Best Online Bachelor’s of Digital Media for 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN DIGITAL MEDIA

Published: Jun 30, 2021
Updated: Nov 28, 2023

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in digital media degree programs to prepare students to become video editors, multimedia artists, videographers, copywriters, web designers, and graphic designers.

Featured Programs

Key Takeaways

As today’s media and entertainment sectors turn to digital enhancement to create the ideal output, the skills of digital media experts are sought-after!
Fundamental computer skills are a must for digital media students to succeed in this degree program.
Relying heavily on computer programs, a digital media undergraduate can be highly technical. However, it also demands attention to detail, patience, analysis, a strong sense of team work, and similar soft skills from students.

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Digital Media Degree Programs

Northeastern University
University of Florida
University of Arizona
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Texas Tech University
University of Montana
Columbia College Hollywood
Abilene Christian University
Arkansas State University
Regent University

University of Arizona
University of Florida
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Northeastern University
Texas Tech University
University of Montana
Arkansas State University
Southern New Hampshire University
Abilene Christian University
Ferris State University

Southern New Hampshire University 96%
University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 96%
University of Montana 95%
Maryville University 88%
Ferris State University 88%
University of Arizona 87%
Brenau University 87%
California Baptist University 80%
Lynn University 80%
Lindenwood University 74%

Southeastern University 27 to 1
Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
Texas Tech University 21 to 1
Regent University 21 to 1
University of Central Missouri 19 to 1
California Baptist University 18 to 1
University of Massachusetts Amherst 18 to 1
Lynn University 18 to 1
University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu 17 to 1
University of Montana 17 to 1

Northeastern University $60,192
Lynn University $41,550
Abilene Christian University $40,500
California Baptist University $38,058
Fisher College $34,150
Upper Iowa University $33,639
Brenau University $32,685
Southeastern University $30,148
Maryville University $27,166
Columbia College Hollywood $26,175

Fisher College $27,090
Northeastern University $26,715
Abilene Christian University $24,174
Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
Upper Iowa University $18,870
Regent University $16,028
National University $15,912
University of Massachusetts Amherst $14,364
Maryville University $14,346
Brenau University $14,130

University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
California Baptist University
Ohio Christian University
Brenau University
Maryville University
Southeastern University
Park University
Upper Iowa University
Fisher College
University of Central Missouri

Ohio Christian University
Southeastern University
University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
Columbia College Hollywood
Fisher College
Lynn University
Brenau University
Maryville University
Lindenwood University
California Baptist University

Northeastern University 7%
University of Florida 23%
Regent University 32%
Upper Iowa University 54%
Southeastern University 61%
University of Massachusetts Amherst 64%
Abilene Christian University 66%
Texas Tech University 67%
Arkansas State University 70%
University of Central Missouri 71%

Ohio Christian University 8 to 1
Fisher College 11 to 1
Brenau University 11 to 1
Abilene Christian University 13 to 1
Lindenwood University 13 to 1
Maryville University 13 to 1
Upper Iowa University 13 to 1
Park University 14 to 1
Arkansas State University 15 to 1
Columbia College Hollywood 15 to 1

University of Florida $4,477
University of Montana $5,515
Arkansas State University $6,888
University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu $7,344
University of Central Missouri $8,040
Texas Tech University $8,935
University of Arizona $11,210
Park University $12,671
Ferris State University $13,076
National University $13,320

University of Montana $5,166
Arkansas State University $6,282
Park University $6,663
Texas Tech University $6,956
University of Central Missouri $8,136
Lindenwood University $8,475
Ferris State University $8,532
University of Florida $10,770
Ohio Christian University $11,160
Southeastern University $12,000

Table of Contents

The Ins and Outs of An Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media Degree Program

If you are passionate about multimedia or digital arts, then a career in animation and multimedia arts is a great career choice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a 23% job growth rate over the next decade for web developers and digital designers.

In this modern day and age, people are constantly craving realistic films with amazing special effects, or video games with high-end graphics. That is why there is a constant demand for additional computer hardware experts and multimedia artists.

Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media Bachelor Careers

Digital media degree holders can find jobs in marketing, infographics, web-based design, and advertising, depending on their field of expertise. Digital media careers usually need graduates who have very creative skills in a way that will appeal to different clients.

Multimedia Animator and Artist: These artists are the creators of two- or three-dimensional models, animations, and visual effects for movies, video games, television, and other media. Digital media professionals use different computer illustration programs to create graphics and animations. They usually work with a team of other animators and artists.
Web Developer: As its name implies, these professionals are the ones that design and maintain websites. They use the website’s technical aspects like the capacity and performance in measuring the site’s speed and the amount of traffic it can handle. Web developers create the content of a site.
Graphic Designer: They are the ones responsible for creating visual concepts. They communicate ideas that captivate, inform, and inspire clients. They make production designs and layouts for different applications, including magazines, brochures, advertisements, and corporate reports.

Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media Curriculum

Animation Fundamentals: Digital media major students will learn how to make animated works that will communicate ideas. This course also covers the importance of animation in inspiring analytical reflections and improving user interaction.
Digital Multimedia Design Foundations: This course introduces students to the skills, concepts, language, and principles of the field. It also provides students with a complete overview of the tools needed for them to become successful in the field of digital communication, digital journalism, and digital illustration.
Design Thinking and Creativity: This course provides instruction and multidisciplinary explorations about the theory, methods, processes, and artifacts of design via examples, examination of applications, and design ideas.
Graphic Design Applications and Print Communications: This digital media class teaches students about the issues, concepts, and practices involved with design strategies for public relations, advertising, and print journalism.
Advanced Multimedia Production: This course teaches multimedia production using tools in audio editing, video editing, web authoring, image editing, and animation software.

Choosing the Best Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media

Undergraduates who wish to earn their online bachelor’s in digital media will be qualified for careers in industries like media, product design, marketing, and technology. This online program trains students in valuable skills, such as solving design issues, and defining, developing, discovering, and delivering interesting designs.

Bachelor’s degree holders in digital media can also advance their skills in executing, creating, and evaluating different communication strategies. You can use these skills to create a portfolio of your design projects for employment considerations in the future.

Today, most digital media programs allow students to choose a specific concentration within the degree. Thus, you get to focus your education on topics that you’re passionate about, including:

web game programming
web development and design
digital media management
multimedia and graphics design

You can find so many schools that offer their specific digital media degree. Additionally, some programs will require final projects, a thesis, or capstones.

Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Media Degrees

Students who earn a bachelor’s degree in digital media will gain a variety of in-demand technical and practical skills. Nearly all vocations rely on digital media to communicate, advertise, and engage.

With courses covering topics such as web design, electronic publishing and graphics, virtual reality, and game design, graduates with this degree will qualify to work in many fields.

Most programs require 120 credits to complete and are available both online and on campus. Though some programs offer accelerated options, most undergraduate digital media programs take about four years to finish.

Upon graduation, students can gain employment as video editors, multimedia artists, videographers, copywriters, web designers, and graphic designers.

Learn more about how to major in computer science.

How do we determine the best online digital media bachelor's degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

How the Top Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media Programs Are Ranked

An online bachelor’s in digital media program isn’t for everyone, as it attracts students with a knack for all things computers, artistry, and mass communication. An excellent undergraduate degree program is the key to truly obtaining the right digital media skills that qualify students for this career path!

What makes a digital media online program stand out? The coursework, even at the bachelor’s level, must be comprehensive enough to cover the scope of the discipline.

Even as digital media is geared toward visual media, digital marketing, journalism, and mass communication are also often part of the coursework. This way, each student becomes graduate level-ready or workplace-ready as a multimedia artist after completing the program.

Professors who are considered industry authorities also make up the faculty and teaching personnel of the online digital media undergraduate programs on our list.

Regional accreditation is also expected of an outstanding program in digital media. It is a demonstration of the school’s capability to deliver an online degree that produces the most talented and skilled professionals.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Digital Media Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Digital Communication And Media/Multimedia

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,885
Avg. Expenses*: $17,251
Avg. Starting Salary*: $29,433
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $43,351
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 12 years
Job Growth: 4.36%
Number of Jobs: 1,405,600
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Managers, All Other	3.35%	$106,040
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	3.57%	$72,568
Web and Digital Interface Designers	15.18%	$71,800
Producers and Directors	6.67%	$68,074
Media and Communication Workers, All Other	4.26%	$58,366
Film and Video Editors	9.41%	$56,763
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists	-3.25%	$48,039
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys	-11.43%	$40,804

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$40,705	$66,515	$115,152

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#2 New York	5% higher than average	$91,217
#3 California	26% higher than average	$108,831
#4 Virginia	5% higher than average	$76,646
#5 Texas	10% higher than average	$70,992
#6 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$88,263
#7 Delaware	2% higher than average	$77,070
#8 Michigan	15% higher than average	$63,740
#9 Colorado	3% higher than average	$77,175
#10 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$65,356
#11 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$70,124
#12 Missouri	16% higher than average	$61,892
#13 Ohio	14% higher than average	$62,410
#14 Utah	4% higher than average	$69,219
#15 Georgia	13% higher than average	$62,577
#16 Washington	7% higher than average	$76,149
#17 Florida	6% higher than average	$67,068
#18 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$84,647
#19 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$67,511
#20 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$57,385
#21 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$64,973
#22 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$85,651
#23 Alabama	13% higher than average	$58,895
#24 Kansas	9% higher than average	$62,079
#25 Illinois	7% higher than average	$62,892
#26 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$59,395
#27 Arizona	5% higher than average	$63,292
#28 Iowa	9% higher than average	$60,303
#29 Nevada	5% higher than average	$69,028
#30 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$56,885
#31 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$73,703
#32 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$56,189
#33 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$60,181
#34 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$59,328
#35 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$76,236
#36 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$62,870
#37 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$54,890
#38 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$58,709
#39 Indiana	11% higher than average	$55,923
#40 Oregon	11% higher than average	$69,579
#41 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$56,260
#42 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$91,943
#43 Maryland	18% higher than average	$72,418
#44 Montana	3% higher than average	$59,017
#45 North Dakota	average	$60,946
#46 Idaho	7% higher than average	$54,331
#47 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$54,954
#48 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$47,957
#49 Alaska	23% higher than average	$69,744
#50 Maine	9% higher than average	$57,940
#51 Vermont	13% higher than average	$59,197
#52 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$58,540

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Managers, All Other	$106,040
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	$72,568
Web and Digital Interface Designers	$71,800
Producers and Directors	$68,074
Media and Communication Workers, All Other	$58,366
Film and Video Editors	$56,763
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists	$48,039
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys	$40,804

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Online Bachelor’s of Digital Media for 2024

Featured Programs

Key Takeaways

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Digital Media Degree Programs

The Ins and Outs of An Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media Degree Program

Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media Bachelor Careers

Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media Curriculum

Choosing the Best Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media

Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Media Degrees

Why get a bachelor’s in digital media?

What kind of courses are required when getting a bachelor’s in digital media?

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s in digital media?

What can I do with a bachelor’s in digital media?

How the Top Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media Programs Are Ranked

Best Online Bachelor’s in Digital Media Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Northeastern University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at University of Florida

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at University of Arizona

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Texas Tech University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at University of Montana

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Columbia College Hollywood

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Abilene Christian University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Arkansas State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Regent University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Southern New Hampshire University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Lynn University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Lindenwood University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Ferris State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at National University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at University of Central Missouri

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Fisher College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Upper Iowa University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Park University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Southeastern University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Maryville University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Brenau University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at Ohio Christian University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at California Baptist University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Digital Media degree at University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with Digital Media Degree

Digital Communication And Media/Multimedia

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Career Salaries

Average Career Salaries

Promising Job Markets