Do you know the best universities for game design? If not, don’t worry. You’re not alone. I know a lot of students who aren’t aware which colleges offer the best education. We all have different opinions on what makes a college “good”.
You will also find related posts on best game design schools 2020, best colleges for game design in california, best game design universities uk 2020, best universities for game design uk, game design schools online, bachelor of science in game design and development on collegelearners.
From the addictive apps, we play on our smartphones, to the hobbyist user with one at-home game console, to those who play and compete in professional eSports circles. It takes advanced technical and creative skills to develop and create these ubiquitous programs, however, and getting to work behind the scenes of your favourite video games can prove a lucrative career move. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, multimedia artists such as game designers make a median annual salary of $70,530. Professional game designers work in all stages of game development, ensuring a place for your talents whether you excel in concept creation, art, mechanics, or code. Earning an undergraduate game design degree prepares you to pursue full-time work at a game studio or for contract employment. Learn more about 25 of the best video game designer degrees in our ranking below.
| RANK | SCHOOL | LOCATION |
| 1 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA |
| 2 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester , NY |
| 3 | Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA |
| 4 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT |
| 5 | Digipen Institute of Technology | Redmond, WA |
| 6 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy, NY |
| 7 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah , GA |
| 8 | New York University | New York, NY |
| 9 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI |
| 10 | Full Sail University | Winter Park, FL |
As the demand for game designers rises, more and more programs are continuing to pop up. It can be difficult to figure out what kind of degree you should get–should you attend online? Or on-campus? If you’re already working and flexibility is key for you, an online program may be your best bet.
If you’re considering a game design degree but want an online degree option, have a look at College Choice’s ranking of the Best Online Game Design Degrees.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a multimedia artist/animator is $65,300 per year per year. Of course, the more advanced training and experience you have in the field, the higher earning potential you’ll have going forward. Luckily, the employment outlook is very strong for game designers; in fact, employment is expected to grow 10% from now to 2026.
Salaries will also vary depending on if you have an area of specialty, the type of medium you work with (television, movies, video games), etc.
With a bachelor’s in game design, you will have plenty of opportunities. Game designers work on a game’s vision, including the background story and plot, characters, environment, special effects, sound, and more! Not only will you be working with various technologies, but you’ll also be working in an extremely creative environment. You’ll be working with others to create one magically cohesive and exciting game!
Another great perk for game designers? Many of them can work from home! With a job that relies heavily on computers, you can essentially set up an office anywhere.
Many college programs require prospective students to submit design portfolios. These portfolios may include still life, figurative drawing, perspective, and objects found in everyday life. It’s also helpful to have a strong background in mathematics and science, as well as art and design. Of course, each program is unique and has their own sets of requirements.
Once enrolled in a game design program, you can expect to take courses like the history of gaming, intro to design thinking, and digital content creation. Undergraduate programs typically require students to complete a capstone project as well.
See our rankings methodology page.Collapse All Expand All
Attending one of these game development colleges should significantly improve your odds of success in both:
From traditional 4-year Universities, smaller speciality schools, game development colleges offering flexible schedules, and even some with online learning options for those unable to attend classes on-campus.
Different students have different needs and we want to make sure everyone can find something that works for them.
Our Ranking Criteria:
What are the best game design colleges in the world?
USC Games
Los Angeles, California
Boasting four video gaming degree programs, two at the undergraduate level and two at the graduate level, it’s no surprise that the University of Southern California has placed #1 in countless rankings when it comes to game development schools.
As you’d expect from a school known for its connection to Hollywood and the entertainment industry, students involved in one of the many college gaming courses receive the best hands-on instruction from professionals actually working in the gaming industry.
Entertainment Arts & Engineering
Salt Lake City, Utah
The University of Utah offers a video game development program that has the art-focused students and tech-savvy ones working together to learn how a good product is made.
Since the school has a strong relationship with EA Sports in Salt Lake City, many students have access to valuable internship opportunities that give them the closest experience possible to actually working for a gaming company.
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Redmond, Washington
With support from Nintendo, one of the world’s most recognized developers, DigiPen is the ideal University for gaming if you’re preparing for a career in game development in just about any field.
Whether you want to make games as an artist, designer, software developer, or programmer, Digipen offers a degree that will give you the tools you need to enter the industry and quickly make an impact. This includes both graduate and undergraduate degrees. (Recommended Washington game development programs)
School of Interactive Games and Media
Rochester, New York
Rochester’s Interactive Games and Multimedia department boasts more than 150 classes given a year and several Game Making and Development degrees, making it one of the most established technical schools for gaming design on this list.
Students can expect a unique approach to learning how technology, specialized in outsourcing training, content, and systems come together to create interactive experiences. The IGM college also runs the Global Game Jam program that invites students to make games while networking with others already working in the industry.
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah, GA Atlanta GA
Recognized for its achievements by top college ranking websites, Savannah College of Art and Design is top tier when it comes to helping students become the next best game developers.
SCAD offers both graduate and undergraduate B.A. degrees that give students the chance to collaborate with industry professionals and use the latest interactive design tools. This is why games from SCAD’s program have won the E3 College Gaming Competition several times.
Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Philadelphia, PA
Drexel University is widely recognized as one of the premier schools when it comes to putting the latest technology in the hands of students. Students enrolled in their graduate and undergraduate video game development programs have even won several awards, including the top prize at the Adobe Achievement Awards, Microsoft Imagine Cup, and more.
The program’s strength comes from both computer science and digital media departments working together to make sure students learn all there is to know about game development.
The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Troy, NY
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is unique in that it allows students majoring in “Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences” to also select a second concentration. These include art, computer science, cognitive science, writing, and human-computer interaction.
Also available are many advanced degree programs that train future game makers in Gaming and Animation, Communication Technologies, and more.
Tisch School of the Arts
New York, NY
New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts makes available several programs for game designing at different levels for future video game makers. This includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degree in Game Design, as well as a Minor in-game Design.
Students are also given access to valuable resources such as the Media and Games Network at the NYU Brooklyn campus, Game Center Open Library, and NYU Game Center.pen
MIT Game Lab
Cambridge, MA
Although MIT does not offer a formal game development degree program, the MIT Game Lab allows students who are interested in creating games to make their own curriculum of study.
This gives students the ability to choose different courses based on if they’re interested in design, programming, psychological games, or the business side of the industry. Plenty of narrative-focused courses are available as well for those who want to learn more about storytelling in games.
The Integrative Design
Pittsburg, PA
Carnegie Mellon University’s game development program is renowned for its focus on making sure their students learn all the key components that go toward game creation. This includes programming, story and character development, visual and sound design, game engine development, and more.
Students are also required to actually develop fun, polished and engaging games while working in teams. This alone offers the best experience possible to prepare students for life in a major game development studio.
Game Design and Development
East Lansing, MI
Michigan State University has an impressive number of game design programs available and currently boasts college alumni working for renowned companies like Rockstar San Diego, Microsoft Xbox Team, and Sony Computer Entertainment.
Aside from undergraduate BA and BS degrees, including a Master of Art, this school is one of the few to offer a PhD related to building video games. Students also gain 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)
Full Sail’s Game School
Winter Park, FL
Despite being one of the younger schools on this list, Full Sail University boasts a larger curriculum for gaming students than most competing video game development schools. Students can look into a Bachelor of Science in either Game Art or Game Development or a Master of Science in either Mobile Gaming or Game Design.
One of the perks of being a Full Sail University student is the high level of social interaction required during the game making courses, giving students vital experience to prepare them for actual game production. A team-based project incorporating 12 consecutive courses at the end of the year also gives students a taste of what a career in game creation will be like.
College of Arts, Media, and Design
Boston, MA; Seattle, WA; Silicon Valley, CA
Students at Northeastern University can choose from six different gaming related programs– two BFAs, a BS with several optional concentrations, an MS, a Minor, and a college Graduate Certificate.
Students also have a chance to work with leaders in the industry thanks to the university’s partnership with companies like Microsoft Game Studios, Tapwalk, Zynga, TEncent Boston, and SAIC Corporation.
Jack Baskin School of Engineering
Santa Cruz, CA
Few schools compare to the University of California, Santa Cruz when it comes to the number of available programs relating to game development. These include a BS in Computer Science: Computer Gaming Design, an MS in Games & Playable Media, and even MS and PhD 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, UCSC’s program currently has five game-related research labs being used by future developers. All students are required to complete a year-long capstone project that has them working in teams to create a complete product.
Division of Communication and Creative Media
Burlington, VT Montreal, Canada Dubin, Ireland
Unlike most other schools or video game development colleges, Champlain College allows students to leave the liberal art classes for later and start taking courses in their field. This allows student video game designers to quickly begin learning about every aspect of development, including level design, narrative design, and more.
Four different game design degrees are currently available: one focusing on the business side of gaming, two on development and art, and another revolving around mobile application development.
School of Visual Arts & Design
Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Cocoa, Daytona Beach, Leesburg, Ocala, Palm Bay, Sanford, Kissimmee,FL
Undergraduates at the University of Florida can choose from various degrees offered by the School of Visual Arts and Design that incorporate game development. These include a BA in Digital Media, MFA in Emerging Media, and an MA in Digital Media.
UCF’s graduate design school, the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, offers only a couple dozen students the chance to enroll in the Master of Science in Interactive Entertainment program. Three different Tracks are also available: Programming, Art, and Production. (More Florida game development colleges)
College of Computing
Atlanta, GA
Few colleges have the same high level of gaming research opportunities as Georgia Institute of Technology does with their PhD in Digital Media. Undergraduates are offered a BS in Computational Media with a Game Studies Focus while graduate students can earn an MS in Digital Media.
Both the Experimental Game Lab and Synesthetic Game Lab allow students to get hands-on experience while doing gamer related research. Other available resources are provided by the Institute for People and Technology. and the GVU Center at Georgia Tech. (Other top Georgia gaming college programs)
Digital Simulation and Gaming Engineering Technology
Portsmouth, OH
With less than five thousand students enrolled each year, Shawnee State University nonetheless sees more than 80% of their graduates find employment in their respective fields within half a year of graduating.
Students looking for a game design major with heavy emphasis in computer science will be satisfied by Shawnee State University’s BS in Digital Simulation & Gaming. A Game and Simulation Development Arts degree is also available for students you prefer the aesthetic application of game creation.
The School of Media Arts
Chicago, IL
An impressive number of programs are offered by the Department of Interactive Arts & Media at Columbia College Chicago. These include a BA in Game Design with a concentration in either Development, Programming, or Sound Design, as well as a BA in Interactive Arts & Media.
A BS in Game Programming is also available, including several Minor options for Design, Art, and Programming. No matter what their concentration or major is, all students learn the basic principles of making video games.
The School of Art, Media, and Technology
New York, NY
The School of Art, Media, and Technology at Parsons offers a number of programs aimed at giving students the tools needed to not only become excellent game developers but to also use their skills for the betterment of humanity. That is why the school often teams up with groups like Red Cross, Pet Lab, and Games for Change.
Both the BFA and MFA in Design and Technology give students experience working with storytelling and interaction technologies alongside cutting edge computation and programming software. Projects often require that students use film, video, mobile and web applications, and even audiovisual performance. (See the top New York gaming schools)
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College of Computing and Digital Media
Chicago, IL
DePaul’s College of Computing and Digital Media has several programs available to aspiring game designers, including both a BS and MS in Computer Game Development. The Master’s degree allows students to select a concentration in either Gameplay Programming, Systems Programming, or Game Design.
Two minors are also offered in either game design or programming. Students are also encouraged to work on a game that will be submitted to the Student IGF competition via the DePaul Game Experience. Many teams from this school have placed high in the IGDA student competition.
Game Art & Design
Sarasota, FL
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 designing video games are offered a 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.
Interactive Media & Game Development
Worcester, MA
Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Interactive Media and Game Development program offers a minor, bachelor of science, and master of science in Interactive Media & Game Development. Students build up strong portfolios during their stay as they take on many project-based classes while learning the game creation process.
Aside from game development, every 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, plenty of Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates now find themselves working with some of the biggest gaming companies in the industry.
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Philadelphia, PA
Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest and most honored schools in the US. It also has a several game development courses available ranging from a Minor all the way to a PhD.
This school is also known for its SIG Center for Computer Graphics which was utilized by alumni now working for leading game companies and animation studios like Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, EA, Sony, Activision, and Microsoft. (More Pennsylvania video game degree programs)
Interactive Media Design
Worcester, MA; Leicester, MA
Becker College is a four-year institution that offers Certificate, Associate, and Bachelor programs across nearly a dozen fields of study.
Game design students can enroll in a number of degree programs, including a BA in Interactive Media Design with a concentration in either Game Design or Game Development & Programming. A BA in Game Production and Management Concentration is also available.
Computer Game Science
Irvine, CA
A Bachelor of Science in Computer Game Science is offered by UCI’s Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences. The degree focuses on the technical aspects of game development while students often work in teams on projects of their own.
Plenty of internship opportunities are available to UCI students with the many game companies in the area, including Ready At Dawn, Blizzard Entertainment, and Obsidian Entertainment.
The School of Arts and Architecture
Los Angeles, California
UCLA, one of the most competitive and distinguished schools in California’s public university system, offers a Bachelor of Art in Design Media Arts through its Department of Design Media Arts.
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 incorporates an impressive number of disciplines, including design, animation, music, creative writing, sociology, computer science, and more.
Computer Science Department
Ithaca, NY New York City, NY
Being one of the first Ivy League schools to offer a game design undergraduate degree back in 2001, Cornell has had plenty of time to fine-tune its program.
Cornell’s Game Design Initiative established by the School of Computing and Information Science currently offers a Game Design Minor that complements traditional majors such as Art, Music, Computer Science, and more.
Game and Mobile Media Applications Program
Austin, TX
The University of Texas offers undergraduates a certificate program through three different schools: the Computer Science Department, Radio-Television-Film Department, and College of Fine Arts. Although not a degree program, these certificates look great on a resume as they serve to prove a graduate’s experience and knowledge in a specific area of game development.
An impressive six different certificates are currently available: CS Game Development Certificate, CS Mobile Computing Certificate, CoFA Digital Art & Design Production Certificate, CoFA Digital Audio Composition & Production Certificate, CoFA Digital World Designer Certificate, and RTF Visual Effects & Animation Certificate. (See more gaming schools in Texas)
The School of Game Development
San Francisco, CA
The Academy of Art University in San Francisco 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 School of Game Development offers several degrees for students looking to break into the game industry on the art side of development. An AA, BFA, and MFA degree in game Development is available, as well as a BS in Game Programming and an Online Award of Completion in Game Development.
Gnomon School of Visual Effects
Los Angeles, CA
Gnomon is a small school in Hollywood that offers a wide variety of certificate programs for students seeking a career in game development. The latest software uses by top game companies are used, including Maya, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Adobe Photoshop.
These Tracks include Entertainment Design (one year), Digital Production for Entertainment (two years), Entertainment Design and Digital Production (three years), and the Maya Fast Track (10 weeks).
Interactive Media Program
Oxford, OH
Miami University boasts more than two hundred programs and more than twenty thousand students attending one of their many campuses in America and Europe.
Undergraduate degrees offered by the College of Creative Arts are a BA in Interactive Media studies and an MFA in Experience Design. Students also can choose from several Tracks such as Game Studies, Interactive Business, Design, Development, and Arts & Interaction. A Minor and Graduate Certificate are also available.
Department of Interactive Media
Peoria, IL
Bradley University makes home to nearly six thousand students and offers 130 programs across a graduate school and five schools, including one of the top video game design colleges. 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 Design, a Major in Animation, and a BS in Interactive Media with a Concentration in Game Design.
Laguna College of Art and Design
Laguna Beach, CA
Laguna College of Art and Design is a small school making home to only 500 students and less than a dozen programs. Undergraduates can earn a BFA with an Emphasis in either 3D Character, 3D Environment, or Art.
A graduate degree is also offered in the form of an MFA in Art of Game that helps students explore game-making as a cultural art form while learning how to make their own interactive worlds.
Computer Game Design Program
Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William Countries, VA
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 established 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.
Entertainment Design
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design averages close to two thousand students a year and offers more than a dozen programs. One of them is a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Design with two Tracks to choose: Character Animation or Concept Design.
This college location is also ideal for aspiring developers as Pasadena is near areas like Orange County, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles that make home to several acclaimed studios.
The College of Arts and Sciences
Southfield, MI
Not many colleges for gaming design can compare to Lawrence Technological University when it comes to graduate employment numbers. While the national average of students finding employment by the date of their graduation is between 30% and 40%, 8 out of 10 graduates of this school can expect to have a job ready for them upon finishing their studies.
Students interested in a career in developing games can look into a Bachelor of Arts in Game Art and a BS in Computer Science with a concentration in Game Software Development.
Game Design & Development
San Jose, CA
San Jose’s Cogswell College is an exciting up and coming school offering game design, development, art, and animation courses for aspiring digital designers.
In addition to covering the traditional game development subjects, Cogswell offers hands-on training with the industries leading engines, software, and programming tools. They’re also equipped to demo projects in progress immediately in class, giving the students the chance to learn as they create, in real-time.
For the aspiring artists, Cogswell offers courses centered around popular design programs like Maya, Photoshop, and ZBrush.
Our favorite aspect of The Cogswell Game Design program is their Project-Based Learning class titled “Game Studio“. This class aims to replicate the real world by establishing student teams tasked with creating games from scratch. Not only is this an invaluable experience for beginner designers, but it also provides graduates with a functional title for their portfolio.
Media Studies and Production
Poughkeepsie, NY
Over 77 certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs are available to the 6,000 students that attend Marist College. Together, the School of Computer Science & Mathematics and the School of Communication and the Arts make available several different game design degrees.
These include a BS in Computer Science with a Concentration in Game Design and Programming and an MS in Computer Science, Software Development with a coursework focused on Game Design and Programming. New to the school are a BA in Media Studies and a BA in Communication– both offer a concentration in Interactive Media & Game Design.
Game & Entertainment Design
Los Angeles, CA
The Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles is home to more than a thousand students and offers more than a dozen programs related to art and design.
Students looking for an artistic role in development can receive a BA in Digital Media with an emphasize in Game & Entertainment Design or a Minor in Digital Media.
School of Informatics and Computing
Indianapolis, IN
Nearly 250 programs are on the menu for the 30,000 students enrolled at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Undergraduate students can earn a BS in Media Arts and Science with a Specialization in Game Design and Development.
A five-year program is also available in the form of an MS in Media Arts and Science with a Specialization in Human-Computer Interaction. Students involved in either program will learn the fundamentals of digital storytelling and design.
Diploma in Game Production
Orlando, FL
The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School is a small facility located on Universal Studios Florida’s backlot. Students can earn a Diploma in Game Production after a 15-month program that involves courses like Game Production, Game Engine Fundamentals, and Animation Fundamentals.
Game Studio Course
New York, NY; Burbank, CA; Miami Beach, FL
The New York Film Academy has campuses 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 several programs for aspiring students.
These include an AFA, BFA, and MFA in Game Design. A one-year non-degree Game Design Program is also offered at both the Los Angeles and New York campuses.
The School of Media, Culture, and Design
Burbank, CA; San Diego, CA
Woodbury University offers its 1,500 students more than 20 programs to choose from across three different schools. Aspiring game designers can look into the BFA in Game Art & Design provided by the School of Media, Culture, and Design.
This degree program lets students choose between two emphases, Game Art or Game Design. Both studies bring together several aspects of game development, including sound design, narrative development, design, animation, and art.
The Daniel Felix Ritchie School
Denver, CO
The University of Denver offers more than 220-degree programs across eight colleges and schools, including a graduate school. It averages an attendance of around 11,000 students a year.
There are several degrees on the menu for students interested in developing. These include one minor, two BAs, two BSs, an MS, and even a PhD.
The Art Institute of California
San Francisco, CA
The Art Institute of California in San Francisco is part of a system of more than 50 schools across North America. Several Creative and Applied Arts programs are available for both undergraduates and graduates are offered.
Students looking for a degree in video game creation can select between a BS in Game Art & Design and a BS in Visual & Game Programming. The choice depends on whether you want a program that leans more toward the artistic areas of development or the technical side. (The top-rated California game design schools)
Academy of Interactive Entertainment
Seattle, WA
This young, acclaimed school offers several programs in the area of Game Design and Animation across their seven college campuses in Australia and America.
Among these two year programs are an Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development (Game Art & Animation) and Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development (Game Programming).
The Art Institute of California
Los Angeles, CA
Like the San Francisco Campus, the Art Institute of California in Los Angeles offers two video game design degrees: a BS in Visual & Game Programming and a BS in Game Art & Design.
Both campuses are great in that they both sit in cities serving as a hotbed for successful development studios. Los Angeles is home to industry giants like Activision, EA, Sony, Naughty Dog, and many more.
Department of Computer Science
Stony Brook, NY
Part of the State University of New York system, Stony Brook University is made up of 13 colleges and schools that together offer more than 200 different degrees of varying levels.
The Department of Computer Science makes up most of the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences and offers students interested in game development careers a BS, MS, or both in Computer Science with a Specialization in Game Programming. Also available is a CSE Minor.
Interactive Arts and Humanistic Studies
Baltimore, MD
The first school in the US to offer degrees, the Maryland Institute College of Art offers nearly 2,000 students more than 80 degrees of varying levels.
The BFA in Interactive Arts + Humanistic Studies program features several courses involved in game development, including Experimental Games, Drawing I and II, Electronic Media & Culture, Gameplay II/Digital Games, and more.
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
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 are spread across five different schools and colleges.
A BS in Computer Science with a Concentration in Game and Virtual World Development is available for students looking to receive an education that involves the technical side of game development.
VCAD offers a Game Development and Design program—and the school is right in Canada’s game dev hotbed.
You’ll develop skills and knowledge in topics like:
When you graduate, you’ll be “prepared for work in a variety of CGI based industries like computer animation studios, game development companies, post production and special effects studios.”
The Vancouver Film School is, obviously, based in Vancouver. The School offers a diploma in Game Design (replete with a “professional quality online portfolio).
In the Game Design Program, you will “experience the entire game development cycle and develop specialized skills in coding, game art, and level design.”
The program is 12 months long. By the end, you’ll spend over 1000 hours with instructors. The diploma course is broken into six terms. VFS offers three specializations under the Game Design umbrella:
The CDM Master of Digital Media program is a “sixteen month internationally recognized, research-informed and industry-relevant professional graduate program that engages students in the development of digital media products.”
This school is based in Vancouver, and “Vancouver has one of the top video game clusters in the world and has the world’s largest VFX and animation hub.”
The program focuses on six areas of mastery:
This is a standout program because of its unique focus on you and how self-improvement can contribute to greater learning through the CDM project courses.
SCAD offers accredited Interactive Design and Game Development degrees. The program is offered in Atlanta, but it’s also offered internationally. You can take both programs in Hong Kong (as well as online).
They offer the programs as undergraduate and graduate degrees, so they’re options no matter where you are in your education journey.
If you ask SCAD, they’ll tell you they “take games seriously. [Their] interactive design and game development program has won the top prize in the E3 College Game Competition”
Sheridan College, based in Ontario, offers a four-year Game Design degree program.
The Sheridan College Game Design program covers concepts like:
According to their site, Sheridan is a “world-renowned leader in digital media and animation” and they offer “an unmatched foundation for careers in the game design industry.”
You’ll focus on lab projects, simulations, and case studies—these will provide “applied, real-world skill development” over the course of the program.
The University of Bolton is in the town of Bolton, which is close to Manchester and Liverpool.
The school offers a Game Design program, as well as programs in Games Art, and Games Programming.
The university boasts staff members that “actually play games!” (and includes industry experts, too). The program includes critiquing sections to help you refine your ideas with the help of your peers and instructors.
You will learn how to:
Abertay University offers a program in Game Design and Production. It’s one of the only universities outside of the US to rank on most lists of top game creation schools.
Abertay University “works closely with leading game developers such as Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Microsoft, and Ubisoft, making graduates from this course highly employable within these industries.”
Alumni of this program have worked jobs as:
Graduates have scored jobs on AAA console projects, independent projects, mobile projects, and more—and some have found their way into starting their own companies.
The University of Malta offers a Masters and Phd program in Games Research and Education. The program is offered through the Institute of Digital Games—which “is at the center for research and education in game design, game analysis, and game technology at the University of Malta.” (their emphasis)
Rebecca P focused on the gaming track as a thesis student, and says “Practice in the form of game project assignments and a supportive teaching staff really boost your confidence as a game designer!”
The SAE Institute offers a BA in Game Art and Animation at four of its UK locations:
According to SAE Institute, their “hands-on approach will see you experimenting with different design concepts to find your own personal flair. At the same time, you’ll learn how to interpret creative briefs and discover how to successfully bring games to market.”
You’ll learn:
Toronto Film School is a top-ranked Canada film school (according to QS Rankings). The school offers two Video Game programs, both of which span 18 months:
Hanze University is located in the Netherlands. The University offers a “4 year international major in Game Design” which “prepares you for an (international) career in the field of game design and development.”
The program focuses on the skills you’ll need for success in areas like:
Game Design is the major, but the umbrella program is Communication & Multimedia Design.
The DigiPen Institute has three locations:
We’re focused on the latter two! Singapore, specifically, offers a BA in Game Design.
The program covers relevant subjects like:
The DigiPen Institute in Spain offers a BFA in Digital Art and Animation, and a BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation.
Capilano University is located in North Vancouver. They offer a (2-year) diploma program in 3D Animation for Film and Games. The class size is small—if you apply and you’re selected, you’ll be one of only “25 students to study in Western Canada’s most successful and powerfully-equipped computer animation facilities.”
Unlike many universities, Capilano University isn’t just out for your money—in fact, they say their computer animation training would be a waste of your money if you didn’t have some of the following experience:
The full details can be found on the 3D Animation for Film and Games Diploma page.
Max the Mutt College of Animation, Art & Design has both a quirky name and a four-year diploma program in Concept Art. The Concept Art Diploma Program “offers a rigorous, in-depth curriculum based on suggestions and portfolio requirements from major gaming producers and animation companies.”
To make sure you’re up for the program, the college offers an “Artistic Career Training Readiness Quiz”—which, in about 3 minutes, will help you “identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.”
The college is located in Toronto.
The LaSalle College Vancouver offers six programs under the umbrella of Game Design & VFX:
The most applicable diploma program, Game Art & Design, “is designed to prepare graduates for careers as game makers and level designers in the gaming industry.”
VanArts offers a diploma program for Game Art & Design. The program helps you “focus your craft in creating concept art and assets for the film, gaming and television industries, with an equal emphasis on art development for mobile gaming and 3D console games.”
So it has something for everyone, no matter where in the industry you’d like to eventually find work.
Also, VanArts has partnerships with other schools around the world. These partnerships allow you to get an undergraduate degree in as little as one year after you get your diploma from VanArts.
U-tad is located in Madrid, Spain.
This university offers two relevant masters programs:
U-tad is part of the PlayStation First program, which means you can develop projects on Sony platforms (if you want!). You’ll study everything from the narrative, to mechanics, to level design.
The connection between U-tad and Pyro mobile means “you will learn alongside a video game studio and experience what it is like to work at this type of company.”
The Media Design School “is New Zealand’s most awarded tertiary institution for creative and digital technology qualifications.” The school offers programs in art, 3D animation and visual effects, programming, motion graphics, and more.
As far as games-centric courses and programs, they have:
While the primary location in New Zealand, the Media Design School has locations in Australia, Thailand, the US, and more.
The LISAA school calls Paris home (oui, c’est vrai—Paris est hyper-cool, non?). The Animation and Video Games school has programs that “train specialists in 2-D/3-D animation, video games, and visual effects.”
They have a variety of three-year bachelor programs:
They also have Masters programs teaching creative director skills and production skills.
You’ll learn the technical skills and the “sense of strategy” needed to succeed as a video game designer.
The Academy of Interactive Entertainment has two campuses in the US (Seattle and Lafayette), but four campuses in Australia (Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney).
The Academy of Interactive Entertainment “is a specialist games and film educator established by industry with alumni in studios around the world.”
They offer four primary program tracks:
Their Digital Design & Production program is a two-year course. At the end of the course, you’ll graduate with “an extensive portfolio with several games [you] have designed and produced, mechanical prototypes, large amounts of documented design ideas expressed in visual and written form.”
The Noroff School is a vocational school based in Norway. This college offers the 3D Game Design program at four campuses:
And they offer online studies as well.
If you’re not sure whether you want to focus on Gaming and Design or Design and Animation, you’re in luck—the first year of both programs is the same at Noroff.
In the program, you’ll learn skills like:
You’ll also learn about the gaming industry itself—from the history of how it started to how it got where it is today.
The Seneca College in Toronto offers an Art and Animation Certificate Program. The program covers a range of creation, programming, and art skills:
You’ll develop proficiencies with industry software—Zbrush, Unreal Engine, and 3D Studio Max to name a few.
In order to apply for the program, you must meet the eligibility requirements. This includes a degree or diploma from an accredited school in a creative field (like animation, photography, fine art, graphic design, etc.). They’ll also consider you if you have relevant work experience or postsecondary education. There are portfolio requirements as well—all of this is provided in greater detail on the Art and Animation program page.
CDI College offers a Game Development and Design program at two of their locations (at least)—Ontario and Alberta.
The program focuses on “storytelling, design, game-play, modeling, and animation techniques.”
Courses in this program include:
And a lot more. At the end of the program, you’ll have an “industry-standard portfolio” to showcase on your hunt for a job.
The Autograf school is the self-proclaimed “school for future creators,” and is based in Paris, France.
The Autograf school offers several bachelors programs relating to Art and 3D—programs like:
The school also offers a 2-year masters program in Video Game Design. This program “requires a 25-week obligatory internship in a professional environment.” It also covers topics like:
No, of course not. However, earning a degree from one of these game development colleges will help you take that next step more than most other schools with game design programs. But in the end, your success will come down to your effort, attitude, and focus.
No worries, start learning game engines like Unreal and Unity while saving up for school. Presenting a strong portfolio of your work can sometimes help you more than a game design degree.
The good ones are a great resource but beware of the many ineffective ones. Look for development programs that offer hands-on experience and hold their students accountable. A game design degree doesn’t mean much if you haven’t actually learned anything.
To be a developer, you need to want to be a gaming designer! The first step comes from you, and your creative motivation to design games. As long as you love to create, and have an interest in gaming, you can build the skills to become a designer.
After establishing your interest, you can begin to build skills in programming, visual design, and drawing, awareness of the various gaming platforms, as well as communication and presentation skills. Building skills come from practice, a lot of which one would build while attending a college for game design! Learn more about video game designers here.
Choosing the right game design college for you requires taking into consideration many different things. First and foremost, the university should have the program you’re interested in! If you want to be a designer, a college without a computer engineering or programming major may not be right for you.
You can also consider how far away from home, the size of the college, and what kind of extracurricular activities you want to do. All of this can be learned with a little research, as well as by taking time to visit the colleges you’re applying to.
Getting the most of your education at the gaming school you’ve chosen is up to you. You have to put in the effort! Colleges about gaining an education, so make sure you go to class and are attentive in each of your classes so you can learn as much as you can in your (approximately) 4 years at college.
Take good notes! Schools for game development are about more than just going to class! You can get a lot out of your college education by participating in extracurricular activities – for example, you can take a computer programming class and also help out a club on campus by creating graphic designs for them. You can make connections with other gaming development students while at school by joining clubs!
You can research professors in a few ways. One easy way is simply Googling them! If you learn the names of the faculty that run the design department, a quick Google search will tell you where they have worked in the past, their specific responsibilities at the university, and some of the research they’ve done.
Rate My Professors is also an excellent option, as this website includes testimonials from students who have had that professor before!
If you’re able to contact current gaming school students, they’ll be a wealth of knowledge on professors at their university. Lastly, you can learn about professors by visiting and meeting with them, or sitting in on their classes. Many professors are happy to chats with incoming students, so you can get a better idea of what life is like in that major and at that college!
College scholarships are everywhere! If you’re applying while still in high school, it’s likely that your guidance counselor’s office will have a lot of resources for scholarships for you. These scholarships are also likely local or just limited to students of your high school – the applicant pool being smaller means higher chances for you!
You can also look into scholarships at the universities you are applying to. Some schools will automatically consider you for scholarships upon applying, while others may require you to write an extra essay or complete an interview. And lastly, the internet! Websites such as fastweb.com and collegescholarships.org are excellent search engines for scholarships, and there are many more great ones out there.
This will depend from college to college, and is something important for you to research before deciding to attend a school! Many colleges have computer labs that house computers equipped with the proper software and tools that animation and development students need, and some also provide different ways for students to download programs onto their computers (for free!) that they may use.
This heavily depends upon what kind of program you’re thinking about, and upon the college! For example, some universities offering video game design give their students free Microsoft word but may require students to visit computer labs for different, more expensive programs. If this is an important concern of yours, make sure you talk to those in charge of your major so you know exactly what will be provided to you.
Computer programming classes are definitely recommended for a career in video game design. In order to understand what you can do, and what is physically possible in the realm of game creation, it’s important that you have a basic understanding of programming and computers in general.
You may not have to program an entire video game on your own, but you should understand how they work and how they interact with computers and gaming systems to understand your field, and what you’re asking of programmers!
The official rankings for 2019 have been calculated based on the performance of students work submitted to our industry panel. Full details can be found further down the page about how we calculate and rank schools.
| Rank | School | Location | Score |
| 1 | Think Tank Training Centre | Vancouver, Canada | 94.325 |
| 2 | FutureGames | Stockholm, Sweden | 85.625 |
| 3 | Ringling College of Art and Design | Florida, United States | 76.97 |
| 4 | Breda University of Applied Sciences | Breda, Netherlands | 71.41 |
| 5 | Howest – Digital Arts and Entertainment | Kortrijk, Belgium | 69.58 |
| 6 | 3dsense Media School | Singapore | 67.49 |
| 7 | The Game Assembly | Malmo, Sweden | 65.12 |
| 8 | University of Hertfordshire | Hertfordshire, United Kingdom | 61.115 |
| 9 | Gnomon | Los Angeles, United States | 61.07 |
| 10 | The One Academy | Malaysia, Malaysia | 60.1 |
Congratulate the Best Game Design Schools with a share of support.
Data is based on the quality and performance of student work that is submitted to our judging panel for the Rookie Awards. This year the data pool included:
| 3,548 Entrants | 500 Schools |
| 89 Countries | 38,838 Media Uploads |
We feel that traditional school rankings – that include peer and employer reviews, faculty-to-student ratio, citations and other data – are not adequate when ranking the best creative schools. This might work in industries with more traditional career paths, however, when it comes to technical and creative roles, such as Visual Effects, Feature Animation and Games, it’s a lot more complicated.
Each entrant is reviewed by members of the official Judging Panel which includes over 120 highly influential and respected industry veterans. The Judges were asked to score entries based on criteria including — creative skills, technical skills, presentation, variety of skills, complexity, raw talent, and employment potential.
Based on the results of student submissions we received this year we have released the following in-depth breakdowns about the best schools.
Each school is awarded a final score based on the performance of each student representing their academic facility.
When analysing the average scores of each student per school there are three possible data formulas available to use: mean, median and mode.
The Rookies uses median. The median is the middle point of a number set, in which half the numbers are above the median and half are below. A median is intrinsically understandable. It is the middle number when the values are put in order.
Interested in finding out more about this top ranking schools? Follow the links to find out more about what makes them stand out from the crowd. Learn more about the courses they offer, their facilities, faculty members and more.
Founded in 2005 in Vancouver BC, Think Tank Training Centre specializes in the latest software, techniques and technologies used by 3D artists working in the film, television and video game industries. In 2018 we ranked #1 in Canada (#4 worldwide) for Game Development, and #2 in Canada (#3 worldwide) for Visual Effects, and have consistently placed in the top four in previous years. Think Tank’s campus is an inspirational place of learning, delivering a one-of-a-kind mentorship program which gives our students the edge as they transition into fully-fledged working professionals.
Futuregames is a successful private game development school in Stockholm, Sweden. We are centrally located in the trendy and unique Södermalm district with our school at medborgarplatsen – the heart of Swedish games development cluster. Futuregames programs are 2-3 year Swedish higher vocational education mostly funded by the Swedish government. There are today 4 different programs within Futuregames: game design, 3D-graphics, 2D-graphics and game programming. The school offer 120 yearly seats within these 4 programs and all students mostly work in multiple parallel projects together with leading game studios until ending their education with a 30 week long internship.
Since 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit, fully-accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in thirteen disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College’s rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive, program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers.
1 to 1 coaching by industry veterans of AAA industry. Latest technology from Sony, Nintendo & Microsoft. Features all relevant game development skills for a practical multidisciplinary education. Partnering with leading game companies around the world. International classroom, completely English-taught, 25% of students and 80% of staff is international. A tradition of winning game awards over the past year (Unity Awards, GGJ, Sumo Digital, Brains Eden, Microsoft, Dutch Game Awards). Top rated in Dutch higher education. The best and motivated talents are selected to start (180 students per year). Officially accredited degree by the Ministry of Education, students enter the program in one of three study paths: Visual Art, Programming or Design & Production.
Digital Arts & Entertainment (DAE) is a state-of-the-art, yet accessible, English-taught Bachelor’s degree. Fully accredited, 3 years, amounting to 180 ECTS credits. DAE is taught at Howest, a modern and unconventional university of applied sciences, situated in a small but beautiful historic city in Flanders, Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe. At DAE you can choose between 4 study majors: Game Development, Game Graphics Production, Independent Game Production or 3D Production & VFX. It is an industry-approved and award-winning curriculum, with alumni in leading companies and studios all over the world, such as Blizzard, Bungie, Ubisoft, DICE, Rocksteady, Guerrilla Games, Larian, Unity, Studio Gobo, Sumo Digital, ILM, MPC, DNeg and many more.
3dsense Media School is a pioneering digital arts school in Asia, preparing students for careers in the media and entertainment industry for over 13 years. Dedicated to providing a real-world education, 3dsense aims to mold the next generation of elite digital artists and designers for the global industry. Some of the properties her alumni have worked on include Interstellar, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Avengers, The Hunger Games series, Assassin’s Creed, Game of Thrones and many more. 3dsense was recently ranked top 20 in the world and 1st in Asia in the CG Student Awards 2015, School of the Year category.Besides education, the school also plays a major role in fostering a vibrant arts & design industry through its events and masterclasses.
The Game Assembly is a Higher Vocational Education situated in Malmö, Sweden, and we have educated 7% of the Swedish games industry.We educate game artists, game programmers, level designers, game animators and technical artists. 50% of their education is individual development where the students dive into their handicraft and 50% is focused in how to make games together. We are strong believers in the group effort to get the best result – a fun to play game.The Game Art program at The Game Assembly focuses mainly on creating 3D game models. Within game art there are plenty of opportunities during the game projects to appeal to a wide audience, whether you like drawing concept art, modeling 3D models, animating characters, etc.
The University of Hertfordshire is an innovative and enterprising university, challenging individuals and organisations to excel.We are the UK’s leading business-facing university. The University of Hertfordshire is an ambitious and entrepreneurial university with an international vision, putting students at the heart of what we do.Industry focused courses, state-of-the-art learning facilities, a new £38m entertainment venue and opportunities to study, take a years internship or work aboard are just some of the great aspects of what we have to offer.
Since 1997, Gnomon has been educating many of the world’s best digital artists. The school in Hollywood, California, offers a variety of educational options to help students reach their goals in the entertainment industry, with a BFA degree in Digital Production, full-time vocational programs, specialised courses for high school students, and over 100 individual courses for professional enrichment. The founders launched Gnomon in 1997 with the support of the entertainment industry to help meet the demand for well-trained creative talent in the growing field of digital entertainment.
For over 25 years of creative education excellence, The One Academy has been renowned as one of the best art and design colleges in Asia with over 2,500 existing students in two of our main campuses. We are committed to our role as a world-class education provider by nurturing creative pioneers who can brace and surpass international standards.To achieve this, we provide comprehensive courses, for instance, Film Visual Effects and Digital Animation with Game Development, in collaboration with industry masters such as Andrew Gordon, Pixar animation director, Eduardo Pena, concept artist of The Hobbit trilogies, and also Ubisoft, to name a few.