| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts |
| 2 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pennsylvania |
| 3 | New York University | New York |
| 4 | Rochester Institute of Technology | New York |
| 5 | Drexel University | Pennsylvania |
| 6 | Cornell University | New York |
| 7 | University of Maryland | Maryland |
| 8 | University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| 9 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | New York |
| 10 | Northeastern University | Massachusetts |
Our fourth annual Top 10 Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) School Programs on the East Coast.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is home to several centers, departments, and labs that provide programs designed to support AR/VR education, projects, innovation, and research. In addition, MIT’s Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing houses the Center for Computational Science and Engineering (CCSE)—home to the Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) MS and the CSE PhD program. Both provide paths to study AR/VR.
The MS is an interdisciplinary program consisting of a core that covers simulation, numerical analysis, and optimization. Both core and elective courses allow CSE students to study AR/VR. Course examples include Introduction to Modeling and Simulation; Advances in Computer Vision; Machine Learning; Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Engineering Design; Atomistic Modeling & Simulations of Materials & Structures; Modern Control Design; Flight Vehicle Aerodynamics; and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization.
All MIT CSE students have the opportunity to work with faculty within the CCSE and across the Institute. Other program benefits include hands on projects and the Experiential Learning in Computational Science and Engineering course, which allows students to work off-campus in a CSE-related area.
The MIT CSE PhD is provided jointly across eight participating departments. Students in this program have the opportunity to focus in a computation-related field such as AR/VR through coursework and the doctoral thesis.
Also housed in Schwarzman College of Computing is the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). A joint venture between Schwarzman and the School of Engineering, the EECS is provides intensive hands-on coursework; opportunities to engage in independent study or research for academic credit; and AR/VR related programs such as the Computer Science minor (72 units), the Computer Science PhD, and a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering.
Across programs, students have access to all AR/VR related courses as well as opportunities to take up to 24 units of unrestricted electives across departments. The MIT PhD degree is awarded interchangeably with the Doctor of Science (ScD).
All Schwarzman College of Computing students have access to other MIT centers and labs including the Center for Advanced Virtuality, the MIT.nano Immersion Lab, and MIT Media Lab.
The MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality brings together experts, students, and resources in a studio/laboratory environment to support research and creative projects. The Center focuses on innovation across technologies and platforms such as virtuality (XR, VR, AR, MR, etc.), videogames, social media, and others.
The MIT.nano Immersion Lab highlights activities such as developing new software and hardware concepts for immersive experiences, prototyping advanced tools for augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and visualizing data. The Immersion Lab connects engineers and scientists with musicians, artists, and performers through creative projects across multiple disciplines.
The Lab also produces the monthly seminar series IMMERSED, which consists of lectures, demonstrations, and tutorials that explore immersive technology and how it shapes advances across art, science, and engineering.
Founded in 1985, the MIT Media Lab is an interdisciplinary research organization that allows students, faculty, and researchers to work together on hundreds of projects across disciplines such as social robotics, physical and cognitive prostheses, new models and tools for learning, community bioengineering, models for sustainable cities, and more. The Lab also houses the graduate degree program in Media Arts and Sciences (MAS).
For a foundational understanding of AR/VR, students can enroll in a certificate program through MIT’s Professional Development Division—MIT xPRO. In collaboration with online education provider Emeritus, the AR/VR certificate program features courses/topics such as Producing VR and AR Experiences I: Design Overview; Game Development; Evaluating XR Systems; Broader Implications of XR; Producing VR and AR Experiences II: Design Processes; XR Communication and Social Applications; and XR Apps Development. Provide fully online, the MIT AR/VR program takes just eight weeks to complete.
Graduates of the computer science, engineering, and certificate programs at MIT are prepared to pursue leadership roles across the AR/VR, information technology, AI, computer science, and engineering fields. MIT graduates are routinely recruited by companies such as Boeing, the U.S. Air Force, Microsoft, IBM, Apple, the U.S. Navy, Google, Ford Motor Company, Amazon, Tesla, Meta Platforms, Inc., General Motors, and Aurora Flight Sciences.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was incorporated in 1861, just two days before the start of the Civil War. The school serves approximately 11,920 students enrolled in more than 100 programs across six colleges and schools. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The engineering programs at MIT are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is home to the Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII), which houses labs and studios such as the Augmented Design Capability Studio and the Augmented Perception Lab. The school also houses the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) Initiative and others such as the CMU Extended Reality Technology Center (XRTC); the Center for Transformational Play (CTP); and the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC).
Carnegie Mellon is one of just 17 campuses to participate in the SRC Undergraduate Research Opportunities (SRC-URO) program, funded by the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC). The focus of this $27.5 million initiative is to build more intelligence into computer networks. Areas include interactive mixed reality, smart and connected communities, and enhanced situational awareness.
Students in the School of Computer Science, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tepper School of Business, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Engineering, The Robotics Institute, and the Software Engineering Institute benefit from access programs, workshops, courses, and research opportunities provided through the HCII and the SRC Initiative.
For students interested in studying AR/VR, the colleges, schools, and institutes listed above provide degree programs at all levels. Examples include the BS in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI); a BS in Artificial Intelligence (AI); the MS in Robotics Systems Development (MRSD); a professional Master of HCI (MHCI); and an HCI PhD.
The HCI BS allows students to study AR/VR through required coursework, HCI electives, and free electives. Course examples include Gadgets, Sensors and Activity Recognition in HCI; Design of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Products and Services; Statistical Graphics and Visualization; Prototyping Algorithmic Experiences; Digital Service Design; Software Structures for User Interfaces; Learning Media Design; Advanced Interaction Design; Human AI Interaction; and Computer Game Programming.
The School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University launched the BS in Artificial Intelligence in 2018. This was the nation’s very first bachelor’s degree in AI. This program can be taken as a second major, and a minor is also available. Course examples include Vision Sensors; Foundations of Learning, Game Theory and Their Connections; Visual Cognition; Deep Reinforcement Learning and Control; Computer Vision; Mobile Robot Programming Laboratory; Human Information Processing and AI; Designing Human-Centered Software; Human-AI Interaction; and Deep Learning Systems: Algorithms and Implementation.
The professional Master of HCI (MHCI) at Carnegie Mellon is a three-semester, full calendar year program that launched in the mid-90s. This STEM-designated program consists of required courses such as Advanced Interaction Design; Programming Usable Interfaces (PUI); and Software Structures for User Interfaces (SSUI). Interdisciplinary electives allow students to take courses from any of the colleges, institutes, and schools listed earlier. Many students use this opportunity to customize a concentration area.
Examples of past elective options include Gadgets, Sensors & Activity Recognition in HCI; Tangible Interactive Design Studio; Cognitive Modeling for HCI; Robotics; Interactive Art and Computational Design; Human Factors; Methodology of Visualization; and Graduate Design Studio. The program culminates with the HCI Project I-II courses.
The Robotics Systems Development MS program consists of hands-on laboratory projects and a mandatory 12-week internship. The curriculum explores areas such as production, robotics development, prototyping, and technology planning. Course examples include Gadgets, Sensors and Activity Recognition in HCI; Soft Robotics: Mechanics, Design and Modeling; Human Robot Interaction; Learning for 3D Vision; Mechatronic Design; Visual Learning and 3D Vision; Applied Machine Learning; Mobile and Pervasive Computing; and Computer Graphics.
The HCI PhD has features emphasis areas such as Learning Sciences and Learning Technologies; Games and Play (VT Games, Game Streaming); and Human-AI Interaction. Students will have the opportunity to conduct research in their chosen area. Past examples include AI-Infused Mixed Reality; Digital Learning Games; and Machine Learning.
Students at all degree levels in the School of Computer Science may add the HCI concentration. Interdisciplinary minors are also available and include HCI, AI, and Machine Learning.
Carnegie Mellon University has a variety of intercollege degree programs (BXA) that are suitable for students who would like to study AR/VR. Examples include the Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA), jointly offered by the College of Fine Arts and Mellon College of Science; the Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA), developed by the College of Fine Arts and the School of Computer Science; and the Bachelor of Engineering Studies and Arts (BESA), sponsored by the College of Fine Arts and the College of Engineering.
Across all BXA programs, students have access to a variety of AR-VR related courses. Examples include Reality Computing Studio I-II; Embedded Systems; Hands: Design and Control for Dexterous Manipulation; Human Robot Interaction; IDeAte: Art of Robotic Special Effects; Programming Usable Interfaces; Mechanics of Manipulation; IDeAte: Making Things Interactive; Advanced ETB: Experimental Game Design; Interaction Design Studio; Human Computer Interaction and User Experience; Advanced Computer Vision Apps; and Mobile Robot Algorithms Laboratory.
Graduates of the HCI, BXA, and Computer Science programs at CMU are prepared to pursue AR/VR and other traditional, new, or emerging areas of technology. Alumni have been hired at places such as NVIDIA, Adobe, Samsung, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Riot Games, Apple, Google, Amazon, Pixar, Cartoon Network, and Meta Platforms, Inc.
Carnegie Mellon University was founded in 1900 by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The school opened as Carnegie Technical Schools. Today, CMU serves more than 14,500 students from 100+ countries with access to over 200 programs across seven colleges and schools. This private, global research university also has more than a dozen degree-granting locations, along with 20+ research partnerships in Silicon Valley, Australia, Africa, and Qatar. Carnegie Mellon University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
New York University is home to Tandon School of Engineering. This Polytechnic Institute houses the research-intensive Integrated Design and Media (IDM) program, which provides several paths to study AR/VR. Options include the IDM BS and MS; an IDM minor; the Accelerated BS/MS program; and professional certificates in AR/VR Development and 3D Graphics, and Designing New Interactions: Non-Visual Interfaces and AR/VR UX Design in Unity.
For programs leading to a degree, features direction by instructors who are engaged in projects ranging from developing novel uses of virtual/augmented reality for health and wellness to using motion capture technology to reimagine theatrical performance; internship opportunities with companies such as Google, Sony Music, and Apple; and study abroad experiences at NYU Shanghai.
Students in all programs, including NYU certificates, may participate in the Future Reality Lab and NYC Media Lab. In the Future Reality Lab, students will collaborate in the manipulation of objects (real and virtual), in a shared mixed reality. The NYC Media Lab is a consortium colleges and universities including NYU, Pratt Institute, Columbia University, School of Visual Arts, The New School, CUNY, and Manhattan College. This lab focuses on media innovation, with benefits such as roundtable events with partner companies; participation in prototyping projects; and advanced faculty research in AR/VR/XR, virtual production, and other areas of experiential technology and media.
NYC Media Lab partners include Viacom, The New York Times, Verizon, A+E Networks, NBCUniversal, Universal Music Group, AMC Networks, Bloomberg LP, Audible, Shutterstock, Associated Press, Hearst Corporation, Publicis Groupe, Bertelsmann SE & Co., Spectrum, and Havas Global Communications.
The IDM BS program at NYU consists of media studies courses taken in the Department of Media, Culture, and Communication (MCC); the Tandon Engineering core; and additional courses in humanities, science, math, and social sciences. The coursework focuses on the four areas of Narrative, Image, Interactivity, and Sound, combined with upper-level electives ranging from augmented reality and motion capture to user experience design. Course examples include 3D for Interactive Applications; Programming; Interactive Narrative; Creative Coding; and Contemporary Techniques in Sound Art.
NYU’s IDM MS program consists of research areas such as Augmented Reality, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Real-Time Performance, Assistive Technology, and User Experience. Students in this program have the opportunity to participate in research initiatives through partnerships with the NYC Media Lab; the Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP); New York-based institutions; and other programs and schools at NYU. Examples include The NYU Mobile Augmented Reality Lab and the ABILITY Project (est. 2008).
The AR/VR Development and 3D Graphics certificate at NYU is a seven-month program that teaches students how to develop XR experiences within Unity. Areas explored include virtual environments, XR applications, C# programming, game engine development, 3D graphics, and mathematical foundations. Upon completion of the program, graduates will have the skills required to pursue roles at companies such as Verizon, Apple, and Google.
Students in the Designing New Interactions: Non-Visual Interfaces and AR/VR UX Design in Unity certificate program will learn to design immersive experiences using the latest industry tools such as Adobe XD, Unity, and Reaper. This seven-week program is hands-on and it explores all areas of XR (augmented, virtual, and mixed reality). Course examples include Haptics; Interactive and Spatial Studio; Production, Refinement, and Tuning; Audio User Experience; and Setting the Stage: World Building. Students will have opportunities to research through case studies by Apple, Google, and Amazon. This certificate option culminates with a capstone project, presented during the final week of the program.
Graduates of all NYU certificate and IDM programs are prepared to pursue intermediate to advanced roles at major companies, studios, and organizations. Alumni and students have worked at places such as Major League Gaming, Apple, LG Electronics, Google, the New York Stock Exchange, Sony Music Entertainment, Wunderman/Y&R Advertising, Facebook, American Express, HTC China, ABC Network, Verizon, EMI Music, Instagram, Simon & Schuster, and Etsy.
Founded in 1831, New York University serves approximately 61,950 students, making it one of the largest private research universities in the U.S. The school also employs more than 19,000 people, making it one of New York’s largest employers. NYU provides an estimated 400+ programs across degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. NYU also operates 13 global academic centers and research programs in more than 25 countries. New York University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) was the first university to offer an undergraduate degree in software engineering and the school delivered its first fully online program years before any other post-secondary institution entered the online arena. In 2008, RIT launched the world’s very first doctoral program focusing on sustainable production systems. Rochester Institute of Technology is also among a small, but growing, number of schools to provide program options related to AR/VR, and labs to support them. This includes the AR/VR Lab and Frameless Labs.
Located at the RIT MAGIC Center, the AR/VR Lab is designed for the exploration and experimentation of AR/VR platforms, hardware, and technologies. Also located at the MAGIC Center, Frameless Labs provides a space for the extended reality (XR) community to collaborate. The goal is to raise awareness about artistic creation, research, and innovation in the fields of AR and VR.
Current projects include Mixed Reality Theatre (funded by Epic Games); Historical NY Stories in Virtual and Augmented Reality; Visualization of Cybersecurity Competitions; Development and Assessment of Virtual Reality Paradigms for Gaze Contingent Visual Rehabilitation; Color and Material Appearance in AR; Digital Preservation and Reconstruction of Aural Heritage; the VR Cary Collection; and Neural Networks for Robust Eye Tracking in Real World and Virtual Environments.
Frameless Labs also developed an interdisciplinary class known as Collaborative Composite Image. This experience brings together students from the 3D Digital Graphics and Photography programs. Students participate in an augmented reality assignment using mobile devices with a course app powered by the augment reality platform Aurasma to view student animations of ten paintings from the permanent collection of the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) at University of Rochester.
The Golisano College for Computing and Information at RIT houses the School of Interactive Games and Media, and the Department of Computing and Information Sciences. Within the School of Interactive Games and Media is a New Media Interactive Development BS program that focuses on adapting digital technologies for AR/VR, wearable devices, touch interfaces, the internet, social software, and other new and emerging systems.
BS program features include opportunities to collaborate with students in RITs New Media Design major; the New Media Interactive Development Capstone (I-II), which provides the opportunity to work on a project for a corporate client; more than 20 advanced electives to enhance the degree or create a focus area; and required participation in two blocks of cooperative education (co-op). Co-ops are full-time, paid career experiences working in the industry.
The Department of Computing and Information Sciences in the Golisano College houses the Computing and Information Sciences PhD, which explores interactions between computing and non-computing disciplines in the arts, engineering, science, humanities, business, and medicine; infrastructure; informatics; and interaction. The program brings together faculty from disciplines across Computer Science; Cybersecurity; the School of Information; the School of Interactive Games and Media; and Software Engineering.
The Computing and Information Sciences PhD allows students to select a research area or create their own. Examples include Human-Computer Interaction (HCI); Game Design; AI and Machine Learning; Programming Languages; Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition; and Graphics and Visualization.
Graduates of the New Media Interactive Development BS and Computing and Information Sciences PhD programs at Rochester Institute of Technology are prepared to pursue advanced roles in industries from entertainment to aerospace. Potential job titles include AR/VR Developer, Technical Lead, Interactive Developer, UX Engineer, Game Developer, Digital Technician, and Application Developer.
Rochester Institute of Technology was founded in 1829 as the Rochester Athenaeum. With global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, this research university serves more than 20,000 students, making it one of the largest private universities in the U.S. RIT provides over 200 academic programs across 10 colleges and institutes, and the School of Individualized Study. Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University is one of the top colleges at Drexel University. Within the college is a Digital Media and Virtual Production BS program. This is one of the first accredited programs of its kind. The Westphal College also has a Virtual Reality (VR) and Immersive Media minor that focuses on the principles and techniques used in AR/VR design and other types of immersive media. Consisting of 24 credit hours, areas explored include 3D computer graphics, animation & VFX, game development, interactivity, cinematography, digital camera and digital processing techniques, and animation for gaming.
Course examples for the program include Digital Tools for Immersive Media; Realtime Visualization; Special Topics in Immersive Media; Immersive Production Lab I-II; Game Development Foundations; Digital Imaging for Immersive Media; Computer Graphics Imagery I-II; and Independent Study in Immersive Media.
Students in programs such as Animation and Visual Effects, Computer Science, and User Experience Design may select the VR and Immersive Media minor as an add-on to enhance their degree program.
Officially launched in 2018 as the Virtual Reality and Immersive Media (VRIM) program, the Digital Media and Virtual Production BS program provides the opportunity to master the latest hardware and software for AR/VR and other growing technologies utilized in the immersive media industry. The program also explores virtual production, interactive game engines, storytelling, 3D modeling, design, and animation.
Course examples include Virtual Reality; History of Immersive Media; Augmented Reality; Digital Tools for Immersive Media; Computer Programming; Computer Graphics Imagery; 3D Modeling, Texturing and Lighting; Immersive Production Lab I-II; Visual Effects; Realtime Visualization; Interactive Design; Virtual Production; Digital Imaging for Immersive Media; 3D Tracking; and Professional Practices for Immersive Media.
All students will participate in the Drexel University Co-op Program, which provides opportunities to work for companies such as YouTube VR, Night Kitchen, Franklin Institute Science Museum, History Making Productions, and Toll Brothers. Students may also work with other companies, studios or organizations in Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, or abroad in Paris, London, or Greece.
In addition to the Digital Media and Virtual Production BS, and the VR and Immersive Media minor, Drexel University’s Westphal College houses the Immersive Research Lab (IRL) and the Animation Capture & Effects Lab (ACE-Lab).
Launched in 2018, the IRL allows students to develop AR/VR and immersive media technologies. This 550-square-foot, glass-enclosed lab features equipment such as virtual and augmented reality devices from Oculus Go; HP-ZVR Backpack Workstations; iClone Facial motion capture systems; Leap Motion hand-tracking; HTC VIVE and Microsoft HoloLens headsets; and a full motion capture studio equipped with OptiTrak and Vicon motion capture devices. Other technologies include an x-wing fighter cockpit platform; 360-degree virtual reality cameras; and a custom virtual reality cycle platform.
The ACE-Lab is home to Westphal’s Digital Animation, Visual Effects, and Immersive Media programs as well as VR, AR, and other interactive experiences. The Lab includes the latest industry-standard software and hardware technologies for VR, AR, projection, motion capture, and other technologies. Within the Lab, students also have access to funded grant research opportunities. Students may participate in industry-sponsored, independent, and student-generated projects as well.
Graduates of the AR/VR programs at Drexel University are prepared to pursue roles in AR/VR across industries. Program alumni have been hired at laces such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Moving Picture Company, Digital Domain, and Disney. Graduates also work at major video game development companies and others that utilize AR/VR, VFX, and animation.
Drexel University was established in 1891 as Drexel Institute of Art, Science, & Industry. The school serves approximately 21,700 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools. Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The Digital Media programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Arts and Design (NASAD).
The College of Computing and Information Science (C-IS) at Cornell University (Cornell) houses the Computer Science (CS) Department and Cornell Tech (CT). When it opened in 1965, the CS Department was the first of its kind. Consisting of two campuses (Ithaca and New York City) the CS Department has a full-time faculty of 60+ members that serve approximately 1,340 students.
Cornell Tech houses a first-of-its-kind, immersive Studio curriculum, that allows all master's degree students to work with industry partners, learn how to become an entrepreneur, and develop skills in end-to-end product development.
Together, Cornell Tech and the CS Department provide several paths to study AR/VR. Two labs dedicated to education and research in the field are also available.
Program options in the CS Department include the BS, MS, PhD, and minor in Computer Science. Program options at Cornell Tech include the MS in Design Technology (MS DT); the Master of Engineering in Computer Science (MEng CS); and the Dual MS in Connective Media (MS CM). The MS DT is provided in partnership with the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning; the Master of Engineering in Computer Science is provided in partnership with the Graduate School at Cornell; and the Dual MS is provided in partnership with the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute.
Across programs, students benefit from project-based curriculums; guest speaker events; internship opportunities; courses taught by faculty with extensive industry experience across the technology and start-up communities; participation in studio courses such as the PiTech Studio, Product Studio, BigCo Studio, and Startup Studio; study abroad experiences; and the small group Q&A session known as Conversations in the Studio.
Students in all programs have access to AR/VR and AR/VR-related courses such as Topics in Mixed Reality; Developing and Designing Interactive Devices; Virtual and Augmented Reality; Python; Coding for Design I-II; Mobile Human Robot Interaction Design; Great Works in Programming Languages; Computer Game Design; Interactive Computer Graphics; Visual Imaging in the Electronic Age; C++ Programming; Computer Vision; Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI); Interactive Information Visualization; Robotics Seminar; Human-Computer Interaction Design; Applied Machine Learning; App Design and Prototyping; Human Computer Interaction Studio; and Ethics in New Media, Technology, and Communication.
Concentration examples include Artificial Intelligence; Systems; Programming Languages and Logics; Scientific Computing Applications; and Theory of Computation.
In addition to a variety of AR/VR-related courses, concentrations, and studios, students in all CS and Cornell Tech programs have access to the university’s XR Collaboratory (XRC) and Virtual Embodiment Lab (VEL).
The mission of XRC at Cornell Tech is to advance education in AR/VR and Mixed Reality. The lab accomplished this through collaborations, hands-on mentoring, and research. XRC partners include Verizon Media, Meta Platforms, Inc., and Magic Leap.
Established in 2016, VEL explores virtual reality and how it affects the people who use it. A number of devices are utilized to research virtual reality, including full virtual reality systems that allow a user to pick up objects and interact with others, and 360 degree videos.
Graduates of the CS and CT programs at Cornell University are prepared to pursue advanced roles in areas such as technology, entertainment, the military, communications, engineering, medicine, fine arts, mathematics, and advertising. Cornell alumni have been hired at places such as Apple, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Oracle, NBC, Amazon, Google, ABC, Facebook, CBS, the U.S. Navy, Hulu, LinkedIn, IBM, Pfizer, Uber, JP Morgan, TikTok, Barclays, Intuit, Cigna, World Bank, Palantir, MTA, and Bloomberg.
Cornell University was founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White. The first building constructed on campus was Morrill Hall. When the school opened on October 7, 1868 it welcomed 26 professors and 412 students across the Division of the Special Sciences and Arts, and the Division of Science, Literature, and the Arts.
Today, Cornell University houses more than 600 buildings across 19,000 acres of land including 6,000 acres in New York, and 2,000 acres across the country. Cornell also has a campuses in DC; Doha, Qatar; and Rome, Italy. In addition, around 10,830 faculty and staff serve approximately 26,285 students enrolled in more than 300 majors, minors, and graduate programs across 16 academic colleges and schools. Cornell University has been continuously accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) since 1921.
University of Maryland (UMD) provides several paths to study AR/VR in the College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) and the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS). The school also houses a number of labs, centers, and clubs that support AR/VR education, projects, and research.
The College of ARHU serves approximately 3,070 students across 11 academic departments and three schools. Thirty-one academic majors and 37 minors are available. The College of CMNS, which houses the Department of Computer Science (CS), is part of Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering. The CS Department alone serves more than 3,400 students with access to programs and research opportunities that explore areas such as graphics, visualization, and VR/AR; IoT wearables technology; AI and robotics; programming languages and software engineering; and human-computer interaction (HCI).
In addition to a variety of AR/VR-related courses, the CS Department also provides internship opportunities; an honors program; and study abroad experiences.
Ideal program options for AR/VR students include the BA or BS in Immersive Media Design (IMD) in the College of ARHU. College of CMNS programs include BS, MS, BS/MS, or PhD degrees in Computer Science. Students in all programs learn to create, code, and collaborate using the most current digital technologies and tools.
Computer Science students can focus in AR/VR through required courses and electives. IMD BS students may select the Computing-Creative Coders track, which focuses on the computer science methods used immersive media.
Across programs, students have access to the UMD Graphics and Visual Informatics Laboratory (GVIL); the Mixed/Augmented/Virtual Reality Innovation Center (MAVRIC); and the Maryland Blended Reality Center (MBRC).
The GVIL was established in 2000 by the Department of Computer Science and the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies. Through research and education, the lab focuses on areas such as virtual environments, computer graphics, and scientific visualization.
Past and current projects focus on applications for next-generation AR/VR, including augmented navigation, immersive education, and virtual manufacturing.
MAVRIC was created to foster XR talent, support the future of XR, and connect innovators, developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs through workshops, events, and programs.
Launched in 2017, MBRC is a multidisciplinary partnership initially funded by the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State. The center partners with the federal government, industry leaders, and other academic institutions to explore and develop AR/VR/MR (mixed reality) as well as other visual computing applications and tools based on immersive technologies.
In addition to GVIL, MAVRIC, and MBRC, Computer Science and Immersive Media Design students have access to the XR Club, which hosts workshops that explore AR/VR development, Oculus, 3D modeling, and Unity; the Extended Reality Flight Simulation and Control Lab, which combines VR/AR, wearable devices, and motion-base systems to create immersive, extended reality (XR) piloted flight simulations; the collaborative and multidisciplinary Center for Machine Learning (ML); and Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL), where students, faculty, and staff engage in HCI research and teaching.
Graduates of the Computer Science, IMD, and other programs at University of Maryland are prepared to pursue careers in area such as computer science/technology, defense, law, transportation, industrial training and design, advertising, game design and development, medicine, financial technology, architecture, manufacturing, entertainment, marketing, healthcare, and education. CS and IMD alumni have been hired at places such as Google, Amazon, the NSA, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and the CIA.
University of Maryland in College Park was founded in 1856. The flagship campus of the University System of Maryland and the original land-grant institution in the state, UMD is one of only 62 members of the Association of American Universities. The school serves approximately 40,710 students enrolled in more than 300 undergraduate majors, master’s degrees, and doctoral programs across 12 colleges. University of Maryland, College Park is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
The School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at University of Pennsylvania (UPenn or Penn) is home to the Digital Media Design (DMD) program. Created in 1998, this interdisciplinary program has two paths to study AR/VR including the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in DMD and the DMD minor.
The DMD BSE at UPenn is designed for students interested in the computer programming, design, and math needed to produce virtual reality environments, interactive technologies, computer graphics, games, and animations. The program combines coursework in Computer Graphics (from the Computer and Information Science Department); Fine Arts courses from UPenn's School of Design; and Communication Theory courses from the Annenberg School of Communication.
Course examples include Interactive Computer Graphics, Automata, Computability, and Complexity, Computer Programming, Advanced Rendering, Mechanics Lab, 3D Computer Modeling, Art of the Web: Interactive Concepts for Art & Design, Programming Languages and Techniques I-II, Software Design, Advanced Computer Graphics, and Computer Animation. The DMD BSE at UPenn culminates with the semester-long DMD Senior Project.
Consisting of eight courses, the DMD minor explores how computer graphics programming connects with human cognition and interactive experiences. Course examples include Programming Languages and Techniques I-II; Interactive Computer Graphics; Software Design/Engineering; Advanced Computer Graphics; Computer Animation; Advanced Rendering; and Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science. SEAS DMD minor culminates with the full-semester Senior Capstone Project.
Students in the BSE DMD, DMD minor, and other programs are invited to join VirtualReality@Penn. With several dozen registered members, this student-run club welcomes anyone who’s interested in AR/VR, whether it’s for games, business, or social development.
Graduates of the DMD programs at University of Pennsylvania are prepared to pursue careers across all industries that utilize technologies such as AR/VR. The largest employers of UPenn DMD graduates include Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Walt Disney Animation, Microsoft, Pixar, and DreamWorks Animation.
Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is one of the nation’s oldest universities. The school serves approximately 28,710 students enrolled in more than 400 programs across 12 schools. University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI or Rensselaer) houses a number of programs that are ideal for students seeking careers in AR/VR. The school also houses the Rensselaer Augmented and Virtual Environment (RAVE) Lab, which supports experimentation with different types of AR/VR.
Established in 2019 and housed in the J. Erik Jonsson Engineering Center, the lab consists of a flexible space that can be customized to the needs of collaborative team projects, individual uses, or research groups. The lab also provides access to the latest AR and VR technology.
The Jonsson-Rowland Science Center at RPI houses the School of Science, home to the Computer Science (CS) program. Programs for AR/VR students include BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Computer Science (CS); a BS in Information Technology and Web Science (ITWS); a CS minor; a dual CS BS/MS; and an Accelerated CS BS/PhD.
All programs take place in a studio-like environment with access to state-of-the-art graphics workstations and optical analysis equipment. Other program benefits include coursework that includes projects and problem-solving based on real-life scenarios; the opportunity to choose a concentration such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Vision, Games, or Graphics; and electives (CS program) that allow students to tailor a curriculum to match their talents and interests.
ITWS students can select from more than 20 options to design a focus area or specialize in an area such as Machine Learning; Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences; Computer and Systems Engineering; Werb Technologies; Mechanical/Aeronautical Engineering; or Science Informatics.
The curriculums for the Computer Science programs explore implementation of computational processes, application, analysis, communication, and design. Course examples across programs Interactive Visualization; Cognitive Modeling; Modeling and Simulation for Cyber-Physical Systems; Learning and Advanced Game AI; Robot Dynamics and Control; Virtual Agents; Computer Vision for Visual Effects; Cognitive Computing; Parallel Programming; and Computer Graphics.
Graduates of the technology programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are prepared to pursue advanced roles in AR/VR across industries. Within six months of graduating, RPI alumni have landed positions at places such as Lockheed Martin, Amazon Robotics, Epic Systems, IBM, Microsoft, Boeing, Regeneron, Deloitte, Bloomberg, ExxonMobil, Bristol-Myers Squibb, MathWorks, Global Foundries, Ellington Management Group, and General Dynamics Electric Boat.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was found November 5, 1824. It was the first school of science and civil engineering to be established in any English-speaking country. Today, RPI houses five schools that serve approximately 6,970 students enrolled in more than 145 programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS).
Northeastern University (Northeastern) is an R1 Research University that houses 10 research institutes. Examples include the Experiential AI Institute, the Experiential Robotics Institute, and the Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things. Northeastern is also one of the top cooperative (co-op) education programs in the U.S. Established more than a century ago, the program recorded more than 9,000 placements with 2,900 employers around the world between 2019 and 2020 alone. The school also integrates global experiences into learning at all degree levels.
Students in all programs at Northeastern University have access to its institutes, co-op program, and global experiences. This includes students in the College of Engineering, and the College of Arts, Media, and Design (CAMD), which provide access to labs and programs that support AR/VR education, projects, and research.
Labs include the Experiential Technologies Lab and User Testing Environment, and the Immersive Media Labs Suite. Programs include the Design BFA and Mechanical Engineering (BSME), and the Immersive Media minor.
In the Experiential Technologies Lab and User Testing Environment students develop software, and engage in interface development, game testing, and integration of biometrics tools including eye-tracking and wearable sensors. Lab resources include a one-way mirror, camera setups, and high-end computing.
The Immersive Media Labs Suite includes technologies for design, development, and exploration of AR/VR/XR, 360 video, and virtual worlds. Students have access to individual workstations and a collaboration and teaching area. Current work in the Lab includes design, development, and exploration of immersive data visualization, immersive games to study and build problem solving and collaboration skills, exploration and integration of digital drawing, painting, and sculpting tools, storytelling, media advocacy, and healthcare delivery.
The College of Engineering’s BSME program is divided into seven formal areas including Design; Engineering; Supporting Courses; Writing; Integrative Courses; Professional Development; and General Electives. Course examples include Experience and Interaction; Movement and Time; Interaction Design; Professional Issues in Engineering; Design Process Context and Systems; Physics for Engineering; Mechanical Engineering Computation and Design; and Fluid Mechanics.
BSME students have the option to add the CAMD Immersive Media minor to enhance the degree and take additional AR/VR-related courses. Also open to students in other majors, this interdisciplinary minor explores augmented virtuality, extended reality, cross reality, human-computer interaction (HCI), and enhanced realities. Course examples include Virtual Environment Design; Design Analysis and Innovation; Immersive Media; Game Studio; Programming; Physical and Digital Fabrication; and Animation for Games.
The CAMD Design BFA consists of an art and design core, design electives, and concentration options that allow students to study AR/VR. Examples of concentrations include Interaction Design; Experience Design; and Information Design. Across concentration, electives, and design core requirements, students will take courses such as Visual Intelligence; Physical Computing; Designing Interactive Experiences; Prototyping with Code; Prototyping for Experience Design; Information Visualization; Physical and Digital Fabrication; Making with Video, Sound, and Animation Tools; and Seminar in Visual Intelligence.
Graduates of the BSME and CAMD programs at Northeastern University are prepared to pursue careers across industries that utilize AR/VR and many others. Northeastern alumni have been hired by companies, studios, and organizations such as Lockheed Martin, NASA's Johnson Space Center, Microsoft, Oracle, Nickelodeon, the U.S. Air Force, Walt Disney Imagineering, Amazon, Apple, Tesla, Walt Disney World, Google, Textron, Nokia Corporation, NBC, AMC Networks, Abbott, ABC, UBTCH Robotics, ATYX Gaming, Alpha Defense, Photo Diagnostic Systems, Inc., and Peloton.
Northeastern University began as the Evening Institute of the Boston Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in 1898. The school serves 47,770 students enrolled in more than 500 programs across nine colleges and schools. Northeastern has campuses in Boston, Massachusetts; Charlotte, North Carolina; Seattle, Washington; Silicon Valley; San Francisco, California; Toronto, Ontario Canada; Vancouver, BC Canada; London, UK; Portland, Maine, and the Massachusetts communities of Nahant and Burlington. Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
