Web development is a growing field in which a newcomer may find roles ranging from full-stack development to web design to digital project management. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that positions in web development and digital design are expected to grow 13% by 2030 and pay a median salary of $77,200. Read on to learn more about how an affordable online certificate in web development can lead to a lucrative web development career.

Top 5 schools for certificates in web development

The best online certificates in web development

The following list represents ten affordable, open-enrollment certificate programs in web development. For more information about how we arrived at this list of programs, please consult ZDnet’s ranking methodology page. Rome, GA $100 in-state $200 out-of-state Application fee: $25 Bismarck, ND $166.97 in-state $250.45 out-of-state Application fee: $35 Port Angeles, WA $147.55 in-state $162.77 out-of-state Application fee: Free Daytona Beach, FL $82.24 in-state $328.96 out-of-state Application fee: $50 Granite Falls, MN Application fee: $20 Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard.

What to expect in an online certificate in web development program

During the typical online certificate in web development, you can learn programming fundamentals at your pace. You may get to choose among learning programming concepts in JavaScript, HMTL, or CSS.  Acceptance rate: Not publicly available Graduation rate: 34% Annual net price: $2,148 Years to completion: One SAT range: Not required Minimum GPA: Not required Enrollment periods per year: Rolling Course delivery methods: Online, asynchronous Acceptance rate: Not publicly available Graduation rate: 49% Annual net price: $9,420 Years to completion: One SAT range: Not required Minimum GPA: Not required Enrollment periods per year: Rolling Course delivery methods: Online, asynchronous Acceptance rate: Not publicly available Graduation rate: 46% Annual net price: $5,639 Years to completion: one SAT range: Not required Minimum GPA: Not required Enrollment periods per year: Rolling Course delivery methods: Online, asynchronous Acceptance rate: Not publicly available Graduation rate: 36% Annual net price: $8,789 Years to completion: One SAT range: Not required Minimum GPA: 2.5 Enrollment periods per year: Rolling Course delivery methods: Online asynchronous Acceptance rate: Not publicly available Graduation rate: 50% Annual net price: $11,952 Years to completion: One SAT range: Not required Minimum GPA: Not required Enrollment periods per year: Rolling Course delivery methods: Online, asynchronous Acceptance rate: Not publicly available Graduation rate: 39% Annual net price: $8,893 Years to completion: One SAT range: Not required Minimum GPA: Not required Enrollment periods per year: Fall, spring Course delivery methods: (online, asynchronous, etc.) Acceptance rate: 77% Graduation rate: 39% Annual net price: $17,691 Years to completion: One SAT range: Not required Minimum GPA: Not required Enrollment periods per year: Rolling Course delivery methods: Online Acceptance rate: Not publicly available Graduation rate: 33% Annual net price: $3,226 Years to completion: One SAT range: Not required Minimum GPA: Not required Enrollment periods per year: Rolling Course delivery methods: Online Acceptance rate: Not publicly available Graduation rate: 25% Annual net price: $7,204 Years to completion: One SAT range: Not required Minimum GPA: Not required Enrollment periods per year: Rolling Course delivery methods: Online Acceptance rate: Not publicly available Graduation rate: 14% Annual net price: $7,684 Years to completion: One SAT range: Not required Minimum GPA: Not required Enrollment periods per year: Rolling Course delivery methods: Online This credential usually emphasizes individual work. You may also be encouraged to collaborate with classmates, especially if the program’s credits can be applied toward a degree. Potential electives include web animation, project management, web design, and other topics useful for web development professionals.

Web development courses

While web development certificates’ areas of focus vary, most touch on key topics related to scripting languages, project management, and visual design. The following courses are common offerings. JavaScript fundamentals Learners receive an overview of creating interactive website elements such as dropdown menus, navigation rollover visuals, and different window effects. Fundamentals of web development This course familiarizes students with using a text editor to create pages in HTML and CSS. Students also master industry basics, including how to use content management systems (eg., Wordpress) to create web pages. Web project management Learners collaborate in groups on a commercial web project. They leverage concepts such as workflow, budgeting, and team roles to create a functional website. Computer illustration and design Students learn how digital illustration and graphic design concepts can apply to commercial web development projects.

In conclusion

A web development certificate can provide a starting point for a career in front or back end web development, web design, IT, or other types of coding jobs. This credential can also count as college credit towards an online web development degree. Even with a limited budget and timeline, you can kickstart a career in the web industry with an accredited online certificate. To learn more about how to become a web developer, check out our guide.