People who master this skill set can often transition into exciting creative careers that show off their abilities while making good money. Even better, there are many graphic design jobs with the potential to make six figures or more. That makes this a lucrative and rewarding field, especially since lengthy training isn’t always necessary to succeed.

In fact, live online graphic design bootcamps lasting a few weeks or months offer a convenient and efficient way to master these skills without leaving the house. These programs provide a structured, immersive learning experience that prepares students for a career in creative industries. Before signing up, it's essential to understand the costs involved with this training. In this article, readers will learn about the average costs of live online graphic design bootcamps and get the inside scoop they need to make an intelligent and informed educational decision.

Average Costs of Online Graphic Design Bootcamps

Logically, live online graphic bootcamps should cost a little less than in-person courses because they don’t require physical attendance. Generally speaking, that’s true, but there’s more to educational costs than that. After all, most programs still have large facilities out of which they operate, often providing in-person courses similar to their virtual offerings. As a result, the average costs of online graphic design bootcamps are usually larger than many people may think and include intensive educational support to help learners transition to a career.

Overview of Typical Price Range

Typically, most online training schools provide multiple graphic design courses, some of which can be quite long and intensive. Others are shorter and used more to introduce someone to a topic than to make them a pro. As a result, prices can range very significantly here, with some costing as little as $975 and others topping out at $16,500. That range makes live online graphic design bootcamps an interesting choice because learners must decide whether they want to go all-in with their training or try out a shorter course to see if this subject appeals to them.

Graphic Design Certificate: Live & Hands-on, In NYC or Online, 0% Financing, 1-on-1 Mentoring, Free Retake, Job Prep. Named a Top Bootcamp by Forbes, Fortune, & Time Out. Noble Desktop. Learn More.

Comparison of Average Costs Between Different Bootcamps

Unsurprisingly, there are many different online bootcamps that include widely varying pricing structures based on their curriculum. Each of these facilities provides fairly priced and practical graphic design training that helps students master this skill set and walk away ready to either jump into a job or continue their education with advanced learning. Here are a few of the most popular facilities to give readers an idea of what they’re likely to pay to learn graphic design:

  • Noble Desktop: Located in New York City but providing training throughout the nation online, this team provides bootcamps for as little as $975 and up to $4,500.
  • Shillington School: Designed specifically to teach graphic design, this school’s programs typically cost about $14,000 and last several months.
  • Ledet Training: With courses designed more as primers than comprehensive learning experiences, this facility has classes that cost about $1,400 to $5,500.
  • General Assembly: This school provides intensive, months-long classes that typically cost around $16,500, though one bootcamp costs just $3,500 and lasts 32 hours.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Online Graphic Design Bootcamps

Online graphic design schools don’t just price their classes randomly but spend a lot of time carefully balancing costs and potential earnings. After all, they don’t want their programs to cost so much that people don’t attend and not so little that they lose money. There’s a lot of careful thought put into each course’s costs, meaning that students are getting the fairest price possible without impacting the school’s bottom line. Here are a few of the most common factors that each school debates, including brief explanations highlighting why they are essential to consider.

Duration of the Program

Online graphic design bootcamps can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Naturally, longer programs typically cost more because they’re far more extensive and provide extended instruction time to cover a more comprehensive curriculum. In fact, full-time bootcamps that require a significant time commitment often provide near professional-level expertise to students who can help these learners jump into a career more quickly. As a result, they give far more value and are priced accordingly. “You get what you pay for, ” in other words.

Curriculum and Specializations Offered

Graphic design includes many sub-fields and specializations that often require more individualized training to complete. For instance, specialized online graphic design programs may provide education in areas like UI/UX design, visual design, or motion graphics, markets that are among the highest earning in the world. As a result, these courses usually have higher fees than general graphic design bootcamps because they include more advanced subjects. The depth and breadth of this more advanced curriculum also impact course costs.

Reputation and Ranking of the Bootcamp

Anyone reading about online graphic design bootcamps will quickly discover that some are highly ranked while others are not. Quickly researching their prices reveals the obvious: bootcamps with a strong reputation, high job placement rates, and positive student reviews often charge higher tuition to their students. After all, they have a higher perceived value because their training outcomes are much better than lower-quality teams. As a result, higher-priced bootcamps are always a better option when their reputation is sterling.

Location and Facilities

So, every training school has a physical location that isn’t cheap to operate. Mortgage or rent costs, operational fees, computer expenses, and much more all bite into a facility’s bottom line. So, while online bootcamps don't require physical attendance, the location of their headquarters can still significantly impact costs. For instance, online graphic design bootcamps with facilities based in cities with higher operational expenses may pass some of these costs on to students. That said, online courses usually provide discounts that make them a little cheaper.

Instructor Qualifications

People preparing for a new career in a training bootcamp typically want to work with the best professors possible to more quickly and effectively master graphic design skills. Well, higher-quality teachers usually charge more money because they often bring valuable real-world insights and mentorship to the program. For example, they may have worked hands-on in the graphic design field for their whole life and deeply understand this market. They may also have extensive teaching experience that makes connecting with and supporting others easier. That makes these educators an excellent investment, even if their courses cost more.

Benefits of Attending Online Graphic Design Bootcamps

There’s always a temptation for creative people to master skills like graphic design, coding, and even marketing without the help of a guided program. That’s understandable because many people with natural artistic talents might think it’s easy just to download a program and start creating gorgeous graphical designs. That’s rarely the case because this skill set concerns more than just drawing. Furthermore, attending an online graphic design bootcamp can provide a fantastic array of benefits, making mastering this unique ability far easier for students.

Structured Learning Environment

Trying to learn graphic design without a skilled educational team can be challenging. Students often pick up random ideas and concepts from the web without understanding how to apply them. Conversely, online graphic design bootcamps provide a structured curriculum and a clear learning path. Teachers will guide them from beginner lessons to advanced mastery, ensuring that they cover all necessary topics systematically. Such a clearly defined learning path benefits students who need organized environments and expert support to master new skills.

Access to Experienced Instructors and Mentors

Great instructors benefit their students tremendously and can significantly transform the learning experience. Graphic design bootcamps offer virtual access to experienced professionals who can provide one-on-one guidance to students online, including evaluating their graphic design work to improve it. They can also answer all their difficult questions and offer industry insights, including how to apply for and get jobs later. Without an expert professor to guide them, many students will struggle to understand graphic design theory and could fall behind others.

Networking Opportunities with Peers and Industry Professionals

Despite being online, many graphic design bootcamps provide great socialization opportunities to help learners make deep connections with industry professionals and graphic design peers. Often, they include networking events with online chat rooms, guest lectures from skilled experts, and meetups with people in similar cities. All these resources help students build valuable connections in an exciting and creative industry. After graduation, these new contacts can be crucial for job placement, career growth, or even for making new lifelong friends.

Career Services and Job Placement Assistance

An excellent online graphic design bootcamp should do more than just teach a student how to use software to create gorgeous designs. It should also provide robust career services that help learners transition to a new job more quickly. These tools include resume workshops, portfolio reviews, interview preparation, and job placement assistance. Not every bootcamp has these options, so students must carefully research what’s available. Some even provide job guarantees, where students only pay if they find a job, but these are often dubious in quality.

Why Paying for a Graphic Design Bootcamp is Better Than Learning for Free

Few people enjoy dropping thousands of dollars on anything, particularly if they want to transition to a new career. As a result, many people trying to master graphic design may want to skip out on bootcamps entirely. After all, there are YouTube videos, free seminars, online forums, and other resources they can tap introduction to master graphic design, right? Well, these tools are designed explicitly to support a learner’s education, not replace it. Therefore, it’s always better to just invest in expert-level training. Here’s why it’s such an intelligent choice.

Accountability and Motivation

Students trying to complete a free training program often run into a brick wall part way through their course. Maybe they get bored of their lessons or simply lack motivation and drop out. After all, they paid nothing to attend, so what’s the big deal? Well, paying for a bootcamp may help avoid this problem by giving students more incentive to complete the program. Knowing they’re spending thousands of dollars might help them stay motivated throughout the course. For this reason, online virtual bootcamps have far higher graduation rates than many people realize.

Hands-On Projects and Real-World Experience

Trying to master graphic design without expert help often leaves students struggling to find challenging activities to solidify their learning. Conversely, online graphical design bootcamps provide practical and exciting hands-on projects, including creating advertisements, billboard ads, and more. This work simulates real-world tasks and uses powerful graphic design software tools. In this way, students gain applicable skills and build a portfolio that can impress potential employers. Spoiler alert: most employers demand a work sample before hiring anyone.

Immediate Feedback and Personalized Support

Students who try to master graphic design without a bootcamp often get lost in the weeds and feel unable to improve their skills. For example, they might take on a project a little over their head and have no idea what they’re doing. To avoid this problem, training teams offer instructors and mentors who provide immediate feedback on assignments and projects. This support helps students understand their mistakes and figure out solutions to various issues. That’s a much better choice than scouring online graphic design forums and simply hoping for the best. 

Community and Collaborative Learning

People who hear the phrase “online learning” often assume that they’re just sitting in front of their computers for hours without any chance to socialize with others. However, joining a virtual training team creates a sense of community and provides opportunities for collaborative learning. For example, classes are usually small and have chat rooms where learners can make connections and build a more robust social network. Even better, this peer support can enhance the educational experience and make learning enjoyable and effective.

Financing Options for Online Graphic Design Bootcamps

So, online graphic design bootcamps are obviously an excellent investment that can help students transition to a fun and exciting career in a creative market. But what about those people who look at the huge price tag on these courses and simply want to bow out? That’s understandable but unfortunate because it limits their career progression and could keep them stuck in low-earning and uninteresting positions. Thankfully, online schools provide various types of financing that can ensure that students from all walks of life can get hands-on training.

Scholarships and Grants

Students with advanced graphic design skills may qualify for scholarships and grants. These options are also usually available for underrepresented groups in design who show outstanding talent, including female and minority students. These financing options help offset the cost of a bootcamp and can significantly reduce the financial burden of attending a course. Some will pay for the total price of a class, while others only cover part of it. Whatever the case, they’re the best option to find when available and should be a student’s first choice for their training.

Income Share Agreements (ISAs)

In some rare cases, students might use income share agreements or ISAs to pay for their training. They’re a unique option that allows students to pay for class using portions of their salary after getting a graphic design job. A school might partner with graphic design programs and recommend students from their classes and, if hired, take a portion of their former student’s paychecks until class expenses are paid. This helps make education accessible without upfront costs but can be hard to qualify for unless a school feels confident in a student’s job chances.

Payment Plans and Deferred Tuition

Most high-quality online graphic design bootcamps provide flexible payment plans and deferred tuition options to help offset class costs. The first option lets students pay their tuition in installments such as setting up 3-6 pay periods over several months. That option is an excellent choice for those who can afford it. Deferred tuition delays payment until after graduation, making training more accessible to students who cannot pay the full tuition upfront. However, they must pay the cost in full after the class, making it essential to save up when using this option.

Loans and Financial Aid

When all else fails, students can try finding loans and financial aid to pay for their online graphic design bootcamps. Some state and federal loan options might be available, though most come through private lenders. These financing teams help students pay their bootcamp tuition and might partner with the school to offer favorable terms such as interest rates below the average level. The big downside of this option? Students not only pay back the class costs but also interest rates, meaning the eventual money they spend exceeds what they paid for the course.

Available Online Graphic Design Bootcamps

People searching for graphic design bootcamps online will quickly discover dozens and even hundreds of training options. Narrowing down these choices can seem like a nearly impossible task because so many schools are honestly pretty great. However, some programs stand out due to their reasonable price, high-quality professors, diverse curriculum, and excellent reputation. Here are three online graphic design bootcamps that provide a fantastic learning experience, including various benefits like one-on-one mentorship options and digital badges.

Noble Desktop 

Noble Desktop is a New York City training team that provides the highest quality part- and full-time in-person classes. Since 1991, they’ve built a reputation for excellence that exceeds most other schools. Noble helped innovate live online training, creating a model many facilities use today. With excellent teachers, hands-on lessons, and a focus on excellence, they’re a strong choice for just about any learner. They also provide multiple financing options that can help make their classes a little more affordable for the average person to attend.

Graphic Design Certificate 

Graphic Design Certificate is an affordable $3,000 for 84 hours of online, hands-on training. Learners will study various graphic design skills and apps such as Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. As they move through this course, they’ll practice design theory, composition, and other essential subjects. All learners receive one-on-one mentorship with their teacher, which can help them solve problems and improve their techniques. That’s a huge benefit, particularly for those people who struggle to feel confident mastering new skills after finishing training.

Ledet Training

Ledet Training is a training team with multiple graphic design courses focused on specific topics. Typically, their classes are fast-paced and rarely last more than a few weeks. Learners can attend in-person if they live in Washington, Atlanta, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Portland, Houston, Fort Lauderdale, or Denver, but can learn online wherever they want. Ledet’s classes are typically reasonably priced, though that varies by course. Their graphic design bootcamps can help learners understand this skill set and transition to a rewarding career in a vast market.

Creative Design Bundle

Creative Design Bundle collects several of Ledet’s other graphic design courses into a 15-day, $5,500 class. Throughout this program, students will learn about Adobe tools like Photoshop and Acrobat. Much of the class focuses on Photoshop due to its importance in this industry. However, students will also study core graphic design concepts to expand their skills. Like with similar schools, there are amenities like one-on-one training opportunities, peer support teams, and various other benefits. When done, they can share their completion certificate online.

General Assembly 

General Assembly provides personalized training support across various bootcamps and workshops focused on tech-related careers. These include user experience (UX) design, digital marketing, data science, and software engineering. Students can pick part- or full-time classes, depending on their schedules. Online programs cover the same subjects as in-person ones to provide a consistent and comprehensive learning experience. General Assembly typically offers more intensive programs that cost more money while covering many topics.

User Experience Design Immersive 

In User Experience Design Immersive, learners will spend $16,500 to study graphic design and UX design concepts over 12 weeks of classes. This course helps students join a future-proof career that’s only likely to become more in-demand with the passing years. They’ll study basic concepts first, learn to handle solo, group, and client projects, utilize Agile methodologies, and create a portfolio of work to share with employers. When done, they should feel comfortable applying for jobs or moving on to more advanced UX training experiences or even UI classes.

Admission Requirements and Application Process

Few online graphic design bootcamps have stringent admission requirements, though some advanced programs may require students to finish a beginner-level course. Applications are similarly straightforward and usually just require signing up online. Students pick a class, choose a time, select a financing option, and pay for their class to get started. Live virtual courses require regular attendance and have fixed schedules, so students shouldn’t skip unless necessary. Thankfully, many teachers record their classes for students to watch if they miss.

Skills Learned in Online Graphic Design Bootcamps

People taking online graphic design bootcamps will learn a fantastic array of new skills, theoretical concepts, and practical techniques to enhance their abilities and help them find a great new job. These include soft and hard skills that can make a student a better Designer and person in every walk of their life. Although there are many different things they’ll learn in these bootcamps, these skills are the most important that they’ll study in their graphic design course.

Core Design Principles and Tools

Early graphic design lessons focus on foundational concepts and principles such as typography, color theory, and composition. These basic ideas are critical to master first because they help students build on their skills and become more confident in their design. As they improve, learners will start practicing with tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma. All these critical programs help designers craft gorgeous graphical projects and create the kind of unforgettable looks that help them stand out from other professionals in their field.

User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design

Graphic design often heavily emphasizes some pretty intensive and high-earning career fields related to the tech market. For example, the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) industries are some of the fastest-growing and best-earning available today. As a result, many online graphical design bootcamps focus heavily on these unique skills. They’ll help students create user-friendly interfaces, enhance user experiences, and produce attractive designs. Just as importantly, they focus on helping learners transition upward in these expansive markets.

Visual Communication and Branding

Marketing provides graphic designers with many fascinating career opportunities. Ad designers, branding experts, and even web designers all need graphic design skills to market companies successfully. As a result, online graphic design bootcamps include training that touches on visual communication techniques and branding strategies that help a company stand out. These ideas, theories, and practical concepts are essential for creating cohesive and impactful designs. Mastering them can help graphic designs in just about any marketing-related field.

Collaboration and Teamwork

Graphic design is often a solitary career field, one in which students put their heads down and work extensively on many smaller designs. However, they’re typically also collaborating with extensive teams of designers on large and sprawling projects. As a result, online graphic design bootcamps often include group projects that teach students how to work collaboratively in a team setting. For example, they might work alongside many others on one portion of a large marketing activity to sharpen their skill. This setup mirrors real-world graphical design practices.

Jobs Available After Online Graphic Design Bootcamps

Completing graphic design training opens students up to various exciting career opportunities. They can quickly jump into multiple design positions, most of which make well above the national average salary. Some even earn six-figure incomes, which is a fantastic pay rate. While completing an online graphic design bootcamp is often just the first step in career training, getting through one can open learners up to many fantastic job opportunities such as:

Why Learning Graphic Design is Rewarding

An online graphic design bootcamp is a powerful way to master this fascinating job skill and something well worth exploring for anyone interested in this career field. However, taking a bootcamp is about more than job prep. It can expand a learner’s skills in many powerful ways and help them become a more confident and exciting person in all life demands. Here are a few different reasons why learning graphic design in an online bootcamp is so rewarding for many.

High Demand for Design Skills in the Job Market

As one of the biggest markets in the world today, there’s a consistent demand for skilled design professionals. Healthcare, marketing, programming, game design, and even publishing all need graphic designers to produce consistent and appealing work. That makes this a valuable and marketable skill to master, particularly for those who can understand its unique processes. Furthermore, design jobs are in such high demand that designers have high job security and many growth opportunities. That’s a huge benefit that learners should take very seriously.

Opportunities for Creativity and Innovation

Graphic design allows individuals to express their creativity and design excellence by developing new visual solutions and branding concepts for their employers or clients. They’ll use tools like Adobe InDesign to produce sweeping and gorgeous graphical styles that attract the eye and fascinate viewers. Whether they're designing logos or crafting user interfaces, graphic design offers creative individuals endless possibilities for creative expression. Many designers even move on to research and development to produce radical new design concepts.

Potential for Remote Work and Flexible Hours

Many design jobs offer the flexibility of remote work, adjustable hours, and even freelance opportunities. It’s not unusual for designers to work three or more part-time gigs and make great rates. Others prefer working full-time for one employer in a remote environment, one that’s very appealing to those seeking a healthier work-life balance. That’s because the design industry is also known for its remote-friendly work culture, making it an attractive option for those who prefer flexibility. People can raise kids and pets while making great money in graphic design.

Personal Satisfaction and Continuous Learning

Learning graphic design can be personally fulfilling for people with low self-esteem or confidence. In fact, it can provide a sense of accomplishment by teaching them a skill that few people truly understand. Even better, it can provide ongoing opportunities for learning and growth, as students can quickly build on their learned skills to start even more advanced careers. Put simply, the design industry is constantly evolving, and design professionals must continually learn new skills and technologies to ensure they don’t miss out on new opportunities.

How Easy is It to Learn Graphic Design Online?

The difficulty of learning graphic design is just like any other creative art; people with natural abilities will learn faster than those without. For instance, some students intuitively understand graphic design without needing hands-on support from a teacher. These rare unicorns exist but most people will probably find learning graphic design a little challenging. That said, even those struggling initially may find it manageable with dedication and the right resources. In fact, bootcamps are designed to take beginners and turn them into job-ready designers.

That said, bootcamps aren’t always enough to help people become expert-level designers. Some may struggle with concepts like design software, layout techniques, and user-centered design. Thankfully, they can overcome these challenges through practice, persistence, and finding help. Those worried about mastering this skill should seek out bootcamps that provide support through mentors and peer networks. They should also find schools that offer projects and exercises to solidify their understanding and improve their mastery of graphic design.

How Long Will It Take to Learn Graphic Design Online?

Honestly, it shouldn’t take most people who long to understand graphic design tools like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and other Creative Suite programs. In fact, many people will walk out of their classes with enough basic skills to do some pretty simple projects. However, graphic design mastery isn’t gained overnight. Even completing a bootcamp is rarely enough to make someone a true professional. In fact, it should take about a year to feel comfortable working in a professional environment. Regular practice and more training can speed up this time, though.