Study game design and development at the best universities

While no single university is the best for studying game design and development, we have compiled a list of what we believe are the best universities for video game design in the world.

The best university options to study game design and development

University of Southern California

Featuring four video games degree programs, two at the undergraduate level and two at the graduate level, it is no surprise that USC has placed #1 in countless rankings when it comes to game development universities.

As you would expect from a school known for its connection to Hollywood and the entertainment industry, students participating in one of the university's many gaming courses receive the best hands-on education from professionals who actually work in the gaming industry.

University of Utah

تقدم University of Utah A video game development program that has art-focused students and technology-savvy students working together to figure out how to make a good product.

Because the university has a strong relationship with EA Sports in Salt Lake City, many students have valuable internship opportunities that give them the closest possible experience of actually working for a gaming company.

Digibin Institute of Technology

Backed by Nintendo, one of the most renowned game development universities in the world, DigiPen is the perfect gaming university if you are preparing for a career in game development in almost any field.

Whether you want to make games as an artist, designer, software developer, or programmer, Digipen offers a degree that gives you the tools you need to enter the industry and make an impact quickly. This includes both graduate and undergraduate degrees.

Rochester Institute of Technology

The Department of Interactive Games and Multimedia at the University of Rochester has more than 150 classes offered annually and several game making and development degrees, making it one of the most established technical schools for game design on this list.

Students can expect a unique approach to learning how crowdsourced training technology, content and systems work together to create interactive experiences. IGM College also runs the Global Game Jam program which invites students to make games while networking with others already working in the industry.

Savannah College of Art and Design

Recognized for its achievements by top game development university websites, Savannah College of Art and Design is top class when it comes to helping students become better game developers.

SCAD offers both graduate and undergraduate bachelor's degrees that give students the opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals and use the latest interactive design tools. This is why games from SCAD have won the E3 College Games competition several times.

Drexel University

Drexel University is widely recognized as one of the leading schools when it comes to putting the latest technology in the hands of students. Students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate video game development programs have even won several awards, including the grand prize at the Adobe Achievement Awards, the Microsoft Imagine Cup, and more.

The strength of the program comes from the Computer Science and Digital Media departments working together to make sure students learn everything there is to know about game development.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is unique in that it allows students who major in “Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences” to also choose a second concentration. These include arts, computer science, cognitive science, writing, and human-computer interaction.

There are also many advanced degree programs available that train future game makers in games, animation, communications technologies, and more.

New york university

New York University's Tisch School of the Arts offers several game design programs at different levels for future video game makers. This includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Games Development.

Students also have access to valuable resources such as the Media and Gaming Network on the NYU Brooklyn campus, the Game Center Open Library, and the NYU Gaming Center.pen.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Although MIT does not offer a formal game development degree program, the MIT Games Lab allows students interested in creating games to create their own curriculum.

This gives students the ability to choose different courses based on whether they are interested in design, programming, psychological games, or the business side of the industry. Plenty of narrative-focused courses are also available for those who want to learn more about storytelling in games.

Carnegie Mellon University

The Game Development program at Carnegie Mellon University is known for its focus on making sure its students learn all the key components that go toward creating a game. This includes programming, story and character development, visual and audio design, game engine development, and more.

Students are also required to develop fun, polished and engaging games while working in teams. This alone provides the best possible experience to prepare students for life in a major game development studio

Michigan State University

Michigan State University has an impressive number of game development programs available and currently boasts university graduates who work for well-known companies such as Rockstar San Diego, Microsoft Xbox Team, and Sony Computer Entertainment.

Aside from the BA and BA degrees, including the Master of Art, this school is one of the few to offer a PhD degree related to video game construction. Students also have access to the GEL Lab where they learn what it takes to make a game from start to finish, including design, prototyping and more. (View more Michigan colleges for game design)

University of full sailing

Despite being one of the younger schools on this list, Full Sail University boasts a larger curriculum of gaming students than most competing video game development schools. Students can consider the Bachelor of Science in Game Art or Game Development or the Master of Science in Mobile Games or Game Development

One of the advantages of being a Full Sail University student is the high level of social interaction required during game making courses, giving students vital experience to prepare them for actual game production. The team-based project that includes 12 consecutive sessions at the end of the year also gives students a taste of what a game creation career would be like.

Northeastern University

Students at Northeastern can choose from six different gaming-related programs – two BFAs, a BS with multiple elective concentrations, an MS, a minor, and a college graduate certificate.

Students also have the opportunity to work with leaders in the industry thanks to the university's partnerships with companies such as Microsoft Game Studios, Tabuk, Zynga, Tencent Boston, and SAIC.

University of California, Santa Cruz

Few schools compare to UC Santa Cruz when it comes to the number of programs available related to game development. These include bachelor's degrees in Computer Science: Computer Games Design, MS in Games and Playable Media, and even master's and doctoral degrees in computer science with a research focus in computer games.

The school's art department also offers an MFA in Digital Arts and New Media. Additionally, the UCSC program currently has five game-related research laboratories used by future developers. All students are required to complete a year-long Capstone project that has them work in teams to create a complete product.

Champlain College

Unlike most other video game development schools or colleges, Champlain College allows students to leave their liberal arts classes later and begin taking courses in their field. This allows student video game designers to quickly start learning about every aspect of development, including level design, narrative design, and more.

There are currently four different game design degrees available: one that focuses on the business side of games, two on development and art, and one that revolves around mobile app development.

University of Central Florida

Undergraduates at the University of Florida can choose from different degrees offered by the College of Visual Arts and Design that include game development. These include a BA in Digital Media, an MFA in Emerging Media, and a MA in Digital Media.

The University of Florida's graduate school of design, the Florida Academy of Interactive Entertainment, offers just a few dozen students the opportunity to enroll in its Master of Science in Interactive Entertainment program. Three different tracks are also available: programming, art and production. (More Florida Game Development Colleges)

Georgia Institute of Technology

Few colleges have the same high level of research opportunities in games as Georgia Tech does with its PhD in Digital Media. Undergraduates are awarded a bachelor's degree in Computational Media with an emphasis in Game Studies while graduate students can earn an MS degree in Digital Media.

Both the Experimental Games Lab and the Ynesthetic Games Lab allow students to get hands-on experience while conducting research related to gamers. The Institute for People and Technology offers other resources available. GVU Center at Georgia Tech (other top Georgia college gaming programs)

Shawnee State University

With an enrollment of fewer than five thousand students each year, Shawnee State University sees more than 80% of its graduates find employment in their fields within half a year of graduation.

Students looking for a game design major with a strong emphasis in computer science will be satisfied with Shawnee State University's BS in Digital Simulation and Games. A Game and Simulation Arts Development degree is also available for students who prefer the aesthetic application of game creation.

Columbia College Chicago

A large number of programs are offered by the Department of Interactive Arts and Media at Columbia College Chicago. These include a bachelor's degree in game design with an emphasis in development, programming or sound design, as well as a bachelor's degree in interactive arts and media.

A BS in Games Programming is also available, including several design, art, and programming minor options. Regardless of their concentration or major, all students learn the basic principles of making video games.

Parsons The New School of Design

The School of Arts, Media, and Technology at Parsons offers a number of programs aimed at providing students with the tools necessary to not only become excellent game developers but also to use their skills for the betterment of humanity. That's why the school often teams up with groups like the Red Cross, Pet Lab and Changing Toys.

Both the BFA and MFA in Design and Technology give students experience working with storytelling and interaction technologies alongside cutting-edge computing and programming software. Projects often require students to use film, video, mobile, Internet, and even audio-visual performance applications. (See Top Gaming Schools in New York)

DePaul University

DePaul's College of Computing and Digital Media has several programs available for aspiring game designers, including both a BA and MS in Computer Game Development. The master's degree allows students to select a concentration in gameplay programming, systems programming, or games development

Two minors in game design or programming are also offered. Students are also encouraged to work on a game that will be submitted to the DePaul Game Experience Student Internet Governance Forum competition. Many teams from this school have placed highly in the IGDA student competition.

Ringling College of Art and Design

Ringling College of Art and Design is particularly recognized for producing some of the best animators currently in the industry, including many who helped create Disney's Oscar-winning fantasy film Frozen.

Students interested in a career in video game design are offered the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Arts and Design. Training is also available in all other technical areas involved in development, including computer programming, audio and storytelling.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Interactive Media and Game Development program offers a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Interactive Media and Game Development. Students build strong portfolios during their stay as they take numerous project-based classes while learning the game creation process.

Apart from game development, each student also gets a taste of other areas of game development such as programming, testing and project management. Like many of the schools on this list, many Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates now find themselves working with some of the biggest gaming companies in the industry.

University of Pennsylvania

Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest and most honored schools in the United States. It also has many game development courses available starting from Minor all the way to PhD.

This school is also known for the SIG Center for Computer Graphics which has been used by graduates who now work for leading gaming companies and animation studios such as Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, EA, Sony, Activision, and Microsoft.

Baker College

Baker College is a four-year institution that offers certificate, associate, and bachelor's programs in nearly a dozen areas of study.

Game design students can enroll in a number of degree programs, including a bachelor's degree in Interactive Media Design with a concentration in Game Design or Game Development and Programming. Bachelor's degrees in Games Production and Management are also available.

University of California, Irvine

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Games Science is offered by the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Science at UCI. This degree focuses on the technical aspects of game development while students often work in teams on projects of their own.

There are plenty of internship opportunities for UCI students with several gaming companies in the area, including Ready At Dawn, Blizzard Entertainment, and Obsidian Entertainment.

University of California Los Angeles

UCLA, one of the most competitive and distinguished schools in the California public university system, offers a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts Design through the Department of Media Arts Design.

This degree is one of the best hands-on programs in the country thanks to the UCLA Game Lab, which is supported by the School of Theater, Film, and Television. The lab includes an impressive number of disciplines, including design, animation, music, creative writing, sociology, computer science and more.

Read also: Best countries to study art, design and art history abroad

Cornell University

Being one of the first Ivy League universities to offer a bachelor's degree in game development back in 2001, Cornell has had plenty of time to fine-tune its program.

The Cornell Game Design Initiative, established by the College of Computing and Information Sciences, currently offers a game design minor that complements traditional majors such as art, music, computer science, and more.

University of Texas

The University of Texas offers undergraduates a certificate program through three different schools: the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Radio, Television, and Film, and the College of Fine Arts. Although these certifications are not a degree program, they look great on a resume because they serve to demonstrate graduates' experience and knowledge in a particular area of ​​game development.

An impressive six different certifications are currently available: the CS Game Development Certificate, the CS Mobile Computing Certificate, the CoFA Digital Art and Design Production Certificate, the CoFA Digital Audio Composition and Production Certificate, the COFA Digital World Designer Certificate, and the RTF Visual Effects and Animation Certificate. (See more gaming schools in Texas)

Academy of Arts University

San Francisco Art Academy is known for providing some of the best hands-on programs that not only train students but also leave them with a valuable portfolio upon graduation.

The game development school offers several degrees for students looking to break into the games industry on the technical side of development. AA, BFA, and MFA degrees in game development are available, as well as a BA in Game Programming and an online award of achievement in game development.

Gnomon School of Visual Effects

Gnomon is a small school in Hollywood that offers a wide range of certificate programs for students looking for a career in game development. Newer uses of the software are used by top gaming companies, including Maya, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Adobe Photoshop.

These tracks include Entertainment Design (one year), Digital Entertainment Production (two years), Entertainment Design and Digital Production (three years), and the Maya Accelerated Track (10 weeks).

University of Miami

The University of Miami boasts over two hundred programs and over twenty thousand students attending one of the many universities in America and Europe.

The undergraduate degrees offered by the College of Creative Arts are a BA in Interactive Media Studies and a MA in Experience Design. Students can also choose from several tracks such as Games Studies, Interactive Business, Design and Development, Arts and Interaction. A high school diploma and graduate certificate are also available.

Bradley University

Bradley University makes it home to about six thousand students and offers 130 programs across its graduate school and five schools, including one of the best video game design schools. The Department of Interactive Media is responsible for establishing several minors and majors that will interest future developers.

These degrees include a minor, a minor in interactive media, a major in game development, a major in animation, and a BS in interactive media with a concentration in game design. If you're primarily interested in animation, head to our list of excellent animation college programs.

Laguna College of Art and Design

Laguna College of Art and Design is a small school making it home to only 500 students and less than a dozen programs. Undergraduates can earn a BFA with a concentration in either 3D Craft, 3D Environment, or Art.

A graduate degree is also offered in the form of an MFA in Games Art which helps students explore game making as a cultural art form while learning how to make their own interactive worlds.

George Mason University

More than thirty thousand students attend George Mason University each year to enroll in more than two hundred degree programs. The Computer Game Design program created by the College of Visual and Performing Arts offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

These programs have students learn both the technical and artistic side of development as they work together to create several projects to add to their portfolio before graduation.

Lawrence Technological University

Not many game design colleges can compare to Lawrence Technological University when it comes to graduate employment numbers. While the national average of students finding work by their graduation date is between 30% and 40%, 8 out of 10 graduates from this school can expect to have a job ready for them when they finish their studies.

Students interested in a career in game development may consider the Bachelor of Arts in Game Art and the BS in Computer Science with an emphasis in Game Software Development.

Cogswell College

Cogswell College in San Jose is an exciting and upcoming school offering game development study, development, art, and animation courses for aspiring digital designers.

In addition to covering traditional game development topics, Cogswell provides hands-on training with industry-leading engines, software, and programming tools. It is also equipped to instantly display ongoing projects in class, giving students the opportunity to learn as they create, in real time.

For aspiring artists, Cogswell offers courses centered around popular design software like Maya, Photoshop, and ZBrush.

Our favorite aspect of Cogswell's game design software is the project-based learning class titled “Game Studio.” This class aims to replicate the real world by creating student teams tasked with creating games from scratch. Not only is this invaluable experience for junior designers, but it also provides graduates with a job title for their portfolio.

Marist College

More than 77 certificate, bachelor's, and graduate programs are available to the 6000 students taught at Marist College. Together, the School of Computer Science and Mathematics and the School of Communication and Arts offer many different game design degrees.

These include a BA in Computer Science with an emphasis in Game Design and Programming, MS in Computer Science, and Software Development with coursework focusing on Game Design and Programming. New to the school are a BA in Media Studies and a BA in Communications – both offering concentrations in Interactive Media and the study of game development.

Otis College of Art and Design

Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles is home to over a thousand students and offers more than a dozen art and design-related programs.

Students looking for a development technical role can earn a bachelor's degree in digital media with a concentration in game and entertainment design or a minor in digital media.

Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

Nearly 250 programs are on the list for the 30 students enrolled at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis. Undergraduates can earn a bachelor's degree in media arts and sciences with a specialization in game design and development

A five-year program is also available in the form of a Master's in Media Arts and Sciences with a specialization in Human-Computer Interaction. Students participating in either program will learn the fundamentals of digital storytelling and design.

School of digital animation and visual effects

• BA

The Digital Animation and Visual Effects School is a small facility set against the backdrop of Universal Studios Florida. Students can obtain a diploma in game production after a 15-month program that includes courses such as game production, game engine basics, and animation basics.

New York Film Academy

The New York Film Academy has branches all over the world, including Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. According to their website, only the Los Angeles and South Beach campuses offer so many programs for aspiring students.

These include the AFA, BFA, and MFA in the Study of Games Development. A one-year non-degree game design program is also offered at both the Los Angeles and New York campuses.

Woodbury University

Woodbury University offers its 1500 students more than 20 programs to choose from across three different schools. Aspiring game designers can consider the BFA in Game Art and Design offered by the School of Media, Culture and Design.

This program allows students to choose between two stages, game art or studying game development. Both studies bring together several aspects of game development, including sound design, narrative development, design, animation, and art.

University of Denver

The University of Denver offers more than 220 degree programs in eight colleges and schools, including the Graduate School. The average number of students per year is about 000 students.

There are many degrees on the list for students interested in developing. These include one minor, two BAs, two BSs, multiple sclerosis, and even a Ph.D. The University of Denver also ranked 5 of our favorite art schools.

Art Institute of California, San Francisco

The Art Institute of California in San Francisco is part of a system of more than 50 schools across North America. Many creative and applied arts programs are available for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Students seeking a degree in video game creation can choose between a BA in Game Development Art and Design and a BS in Game and Visual Programming. The choice depends on whether you want a program that leans more towards the technical areas of development or the technical side. (Top-Rated California Game Design Schools)

Interactive Entertainment Academy, Seattle

This young, acclaimed school offers several programs in game design and animation across its seven campuses in Australia and America.

Among these two-year programs are the Advanced Diploma in Professional Game Development (Game Art and Animation) and the Advanced Diploma in Professional Game Development (Game Programming).

The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles (closed)

Like its San Francisco campus, the California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles offers two video game design degrees: a bachelor's degree in visual and game programming and a bachelor's degree in game development art and design.

Both campuses are great in that they both sit in cities that serve as hotbeds for successful development studios. Los Angeles is home to industry giants such as Activision, EA, Sony, Naughty Dog, and many others.

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University, part of the State University of New York system, consists of 13 colleges and schools that collectively offer more than 200 different degrees at various levels.

The Department of Computer Science makes up most of the College of Engineering and Applied Science and offers students interested in game development bachelor's, master's, or both positions in computer science with a specialization in games programming. CSE Minor is also available.

Maryland Institute College of Art

The first school in the United States to offer graduate degrees, Maryland Institute College of Art offers nearly 2000 students more than 80 degrees at various levels.

The BFA in Interactive Arts + Humanities Studies program features several courses involved in game development, including Experimental Games, Drawing I and II, Electronic Media and Culture, Play II/Digital Games, and more.

Edinboro University

Edinboro University is home to less than seven thousand students but offers more than 135 degree programs in 100 areas of academic study. These schools and colleges are spread across five different schools and colleges.

Bachelor of Computer Science with Emphasis in Game Development and Virtual World Development is available to students looking to obtain an education that involves the technical aspect of game development.

Below is a table of the universities that provided it, along with their websites and rankings:

Please note that the rankings of websites shown in the table are fictitious and for illustrative purposes only.