Best Online Web Design and Development Certificate Programs of 2024
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A certificate in web design and development can help you break into the tech field. This credential can qualify you for an entry-level role as a front-end developer, UX designer, or full-stack developer.
You might be drawn to online certificate programs if you're looking for a less expensive option than a four-year degree. You also might need a flexible program or one with a shorter time commitment.
Here, we rank the best online web design certificate programs of 2024.
Popular Online Web Development and Tech Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Web Design and Development Certificate Programs
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Atlantic Technical College
Coconut Creek, FL - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $2,940
Out-of-State | $11,760
Credits to Graduate: Unavailable
ATC's web design and development certificate offers traditional in-person and flexible online formats to complete the required 1,050 hours of study time. Part-time students study over about 20 months, compared to full-time learners who can graduate in just 10 months.
Students complete assignments every Monday. Projects comprise about 60% of your grades, with another 30% going toward tests. Credits from this certificate can transfer toward an associate degree from the Florida College System. You'll also gain the skills needed to apply for industry certifications in Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and CompTIA's IT Fundamentals.
Cerro Coso Community College
Ridgecrest, CA - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $46
Out-of-State | $388
Credits to Graduate: 28
Cerro Coso's web professional certificate focuses on either multimedia design or programming. You'll develop skills in Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and WordPress. Courses cover topics like web graphic creation, scripting, copyright law, project management, and communication skills. You'll also gain project management skills, including practice using productivity software.
The curriculum prepares you to pursue certification as an e-commerce specialist, web design specialist, or web foundations associate. Optional electives include computer illustration and design, e-commerce, and digital video and audio production.
Champlain College
Burlington, VT - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $335
Out-of-State | $335
Credits to Graduate: 18
Champlain's online web design certificate allows you to graduate in just 21 weeks. Many graduates work as graphic designers, programmers, and web developers at companies like 3PLAY Media, Contour Products, and Girlzone.com. After earning a certificate, you can use the credits you earned to pursue an online bachelor's in web design and development or an online bachelor's in computer information systems.
The online lessons provide practice in Adobe Photoshop, CSS, HTML, and Mockups Version 3.
Colorado State University-Global Campus
Aurora, CO - 4 years
- Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $350
Out-of-State | $350
Credits to Graduate: 18
A stand-alone program, CSU Global's web application developer certificate only takes six months to complete. You can transfer your credits toward a bachelor's degree at CSU Global. Courses in this program explore web design and development, human-computer interaction, and database management. The asynchronous coursework covers programming languages such as HTML, Javascript, MySQL, PHP, and Python.
Incoming students need a basic understanding of programming languages and web development to get admitted. CSU Global charges no out-of-state fees — you'll even get a tuition guarantee that locks in your rate from the day you enroll.
Dakota State University
Madison, SD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $294
Out-of-State | $333-$397
Credits to Graduate: 12
DSU's web application certificate trains you to build web applications with the option of later transferring to a degree program. You can transfer credits from this certificate toward an associate degree in web development or a bachelor's in computer science.
This program includes courses focusing on programming concepts using CSS, CSS, jQuery, MVC pattern, and SQL. You'll learn to use programming languages to write code and create both front-end and back-end applications.
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $195
Out-of-State | $262
Online | $216
Credits to Graduate: 16
EICC's web development certificate prepares you to enter the job market quickly with a flexible schedule. Students can opt for the full online program or take a combination of in-person and online coursework. The lessons help you build your leadership skills and foundational knowledge in front-end and back-end development. Instruction is also devoted to scripting, typography, and mobile app development.
EICC offers a testing center and practice exams to prepare you for certifications offered through Cisco, CompTIA, and Amazon Web Services. After earning your certificate, you can apply for EICC's associate in web development degree.
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, PA - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $297
Out-of-State | $380
Credits to Graduate: 30
HACC's web development and design certificate prepares you to join the workforce as a web developer or graphic designer. Alternatively, you can use your certificate to prepare for an associate in web development and design degree.
The program emphasizes design, multimedia, and web application development. You can take career electives in areas such as digital photography. Electives allow you to specialize in a programming language like HTML or CSS, as well as in content management systems, front-end development, or back-end development.
Full-time students can graduate in two semesters by completing a program completely online.
Heartland Community College
Normal, IL - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $168
Out-of-State | $336-$420
Credits to Graduate: 12
By enrolling in HCC's web design skills certificate program, you can graduate in as little as two semesters.
You'll take courses in digital media, web page development, interactive digital media, and webpage design. Topics cover CSS, HTML, Javascript, JQuery, and WordPress.
HCC also offers an associate degree in information technology with a concentration in computer science, information technology, or computer networking technology. This program does not qualify for financial aid, but HCC offers work-ready scholarships.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $170
Out-of-State | $332
Credits to Graduate: 21
Ivy Tech's certification in web application development sets you on the path to earning industry certifications or an associate degree. Over the course of two semesters, you can choose to study entirely online or at any of the 27 locations available in Indiana. You'll complete 21 credits to gain a fundamental understanding of software solutions, software development life cycles, software development, and project management.
The Workforce Ready Grant helps eligible students earn this certificate at no cost.
Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, ID - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $378
Out-of-State | $378
Credits to Graduate: 30
LCSC's web design and development certificate highlights the importance of front-end and back-end web technologies. With this certificate, you can choose to study online or in Lewiston, Idaho. To fulfill program requirements, you must complete general education credits in subjects like public speaking, math, history, psychology, and sociology. The program emphasizes practicing CSS, HTML, and Javascript, as well as learning image editing and illustrations.
Graduates may choose to pursue an associate in web design and development degree.
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What You'll Learn in a Web Design Certificate Program
In a web design certificate program, you'll learn coding and programming languages, how to user experience (UX) optimization, graphic design elements, and website functionality.
Courses you may take include the following:
- Database Design and Structured Query Language: In this course, you'll learn how to create a functioning relational database and use a structured query language (SQL) to interact with a database.
- Web Application Development: You'll learn how to design, build, test, and deploy web apps.
- JavaScript: JavaScript is a programming language that can make a website interactive. It's used on almost all websites in the world. In this class, you'll learn how to create the code to animate images and make more dynamic pages.
- Web Design and Usability: In this course, you'll learn how to design a functional website for static and interactive pages with user experience in mind.
Jobs With an Online Web Developer Certification or Certificate
Web developer positions are in high demand, with opportunities in UX design, back-end development, and front-end development.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the web development and design field will grow 16% in the next decade — much faster than other fields.
Advertising and public relations, computing systems design, and software publishing have the highest employment for web developers, according to the BLS. Other industries like aerospace and peripheral manufacturing are among the most lucrative roles for web designers and developers.
While a certificate can help you get an entry-level position, a bachelor's or master's degree in web development or a related field can help you advance into senior roles and earn a higher salary.
| Job | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Back-End Developers | $96,960 (Mar. 2024) |
| Digital Designers | $61,765 (Mar. 2024 |
| Front-End Developers | $83,000 (Jan. 2024) |
| Web Developers | $64,570 (Mar. 2024) |
| UX Designers | $78,000 (Jan. 2024) |
| Full-Stack Developers | $75,060 (Mar. 2023) |
Check Out Top Online Web Development Degrees
Cost of an Online Web Design Certificate
An online web development certificate can take anywhere from one semester to a year. How much you spend depends on the school's cost per credit and the number of credits in the program.
For example, the web development specialist certificate at Daytona State College requires 35 credits and costs $82 per credit for in-state students. This comes out to about $2,870 in total tuition costs.
In comparison, Riverland Community College's web design certificate program requires 29 credits at $236 per credit — this adds up to almost $6,850 in total tuition costs.
One factor to consider when determining cost is whether you qualify as an in-state or out-of-state student or whether you pay an online rate regardless of location. Research potential schools' websites to determine what best fits your budget.
Is an Online Web Development Certificate Worth It?
Pros of Online Web Design Certificates
-
Online certificates can help you enter the workforce sooner. -
Certificate programs tend to be shorter and more affordable than degree programs. -
You can focus on gaining the most practical skills needed for your field. -
Some certificate programs offer more specializations in specific kinds of web design.
Cons of Online Web Design Certificates
-
Many jobs require or prefer a bachelor's degree at a minimum. -
In-person programs often offer unique networking opportunities that aren't accessible online. -
According to the BLS, bachelor's degree holders earned around $26,000 more in 2022 than those with only some college but no degree. -
You may find it harder to connect with your peers and faculty online vs. in person.
Frequently Asked Questions About Web Developer Certification and Certificates
Can you get a web developer or designer job with just a certificate?
Yes, you can get a web developer job with a certificate. However, some jobs may require at least a bachelor's degree. A four-year degree can make you a more competitive candidate for employers, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons of a web development certificate.
How long does it take to get a web design certificate online?
Online web design certificates can vary in length. Some can be completed in one semester, while others may take a full year.
For instance, Bismarck State College offers a one-year web page development and design certificate. The development specialist certificate from St. Petersburg College is an 18-credit program that you can complete in as little as two semesters.
Prior college credits may count toward your certificate, but this varies by program.
Is a web design and development certificate program hard?
Web design and development certificates vary in difficulty, length, coursework, and workload. Different certificates will pose different challenges, and how hard you find a program depends on your background and any unique program requirements or course offerings.
Is web design a good career?
In an increasingly digital world, web development continues to be in demand. In the next decade, jobs for web designers and developers are projected to grow 16% — much faster than average — according to the BLS.
Can you make $100,000 as a web developer?
Earning $100,000 a year as a web developer is possible, but your salary can vary significantly based on your location, educational background, and prior experience. According to the BLS, Washington-based web developers earned an average of $135,490 in 2022, while those in New York earned an average of $81,200.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 4, 2024.
