Can a Self-taught web designer earn a degree without going to school?

Yes! There are accredited degrees you can really earn through testing, but they are not only ONE test... its MANY tests, and it costs money for each individual exam and often a college tuition too. There are several colleges now that will allow you to do that but, be VERY careful to avoid Diploma mills. Buying a diploma you didn't earn is no different than printing one yourself... it gets you a total of nothing. Here are 3 real (I'm pretty sure all three of these are properly accredited but even double check those!) Colleges that will allow you to prove you deserve a degree by testing: http://www.charteroak.edu/ http://www.tesc.edu/ https://www.excelsior.edu/ Double and triple check the accreditation of any school that allows you to translate work experience and tests to a degree, some are even accredited by fake accreditation organizations! There are many many scams and only a few legit. Good luck finding the real ones, its like a needle in a haystack.

The question is, will such a degree actually be worth the paper it's printed on? Sure, you can find online degrees for that sort of thing. If you're interested. I suggest taking some computer science courses @your local community college. You may even be able to audit them. In which case they would be free. W/a solid understanding of just how computers really work (not just working superficial parts of a retail program). You'll be able to apply that knowledge to any application. Then, buy a book or two of a hot app, & learn it. In computers today, it's what you know. Who you know has always been important... What you know, is how tons of IT work was shifted to third world countries. If they understand the theory. They can push buttons over there just as easily. Honestly, something as basic as website designing? You're not going to have that pan out to anything great. If, however, you become competent in a popular programming language. That could open a very good door for you. Good Luck.