsoft Learn — free training | link |
| CIT-03 | Answer to: What's the cheapest way to get into tech? | IRS — employer educational assistance ($5,250, Section 127) | link |