Pursuing a degree at one of the best schools for web design increases your chances of succeeding in the field. The best web design schools provide superior education from certifications to PhDs that’ll help you build a lucrative career as a web designer.
This article has a compiled list of the best web design universities and colleges. You’ll find the schools, their accreditation, the highest-paying jobs you can apply for post graduation, and the US rankings of the best web design colleges and universities.
Best Web Design College and University Rankings: Top 10 Web Design Schools at a Glance
| School | State | Formats Available | US News Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Art University | CA | In-person; Online | N/A |
| Brigham Young University – Idaho | ID | In-person | N/A |
| DeVry University | IL | Online | N/A |
| Franklin University | OH | Hybrid; Online | N/A |
| Full Sail University | FL | In-person; Online | N/A |
| Southern New Hampshire University | NH | Hybrid; Online | N/A |
| Tulane University | LA | In-person | #42 |
| University of Connecticut | CT | In-person; Online | #63 |
| University of Denver | CO | In-person; Online | #93 |
| University of Florida | FL | In-person; Online | #28 |
Web Design School Rankings: Best Web Design Colleges and Universities
Over the following sections, we take a deeper look at each university mentioned in the table above and the web design programs offered. Find out the Time Higher Education rankings, acceptance rate, and accreditation that make these the best schools for web design.
The Best Schools for Web Design: Types of College Degrees and University Programs Offered
The best schools for web design offer various programs and degrees. These include undergraduate programs and graduate certificates, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. The right program for you depends on your career aspirations.
Comparing Popular Degree Options
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Best Web Design Schools: Other Web Design University Rankings
The best web design schools may offer different types of programs like dual degrees, accelerated programs, and online courses. The section below discusses the various web design university rankings and what makes them worth your time and consideration.
Best Online Web Design Schools
- DeVry University. The web design programs at DeVry University are 100 percent online. Students enrolled in programs like the Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development with Web and Mobile Application Development Specialization receive a complimentary laptop, work with expert faculty, and access critical cloud-based tools.
- Southern New Hampshire University. SNHU offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Media Arts with a concentration in Web Design. This program focuses on theory and practice, using the most advanced technology available.
- University of Florida. This school offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts and Sciences. UF Online offers students the same high-quality education that traditional campus students receive using state-of-the-art multi-stream video-conferencing technology.
Best Community Colleges for Web Design
- Anne Arundel Community College. Anne Arundel Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Web Design degree. This program provides students with foundational skills to enter the workforce.
- Clark State College. Clark State Community College has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Web Design and Development program that prepares students for a future career as web designers, front end developers, UI/UX designers, and SEO engineers.
- Northcentral Technical College. This community college offers an Associate Degree in IT-Web Design. This program allows students to design, develop, and maintain high-quality professional websites and create digital media.
Best Undergraduate Schools for Web Design
- Franklin University. This school offers two different online BS degrees related to web design. Students still get access to hands-on experience and develop enterprise-level skills. However, they can do so from the comfort of their home as the program is online.
- Full Sail University. Full Sail University offers two bachelor’s degrees and an undergraduate certificate in web design-related fields. It allows students to pursue different interests in this area of study.
- Santa Clara University. Santa Clara University offers a Bachelor of Science in Web Design and Engineering. This program combines technical education in computing with courses in graphic art, communication, and sociology.
Best Graduate Schools for Web Design
- Academy of Art University. Academy of Art University offers two master’s degree programs in web design-related fields. These courses are taught by nationally recognized experts willing to guide and motivate students.
- Boston University. Boston University offers an MS in Computer Information Systems with a Web Application Development Concentration. Students work with cutting-edge technologies to design and build web applications for desktop and mobile devices.
- Harvard University. Harvard University awards a Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies in the Digital Media Design field. The program focuses on the artistic and technical aspects of digital media.
Best Web Design Schools With Dual Degree Programs
- Pace University | Dual Certificate in Graphic and Web Design. This dual certificate program by Pace University teaches students how to plan, design, upload, and maintain a functional and responsive website.
- Tufts University | Dual Certificate in Graphic Design and Illustration. Tufts University offers this dual certificate in-person and as a hybrid learning experience. It focuses on developing graphic design and illustration skills and also offers courses in web design.
- Santa Clara University | BS/MS Degree. Motivated students enrolled at Santa Clara University can combine a BS in Web Design and Engineering with an MS in Computer Science and Engineering.
Best Schools With Accelerated Web Design Programs
- DeVry University | Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development with Web and Mobile Application Development Specialization. This online program can be completed in two years and eight months if students decide to enroll full-time and skip the regular school year breaks.
- Full Sail University | Online Bachelor of Science in Web Design & Development. Much like other Full Sail University degrees, this BS in Web Design & Development is an accelerated program. While regular bachelor’s degrees take around four years to complete, this program can be completed in 29 months.
- Santa Clara University | BS/MS Degree. Students enrolled in the BS in Web Design and Engineering and MS in Computer Science and Engineering dual program can get their master’s degree within a year of obtaining their bachelor’s degree.
Easy Colleges to Get Into
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Is Graduate School for Web Design Worth It?
Yes, graduate school for web design is worth it. All types of graduate degrees and programs are valuable when it comes to learning professional skills that’ll help students reach the highest-paying jobs in the industry.
What Jobs Can You Do With a Web Design Degree?
The jobs you can do with a web design degree are desktop publisher, web designer, and UI developer to name a few. The best web design university prepares you for these career opportunities by teaching you valuable industry skills.
In a web design program at the best schools for web design, you’ll learn how to become a web designer, a graphic designer, a special effects artist, or any other position you might want to pursue related to the web design field.
How Much Can I Earn With a Degree in Web Design?
You can earn anything between $59,000 and $96,000 per year on average with a degree in web design. Your average annual salary depends on the career path you choose, your overall experience, and what type of degree you have.
According to PayScale, people with a Bachelor’s Degree in Web Design earn $67,000 per year, someone with a Master’s Degree in Web Design can make an average of $71,000 per year, while a PhD in Web Design earns $93,000 annually on average.
Highest-Paying Web Design Careers
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | Bachelor’s degree | $95,460 |
| Web Design Postsecondary Teacher | PhD | $92,200 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | Bachelor’s degree | $86,220 |
| UI developer | Master’s degree | $77,605 |
| UX Designer | Master’s degree | $76,205 |
| Senior Web Designer | PhD | $72,697 |
| User Experience Researcher | Master’s degree | $70,929 |
| Multimedia Programmer | Associate’s degree | $66,243 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | PhD | $64,240 |
| Graphic Designer | Bachelor’s degree | $59,970 |
Best Jobs With a Web Design Degree
The best jobs with a web design degree are web and digital interface designer, web design postsecondary teacher, and special effects artist and animator. Over the next few sections, we take a closer look at other jobs you can get with a web design degree by degree level.
How Can I Pay for Web Design School?
You can pay for web design school by taking out student loans or applying for federal student aid. You can also try applying to any available scholarships at your school or looking for on-campus assistantship positions.
- Student loans. Student loans are a type of school funding that needs to be repaid and can either fully cover or partially cover the cost, depending on your family or individual financial circumstances. Consider student loans as a last resort.
- Federal student aid. Federal student aid like the FAFSA requires students to demonstrate financial necessity. The results determine which students will receive financial aid and how much will they be granted.
- Scholarships. Many organizations and institutions contribute with partial or full scholarships. These can be merit, identity, athletic, or even military-based.
- Assistantships. Typically, only graduate students get access to assistantships. Graduate students are allowed to work as teaching or research assistants in their department to help pay for their tuition.
How to Pay for Your Chosen School Education Path
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Choosing the Best Web Design School for You
To choose the best web design school for you, you should consider if your school of choice is accredited, how much you need to pay for tuition and fees, and what the current student-to-faculty ratio is.
Accreditation
Accreditation is an important factor to consider when choosing the best web design university for you. Enrolling in an accredited program guarantees that you’re getting the best education possible from experts in the field. Furthermore, accreditation ensures that the school meets the standard of education as accreditation is awarded by a third-party accrediting institution.
Cost
Keep in mind how much you are able and willing to spend on your education. Consider tuition rates, fees, and other expenses you might have when enrolling in a web design school. The final costs vary depending on if you’re an online, in-state, or out-of-state student.
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
If you’re looking for one-on-one time with faculty and other experts in web design then you should consider universities that have low student-to-faculty ratios during your school search. A lower ratio indicates there are more faculty per student, meaning you will form better relationships with your professors.
How to Get Into the Right School for Your Profession
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Does It Matter What College I Go to for Web Design?
Yes, it matters what college you go to for web design. Accredited colleges with high graduation rates, low student-to-faculty ratios, and overall lower acceptance rates are probably more prestigious and offer higher-quality education. In these schools, you’ll find successful professionals in web design that’ll provide you with the best knowledge you can get.
Web Design University Ranking Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Schools for Web Design
We ranked the best web design schools by consulting the university rankings conducted by US News & World Report and Times Higher Education. To further refine our web design university ranking methodology, we gave special consideration to things like reputation, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and breadth and depth of web design degree program offerings.
Additional Reading About Web Design
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Best Web Design Schools FAQ
Some web design projects to build your portfolio and hone your skills include designing product landing pages, creating a Google Home page lookalike, building social share buttons, and designing an SEO-friendly website.
To choose between web design and web development you must focus on whether you prefer the creation or the design aspect of building websites and applications. If you enjoy contemplating different aesthetics and color palettes you might want to choose web design. If you prefer coding, web development might be the best choice.
The industries that hire the most web designers include digital processing, web hosting, web publishing, banking and finance, information technology, and media. Microsoft, Google, IBM, and WordPress are some of the top employers for web designers.
Some of the best web design blogs to learn from are Smashing Magazine, Design Shark, Design Bombs, FreeCodeCamp, Creative Bloq, W3School, Webprofessionals.org, and Dreamweaver.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
