With significant advancements in the tech industry, web development has seen a boom. It is one of the highly in-demand careers that attract millions of young tech enthusiasts worldwide. As of 2020, there were 26.2 million website developers around the world, whereas 537 million websites were operating in the market. It clearly shows that this domain has a lot of potentials for developers to grow.
The number of web developers worldwide is expected to reach 27.7 million by 2023. This is why thousands of college graduates from the United States prefer to enroll in web development degrees. But, they struggle when it comes to shortlisting a credible web developer school.
Have you completed your college degree? Want to become a website developer? Searching for great web development schools? Your search ends here as this article guides you on how to select a good school and presents the 5 best schools for web development. Let’s get into the details.
Online vs. On-Site Web Development Degree: Which One Is Better?
The US has both kinds of web developer schools offering online and on-site education. Both degree programs have their own importance depending on what students want to get out of them. As far as on-site education is concerned, you have to attend regular classes on campus, thereby following a proper schedule. It requires both punctuality and traveling.
In contrast, online web development degrees are location-independent. You can attend classes from anywhere in the world. Online programs are further classified into two types, e.g., synchronous and asynchronous degree programs.
Synchronous Web Development Degrees
This distance learning requires you to attend classes online at a specific time with your classmates and instructors. You need to be punctual, like on-site education, but you don’t have to go to the campus. If you are the one who has a couple of responsibilities or family commitments, synchronous web development degrees will not suit you.
Asynchronous Web Development Degrees
Schools offering asynchronous degree programs are on the rise these days. These degrees don’t ask you to be punctual or follow a particular schedule. The recorded lectures help you learn from anywhere at your preferred time. Doesn’t matter if you are doing a part-time job or have a lot of responsibilities; asynchronous website development degrees will always be your best friend in completing your education.
Which One Is Better?
Well, there is no single-line answer to this particular question. It always depends on what your goal is. Asynchronous degrees must be your top priority if you are busy and looking for a convenient way to complete your studies. In contrast, if you prefer going to the campus and have no issue attending on-site classes at a specific time, you can register yourself into schools offering synchronous degrees.
How Can I Choose the Best Web Developer School?
Selecting the right web development school is a tough nut to crack. You can’t just make a random selection. After all, it is a matter of your whole life, and your career depends purely on it. It is better to consult senior students or mentors to get an idea of the best schools for web development. A few factors (as listed below) can make your selection worthy and easy at the same time.
1. Program Structure
The program structure means the type of degrees a school offers, i.e., synchronous and asynchronous. Before choosing a school, don’t forget to review the program structure offered. The requirements and preferences may vary from one student to another.
2. Cost
The cost of the program should not be your primary concern, but the quality of education must always be your priority. Many students focus on return on investment, which is a good approach. Therefore, keep an eye on the program’s cost before you choose a web developer school.
3. Accreditation
It is the most important factor to consider when selecting a web development school. The reason behind this fact is that reputed organizations consider hiring website developers who have graduated from accredited schools. When choosing a school, ensure it is regionally or nationally accredited.
4. Curriculum
The schools offering curricula focused on the latest website technologies should be your number one choice. It is good to learn the CSS, HTML, and Javascript languages, but learning Django, Python, React, and Ruby on Rails must be part of the curriculum.
The 5 Best Online Web Developer Schools In 2024
Though selecting the top schools is tricky, we have made the job easier for you. Below is a list of the best schools for web development. Let’s take a closer look at them.
1. Arizona State University
According to the US News and World Report, Arizona State University is the most innovative web developer school in the United States. It has produced a lot of quality researchers, Pulitzer prize winners, and other scientists. You can benefit from online and on-campus web development degrees while keeping your preferences and interests in mind. The core courses focus on different areas, including but not limited to front-end website development and design, multimedia design, user design experience, and advanced markup.
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 67%
2. St. Cloud State University
This credible web development school was established in 1869. According to Forbes Magazine, St. Cloud State University is listed among the top colleges in the United States. The degree programs this university offers are a blend of web development, computing, and project management. The core courses focus on computer security, software reverse engineering techniques, and software design.
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 46%
3. Brigham Young University, Idaho
It is another top-grade web developer school in the US that offers both on-campus and online degrees in website development. Over 15,000 online and 34,000 on-campus students study at Brigham Young University, Idaho. Bachelor of Science in Web Development & Design helps you learn to program with functions, JavaScript, programming building blocks, and website fundamentals.
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Graduation Rate: 49%
4. University of St. Francis
This university is known for its quality and affordable education in the United States. According to the US News and World Report, the University of St. Francis is one of the best web development schools offering online degree programs. The major courses focus on programming languages, website platforms and publishing, Java, and digital photography. These courses help you get design and technical web development experience.
Acceptance Rate: 46%
Graduation Rate: 74%
5. Columbia College
This college has been serving since the last 167 years. According to the US News and World Report, Columbia College is listed among the top-rated colleges because 97% of its students get jobs after graduation. Both online and on-campus classes are available. You can join either, keeping in mind your preference. The degrees focus on data structure, database management systems, and information system principles.
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Graduation Rate: 49%
What Can I Do with a Website Development Degree in Hand?
A website development degree can help you serve both government and private entities. You can work in different roles, including but not limited to the website designer, website programmer, website administrator, and web application developer. The top US employers for web developers include; IBM, Deloitte, iTechArt, Hyperlink InfoSystem, WillowTree, and ArcTouch. The top career paths for website developers are listed below.
Web Application Developer
You can start working as a web application developer with a bachelor’s degree in web development and some experience. According to Zip Recruiter, web application developers earn an average of $75,780 per year (as of Sep 2023), which equals approximately $36 per hour.
Web Application Tester
To work as a website application tester, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline. The average annual salary of web application testers (according to Zip Recruiter) is $86,146 per year in the United States. It is equal to $41 per hour as of Sep 2023.
Senior Website Developer
The minimum education requirement for senior web developers is an undergraduate degree. They earn more than junior developers because of their diverse professional experience. According to Zip Recruiter, the average annual income of these professionals is $95,856 (as of Sep 2023), which becomes $46 per hour.
Web Architect
A bachelor’s in web development is the minimum requirement to work as a web architect in different setups. As per the survey of Zip Recruiter, a web architect earns $139,917 (as of Sep 2023) a year on average. It equals the average hourly wage of $67 per hour.
Web Manager
Do you want to work as a web manager in the future? You must earn a bachelor’s degree in website development. As per the Zip Recruiter’s stats, the web managers make an average of $65,587 per year (as of Sep 2023). It is equal to $32 per hour.
Web Designer
Like the above-listed job positions, a web designer should have at least a bachelor’s degree in hand. As of Sep 2023, the Zip Recruiter says that web designers can earn an average of $59,636 a year. It equals the average hourly income of $29.
How Much Can I Make as a Web Developer in the US?
According to indeed.com, the average annual salary of web developers working in the United States is $77,787, which equals $31.55 per hour. The overall salary for a web developer varies between $47,487 and $127,420, as shown in the image below.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary of website developers and digital designers is $77,200 per year as of 2020. It is equal to earning a median hourly wage of $37.12.
Takeaway
Is your college degree about to complete? Do you want to become a future website developer? Searching for reputed developer schools offering online degree programs? Don’t forget to read through the above discussion as it has presented the 5 best schools with their graduation and acceptance rates.
Do you want to build a high-converting website for your business? Looking for an experienced web development agency to get the job done? Contact KodersPoint to discuss your business requirements. It is a software development company providing a variety of services, including but not limited to website design and development, mobile app design and development, video creation, digital media marketing, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
Keep checking back for more similar blog posts. KodersHive aims to share the latest updates in the website and mobile application development domain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it worth it to become a web developer in 2023?
A: Yes, it is absolutely worth it. Web development is a great profession that offers handsome salaries, thousands of job opportunities, significant job growth, and promising careers. Taking a look at these factors, millions of people worldwide choose web development as their professional career.
Q: How long does it take to complete a web development degree?
A: A bachelor’s degree in web development takes four years to complete if you are studying full-time. On average, it consists of 120 credit hours of coursework. If you want to do this degree part-time, the duration will vary depending on the courses you take every year or every semester.
Q: Where can I utilize my web development skills?
A: You can serve public and private departments as a website developer. The employment opportunities in the private sector are far more than the public ones. Software companies and digital agencies are the two most common places that offer the highest number of jobs compared to other organizations and enterprises.
Q: Are online web developer schools better than institutions offering on-site programs?
A: Well, both programs have their own specialties. The reason why thousands of students prefer enrolling in online degree programs is that they offer more flexibility. With online programs, you can learn web development at your preferred time without affecting your other responsibilities, i.e., house chores and family commitments.
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