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Online Graphic Design Degrees Guide: Levels and Career Paths
Updated July 30, 2026BLS dataCollege ScorecardOn this page
Key takeaway: Online graphic design degrees are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s level by accredited schools nationwide, and the degree prepares graduates for visual communication roles across branding, digital media, publishing, and marketing. According to the BLS, median annual wages for graphic-design-related occupations range from $39,390 to $114,850, depending on the specific role, employer, and experience level (BLS OEWS, May 2025)1. Compare accredited programs below.
An online graphic design degree teaches visual communication – combining design theory, typography, and software skills with a portfolio of applied work across print, digital, and interactive media. Accredited online programs generally deliver the same curriculum and degree titles as their campus counterparts; browse the best accredited online colleges to compare schools that offer them.
Schools Offering Graphic Design Programs
These accredited schools offer online graphic design programs and are ordered by our independent BOC Score. Request information to compare programs, costs, and formats.
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
Graduation rate 30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
Average net price (lower is better) 20%
Retention rate 15%
Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
BOC
Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.
Source:Accreditor: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Quick Answers
What do online graphic design programs cover?
Online graphic design programs teach visual communication principles alongside industry-standard software. Coursework typically includes design fundamentals, typography, color theory, digital illustration, and portfolio development.
What online graphic design degree levels are common?
Common online levels include an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree (BA or BFA), and a master’s degree. Bachelor’s programs may offer concentrations such as UX/UI design, branding, motion graphics, or illustration.
Do graphic design roles require licensure?
No. Unlike fields such as counseling or nursing, graphic design does not require state licensure. Employers instead weigh a candidate’s portfolio, software proficiency, and degree level, so building a strong body of work is central to the job search.
What accreditation should graphic design students look for?
Students should verify that the school holds accreditation from a recognized institutional accreditor – examples include the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) – through the U.S. Department of Education database. Some art and design programs also hold specialized accreditation from bodies such as the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
What is the difference between a BA and a BFA in graphic design?
A BA typically pairs design coursework with broader liberal-arts requirements, while a BFA is a studio-intensive degree that devotes most credits to design practice and portfolio work. Both generally qualify graduates for similar entry-level roles; compare individual program requirements.
What you’ll study
Online graphic design programs blend design theory, technical software training, and applied studio practice – core coursework commonly spans design fundamentals, typography, color theory, digital illustration, layout and publication design, and web or interactive design. Many programs let you focus through a concentration such as branding and identity, UX/UI design, motion graphics, illustration, or packaging design.
Curriculum details vary by school and level; compare the bachelor’s and master’s pages for a level-by-level look at typical coursework.
Careers and career framing
Graphic design graduates apply their skills across advertising agencies, publishing, corporate marketing teams, web and app development, and freelance practice. Entry-level design and production roles are generally accessible with a bachelor’s; art direction, brand strategy, and creative leadership roles typically expect a stronger portfolio and several years of experience, and individual outcomes vary by employer, region, and portfolio strength.
Median annual wage for the highest-paying graphic design careers. Source: BLS OEWS. Chart: Best Online College.View the data behind this chart
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Projected job growth (2024-2034) for graphic design careers. Source: BLS Employment Projections. Chart: Best Online College.View the data behind this chart
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Career
Median Salary
Source
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
$39,390
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
$55,490
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Graphic Designers
$62,960
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Set and Exhibit Designers
$75,240
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Commercial and Industrial Designers
$83,910
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$104,000
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Special Effects Artists and Animators
$102,030
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Art Directors
$114,850
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Figures are national medians and do not guarantee any individual outcome.
For a deeper look at what these roles typically pay and how degree level affects earnings potential, see Is a Graphic Design Degree Worth It.
How to choose an online graphic design program
Accreditation – confirm recognized institutional accreditation and, where relevant, NASAD accreditation for art and design programs.
Portfolio development – look for programs that build a professional portfolio throughout the curriculum, not only in a capstone course.
Software training – confirm the program teaches current industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud, and whether software licenses are included in tuition.
Cost – compare total program cost, including software and studio fees, not just the advertised tuition rate; see Affordable Graphic Design Programs.
Graphic design or a related field? Choose graphic design for the visual-communication and portfolio-driven path; explore related creative and technical fields if you want a broader multimedia, marketing, or computer-science focus.
