The 10 Best Online Bachelor's in Web Development Programs

Last Updated: January 28, 2019

Individuals with an online bachelor’s in web development use graphic design and coding skills to run websites effectively and efficiently. The modern Internet would not exist without the expertise of these web developers! Web developers can work for major companies around the world or start their own consulting businesses. This lucrative career, with an average salary of $66,130, provides both flexibility and great potential for advancement.

Now is a great time to pursue a degree in web development. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth of 13% between 2016 and 2026 in this field, nearly double the average growth rate for all jobs. Earning a web development degree online could be your first step toward a financially and personally rewarding career.

The Best Online Bachelor's in Web Development Programs

Online Bachelor's in Web Development Degree Program Ranking Guidelines:
We selected the degree programs based on the quality of program and range of courses provided, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation.

RANKING METHODOLOGY

Methodology for College Rankings

The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:

The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.

To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet — TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):

1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]

• Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
• Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
• Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
• Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
• Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
• Considers range of electives within that discipline
• Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline

2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]

• Considers education background of the faculty
• Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
• Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
• Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
• Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources

3. Reputation [weight = 20%]

• Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
  • Faculty
  • Curriculum
  • “Freshness” of academic knowledge
  • Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
  • Suitability of graduates for the workplace

4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]

• Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
• Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants

5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]

• Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
• Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business

6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]

• Considers the following of the online classes:
  • Types of online technology used to deliver content
  • Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
  • Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
  • Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
• Considers the following of instructors:
  • Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
  • Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
  • Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
  • Ratio to number of students in a class
• Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees

Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.

To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:

• Accreditation
• Public or private status
• Acceptance rate
• Retention rate
• Graduation rate
• ACT/SAT requirements
• Cost in-state / out of state
• Undergrad, grad, or both offered
• Region
• State
• City

Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!

If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.

Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org’s underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article “ Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS.” Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the rankings of other well-known educational ranking companies. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: “ Making Sense of College Rankings.” For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!

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1. California College San Diego

San Diego, California

Known for its convenient location and its well-rounded academic programs, CCSD offers a comprehensive bachelor's of science in web design and development program. The online web development degree covers topics including digital illustration, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Students earning CCSD's flexible online web development degree complete program requirements at their convenience. The coursework provides practical knowledge, and students learn to build mobile applications, create user interfaces, and conduct frontend and backend development. Graduates pursue careers in web design, graphic design, digital imaging, and database administration.

Students complete 180 credits in general education and major coursework, including classes in computer fundamentals, typography, eColor theory, and object-oriented programming. Students gain foundational knowledge in web development and design. Most full-time students complete the program in 30 to 36 months. CCSD awards credit for previous coursework, certifications, military training, and examinations.

California College San Diego is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

2. Independence University

West Haven, Utah

Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, IU is a nonprofit, online university. IU's bachelor's of science in web design and development provides practical skills to prepare students for careers in web design, development, and application design. Students learn to code, publish, and conceptualize web-based content across disciplines. Hands-on experience familiarizes students with a variety of programming languages.

IU's online web development degree requires 180 credits. The curriculum comprises general education coursework and major classes, such as digital animation, vectors, illustration, databases, and web page programming.

Online students complete course requirements on their own schedule, and most students complete the program in 30 to 36 months. The curriculum does not include elective courses so students can focus on developing career skills through major coursework. IU offers online resources including tutoring, writing and math labs, career services, and tech support.

Independence University is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

3. Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty offers a bachelor's of science in information technology with a specialization in web and mobile programming to prepare students for careers as web developers.

The curriculum combines general educational requirements with foundational web development courses, such as organizational behavior, database management systems, systems administration, and client-side programming. Liberty provides a suggested degree sequence, recommending students complete electives before moving on to major coursework.

Liberty provides an interactive virtual classroom experience for distance learners, and online students complete program requirements at their own pace. Students earning Liberty's web development online degree complete 120 credit hours and must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Students complete 30 hours of upper-level coursework, and transfer students must complete at least half of the required credit hours through Liberty. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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4. Champlain College

Burlington, Vermont

Based in Burlington, Vermont, Champlain offers programs with interdisciplinary core curricula. Champlain's online bachelor's of science in web design and development exposes students to the latest technologies to prepare them for careers in the field. Students apply fundamental design and development skills to advanced tasks, such as maintaining web servers and using scripting languages to facilitate data transfers.

Champlain's web development online degree program is designed for working adults. Each of the fully online courses last seven weeks, allowing students to complete requirements at an accelerated pace. The 120-credit curriculum includes 54 general education credits and 66 major credits, which cover topics such as retail internet business, server side scripting, and website design.

Along with a bachelor's degree, the program awards a certificate in Web design or web programming, depending on the student's specialization. Transfer students may apply up to 90 previous credits toward the degree.

Champlain College is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

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5. Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

Located in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin offers an online bachelor's of science in web development that provides hands-on experience and exposure to industry leaders.

Franklin's web developer online degree requires 124 semester hours, including 36 general education hours, 25 elective hours, and a 25-hour professional core. Professional core classes cover topics such as programming, web page construction, and computer problem-solving. Students complete 36 hours of major classes, which include courses in analytics, client-side development, and human computer interaction.

Students in the online web development degree program must complete courses on writing, learning strategies, and communication. Franklin students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.25 GPA in the major. Applicants must furnish a high school diploma, its equivalent, or at least 24 hours of transferable credit. All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

Franklin University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

6. Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire

SNHU offers innovative online programs, including a BS in information technologies with a concentration in web design and development. The program prepares students to use applications and data to improve user experiences.

Students earning the web developer degree online gain specialized knowledge in information technology and systems design. Graduates pursue careers in web architecture, web design, and web development. The curriculum comprises 120 credits, including six elective credits. Major requirements include coursework in cyberlaw and ethics, database design, web design, and computer platform technologies. Transfer students can bring up to 90 previous credits.

The flexible program is designed for students with busy schedules. SNHU delivers courses in eight-week terms, and students can complete requirements at their own pace. Some courses require specific programs, such as GameMaker or Cypherpath. Students must have computers that meet minimum hardware specifications.

Southern New Hampshire University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

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7. Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

Located in Nebraska, Bellevue offers a bachelor's of science in web development designed by experienced web developers. Students earning Bellevue's web developer degree online gain skills in design principles, JavaScript, Angular, DevOps, and APIs and are prepared to utilize a variety of design and development tools.

The curriculum emphasizes design and includes coursework in programming languages and database fundamentals. The 127-hour curriculum comprises 55 elective hours, 36 general education hours, and 36 major hours. Major requirements include courses in internet systems architecture, Node.js, and NoSQL. All Bellevue students complete the Kirkpatrick Signature Series, which explores concepts such as tradition, change, freedom, and responsibility.

Students complete a seminar, during which they design, plan, and present a project in a setting that mirrors traditional development boot camp. For nine consecutive weeks, students devote five evenings per week to the six-credit seminar.

Bellevue University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

8. Baker College

Flint, Michigan

Located in Flint, Michigan, Baker offers an online BS in information systems with a concentration in web development. The program provides both developer knowledge and business skills to prepare students for positions across industries.

Students earning the web design and development degree online complete coursework in software languages, operating systems, and design principles. The curriculum includes 75 hours of major requirements and 27 hours of general educational coursework in subjects such as algebra and composition.

Students complete coursework in business analytics, enterprise architecture, and Java programming, along with a capstone senior project in information systems. Students gain practical experience during a 10-week, supervised job placement. The 18-hour web development concentration requires classes in web design and web server administration. The college adjusts class offerings to reflect changes and developments in the field. Baker students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.

Baker College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

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9. University of Maine at Augusta

Augusta, Maine

Known for its dedication to environmental sustainability, UMA offers an online bachelor's in computer information systems with a concentration in web development and networking.

UMA's online web developer degree prepares students for careers in programming, network administration, and information technology. Students gain knowledge in computer information systems, learn to code in languages such as HTML and CSS, and develop skills in web security and eCommerce.

Students complete 121 credit hours and must maintain a 2.0 GPA. The curriculum includes 78 hours of major coursework in topics such as organization behavior, operating systems, and database design. Online students complete individual and group projects and gain practical experience during a mandatory internship.

All UMA students complete three general elective credit hours and 40 general education hours. UMA offers credit for prior learning through examinations and portfolios.

The University of Maine at Augusta is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

10. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, NSU is known for its collaborations with NASA through the Joint Venture Program. The university offers an online bachelor's in computer information systems with a concentration in web development. Students in the program explore theoretical and practical elements of computer information systems. The curriculum emphasizes systems analysis, object-oriented programming, and design.

NSU's nationally recognized program is one of the best online web development degrees for working professionals. Students complete the fully online, 120-hour program according to their schedule. Students complete a computer information systems core and a 24-hour web development concentration. The curriculum prepares students to obtain certification in Cisco, A+, and Network+.

NSU maintains partnerships with companies and programs, which helps students secure employment after graduation. The university assists online students in finding verified testing centers at which to complete proctored exams.

Northwestern State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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Choosing an Online Bachelor’s in Web Development Program

While earning a bachelor's degree, students cultivate skills that help them succeed on the job, such as advanced knowledge of computer coding. These courses also prepare students for certification testing. Multiple certifications are available that prove your competence in computer coding to future employers. To stay competitive in the job market, choose a program that offers optimal coding courses.

Your program may give you the option to select a concentration in a particular web development subfield. With a cybersecurity concentration, you learn skills that help you protect a company's data. Graduates with this concentration often work for large corporations or government agencies. With a networking concentration, you can help companies network devices or streamline information sharing within the company. Before selecting a program or concentration, consider which one best fits your interests and career goals.

Capstone projects play a significant role in online web development degree programs. A capstone project requires you to synthesize the knowledge and skills gained through coursework. For your project, you might create an original computer program, database, or web app. A successful capstone project not only ensures that you earn your diploma, but the final product can set you apart from other applicants when you apply for your first post-graduate job.

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Online Bachelor's in Web Development Careers

After gaining experience as a web developer, you may decide to work in information technology. The careers below represent a mix of promotion opportunities and lateral moves available to web developers. To pursue these or other positions, you may need to complete additional education or training.

1. Computer and Information Systems Manager: Computer and information systems managers work alongside a company's executives to determine the company's future computing needs. They enact approved information technology proposals and lead teams to troubleshoot any problems. Many open positions require applicants to have a graduate-level degree in computer science or a related field.
   • Median Annual Salary: $135,800
   • Projected Growth Rate: 12%
2. Software Developer: Software developers create the computer programs we use every day. Their duties include reviewing user feedback, keeping track of a project's progress, and updating existing software. While an online web development degree equips you with the coding abilities used by software developers, a master's degree may be required.
   • Median Annual Salary: $102,280
   • Projected Growth Rate: 24%
3. Database Administrator: Database administrators work to protect a company or organization's computer data. They oversee one or more teams of computer engineers to update databases, keep track of users, and recover lost data.
   • Median Annual Salary: $84,950
   • Projected Growth Rate: 11%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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