Web and Digital Multimedia Design: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Web and Digital Multimedia Design equips learners with the technical and creative expertise needed to develop dynamic, user-centered digital experiences across online platforms. This program emphasizes the integration of visual design, interactive functionality, and technical implementation to produce compelling content for the modern web.
- Internet Theory and Web Infrastructure: Explores the foundational principles of how the web operates, including client-server models, network protocols, and data transmission mechanisms.
- Web Page Standards and Policies: Focuses on adherence to industry guidelines for accessibility, usability, and compliance with legal and ethical standards in digital publishing.
- Elements of Web Page Design: Teaches layout composition, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy to create aesthetically cohesive and effective web interfaces.
- User Interface (UI) Design: Develops skills in crafting intuitive, responsive interfaces that enhance user experience through logical navigation and interactive feedback.
- Vector Tools and Graphic Production: Covers the use of vector-based software for creating scalable images, icons, and illustrations optimized for digital environments.
- Special Effects and Animation: Introduces techniques for implementing motion graphics, transitions, and visual effects that enhance engagement without compromising performance.
- Interactive and Multimedia Components: Instructs on embedding dynamic content such as video, audio, games, and real-time data to create immersive online experiences.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Fundamentals: Provides strategies for structuring content and code to improve visibility and ranking in search engine results.
- Navigation and Information Architecture: Builds expertise in organizing content and designing pathways that guide users efficiently through complex digital environments.
- Morphing and Transformations: Explores advanced visual techniques for smooth transitions between shapes, images, and states in digital media.
- E-Commerce Tools and Integration: Prepares learners to implement secure, functional shopping features including product displays, cart systems, and payment gateways.
- Emerging Web Technologies: Keeps students at the forefront with exposure to cutting-edge developments such as progressive web apps, WebAssembly, and immersive web experiences.
Web and Digital Multimedia Design Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Web and Digital Multimedia Design Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Web and Digital Multimedia Design degrees, including Special Effects Artists and Animators, Web and Digital Interface Designers and Web Developers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 536,950 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Effects Artists and Animators 27-1014 | $99,800 | $57,220 - $174,630 | 21,280 | $47.98 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers 15-1255 | $98,090 | $47,840 - $192,180 | 111,400 | $47.16 |
| Web Developers 15-1254 | $90,930 | $48,560 - $162,870 | 78,860 | $43.72 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1194 | $61,490 | $38,680 - $106,580 | 111,150 | $29.56 |
| Graphic Designers 27-1024 | $61,300 | $37,600 - $103,030 | 214,260 | $29.47 |
Web and Digital Multimedia Design Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,287 in Wyoming to $105,510 in California—a 119% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 536,950 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Web and Digital Multimedia Design by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 99 institutions offering Web and Digital Multimedia Design programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Web and Digital Multimedia Design is found at The New School (266 graduates), School of Visual Arts (SVA) (196 graduates), New York University (NYU) (189 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (135 graduates), and Spokane Community College (SCC) (128 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,992 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The New School |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
266 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| School of Visual Arts (SVA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
196 | New York, New York | Private | sva.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
189 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
135 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Spokane Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
128 | Spokane, Washington | Public | scc.spokane.edu |
| Lorain County Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
85 | Elyria, Ohio | Public | lorainccc.edu |
| Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology (F.I.R.S.T.) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
83 | Orlando, Florida | Private | first.edu |
| DeVry University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
81 | Lisle, Illinois | Private | devry.edu |
| Academy of Art University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
77 | San Francisco, California | Private | academyart.edu |
| Dallas College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
73 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| Henry Ford College (HFC) |
Associate's
Residency
|
72 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | hfcc.edu |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
67 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | bluegrass.kctcs.edu |
| San Diego Global Knowledge University (SDGKU) |
Other Award
|
67 | San Diego, California | Private | sdgku.edu |
| Southern Careers Institute (SCI) |
Other Award
|
64 | Austin, Texas | Private | scitexas.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
58 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
56 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
53 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Leeward Community College (LCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
53 | Pearl City, Hawaii | Public | leeward.hawaii.edu |
| University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
Bachelor's
|
53 | Adelphi, Maryland | Public | umgc.edu |
| Atlantic University |
Bachelor's
|
50 | Guaynabo, Puerto Rico | Private | atlanticu.edu |
| Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
49 | Avondale, Arizona | Public | estrellamountain.edu |
| Dixie Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
46 | Saint George, Utah | Public | dixietech.edu |
| Stark State College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
45 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
| Heartland Community College (HCC ) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
44 | Normal, Illinois | Public | heartland.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
42 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Klamath Community College (KCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
42 | Klamath Falls, Oregon | Public | klamathcc.edu |
| CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) |
Associate's
|
40 | New York, New York | Public | bmcc.cuny.edu |
| Davis Technical College (DATC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
40 | Kaysville, Utah | Public | davistech.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
40 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
39 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | minneapolis.edu |
| Terra State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
38 | Fremont, Ohio | Public | terra.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
38 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Sacred Heart University (SHU) |
Master's
|
37 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | sacredheart.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Associate's
|
37 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Associate's
|
33 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) |
Master's
|
33 | Old Westbury, New York | Private | nyit.edu |
| Johnson County Community College (JCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | Overland Park, Kansas | Public | jccc.edu |
| Imperial Valley College (IVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Imperial, California | Public | imperial.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Ogden-Weber Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
30 | Ogden, Utah | Public | otech.edu |
| Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) |
Associate's
|
29 | Troy, New York | Public | hvcc.edu |
| Mountainland Technical College (MTECH) |
Other Award
|
29 | Lehi, Utah | Public | mtec.edu |
| Texas State Technical College (TSTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Waco, Texas | Public | tstc.edu |
| Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) |
Other Award
|
29 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsatech.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Valencia College |
Associate's
|
28 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| Joliet Junior College (JJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Joliet, Illinois | Public | jjc.edu |
| College of Southern Idaho (CSI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
27 | Twin Falls, Idaho | Public | csi.edu |
| Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
| College of the Mainland (COM) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Texas City, Texas | Public | com.edu |
| Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) |
Other Award
|
27 | Annandale, Virginia | Public | nvcc.edu |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Davenport, Iowa | Public | eicc.edu |
| University of Baltimore (UBalt) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
26 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ubalt.edu |
| Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) |
Associate's
|
26 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Public | grcc.edu |
| Drexel University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
26 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| College of Western Idaho (CWI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Nampa, Idaho | Public | cwi.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| College for Creative Studies (CCS) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | collegeforcreativestudies.edu |
| Hunter Business School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
25 | Levittown, New York | Private | hunterbusinessschool.edu |
| Peninsula College |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
25 | Port Angeles, Washington | Public | pencol.edu |
| University of Washington (UW Bothell) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Bothell, Washington | Public | uwb.edu |
| Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Santa Rosa, California | Public | santarosa.edu |
| Touro University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | New York, New York | Private | touro.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Bridgerland Technical College (BTECH) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
24 | Logan, Utah | Public | btech.edu |
| Atlantic Technical College (ATC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
23 | Coconut Creek, Florida | Public | atlantictechnicalcollege.edu |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Maryville, Missouri | Public | nwmissouri.edu |
| South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
22 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | solacc.edu |
| South Mountain Community College (SMCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | southmountaincc.edu |
| Edison State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Piqua, Ohio | Public | edisonohio.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Chandler, Arizona | Public | cgc.maricopa.edu |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Rome, Georgia | Public | gntc.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Master's
|
20 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Elgin Community College (ECC) |
Other Award
|
20 | Elgin, Illinois | Public | elgin.edu |
| ICPR Junior College (ICPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Private | icprjc.edu |
| Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | McKinney, Texas | Public | collin.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Northwest Vista College (NVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| St. Francis College (SFC) |
Master's
|
17 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | sfc.edu |
| Western Technical College (WTC) |
Associate's
|
17 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | westerntc.edu |
| St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Associate's
|
16 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Passaic County Community College (PCCC) |
Other Award
|
16 | Paterson, New Jersey | Public | web.pccc.edu |
| Clark College |
Associate's
|
16 | Vancouver, Washington | Public | clark.edu |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Associate's
|
16 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
| Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | El Reno, Oklahoma | Public | cvtech.edu |
| Santa Clara University (SCU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Santa Clara, California | Private | scu.edu |
| Pinellas Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
15 | Clearwater, Florida | Public | myptc.edu |
| Polk State College |
Associate's
|
15 | Winter Haven, Florida | Public | polk.edu |
| Santa Fe College (SF) |
Associate's
|
15 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | sfcollege.edu |
| Montgomery College (MC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Rockville, Maryland | Public | montgomerycollege.edu |
| Western Nevada College (WNC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Carson City, Nevada | Public | wnc.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
14 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| Indian River State College (IRSC) |
Associate's
|
14 | Fort Pierce, Florida | Public | irsc.edu |
| Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) |
Associate's
|
13 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fsw.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Web and Digital Multimedia Design programs
How much can I earn with a Web and Digital Multimedia Design degree?
Salaries for Web and Digital Multimedia Design graduates vary by role and location. Special Effects Artists and Animators earn a median of $99,800 annually, while Web and Digital Interface Designers earn around $98,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $105,510 compared to $48,287 in Wyoming. Approximately 536,950 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Web and Digital Multimedia Design programs?
Currently 343 accredited institutions offer Web and Digital Multimedia Design degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The New School (266 graduates), School of Visual Arts (SVA) (196 graduates), and New York University (NYU) (189 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Web and Digital Multimedia Design growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 6,297 in 2010 to a peak of 5,434 in 2020, before declining slightly to 5,236 in 2023-24. This represents a 17% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Web and Digital Multimedia Design degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Special Effects Artists and Animators, Web and Digital Interface Designers, and Web Developers. Related occupations employ approximately 536,950 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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