Web Design Schools in Virginia

One of the most important marketing tools a business can have is a website. And not just any website—a good website. An expertly designed website has the potential to reach hundreds of millions of people around the globe 24/7/365. Because a website is such a powerful marketing tool, web designers & developers are in high demand. Even individuals and small organizations with a message or a cause use the website as a communication tool. So, matter which specialty you choose, you will have no problems finding a company or client to keep you busy and well fed!

To keep up with the demand for talented web designers and developers, colleges across the country have developed new web design programs or expanded existing ones. Most of these programs are competitive and constantly evolving thanks to a global technology scene that seems to change by the minute. In the State of Virginia, several top colleges have kept up with advances in technology and the high demand for talent. Just a few of the best schools for aspiring web designers here include Liberty University and Virginia State. Continue reading to learn more.

Virginia Web Design Schools

According to the most recent report by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), Virginia is home to 129 Title IV colleges and universities. This includes technical schools, traditional colleges and universities, and art and design schools. Aspiring web designers can find programs at just about any type of school. In Virginia, you’ll find top-rated web design programs at historic universities and up-and-comers alike. Scroll through the list below to review Virginia’s top schools for aspiring web designers and what they have to offer.  

Lynchburg
Liberty University - Degrees Offered: B. S. Studio Art, Studio and Digital Arts: Graphic Design, Communication with Cinematic Arts Concentration, Communication Studies with Digital Media Concentration, Visual Communication Arts with Studio Art Concentration; B.S. Web Technology and Design; M.A. Communication Studies with Media and Communication Studies Concentration; Minor in Graphic Design, Photography, Studio Art

Petersburg
Virginia State University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Visual Arts with Concentration in Animation, Graphic Design, Studio Arts; Minor in Animation, Art & Design, Graphic Design, Photography, Web Design

Radford
Radford University - Degrees Offered: B.A. Design Culture Design Management;
B.S., B. F. A. Studio Art with Photography Emphasis; B. F. A. Graphic Design; M.A. Design Thinking; B.S. Information Science and Systems with Web Development Emphasis; Minor in Cinematic Arts, Design Appreciation

Virginia Beach
The Art Institute of Virginia Beach – Degrees Offered: Web Design & Development Diploma. Web Design & Interactive Communications Diploma

Employment and Salary Trends for Virginia Web Designers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment and salary information for web developers (web designers), information security analysts, and computer network architects as a group. According to the latest report by the Bureau (March 27, 2012), Virginia is home to 20,530 web developers (web designers), information security analysts, and computer network architects. The average salary for these creative techies is $93,130 per year. This is one of the highest average salaries in the working world today.

The U.S. is home to 272,670 web developers (web designers), information security analysts, and computer network architects. They average $81,670 (mean). The lowest 10 percent average $42,770 per year, and the highest 10 percent average $124,860 per year.

Virginia-based web designers work at creative firms, web design studios, PR firms, government agencies, and in-house at a variety of companies. Many web designers are self-employed, so they may live in Virginia but work for companies around the world.

If you are interested in working on-site, consider Virginia Beach—the state’s largest city, followed by Norfolk, Chesapeake, Arlington, and Richmond.

Several other principal cities are well worth exploring as well. Although they are not as large as the top five, Newport News, Alexandria, and Hampton are home to 100,000+. Newport News has a population of 179,611, Alexandria is home to 144,301, and Hampton has a population of 136,401. Roanoke and Portsmouth (also worth considering) are home to just under 100,000 residents each.