How Much is a Photoshop Course?

Each Photoshop course will vary in every way, including the cost. And, in many cases, the cost is one of the most determining factors of whether or not to enroll in a class. Contrary to popular belief, the most expensive option isn’t always the best. Many personal considerations come into play while choosing a class. If you want to learn simple Photoshop techniques, you are most likely unwilling to shell out thousands of dollars whereas if you want to become a professional, you go into the learning process knowing that it will likely cost more money. Depending on personal factors, you may not be willing or able to spend a hefty sum on a class, so it is best that you know what your options are.

Of course, any time and money spent on a professional training course is worthwhile and pays off in the long run once you’ve developed your Photoshop skills. The cost of the course can also tell you a lot about what it entails and what to expect. Lengthier classes are typically more expensive because they cover more material or go more in-depth on certain concepts. Any immersive class is going to be more expensive than a class that lacks interaction as well. University degree programs are the most expensive by far, but even bootcamps can require students to have a significant amount of funds. There are more cost-effective options, but you have to ask yourself what your goal is after learning Photoshop because not all cost-effective options are created equal. Overall, if you want to gain more Photoshop skills, you will have to spend some cash. Here you can learn about the different course options from different institutions and the price you can generally expect from each.

University and College Classes

It is well known that university programs are incredibly expensive. Although universities and colleges do not offer specific degree programs for Photoshop, degrees in graphic design, photography, web design and development, marketing, animation, and creative project management roles use Photoshop regularly. If you aspire to earn a professional creative role that uses Photoshop regularly, it may be worthwhile to pursue an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree in that field, but if you just need to learn Photoshop, university courses are not going to be worth the effort, time, and cost. The application process alone is expensive, with applicants having to pay for application fees, transcript fees, program fees, and more. It varies from school to school, but enrollment typically lands in the tens of thousands. Community colleges cost far less than a standard university, but their programs can still be fairly expensive. However, many universities and community colleges offer certificates from their continuing education departments. This may be worthwhile depending on the cost, particularly if you are already working in your desired field and just need more skills in Photoshop specifically. Although there are scholarship and loan options, these programs are only suggested for those with the time, resources, and finances as they are not the only way to land gainful employment.

Professional Development Classes

Professional training options are available at various training centers, such as Noble Desktop, and offer students a chance to hone their skills without spending tens of thousands of dollars and multiple years of study. These courses are bootcamps focused on career development and provide students with insight into Photoshop tools, features, and techniques. Most importantly, students will feel prepared to advance in their field or education journey as a result of these classes. However, some options are still costly, usually ranging in the thousands. Regardless, they are much more cost-effective and take less time to complete than a traditional college experience. These training courses also focus on practical application so they may not cover every single aspect of Photoshop or go far in-depth behind the theory, fields, and job positions that frequently use Photoshop. Instead, students will gain hands-on experience with the application and complete professionally-based projects that they may encounter in any number of fields. These courses are ideal for those learning from the ground up as they provide the necessary techniques and skills for a career.

Live Training Classes

A far less costly option is enrolling in a stand-alone live training course. This course option is especially useful for learning Photoshop since it truly helps with professional skill development. In addition, most training centers offer their courses in levels ranging from beginner, intermediate, and advanced so students can advance to the level of their choice. This option costs far less than most other programs and can range anywhere from less than one hundred dollars to a couple hundred dollars. A course like this fosters hands-on experience with Photoshop and will guide students through the various features and tools akin to the course’s skill level. Students can also use these courses to prepare themselves for certification exams or other professional endeavors. In addition, these classes take far less time to complete than university programs or bootcamps, so students can lay the foundation for their future Photoshop and Adobe endeavors.

On-Demand Classes

Any asynchronous or self-paced course is generally considered an on-demand option. This learning method offers students reading material, pre-recorded lectures, video tutorials, and other learning resources to glide through at their leisure. Most on-demand classes are relatively affordable, ranging anywhere from as little as 15 dollars to a little over 100, making them a reasonable option for those with even the tightest budget. On-demand classes allow students to refresh their Photoshop skills or stay up-to-date with changes in the software or a particular industry. However, the downside to on-demand classes is that they often require students to enroll in a subscription service and or to purchase a package of courses. This could lead to an interesting educational expansion, or be a little wasteful depending on each course’s relevance to your life and the time, money, and effort you spend. There’s a time and a place for on-demand classes, so they are a good low-cost option depending on your specific goals. 

Free Resources and Their Purpose

You can also access free resources all over the internet. With a quick Google search, you can find dozens of websites and blogs dedicated to Photoshop, including the official Adobe website. There are YouTube accounts that share useful information and tips for using Photoshop and organize their clips through various playlists and channels. Noble Desktop’s free seminar page offers pre-recorded lectures and tutorials that help students learn more functions, features, tips, and tricks while using Photoshop or while working in a field that requires Photoshop. You can also find social media pages, chatrooms, and online texts that can help you complete projects or troubleshoot errors. While it would be ideal to learn Photoshop entirely through free resources, it is unfortunately not realistic. These are great at providing supplemental information or helping students study outside of the classroom, but they aren’t enough to give students expert-level knowledge. Although Photoshop can be learned within a short period of time, there are too many features, functions, tools, and design principles to learn and free resources will not go into enough depth. Still, it is important to remember that novices and professionals alike can benefit from using a free resource every now and then.