Graphic design is an ever-growing industry. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for graphic designers in 2019 was $52,110 per year and you can achieve this with an online bachelor’s degree in graphic design. The competition is somewhat high in this field as the job growth is expected to be only 3% through the year 2028, but, having said that, your expertise in any particular field may be JUST what that special employer is looking for.
Graphic designers, are “visual storytellers” who illustrate with the assistance of computer software and alo by hand. The work of graphic designers is in front of us nearly all the time. From posters and magazine layouts to billboards, logos and other advertisements, we see and are affected by their work nearly every day. According to the BLS, 22 percent of graphic designers are self-employed. Ranked #5 in a recent article by U.S. News and World Report in Best Creative and Media Jobs, whether you work for yourself or for your employer, all you need is a portfolio of your best designs and go get that dream job you’ve always wanted. With a graphic design degree, the possibilities are endless!
Below we have ranked, as the title states, the Best of the Best in Online Graphic Design schools… scroll through and find one that is just right for YOU!
To begin: Best Online Schools for Associates in Graphic Design for 2020
Check this out: Best Online Schools for Animation Degrees
FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY
ONLINE BS IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
Physical Campus Location: Winter Park, FL
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Tuition: Specifically, in the Graphic Design category, the total tuition cost is $83,500 breaking down into $696 per credit hour, 120 credit hours to program completion… Undergraduate Application Fee – $75
Notable Grads:
- Chip Carle, 3D Artist at Blizzard Entertainment
- Kristifer Klein, Pixar
- Natalie Beneventi, Senior Designer for the Arizona State Fair
- Nathanial Sims, Effects Technical Director on “Snow White and The Huntsman”
- Justin Garand, Graphic Designer for the Orlando Magic
Course Flexibility: Full Sail offers Live classes so that you may interact with the other students and faculty… Can’t make it? No sweat! All of the classes are archived and viewable on YOUR schedule!
Career potential:
- Graphic Artist
- Graphic Designer
- Illustrator
- Production Artist
- Digital Printing Specialist
- Package Designer
LEARN MORE ABOUT FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY’S EXCITING GRAPHIC DESIGN PROGRAM
ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.A. IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
Campus Location: San Francisco, California
Accreditation:
- Art and Design (ART) – Degree-granting schools and departments and non-degree-granting programs
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
Tuition:
- Undergraduate Application Fee – $50
- Undergraduate Tuition (Domestic Students Only) – $963 per unit – 3 units per class
- Estimated Tuition/Expenses per YEAR for undergraduates beginning Fall 2019/Spring 2020 – $26,147
- Registration Fee per SEMESTER- $50
- Course Fees per SEMESTER – $400 on average
- Materials/Supplies costs per SEMESTER – $990 on average
Career Opportunities:
- Graphic Designer
- Typographic Designer
- Print Designer
- Package Designer
- Publication Designer
- Branding and Identity Designer
- Corporate Communications Designer
- Environmental and Retail Designer
- In-House Graphic Designer
- Communications Director and Music Industry/Entertainment Designer
- and more!
Sampling of Firms hiring Academy of Art University graduates:
- Microsoft
- Disney
- DreamWorks SKG
- Estee Lauder
- Pixar
- Wells Fargo
- and many, many more!
Course Flexibility: Online learning is asynchronous meaning that you can participate in online discussions if you wish or you can attend and contribute on your own available time although you do need to meet projected deadlines for completing assignments and lessons. The same award-winning faculty is available to you that teaches the same classes at the brick and mortar alternative.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ACADEMY OF ARTS UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE GRAPHIC DESIGN DEGREE
BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.A. OF ARTS IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
Campus Location: Bellevue, NE
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: Undergraduate, Non-refundable Application Fee – $50…Tuition for the 2019-2020 academic year is $425 per credit hour (42 credit hours MAJOR requirements, not including general credits required totaling 127 credit hours to complete the program)
ATTENTION: All active-duty members of the United States Military, National Guard, Reserve, Coast Guard, and their spouses are eligible for a tuition rate of $250 per credit hour for all courses in a graphic design undergraduate degree.
Sampling of Companies Hiring Bellevue Graphic Design Graduates:
- ConAgra Foods
- TD Ameritrade
- Hewlett Packard
- Hallmark
- US Bank
- and many more!
Career Potentials:
- Computer Graphic Artist
- Catalog Page Designer
- Web Designer
- Advertising Specialist
- Communications Specialist
- Multimedia Designer
- Product Designer
- and many more depending on your work experience and level of specialization!
Course Flexibility: 24/7 support is available along with a “go at your own pace” type style that enables you to work on your schedule.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY’S BACHELOR OF ARTS IN GRAPHIC DESIGN-DEGREE OVERVIEW
ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN
ONLINE B.A. IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
Campus Location: Lakewood, CO
Accreditation:
- Art and Design (ART) – Degree-granting schools and departments and non-degree-granting programs
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- The Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: Undergraduate (BA or BFA) $518 per credit hour which estimates out to be about $62,120 to complete the program ….120 total credits needed to receive degree: One-time application fee of $50.00 Tuition does not include books or fees.
Course Flexibility: As with most, you are allowed flexibility with their online schooling and you may even choose to take some classes online and some on-campus classes to save money and get the college “experience” at the same time.
LEARN MORE ABOUT RMCAD’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN GRAPHIC DESIGN DEGREE PROGRAM
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE BA IN GRAPHIC DESIGN-MEDIA ARTS
Campus Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
Tuition: $320 per credit hour or $960 per course
Career Opportunities:
- Engineering
- Entertainment
- Information technology
- Marketing
- Professional sports
- Advertising
- Medical technology
Employers that have hired SNHU graduates:
- Timberland
- Segway
- Fox News Networks