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.
- 52 hours to write this article
- 32 universities and colleges we assessed
- 47 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Certificate in Web Design and Development Programs
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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.