A group of students is speaking out about their experience with NC State University's cybersecurity bootcamp, claiming the program left them with significant debt but without the promised job prospects. The bootcamp, operated by third-party company Iron Circle, cost $17,800 and promised industry certification vouchers and job placement assistance. Students like Maarja Raudsepp and Alfred Cassidy say they received neither.

NC State has offered the program since 2021 through various contractors including HackerUSA, ThriveDX, and now Iron Circle. While the university reviews and approves all curriculum and marketing, the bootcamp is not directly operated by NC State. The program is ending in 2027 as it transitions to asynchronous-only instruction. Iron Circle partners with 12 other universities and claims to have helped 349 of 1,523 NC State bootcamp participants find employment.

Students report receiving aggressive sales pitches before enrollment, followed by curriculum that became outdated during the course. They were promised CompTIA Security+ certification vouchers but instead received preparation for a proprietary Iron Circle exam. Career services promised during recruitment never materialized. Raudsepp took out a loan that will cost her $45,000 total if paid over 14 years, yet she remains in her previous medical job. When students complained to NC State and the state attorney general, they were told to hire lawyers for further action.