Friday, March 29, 2024

20 Best Game Design Schools to Bring Your Ideas to Life [2024]

Get your game face on!

You’ve invested thousands of hours roleplaying characters, worldbuilding, or exploring different storylines, so why not enroll in the best video game design schools to pursue it as a career? 😄

Many colleges now offer programs for aspiring game designers and developers to create the next adrenaline-pumping online multiplayer battle to buzzworthy mobile games. 

If this is a skill you want to level up into a profession, explore the top 20 best game design schools in the USA — four-year degrees, certificates, and online programs for every budget! 💰

Best Four-Year Game Design Colleges

Master game design with these top-rated bachelor’s programs, perfect for building a solid foundation and impressing employers in the dynamic gaming industry.

1.  University of Southern California (USC)

The University of Southern California is one of the best game design schools you can attend, with award-winning professors who are also the minds behind popular titles like World of Warcraft and Call of Duty. 🪖

First-year students can choose from three tracks: Game Art, Game Development and Interactive Design, and Themed Entertainment.

Four master’s degree programs related to game design are also available for those willing to go the extra mile: MA Cinematic Arts, MS Game Design and Development, MFA Interactive Media, and MFA Interactive Media (Games and Health). 🛣️ 

💰 Cost of attendance: $90,921 (on/off campus)
📈 Acceptance rate: 13 percent
📍 Location: Los Angeles, California

2. New York University (NYU)

NYU is included among the cream of the crop when it comes to the best game design schools in the US. Here, the Tisch School of the Arts program houses the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design.

Complete foundational courses like Games 101, which dives into history and learning analysis alongside interest subjects. Then, show what you’ve learned via a solo or group project where you’ll have the free rein to make a video game, a research paper, or anything you like. 💯

Still looking for more? NYU also offers a Master of Fine Arts degree in Game Design that you can pair with interactive design, screenwriting, or coding. ⌨️

💰 Cost of attendance: $96,172 (on/off campus)
📈 Acceptance rate: 13 percent
📍 Location: New York, New York

3. University of Utah (The U)

Game design may seem like an expensive program, and you’re probably right. However, the University of Utah can help out those with a limited college budget by offering it as a minor first.

You can also go all in with a major like BS in Games to land careers in the industry or related fields, such as simulation. Meanwhile, a BS in Computer Science is best for those interested in mixing entertainment arts and engineering. 🥳

Becoming an expert in the field is possible in The U through the Master of Entertainment Arts and Engineering program with five tracks to choose from: Game Arts, Game Design, Game Engineering, Game Production, or Technical Art. 🎮

💰 Cost of attendance: $32,000 (resident, on-campus)
📈 Acceptance rate: 95 percent
📍 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

4. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)

A male game design college student focuses on his computer while programming a game
Elevate your game design skills with programming know-how from one of the best video game development schools. Photo: Freepik

Did you know that aside from engineering and computing, Georgia Tech also offers game design? ⚙️ Although, the program falls under an indirect name called Bachelor of Science in Computational Media – Media-Games.

Coding isn’t always a requirement to be a game designer, but it’s a handy skill to have. So, you’ll find yourself pairing game design and media courses with topics like object-oriented programming and data structures in this STEM-focused school. 💽

💰 Cost of attendance: $28,584 (resident, on-campus)
📈 Acceptance rate: 16 percent
📍 Location: Atlanta, Georgia

5. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

Let’s skip straight to the endgame: RIT graduates fresh out of a Bachelor of Science degree in Game Design and Development report a median salary of $76,000! 😲

The program combines computing fundamentals and game design specializations, such as engines, graphics, audio, and narrative. 

The school’s co-op and internships can elevate your entire academic experience. Plus, a Master of Science Degree in Game Design and Development is a step in the right direction if you want to continue honing your skills. 🙂

💰 Cost of attendance: $75,390
📈 Acceptance rate: 71 percent
📍 Location: Rochester, New York

6. University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz)

Game design is both a creative and technical pursuit, which is why UC Santa Cruz offers studies in this field under two corresponding undergraduate majors students can choose from. 

Whether you want to mod open-world games or create entirely new ones using math, take your pick between two majors offered: BA in Art & Design: Games + Playable Media and BS in Computer Science: Computer Game Design. 🔢

Plus, there are two graduate degree programs in game design with dedicated job placements: Masters of Science in Games and Playable Media and Masters of Science in Serious Games. 😉

💰 Cost of attendance: $41,283 (resident, on-campus)
📈 Acceptance rate: 59 percent
📍 Location: Santa Cruz, California

7. Cornell University

Four college students studying game design test prototypes in their university game lounge
One key element in a best game design school is up-to-date facilities, like a gaming lounge. Photo: Freepik

Did you know that this Ivy League was one of the first schools in the US to offer a game design program, starting in 2001? 

Through the Game Design Initiative at Cornell (GDIAC), students can take a game design minor that emphasizes project-based learning on design and implementation. 👏

Aside from the GDIAC, Cornell also created a dedicated lounge with the latest tech for gamers, like gaming PCs and seating areas for watch parties! 🥳

💰 Cost of attendance: $66,834 (State Contract Colleges: NY State Residents)
📈 Acceptance rate: 9 percent
📍 Location: Ithaca, New York

8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Some games do just fine to fan away your boredom, and then there are games that take your breath away. If you want to create the latter, MIT is an ideal training ground to bring such games to life. 😄

Head over to the MIT Game Lab to mix and match disciplines for building games, as the school doesn’t offer a dedicated major in game design yet. 

For example, aspiring game designers can take comparative media studies, and budding programmers have the computer science option. 🧑‍💻

💰 Cost of attendance: $82,730 (on-campus)
📈 Acceptance rate: 4 percent
📍 Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

9. Stanford University

Gaining a competitive edge in the tech and game design fields can be easier when you’re studying in a school close to Silicon Valley: Stanford University. 🏫

Students have different options to upskill in game design, typically under a computer science major. Here, you can build your own interactive games with the help of game design and development courses like CS 146.

What’s more, you can use artificial intelligence to make games that solve real-life issues and take advantage of resources from the Game Design Thinking research group. 🤔

💰 Cost of attendance: $82,406
📈 Acceptance rate: 4 percent
📍 Location: Stanford, California

10. University of California, Irvine (UCI)

UCI is a boss at bagging trophies. 🏆 The US News 2023 rankings awarded it the 10th-best college for game design and the seventh for game or simulation development.

A BS in Game Design and Interactive Media takes you on an adventure learning things like worldbuilding using AR/VR, tabletop, and mobile platforms. 

This program keeps you busy with its hands-on courses and a final (capstone) project. Plus, you get close access to UCI’s partnered household name companies: Riot, Disney, and Cartoon Network. 😲

💰 Cost of attendance: $40,202 (resident, on-campus)
📈 Acceptance rate: 29 percent
📍 Location: Irvine, California

Best Game Design Certificate Programs

A four-year degree isn’t the only option available — many public and private colleges also offer certificate programs in game design that typically take just one to two years to complete. 

11. University of Washington-Seattle (UW) 

The University of Washington’s game design certificate program is perfect for 9-to-5 workers looking to boost their expertise or change careers. Why? Because it’s an evening class that’s 100 percent online and can be completed in eight months. 👍

All you need is at least two years of college experience or a related professional background that shows your ability to do college-level work. Plus, make sure your gadgets are up-to-date and paired with a speedy internet connection. 🛜

💰 Cost of attendance: $4,767 
📍 Location: Seattle, Washington

12. Northeastern University 

An Asian male college student focuses on playing a mobile game at night after studying
The best video game development schools teach you the building blocks of a buzzworthy and top-rated game. Photo: Lifestylememory/Freepik

Working full-time while learning the intricacies of game design can feel like a boss-level challenge. 😅 Thankfully, Northeastern University’s game design graduate certificate program is fast-paced and customizable — making it a good choice for busy bees with limited time. 

Grasp the main points of design and programming using examples from board games to mobile. To secure your spot in the program, complete your online application made of a statement of purpose, resume, and unofficial undergraduate transcript. 📃

💰 Cost of attendance: $21,700 
📍 Location: Boston, Massachusetts

13. American University 

A male student taking an online game design class checks his game prototype at home with his VR gear and console
While an online game design class may have a cheaper cost of attendance, it’s typically best for students who already have the right gear and gadgets at home. Photo: DCStudio/Freepik

So, you’ve graduated with a degree unrelated to game design but still can’t stop thinking about pursuing it as a career? Check out American University’s 15-credit game design graduate certificate program that you can complete within one year. 📅

Prerequisites include at least a 3.0 GPA from your undergraduate degree or more than five years of full-time professional working experience. 💪

💰 Cost of attendance: $1,922 per credit hour
📍 Location: Washington, D.C.

14. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)

Unlike most game design schools, CalArts offers a five-course program via the online platform Coursera. 🧑‍💻 You’ll learn about game creation fundamentals, story development, and world and character designs that will culminate in a capstone project. 

The lessons are perfect for beginners who want to avoid a hefty financial commitment (Coursera offers a free seven-day trial) since a small fee can lead to a certificate. And if you’re a fast learner, you won’t have to keep paying the monthly costs. 😉

💰 Cost of attendance: $49 per month 
📍 Location: Santa Clarita, California

15. University of Michigan-Dearborn

A female brunette freshman takes a game design class online
When learning from the best video game design schools online, don’t forget to squeeze in some exercises to combat the effects of sitting on your chair for hours on end. Photo: Freepik

Diehard Call of Duty fans can follow the footsteps of Austin Krauss (one of the game’s engineers) with a game design certificate program from his alma mater — the University of Michigan-Dearborn. 

Complete this course online, on-campus, or on a hybrid arrangement. But the catch is you must graduate from a computer science or computer engineering program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

💰 Cost of attendance: $832 to $1,336 ($200 registration assessment plus the per credit hour assessment for the non-resident in the online program)
📍 Location: Dearborn, Michigan

Top Game Design Schools for Online Learning

Since you’re facing a screen almost 100 percent of the time for this program, why not attend an online game design school to help lower college costs? 😉

16. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

SCAD students can work on a bachelor’s degree in interactive design and game development on-campus, but a 180-hour online version is also available via the school’s dedicated digital platform called SCADNow. 🖱️

Need to double-check your game prototype? SCAD is equipped with augmented reality and virtual reality labs. Plus, it also helps students land jobs in game studios and digital media companies like Bethesda and Microsoft. 💯

💰 Cost of attendance: $47,658 (living at home)
📈 Acceptance rate: 81 percent

17. Full Sail University

Whether you’re into game animation or prefer game balancing, Full Sail University offers two bachelor’s degree programs you can take both on-campus and online: Interactive Technology with a Game Design Concentration and Game Art. 😎

An anytime application and accelerated pace (120 credit hours in under four years) make these programs ideal for those seeking flexible learning. 💯

💰 Cost of attendance: $67,500 (Bachelor’s Completion Programs — Online)
📈 Acceptance rate: 100 percent

18. Liberty University

Liberty University offers a completely online game design class with eight-week courses (and free e-textbooks). 😲 Through the BS in Information Technology – Gaming Design, get ready to learn programming, graphic design, and animation skills. 🎨

This online program opens you up for internship opportunities, too. And if everything runs smoothly, you can find yourself graduating within three and a half years. 🎓

💰 Cost of attendance: $390 per credit hour
📈 Acceptance rate: 99 percent

19. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

Bringing your created characters and virtual worlds to life with 3D modeling, texturing, and so much more can happen with SNHU’s BA in Game Design. 🧑‍🎨

There are no fixed class meeting times in this 120-credit online degree, so you can access the learning materials anytime — making this a good match for working students. Plus, you get to use industry-standard tools and build a portfolio to help you land a job after graduation. 🎓

💰 Cost of attendance: $39,600 ($330 per credit multiplied by 120 credits)
📈 Acceptance rate: 92 percent

20. Baker College

There’s nothing worse than graduating and realizing your skills are outdated, so Baker College ensures its online BS Game Software Development students get the most updated guidance. They learn everything from A to Z, like testing and designing games with industry-approved tools. ✅

Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect in the program: 120 credit hours, analyzing game design, programming for mobile devices, 150 work hours for experience, and a senior project to load up that portfolio. 📁

💰 Cost of attendance: $52,200 ($435 per credit multiplied by 120 credit hours)
📈 Acceptance rate: 58 percent

Why Go to School for Video Game Design?

An Asian female mentor guides an African-American female game design student on a computer and tablet
Attending one of the best game design schools can fast-track your career because of your access to industry mentors. Photo: DCStudio/Freepik

A college education gives you an edge over other candidates, especially in a niche industry like game design. Going to a game design school means you get to learn directly from professionals in a structured setting, honing your creative and tech skills and making you workplace-ready. 💪

You’ll get to dive into cutting-edge technology like 3D projection caves, cool motion simulators, and immersive research labs. 🤖

Here’s another sweetener: game design schools offer co-op programs and internships where you get hands-on learning opportunities and can rub shoulders with industry professionals. These can be the golden ticket to landing your dream job after graduation. 🎓

Skills Needed to Work as a Game Designer

A Caucasian female game design student draws 3D forms on her tablet while facing the desktop screen
Honing your skills in other disciplines at one of the best game design schools can help give you a well-rounded career in the industry. Photo: Freepik

A game designer is a writer, programmer, and artist all fused into one. 🧠 You must understand what makes a game work and what makes it appealing to players. 

Brush up on your communication skills, especially in storytelling, because captivating narratives and characters form the foundation of a memorable game. 🗣️ 

Technical know-how in coding, 3D animation, and graphics is equally critical so you can clearly convey your ideas to a programmer (or do it yourself). 

Familiarize yourself with software like Adobe Creative Suite, Unreal Engine, Unity, and the other custom software that your project might require. Altogether, these will help create storyboards, work on the game’s backend, and ultimately lead the development process. 👏

Next Steps in Becoming a Game Designer

Building video games worth playing takes up a lot of imagination and years of skill-building. So, how and where do you get started on your game design journey?

A happy and tattooed male college student plays a video game on the console
Aside from attending one of the best game design schools, hone your skills via extracurricular activities related to gaming. Photo: Freepik
  • This goes without saying, but play video games! 😄 Partner this with watching artists and gaming professionals exchange ideas as they do in the Game Developers Conference sessions on YouTube.
  • Join game-making groups. You can find them in your local community or on social media platforms. For example, groups like Indie Game Developers IGD on Facebook and the Discord community Game Dev League can give you access to niche information and allow you to bond with like-minded people. 🤝
  • Participate in game jams: an event where developers and designers create video games from scratch based on a theme. 🎮 Straight As are great, but showing your skills through game projects can help you make a strong portfolio. Check out the annual Global Game Jam to get started! 🌎
  • Complete a college degree in game design. While it’s also possible to learn this skill through free online courses, you’ll speed up your career success with a proper structure and access to industry professionals and tools. If the potential costs scare you, there are always federal aid, scholarships, and grants offered. 👍

Curiosity and a love for learning can be the recipe for creating a groundbreaking video game, especially with the best game design colleges aiding you.

To crush it in this career, remember to pair your talent with hard work. Game on! 🎮

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Game Design Schools

What college has the best game design program?

The college with the best game design program in 2023 is the University of Southern California, according to authoritative ranking sites like Princeton Review. 

Where is the best place to study game design?

What college has the best graduate game design program?

How long does it take to get a degree in game design?

What’s the career and economic outlook for game design?

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