How much does the CCNA training cost?
The CCNA exam is the first and only step to take if you want to get your CCNA certification from Cisco.
That is why it is important that you not mess it up and maximize your first take by making sure you are properly trained. But, like any training, going through a proper CCNA training course will cost you. So, how much does the CCNA training cost?
A CCNA training course can cost you anywhere between $1,000 to $6,000 depending on the accredited training center you would like to enroll in. It really depends a lot on the training center and on the method of training they offer. But, most of the time, online courses tend to be more affordable.
Taking a CCNA training course shouldn’t be cheap because you are paying professionals for their expertise on the matter.
However, in some cases, there are courses that may be too expensive for others. That is why it is important for you to know more about CCNA training courses and to weigh your pros and cons.
Self-studying costs
In case you are not willing to pay thousands of dollars for a CCNA training course because you are short on cash or simply because you just want to save money, self-studying is by far more affordable since you will only be spending money on the materials that you need to review for the CCNA.
As such, the costs you will be incurring really depends on how many study materials you are using and on the CCNA home lab kit you chose. Books and other study materials you can find will range from $10 to $50 depending on the author.
So, if you are using three to five study materials, you can potentially spend as much as $250 dollars.
Meanwhile, the most expensive part about self-studying is buying your own CCNA lab kit, which is a must if you want to make sure that you also get to train yourself in the practical sense and not only in the theoretical sense.
Home lab kits can be quite expensive and can have prices that range from $300 to $450 depending on where you look at. Make sure that the kit you are purchasing is certified for the CCNA.
All in all, you can potentially spend somewhere between $500 to $1,000 dollars if you go through the self-study route.
However, while self-studying is cheaper, it is best for those who are more experienced in the field of IT and Information Systems. Beginners are better off going through a training course.
CCNA online boot camps
Another more affordable way for you to train and prepare yourself for the CCNA is going through an online boot camp.
As the term suggests, these are boot camps that are offered online and are best for those who already have some experience in IT or Information Systems because of how everything will be rushed and drilled into your head quickly.
While regular courses for the CCNA can last somewhere between a month to six months, CCNA online boot camps can be done in five to 14 days.
CCNA online boot camps can have a price that ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 depending on the training center. But, generally, they are cheaper because of how there is less work on the part of the instructors and since you will be cramming everything in a one-week (at most 14-day) program.
However, again, because CCNA online boot camps basically cram everything you need to learn for the CCNA exam, it is not advisable for beginners to take part in such training courses because they lack the basic knowledge and skills to learn from a fast-tracked training course.
Online boot camps are best left for those who have a bit of experience in CCNA and are simply reviewing what they learn.
CCNA live boot camps
On the other hand, CCNA live boot camps can be more expensive than online boot camps because you are basically paying to use the training center’s facilities when you go through the course.
As such, it may be a better option only for those who are willing to spend the extra bucks and for those who prefer face-to-face learning to online classes. The difference between online boot camps and live boot camps can range between $500 to $2,000 depending again on the training center.
Again, CCNA live boot camps are just the same as online boot camps in the sense that they are better off for those who have already covered the basics and fundamentals of IT and CCNA and are just reviewing for the CCNA exam.
Is there a free CCNA certification?
At this point, you are beginning to realize that, while training for the CCNA is more affordable than getting a college diploma, it still can be quite expensive for regular people.
So, for those who are strapped for cash, it might be difficult for them to train and prepare for the CCNA, which can be too hard of an exam if you lack the training needed to pass it.
Thankfully, there is actually a free CCNA certification training that you can go through if you want to learn more about the topics covered by the CCNA exam.
While they are not as in-depth and as rigorous as training courses and boot camps, these CCNA certification classes can help improve your knowledge and understanding. Together with your personal self-study materials, you can supplement what you know using these online courses.
How can I get CCNA certification for free?
While there are plenty of websites that offer free CCNA certification classes, you can go to Cisco’s website to get to learn more about the topics covered by the CCNA exam absolutely for free.
And you can trust the people behind these classes because they are from Cisco after all. Just make sure that you supplement these classes with other study materials to make sure you are well-prepared for the CCNA.
