best web development bachelors 2024
best web development bachelors 2024
A guide to the best web development bachelor’s programs in 2024.

As businesses seek new and innovative ways to reach consumers online, workforce demand for web developers is soaring. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the web development job market to grow by 17% over the next decade, much faster than the 3% average for all jobs, while the median salary for web developers just topped $80,000.

Earning a respected bachelor’s degree in web development can prepare you for a lasting career in this field. Web development bachelor's grads can pursue roles such as web developer, software engineer, and full stack developer.

This page will highlight this year's best online bachelor’s degrees in web development. We'll also outline the skills and credentials you should seek out in a web development curriculum, potential career outcomes, and more.

What makes our rankings valuable?

Most degree rankings online rely primarily on the National Center for Education Statistics, measuring school-wide rates for graduation, retention, class size, etc. The NCES has good data, and we use it too; however, we go beyond institutional stats to analyze the current and future relevance of the skills and certifications you’ll gain. We also list programs' actual tuition fees and delve deeper into value and flexibility to consider accelerated learning and certificate options.

The Best Online Web Development Bachelor Degrees
Rank School Program
1 Bellevue University Bachelor of Science in Web Development
2 Brigham Young University B.A.S. in Software Development
3 Wilmington University Bachelor of Science in Web Design
4 University of Arizona B.A.S. in Applied Computing: Software Development
5 Franklin University B.S. in Interactive Media Design

Web Development Bachelor's Degree Curriculum

Each factor that goes into selecting the best web development degree is vital, but chief among these is the relevance of the curriculum and how the skills you learn relate to workforce demand. Here are some valuable courses and platforms you should look for in a web development bachelor’s degree:

  • Marketable front-end - a.k.a. “client-side” - web development languages, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
  • Popular back-end - a.k.a. “server-side” - web development languages, such as PHP, C++, Java, Python, C#, and Ruby
  • Full stack development, i.e., front-end + back-end development skills merged with expertise in database, security, design, and other skills needed to build a top-down web app
  • User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design and development
  • Version control systems such as Git, Apache Subversion, and Mercurial
  • Website performance and search engine optimization (SEO)
  • Cross-platform and mobile application development
  • Web development using popular content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla!, Magento, and Drupal
  • Essential cybersecurity skills, including secure systems and application development
  • Relevant business courses like freelancing, e-commerce, project management & entrepreneurship

In addition to hard skills in programming, design, and development, soft skills are vital in this role. Marketable soft skills to look for in a web development bachelor's program include:

  • Creative thinking
  • Advanced problem-solving
  • Effective time management
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Stakeholder presentation
  • Teamwork and collaboration

The Best Web Development Bachelor’s Degrees Online

We chose the top five online bachelor's in web development based on numerous factors, including the current and future relevance of skills taught, school reputation, program features, flexibility, and overall value.

Here are the best web development bachelor’s degrees you can earn online in 2024:

1. Bellevue University

With its career-oriented approach to higher education, Bellevue University's Bachelor of Science in Web Development topped the 2024 rankings. Its curriculum achieved our highest scores for workforce relevance with web development courses throughout the stack. Notable subjects include front-end and back-end development using hot languages and frameworks (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Node.js, Angular, TypeScript, etc.), DevOps, database management in NoSQL and MySQL, Agile project management, and API development. All while building a professional portfolio to showcase your hard-earned skills to employers.

Another exciting facet of this web development bachelor’s is it’s one of Bellevue’s accelerated cohort programs; this means that upon enrolling, you join a group of classmates in your major, interact with them throughout the program to gain real-world collaborative experiences, and with less breaks and customized guidance you can graduate with a four-year bachelor's degree in as little as two years.

This school gained points for its military friendliness - for example, including military spouses in their reduced pricing structure, where most universities only include active troops or veterans, and a full-time Military Veteran Services Center staffed by veterans that offers numerous career and recreational services. We also liked Bellevue’s strategic partnerships with small businesses and Fortune 500 enterprises to help graduates enter the workforce after graduation.

  • Format: Online
  • Tuition Cost: $31,750 to $57,023 - 127 credits @ $250 (military) to $449 per credit
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

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2. Brigham Young University

Primarily known for its Mormon Church affiliation, BYU offers a top-notch web development program in its Bachelor of Applied Science in Software Development. This program earned top marks in relevance, affordability, flexibility, and engagement. Religious courses are a required part of the curriculum, so this program won’t be the right fit for everyone; for those open to this, read on.

BYU’s software development bachelor's scored big in workforce relevance with a core curriculum featuring beginner through advanced courses in front-end, back-end, and full-stack web development. It also covers hot and emerging topics in complementary fields like mobile application development, cybersecurity, data management, and cloud computing.

We were impressed by this degree's "certificate-first" structure wherein students pick a bachelor's and focus area, then choose three certificates to round out the program (along with the requisite general education and religious courses). In this case, you’d begin with the Certificate of Web and Computer Programming, then progress to the Certificate of Web Development, and finally, the Certificate in Software Development. This format lets students gain incremental skills and credentials that can lead to better job prospects during and after their education.

  • Format: Online
  • Tuition Cost: $9,720 to $16,680 (120 credits @ $81 to $139 per credit)
  • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

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3. Wilmington University

Available as a degree completion program (for students with an associate degree or higher) or a standalone bachelor's, the B.S. in Web Design from Wilmington University stands out in our 2024 ranking. Adding to its flexibility, students in this program can use their electives to simultaneously earn graduate certificates in lucrative fields like Management Information Systems and project management without additional expense.

This program features a curriculum that delves into critical topics in web design and web development. On the design side, notable courses include color theory, typography, UI design, advanced web layout, responsive design, and hands-on training in popular Adobe platforms like Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. Noteworthy development coursework includes HTML, CSS & JavaScript, user interface development, and PHP programming. The curriculum also includes foundational business courses in functional areas for web developers like freelancing, valuable soft skills like public speaking, critical thinking, and written communication, and an internship and experiential learning program where students can grow their network and gain hands-on experience.

  • Format: Online, On-Campus (DE & NJ), or Hybrid
  • Tuition Cost: $49,080 (40 courses @ $1,227 per course)
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

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4. University of Arizona

With top-notch institutional stats for online programs, including a 65% graduation rate and 83% student retention, the University of Arizona lives up to its reputation for academic quality with its BAS in Applied Computing in Software Development. While not titled as a web development degree, this Bachelor of Applied Science exemplifies the tools and techniques of successful web developers.

UofA’s program features relevant coursework in front-end and back-end web development, mobile application development, data management, and user interface design. Students in this program learn by doing as they create various web-based applications. Participants can pursue a range of electives in hot and emerging areas like cloud computing (featuring AWS and Microsoft Azure), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), DevOps, cybersecurity, data science, and more.

  • Format: Online, On-Campus (AZ), or Hybrid
  • Tuition Cost: $60,000 (120 credits @ $500 per credit)
  • Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

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5. Franklin University

With an average net price under $8,000 (after financial aid), Franklin University's Bachelor of Science in Interactive Media Design is a great value. Beyond its favorable price point, Franklin’s online bachelor’s program boasts one of the most career-ready and well-rounded curricula we analyzed.

In addition to a robust IT core featuring network, systems, and data management, students in this program learn marketable skills in web, mobile app, and game development. Noteworthy topics of study include cross-platform app development, advanced server-side web development using scripting languages like PHP, Ruby, and Rails, client-side web development in HTML, CSS & JavaScript (with the latest libraries and frameworks), graphic design featuring the Adobe Suite, human-computer interaction, and UI design. Soft skills training in interpersonal communication and creative problem-solving round out the curriculum.

90% of Franklin students apply transfer credits to their undergraduate education, averaging 72 transfer credits each. This generous transfer policy can help students drastically reduce tuition costs and time to graduation.

  • Format: Online
  • Tuition Cost: $47,760 (120 credits @ $398 per credit)
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

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Web Development Bachelor's Degree Jobs

Here are some jobs you can pursue with a bachelor’s degree in web development and the median salary for each. Click on the job titles for a deep-dive description.

Web Development Job Salary
Software Engineer $118,000
Full Stack Developer $112,000
Mobile App Developer $109,000
User Interface Developer $102,000
Video Game Developer $99,000
Web Developer $81,000
Computer Programmer $75,000

Source for salary data: Analysis of Online Job Boards

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About the Author

IT Subject Matter ExpertDaniel Greenspan is the founder and Editor-in-chief of ITCareerFinder. Working closely with IT professionals, world-class trainers, and hiring managers since 2005 has given him unique insight into the information technology job market and the skills and credentials IT pros need to succeed.