If you’re looking to begin your career in web development by enrolling in an academic program, it is important to consider affordable options. This article aids your school search by providing you with a list of the cheapest web development schools in the US and their average annual costs.
This article lists ten of the most affordable web development schools, how much they cost, and what web development programs they offer. The second section breaks down the cheapest web development degrees by education level (associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate) and elaborates on the job outlook for graduates with a web development degree.
What Are the Most Affordable Web Development Schools in the US?
The most affordable web development schools in the US are Seminole State College of Florida, Brigham Young University, and Fort Hays State University. These schools offer a standard web development program and a more affordable tuition rate than other schools.
How Much Do the Cheapest Web Development Schools Cost?
The cheapest web development schools cost between $3,000 and $23,000 per year. All of the schools listed in the table below offer online degrees in web development that suit your budget and cover all the foundational topics.
Cheapest Web Development Schools Costs Breakdown
- Tuition and Fees: These are the charges students pay as a condition of enrollment in a university.
- Accommodations: This is the cost you incur if you stay in school-provided housing.
- Books and Supplies: This is the fee used to provide books and necessary supplies to students. The amount to pay depends on the field of study.
- Registration Charges: These fees are exclusively for new students and are a necessary prerequisite for enrollment.
- Lab Fee: This fee is specifically for students in science and engineering programs that require the use of a laboratory.
Why You Should Attend a Web Development School
You should attend a web development school because it can teach you the fundamentals of web design. In addition to getting a foundational education in web design, you also get to learn industry best practices and work hands-on with the newest technologies used in this ever-evolving industry.
Furthermore, attending a web development school allows you to network with like-minded students, learn new skills while sharpening your old ones, and push yourself to develop further as a student and professional. Most importantly, by attending a web development school you can obtain a degree or certificate that helps you to stand out in the job market.
Best Web Development School Career Options
After attending a web development school you can work as a web designer, software developer, computer and information research scientist, or computer programmer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for web developers and digital designers is predicted to grow by 13 percent from 2020 to 2023, which is good news for recent graduates.
Web Development Salary
The average salary for a web development graduate is $77,200, according to BLS. The lowest-paid 10 percent earn less than $41,000 and the highest-paid 10 percent earn more than $145,000.
Can You Attend Web Development School for Free?
Yes, you can attend a web development school for free if you qualify for sufficient financial aid or scholarships. To qualify for financial aid you must be a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen enrolled in an eligible degree or program.
There are also good web development schools that offer free web development courses such as Code Academy, Khan Academy, MIT OpenCourseWare, and Mozilla Developer Network. These schools also offer you certificates at the end of the course.
Cheapest Web Development Schools That Won’t Break the Bank
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminole State College Of Florida | $3,131 | $11,456 | 45% |
| Fort Hays State University | $5,430 | $15,870 | 50% |
| Brigham Young University | $6,120 | $6,120 | 77% |
| Weber State University | $6,228 | $16,644 | 41% |
| Lewis-Clark State College | $6,982 | $20,238 | 37% |
| American Public University System | $7,360 | $7,360 | 49% |
| University of Phoenix | $9,552 | $9,552 | 14% |
| Franklin University | $9,577 | $9,577 | 25% |
| Southern New Hampshire University | $15,380 | $15,380 | 39% |
| Liberty University | $22,713 | $22,713 | 62% |
What Are the Cheapest Web Development Schools? A Deep Dive
Paying For Web Development School With Financial Aid
There are several scholarships, grants, and financial aid options available to students pursuing online degrees. Some financial aid options you might consider are federal grants, federal loans, private loans, and work study.
Federal Grants
There are various types of federal grants. Two of the most common types of grants are Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, which do not have to be repaid. Students who take out Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are not required to pay interest on them until six months after graduation.
Federal Loans
Federal loans are granted by the federal government. They are beneficial in the sense that they have a fixed interest rate and lower interest than private loans. Students who apply for these loans also enjoy income-based repayment and postponement options. However, these loans can take a long time to repay which may affect other life goals.
Private Loans
Private loans are non-governmental loans granted by a company or private organization, bank, or credit union. Private loans have a higher borrowing limit than federal loans. Private loans are not beneficial because they have a relatively high and variable interest rate in contrast to federal loans.
Work Study
Work study is a federal government program that provides part-time jobs for students with financial needs. This enables students to earn and pay their tuition through employment. Work study also gives you practical experience in your career field. Some potential disadvantages of a work study program are limited hours and low pay.
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How to Apply for Federal Aid to Finance Your Web Development School Program
There are several steps you need to take to apply for federal aid and help finance your web development school program. You need to create an FSA ID, prepare necessary documents, fill out and submit the student aid form, review financial aid packages and reply to aid offers. Continue reading for more information.
- Create an FSA ID. To successfully apply for federal financial aid you need to have an FSA ID. This helps you avoid processing delays.
- Prepare necessary documents. Gather all the necessary documents you’ll need to apply for a student loan. These documents include your social security number, your parent’s social security number, and federal tax information.
- Fill out and submit the federal student aid form. Answer all the questions on the form accurately, then sign and submit the form. You can fill out this form online or on the mystudentAid mobile app.
- Review financial aid packages. The school you listed in the application form will send you an aid offer. The offer covers the types and amount of aid available to you. Compare the aid options available while evaluating their pros and cons.
- Reply to aid offer. After evaluating the available aid offers, you can then choose the one with the most favorable terms.
Best Web Development Scholarships
- Generation Google Scholarship | Amount: $10,000. Only full-time computer science students in a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program can apply for this award. This award is specifically for students studying computer science or a closely related field. Applicants must also have a good academic record.
- ESA Foundation Scholarship | Amount: $1,280. This annual, non-renewable award aims to support underrepresented students in the computer science field. Applicants must be undergraduates in a computer science program.
- Microsoft Scholarship | Amount: $1,200. This scholarship encourages students to further their education in computer science or related STEM fields. To be eligible, you need to be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at the time of application. You must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Chee Web Development Scholarship | Amount: $1,000. This award is for students pursuing a web design-related certificate or undergraduate degree. Students who apply for this scholarship are required to write a 1,000-word essay and attach their academic transcript in PDF format with the essay.
- eSchoolVView Student Web Design & Development Scholarship | $35,000. This scholarship gifts $35,000 to high school seniors looking to study graphic design in college. Students in the contest build a website and the first amongst the eight winners is awarded a sum of $5,000, two students get $2,500, and five students get $1,000.
Cheapest Undergraduate Web Development Schools
The cheapest undergraduate web development schools are the Seminole State College of Florida, Southern New Hampshire University, the University of Phoenix, the American Public University System, Liberty University, Brigham Young University, Franklin University, Bellevue University, and Lewis-Clark State University.
Most Affordable Web Development Associate Degree Programs
- Seminole State College of Florida | AS in Computer Programming and Analysis (Web Development Specialization) | $3,131. Students in this program gain practical, hands-on experience working with Internet databases and web applications.
- Southern New Hampshire University | AS in Information Technology | $320/credit hour. This program prepares students for entry into the IT industry. This program revolves around the hands-on application of IT theories to computer-based problems.
- University of Phoenix | AAS in Web Design/Development | $85/credit hour. Students in this program learn how to create, design, and administer interactive web pages. At the end of this program, students get a certificate of completion in foundational web technology.
- American Public University | AS in Computer Technology | $285/credit hour. Students in this program get to complete industry certifications like Security+ and A+ in addition to getting an associate degree. This program is fully online.
- Liberty University | AA in Information Systems | $390/credit hour. This program teaches students the fundamentals of information systems and how to use computers to solve real-world problems. This program is fully online, and you can complete it at your own pace.
Most Affordable Web Development Bachelor’s Degree Programs
- Southern New Hampshire University | BA in Graphics Design and Media Arts | 320/credit hour. This 120-credit program exposes students to contemporary techniques needed to design a website. Students in this program gain technical proficiency in practical web design.
- Brigham Young University | BS in Web Design and Development | $323/credit hour. Through this program, you’ll gain experience in crucial areas of web development including front end and backend development, web business creation, and visual media.
- Franklin University | BS in Web Development | $398/credit hour. The BS in Web Development program exposes students to many skills required to build, design, and administer a website. This program is transfer-friendly and available online.
- Bellevue University | BS in Web Development | $440/credit hour. This program prepares you for an in-demand career by providing you with the coding, front end, and backend skills needed for building websites and applications. This program is offered completely online.
- Lewis-Clark State University | BS in Computer Science | $358/credit hour. This BS program gives undergraduate students a foundational education in computer science. Students in this program apply tech theory to the building of concrete objects.
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Cheapest Graduate Schools for Web Development
The cheapest graduate web development schools are Fort Hays State University, Wilmington University, Southern New York University, University of Florida, Arizona State University, Aspen University, Dakota State University, Colorado Technical University, Cornell University, and University of California.
Most Affordable Schools for Master’s Degrees in Web Development
- Fort Hays State University | MS in Web and Mobile Applications Development | $250/credit hour. This program is ideal for students looking to enter the professional web development field. The program covers front end web development, backend web development, and mobile development.
- Weber State University | Master of Science in Computer Science | $7,272/year. This program covers topics like algorithms and computer architecture. Students must complete graduate-level research culminating in a thesis or project.
- Southern New Hampshire University | MS in Information Technology (Concentration in Web Design) | $627/credit hour. This 36-credit-hour program teaches students advanced skills in core web design aspects like website development, HTML/XML, interface design, and drawing website traffic.
- University of Florida | MS in Web Design & Online Communication | $12,740/year. This course focuses on coding, communication theory, and web design. Students in this program learn software design, coding, and programming languages like HTML and JavaScript. This program is fully online.
- Arizona State University | MS in Graphic Information Technology | $12,766/year. This program helps graphic design students expand their professional capacity and master the latest and most cutting-edge graphic information technology. This program covers web management, ecommerce, and interaction design and implementation.
Most Affordable PhDs in Web Development Universities
- Aspen University | PhD in Computer Science | $375/month. This program is designed to benefit people from different information science disciplines. This program covers topics like AI, algorithm design, and system metrics. Students also take a series of courses that help them in their research and dissertation writing.
- Dakota State University | PhD in Computer Science | $5,100/semester. This program offers students the opportunity to advance their knowledge by providing them with resources to conduct theoretical and practical research in any computer science subfield or related courses. This program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Colorado Technical University | PhD in Computer Science | $598/credit hour. This 100-credit-hour program covers contemporary computer science topics and research methods. Some topics covered in this program are quantitative and qualitative research methods, dissertation literature, and research writing.
- Cornell University | PhD in Computer Science | $10,400/semester. Students in this program choose a specific topic that they research and present during an oral evaluation. Cornell University offers over 90 minor fields other than computer science which students can explore and write their dissertation on.
- University of California | PhD in Computer Science | $17,006/year. This program covers both the theoretical and practical aspects of computer science. The program encompasses various research fields including graphics and computer vision, analysis and design of computer systems, and database development.
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How to Choose a Good and Affordable Web Development School
The first thing to consider when choosing a good and affordable web development school is cost. Affordability is essential to consider, especially for entry-level students, but the reputation of the school, modes of learning/flexibility, student services/aid, and student population should also be considered. Below is a list of factors you should look out for during your school search.
Cost
Even if the quality of education is the same across several schools, the cost might differ among them. A school’s tuition rate depends on several factors. You should analyze the cost of attendance to choose the most affordable and suitable school. Private schools typically cost more than public schools, which in turn cost more than online bootcamps or remote courses.
Location
Going to school out of state often attracts extra costs, including transportation, accommodation, or the higher out-of-state tuition charged by institutions outside your state. Out-of-state tuition is sometimes double the in-state tuition. Going to school in-state will lower the cost of your tuition.
Flexibility/Online
Web developers usually work remotely, so a flexible or online learning program can prepare you for your post-graduation career. There are numerous benefits of online learning including relatively lower tuition, no transportation and accommodation hassle, and self-paced learning. Besides all these attractive benefits, online learning can be a bonus for future web developers.
Tips for Saving Money While Attending Web Development School
- Get a Job. Having a part-time job while attending a web development school can guarantee you some pocket money to fall back on. Ideally, you should look for jobs that are related or tangentially related to web development.
- Apply for Web Development Scholarships. Scholarships help you save money by covering your education cost and in some cases providing stipends. Some web design scholarships available to you are the Adobe Design Circles scholarship and the Edison International STEM Scholarship.
- Invest in Group/Family Data Plan. Data in the USA is ranked as the 154th-most expensive worldwide by the 2021 Worldwide Data Pricing map done by Cable.co.uk. Since learning and practicing web development consumes a significant amount of data, joining a group plan gets you more data at a lower cost.
- Utilize On-Campus Meal Plans. If you’re living on campus, a meal plan is the best choice for saving money on food. You should take advantage of this opportunity if it’s available.
- Buy Homecare and Self-Care Supplies in Bulk. Buying regularly used items in bulk will save you cash. However, you should be wary of buying more perishable items in this manner due to unpredictable future circumstances. When buying in bulk, stick to items like toilet paper, soap, toothbrushes, canned food, and other long-lasting products.
Cheapest Online Schools for Web Development
Below is a list of the cheapest online schools for web development. The list below also includes the per credit hour cost for web development programs at the certificate (usually about 15 credits), associate (less than 30 units), bachelor’s (usually 120 credits), and master’s (usually 30 credits) level.
| School | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Hays University | $226.88 per credit hour | 50% |
| American Public University System | $285 per credit hour | 49% |
| Champlain College | $328 per credit hour | 68% |
| Southern New Hampshire University | $320 per credit hour | 39% |
| Franklin University | $398 per credit hour | 25% |
Most Affordable Online Web Development Bachelor’s Programs
- University of Maryland Global Campus| Bachelor’s in Web & Digital Design | $312/credit (in state); $499/credit (out of state). This 120-credit-hour online BS program is one of the most reputable and affordable web development/web and media design programs in the US.
- Southern New Hampshire University | Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Media Arts – Web Design Concentration | $320/credit. SNHU offers a 120-credit-hour online BA program in graphic design and media arts with a concentration in web design. This program teaches web development students to create work using web design tools.
- Champlain College | Bachelor’s in Web Design & Development | $328/credit. This is a 120-credit-hour program. Some of the components of its curriculum include website design, writing for the web, Python programming, and ethical hacking, all of which prepare students for a career in web development.
- Southeastern University | Bachelor of Science in Digital Media & Design | $390/credit. This four-year online BS program is designed for working professionals of all ages. Its 120-credit-hour curriculum consists of several digital design and elective courses that teach future web developers important soft skills.
- Lindenwood University | Bachelor of Fine Art in Art & Design | $495/credit. This online program requires 120 credit hours in two to four years. It introduces students to web design and then provides an in-depth curriculum centered on the art of media and digital design.
Most Affordable Online Web Development Master’s Programs
- Wilmington University | Master of Science in Information Systems Technologies | $1,536/course. This program teaches graduates how to handle complex information system technology projects. It gives four concentration options which include web design. Students are allowed to complete the master’s program online.
- Southern New Hampshire University | Master of Science in Information Technology | $627/credit. This 36-credit-hour online program teaches students the fundamentals of information technology and gives them the skills they need to stand out in the competitive IT market.
- University of Baltimore | Master of Arts in Integrated Design | $788/credit. This 36-credit-hour MA program covers topics like web design, graphic design, motion graphics, and professional writing. Students gain problem-solving skills and complete capstone projects at the end of the program.
- University of Denver | Master of Science in Web Design and Development | $36,768 total. Through hands-on learning techniques, students of this program effectively learn how to create web applications that are suitable for modern business styles and activities.
- Academy of Art University | Master of Arts in Online Interaction and UI/UX Design | $1,171/unit. This program provides students with the technological tools and skills in user interface design they need to thrive in a tech career. Students work with on-site instructors and also have unlimited access to online design training materials.
Will Attending an Online Web Development School Save Me Money?
Yes, attending an online web development program is generally seen as a cost-effective alternative to an in-person program. Online web development degrees will save you the cost of commuting to school, parking, housing for on-campus students, and other expenses.
Benefits of Online Web Development Programs
- Flexibility. Online web development programs are usually flexible and allow students to take classes at their own pace. Most online programs offer an asynchronous format of learning, which means students are not required to be present at live online lectures.
- Convenience. In addition to allowing you to complete work at your own pace, online programs also allow you to work from anywhere with a stable Internet connection. The option of not having to dress up every day also saves you laundry bills and time spent deciding what to wear.
- No Out-of-State Tuition Charge. Most schools prescribe a separate tuition charge for online programs and this tuition is fixed for all programs regardless of an applicant’s location or origin.
- No Transportation Fee. The cost of commuting to school every weekday will make a visible dent in your budget. Online students may never have to visit the school in person unless in some exceptional cases, which will help them avoid extra expenses.
- No Need to Relocate. Online schools do not require you to be physically present. Students benefit from not having to relocate to a different city or state to attend the web development school of their choice.
Highest-Paying Web Development Careers
| Web Development Job | Web Development Degree | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $159,010 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist | Master’s degree | $131,490 |
| Software Developer | Bachelor’s degree | $110,140 |
| Computer Programmer | Bachelor’s degree | $93,000 |
| Web Developers and Digital Designer | Bachelor’s degree | $77,200 |
Best Web Development Jobs Explained
The best web development jobs include computer and information systems manager, computer and information research scientist, and software developer. Listed below are some of the highest-paying web development careers available.
Web Development Schools Ranking Methodology: How We Ranked the Most Affordable Web Development Schools
We chose the most affordable web development colleges based on tuition and general costs information from the schools’ official websites, the US Department of Education’s database of accredited schools, and the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard tool.
Additional Reading About Web Development
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Cheapest Web Development Schools FAQ
Full stack refers to the entire components of a computer system application. Full stack developers make use of two separate web development domains, front end and backend. Front end is all the visible parts of a web project a user can see and interact with while the backend refers to the servers and databases that drive the application.
Bootstrap is a free tool used by front end developers to build responsive user-friendly projects. It is essentially a collection of recyclable HTML, JavaScript, and CSS codes you can use when creating your own web codes.
Web development certificates are a qualification that web developers earn to learn the foundational practices of web development and coding. A certification program’s curriculum consists of a wide variety of web development-related topics, including front end development, backend development, web design, object-oriented programming, human-computer interaction, and project management. Web development certifications are different from certificates.
Web development certifications are important because they present aspiring web designers with a lot of benefits upon achievement of certification. One benefit is that certification allows you to gain specialized knowledge about web development without a school degree. They also provide the added benefit of gaining up-to-date knowledge on web development.
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.
