Graphic arts combine creativity with technology to produce visual content that communicates ideas, messages, or aesthetics. This field includes graphic design, illustration, digital imaging, and multimedia production, often focusing on using software and digital tools to craft compelling visuals. Graphic arts professionals are in demand across industries like advertising, entertainment, publishing, and tech. For those aspiring to enter this field, pursuing online graphic arts programs offers flexibility and access to quality education.
Below are the 30 best online graphic arts programs, recognized for their curriculum, faculty expertise, and industry relevance.
1. Troy University
Troy University provides different online degrees, including a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. This program requires students to complete 41 core credits, covering key topics such as the history of graphic design, typography, user experience design, and the business aspects of art and design. Students also take part in a client-focused design studio course and create a thesis exhibition to present their original work and research. The university uses Canvas to offer online courses, allowing students to access material at their own pace.
2. Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University delivers an online Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts in Art and Design with a focus on graphic design. Students can complete the 120-credit program entirely online, eliminating the need for campus visits. The program teaches skills in drag-and-drop web design, motion graphics, and digital illustration. It also ensures all students earn certification in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Learners gain hands-on experience by participating in either an internship or a collaborative design firm course.
3. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) runs an online Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Media Arts, allowing students to focus on either user experience design or web design. The 8-week program teaches digital design tools and fundamental design concepts. Students also explore personal branding and self-promotion strategies, equipping them to market their skills and services after completing the program.
4. Bellevue University
Bellevue University emphasizes distance education. Its online Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design demands 127 credits and typically takes full-time students four years to finish. The program covers branding and identity design, web development, and interactive media. Students create a professional portfolio and write a résumé as part of their graduation requirements.
5. Wilmington University
Wilmington University offers flexible online programs in graphic arts designed to fit diverse schedules. Its Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design and Digital Media focuses on building creative and technical skills. Students explore topics like typography, digital imaging, motion graphics, and interactive design. The program also prioritises practical experience, requiring students to complete projects and develop a portfolio.
6. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
SCAD graphic design students master the craft of creating visual identities that define leading brands, companies, and organizations. Combining artistry with storytelling, they develop skills to integrate entrepreneurship and modern technology into user-focused and product design. Industry leaders from companies like Airbnb, Google, and Hasbro share their expertise with students, offering insights into real-world applications.
7. University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)
UMGC requires students to complete 120 credits to earn their degree, allowing up to 90 transfer credits to help fast-track their progress. The program focuses heavily on portfolio development, equipping graduates for roles like graphic designer or art director. With its online format, UMGC makes it possible to manage studies alongside work and personal responsibilities. Real-world projects are an integral part of the coursework, ensuring students leave the program with practical skills that employers value.
8. Liberty University
At Liberty, you will use the full Adobe Creative Suite, including essential software like Photoshop and InDesign. You’ll also learn to apply these tools and techniques in real-world scenarios, ensuring you are prepared for the job market upon graduation. During your Bachelor of Fine Arts online courses, both peers and professors will provide valuable feedback on your design projects.
9. Full Sail University
Full Sail’s undergraduate program is organized into two key areas of focus. First, you will complete associate-level courses that build your foundational knowledge while featuring core subjects relevant to your field of study. After finishing the associate portion, you will move into the bachelor’s phase, where advanced courses help you develop your skills further and gain more practical, hands-on experience.
10. Kentucky Wesleyan College (KWC)
Kentucky Wesleyan College’s online graphic arts programs aim to address the growing need for skilled professionals in graphic design and related fields. The program offers a thorough curriculum, covering the basics of graphic design, color theory, and digital imaging, as well as advanced topics like typography and web design. With a focus on practical experience, students engage in real-world projects and internships, helping them build a strong portfolio that highlights their creative skills by graduation.
11. LA Film School
The Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at LA Film School equips students for careers in entertainment, advertising, and product development. Through practical courses in areas like experiential design, motion graphics, and branding, students gain the skills to apply modern design principles. They also receive a complete TechKit, which includes industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud and an Apple MacBook, to support their learning and creativity.
12. Regent University
Regent University’s online BFA in Graphic Design requires 120 credit hours and offers training in logo development, digital photography, illustration, and web design. Throughout the program, you’ll gain both technical skills and creative expertise, preparing you for careers in graphic design, marketing, and media. Students will create a professional portfolio and have the opportunity to work with award-winning faculty.
13. Academy of Art University
The AAU graphic design degree online focuses on developing essential skills in typography, print, packaging, branding, user experience, and motion graphics. The faculty, made up of nationally recognized professionals, enriches the learning process. Through courses like Typography 1 and Package Design, you’ll gain practical, industry-oriented knowledge.
14. Berkeley College
Berkeley College offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree that blends creative development with business knowledge. The program focuses on helping students master industry-standard technology, including the latest computer graphic software.Students can complete the program in about 2.5 years, with specialized tracks in web design, digital publishing, and animation.
15. Maryland Institute College of Art
The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) offers an online graphic design program that equips students with essential visual problem-solving skills. The program takes about three years to complete and offers concentrations in areas like publication design, branding, and UI/UX. These courses help students gain expertise in specific fields, ensuring they are well-prepared for the diverse demands of the design industry.
16. Lesley University
Lesley University provides a degree for those aspiring to work as web designers, art directors, and in other creative roles. This 120-credit program teaches students core principles of graphic design that can be directly applied in professional settings. It features the importance of understanding the user’s experience as the foundation of the design process. Through the program’s coursework, students gain a variety of digital design skills. Topics covered include digital media design, the history of modern design, and information architecture.
17. Southeastern University
Southeastern University offers a highly regarded online graphic design degree, allowing students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media and Design. The program prepares students for various career paths, including roles as art directors and web designers. Throughout the program, students gain a thorough understanding of both foundational and advanced design concepts, along with digital imaging techniques. The curriculum also includes courses on writing for digital media. As they progress, graphic design students develop critical thinking abilities that enable them to tackle complex design challenges.
18. Midway University
In this program, students gain practical skills that prepare them for a variety of careers in graphic design. The curriculum includes courses in branding, business strategies, and digital media design, as well as communication techniques. Throughout the program, students work with industry-standard software, equipping them with the tools commonly used in the field of graphic design.
19. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
At Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, students pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design engage with industry professionals who lead their classes. Throughout the online program, students gain practical skills that prepare them for successful careers in the field. The curriculum includes topics like design systems, experience design, information visualization, and rapid visualization and prototyping, all of which are directly applicable to real-world scenarios in the graphic design industry.
20. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University provides an excellent environment for studying graphic design, offering a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Graphic Design. The program teaches students how advertising and graphic design complement each other, preparing them for the demands of the industry. The classes are designed to be concise, delivering the essential knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in graphic design. Most courses last seven weeks, allowing students to dive deeply into topics that are crucial for their professional growth.
21. Hodges University
Hodges University offers an interdisciplinary degree designed to prepare students for careers in graphic design. The program focuses on essential soft skills, including critical thinking and teamwork, while also honing technical skills in graphic design. Students gain hands-on experience with tools like Adobe Creative Suite and engage in creative projects, equipping them with the skills needed for success in the field. Additionally, this online program stands out for its certification by the American Digital Design Association (ADDA), making it one of the few programs to earn this distinction.
22. Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Penn State University offers an affordable option for students pursuing studies in graphic design and digital multimedia design. The university provides a bachelor’s degree in Digital Multimedia Design, focusing on preparing students for careers in creative fields. This degree opens up opportunities in various industries, including marketing, media, and product design. Additionally, graduates can explore roles in technology-related sectors, broadening their career options.
23. National University
National University provides the hands-on experience needed to work with a variety of creative design tools in graphic design. After completing this accredited online graphic design degree program, you’ll be prepared for careers in industries such as marketing, education, and entertainment. The university currently offers millions of dollars in new scholarships for students. Classes are held in four-week modules, allowing for focused and efficient learning.
24. Rasmussen University
Rasmussen University offers a distinctive graphic design program that allows students to start by earning an Associate’s degree in Graphic Design. Afterward, you can transfer the credits from this degree into a Bachelor’s degree program in Graphic Design. To complete the Associate’s degree, students will need to finish 25 courses, totaling 91 credits. This flexible program provides a clear path for advancing in the graphic design field, allowing for both foundational learning and future academic growth.
25. California Baptist University
California Baptist University offers a program that focuses on equipping students with job-ready skills and the development of a professional portfolio. The Digital Media and Graphic Design major includes 48 credit hours of coursework, emphasizing practical application in the design industry. According to CBU Online, students typically finish the program in just 16 months.
26. Herzing University
Herzing University offers a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design with a focus on Web Design, requiring 124 credit hours to complete. The program covers 13 core courses in graphic design, ensuring a solid foundation in the field. In addition to the design-focused classes, Herzing includes a course dedicated to the business side of graphic design, which many other programs overlook.
27. Upper Iowa University
These program not only teach design techniques but also prepare students to think critically and find creative solutions to real-world challenges. If your interests lean more toward communications or marketing, you may prefer to pursue a minor in Graphic Design. This minor consists of 24 credit hours, giving you a focused education in design principles while complementing your main area of study.
28. UMASS Lowell
This certificate program consists of 10 courses, totaling 30 credit hours. Throughout the curriculum, students will explore topics like Introduction to Graphic Design, Typographic Fundamentals, and Photographic Imaging. Additionally, students will engage in the Portfolio Production Seminar, which is offered during the spring and summer semesters. Should you finish the certificate program and later choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree, you will have the option to continue your studies.
29. Boston College
Boston University’s graphic design program begins with an introduction to fundamental visual concepts, allowing students to grasp the essentials in their first year. In the second year, the focus shifts to more specialized graphic design courses, providing students with a solid foundation for their future careers.The third year emphasizes audience-centered design, teaching students how to create and present effective visual communication. In the final year, students apply their knowledge in a thesis project that demonstrates their ability to complete complex design tasks and showcase their skills.
30. Millersville University
This degree equips you with both the creative and technical skills essential for graphic designers. The coursework follows the guidelines set by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). To enroll, you need to have completed at least 30 transfer credits. After admission, you’ll need to complete an additional 90 credits, bringing the total to 120 credit hours.