Gaming is one of the fastest growing entertainment mediums, with global industry revenue expected to hit nearly $200 billion by 2023 according to Newzoo. With major advancements in mobile, console, PC, and virtual reality gaming, plus surging interest in competitive esport leagues, the demand for talented designers, artists, and programmers has never been greater.
So how do you stand out and get your foot in the door with potential employers? A specialized degree in game design, art, or programming from a leading university sets you apart. It signals passion for gaming and provides the cutting-edge skills and professional portfolio needed to impress industry heavyweights like Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, EA, and Epic Games.
But with dozens of colleges now offering game-related programs, selecting the right school is challenging. Does academic reputation or affordability matter most? What about facilities, connections to gaming studios, or notable alumni?
This definitive guide profiles the top 25 game design schools based on a methodology weighing eight criteria:
- Industry Reputation – feedback from leading game companies
- Alumni Success – grads hired at top gaming studios
- Facilities/Technology – labs, engines, hardware access
- Specialized Curricula – depth of gaming-focused coursework
- Interdisciplinary Focus – cross-collaboration
- Industry Connections – partnerships, mentors, sponsors
- Innovation Culture – cutting-edge research and projects
- Value Profile – tuition, admissions, and aid
Review detailed information on each school‘s game degrees, strengths, and post-graduation outcomes to determine which one aligns closest with your talents and aspirations.
1. University of Southern California
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Key Game Degrees:
- BA/BS in Interactive Media & Games
- BS in Computer Science Games
Profile: With over 25 game-specific courses across its Cinema Arts and Engineering schools, plus unrivaled proximity to gaming/VFX studios in Los Angeles, USC offers unmatched opportunities to gain real-world experience through mentorships and internships often leading to first jobs after graduation.
Strengths
- Access to nearby entertainment/technology companies
- Connections to 200+ mentors and guest lecturers
- Specialized courses utilizing latest VR, AI, and streaming tools
- Extensive facilities access including motion capture stage
Outcomes:
- 94% employment rate
- Graduates work at Riot Games, Blizzard, EA, Disney, Sony, Microsoft
2. Rochester Institute of Technology
Location: Rochester, NY
Key Game Degrees:
- BS in Game Design & Development
- MS in Game Design & Development
Profile: RIT‘s game design program is anchored by the Magic Center housing state-of-the-art technology and collaboration space supporting over 150 specialized courses. The annual Game Design Expo and on-campus access to the Global Game Jam underscore RIT‘s industry-aligned innovation culture.
Strengths
- Magic Center facilitating leading research
- Curriculum evolves with technical advances
- Abundant game prototyping and project development
- Extensive labs and hardware access
Outcomes:
- Graduates consistently hired by top studios
- Students compete successfully in national contests
| College Comparison Factors | USC | RIT |
|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | Jan 15 | Feb 1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 11% | 71% |
| In-State Tuition | $59K | $39K |
| Avg. Graduating Class | 2,500 | 1,900 |
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Cambridge, MA
Key Game Degrees:
- BS in Comparative Media Studies
- MEng in Media Arts & Sciences
Profile: MIT leverages its prowess in computing, design, and engineering to enable breakthroughs in game technology, creative arts, and interactive media. Unbounded experimentation pairing students across disciplines drives innovation.
Strengths
- Open curriculum fostering boundless creativity
- Access to Media Lab‘s cutting-edge facilities
- Strong industry sponsored research projects
- Entrepreneurial and startup culture
Outcomes:
- Graduates become leaders advancing gaming platforms
- Launch successful gaming startups
MIT delivers pioneering minds that lead advancements in gaming technology and interactive experiences through roles spanning R&D, product design, and startup leadership.
4. Savannah College of Art and Design
Location: Savannah, GA
Key Game Degrees:
- BFA/MA/MFA in Game Development
- BFA in Interactive Design & Game Development
Profile: With leading faculty, access to advanced computing labs and motion capture stages, and degrees integrating game programming with animation, visual effects, and writing, SCAD prepares graduates to make immediate contributions on professional game teams.
Strengths
- Depth of specialized gaming courses
- Collaboration across art and technical groups
- Exposure to indie gaming scene
- Consistent success at IGF Challenge
Outcomes:
- Graduates hold roles like Lead Animator, Design Director, Studio Head
- Recruited by gaming leaders including PlayStation, EA, Epic
SCAD game programs deliver graduates coveted for their well-rounded abilities spanning the creative and technical capabilities that gaming studios demand.
5. DigiPen Institute of Technology
Location: Redmond, WA
Key Game Degrees:
- BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation
- BS in Digital Art & Animation
Profile: DigiPen has an exclusive focus on training programmers, software engineers, and animators for careers in the game industry. With a pioneering curriculum integrating software engineering, mathematics, fine arts, and game development, the school enjoys strong connections to recruiters at leading studios.
Strengths
- Math/physics curriculum alignment
- Specialized game programming languages
- Team-based capstone game production
- Deep industry connections especially Nintendo
Outcomes:
- Grads consistently hired by top studios
- Alumni leadership across game industry
- Successful student game startups
DigiPen‘s unique approach combining rigorous engineering training with collaborative game production experience delivers graduates with day one readiness at major game studios.
| College Comparison Factors | DigiPen | USC | RIT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 36% | 11% | 71% |
| 2021-22 Tuition | $30K | $59K | $39K |
| Freshman Class Size | 200 | 3,500 | 2,900 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 8 : 1 | 9 : 1 | 14 : 1 |
6. New York University
Location: New York, NY
Key Game Degrees:
- BFA/MFA in Game Design at the NYU Game Center
Profile: NYU Game Center leverages strengths across the university spanning programming, art, music, writing, psychology, and business to deliver a well-rounded yet hands-on curriculum focused on creativity. The center facilitates valuable connections to New York‘s indie gaming community.
Strengths
- Multidisciplinary course pairing
- Storytelling and narrative focus
- Access to emerging tools like VR headsets
- Fosters entrepreneurial student projects
Outcomes:
- Graduates active across artistic production roles
- Students complete shippable games yearly
- Join indie studios and gaming startups
For those focused on the creative aspects of production, NYU delivers multitalented grads with sharable portfolios prepared for dynamic indie gaming roles centered on the artistic craft.
7. Georgia Institute of Technology
Location: Atlanta, GA
Key Game Degrees
- MS/PhD in Digital Media
- BS/MS in Computer Science, focus in Intelligence & Interactive Computing
Profile: With renowned faculty in computing, design, and interactive intelligence, Georgia Tech leverages two innovative game labs spanning 30 courses focused on emerging areas like VR/AR and AI while partnering with creative powerhouses like Turner Broadcasting to enrich practical student experiences.
Strengths
- Cutting-edge facilities and equipment
- VR prototyping and worldbuilding
- Research yielding published papers
- Turner graduate course blending computing and TV
Outcomes
- Graduates become R&D pioneers inventing future tech
- Launch startups advancing game tech ecoystem
- Join research arms of top studios like EA
Georgia Tech game grads drive advancements in areas like interactive narrative, streaming platforms, and AI/ML applied in gaming.
8. University of Utah
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Key Game Degrees
- BS/MS/PhD in Entertainment Arts & Engineering
Profile: With daily access to EA Sports‘ Salt Lake City studio, active learning core, and focus on emerging tech like VR through its unique "games lab," the University of Utah delivers graduates highly equipped to join AAA studios or cutting-edge game tech ventures.
Strengths
- EA Sports providing abundant mentors
-develop games using latest VR tools - Games lab facilitating constant experimentation
- Master gaming engines like Unity & Unreal
Outcomes
- Grads readily recruited by top regional studios
- Join high-growth AR/VR startups
- Pursue tech advances through research roles
For those seeking abundant hands-on design and development applying Unreal, Unity, VR, and emerging gaming tech, Utah is a top choice.
9. Northeastern University
Location: Boston, MA
Key Game Degrees
- BS in Media Arts & Game Design
- MS in Game Science & Design
Profile: Leveraging connections across Boston‘s tech landscape, Northeastern‘s game programs fuse a project-based curriculum where students actively develop games while pursuing experiential learning through abundant co-op and internship opportunities.
Strengths
- Develop games individually and collaboratively
- Six-month professional work experiences
- State-of-the-art motion capture facilities
- Develop VR environments leveraging latest tools
Outcomes
- Graduates readily hired by studios in Boston hub
- Launch independent game ventures
- Pursue graduate degrees in emerging tech fields
For those seeking work experience through Boston co-ops while actively building games using innovative tech tools, Northeastern hits the mark.
10. Michigan State University
Location: East Lansing, MI
Key Game Degrees:
- BA/BS/MA in Media & Information – Game Design & Development Specialization
- PhD in Media & Information with Computing Focus
Profile: Through access to dedicated studios and technology labs supplemented by partnerships with regional gaming/tech firms, MSU‘s game programs enable students to actively develop titles while mastering key engines and exploring high-demand specialties around esports, streaming, and mobile gameplay.
Strengths
- Three gaming studios supporting 30 courses
- Motion capture facilities and hardware access
- Curriculum alignment to professional tools/software
- Partnerships with Microsoft and EA among others
Outcomes
- Grads hold key roles at Rockstar Games, EA, Epic Games and Zynga
- Tap growing opportunities in esports production
For those seeking a Big 10 school with excellent technology facilities specializing in high-demand gaming platforms, Michigan State hits the mark.
The information above profiles 10 of the 25 top game design schools in detail. The methodology and criteria used to rank the schools aim to provide prospective students and parents with detailed data to evaluate which university aligns best to specific talents, educational goals, and career aspirations in the video game industry, which continues seeing strong growth.
