The demand for UX designers across all industries is heavily increasing. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that there will be a 3% increase in demand for UX experts each year up to 2028.
UX designers play a critical role in a project life cycle because they provide technological skills. As a result, every manager doing a technical project will consider hiring a UX professional as a top priority. On average, a UX designer earns about $100,000 per year or $51.28 per hour.
If you have been dreaming of pursuing an online UI/UX design course, we have got you. Here are the types of degrees in UI/UX design courses, the cheapest courses you can apply for, and the job market outlook.
Also check our articles on graphic design and interior design.
Types of Degrees Available in UI/UX Design Courses
| Degree | Credit | Program Length |
| Certificate | 10-16 | Less than a year |
| Associate | 60 | 2-3 years |
| Undergraduate | 120 | 2-4 years |
| Masters | 30-60 | 1-4 years |
11 Cheapest Online Courses in UI/UX Design
- Northeastern University
Program: Master of Fine Arts in Experience Design
Master of Science in Experience Design
Tuition Rate: $1,718 per credit hour
Steve Jobs once said, ‘The broader one’s understanding of the human experience, the better the design we will have.’ Northeastern University is one of the institutions offering UI/UX design courses from the certificate level. You can either choose to be a part-time or a full-time student. It will take you 1-2 years to complete the course and join the marketplace.
For the Experience Design Graduate Certificate, you must achieve 16 total semester hours and attain a 3.000GPA. If you are pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Experience Design, you have to attain 60 credits in 2 years, while a Master of Science In Experience Design requires 32 credits in 1 year.
- Cornell University
Program: Certificate in User Experience Design
Tuition Rate: $3,600 for five months or $650 per month
Cornell is a certified university in the US. It offers a certificate program in UX design from as low as $3,600 or $650 per month. This course covers everything a UX designer needs to deliver in the job market, including fundamentals of a good design, human-computer interaction, user experience, and user research.
The program takes 5 months, and you only need to spend 3-5 hours per week. It is also 100% online; therefore, you don’t need to travel. By the end of the program, you will get a User Experience Design Certificate to help you apply for jobs.
- University of Michigan
Program: Certificate in User Experience Research and Design
Tuition Rate: Free access
The University of Michigan offers an online UI/UX design program with 6 courses. You will learn the introduction to user experience principles and processes, understand user needs, evaluate design with users, and UX design concepts and prototypes. The course takes 28 weeks, and instructors teach in the English language.
And guess what? You have a chance to access this course for free. All you need to do is sign up with the Michigan Online platform.
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Program: Master’s in Innovation with User Experience Design
Tuition Rate: $28,980 per year
If you are looking for an institution providing a master’s in UI/UX design, WPI is the place. The institution offers this course focusing on technology, business disciplines, and design. To enroll, you need a BS or BA from an accredited school and a GPA of more than 3.0
You can apply for the course anytime because there are no application deadlines. After applying, a WPI representative will contact you within 48 hours and help you complete the process. After completing the program, you can work in advanced technological environments where you help companies create competitive products and services.
- Georgia Institute of Technology
Program: Georgia Tech UX/UI Boot Camp
Tuition Rate: $10,000
Georgia Tech provides a 24-week hands-on program where learners get a strong knowledge of UI and UX principles. This is because the program covers the fundamentals of user experience and user interface, such as interface design, visual prototyping and wireframing, storyboarding, and visual design theory.
The classes happen via Georgia Tech UX/UI tested and tried virtual classroom. This part-time program happens three weekdays from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Finally, you don’t have to be a student in the institution to apply for this program.
- University of California
Program: Certificate in User Experience Design
Tuition Rate: $5,400
The certificate program in user experience design from UC helps students gain practical knowledge of UX software, principles, and techniques for analysis. The course takes between 15-21 months, depending on the student and the courses they take per quarter. You need to take all 16 units to graduate.
On average, this course costs $5,400, exclusive of textbook and material fees. The good news is that there are no lecture dates or times, as you can view lectures online according to your schedule. However, ensure you submit weekly assignments on time and participate as required.
- Temple University
Program: Certificate in UI/UX Design
Tuition Rate: $115
Temple University’s UI/UX design course introduces you to designing effective user experience, creating professional prototypes, and testing accessibility. The course is accessible 24 hours for 6 weeks. It entails 12 lessons, and all the materials needed are available online. You can either use your PC or Mac to take the course.
- Glasgow Caledonian University
Program: Masters in User Experience and Interaction Design
Tuition Rate: Local Student- $8,600 International Student- $15,000
GCU is one of the certified universities in London offering an MSc in User Experience and Interaction Design. This course equips you to work with technology companies, manufacturing, the government sector, and other areas. You can choose to be a full-time or a part-time student. The full-time program takes a year while part-time takes 2 years.
- New York Institute of Technology
Program: Masters in User Experience Design and Development
Tuition Rate: $42,360 per year
New York Tech is among the top 50 regional universities in the North. It offers a masters in UX/UI Design and Development. It is a one-year program that requires you to have 30 credits. After completing the course, there is a 94% chance of getting a job within six months of graduation.
- The State University of New Jersey
Program: UI/UX Design Bootcamp
Tuition Rate: $16,000
If you are looking for a course to kick-start your UI/UX design career, the NJIT introductory course has got you. The 400 program hours take you less than a year with the help of experts in the industry. You will learn the technical, theoretical and practical aspects of user experience.
- University of Minnesota
Program: UX/UI Certificate
Tuition Rate: $3,000
The University of Minnesota offers a 24 weeks Boot Camp, where you gain UX/UI design skills. It is a part-time program happening on evenings and weekends, and you can access it from the comfort of your home. You can take advantage of this program because user interface designer and user experience researcher are some of the best careers in America regarding growth and salary.
UI/UX Design Opportunities and Salary Outlook
According to LinkedIn, a career platform, UX design was one of the top 5 in-demand skills in 2020. Also, Glassdoor, a similar site, ranked this profession among the best 50 jobs in 2021. Therefore, the demand for UX designers is steadily increasing, especially as the world shifts into the digital era.
CNN Money also predicts an 18% growth in demand for UX designers from 2015 to 2025. The Covid 19 pandemic has also pushed this demand up because more and more companies are serving their customers online, instead of face-to-face service. Therefore, they need products such as apps to provide an excellent user experience.
The demand for user experience designers is everywhere, from the manufacturing industry to the government sector. It is also one of the most flexible careers because you can work remotely. Therefore, you don’t have to relocate to secure an international job.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Due to the great demand for this career, employers offer competitive salaries. In the US, the lowest you can earn as a UX designer is about $68,600, while others earn upto $114 300. In Australia, the lowest salary for this job category is AU$59,500, and you can pay up to AU$115, 600.
In a nutshell, UI/UX design is one of the best careers to pursue in this era. Take advantage of the available online course and enjoy lucrative salaries in the job market.
| UI/UX Career | Salary Range |
| UX designer | $51,000- $108,000 per year |
| UI designer | $45,000- $93,000 per year |
| Product designer | $84,785- $100,000 per year |
| UX researcher | $56,000- $131,000 per year |
| UX writer | $46,000- $160,000 per year |
| UX strategist | $41,000- $171,000 per year |
What to Do to Be a UX Designer
If you want to join this booming career, the first step is to pursue a course. You can start with the introductory courses offered online. Afterward, you can enroll for a certificate, degree, or master’s to advance your skills.
Also, take part in online UX design events. There are plenty of such events that you can easily access from the comfort of your home. They will allow you to interact with other professionals and ask questions. You may also end up getting opportunities from such networks.
Once you get the basic skills, you can apply for an internship. You can be working as you study because most institutions provide a part-time study program to enhance your skills. After completing your course, you can apply for full-time UX jobs. You can find job opportunities through online career platforms.
Conclusion
If you love technology, UI/UX design can be a perfect course for you. It is one of the on-demand careers today with lucrative salaries. Choose one of the courses in the above list and enroll.
