- 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 School of Visual Arts, The New School, New York University based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of Arizona offers web development education at $11,546/year with 68% graduation rate
- 4.28 accredited Web Development programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Web Development Programs - Top 10 Best Value
School of Visual Arts
233 web development graduates annually
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 for Web Development based on 1% graduation rate, 233 graduates, and overall score of 83.6/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 1% graduation rate
- 233 web development graduates annually
- Accredited institution
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
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
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University does not offer a dedicated Web Development graduate program, despite its prime Silicon Valley location and strong technology program offerings.
University of Arizona
Arizona's Applied Computing program uniquely combines six specialized emphasis areas under one flexible degree, allowing students to customize their education for emerging fields like AI and DevOps while maintaining strong fundamentals in web and software development.
Weber State University
Weber State offers a rare dual-track approach that allows students to master both technical full-stack development and user experience design within a single ABET-accredited program, with mandatory community partnerships providing real client experience before graduation.
CUNY New York City College of Technology
City Tech is strategically located in Brooklyn's Tech Triangle, one of NYC's fastest-growing tech hubs, providing students direct access to internships and careers with major tech companies while maintaining the affordability of the CUNY system at just $4,800 annual tuition for New York residents.
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.
University of Maryland Global Campus
11 web development graduates annually
Atlantic University
38 web development graduates annually
Best Web Development Programs - Compare Top 5 Best Value
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 School of Visual Arts | New York, NY | For-Profit | $49,140 | 1% | 83.6/100 |
| #2 The New School | New York, NY | Private | $54,995 | N/A | 72.6/100 |
| #3 New York University | New York, NY | Private | $60,438 | N/A | 61.4/100 |
| #4 Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | Private | $58,587 | 91% | 59.9/100 |
| #5 University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | Public | $11,546 | 68% | 57/100 |
Best Value Web Development Programs 2026
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | School of Visual Arts | New York, NY | $49,140 | — | — | — |
| 2 | The New School | New York, NY | $54,995 | — | — | — |
| 3 | New York University | New York, NY | $60,438 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | $58,587 | — | — | — |
| 5 | University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | $11,546 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT | $5,471 | — | — | — |
| 7 | CUNY New York City College of Technology | Brooklyn, NY | $6,930 | — | — | — |
| 8 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | $43,379 | — | — | — |
| 9 | University of Maryland Global Campus | Adelphi, MD | $7,632 | — | — | — |
| 10 | Atlantic University | Guaynabo, PR | $6,120 | — | — | — |
| 11 | Academy of Art University | San Francisco, CA | $27,024 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Eastern Washington University | Cheney, WA | $7,294 | — | — | — |
| 13 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus | Bothell, WA | $11,524 | — | — | — |
| 14 | Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | $35,848 | — | — | — |
| 15 | College for Creative Studies | Detroit, MI | $49,950 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Neumont College of Computer Science | Salt Lake City, UT | $25,500 | — | — | — |
| 17 | DeVry University-Illinois | Lisle, IL | $14,392 | — | — | — |
| 18 | Beacon College | Leesburg, FL | $48,510 | — | — | — |
| 19 | Brigham Young University-Idaho | Rexburg, ID | $4,656 | — | — | — |
| 20 | Touro University | New York, NY | $18,950 | — | — | — |
| 21 | CUNY Brooklyn College | Brooklyn, NY | $6,930 | — | — | — |
| 22 | Lindenwood University | Saint Charles, MO | $19,900 | — | — | — |
| 23 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | $6,600 | — | — | — |
| 24 | Duquesne University | Pittsburgh, PA | $47,146 | — | — | — |
| 25 | Franklin University | Columbus, OH | $9,552 | — | — | — |
Showing 1–25 of 28
Career Paths
Design and implement user-facing web interfaces using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and modern frameworks.
Work on both front-end and back-end components of web applications and systems.
Web Designer
Create visual designs and user experiences for websites and web applications.
Build web-based software applications and systems for various industries.
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Web Development Students
Federal financial aid through FAFSA covers web development degree programs, with Pell Grants providing up to $7,395 annually for eligible students. Many state grant programs specifically target STEM fields, offering additional funding for technology education.
Technology companies increasingly offer scholarships and tuition assistance for web development students. Major employers like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon provide funding programs targeting underrepresented groups in tech, often with internship or employment pathways.
Consider employer tuition reimbursement programs if you're currently working. Many companies offer $3,000-$8,000 annually for employee education, making part-time degree completion highly affordable.
Explore FAFSA and grants for STEM majors to understand federal aid options, and research scholarships for women in technology if you qualify for targeted funding programs.
Public vs Private Web Development Programs: Value Analysis
Public universities consistently offer better value for web development education, with average annual tuition of $13,200 compared to $24,800 at private institutions. However, private schools sometimes provide advantages in career services, industry connections, and flexible scheduling that can justify higher costs.
Top public programs like Arizona State University and University of Maryland Global Campus combine low tuition with strong industry partnerships. These programs typically offer in-state residents additional savings, with costs as low as $8,000-$12,000 annually for qualified students.
Private institutions excel in personalized attention and accelerated degree options. Schools like Southern New Hampshire University offer competency-based programs that allow motivated students to complete degrees faster, potentially offsetting higher tuition through reduced time to employment.
- Public universities: Average 40% lower tuition, strong state employer connections
- Private colleges: More flexible schedules, smaller class sizes, faster completion options
- Regional public schools: Often best value for local job markets
- Online programs: Reduced costs regardless of public/private status
Program Selection Framework
- Total program cost under $60,000
- Strong regional job market
- In-state tuition eligibility
- Traditional college experience preferred
- Working while studying
- Need flexible scheduling
- Want to minimize total costs
- Comfortable with remote learning
- Enhanced career services important
- Smaller class sizes preferred
- Strong industry connections valued
- Budget allows for higher tuition
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 180 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Web Development degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific web development salaries from BLS OES 2024
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduate earnings and employment data from Department of Education
Occupational outlook and salary data for web developers
Institutional tuition, enrollment, and graduation rate data
Financial aid program information and eligibility requirements
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.