2023 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Web Design Degrees

Arkansas State University (A-State) offers an online Bachelor of Science in Digital Technology and Design - Web Design to those interested in pursuing a creative career in the field of web design. Graduation requires 120 credit hours of accelerated courses, which typically takes full-time students less than four years. A-State has a 67% acceptance and a 51% graduation rate.

A-State students participate in class and complete coursework through the Blackboard learning management system. They may enroll in courses such as Digital Technology and Design Portfolio, Interaction Design, Front-End Web Development, and Human-Centered Design. A-State's online curriculum helps prepare students for careers in UI/UX development, software interface design, and front-end web development.

Champlain College (Champlain) is a private institution offering career-focused academic programs, including an online Bachelor of Science in Web Design and Development. Students must complete 120 credit hours to graduate, which can take full-time students less than four years. Each semester is broken down into two seven-week terms, with three semesters per year, though some classes may take 15 weeks to complete. Overall, Champlain has an 85% acceptance rate and a 64% graduation rate.

Through the Canvas learning management system, Champlain students in the web design and development program can participate in classes — such as Web Media, Client Side Scripting - Javascript, Networking Fundamentals, and Ethical Hacking. Completing a senior seminar project is required to graduate. Alumni of the web design program go on to become graphic designers, UX designers, and computer programmers.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Online is a private institution serving over 135,000 distance learners. SNHU's online Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Media Arts - Web Design helps prepare students interested in the digital arts for entering in-demand jobs. By completing the required 120 credit hours, six undergraduate terms per year help full-time students earn their degree in less than four years. However, it's important to keep in mind that while 94% of students are accepted into SNHU, only 40% graduate.

SNHU Online utilizes D2L as its digital platform that delivers instruction and coursework. Some of the core web design classes include Designing a Brand Identity, Layout and Publication Design, Professional Practices in Graphic Design, and Social Media Design. Students may also complete up to two internships to gain real-world experience.

South College (SC) has small class sizes and focuses heavily on career development. For those interested in a creative concentration in IT, SC offers an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology - Web Design. Graduation requires completing 120 credit hours, which full-time students generally finish in four years.

SC uses Canvas for online curriculum delivery. Through this learning management system, web design students take classes such as Graphics Editing, Advanced Web Design, Computer Architecture, and Operating Systems. They must also complete a senior capstone project in order to graduate. Careers after graduation include web development and design, software design, and application development.

Rooted in Judeo-Christian values, Lindenwood University (Lindenwood) is a private institution offering an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design - Web and User Experience. This 120-credit-hour program enables students to become Adobe-certified in a different program each term while earning their degree. Full-time students may complete the program as quickly as two years. Lindenwood's acceptance rate is 92%, and its graduation rate is 54%.

Lindenwood uses Canvas for online program delivery. Students in this bachelor's program complete courses on Canvas, such as Digital Painting, Motion Graphics, Video Production, and Desktop Publishing. The program also requires completing a senior art and design capstone. Graduates may pursue careers in disciplines such as animation, graphic design, and video production.

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMCG) is a large institution serving over 44,000 online learners. Students enroll in UMGC's online Bachelor of Science in Web and Digital Design - Web Design to gain training and hands-on experience in emerging digital technologies. This bachelor's program requires 120 credit hours, which may take full-time students up to four years to complete. All students who apply are accepted into UMGC, and 28% of students graduate on average.

UMGC uses Learning Experience Online (LEO) to facilitate web design courses, which include Principles of Multimedia, Illustration Graphics, Game Design, and Virtual Reality. Web design alumni may choose from careers in fields ranging from web design and development to game design and electronic publishing.

Walsh University (Walsh) — a small, Roman Catholic institution — offers students an online Bachelor of Science in Web Design, which combines elements from graphic design, programming, and marketing. Students may complete this 120-credit, accelerated degree program in less than four years if they maintain a full-time schedule. Walsh has a 77% acceptance and a 59% graduation rate.

Walsh students participate in asynchronous online learning through Walsh's Electronic Course Network (ECN). Courses in the web design program include User Experience, Introduction to Game Design, Data Structures, and Programming. Walsh may also award course credits for previous life and work experience, which can shorten the program duration.

Albertus Magnus College (Albertus) is a small, Catholic university founded by the Dominican Sisters of Peace. The college's online Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems - Web Design and Application Development provides students with the opportunity to complete a concentration that involves the creative side of technology. Students must complete 120 credit hours to graduate, which can take full-time students approximately four years. Albertus has an 81% acceptance rate, while 68% of students end up graduating with their degree

Albertus uses several learning management systems to deliver online learning, including eLearning, ePortfolio, and Google Apps for Education. Through these platforms, web design students can remotely participate in courses, such as Issues in Computer Ethics, Three-Dimensional Design, Technology and the Arts, and Systems Analysis and Design. Students must also complete a senior capstone project or internship before they can graduate.

ECPI University Online (ECPI) is a for-profit institution offering an accelerated online Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science/Software Development - Web Design and Development. The program's accelerated format enables full-time students to complete this 120-credit hour program in approximately 2.5 years. ECPI has an 80% acceptance rate among applicants and a 53% graduation rate.

ECPI students access instruction and coursework through Canvas. Courses in the web design and development concentration include Structured Query Language, Mobile App Development, Object-Oriented Programming, and Systems Analysis and Design. A senior capstone project and externship are also required. This online degree program helps prepare students for jobs as web designers, web developers, and UX designers.

A small, private Roman Catholic college — Loyola University Chicago (LUC) offers its online Bachelor of Arts in Web Technologies - Design and Media to students interested in focusing on the creative aspects of information systems and technology. This accelerated "FASTRACK program" features eight-week courses, enabling full-time students to complete 120 credit hours in less than three years. LUC accepts 71% of applicants overall, and 73% of these students graduate.

Sakai is the online platform that distance learners at LUC use to access synchronous and asynchronous courses. Classes in this web technologies program include User Experience Design Tools and Techniques, Communication and Social Media, Dynamic Programming Languages, and Data Structures. A senior capstone project is also a graduation requirement. Alumni often enter the workforce designing games and apps, company websites, and developing social media platforms.