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

If customer experience, programming, and digital design are your strong suits, then you might want to become a web designer. Most web design careers only require an associate or bachelor’s degree, however getting a web design master’s degree will help you land lucrative senior tech roles.

Graduate degrees allow students to gain a comprehensive understanding of essential concepts and skills in their chosen field. This article will cover the best master’s degrees in web design, and the jobs you can get with this degree.

What Is Web Design?

Web design is the visual and user experience design of a web page or a web application. It is a field that uses programming languages including

HTML

, JavaScript, and CSS to develop and design aesthetically-pleasing and functional front ends of web pages.

Depending on your web design profession you can work in graphic design, software development, database design, or user experience (UX) design. Gaining a master’s degree will help you become an expert in your chosen specialty.

What Is a Web Design Master’s Degree?

A web design master’s degree is an advanced graduate degree that usually takes one to two years to complete and covers advanced web design and development subject areas. Overall a master’s degree in web design solidifies your development, design, user experience, and website layout skills.

Depending on your career goals, you can earn an information technology web design master’s degree, a software development web design concentration, or a database architecture design degree. Any one of these options will open up advanced career opportunities.

Web Design Master’s Degree Requirements

The requirements for a web design master’s degree program vary depending on the university, but they all require a bachelor’s degree. The master’s degree also requires you to complete certain core and concentration courses. If you apply for a thesis program your degree also requires you to deliver a thesis that matches your specialization and is approved by your advisor.

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

According to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES),

the average master’s degree costs

around $19,792. The cost of tuition varies depending on the university, program, and length. According to the same NCES report, a master’s degree costs $26,597 at private institutions and $12,410 at public institutions.

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

There are several ways of financing a web design master’s degree including scholarships, employer sponsorships, private loans, and research grants. You can also fund your master’s degree with part-time work, such as a teaching assistant position.

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

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

Read below to find out about the best on-campus master’s degree programs in web design, including the graduate program curriculum and career options. Use our list of best colleges for web design to accelerate your school search process.

Master of Arts in Web Design and New Media

| Academy of Art University

Academy of Arts University is a private art school based in California that offers both online and on-site degrees. It’s web design and new media degree programs also offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. This Master of Arts degree program covers UX design, front end development, visual design, motion graphics, typography, and graphic design.

Master of Science in Computer Information Systems, Web Application Development Concentration

| Boston University

Boston University is a top ranking university that offers over 300 academic programs. From data science to engineering, communication, business, or education, the university offers a wide range of subject areas. If you want to

become a software engineer

, a software developer, or an information systems analyst, this master’s degree is for you.

It covers business data communication, IT strategy, financial informatics, software quality testing, artificial intelligence, and network design. The program also covers several technical skills needed for a career in web design, including web development, computer graphics, and software design.

Master of Design

| Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is best known for its fine arts and computer science programs and offers both graduate and undergraduate online and on-campus programs. The school’s Master of Design program focuses on the interaction design aspect of web design.

It offers plenty of hands-on experience in topics including design research, communication design, and service design. This program is best suited for those looking to build a career in product design, graphic design, and transition design. This degree is thesis based and covers service design, research based design, and design concepts.

Master of Fine Arts in Media and Technology: Interactive Design

| Duquesne University

Duquesne University is a top university that offers several core courses in research and business subjects. This digital media design program enables career opportunities in user experience design, web design, mobile development, and digital media.

It covers all the practical skills required for media literacy, interactive design, and user experience. You will learn human computer interaction, mobile design, media ethics, and creative coding in Dev Studio I and II.

Master of Information Technology and Management with a Specialization in Web Design and Application Development

| Illinois Institute of Technology

If you are looking to build a career in software development, applied technology, digital marketing, or computational design, then Illinois Institute of Technology might be for you. The school offers tons of on-campus and online programs covering multiple subject areas.

This advanced degree is for everyone wanting to enter the IT web design industry. It’s design degree program covers both basic and advanced design principles. You will learn website app development, popular programming languages, user experience research, and object oriented programming.

Master of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design

| Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester Institute of Technology is a private university that offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across a broad range of fields including business management, engineering technology, and game development.

This master’s degree will open up job opportunities in a wide range of industries including video game development, business, and IT. The program consists of 60 credit hours of programming and design subjects. You will learn information design, motion graphics, design systems, 3D particles, identity design, and digital media layout integration.

Master of Arts in Web and Multimedia Design

| Touro College

Touro College is based in New York and offers both on-campus and online master’s programs in medical sciences, education, data analytics, and cyber security. This web and multimedia design degree covers all non-technical and technical aspects of UX, digital product, and creative design.

You will learn HTML, JavaScript, CSS, graphic design, 3D modeling, UX design, web development, database design, and visual design. You will gain analytical skills, design skills, and programming language skills to fulfil your career goals in web design and web development.

Master of Fine Arts in Digital Media and Design

| University of Connecticut

University of Connecticut is well known for its law and research programs. This Master’s Degree in Digital Media and Design provides you with core competencies to enter the digital arts, entertainment, business, and STEM industries. The program covers design research techniques, digital media aesthetics, and design procedure.

Master of Science in Information and Communications Technology – Web Design and Development

| University of Denver

University of Denver is a Colorado-based private university that offers several graduate and undergraduate programs in bioengineering, business analytics, and computer science. This graduate degree is part of an advanced information technology program offered by the University of Denver and is available for study both online and in-person.

It consists of four core courses, four concentration courses, and four elective courses. You will learn business environment foundations, the core principles of web design, usability design, and marketing analytics. The program also covers mobile app development, database administration, and internet mapping.

Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

| University of Houston

Best known for its innovation programs in the health, arts, energy, and athletics fields, University of Houston is a school worth looking into. If you are interested in securing a senior graphic design position, then this master’s degree is for you. It covers critical theory, graphic design research, digital media, graphic communication, and 2D and 3D environment designs.

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

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

For those who prefer an online education, there are tons of online master’s degree programs that provide a web design education. Read below to learn more about the top online master programs in web design.

Master of Science in User Experience

| Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers several graduate programs in business, information technology, healthcare, and education. This online master degree is for those wanting to

become a UI/UX designer

, or product designer. It covers cross-media design solutions, interaction design, technical communication, usability experience, and human systems engineering.

Master of Fine Arts in Art, Graphic and Interactive Design

| California State University Fullerton

California State University Fullerton offers on-campus and online programs in business, mathematics, education, and computer science. This graphic and interactive design graduate degree is best suited for those wanting to become a graphic or an interactive designer. You will gain essential skills in exhibition design, graphic design, and illustration.

Master of Professional Studies in Web and Mobile Applications Development

| Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University is a Kansas-based public university. This Master’s Degree in Web and Mobile Applications Development is suited for aspiring web developers, and mobile app developers. You will learn front end and backend development, cyberspace law, informatics research methods, and mobile web development.

Master of Liberal Arts in Digital Media Design

| Harvard University

Harvard University is a top ranking Ivy League university that is best known for its engineering, law, and arts concentration. This online master program is offered by the Harvard Extension School, and covers digital media design topics. It covers web design, mobile app design, programming, web technologies, backend and front end development, and digital photography.

Master of Science in Information Technology – Software Design and Management

| Liberty University

Liberty University is an online university that offers programs in accounting, government, psychology, and computer science. This online graduate program can help you enter backend web development, software design, and software development jobs. You’ll learn software design, database design, computer security, statistical analysis, and computer networks.

Master of Business Administration in Web Development Management

| Lynn University

For those interested in a web development career in the business industry, this online degree might be for you. Lynn University is a Florida-based private university that offers several areas of study including advertising, aviation, biology, data analytics, and graphic design.

This degree will help online students gain business management skills, along with web design and development skills. You will learn HTML, JavaScript, and Ruby on Rails. It also covers business modeling, marketing, and accounting subjects.

Master’s in Software Development

| Maryville University

Maryville University offers over 90 graduate and undergraduate programs in biomedical science, cyber security, nursing, and data science. The Master’s in Software Development program prepares you for several lucrative computer science jobs.

Some of these jobs include user experience designer, web developer, and software consultant. The program covers agile systems analysis, programming, user interface design, web applications, and software development.

Master in Information Technology – Web Design Concentration

| Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University’s online school offers programs in software engineering, accounting, criminal justice, engineering, and IT. This IT degree with a concentration in web design helps you build a software development and design career. It covers interface design, operating systems, database connectivity, page layout, HTML, web construction, and scripting.

Master of Arts in Web Design and Online Communication

| University of Florida

University of Florida is a research university known for its 200 research service centers. This program will help you gain web design and mass communication skills to apply for jobs in brand management, web management, UX design, and graphic design. The program covers digital media design, web engagement, web design, programming, brand identity, and visual communications design.

Master of Science in Information Systems Technology – Web Design Concentration

| Wilmington University

This graduate degree is best for those wanting to become an IT analyst, software developer, or tech project manager. The program offers a web design concentration that covers web architecture, web design integration, JavaScript, animation, and database design.

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

According to PayScale the

average salary for a web designer with a master’s degree

is $70,000. This salary rate changes depending on your master’s specialization, and choice of career. For example, according to the same PayScale report, the average salary for a UX designer with a master’s degree is $84,920.

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

Best Web Design Master’s Degree Jobs Explained

Software Developer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $110,140
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  22%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York

A master’s degree in web design and development can help you get a top paying software development job. The job duties of a software developer are to design and develop user friendly and optimal software programs. Their responsibilities include software testing, management, and implementation.

User Interface Developer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $107,681
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  13%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, Washington, Georgia

As an user interface developer, your job responsibilities include ensuring the functionality, performance, and aesthetics of a web page application. The job includes front end development programming and user interface specification design. It primarily includes building a user-friendly and business-friendly web app.

User Interface Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $104,879
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  13%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, Washington, Georgia

Similar to user interface developers, user interface designers also work to design a web page that provides optimal user experience and interface functionality while maintaining the brand’s integrity. User interface designers mostly focus on the visual design aspects instead of web page performance and programming.

Senior Game Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $101,473
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  22%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York

A Master’s Degree in Web Design can qualify you for a senior role in game design. As a senior game designer you will work with the lead designer and game director to design a video game with excellent user interface and play experience. Your job also includes managing game designers and game developers.

Database Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $99,484
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  8%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  168,000
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New Jersey, Washington, Washington DC

Getting a Master’s Degree in Web Design with a data science specialization can help you become a database designer. A database designer is responsible for the visual and identification structures of a database. This includes database tables, data storage procedures, and structures. Their job also includes simplifying the data access structures and merging data.

User Experience Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $98,816
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  13%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, Washington, Georgia

A user experience designer is responsible for the design elements of a web page that translates to a great customer experience and optimal brand portrayal. Unlike a user interface (UI) designer, UX designers mostly focus on the human experience aspect of the design. They do this by working with marketing, product development, and business analytics.

Product Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $84,316
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  13%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, Washington, Georgia

A product designer is responsible for a product’s user experience from the beginning product development stages to the product launch. They are responsible for creating a product design, identifying problem areas, and implementing design solutions.

Senior Web Designers

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $82,417
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  13%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, Washington, Georgia

A senior web designer is responsible for managing a team of web designers. Their job includes ensuring an optimal website design is created from the team. They directly work with clients and product managers to meet both user and business expectations.

Web Developer

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

Web developers use computer programming, product design, and graphic design to build a web page. They use HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to develop responsive web design and development. They also perform website performance tests, and implement solutions for efficient functionality.

Graphic Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $53,380
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  3%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  254,100
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington DC, Washington, Massachusetts

Graphic designers are responsible for creating visual illustrations that match the product objectives and are visually pleasing to the users. Their job includes creating web page layouts, logos, typography, and animation.

*

These statistics are grouped under software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers on BLS

**These statistics are grouped under web developers and digital designers on BLS

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

The benefits of a Master’s Degree in Web Design versus a web design bootcamp certificate vary depending on your career goals and education preferences. For those looking for a short-term, cheaper alternative to get ready for an entry-level web design and development career, a bootcamp is the way to go. Below we compare the two educational options.

Benefits of a Web Design Master’s Degree

• 
  Advanced and widely accepted degree.
  
  A Master’s Degree in Web Design is widely accepted and preferred across several senior positions. This degree showcases your expertise in the design and often development field.
• 
  A wide range of specialization options.
  
  Depending on your choice of career, you can pair your web design degree with another specialization. You can specialize in data science, software development, mass communication, graphic design, or animation.
• 
  Lucrative career opportunities.
  
  A master’s degree in web design opens doors into several lucrative careers. They include senior game designer, database designer, user interface designer, and senior software developer.
• 
  Pathway to a doctoral degree.
  
  For those interested in entering the education or research sectors, a master’s degree will qualify you for a doctoral program.
• 
  High salary rate.
  
  A Master’s Degree in Web Design allows you to apply for several senior positions across sectors like IT, business, and data industry, which come with high compensation rates.

Benefits of a Web Design Bootcamp

• 
  Less time commitment.
  
  A web design bootcamp curriculum lasts only a few weeks to a few months. So, if you are in a hurry to get job-ready then this educational path is for you.
• 
  In-demand skills.
  
  A web design bootcamp will provide you with in-demand industry skills including front end development, UX and UI design, and graphic design. This is especially useful if you already know what career path you want to take.
• 
  Cheaper alternative.
  
  Unlike a master’s degree in web design, a bootcamp accepts high school graduates. You don’t have to get a bachelor’s degree to qualify for this educational path, making it a much cheaper alternative.
• 
  Career services placement.
  
  Bootcamp graduates work at high-profile companies including Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Most bootcamps will provide you with extensive career services including resume critique, interview prep, and employer networking opportunities to help you land a job.
• 
  Job guarantee.
  
  Some bootcamps also provide a job guarantee, where you get a full tuition refund if you fail to get a job within six months of graduation.

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

You should get a Master’s Degree in Web Design if you want to directly qualify for senior web design jobs including senior web developer, user interface designer, and senior product manager. However, know that you can

get a job in web design

with an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or even a bootcamp certification.

Web Design Master’s Degree FAQ