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What is Web Design?

Web design and digital design is the area of study and practice that is responsible for the construction and implementation of web pages for the purpose of publishing materials such as documents, sound files, images and others. Individuals in this field will have a cross section of design and technical skill, utilizing both to produce navigable pages that meet the needs of clients and accurately and effectively disseminate the information desired.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$72,150

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

48.63%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

129,540

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Web Design Courses

Tulane University is at the top of our ranking on the best institution in the United States that offers a degree in web design. Their program offers intensive, hands-on production experience in courses dedicated to film and audio production, screenwriting, documentary filmmaking, cinematography, color-grading, digital art, theater, media theory, and film analysis. They are committed to helping students develop individual talent and skills within a collaborative and professional working environment. They highly support a strong internship program offering a wide range of options for pre-professional experience and provide the setting for the presentation and promotion of student work.   

Acceptance Rate

12.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

New York University's Web Development and Full Stack Web Development course provides students the tools and experience to build websites and to create effective interfaces and navigation based upon purposeful design and development. Students have the opportunity to choose from topics as diverse as HTML5, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, Ajax, multimedia, HTTP, and scripting languages. The course teaches passionate individuals to design, code, publish, market, and monetize mobile apps and games using cross-platform tools. Gain knowledge on core concepts in information management including data models and data management systems.

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of Georgia is dedicated to providing equal and quality access to continuing education programs for students living with permanent or temporary disabilities. The institution will cover the five basic steps to organizing information. Through the web design degree program, they will help students learn about the effective type and graphics and explore the idea of Web 2.0. This course is a must for web designers, they have the chance to learn the tips and tools that will aid them in the future.

Acceptance Rate

45.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Santa Clara University's major in Web Design and Engineering Major combine a technical education in computing with courses in graphic art, communication, and sociology. They offer a B.S. and minor in Computer Science and Engineering and a B.S. in Web Design and Engineering. Graduate from the course learns the engineering infrastructure of the web. Students have the opportunity to gain knowledge on how the Web affects society and the complex relationship between technology and the internet.

Acceptance Rate

48.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The University of Connecticut's Web & Interactive Media Design degree engages its students in creative approaches to a wide range of interactive unique experiences. It is an interdisciplinary area of study, drawing from fine art, design, theater, architecture, literature, and computer science. Students have the opportunity to study the fundamentals, best practices, and emerging techniques of programming. They engage in hands-on and studio class applications. This program focuses on innovation across a range of current and emerging technologies. Graduates will be equipped to pursue careers as web or mobile designers, interaction designers, UX designers, creative technologists and programmers, interactive installation, and public space artists, among others. 

Acceptance Rate

49.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

The University of California-Santa Cruz's newly revised User Experience and Web Design certificate program teaches students to anticipate user needs and design the look and feel of new products that are intuitive and easy to use. The program's areas of focus are user experience design, visual design, and design implementation. The goal of the course is to help individuals understand the iterative and user-centered design process with the spiral model. Students will have the ability to implement a design prototype using numerous prototyping tools. Completing the program, they will be able to use HTML/CSS/JavaScript to prototype websites or single page web applications.

Acceptance Rate

51.31

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Sacred Heart University's Web Design Graduate Certificate is designed to provide passionate students with a solid background and technical skills needed for a comprehensive understanding of the field. They emphasize creating a powerful web presence by producing sites that are interactive, easily navigated, well-designed, and content-rich. The institution uses only the most modern software and programming languages. This unique program offers nothing but the highest quality of training to students interested in the field.

Acceptance Rate

63.92

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The New School's Web Design certificate program provides training for students in design, code, and create beautiful websites with HTML and CSS. The program covers basic computer programming concepts, such as variables, data types, loops, and arrays. They guide students through the creation of mobile designs and presentations, from concepts to prototypes. The institution champion every student's creativity and growth. Combining integrated disciplines and collaborative problem solving.

Acceptance Rate

57.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Illinois Institute of Technology's degree in Web Design and Application Development includes coursework covering web design, web development, web programming, online application development, mobile application development, content management systems, with a blend of technology and management. The program is structured to help students and experienced information technology professionals become web designers, web application developers, managers, and leaders. Through the help of their unique coursework, it enhances their technical skills of every students, preparing them for leadership and management, and provides a better understanding of web design and online application development. The program is a comprehensive analysis of problems through the web.

Acceptance Rate

60.23

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

North Central College's Graphic Design is committed to executing the design of visual communication according to the needs of audiences and contexts. Students have the great opportunity to master a wide range of conceptual, formal, and technological skills to create effective communication solutions to web design problems. They can enhance their studies with an additional major or minor. Graduates are easily employed in digital marketing, design services, publishing advertising, public relations, or related services industries.

Acceptance Rate

53.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Beacon College's major in Web Design and Digital Media Track covers the creative side of technology. Their projects focus on real-world design solutions with a marketing approach. This program is a comprehensive course covering graphic communications, digital imaging, web page production, and digital media. Students have the opportunity to cultivate creative, technical, and business skills. With a chance to develop an ability to impact local and global computing in regard to individuals, organizations, and communities through technology and analytics.

Acceptance Rate

50.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Union College's Information Technology Services (ITS) has a Web Design degree program. It provides web design, development, and support services for web-based applications. ITS works with the College department to develop web-based solutions that can help better departmental workflows, communication, organization, and help streamline work processes across campus.  With training on the technology of HTML & CSS, PHP & MySQL, Drupal, WordPress, jQuery, and AJAX.

Acceptance Rate

52.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Quinnipiac University's Graphic and Interactive Web Design degree merges creativity with technology. They teach students different theories of design as well as a wide range of practical skills. Students build a strong foundation in design, including understanding their audience. Through its small classes, students receive individual attention from their professors. The institution's curriculum mirrors current, real-world practices, and they will have the most up-to-date technology and software in several labs.

Acceptance Rate

70.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Juniata College's Information Technology & Computer Science is a comprehensive program with faculty comprised of professionals training students to reach their full potential. The institution recently created an Integrated Media Arts Program of Emphasis (POE) that combines numerous aspects of art, communication, and more. Students have the opportunity to intern at many companies around the country. They can conduct and present research on a topic of their choice with the guidance of their faculty member.

Acceptance Rate

70.78

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Butler University's Web Design and Development program immerses students in the design and development of web technologies that every person uses daily on their computers. Students will learn front-end and back-end development of interactive web content. They have the opportunity to develop, test, and complete a variety of usable projects. The program prepares students to find employment in a variety of job markets.

Acceptance Rate

73.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Harding University offers a Graphic Design program strongly emphasizes the future's professional environment. Students prepare through different challenging class projects. It is a broad area professional degree that includes courses such as design foundations, color theory, typography, photography, illustration, printmaking, motion design, and various course choices from the department of communication. The department consists of Mac computers with the latest software and programs.

Acceptance Rate

61.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Hampshire College has a leading Digital Media major that was one of the first institutions to offer digital media as an academic concentration and it continues to provide quality training to its students to this day. This multifaceted curriculum provides students with strong skills in programming, digital design, and technology-based studio art, and offers access to media labs with industry-standard software. They offer courses that include digital photography, digital film and video, electronic music, interactive installation, computer graphics, and animation. They are committed to training their students with the latest technology and help them create their own portfolios in the future.

Acceptance Rate

1.97

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Creighton University's Graphic design and media provide a well-rounded education in print and web design, interactive multimedia, video and still photography, typography, and animation. Numerous internship opportunities help students build portfolios that lead to jobs in public relations and advertising agencies, graphic design firms, and businesses and nonprofits. Students will have strong writing and analytical skills that are important for pursuing a graduate degree in computer science, communication, or other fields. They will learn multiple design techniques and know how to use the latest software in the market.

Acceptance Rate

73.71

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Lipscomb University's Web Application Development help students develop applications for deployment on the World Wide Web. Their faculty have had decades of quality experience in web technologies, security systems, and more. The program will guide students in broadening their skills in web design, web content development, client liaison, client-side/server-side scripting, in addition to the web server and network security configuration. They are dedicated to helping you learn to track current trends and best practices to enable you to be effective in the field.

Acceptance Rate

63.11

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Duquesne University's Digital Media: Interactive Design and Media was revised this past Fall. Web design is still an important focus. The new curriculum mirrors a growing demand for their students to design interfaces and user experiences for an expanding array of products and technology platforms. The new program brings together design, human-technology interaction, digital media, and information technology. Through hands-on courses and with real-world clients students can design and prototype websites and mobile apps. They have the opportunity to gain numerous skills needed to utilize in the future. Graduates work across different industries.

Acceptance Rate

74.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

William Jewell College's Integrative Web Design major students gain a deeper understanding of foundational principles of design including color theory, typography, layout strategies, and composition. They also have the opportunity to utilize numerous software applications for digital print media, coding, animation, audio, and video. Graduates from the program have pursued careers in graphic design, web media, illustration, historic preservation, cartooning, video and film making, theater design, gallery work, art history, photography, and many others.  The institution challenges its students to develop fundamental competence and skills in numerous variety of media while also exploring traditional and modern technology.

Acceptance Rate

46.06

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The School of Visual Arts BFA Design program focuses on teaching visual communication problem-solving. They offer a wide range of course options that are designed to each student's strengths and needs. They achieve this by providing more studio courses than any institution in the world. Giving students the chance to develop and enhance their own vision. Through their unique approach, they create an educational experience particularly empowering.

Acceptance Rate

72

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Milwaukee School of Engineering's Web Design Certificate requires a broad understanding of good design criteria, information organization, and an understanding of the technologies that make websites successful. This course features hands-on skill-building with an emphasis on effective site construction and consistent page design. The program requires a college-level understanding of algebra for formulas and functions needed for the first course. Through this intensive curriculum, students will have a higher rate of employment in the future.

Acceptance Rate

61.71

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Eckerd College offers students access to a leading computer science degree program.  This degree path is a traditional computer science program that provides students a balanced theoretical and practical foundation for careers in an exciting and rapidly developing technology area. The program includes programing, theory, software and systems design, graphics, image processing, and artificial intelligence. Most of the graduates have begun their careers at large and small technology companies, others have attended a broad range of graduate schools including Duke, Oxford, UCLA, and many more. Their faculty is comprised of innovative instructors and are professionals in the field.

Acceptance Rate

67.44

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Seattle University's Web Design Certificate consists of eight courses designed to transition students from a typical web user to an entry-level Frontend Web Developer. Students earn up to 40 college credits. Courses are rigorous and led by knowledgeable instructors with real-world experience in the web development industry. After completing the program students will possess a portfolio of work demonstrating mastery in various skills. Through their comprehensive program, students have great chances of employment in the future.

Acceptance Rate

71.47

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

What Type of Education is Required to Become a Web Designer?

There are no licensure or degree requirements to become a web designer. That being said, employers prefer job applicants with a solid education and/or substantive work experience over other applicants. With a hyper-competitive marketplace in web design and web development, your best bet to land a job and move up in an organization starts with an investment in your education. In fact, over 80% of web designers had a formal college degree or professional certificate in web design or web development prior to entering the field per a recent survey by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Top Web Design Degrees

For students looking to take their career to the next level, there are a series of certificates and degrees you can earn from accredited colleges and universities.  The overview below includes the most common programs in web design and a brief description of each to help you make the best decision for your future.  Virtually every college has both online degrees in web design, on-site degrees, and/or hybrid programs to offer prospective students with the type of learning that works best for them.

Online Certificate in Web Design

An online certificate in web design can span from a six-month certificate to a 4-year certificate program.  The longer the program, the more involved the program will be and broader the curriculum.  For example, the less than one year career pathway certificate in web design provides students with the essentials of HTML, JavaScript, PHP, CSS, graphics applications, and authoring tools.  On the other hand, a four-year certificate in web design provides students with a deeper level of technical knowledge, visual communication skills, technical know-how, and professional readiness qualifications.

Online Associate Degree in Web Design

Online associate’s degrees in web design and web development are 2-year programs created to provide students with essential building blocks.  AA and AAS programs combine core web design courses with general education classes such as philosophy, psychology, and English to help students think differently about the world around them.   Degree specific curriculum will often include principles of user experience, web design, multimedia, computer hardware, software applications, and communication devices.  Graduates from an AAS or AA program can launch their career in web design or continue their education with a bachelor’s degree in web design.

Online Bachelor Degree in Web Design

The online bachelor’s degree in web design can be a Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).  Bachelor degrees are 4-year programs covering the same classes as an AA or AAS program in a deeper fashion plus additional coursework not found in lower level degrees.  With a focus on technical skills, critical thinking, and communication skills, the online bachelor degree program is the most popular choice as nearly half of the practitioners surveyed by the Department of Labor hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.  In terms of professional readiness, degree holders will be able to critically think about business problems, apply design acumen to produce quality results, and communicate ideas effectively.

Online Master Degree in Web Design

The online master’s degree program for web design and web development can come as a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), or Master of Science (MS) degree.  Generally a master’s degree is a 1-2 program presuming all lower level prerequisites are met in advance.  Courses for master’s degree students are advanced courses to promote technical skills, problem solving, and design skills necessary to thrive in the web design space.  From upper-level classes in programming and user-experience to graphic design and digital capture, a master’s degree can make a substantive impact in your career trajectory.

What Colleges Offer Web Design?

Dozens of accredited colleges and universities from around the country offer web design certificate programs and degree programs. From small art academics to major universities, you can find a plethora of options by visiting the schools below or leveraging our proprietary matching portal to find specific schools that fit your goals and professional aspirations. Which college is best for you depends on your priorities, preferences, and goals. To help determine what is important to you in the college selection process, we created a much-acclaimed book titled The Complete Guide to the College Admission Process that can be downloaded here.

Educational Requirements for Web Designers

Though it is not necessary to have a post secondary education in this field, an education in design or web development is available, and often useful in procuring employment. Individuals may go to design schools, colleges, community colleges, or trade schools to receive an education in design and/or web programming, earning either an associate or bachelor's degree in the process. Though higher level degrees are available, they are rarely pursued by those looking to enter this field, and as such programs typically take between one and four years to complete. As the field begins to grow and develop, the necessity for at least a bachelor's degree is expected to become more common.

A curriculum may include:

  • HTML
  • XML
  • JAVA Implementation
  • Principles of Web Design
  • Commercial Design
Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Opportunities for Web Designers

Employment options in this field are many, and with the growth of technology and the speed of communication, much of the work may be performed remotely, particularly for individuals who work freelance. Others may choose to work for a design firm or maintain a specific company's website or family of sites. Due to the high demand of quality work and the need to present a strong presence on the web, growth in the field is expected to increase rapidly over the decade. Additionally, the increased interactivity with websites and the development potential of new technologies means that more opportunities are expected to spring forward as older sites are reworked to meet modern tastes.

What Does a Web Designer Do?

In a recent survey performed by the United States Department of Labor, professional web designers from around the country were asked questions about their jobs.  One of the most valuable pieces of data to come from the survey was the clustering of job duties performed by web designers.  A list of the top job responsibilities of a web designer include:

  1. Designing, building, and maintaining websites through the use of digital media, management tools, content creation tools, and various applications
  2. Performing, managing, and directing website updates
  3. Writing, designing, and editing content or managing the content creation process
  4. Meeting with upper management and website development teams to define the scope of a project, prioritize needs, resolve challenges, create content parameters, and effectively solve issues
  5. Backing up data files from websites to external hard drives, local directories, or cloud-based services to allow for instant recovery
  6. Securing a website and data through software, applications, and plug-ins
Where Do Web Designers Work?

A web designer can work in a number of different industries for a wide variety of employers.  In fact, web designers can work in public companies, private entities, non-profit organizations, and government agencies around the globe.  In terms of an industry or sector of business, a web designer can work in a public school district using the same basic skills as a designer working in a high rise office at Expedia.  The need for quality web designers stretches across all domains, in every sector of our economy and the need continues to grow as technology becomes more pervasive for users of all ages.

Top Skills of Web Designer

The top skills of a web designer will depend on the scope of the work and customer requirements of a project.  With that in mind, we have come up with a set of generally accepted skills most web designers will possess.  The top skills of a web designer or web developer include:

  • UX (User Experience)
  • SEO, SEM, Social Media
  • Coding: HTML, JavaScript, CSS
  • Design Software: Illustrator, Photoshop
  • Visual Design
  • Photo Editing
  • Copywriting
  • Animation
  • Digital Imaging
  • Content Management

Career Outlook in Web Design

The average salary of a web designer is nearly $78,000 annually. This is due to the amount of expertise and experience necessary to be able to construct and maintain a website, as well as having the secondary design background in order to ensure that the site is aesthetically pleasing while remaining functional. Another reason for the above average income expectation is the reliance on businesses both large and small on ensuring they maintain a web presence, resulting in salaries that reflect that necessity. This reliance is only expected to increase as the mobile space requires a secondary presence through smartphones and other devices. In fact, the BLS estimates a 27% growth in web designers in the coming decade which is over 4 times the national average growth rate for jobs during this time frame.

Top Employers of Web Designers

  • Computer Design 27,870
  • Information Technology 9,040
  • Advertising & Public Relations 6,830
  • Scientific & Technical Consulting 6,820
  • Management Consulting 6,370

States with the Highest Employment of Web Designers

  • California 22,650
  • Texas 11,410
  • New York 8,540
  • Florida 7,740
  • Illinois 5,230

Top Paying States for Web Designers

  1. Washington $90,260
  2. District of Columbia $86,730
  3. California $82,930
  4. New York $81,140
  5. Virginia $80,950

Individuals interested in web and digital design may also be interested in computer graphics, graphic design, or game and interactive media design.

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