2022 Best Online Art Design Degrees
Art design is a broad field that encompasses careers in animation, product development, fashion, fine art, video games, film, and more. Graduating with an online degree in art design, or a specific industry within the field, prepares you to enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge to use digital technology and visual storytelling methods. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that arts and design occupations will only grow by 4% in the next decade, amounting to roughly 37,000 new jobs. This is well below the average job growth of 8% across all US occupations. Earning your online bachelor’s in art design can give you a leg up in this highly competitive field.
View our methodology for more details about our list or learn more about OnlineU.
List Of Accredited Online Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Salary Score | Median Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | |||
| Arizona State University | 44,253 | 63 | $27,181 |
| DeVry University | 21,321 | NA | NA |
| Rasmussen University Online | 19,588 | NA | NA |
| Full Sail University | 16,164 | 10 | $18,264 |
| Bellevue University | 10,503 | NA | NA |
| University of Florida | 4,430 | 84 | $30,849 |
| Academy of Art University | 4,209 | 75 | $29,153 |
| Central Michigan University | 3,811 | NA | NA |
| LA Film School | 2,492 | NA | NA |
| Upper Iowa University | 2,386 | NA | NA |
| Lindenwood University | 1,536 | NA | NA |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 1,096 | NA | NA |
| Maharishi International University | 967 | NA | NA |
| Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | 851 | NA | NA |
| The University of Montana | 609 | NA | NA |
| The Art Institutes | NA | NA | NA |
| Cogswell College | NA | NA | NA |
University of Florida
- Salary Score: 84
- Median Starting Salary: $30,849
- Locations: Gainesville (FL)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
The University of Florida (UF) is a medium-sized, public university. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts and Sciences requiring 120 credits. This program can be done in four years with an online schedule, including a senior project. UF combines art, communication, engineering, and technology to provide their students with an understanding of design and production. Some courses for this major include Principles of Digital Visualization, DAS Design & Production Studio, and Writing for Interactive Media. Graduates work as game designers, concept artists, graphical user interface programmers, and digital storytellers.
At UF, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is fully online. At UF, online students have access to all university resources.
Academy of Art University
- Salary Score: 75
- Median Starting Salary: $29,153
- Locations: San Francisco (CA)
- Accreditation: WSCUC
The Academy of Art University (AAU) is a medium-sized, private institution that offers several online Bachelor of Fine Art degree programs, each requiring 132 credits. An art program at AAU takes about four years to complete with a full-time schedule. These degrees focus on critical and creative thinking, conceptual skills, and professional readiness. Students graduate with a portfolio that they can use to find work in motion pictures, jewelry making, interior design, game development, fashion, and more. Every degree program requires courses in art history, field-specific technology, and professional skills.
At AAU, students use Brightspace to access their coursework, which is fully online. At AAU, online students have access to all university resources. AAU also helps students find internships in their field, preparing them to enter their industry with experience.
Arizona State University
- Salary Score: 63
- Median Starting Salary: $27,181
- Locations: Tempe (AZ) (and 4 others)
- Accreditation: HLC
The Arizona State University (ASU) is a large, public institution. ASU offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Art and an online Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies, each requiring 120 credit hours. These degree programs can be completed in between three to four years with a full-time schedule. ASU students take composition classes, art history classes, and have a language requirement in order to graduate. ASU provides their students with assistance finding internships and focuses on creativity, technology, and history as they prepare their graduates to work in the field of art, film, and design.
At ASU, students use Blackboard to access their coursework, which is entirely online. ASU’s online students have access to all university resources.
Full Sail University
- Salary Score: 10
- Median Starting Salary: $18,264
- Locations: Winter Park (FL)
- Accreditation: ACCSC
Full Sail University (FS) is a large, private university. FS offers several online Bachelor of Science degrees that focus on art and design, each requiring 120 credit hours and 29 months of dedication with a full-time schedule. The university provides students with the professional and creative skills necessary to succeed in their field. FS hosts hiring and networking events, and each program offers classes in art history and career readiness as well as several projects to build art portfolios. Graduates go on to work on musical albums, movies, video games, and events.
At FS, students receive a Launchbox, which includes a computer, custom learning system, and professional software to do their coursework. The curriculum's pacing is a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Online students have access to all of FS’ student resources.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Art Degrees
Online Bachelor's in Art Degrees
Online bachelor's in art degrees are available in several subfields. Curricula vary based on the program, but students can major in commercial art, architecture, computer animation, fashion, graphic design, visual communication, and web design, to name a few. In general, online learners should spend some time determining which medium, style, and subject matter they find most appealing so they can begin mastering specific techniques and developing their creative processes. This way, art students may graduate with a set of professional and technical skills, an understanding of the creative industry, and a polished portfolio in their chosen arena.
Enrollment in an online bachelor's in art program requires applicants to have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Competitive programs may further require that students submit a portfolio of artwork. While an art bachelor's typically takes four years to complete, accelerated programs are designed to be finished in as little as two-and-a-half years.
Are you unsure about pursuing an art degree? Explore our comprehensive list of online bachelor's programs.
Common Courses in an Online Art Program
Students enrolled in an online bachelor's of art program often have some flexibility when developing the coursework to fit their educational goals. For instance, they can choose to take online classes in visual marketing, consumer psychology, and design technology. Many modules also involve gaining hands-on experience with specific tools or software, thus helping students develop applied skills in their chosen area of expertise. While classes vary by program, the following is a list of common online courses students can expect to take with a bachelor's in art.
What Can You Do With an Art Degree?
Graduates with an art degree may find employment in a range of settings, including galleries, museums, studios, schools, and non-profits. As an alternative to traditional employment, many artists choose to work as independent contractors or freelancers, providing specific services or selling artwork to clients. As with other professions, job opportunities in this field largely depend on the wider economy — especially the demand for artistic services and products. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decrease in art sales in 2020, but employment in galleries began to rebound in 2021.
Graduates with an art degree may find employment in a range of settings, including galleries, museums, studios, schools, and non-profits. As an alternative to traditional employment, many artists choose to work as independent contractors or freelancers.
Artists with a bachelor’s degree typically qualify for a range of employment opportunities. Additionally, an online art degree offers the chance to develop skills in a particular area, signaling to employers that a graduate has formalized knowledge and training. Below is a list of potential career paths for art graduates along with median annual salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Accredited Online Art Programs
Prospective students seeking an online art degree should consider enrolling in an art school accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, an organization that sets nationwide standards for higher education in the arts. Alternatively, they should ensure that their school has been evaluated by an accrediting agency recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Accreditation is a process in which third parties evaluate colleges and universities to determine whether they offer students a quality education. Attending an accredited institution has several benefits, and it's especially important for online students because it signals a program's credibility to potential employers and qualifies students for federal financial aid.
For more information, students may visit OnlineU's comprehensive accreditation hub.
Related Articles
2022 Best Online Graphic Design Degrees
Investigate online graphic design degrees on our list. A bachelor's degree in graphic design can help you become a graphic designer and more.
By Jordan Beliles | 11/7/2022