The Best Online Associate in Graphic Design Programs

Like many art forms, graphic design can be learned two ways: through formal training or self-taught exploration. Indeed, many digital artists and graphic design professionals get their start with independent research and practice. For these individuals especially, earning an online graphic design degree may seem redundant, but the value of a college education in the arts should not be underestimated. An associate degree in graphic design helps develop and hone the artistic knowledge and technical skills required to excel in visual communication careers.

Jobs in the arts, including graphic design, currently face slower-than-average national growth projections. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 2% increase in graphic design job opportunities between 2022 and 2032. However, as long as companies and individuals strive to create compelling visual messages, the need for skilled graphic design professionals will remain. 

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A graphic design degree can lead to work in various fields, including advertising, video game publishing, film, and television. Experienced and late-career design professionals frequently earn lucrative salaries of $50,000-$70,000. Whether you're a self-taught artist looking to hone professional skills or a creative individual looking to join a dynamic field, an online graphic design associate degree can provide the jump-start you need to succeed.

The Best Online Associate in Graphic Design Degree Programs

Graphic Design Degree Program Ranking Guidelines:

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Online Associate in Graphic Design Ranking Guidelines

We selected the degree programs based on the quality of program and range of courses provided, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

• Academics
• Affordability
• Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About Our Ranking Factors

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

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Academics - 75%

Affordability - 15%

Online Enrollment - 10%

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.

We thank you for your readership and trust.

The Advantages of a Graphic Design Education

Earning an associate in graphic design online serves as a great first step toward a career in visual design. Associate graduates possess key fundamental knowledge and many of the skills needed to produce compelling digital work. As is the case with many artistic disciplines, graphic design jobs are often quite competitive.

Associate degrees typically fulfill minimum education requirements for entry-level work in related fields like desktop publishing and web development. However, many companies require entry-level graphic designers to have a bachelor's degree and a substantial portfolio of professional work. Skilled associate graduates may circumvent the traditional hiring process altogether by pursuing freelance graphic design opportunities, but contract work can be difficult to break into, with traditional classroom learners and self-taught artists all competing for a limited number of jobs.

The section below covers graphic design careers and salaries in more detail. Read on to discover where your education can take you.

Graphic Design Degree Salary Information

The BLS projects that positions in graphic design will grow by 4% between 2016 and 2026. Graphic designers earn a median salary of $50,370 in the U.S. Because of this industry's competitive nature, it's important to build your resume during your education. While earning your graphic design associate degree, focus on creating a strong work portfolio that can help you stand out to future employers. Here are some jobs you can pursue in the field after earning your associate degree in graphic design online.

• Graphic Designer:
  Graphic designers create visual messages using color, text, layout, and illustrations. While companies generally prefer entry-level applicants to hold a bachelor's degree, associate graduates with excellent portfolios may be considered.
• Production Artist:
  Production artists typically work in design firms, using specialized software to review the accuracy and quality of files before publication or delivery. An associate or bachelor's degree is generally required for entry-level employment.
• Multimedia Artist or Animator:
  Multimedia artists and animators create 2D and 3D graphics for use in television, movies, video games, and other media platforms. Most work within a specialized area. Employers usually prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree.
• Senior Graphic Designer:
  Senior graphic designers work directly on design projects and delegate certain project components to teams of junior designers. These professionals must possess extensive experience in the graphic design field.
• Art Director:
  Art directors manage and coordinate the development and design processes of visual projects used in television, film, and other media. Art directors typically hold a bachelor's degree and have extensive experience in the field.

Salary by Experience for Graphic Design Careers

Source: PayScale

Choosing an Online Graphic Design Degree Program

For some, choosing which college to attend is an easy decision. Online learners, however, can face an especially overwhelming decision-making process as certain factors, like distance from campus, make less of an impact. Instead, online learners may base their choice on elements like cost, transfer policies, curriculum requirements, or program length. When considering prospective schools, take your time to evaluate each according to your own priorities. Look for the online school that best fits your needs.

1. Program Cost:
   Generally, schools in your home state prove more affordable than out-of-state institutions, but some online schools charge distance learners in-state rates regardless of residency. Tuition, fees, textbooks, and supplies can add up quickly. Don't be afraid to break out the calculator to help determine what you can afford.
2. Transfer Policies:
   For prospective students looking to earn an online associate degree, checking school transfer policies is vitally important. You want to make sure your hard-earned credits travel with you if you decide to pursue a bachelor's in the future. If possible, look over your prospective institution's transfer agreements with other schools.
3. School Size and Type:
   Online programs closely mimic their on-campus counterparts in areas such as curriculum and class size, which means you may want to research your prospective school's student-to-teacher ratio. When deciding between public versus private education, consider factors like tuition, scholarship opportunities, student/alumni resources, and community feel.
4. Program Length:
   How long do you want to spend working toward your associate in graphic design online? Some schools offer both full- and part-time enrollment options -- even allowing students to switch from full- to part-time, or vice versa, at the beginning of each new semester. Other schools offer less flexibility and feature only part-time enrollment.
5. On-Campus Requirements:
   When deciding on a program, consider your preferences for on-campus requirements. Many students pursue online learning specifically for the opportunity to earn a college degree from the comfort of home. Others prefer learning in a hybrid format, which offers opportunities to work with professors and peers in person.

Accreditation for Online Graphic Design Degrees

Accreditation means that a school undergoes regular evaluation by a third-party organization. This form of quality assurance looks at curriculum content, faculty qualifications, budget allocations, and availability of student services. Accreditation can impact your ability to obtain federal financial aid and transfer your associate degree credits to another institution in the future.

Accredited schools may either possess national or regional accreditation. Regional accreditation is the older and more prestigious of the two forms, but both ensure rigorous vetting and high-quality education offerings. Online graphic design associate degree programs are more common at community colleges and public liberal arts schools, which tend to pursue regional accreditation.

Top accrediting bodies to look for include the Higher Learning Commission and region-specific associations like the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. A few graphic design associate degrees possess additional field-specific accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Let's say you find a school that displays accreditation credentials from an organization you don't recognize. How can you tell if those credentials are legitimate? The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) can help resolve your concerns. These two well-respected agencies maintain a set of minimum standards for national, regional, and programmatic accrediting bodies. You can take a look at all of the approved and/or recognized accreditors on the ED and CHEA websites. Legitimate organizations may meet one set of standards or both.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Degree in Graphic Design?

On average, an online graphic design associate degree requires 60-72 credits. Most students enrolled on a full-time basis complete all course requirements in two academic years. Full-time learners who take a large course load and enroll during summer semesters can graduate from an associate program in as little as 1-1.5 years. Some students prefer to enroll part time, however, to make room for work or family obligations. In this case, an associate degree typically takes 3-4 years. While part-time study allows for greater flexibility, it can result in an increased overall cost for learners enrolled at schools with semester- and year-based fees.

Students with prior college experience, such as an incomplete associate degree or dual-credit high school classes, can often decrease their time to graduation by applying transfer credits to their program. Transfer policies vary from school to school.

Courses in an Online Associate in Graphic Design Program

Online graphic design associate degree programs require students to complete a curriculum of general education and discipline-specific courses. Design students can expect to explore fundamentals in drawing, digital art, and visual communication principles like typography and color theory. Graduates are adequately prepared to pursue entry-level employment or further undergraduate education. Below you can find some courses common to these programs, but remember that the curriculum varies by school.

Graphic Design Membership Associations

• American Institute of Graphic Arts:
  The field's oldest and largest professional association seeks to inspire designers and promote the value of design in business, government, and the media. AIGI offers an annual conference, various professional development opportunities, networking within more than 70 chapters, and extensive online resources.
• Graphic Artists Guild:
  The Graphic Artists Guild advocates on behalf of its members to improve industry standards and help graphic artists and designers succeed. Members can network within four U.S. regions and access professional resources like legal referrals, digital contracts, and webinars.
• Society for Experiential Graphic Design:
  SEGD is a worldwide community of professionals who use design to create rich and compelling environmental spaces. SEGD offers access to an online job board, local chapter events, and online resources, including a research journal, webinars, and video lectures.