Why This Matters
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17% OF WEB DEVELOPMENT POSITIONS ONLY REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE
While an associate or bachelor’s degree is often needed to work as a web developer, 17% of positions only require a postsecondary certificate.
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34,700 MORE WEB DESIGNERS AND DEVELOPERS NEEDED BY 2032
The number of jobs for this profession is expected to grow 16% over the next decade, which is much faster than the projected growth rate for all occupations combined.
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POTENTIAL TO EARN OVER $160,000
While the median salary for web designers and developers is $83,240, the top 10% of workers in this field make more than $166,180.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online certificate in web design and development programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online certificate in web design and development programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Why Trust Us
The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Web Design and Development degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 52 hours to write this article
- 32 universities and colleges we assessed
- 47 education programs we compared
Best 13 Online Certificate in Web Design and Development Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
UMass Lowell
Intelligent Score: 99.9In-state: $15,791
Out-of-state: $35,779
In-state: $14,014
Out-of-state: $14,014
SAT: 1200-1390
ACT: 27-32
$390
Online, Hybrid
New England Commission of Higher Education
18
University of California, Irvine
Intelligent Score: 98.76In-state: $11,442
Out-of-state: $41,196
In-state: $11,442
Out-of-state: $11,442
SAT: 1310-1530
ACT: 30-35
$386
Online
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission
15
Rappahannock Community College
Intelligent Score: 97.17In-state: $18,320
Out-of-state: $24,323
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-State: $154
Out-of-State: $330
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
12
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Intelligent Score: 95.57In-state: $15,543
Out-of-state: $17,943
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-State: $100
Out-of-State: $200
Online, On-Campus
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
24
Bismarck State College
Intelligent Score: 94.17In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
Resident: $260
Non-Resident: $303
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
12
Champlain College
Intelligent Score: 93.95In-state: $64,010
Out-of-state: $68,575
In-state: $19,635
Out-of-state: $19,635
SAT: 1224
ACT: 28
$335
Online
New England Commission of Higher Education
18
St. Petersburg College
Intelligent Score: 92.41In-state: $19,485
Out-of-state: $26,089
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-State: $111
Out-of-State: $386
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
18
University of Denver
Intelligent Score: 91.99In-state: $52,596
Out-of-state: $52,596
In-state: $52,596
Out-of-state: $52,596
SAT: 1170-1360
ACT: 26-31
$806
Online
Higher Learning Commission
16-24
Daytona State College
Intelligent Score: 91.76In-state: $15,630
Out-of-state: $24,518
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-State: $68
Out-of-State: $276
Hybrid
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
35
Riverland Community College
Intelligent Score: 91.53In-state: $17,930
Out-of-state: $17,930
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 1120
ACT: 24
$208
Online
Higher Learning Commission
29
Cerro Coso Community College
Intelligent Score: 86.59In-state: $24,523
Out-of-state: $32,653
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
Resident
$46 Non-Resident: $388
Online
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
28
Lone Star College
Intelligent Score: 86.22In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
In-District: $96
Out-of-State: $269
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
104
Peninsula College
Intelligent Score: 85.2In-state: $20,489
Out-of-state: $20,489
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
Resident
$143 Non-Resident: $159
Online
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
15
What You Should Know About This Degree
Similar computer science certifications you might want to consider are information systems security and cloud essentials. Because certifications tend to take minimal time to complete, it may be worth earning multiple complementary certificates.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). If your school isn’t accredited, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
The requirements for web design and development programs vary. Some require you to have job experience in the industry to be eligible for the program. To earn the web design and development certification, you will likely need licensing and certifications for certain software. Luckily, certification for specific software is often included as part of the larger certification program.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online certificate in web design and development programs:
- What tests are required for this online certification? There will likely be tests to prove competency in the materials and skills you’ll need to know as a web developer. You may also need to take tests for certifications in specific programming languages and software.
- How long does it take to complete this online certification? Certification programs will generally take much less time to complete than degree programs. At most, programs will last a year, but many are completed in a semester.
You should research the application process for any programs you’re considering applying to. Take note of any deadlines so that you don’t miss out on your top choices.
Your current employer may offer tuition benefits or pay for you to become certified. Make sure to research your financial aid options well in advance so that you have time to perfect any applications.