Top Game Design & Development Programs in Washington State

If you’re wondering why some schools are at the top and others are not, you’re not alone. A top school has several things in common, and according to some, these things are what make it great. The nation’s top schools have been reviewed and assessed by student groups, alums, various education groups, bloggers, and others based on a dozen or so factors. Just a few include cost, convenience, job placement services, quality of facilities, class size, number and type of student organizations, intramural sports, and access to recreational opportunities and cultural activities. Some groups may also consider Greek life, faculty credentials, and more.

Many of the nation’s top schools are also on the list of best schools, but for different reasons. Respected organizations such as Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, and Forbes are behind these lists, and they consider factors such as number of program offerings, graduation and retention rates, peer assessment, faculty resources (student-teacher ratio), financial resources, and student selectivity.

In Washington State, several schools offer top-tier programs for aspiring game designers & developers. They are located in major cities such as Seattle, and even in small towns like Redmond. Continue reading to learn more about Washington State’s top game design & development schools and what they have to offer. Please note that the game design & development schools listed below are in order by largest to smallest student population.

Top Game Design & Development School Programs Washington State

Redmond
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Student Population: 871
Backdrop: Suburban, 2-acre campus, easy access to Seattle
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Digital Art; B.A. Game Design; B.S. Game Design; B.S. Real-Time Interactive Simulation; B.S. Computer Engineering; M.S. Computer Science

Seattle
Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE)
Student Population: 100+
Backdrop: Urban, located at the 74-acre Seattle Center
Degrees Offered: B.S. Digital Entertainment and Virtual Worlds (BSDEV); Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media Specializing in 3D Animation and Visual FX; Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development Specializing in Art; Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development Specializing in Software Development

Top Game Design & Development School Programs Washington State – Other Options

Seattle
Art Institute of Seattle
Student Population: 2,300
Backdrop: Urban, less than 1 acre
Degrees Offered: B.F.A. Media Arts & Animation; B.F.A. Game Art & Design; B.F.A. Graphic Design; B.S. Web Design & Interactive Media; B.F.A. Digital Filmmaking & Video Production; A.A.A. Graphic Design; A.A.A. Video Production; A.A.A. Web Design & Interactive Media; Diploma Web Design & Interactive Communications; Diploma Digital Design

Sources

Peterson’s, www.petersons.com
Princeton Review, www.princetonreview.com
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings, www.usnews.com/rankings