Web Design Bachelor’s Degrees: Best Programs, Jobs, and Salaries

Bachelor’s degrees are a great way to start a career in most fields, including tech. They provide in-depth knowledge of the field in a way that other alternatives can’t. While it is not necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree to break into the web design industry, it could make a significant difference in your employability and give you a competitive advantage in the job market.

This article will introduce you to the best web design bachelor’s degrees available online and on campus. These are some of the best schools to attend to learn the principles of design and get real-world experience. It includes detailed information on top programs, best jobs, average salaries, and FAQs. Let’s dive in.

What Is Web Design?

Web design refers to the design and creation of websites for organizations. It focuses on providing a great user interface and experience for a company’s clients. Web designers not only focus on the functionality of a website like software developers do, but they also work to ensure that the website offers a good experience to all users.

What Is a Web Design Bachelor’s Degree?

A web design bachelor’s degree is a program that teaches students the

technical skills

required to design, build, and maintain websites for all operating systems. The program also covers the necessary soft skills that employers look for when hiring professionals. It typically lasts for three to four years depending on the school, program, learning format, and country.

The program teaches tools necessary for web designers including Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. Students also learn relevant programming languages like JavaScript and Python. The program may also include arts and general education courses. Unlike other tech fields, a web design bachelor’s degree could also be a bachelor of arts degree.

Web Design Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree usually include a personal essay, high school diploma, a GPA of at least 3.0, letter(s) of recommendation, and SAT/ACT scores. Typically, a bachelor’s degree requires you to complete 120 credits and meet the program’s specific requirements.

How Much Does a Web Design Bachelor’s Degree Cost?

The

average cost of a web design bachelor’s degree is $28,775

, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). However, costs may vary based on different factors, such as location or whether the institution is public or private. For instance, the average cost of a four-year public institution is $21,035 while the average cost of private schools is $45,932.

Web Design Bachelor’s Degree Financing Options: How to Pay for Your Web Design Degree

The most common financing options for a bachelor’s degree include scholarships, work-study programs, financial aid, grants, and student loans. Make sure to consult with your chosen school’s financial advisor to find out about the best options for you.

Best Web Design Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Web Design: Top Web Design Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Below is a brief description of the schools and programs listed above. These are some of the top schools to pursue a bachelor’s degree in web design to start your career in the field.

Bachelor of Arts in Design

| Brigham Young University

A private research university in Utah, Brigham Young University was founded in 1875 and is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The school’s BA in Design program is designed to teach students about user experience and video game design, including how to build a website that people enjoy using.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

| Brooklyn University

Brooklyn University was formed in 1930 and has about 15,000 undergraduate students. The bachelor of science in computer science program is designed to equip students with skills in computer programming, software development, artificial intelligence, database systems, game design, and operating systems.

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design, Web Design Emphasis

| Grand Canyon University

Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University is a private, for-profit Christian institution. The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design program has a focus on web design and prepares students to work as entry-level designers in the field. The curriculum focuses on courses that cover creative skills, skill enhancement, motion graphics, and portfolio development.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

| Lewis-Clark State College

Lewis-Clark State University is a public school founded in 1893. The school offers over 130 degrees to about 3,600 students who enroll annually. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program is designed to prepare students to work as professionals in the field. The curriculum offers traditional computer science courses and is very flexible.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design with an emphasis in Web and User Experience

| Lindenwood University

Lindenwood University is a private liberal university founded in 1827. This course is designed to prepare students for a career in web and user experience. Students who complete the program can work as web designers, web developers, or graphic designers.

Some of the courses offered in the program teach introduction to digital and web design, 3D graphics, motion graphics, applications for mobile devices, and video production.

Bachelor of Science in Digital Media, Computer Science Programming

| Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University is a public university founded in 1905 and has an annual enrollment of approximately 7,100 students. The digital media major program is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on computer science, digital graphic design, and new media.

Students learn skills in art, photography, design, communication, computer programming, and ethics. The curriculum also covers written and visual communication.

Bachelor of Science in Web Programming and Design

| Purdue University

Purdue is a research university that was founded in 1869. The curriculum includes trigonometry, calculus, physics, economics, statistics, business, and management. Courses cover user experience design, computer graphics programming, data visualization, web programming and development, and imaging technology.

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Web Design and Development Track

| Trevecca Nazarene University

Founded in 1901, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private Nazarene liberal arts institution. The web design and development track can be taken as a part of three different programs including computer science.

This program is designed to prepare students for a career in web design and development. Students will gain the skills necessary to become professionals in the field while taking a course combination of design, technical, and management courses.

Bachelor of Arts in Web Design and Development

| University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public research university established in 1927. This curriculum focuses on courses in mobile web design, web client applications, database concepts, and digital imaging. Students also learn about rhetoric and writing, mass communication, information science, and information technology.

Bachelor of Science in Information Systems-Application Development Emphasis

| Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University was established in 1941. It is a public university that offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. The BS in Information Systems has different concentrations, including Application Development. It prepares students to provide effective solutions to help businesses in decision-making.

Some of the subjects included in the curriculum are academic writing, college algebra, American history, US civilization, ethics and values, business statistics, information systems and technology, computer programming, database fundamentals, web design, information security, systems analysis, and software development.

Best Online Web Design Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Web Design: Top Online Web Design Bachelor’s Degree Programs

While many people want to earn a bachelor’s degree, not everyone has the time or funds available to pursue a full-time, on-campus education. This is why several schools offer online courses, including bachelor’s and more advanced degrees. Online degrees will still give you the same practical skills, types of courses, and advanced web design skills as in-person programs.

Online learning is the best choice for people who have families, full-time jobs, or even those who are on active duty. Below is a brief description of some of the best available online web design degree programs.

Online Bachelor of Applied Science in Internet & Web Development

| Arizona State University

Arizona State University was founded in 1885. The online school offers hundreds of degrees and certificates with over 40,000 undergraduate students. This program is designed for students who have completed an associate degree in programs like graphic design, graphic arts, fine arts, or other related programs from a regionally accredited institution.

Throughout the program, students will learn about general studies, arts and design, computer systems technology, enterprise planning and implementation, multimedia design, planning and storyboards, and website and ecommerce strategies.

Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, Concentration in Web Development

| Baker University

Baker University is a private liberal arts institution founded in 1858. This program is designed to equip students with technical and business skills to excel in the web development field. Students will get to work on real-life problems to help them build their technical skills and gain hands-on experience required to become professionals in the field.

Students will take courses in general education, information systems, and web development. Some of those course subjects include programming languages, system modeling and design, business analytics, web scripting and design, and a capstone project.

Bachelor of Science in Web Development

| Bellevue University

Opened in 1966, Bellevue University is a private university that is focused on providing education to adult learners. The BS in Web Development program will teach students all about front end web design, coding, backend server scripting, and database skills. Students get to work individually and in teams to develop their critical thinking skills and start a career.

Bachelor of Science in Web Design & Development

| Champlain College

Champlain University was founded in 1878 and offers online and on-campus undergraduate and master’s degree programs in over 80 fields. The curriculum covers courses in programming, design, e-commerce, and infrastructure, and teaches students problem-solving, communication, and technical skills.

Bachelor of Science in Interactive Media Design

| Franklin University

Franklin University was founded in 1902. It is a private university that offers both online and on-campus programs and is designed to educate adult learners. The BS in Interactive Design is designed with transfer students in mind.

The program teaches subjects like mobile graphics, rich media, web and interaction design, and front end development. It also focuses on offering hands-on, project-based instruction and exposes students to both the technical and non-technical aspects of interactive development.

Bachelor of Arts in Web Development

| Full Sail University

Students in Full Sail University’s Bachelor of Arts in Web Development program will learn client-side and server-side programming languages. They’ll also learn how to implement security measures into the websites they design so that user information is kept private.

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology In Web Development

| Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University is a private Evangelical institution that was founded in 1920 and is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church. The BS in Information Technology with a concentration in Web Development helps students prepare for their career in web design.

The program is faith-based and offers hands-on experience. The curriculum covers subjects like project management, database design and programming foundations, web application development, and quality and project decision-making for managers.

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Web and Mobile Programming

| Liberty University

Liberty University is a private Evangelical university founded in 1971. The school offers over 700 undergraduate and graduate degrees online and on campus. The information technology program has a focus on web programming and equips students with the programming languages and design skills needed to start a career in the field.

Bachelor of Science in Digital Media and Web Technology

| University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus is a public university and a part of the University System of Maryland. The school offers over 90 programs online and allows students lifetime access to their career services. The BS in Digital Media and Web Technology teaches students how to design using industry-standard software and allows them to gain hands-on experience.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

| University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix is a private for-profit university that was founded in 1976. The school offers 100 online programs from certificate level to advanced degree levels. The BS in Computer Science program is designed to prepare students for a career as professionals in tech. The program allows students to transfer credits from their associate degree programs.

What’s the Average Web Design Bachelor’s Degree Salary?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),

the average salary of a web designer is $77,200

. This occupation is listed under the umbrella of web developers and digital designers.

Top Web Design Bachelor’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview

Best Web Design Bachelor’s Degree Jobs Explained

Game Developer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $101,644
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  22%
  
  ***
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington DC

Game developers are responsible for the design and development of video games for different formats like PCs, consoles, and mobile applications. Their job is to bring to life the ideas of the design team.

UX Researcher

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $87,853
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  13%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey

A UX researcher is responsible for determining the needs of a company’s target market and ensuring that the website provides the best user experience possible. They must ensure that the website is easily accessible, appealing, and meets the desires of the target audience.

Web Developer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $77,200
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  13%
  
  **
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey

A web developer is in charge of the design and building of websites for organizations. They handle the coding, design, layout, site speed, and other technical aspects according to the company’s specifications.

UX Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $74,817
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  13%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey

UX designers code, design, and build websites while ensuring that the website provides the best possible user experience. They focus on optimizing applications to improve usability and solve user problems.

Application Developer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $70,817
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  22%***
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington DC

Application developers code, design, test, and maintain software applications for different operating systems. They maintain, troubleshoot, update, and secure the applications ensuring that it is running smoothly. They also provide user support.

Multimedia Programmer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $66,243
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  -10%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  185,700
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, Washington DC, California, Virginia, Texas

Multimedia programmers are professionals who use their technical skills to design and create multimedia computer products that combine text with sounds, pictures, graphics, and digital animation.

UI Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $65,163
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  13%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey

A UI designer is a specialist who is in charge of developing engaging programs that improve a user’s experience on a website. They use the company’s strengths to meet the needs of their customers and provide them with a pleasant experience. Their focus is on a website’s interface.

Web Content Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $59,269
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  10%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  316,800
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New York, New Jersey, Colorado, California, Ohio

A web content manager is responsible for the content that appears on a website. They plan, organize, create, edit, and publish content and ensure that it meets the expectations of a company’s target audience.

Web Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $51,997
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  13%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey

Web designers are professionals in charge of the interface, aesthetics, navigation, and user experience of websites. They have to ensure that the website meets the user’s needs and provides a good experience for them.

Multimedia Specialist

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $50,266
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  16%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  62,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Connecticut, Washington, Washington DC, California, New York

Multimedia specialists create, test, and maintain computer animations, audio, video, and graphic images for multimedia applications and websites. They can make changes based on their client’s requests to ensure their goals are met.

*The link to the salary of web developers has already been included in the preceding section on the table.

**These jobs are listed under the same occupational umbrella on BLS.

***These job outlooks are listed under the occupational umbrella of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers on BLS.

Web Design Bootcamp vs Web Design Bachelor’s Degree: Which Is Better?

A bootcamp is another option to

start a career in web design

. Many web designers can start careers in the field without a bachelor’s degree. You can also become a professional web designer with an associate degree or a coding bootcamp. Below you can find out about the benefits of a web design bachelor’s degree and web design bootcamp.

Benefits of a Web Design Bachelor’s Degree

• 
  Career Opportunities.
  
  A web development degree or web design degree will provide you with networking opportunities and the chance to participate in activities outside your specific degree that can open career opportunities for you.
• 
  Broad Curriculum.
  
  The curricula of colleges cover a wide range of fields and not just web design, giving you a well-rounded education.
• 
  Career Growth.
  
  There is an opportunity for career growth with a bachelor’s degree as it gives you the chance to pursue a graduate degree down the line.
• 
  Enhanced Writing Skills.
  
  Colleges place value on having good communication skills and this includes written skills. Students get to take courses to improve their writing and other soft skills.
• 
  Increased Employability.
  
  Employers place a higher value on bachelor’s degrees, which gives you an advantage in the labor market.

Benefits of a Web Design Bootcamp

• 
  Affordability.
  
  Web design bootcamps are significantly more affordable than other learning options.
• 
  Short-Term.
  
  A web design bootcamp can last anywhere between three to nine months, making it much shorter than a traditional degree program.
• 
  Flexibility.
  
  Bootcamps offer flexible and accessible learning formats that allow even mid-level workers to learn.
• 
  Specialized Curriculum.
  
  The curriculum of a web design bootcamp will focus on the relevant skills that are in demand in the labor market and will help you land a job soon.
• 
  Career Services.
  
  Bootcamps offer career services like resume writing and interview prep to help make their students job-ready.

Should You Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Web Design?

Yes, you should get a bachelor’s degree in web design if you want to

get a job in web design

. Web design is a lucrative field with opportunities that will continue to increase as technology advances. The majority of businesses need a website to reach their target market, which provides job opportunities for professionals in this field.

Web Design Bachelor’s Degree FAQ