Cost vs. Benefit of Getting a Degree in Web Design

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How Much Does a Web Design Degree Cost?

A Bachelor of Arts in Web Design is a four-year program that can cost between $15,000 to over $60,000. Earning your degree at a state college can be more affordable than studying at a prestigious art school. It's never easy to estimate the total cost of a degree because students' choices influence their final cost so much.

For example, are you going to be commuting to school from your parents' house or living in the dorms? Will you apply for scholarships and partake in work-study programs? How much money of your own are you putting toward your education?

Paying for a degree is one of the biggest deterrents to formal education, and it's understandable in a country that has most 22-year-olds graduating nearly $50,000 in debt. But there are many workarounds to make getting your web design degree more affordable. One option is taking out a loan from a private lender to pay for college. This can be better for many students because it offers greater flexibility and a higher pay-out than federal student loans.

You can explore all your options once you determine whether a degree in web design is right for you. It's important to mention that many professionals did acquire a degree, but they studied a broader discipline like graphic design.

There are often specializations in programs these days that incorporate web design principles into a larger degree program that gives you greater knowledge and more skills.

How Much Does a Web Designer Make a Year?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that web designers and developers earn an average salary of $73,760 per year (2019). This figure can fluctuate depending on your level of experience, where you work, and what type of clients you have. For example, many professionals in the field prefer to freelance and charge a higher rate than what they'd make per hour. A full design package for a client from a freelancer could cost thousands when they'd only make several hundred in a week at a traditional office.

Entry-level web designers will naturally earn less than their more experienced counterparts, and working with a firm can be a good way to build a reputation and portfolio right out of college. If you're not formally educated, then you can learn all the most important, relevant skills from working professionals by serving as an intern. Your earnings will likely be higher with professional credentials, but your portfolio is what will really make you stand out. To decide whether you should get a degree, it's helpful to consider your career goals. Do you want to get employed by a big company or agency, or are you interested in opening your own business or working as a freelancer?

The Cost vs. Benefit Weigh-in

People who earn a college degree can earn more in their lifetime than those who don't, but that could change in the coming years as more people become highly skilled, self-taught professionals. What really matters, in this case, is whether you can acquire the educational background and skills on par with what the average web design graduate will have.