by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Web & Multimedia Design explores Web Page, Digital/multimedia And Information Resources Design. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Html, Css, Xml, Javascript, Graphics Applications, And Other Authoring Tools To The Design, Editing, And Publishing (Launching) Of Documents, Images, Graphics, Sound, And Multimedia Products On The World Wide Web. Includes Instruction In Internet Theory, Web Page Standards And Policies, Elements Of Web Page Design, User Interfaces, Vector Tools, Special Effects, Interactive And Multimedia Components, Search Engines, Navigation, Morphing, E-Commerce Tools, And Emerging Web Technologies. Read on to learn the important information every web & multimedia design student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering web & multimedia design programs.
In the U.S., web & multimedia design is a popular field of study, with 5,236 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Web & Multimedia Design Schools ranking analyzes these 343 schools to determine the best overall colleges for web & multimedia design students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of web & multimedia design programs later in this article.
Studies in Web & Multimedia Design build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations web & multimedia design graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a web & multimedia design program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a web & multimedia design major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several web & multimedia design degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 835 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,403 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 974 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,951 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to web & multimedia design tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 47.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 16.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.7% |
| Some college courses | 6.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.5% |
| Master’s degree | 3.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in web & multimedia design careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in web & multimedia design opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to web & multimedia design.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to web & multimedia design.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Web Developers | 564,182 | 4.6% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
| Graphic Designers | 267,813 | 4.6% |
| Video Game Designers | 207,860 | 2.6% |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 202,912 | 0.6% |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of web & multimedia design graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,963 |
| 4 years | $41,500 |
| 5 years | $47,394 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for web & multimedia design graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers web & multimedia design grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Web Developers | $125,527 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $88,198 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $86,398 |
| Graphic Designers | $66,386 |
| Video Game Designers | $62,617 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
With 343 different web & multimedia design programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased web & multimedia design school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in web & multimedia design, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration | 4,139 |
| Computer Graphics | 3,312 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications, Other | 1,866 |
| Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation | 1,028 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
