Key takeaways
- If you want to become a web designer, a web design degree is the ideal educational qualification.
- A web designer needs to have an array of technical and professional skills in design and web development.
- Technical skills include programming, coding, UX/UI design, typography, color theory, and more.
- Professional skills include communication, collaboration, time management, creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking among others.
- For a web design degree online, explore Southern New Hampshire University, Full Sail University, and University of Maryland.
- Renowned colleges and universities for on-campus web design degree include Santa Clara University, Grand Canyon University, Tiffin University and Laurus College.
- A Web Designer earns an average annual salary of $92,750 and the job growth rate is 8%.
Web design is the process of designing and creating functional websites. A web designer is not just involved in creating the layouts, but also at the back end. They need to be fluent in coding and programming languages along with graphic design, typography, and other creative skills. They use a complete range of skills to craft a User Interface (UI) offering a smooth User Experience (UX).
You can build the complete array of skills needed to become a web designer through a web design degree.
What does a web design degree entail?
A web design degree provides aspiring web designers with the comprehensive range of skills and knowledge needed to become a web designer. Through the program, you will develop the complete set of professional expertise needed to become a web designer.
While there are many courses and certificates that can help aspiring web designers establish a strong foundation in the field, none offer learning outcomes as comprehensive as a bachelor’s degree in web design. Through a series of web design classes, workshops, projects, and experiential learning opportunities, you will develop a wide range of skills. `
For a web designer, having the right and diversified set of skills is necessary to be eligible for most job roles in the field. In fact, most employers give precedence to a job applicant’s skill set rather than their qualifications. What is important to note, is that the right degree program such as a web design bachelor’s degree, can help you learn the sought-after skill set in your field.
Moreover, through a comprehensive curriculum combining theoretical lectures, and practical labs and projects, you master the technical and professional skills web designers need. If you are an aspiring web designer, you can pursue web design at various degree levels such as associate, bachelor, or master’s.
Associate’s degree in web design
An associate’s degree in web design is a two-year program that can be completed in a maximum of three years. Several renowned colleges across the US offer online and on-campus associate programs in game design. Core courses in an associate’s program can include:
- Design Principles and Color Theory
- Page Layout and Composition Design
- Interactive and Visual Design
- UX/UI Design Foundations
Admission and graduation requirements
To get admission to an associate program, students submit the following documents:
- Highschool transcripts – some colleges may have minimum GPA requirements
- Letters of recommendation
- Essay of interest
Graduation requirements for an associate’s degree in web design include completion of 60 credit hours. You will have to earn the credits through a combination of core and general education courses and a capstone project.
Career opportunities
An associate degree can lead to job opportunities such as:
- Web designer
- Front end developer
- UX/UI designer
While an associate degree is a good starting point, it is limited in its scope and the career opportunities it opens. Most employers prefer job applicants with a wide range of skills and a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s degree in web design
If you are looking for a web design program where you can build a strong foundation, and a comprehensive set of web design skills, a bachelor’s degree is the ideal choice for you. The program lasts 4 years during which you will undertake various classes in web design, programming, web development, and more.
Courses you can expect to take in a bachelor’s web design degree include:
- Web Design Fundamentals
- Web Interface and Usability
- Designing for Web Standards
- Database Structures
- Scripting for Web Applications
- Principles of Production Process
Admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree in web design
To secure admission to a bachelor’s program, you will need to meet the following:
- A minimum high school GPA – requirements vary by college
- Highschool transcripts
- Standardized Test Scores such as ACT or SAT – minimum requirements vary by college
- Letters of recommendation – at least two, some colleges ask for three or more
- College essay – detailing why you think you would be a good fit for your college of choice.
- CV or design portfolio – Not all colleges require one, but it can set your college application apart from other applicants.
Graduation requirements
To earn a bachelor’s degree in web design, you must complete at least 120 credit hours. To do so, you will have to take a combination of general education, core-specific, and elective courses. The minimum credit limit for each category varies by college.
Additionally, as a web design student, you will have to complete a capstone project and internships.
Career opportunities with a bachelor’s degree in web design
A bachelor’s degree is the ideal qualification for a web designer. However, that is not the only job graduates with a degree in web design qualify for. Here are some job roles for which they are eligible.
- Web Designer
- Digital Designer
- Game Design
- Web Master
- User Experience Designer
- E-commerce Specialist
Master’s degree in web design
Web designers who want to enhance their career opportunities and move up to senior positions can look at master’s programs in web design. These typically last one to two years and require completion of 30 to 45 credit hours. Web designers can either pursue a master’s full-time, or part-time along with their jobs. They can also explore online master’s programs that offer greater flexibility and allow for better work, life, and education balance.
Colleges offering web design degrees
Choosing the right college is an important step on the journey to becoming a web designer. Several colleges across the US offer web design degrees, either standalone or in combination with other programs. Here is a list of recommended web design programs from renowned colleges that you can explore.
| College | Program name | Mode of delivery | Tuition |
| Southern New Hampshire University | BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts – Web Design concentration | Online | $15,380 |
| Full Sail University | BS User Experience | Online | $26,307 |
| Tiffin University | BSc in Computer Science – Web Design concentration | On campus | $30,120 |
| University of Maryland | BSc in Web and Digital Design | Online/Hybrid | $11,233 in-state
$39,469 out-of-state |
| Santa Clara University | BS in Web Design and Engineering | On-campus | $57,534 |
| Laurus College | BS in Web Design Development | On-campus | $83,400 |
| Grand Canyon University | BA in Digital Design – Web Design concentration | On-campus | $17,800 |
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University is a renowned institute particularly known for its online programs. A 2023 survey of the university’s online students revealed more than 93% of online students were satisfied with their learning experience and would recommend the online program to other students.
If you want to become a web designer, you can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design & Multimedia Arts with a Web Design concentration online. Through the web design concentration, you will build relevant expertise in web development, UX/UI design, Social media design, and more.
Full Sail University
Full Sail University offers a Bachelor of Science in User Experience. The program teaches students information visualization, interactive media design, and usability, including web design, UX production, and more. It is also an online program providing you flexibility and convenience along with academic excellence.
Moreover, Graphic Design USA named Full Sail University the best design school in the United States for two years in a row.
Tiffin University
Students who want to go the traditional route can pursue the on-campus web design degree from Tiffin University. Through the concentration, students will learn to hone their creative and design skills alongside their technical abilities. You will learn to create engaging websites connecting users to business through interactive web designs.
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland offers the option to pursue the BSc in Web and Digital Design either completely online or in a hybrid mode. That is particularly beneficial for students who want to engage in networking opportunities on campus or would like some in-person student-teacher interaction.
Through the program, you will learn all design tools, techniques, and strategies not just for the web, but all digital platforms. From tapping into your creative ability to refining your technical skill set, the Web and Digital Design curriculum offers it all.
Santa Clara University
As an aspiring web designer, you can pursue a Web Design and Engineering major. Through the program, you will not just gain in-depth knowledge of web design, but also learn the fundamentals of engineering. The combination will open many career opportunities for you. It is the ideal program for those seeking a web design program with a strong technical curriculum as well.
As part of the program, you will have to create and launch your own project. In 2015, 3 students from the Web Design and Engineering program launched “Code Girl”, a web-based application that won that year’s Senior Design Session and gained widespread recognition.
Laurus College
The Web Design Development bachelor from Laurus College offers a comprehensive curriculum directly tailored for web designers. Here, you will learn web page authoring, web content creation, HTML/CSS, vector-based drawing, and many other technical and creative skills. It is a four-year on-campus program with a comprehensive curriculum.
Grand Canyon University
The Grand Canyon University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design with a Web Design concentration. The program is ideal for you if you are looking for a web design program that focuses on User Interface, User Experience, and web design. The on-campus program provides several hands-on experiential learning opportunities. You will work on several projects as part of your curriculum and get plenty of portfolio-building opportunities.
What skills will I develop by studying web design?
Through a web design program, you will learn a variety of skills. The program will teach you the entire creative and technical process of bringing a website to life, from idea to conceptualization, to visualization, and in some cases even development. You will learn UX/UI systems, idea strategy, and design presentation, and creating mockups and wireframes, among other things.
Here are some technical and professional skills web designers will develop in a web design degree.
Technical skills web designers need
As a web designer, you will need a range of technical skills in areas such as programming, design, and development. Technical skills in this context refer to one’s ability to use specialized tools, techniques, and knowledge to create and maintain websites. These can include:
- Programming languages and structures such as PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python/Django.
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite
- Design skills such as typography, color theory, graphic design, and user interface design.
- User Experience design best practices and guidelines.
- Web development skills including content management, web publishing, and web content writing.
- Proficiencies in different visual frameworks
- Database structures creation and management
- Search Engine Optimization
While some of these are directly related to the design process, others such as SEO are also essential skills for web designers. Web designers work as part of a team. They are responsible for ensuring the product attracts new customers, not just through design, but also technicalities such as SEO. Thus, as a professional working in the web development industry, you need knowledge of the complete range of web development and design best practices.
Professional skills for web designers
Besides technical knowledge, professional skills are what set professionals apart from novices. These include:
- Creativity
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Ability to work in a team
- Organization
As an aspiring web designer, you should focus on developing professional skills. On the job, professionalism is essential. Additionally, it can greatly enhance your work performance, increasing your chances of gaining workplace recognition. Moreover, these are essential for your career progression.
Web Designer job outlook
According to the United Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for web designers is bright. As per BLS, Web Development and Digital Design occupations will grow with a faster-than-average occupation growth rate of 8%. In 2023 alone, there were 222,600 new job openings for this particular category.
The average salary for Web Developers and Digital Designers is $92,750 per year. However, the exact figure will vary based on a Web Designer’s qualifications, including education, skills, and experience, including portfolio.
Generally, the educational requirements that employers seek for entry-level roles are a bachelor’s degree. Some employers do accept a high school diploma provided the applicant has the relevant skillset, a strong portfolio with demonstrated expertise.
5 jobs you can get with a web design degree
The career opportunities you can explore with a degree in web design are endless. The array of technical and professional skills graduates build through the program makes them eligible for a variety of roles in the job market. Becoming a web designer is only one such opportunity.
If you want to explore alternate employment opportunities besides becoming a web designer, here are a few jobs you can pursue.
| Job title | Average salary | Job growth |
| Graphic Designer | $58,910 | 2% |
| Digital Interface Designer | $98,540 | 8% |
| Art Director | $106,500 | 5% |
| SEO Specialist | $64,419 | 6% |
| Front-end Developer | $86,511 | 16% |
5 Web design trends in 2025 Web Designers should know
The digital world is ever evolving and consumer behavior, consumption patterns, and preferences are always changing. If you want to create websites that stand out amidst a sea of those created using general templates, these are the trends to keep in mind.
Use micro-animations
Moving elements are not just eye-catching, they add depth to the design. They might also compel a visitor to stay a bit longer on the site, or simply explore other pages just to view the design.
Illustrations over images
Illustrations are taking over images for several reasons. Design-centric benefits of using illustrations over images include creative freedom and the ability to create specific visuals for each site. However, the main reason for their popularity is the practicality they lend. The file sizes are smaller and load faster providing a better user experience.
Monochromatic website designs
An increasing number of digital users seem to be swaying toward clean lines, and simple visuals. Thus, monochromatic websites with a soothing color palette dominate web designs. They allow for easier navigation and a smooth User Experience.
Dark Mode – Focus on what you want
Another web design trend that is gaining widespread adoption is the use of Dark Mode. When the background is pitch black, you take away the background noise, ensuring users focus on the visuals and text you want them to. In 2025, it will be all about removing clutter and grabbing the user’s attention as soon as possible.
Storytelling through scroll-triggered animations
Animations are one way to enhance the User Experience. Scroll-triggered animations that tell a story may even increase time spent on the website. This trend also falls within the category of responsive web design trends, which are expected to be prevalent in 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Want to know more about the web design degree? Here are some frequently asked questions about the program.
How to become a web designer without a degree?
To become a web designer without a degree you will have to focus on developing essential skills web designers need. These include learning programming languages such as HTML and CSS, and programming platforms and frameworks such as Python/Django. You will also have to develop design skills such as graphic designing, color theory, and typography.
You will have to obtain multiple certifications and seek web design internships on their basis to develop a portfolio. If you are able to develop the right skill set, you may be able to get an entry-level position as a Web Designer.
What is the difference between UX, UI, and web design?
Web design is the umbrella term, that contains both User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI). User Experience refers to the user’s journey through the website. UX designer creates wireframes and mockups mapping out the user’s journey. The simpler the journey from the entry point to the end goal, the better.
User Interface refers to the design elements. These include buttons, menus, forms, and even interactive elements a visitor encounters on the website. UX and UI designers work together to create a coherent digital design and an immersive user journey.
Is becoming a web designer worth it?
According to a survey by Career Explore, Web designers rate their job satisfaction 3.3 out of 5 stars. Most of them are happy with their work environment and believe their personalities are suited to their line of work. If you are a creative individual seeking a technical field, becoming a web designer is definitely worth it. Moreover, web designers enjoy a positive job outlook in the coming decade.
What skills do I need to become a web designer?
To become a web designer you need a combination of technical and professional skills such as:
- Programming skills
- Design skills
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Web development skills
- Knowledge of visual frameworks
How much do web designers earn?
Web designers earn on average $92,750 per year as per BLS. However, Glassdoor reports that the average salary for entry-level Web Designers is $56,143 per year.
How to apply to web design school?
To apply to a web design school you need to submit a completed college application with your high school transcripts or GED scores, SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation, college essay, and a resume. If you have a design portfolio adding that to your application can be beneficial.
What majors to pursue to be a web designer?
Standalone degrees in web design are hard to come by. However, you can pursue a web design major in computer engineering, web development, or software engineering degree. Other degrees aspiring web designers can pursue include Game Art & Design, Computer Science, Information technology, Information Systems, Information Design, Graphic Design, and Web Development.
If you want to become a web designer, you will have to choose a major or a program that provides web development and design knowledge and skills.
Become a web designer with the right college degree!
To become a web designer, a web design degree is the ideal educational qualification. It enables graduates with the ideal combination of technical and professional skills in web design and development. Through the program, students learn coding, design skills such as UX and UI design, color theory, typography, and visual frameworks, and programming platforms and languages.
Moreover, through a combination of theoretical and practical classes, students apply the skills learned in a classroom creating projects and building a professional portfolio while getting an education. Additionally, a college education enables engagement with like-minded individuals and provides networking opportunities that can be beneficial in your career.
If you want to enter the web design field with the ideal qualifications, skills, training, and experience, enroll in a web design degree today. If you are having trouble finding a standalone web design degree, you can look at similar programs or choose a web design major in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or related fields.
Need help with your college application? All Bachelor Degrees offers resources and tools you can use to make the process easier.