Profiles of Game Design Programs & Schools

Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Fine Arts in 3D Animation, Master of Fine Arts in Game Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design, Associate of Fine Arts in Game Design

Tuition Information :
3D Animation: $3,950 - $5,500 for short-term workshops; $15,000 per semester for Bachelor of Fine Arts program
Game Design: $10,000 - 15,000 per semester

In the southern California county of Riverside sits a 2-year Game Development program like few others, earning considerable attention from industry and universities alike. Norco College’s Game Development department offers an A.S. of Game Art which doesn’t miss a beat, focusing on techniques seldom explored in 2-year programs elsewhere. The high caliber of work produced by students is testament to the program’s emphasis on fundamentals and its close collaboration with industry advisors and working faculty to develop and iterate the curriculum. Though capable of breaking into their careers immediately, many graduates choose to further their studies at premier 4-year institutions.

Wisconsin is home to 84 Title IV degree-granting institutions. To become a Title IV school, an institution must (1) have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, (2) sign a participation agreement with the Department, (3) grant an associate's degree or higher, (4) offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length, and (5) be in business for at least 2 years at the time of application. Once the school has met the requirements established by the U.S. Department of Education, they become eligible for federal financial aid programs.

If you want to find out which schools are the best, look no further than popular college ranking organizations such as Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. These organizations evaluate schools based on quality of the curriculum, faculty, facilities and infrastructure, scholarships, financial aid, and career opportunites. They may also consider number of program offerings, graduation and retention rates, peer assessment, faculty resources (student-teacher ratio), and student selectivity. A number of Wisconsin schools made the cut.