Best Associate's Web Development Degree Programs in Minnesota
Minneapolis Community and Technical College — Minneapolis, MN
Hakia Insight: MCTC's direct recruitment relationship with Target and Best Buy means employers post internship roles exclusively through the program's career office, giving you access to opportunities that never hit public job boards.
At the associate's level, MCTC's web development program stands out for its direct pipeline into the Twin Cities tech job market—employers actively recruit from their labs. You'll learn full-stack development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, backend frameworks) through project-based coursework that mirrors real workplace challenges. The college's location in Minneapolis puts you steps away from major tech employers, and many graduates land junior developer roles or move into UX/UI design tracks within their first year after graduation. The program balances theoretical foundations with hands-on portfolio building, so you graduate with real projects to show employers.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Web Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Web Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Target, Best Buy, Optum, Thomson Reuters, Local digital agencies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- St. Cloud State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Web Developer
- Web Support Technician
- Front-End Developer
- Help Desk Technician
- QA Tester
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Location Advantages:
Saint Paul College — Saint Paul, MN
Hakia Insight: Saint Paul College's embedded consulting model—real nonprofits and state agencies bringing live projects into labs—means you graduate with a portfolio of work that actually solved problems for recognizable Twin Cities organizations, not hypothetical assignments.
At the associate's level, saint Paul College integrates web development with real-world consulting projects—you don't just learn coding, you apply it immediately to problems clients actually face. This project-based approach builds your portfolio fast and teaches you soft skills employers care about: communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. Graduates often transition into web development roles at nonprofits, small businesses, and tech firms across the Twin Cities, or continue at four-year universities. The college's emphasis on accessibility and inclusive design prepares you for a career that's both technically sound and socially responsible.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Web Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Web Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Saint Paul nonprofits, Minnesota Department of Human Services, Local tech startups, Twin Cities digital agencies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Hamline University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Web Developer
- Front-End Developer
- Web Support Technician
- Quality Assurance Tester
- Help Desk Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- Web Accessibility (WCAG) foundations
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Location Advantages:
Dakota County Technical College — Rosemount, MN
Hakia Insight: Dakota County Tech's mandatory co-op means you're logging paid work experience during school in Apple Valley's booming e-commerce and fintech corridor, effectively test-driving employers who often convert interns to full-time hires.
At the associate's level, at Dakota County Tech, you'll graduate with real work experience—the program includes internship or co-op opportunities with actual employers, so you're not just learning theory, you're solving real business problems before you graduate. The hands-on, project-intensive approach means you build a portfolio that impresses hiring managers and gives you an edge over candidates with degrees alone. Many students complete their AAS and land positions immediately with South Metro employers, while others transfer to four-year universities with significant credit. The supportive learning community and strong employer partnerships make your pathway from student to employed developer clear and direct.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Web Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Web Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Apple Valley/Shakopee tech firms, South Metro healthcare organizations, E-commerce companies, Financial services tech teams, Local manufacturing IT departments.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Augsburg University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Web Developer
- Full-Stack Developer
- Web Support Technician
- QA Tester
- Help Desk Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Location Advantages:
Minnesota State Community and Technical College — Fergus Falls, MN
Hakia Insight: Minnesota State Community and Technical College's Moorhead location serves an underserved rural pipeline—you get personalized support and smaller class sizes while employers actively recruit from regional programs due to talent scarcity, making job placement rates higher than Twin Cities schools.
At the associate's level, minnesota State Community and Technical College's web development program serves rural and regional Minnesota, offering excellent training without the drive to the Twin Cities—but don't let the location fool you. The curriculum stays current with industry standards, covering full-stack development, databases, and modern frameworks. Graduates land positions with Moorhead-area employers, larger regional companies, and many use the degree as a transfer pathway to four-year universities. If you value personalized attention, strong community support, and practical skills in a smaller program setting, this college delivers all of that while keeping costs and commute time low.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Web Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Web Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Moorhead regional employers, Northwest Minnesota tech firms, Healthcare organizations, Regional financial services, Manufacturing IT departments.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- North Dakota State University (nearby)
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Web Developer
- Web Support Technician
- IT Help Desk Technician
- Technical Support Specialist
- QA Tester
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- Microsoft Azure fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Location Advantages:
Ridgewater College — Willmar, MN
Hakia Insight: Ridgewater's central Minnesota agricultural tech hub (Willmar area) connects you to a specialized but booming sector—agtech companies like AGCO need web developers, and competition for those roles is lower than in urban markets despite strong salaries.
At the associate's level, ridgewater's web development program combines classroom theory with hands-on lab work where you actually deploy live websites and troubleshoot real problems—preparing you for the independence employers expect. The college's two-campus system (Willmar and Hutchinson) means flexible scheduling and strong roots in rural Minnesota's growing tech sector, from agricultural tech companies to regional healthcare IT teams. Graduates transfer smoothly into Minnesota State University, Mankato and other four-year programs, or move directly into junior developer positions where their practical skills and problem-solving mindset stand out. You'll leave with a portfolio, industry-ready coding chops, and connections to employers actively hiring associates-level developers.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Web Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Web Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Minnesota State University, Mankato IT, Agricultural technology companies (Willmar area), Regional healthcare IT departments, Local government IT services, Small to mid-size tech firms across central Minnesota.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
- St. Cloud State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Web Developer
- Front-End Developer
- Web Support Technician
- Junior Full-Stack Developer
- IT Help Desk Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate (optional)
Location Advantages:
Hennepin Technical College — Brooklyn Park, MN
Hakia Insight: Hennepin Tech's employer co-design model means your curriculum gets updated by Target and UnitedHealth Group before you graduate—not after—giving you a head start on skills those Fortune 500 companies are actively hiring for.
At the associate's level, hennepin Tech's web development curriculum is built by employers—industry partners help design what you learn, ensuring you graduate with exactly the skills companies are hiring for right now. You'll work in state-of-the-art labs with current technology, and many classes incorporate guest lectures from working developers and tech leaders. The college's strong placement record speaks for itself: most graduates find junior developer or IT roles within months of finishing the program. If you want to go straight into the workforce and start earning, this program's workforce-focused approach and industry connections make it your fastest, most direct path.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Web Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Web Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Target, Honeywell, UnitedHealth Group, Twin Cities Fortune 500 companies, Local tech consulting firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Walden University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Web Developer
- Front-End Developer
- Full-Stack Developer
- IT Help Desk Technician
- Network Support Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (pathway)
- Cisco CCNA Cyber Operations (pathway)
Location Advantages:
Riverland Community College — Austin, MN
Key Distinction: Riverland Community College provides affordable Web Development education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: Riverland's transfer pathways let you earn an associate's affordably in Austin, then complete a bachelor's at a four-year partner without repeating coursework—a rare safety net that reduces both time and total debt.
Riverland Community College offers Web Development programs in Austin, MN. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
St Cloud Technical and Community College — Saint Cloud, MN
Hakia Insight: SCTCC's dual-track emphasis on front-end design *and* back-end development in the same program is unusual for associate's degrees, which typically specialize; this breadth makes graduates immediately valuable to smaller employers who can't hire separate specialists.
At the associate's level, you'll work with modern frameworks and real-world projects in SCTCC's hands-on labs, where instructors emphasize both front-end design and back-end development. The program has strong pipelines to St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota system, making it an ideal stepping stone if you're not quite ready for a four-year program. Students graduate with portfolio-ready projects and often land positions with local tech firms, healthcare IT departments, and e-commerce companies across central Minnesota. The curriculum balances HTML/CSS/JavaScript fundamentals with practical experience in responsive design and database management, preparing you for either immediate workforce entry or seamless transfer.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Web Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Web Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: St. Cloud State University IT, Mayo Clinic (Rochester area expansion), CenturyLink/Lumen, Local healthcare and education IT departments.
Top Transfer Destinations
- St. Cloud State University
- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Web Developer
- Front-End Developer
- Web Support Technician
- Junior Full-Stack Developer
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer (optional pathway)
Location Advantages:
Minnesota State College Southeast — Winona, MN
Key Distinction: Minnesota State College Southeast offers comprehensive Web Development programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Minnesota State College Southeast's Winona location puts you equidistant from Rochester's Mayo Clinic healthcare IT expansion and the Twin Cities tech hub, offering unique internship optionality that larger, centralized programs can't match.
Minnesota State College Southeast offers Web Development programs in Winona, MN. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Lake Superior College — Duluth, MN
Hakia Insight: Lake Superior College's capstone projects mirroring real shipping workflows mean you're building for actual infrastructure problems—not hypotheticals—giving you portfolio pieces that immediately demonstrate you can solve problems at scale.
At the associate's level, if you're serious about shipping websites and apps, Lake Superior College's web development program grounds you in industry-standard tools through capstone projects that mirror what real agencies build. The college's location in Duluth connects you to growing tech companies and a tight-knit developer community that actively recruits graduates. Many students transfer to the University of Minnesota Duluth or move straight into junior developer roles at local agencies and Fortune 500 companies with regional offices. You'll develop portfolio pieces in modern frameworks, learn collaborative workflows, and understand both design principles and backend logic—everything employers expect on day one.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Web Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Web Development — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Cirrus Logic, ProLogic, Duluth-based digital agencies, Lake Superior Port Authority, University of Minnesota Duluth IT.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Minnesota Duluth
- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Web Developer
- Web Designer
- Front-End Developer
- Junior Full-Stack Developer
- IT Support Specialist
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner (optional)
Location Advantages:
Best Bachelor's Web Development Degree Programs in Minnesota
University of St Thomas — Saint Paul, MN
Key Distinction: Required senior capstone course. Undergraduate research opportunities with faculty collaboration in machine learning, human-AI interaction, virtual reality, cybersecurity, and scientific computing
Hakia Insight: St. Thomas's proximity to the Twin Cities startup ecosystem plus mandatory capstone research with faculty in machine learning and VR means you're not just building class projects—you're contributing to work that accelerates your network into actual hiring conversations.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at University of St. Thomas emphasizes hands-on learning with modern technology in an interdisciplinary setting. Students develop a strong mathematical and programming foundation before advancing to specialized courses in computer security, full stack web development, operating systems, and emerging technologies. All students complete a required senior capstone course integrating knowledge from their four years. The program offers extensive undergraduate research opportunities through faculty collaboration in areas such as applied machine learning, human-AI interaction, virtual reality, cybersecurity, and scientific computing. Students work as on-campus research assistants and tutors, gaining practical experience. The curriculum includes study abroad options in Barcelona, Ireland, and Scotland. Alumni have secured positions at major tech employers including Meta, Target, and the FBI, while others have pursued advanced degrees at Carnegie Mellon, Ohio State University, and University of Massachusetts.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Meta.
Location Advantages: Proximity to St. Paul/Minneapolis startup and tech company ecosystem
Hamline University — Saint Paul, MN
Hakia Insight: Hamline's model of offering undergraduate research labs—typically gatekept for grad students elsewhere—lets you co-author findings in fields like human-AI interaction, turning your degree into research credentials that distinguish you in early-career hiring.
At the bachelor's level, this psychology program offers undergraduate students research opportunities typically reserved for graduate students at other institutions, with specialized labs for various psychology fields and faculty mentorship starting from the first year.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Web Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Web Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Minnesota State University Moorhead — Moorhead, MN
Key Distinction: A regionally-rooted public university program that combines practical web development skills with software engineering fundamentals, serving a diverse student population with accessible education and strong local employer connections.
Hakia Insight: MSUM's regional Midwest employer partnerships create a pipeline effect: companies know exactly what your software engineering fundamentals cover, so your degree functions as a trusted signal in hiring for jobs other graduates have to interview harder to get.
At the bachelor's level, MSUM's web development pathway operates within a comprehensive computer science program that emphasizes hands-on learning and accessible education for students from diverse backgrounds, including first-generation and non-traditional learners. The program balances current industry technologies—JavaScript frameworks, responsive CSS, backend databases, APIs—with software engineering principles, ensuring graduates understand both how to build and how to build responsibly at scale. Moorhead's location in the Red River Valley creates unique partnerships with regional employers and a cost-effective environment that appeals to students managing financial constraints. Students benefit from faculty who remain active in the regional tech community, bringing real-world context into classroom discussions and project work. Internship and career services are strong touchpoints, with many students securing positions during their program rather than after graduation. The program's culture emphasizes peer learning and inclusion, reflected in student organizations and study groups that extend learning beyond the classroom.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Web Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Web Development — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- National Association of School of Arts & Design (NASAD)
Location Advantages: Regional employer partnerships in upper Midwest
Concordia University-Saint Paul — Saint Paul, MN
Hakia Insight: Unlike schools separating web development as a standalone track, Concordia embeds it within a full computer science curriculum covering architecture and operating systems, meaning you graduate understanding *why* performance matters, not just how to code faster.
At the bachelor's level, the Computer Software Science program covers core computer science topics including programming languages, computer architecture, data structures, operating systems, database, web systems, and software engineering, designed to prepare students for both graduate schools and careers in the tech industry with skills in problem-solving, software engineering, web application, mobile app development, database design, and teamwork.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Web Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Web Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Metropolitan State University — Saint Paul, MN
Key Distinction: Hands-on computer lab time in IT fundamentals course. MIS Capstone project requirement
Hakia Insight: Metropolitan State's MIS capstone requirement combined with St. Paul location inside Minnesota's tech corridor creates a virtuous cycle: capstone projects often become internships at companies hiring in the same corridor.
The Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems at Metropolitan State University is a 120-credit program that prepares students for high-demand IT careers such as business systems analyst, enterprise technology architect, application developer, data scientist, security analyst, and help desk support. The curriculum balances theory with hands-on practice, emphasizing how to apply technology to solve real business problems. Students develop competencies in enterprise architecture, object-oriented programming, systems development methodologies, project management, database design, network fundamentals, and business process modeling. The program requires completion of a capstone project and includes foundation courses in IT fundamentals with hands-on computer lab time. Coursework spans College of Business and Management foundation courses (22 credits), business core courses (20 credits), and specialized MIS courses covering systems analysis, database implementation, security, and IT planning. At least three upper-division MIS courses and the capstone must be completed at Metro State. The program supports student success through transfer pathways and flexible enrollment options.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Location Advantages: Located in St. Paul within Minnesota's tech corridorProximity to tech employers and startups
