Best Online Graphic Design Programs of 2025

The graphic design industry is changing, and an online degree can introduce you to emerging technologies and help you succeed in an evolving industry.

A graphic design degree does much more than hone your design skills. You’ll also learn branding, communication, problem-solving, and other human skills that are in demand with employers even amid the rise of AI.

With an online degree, you won’t have to take time away from the workforce to boost your graphic design credentials, and you’ll be able to apply what you learn in real time. Those degrees can help you break into the graphic design industry, where the BLS estimated designers had a median pay of $61,300 as of May 2024.

We ranked online programs based on affordability and student outcomes to determine which graphic design program will give you the most bang for your buck.

When looking for an online graphic design program, make sure it includes relevant instruction to your career goals. You’ll also want to select an affordable program that meets your flexibility needs.

Source: NCES PowerStats

A typical out-of-state graphic design degree costs a little under $20,000 in tuition and fees, but that figure is cut down to around $13,000 with financial aid.

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid can help you land federal grants and loans to pursue your education. A number of schools and organizations also offer art and design scholarships to help you cut down the cost of college.

Some schools also allow you to transfer prior college coursework for general education classes. If you’re one of millions of Americans with some college and no degree, you should explore a program’s policy for transferring credits to help reduce the cost of your degree.

The rule of thumb with any bachelor’s degree is 120 credits and four years to completion, but that isn’t always the case.

Transferring credits from prior college experience can help you reduce the time it takes to get a degree. If you have an associate degree in graphic design, you’ll likely be able to pursue a bachelor’s degree in far less than two years. Taking classes during summer semesters can also help you graduate faster.

While traditional graphic designer jobs are projected by the BLS to grow slower than average over the next decade, that’s far from the only route available to you with a graphic design degree.

Depending on your area of expertise, a graphic design program can open doors in fast-growing, high-paying fields. The BLS projects that web developers and digital designers will grow faster than average over the next decade. Those digital-focused designers made a median pay of $95,380 as of May 2024.

Designers are needed across all types of organizations, so you might have an array of job opportunities across industries after you graduate.

Keep in mind that you don’t need a degree to be a graphic designer. You’ll likely be able to land a job with technical know-how and design skills, but a bachelor’s degree can help you land corporate roles with instruction in marketing and branding.

Emerging technologies like AI are creating an uncertain future for graphic designers, but a graphic design degree can help you prepare for those industry disruptors. You’ll learn relevant skills like communication, collaboration, and branding in addition to how to create compelling visual designs.

Online graphic design bachelor’s degrees are built around flexibility, meaning you’ll have time to apply your skills in the workforce while you learn. Online degrees tend to be more affordable than traditional in-person programs, and 94% of online bachelor’s students and graduates we surveyed told us they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.

A master’s degree in graphic design, coupled with work experience, can help you step into leadership roles or boost your skills in a niche area.

That isn’t your only option for education beyond a graphic design bachelor’s degree. You might also pursue master’s programs in areas directly related to your area of expertise, like game and media design, media studies, or other related fields.

If you’re interested in pursuing a business leadership role, a master of business administration (MBA) can introduce you to a variety of business concepts while also helping you specialize in a specific area of business.