- 1.Web Developers earn a median salary of $98,580 with 16% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Web Development programs include New York University, University of Georgia, The New School based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of Georgia offers web development education at $9,790/year with 95% graduation rate
- 4.14 accredited Web Development programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Web Development Programs - Top 10 Master's
New York University
NYU leverages its prime Manhattan location to provide students with real-time exposure to industry trends and innovations, with faculty who are active practitioners at top NYC organizations, creating an immersive tech education experience in the world's business capital.
Program Overview
New York University offers web development education primarily through its Tandon School of Engineering's M.S. in Computer Science program, which provides significant curriculum flexibility to tailor degrees toward web technologies, interactive media, and software engineering. Students can shape their studies around areas like web search technology, game engineering, and interactive data visualization while gaining a solid foundation in computer science fundamentals. The program is highly adaptive, allowing both full-time completion in 1-2 years and part-time study extending to 3+ years for working professionals.
NYU's School of Professional Studies also offers technology-focused master's programs that complement web development skills, emphasizing practical, hands-on experience in the heart of New York City. With faculty who are industry experts and innovators at top organizations, students gain real-world insights and access to cutting-edge trends. The university's location in NYC provides unparalleled access to the world's business capital, where students can tap into the dynamic energy of the tech industry while building professional networks.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Audio technology and interactive media research
Haptic interfaces and Human-Computer Interaction
Data visualization and analytics
Admissions
University of Georgia
UGA's approach to web development education integrates business leadership and emerging media expertise rather than offering a traditional computer science track, positioning graduates uniquely for entrepreneurial and strategic technology roles.
Program Overview
The University of Georgia does not offer a dedicated Web Development program, but provides several technology-focused degrees that encompass web development skills through related disciplines. The Terry College of Business offers an online Master of Business and Technology degree designed to reinforce IT skill sets and complement them with project management and leadership expertise. Additionally, the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication houses an online Master of Arts in Emerging Media program that focuses on interactive digital media, encompassing design, development, digital storytelling, social strategy, data analytics, brand identity, user research, product ideation, and project management. These programs serve students seeking to combine technical development skills with business acumen or digital media expertise.
While UGA's School of Computing produces strong Computer Science graduates who often pursue web development careers - with Class of 2024 graduates working at major tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta in software engineering roles - there is no standalone web development curriculum. The university's strength lies in its comprehensive technology education through established departments, with the Terry College ranking as the #1 Public BBA program according to Niche and featuring 9 programs ranked among the top 10 public business schools.
Degree Programs
Admissions
The New School
Parsons School of Design is the #1 ranked art and design school in the United States, located in Greenwich Village where students learn from industry leaders while having direct access to New York City's thriving tech and creative industries.
Program Overview
The New School offers web development education primarily through its Parsons School of Design, which has been ranked the #1 art and design school in the United States according to QS World University Rankings 2025. The program is delivered through the Design and Technology (BFA) undergraduate track and the Design and Technology (MFA) graduate program. Students work in Greenwich Village, New York City, learning from world-renowned practitioners who lead their industries. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing students to take classes across The New School's five colleges to create personalized academic paths. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and over 30 equipment stations, labs, shops, and studios, students gain hands-on experience in a dynamic urban environment that serves as a global center of art, design, and business.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Hands-on creation and fabrication spaces for interdisciplinary projects
Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University's Web Development program benefits from the institution's recognition as one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions and its strategic location in Connecticut's tech corridor, providing direct access to both New York and Boston metropolitan technology markets.
St. Francis College
The source materials do not contain information about a Web Development program at St. Francis College, making it impossible to identify unique distinguishing features for this specific field of study.
Drexel University
8 web development graduates annually
DePaul University
Located in Chicago's Loop technology district with faculty who are active industry professionals, DePaul's web development programs offer direct professional networking opportunities and real-world experience that many university programs cannot match.
Touro University
12 web development graduates annually
New York Institute of Technology
14 web development graduates annually
Duquesne University
5 web development graduates annually
Best Web Development Programs - Compare Top 5 Master's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 New York University | New York, NY | Private | $60,438 | N/A | 80.6/100 |
| #2 University of Georgia | Athens, GA | Public | $9,790 | 95% | 66.2/100 |
| #3 The New School | New York, NY | Private | $54,995 | N/A | 65.9/100 |
| #4 Sacred Heart University | Fairfield, CT | Private | $48,160 | 73% | 55.4/100 |
| #5 St. Francis College | Brooklyn, NY | Private | $27,460 | 86% | 52.8/100 |
Complete Web Development Master's Programs Rankings 2026
| Rank | Program | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University | New York, NY | — | $60,438 | — | — | 80.6 |
| 2 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | — | $9,790 | 95% | — | 66.2 |
| 3 | The New School | New York, NY | — | $54,995 | — | — | 65.9 |
| 4 | Sacred Heart University | Fairfield, CT | — | $48,160 | 73% | — | 55.4 |
| 5 | St. Francis College | Brooklyn, NY | — | $27,460 | 86% | — | 52.8 |
| 6 | Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA | — | $58,293 | — | — | 52.2 |
| 7 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | — | $43,379 | 86% | — | 51.2 |
| 8 | Touro University | New York, NY | — | $18,950 | — | — | 48.2 |
| 9 | New York Institute of Technology | Old Westbury, NY | — | $41,960 | — | — | 45.7 |
| 10 | Duquesne University | Pittsburgh, PA | — | $47,146 | — | — | 43.5 |
| 11 | University of Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | — | $7,442 | — | — | 43.2 |
| 12 | Academy of Art University | San Francisco, CA | — | $27,024 | — | — | 42.8 |
| 13 | Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | — | $41,200 | 62% | — | 42.4 |
| 14 | School of Visual Arts | New York, NY | — | $49,140 | 100% | — | 38.4 |
Career Paths
Senior Software Engineer
SOC 15-1252Lead development teams building scalable web applications for enterprise clients
Full Stack Developer
Design and implement complete web solutions from database to user interface
Manage deployment pipelines and cloud infrastructure for web applications
Technical Lead
Guide technical decisions and mentor junior developers on web development teams
Solutions Architect
Design enterprise web architectures and technology strategies for organizations
What You'll Learn in Web Development Master's Programs
Modern web development master's programs focus heavily on full-stack development skills that prepare graduates for senior engineering roles. Unlike undergraduate programs that cover broad computer science fundamentals, graduate programs dive deep into advanced web technologies, software architecture, and enterprise development practices.
Core curriculum areas include advanced JavaScript frameworks like React, Vue.js, and Angular for frontend development, along with backend technologies including Node.js, Python Django, and cloud-native development. Students learn database design and management with both SQL databases like PostgreSQL and NoSQL solutions like MongoDB. Software engineering principles and design patterns are emphasized throughout the coursework.
Most programs require capstone projects where students build production-ready web applications using modern DevOps practices. This includes continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, containerization with Docker, and cloud deployment on platforms like AWS or Azure. Students also gain experience with testing frameworks, security best practices, and performance optimization techniques.
- Advanced Frontend Development: React, Vue.js, Angular, TypeScript
- Backend Systems: Node.js, Python, Java Spring, microservices architecture
- Database Technologies: SQL, NoSQL, data modeling, performance optimization
- Cloud Computing: AWS, Azure, serverless computing, containerization
- DevOps and Deployment: CI/CD pipelines, Docker, Kubernetes, monitoring
- Security: Web application security, authentication, authorization, OWASP practices
- Mobile Development: React Native, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
- API Design: RESTful services, GraphQL, API security and versioning
Many programs also incorporate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence integration, machine learning for web applications, and blockchain development. Students often complete internships with major technology companies, gaining real-world experience while building professional networks. The technical interview preparation component helps graduates secure positions at top-tier companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 45 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Data Sources and Methodology
Employment projections and salary data for web developers and digital designers
Graduate earnings, completion rates, and program-specific outcomes data
Institutional characteristics, enrollment, and graduation rate information
Return on investment analysis for computer science and engineering programs
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.