| 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 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | New York |
| 8 | University of Maryland | Maryland |
| 9 | University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| 10 | Northeastern University | Massachusetts |
Our fifth annual Top 10 Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) School Programs on the East Coast.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is home to VR@MIT—a member of the Intercollegiate XR (ICXR) Hackathon Circuit. Along with MIT programs such as the Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) MS, and labs such as the Center for Advanced Virtuality and the MIT.nano Immersion Lab, VR@MIT supports AR/VR/MR education and research. Other AR/VR related programs include the CSE PhD; the Computer Science PhD; and the eight-week xPro certificate in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. MIT graduates go on to land positions at places such as Boeing, Microsoft, Google, Apple, IBM, General Motors (GM), Tesla, Amazon, Meta, Intel, the U.S. Armed Forces, and SpaceX.
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) houses the Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII)—home to the Augmented Design Capability Studio and the Augmented Perception Lab. Students in all AR/VR programs have access to the HCII. Program options include the nation’s very first bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence—the AI BS; BS degrees in HCI and AI; a Robotics Systems Development MS (MRSD); the Professional Master of HCI (MHCI); the HCI PhD; a Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA); the Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA); and a Bachelor of Engineering Studies and Arts (BESA). Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in AR/VR and related fields. Alumni have been hired at places such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Adobe, Pixar, Google, Amazon, Samsung, Meta, Riot Games, Apple, Cartoon Network, and NVIDIA.
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 IDM BS and MS programs and an Accelerated BS/MS program. All options provide opportunities to complete internships at places such as Google, Sony Music, and Apple, along with study abroad experiences at NYU Shanghai. Labs include the Future Reality Lab and NYC Media Lab, with partners such as Viacom, NBCUniversal, and Verizon. Tandon and IDM graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Microsoft, Apple, LG Electronics, Google, Intel, Amazon, Sony Music Entertainment, Meta, IBM, American Express, ABC, Verizon, Tesla, Qualcomm Technologies, EMI Music, Instagram, Simon & Schuster, and AECOM.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) was the first university to offer an undergraduate degree in software engineering. The school also delivered its first fully online program years before any other post-secondary institution entered the online arena. Today, RIT is among a growing number of schools that provide AR/VR-related programs and extensive labs to support them. Program options include the New Media Interactive Development BS, which focuses on adapting digital technologies for AR/VR, wearable devices, and touch interfaces; and the Computing and Information Sciences PhD, which allows students to select a research area such as AR/VR or customize their own. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in areas from game design to aerospace engineering. Potential job titles include AR/VR Developer, Technical Lead, Game Developer, UX Engineer, and Interactive Developer.
The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University houses several labs and programs for students interested in studying AR/VR. These include the Immersive Research Lab (IRL); Animation Capture & Effects Lab (ACE-Lab); Digital Media and Virtual Production BS (formerly the Virtual Reality and Immersive Media (VRIM) program and one of the first accredited programs of its kind; and the VR and Immersive Media minor. Across options, students will participate in the Drexel University Co-op Program, which provides opportunities to work for companies such as YouTube VR and Franklin Institute Science Museum. Graduates have landed positions at places such as DreamWorks, Moving Picture Company, Pixar, Disney, and Digital Domain.
Cornell University (Cornell) houses a number of programs, labs, and initiatives dedicated to the education, research, and advancement of extended reality (XR). Program options include the Computer Science BS, MS, and PhD; Design Technology MS (MS DT); Master of Engineering in Computer Science (MEng CS); and the Connective Media MS (MS CM). Across programs, students have access to courses such as Virtual and Augmented Reality; Topics in Mixed Reality; Developing and Designing Interactive Devices; Mobile Human-Robot Interaction Design; and Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI). Labs include the XR Collaboratory (XRC) and Virtual Embodiment Lab (VEL). Graduates have been hired at places such as IBM, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Oracle, NBC, Amazon, Google, Apple, Meta, and the U.S. Navy.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI or Rensselaer) provides a number of paths to study AR/VR. Options include BS degrees in Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS), Electronic Arts (EA), and Information Technology and Web Science (ITWS); BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Computer Science (CS); a dual CS BS/MS; and an accelerated CS BS/PhD. All programs feature access to AR/VR coursework and activities supported by the Rensselaer Augmented and Virtual Environment (RAVE) Lab. ITWS students can select from more than 20 options to design a focus area or specialize in a formal area such as Machine Learning; GSAS; or Computer and Systems Engineering. Graduates typically land positions within six months of graduating at places such as Boeing, Epic Systems, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, IBM, and Amazon Robotics.
University of Maryland (UMD) houses many labs, centers, and clubs that support AR/VR education, projects, and research. Labs and clubs include the UMD Graphics and Visual Informatics Laboratory (GVIL); Mixed/Augmented/Virtual Reality Innovation Center (MAVRIC); Maryland Blended Reality Center (MBRC); and the XR Club. Program options include the BA/BS in Immersive Media Design (IMD); BS, MS, BS/MS, and PhD degrees in Computer Science; and the Augmented & Virtual Reality Design certificate through University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). Graduates have been hired at places such as Lockheed Martin, Google, Amazon, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and Northrop Grumman.
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn or Penn) houses the Annenberg Extended Reality Lab, which focuses on research, education, virtual events, and more. The school also houses an interdisciplinary Digital Media Design (DMD) program leading to Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) or a comprehensive minor. The DMD program was designed for students interested in AR/VR and other interactive technologies, games, animation, and computer graphics. Both the BSE and minor culminate with a semester-long capstone project. UPenn graduates are routinely hired at places such as Microsoft, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Pixar, DreamWorks, and Walt Disney Animation.
Northeastern University (Northeastern) houses several labs and programs designed to support AR/VR education and research. Labs include the Experiential Technologies Lab and User Testing Environment, and the Immersive Media Labs Suite. Programs include the Extended Realities MS (MS XR) and the interdisciplinary Immersive Media (IM) minor. Students in the MS XR may concentrate in Design (XR + Design), Media (XR + Media), or Games XR + Games. The comprehensive IM minor explores AR/VR/XR, human-computer interaction (HCI), and enhanced realities. Northeastern alumni, including MS XR and IM minor graduates, have been hired at places such as NASA, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Amazon, AMC Networks, Nickelodeon, the U.S. Armed Forces, Disney, NBC, Apple, Tesla, Google, Nokia, and ABC.
