Top 10 Affordable Web Developer Associate Degree Online Programs

Computer Science Degree Hub - Most Affordable-01

By CSDH Staff
June 2023

The world of technology relies on computer programmers. Demand for businesses to have an online presence continues to grow. Because of demand, web development careers are on the rise.

But how do you get started in web development? The educational path varies for aspiring web developers. Most web development programs offer an associate degree. This means that after two years of schooling you can qualify for a job in the computer and technology industry.

Read on to find out where you can find the most affordable web developer associate degree online. In this article, we also discuss other online web design degree programs and the courses you can expect to take in an associates online program.

Related: Is a Computer Science Degree Worth It?

10 Most Affordable Web Design Degree Online Programs

Our ranking of the ten most affordable online associate degrees in web development features programs ranked according to the estimated full cost of out-of-state tuition.

#10. Cerro Coso Community College
Online Web Professional Associate of Science

Estimated Program Cost: $26,880 (out-of-state); $6,360 (in-state)

Cerro Coso Community College is a good choice for students living in California who want an associate in web development. The school offers a Web Professional Associate’s degree.

In this online website design degree program, students can take courses that prepare them for careers as web designers or web developers. Online courses cover many different web development topics. These include:

  • Digital imaging
  • Fundamentals of web development technology
  • Interactive web media
  • Search engine optimization
  • Web production

Once you get an associates degree online in web development at CCCC, you can qualify for different bachelor’s programs at four-year colleges. There, you can continue your studies in advanced web development programs. You can also earn your degree in another related discipline like web systems analysis or computer programming.

Related: What Should I Look for in a Good Computer Science Degree Program?

#9. Stark State College
Online Associate of Applied Business in Web Design and Development

Estimated Program Cost: $18,788 (out-of-state)

Stark State College is a good school for web development programs. The school offers both an online web design degree and an online technical certificate in web design.

The online website design degree program allows students to enroll part-time or full-time. Students study both internet design and computer programming. When you graduate, you’re ready to go to work in different areas of web production management.

Online courses cover topics useful in web developer careers. They help students gain web development skills needed for a successful career. Online classes include:

  • Advanced web development
  • Data modeling and database design
  • Project management
  • Web graphic design
  • Web page development

The web development online track certificate consists of ten classes on web design. Students can also build on the curriculum to earn their associate degree.

Related: What is the Average Salary for Someone with a Computer Science Degree?

#8. Harrisburg Area Community College
Online Associate of Applied Science in Web Development and Design

Estimated Program Cost: $16,020 (out-of-state)

The online web development program at Harrisburg Area Community College prepares aspiring web designers for successful careers. The online associates programs consist of 60 credits you can earn at a low cost with financial aid.

In the web development online program, you take a series of courses that cover web development curriculum. You take classes like JavaScript programming and web site publishing. You also study software development. The online associate degree can prepare you for entry into a four-year college or university.

#7. Mohave Community College
Online Associate of Applied Science in Computer Graphics and Web Design

Estimated Program Cost: $15,502.50

Mohave Community College offers online associates for students interested in IT and computer science fields. This online web design school offers an online associate in web design and computer graphics.

Most associate degree programs like this one consist of 65 credit hours. But there is a shorter web development certificate option in graphics and web design. For the degree option, you can study for 32 weeks and earn your degree. In the program, you study online web development and graphics. You also study design and content management systems.

With the help of financial aid, you can earn your design degree online at an affordable price. In-state online web development associate’s degree students receive the best price.

#6. Central Georgia Tech College
Online Associate Degree in Web Site Design/Development

Estimated Program Cost: $12,800

Central Georgia Tech College offers an online degree in web development. You can earn an online associate’s degree in web design and development.

What makes the program unique is the fact that the minimum age for students entering is 16. This means students can earn an associate degree in web development while they’re still in high school. If you know early on that a career as a web developer is for you, the program can help you jump start your career path.

In the online web development associate’s program, online students take courses that cover web designer and graphics topics. Some of the course requirements include:

  • Information security fundamentals
  • IT analysis
  • PHP programming
  • Project management
  • Web technologies

Many electives can also help you harness your interests. You get the change to explore areas of web applications and design while in school. Developing your interests while in college can help you find a good occupation fit after graduation.

#5. Lakeshore Technical College
Online Associate Degree in IT Web & Software Development

Estimated Program Cost: $12,501

At Lakeshore Tech College, students can earn an affordable associate in web development degree. The IT Web and Software Development associate’s degree teaches students about the many principles of programming, design, and development.

In this online program, you learn how software and web development offers and uses game and simulation. Courses explore both front end web development. Students learn about web application and programming languages. Most of the programming languages classes also provide hands on learning experiences. You learn everything from object-oriented programming to mobile device development. You also explore different operating systems.

Financial aid helps make this online web professional associate degree in web development affordable. In-state students can receive sizable awards that help cut tuition costs.

#4. Riverland Community College
Online Associate of Applied Science in Web Development

Estimated Program Cost: $12,499

Community and junior colleges like Riverland Community College offer applied science degrees. At RCC, you can earn an online Associate of Applied Science in Web Development.

This 100% online website development degree gives students a well-rounded understanding of operating systems and web application development. You learn skills needed to become a webmaster, focusing on day-to-day operations of a website. You also gain knowledge that can help in a web developer or web designer role.

The online education and web development associate degree offers courses such as:

  • Analytics and SEO
  • Graphic design
  • HTML and CSS
  • Javascript and AJAX3
  • Operating systems
  • Programming languages
  • Social media campaigns

#3. Southeastern Technical College
Online Associate in Computer Information Systems

Estimated Program Cost: $11,054

Looking for a broad computer science associate’s degree that will provide a deeper knowledge of computer systems than general web development degrees? Southeastern Tech College offers an online CIS program with courses in program design and development.

The minimum age for the online associate in web development degree is 16. This means high school students can get a head start on college and further education before graduation. This makes the degree in web development worth even more.

At the tech college, students take a range of courses approved by the Colleges and Schools Commission. These courses include:

  • Computer concepts
  • Computer networking
  • Program design and development
  • Project management
  • Structured Query Language (SQL)
  • Systems analysis

#2. Gateway Technical College
Online Associate of Applied Science in IT – Web Software Development

Estimated Program Cost: $10,228

Gateway Technical College, not be be confused with Eastern Gateway Community College, is a good school for an online associate in web software development. It offers a web development associate’s degree for aspiring web developers.

In the web developer associates degree program, students have the choice of also earning a 28-credit diploma. Courses overlap in the diploma and degree program. Most students take online courses that cover topics like:

  • Advanced databases
  • Java programming
  • Javascript
  • PHP web programming languages

The associate of applied science degree provides training you need to work as a web or software developer in computer programming.

#1. Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Online Associate of Applied Science in Web Site Design/Development

Estimated Program Cost: $6,400

The most affordable web design school online is Georgia Northwestern Technical College. The school offers an Associate of Applied Science in Web Site Design and Development.

The low-cost online web development program prepares students to become web developers, designers, programmers, user-interface designers, independent contractors, and mobile media designers. Through coursework and study, students learn about different scripting technologies. They also gain knowledge in web graphics. They become experts in web design and development.

Some of the courses offered in the web development programs help prepare you for jobs as a software developer or web developer. They include:

  • IT analysis and design
  • Project management
  • Web animation
  • Web graphics

Should I stick with an associate degree or transfer into a bachelor’s program?

It all depends on what you want. One benefit of a bachelor’s degree is that it lets you specialize in an area of web development you find interesting. But there are also benefits to getting only an associate degree in web development.

One benefit of the associate degree is that it grants you a credential in half the time as a bachelor’s degree. If you spend four years earning your bachelor’s degree in an area you end up hating, it’s difficult to make up the time. But earning an associate degree in two years means you can enter the workforce in less time. You can also move around and explore different web developer jobs after earning associate degrees.

If you do have a strong idea of what industry or sector you want to work in, then earning a bachelor’s degree can help you advance faster in your chosen niche.

Web Development Pay and Job Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most entry-level web design professionals hold an associate degree. The two-year degree helps them land jobs as web designers and web developers.

The median salary for web developers is $79,890 per year. The job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is 23%. Labor statistics indicate that between 2021 and 2031 a total of 21,800 openings will occur each year.

About 1 in 6 web developers are self-employed. Some of the most common industries in which you find web developers are publishing, management consulting, and advertising. Software publishers earn the highest wages with the industry paying over $150,000/year for professional web designer jobs. But of most web designers, the majority have associate degrees.

Information Technology: Web Development Explained

Web developers can perform a wide range of roles within the industry. Some focus on design, while others focus on the back-end systems that keep websites running and safe.

When you earn an associates degree online in a web development program, you can qualify for different types of jobs. Your focus may be web application programming or graphic design. The focus depends on where your interests lie.

But if you want to gain the most out of your associate in web development degree, you can become a full-stack developer. These web developers have a strong understanding of every level of web development. They are also one of the highest-paid professionals in the web development field. In this occupation, you need associate degrees or higher.

Is online learning right for you?

To determine if online learning is a good fit, you should consider different factors. The first thing to consider is the flexibility it offers. If you want to earn an associate degree online because of work and life obligations, online learning can provide a good educational path.

But more than flexibility, online education can help you save money. Your savings can come from travel expenses, wear and tear on your vehicle, or public transportation costs. You won’t have to commute any further than your office, bedroom, or living room.

But there are other things to consider before enrolling in an online web development associate degree program. Ask yourself if you can learn by watching videos? Are you comfortable taking online exams or would you prefer a classroom environment? Can you handle limited face-to-face interaction with peers and professors? If so, an online associate in web development track might be the right choice.

Ways to Pay for an Online Associate Degree

If you want to save money while attending college, choosing a community college or tech school can help. In the United States, a community college offers the most affordable online programs.

You can cut tuition costs further if you’re a resident of the state your school is located. But there are other ways you can earn a web development associate’s degree on the cheap. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can save on college tuition costs.

Financial Aid

Aid awards can provide creative ways to cut costs on tuition and fees. To qualifying students, award packages can include:

  • Grants
  • Scholarships
  • Work study programs

Some federal grants cover almost all tuition costs. Scholarships, too, can help. You can receive scholarships through your high school, local organizations, or the state in which you live.

As a last resort, you can take out federally subsidized student loans to help pay your college tuition. Federal loans have flexible repayment options. This means that if you experience hardships, you can qualify for extensions. Some college graduates have difficulties finding work after school. Some loan programs consider these hardships and make it easier for recent grads to meet their loan terms.

Work study programs also help pay for school. But these part-time jobs get awarded to students who demonstrate financial need.

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