Top 10 Game Design Schools and Colleges in California - 2025 College Rankings

University of Southern California (USC) is home to the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) and Viterbi School of Engineering. Founded in 1929 by directors and screenwriters such as D.W. Griffith and William Churchill De Mille, the SCA houses eight academic divisions, including Interactive Media and Games (IMGD). 

IMGD programs include BFA degrees in Game Development and Interactive Design, Game Art, and Themed Entertainment; the Cinematic Arts (Media Arts, Games and Health) MA; MFA degrees in Interactive Media and Games, and Interactive Media-Games and Health; and a Game Design and Development MS. The SCA IMGD also provides minors in Game Design; Game Audio; Game Studies; Immersive Media; Game User Research; Themed Entertainment; Game Entrepreneurism; and Documentary. 

Founded in 1905, Viterbi School of Engineering (USC Viterbi) houses the School of Advanced Computing (SAC) and more than 30 departments, divisions, centers, initiatives, and institutes. This includes the Technology and Applied Computing (TAC) program and the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science. Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the TAC provides minors, specializations, and interdisciplinary degrees in more than a dozen disciplines. This includes Technical Game Art, Video Game Production, and Video Game Programming. All can be taken as a minor or specialization. 

Also accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science provides a Computer Science BS (CSCI) with a major in Computer Science Games, and a Computer Science MS with a specialization in Game Development. 

The SCA and USC Viterbi programs are collectively known as USC Games. Curriculums are integrated and all programs are part of the same multidisciplinary, collaborative community. Across programs, students will explore the art, design, engineering, and production of games. All classes are immersive and hands-on, with opportunities to work on projects with peers across all degrees. 

Courses for all programs are led by accomplished industry professionals and, depending on the program, students may focus in a specific area of games through a formal specialization, minor, or electives. 

All USC Games students have access to numerous game development labs open from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week; a Mixed-Use Lab featuring systems for VR/AR development, advanced engineering systems, large-scale game testing spaces, and 15 HD monitors with attached gaming consoles; two 100+ person theaters with lobbies that allow students to display their work; and a Console Development Laboratory with PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo development kits. 

For master’s degree students, USC’s Interactive Building houses the IMGD Graduate Student Thesis Lab, conference rooms, a Virtual Production Laboratory, two Usability Labs, and the Vive Lab. Between the SCA and USC Viterbi, all students also have access to USC Game Studios—a two-story building that houses more than 100 VR-ready development systems, audio studios, and usability facilities. USC Game Studios is also the main teaching lab for Advanced Game Projects, which is the cross-disciplinary Capstone course for students in all USC Games programs. During this full academic year course, students will work in teams with faculty, peers, and industry professionals to complete a final market-ready project. 

Other facilities include the SCA Motion Capture Stage; the Esports Lab; the Ganek Immersive Media Studio; the Game Innovation Lab; the Creative Media and Behavioral Health Center; and the MFA Thesis Lab. 

The programs of USC Games culminate with a final project and possible participation in the USC Games Expo. At the end of each year, this event showcases the best student and recent graduate games. This also includes the Advanced Games Projects Capstone and MFA Thesis Projects.

Graduates of the USC Games programs are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of the games industry. Program alumni have gone on to develop and sell their own games; launch their own independent studios; or land a position at a major game studio such as Riot Games or Epic Games. Graduates have also been hired at places such as Disney, Apple, CBS Interactive, and ESPN. 

Founded in 1880, University of Southern California is the oldest private research university in the state. When it opened, the school welcomed just 53 students and 10 faculty. Today, USC enrolls approximately 47,000 students served by more than 4,400 faculty members. This makes University of Southern California the largest school by enrollment in the state and the largest private sector employer in Los Angeles. 

Students at USC have access to more than 600 graduate and professional programs across 23 schools and divisions. The University of Southern California is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). 

Gnomon has been educating digital artists for nearly 30 years. Located in Hollywood, California—the heart of the entertainment industry—the school is known as the MIT of Visual Effects. Gnomon’s immersive, hands-on programs take place in a studio environment designed to mimic some of today’s top production studios. 

For students interested in studying games, the school has a Digital Production BFA and a Digital Production for Entertainment (DPE) certificate. The BFA requires 180 total units, including 135 in career-focused studies and 45 in general education. Students may choose from three specializations including 3D Generalist, Game Art, and Visual Effects (VFX). 

Across options, students will receive intensive training in industry software such as Maya, After Effects, Houdini, Marmoset Toolbag, Nuke, V-Ray, Substance Painter and Designer, Unreal Engine, ZBrush, and Photoshop. Course examples include Props and Weapons for Games; Animation and Visual Effects; Storyboarding; Game Creation 1-4; Level Design; Houdini 1-2; Texturing and Shading for Games; Digital Sets; Character Creation for Games; Hard Surface Modeling; Character Rigging Fundamentals, Environment Creation for Games; Dynamic Effects; May Modules; and Animation for Games.

The Digital Production BFA at Gnomon can be completed in as few as three years. For the culminating experience, students will produce a professional demo reel across four courses (Demo Reel 1-4). 

The Digital Production for Entertainment certificate at Gnomon is a 147-unit program that can be completed in two years. Five focused areas of study are available and include Game Art; Modeling and Texturing; 3D Generalist; Character and Creature Animation; and Visual Effects Animation. Electives allow students to enhance the curriculum. DPE students will create a market-ready demo reel as the culminating experience for the program. 

Graduates of the Digital Production BFA and DPE certificate programs at Gnomon are prepared to pursue advanced roles in game design and development, animation, visual effects, live-action film, and more. To date, Gnomon has more than 900 industry-employed alumni working at major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts (EA), Marvel Studios, Nickelodeon Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Amazon Games, Weta FX, Riot Games, DNEG, Digital Domain, Reel FX, Bioware, Framestore, and Naughty Dog. 

Established in 1997 by Alex Alvarez, Gnomon opened in a modest classroom location in Hollywood, California. Today, Gnomon sits on a 35,000 square foot lot within the historic Television Center Studio Lot. The school provides degree programs, vocational certificate programs, and 100+ individual courses for professional enrichment or portfolio development. Gnomon is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

The Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS) at University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine or UCI) began as an academic department in 1968. When it opened, the department was the first of its kind in the UC system. In 2004 the school was named for benefactor and billionaire businessman Donald Leroy Bren. 

The only computing-focused school in the UC system, the Donald Bren School houses three departments that enroll more than 2,000 undergraduates and 400+ graduate students each year. Departments include Computer Science, Informatics, and Statistics. Across departments, students can earn degrees in areas such as informatics, computer science, software engineering, and game design.

The Department of Informatics houses UCI’s game design programs. Options include the Game Design and Interactive Media (GDIM) BS; and the Computer Science (CS) BS, MS, and PhD programs. Across pathways, students benefit from mentorships; courses taught by globally-recognized industry experts; and partnerships with major studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Cartoon Network, Tencent Games, and Obsidian Entertainment. 

Launched as the Computer Game Science major in 2011, the GDIM BS provides hands-on courses that explore areas such game programming, visual design, game design and development, interactive storytelling, data science, and game studies. This 176 credit hour program also explores emerging technologies such as mobile games, tabletop games, and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). 

Course examples for the UCI GDIM BS include Coding in Game Engines; Roleplaying and Improvisational Play; Game Technologies and Interactive Media; Storytelling for Interactive Media; Game Engine Lab; Visual Design Fundamentals; Programming for Games; and Multiplayer Game Systems. Core and open electives allow students to enhance their skillsets and/or develop skills in a related area. Examples include Solo Game Project; Human Computer Interaction; Games Entrepreneurship; Children’s Learning and Media; User interaction Software; Project management; Software Design: Applications; and Professional Studio. 

In the final year of the program, students will complete the following courses: Multiplayer Project, Data Analytics for Games and Interactive Media, and Special Topics-Project in Advanced Game Design. 

The GDIM BS at UC Irvine culminates with the Capstone Game Project completed across two courses and under the guidance of industry mentors. This team-based project results in a finished game in an area such as entertainment, training, education, or healthcare.  

Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in game design and development, serious games, creative technologies, and interactive entertainment. Potential employers include industry partners such as Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Cartoon Network, Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Obsidian Entertainment, and Tencent Games. Some GDIM alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses, while others have gone on to pursue a graduate degree in interactive media, game design, informatics, or computer science. 

The Computer Science MS and PhD programs at UCI Donald Bren are designed for students interested in leadership roles in the games industry (entertainment), serious games (healthcare, training, education), academia, and government. The Computer Science MS is a flexible program with 12 core research areas. Examples include Multimedia and Gaming; Graphics and Computer Vision; Design and Analysis of Algorithms; Programming Languages and Compilers; Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; and Scientific Computing. 

Students can select several upper division undergraduate courses to complement their chosen research area or areas. Undergraduate course examples include Game Engine Lab; Computer Graphics; Game Design; Modeling and Worldbuilding; Mobile and Ubiquitous Games; and Digital Imaging Processing. Course examples for the MS include Machine Learning; Fundamentals of the Design and Analysis of Algorithms; Visual Computing; Analysis of Algorithms; Principles of Scientific Computing; and Advanced Compiler Construction. 

The culminating experience for the UCI CS MS is the research-based thesis project or the comprehensive examination. The thesis option is the ideal choice for students who wish to continue on to the PhD program. 

The Computer Science PhD has the same course requirements, access to games courses, and research areas as the CS MS. This broad, flexible program culminates with dissertation defense and final examination. 

The Computer Science BS at UC Irvine has nine specializations. Ideal options for game designers include Algorithms (explores areas such as computer games, computer vision, graphics, and artificial intelligence); Visual Computing (graphics, 3D, interactive imaging); Architecture and Embedded Systems (gaming, visualization, high-performance and scientific computing); and General Computer Science (create your own curriculum from upper division CS courses and two project courses). 

Course examples across electives, specializations, and projects include Python Programming and Libraries (accelerated); Modeling and World Building; User Interaction Software; Computer Game Development; Formal Languages and Automata; Digital Logic Design; Projects in Advanced 3D Computer Graphics; Programming in C/C++ as a Second Language; and Introduction to Virtual Reality. 

The culminating experience for the BS CS program can be a game, simulation, research or other project. Across CS programs, graduates are prepared to pursue roles in the games industry (for entertainment); serious games in areas such as education, training, and healthcare; software engineering and aerospace; data science and engineering; and national defense and cybersecurity.

Founded in 1965, University of California, Irvine employs more than 1,200 faculty members and 10,000 staff, making it the second largest employer in Orange County, California. A public land-grant research university, UCI serves more than 36,000 students enrolled in 224 degree programs across 18 colleges, schools, and divisions. 

University of California, Irvine is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The school is also a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Founded in 1900, the Association comprises the nation’s top research universities. 

ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) houses an Entertainment Design program that leads to a BS. Launched in 2018, the program emphasizes immersive courses and hands-on experience with focus on programming, design languages, the production process, and user experience. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the art production facilities at the Hillside and South campuses; potential internship opportunities at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Animation Group, Titmouse, Apple, and Mattel; and study abroad experiences at ArtCenter Berlin or partner universities such as Tama Art University in Tokyo, Japan. 

Production facilities include professional studios, galleries and other exhibition spaces, workshops, and specialized labs such as Bruce Heavin Media Production Studio; the 908 Shops; and the 31,000 square feet Creative Hub. 

The ArtCenter Entertainment Design BS also provides a Game Design track that focuses on teambuilding and collaboration. Consisting of 132 credit hours, the program allows students to select from 30 entertainment-related courses led by professionals from major studios such as Riot Games, Sony, Blizzard Entertainment, and Insomniac Games. Examples include World Building; Design for Multiplayer Games; Transmedia IP Creation; System Design for Games; Mathematics, Economics and Games; User Experience for Games; Storytelling for Games; Unreal Engine for Game Designers; Game Design Challenges; and Games as a Service. 

Key courses for the program include Game Development 1-4; Game Concept Development; Level Design 1-2; and Games for Themed Entertainment. During the last two terms, students will complete an individual game project, an advanced game project, the Portfolio and Career Preparation course, and Grad Show Preparation. 

Graduates of the Entertainment Design BS program at ArtCenter College of Design are prepared to pursue advanced roles in video game design, animated films, live action films, visual effects, animation for television, visual effects, toy design, and theme park design. 

ArtCenter alumni have been hired at major companies and studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Insomniac Games, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Pixar, Riot Games, Naughty Dog, Playstation-Sony Interactive Entertainment, Apple, Disney, Marvel Studios, Google, NBCUniversal, Amazon, Marvel Studios, Paramount, Blur Studio, Netflix, IDEO, Halo Studios, Nike, Rivian, and Meta. 

ArtCenter College of Design was founded in 1930. With campuses in Pasadena and Los Angeles, California, the school serves 2,385 students from more than 50 countries. ArtCenter students also have access to satellite studios in Petersen Automotive Museum (Miracle Mile, Los Angeles), and Berlin, Germany. Programs include 11 undergraduate options; 10 graduate options leading to an MFA or MS; a joint MS/MBA program; and undergraduate minors for Business, Creative Writing, and Social Innovation students. 

ArtCenter College of Design is fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). ArtCenter is also the first design school to receive the United Nations’ Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status.

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) houses a collection of Game Design programs with options leading to a BFA, MFA, and a minor. Across all options, students work and learn in a project-based environment that promotes creativity, innovation, and collaboration. BFA students also have opportunities to work in teams with graduate MFA students to design industry-ready games that could be featured at the Independent Games Festival (IGF). 

Held as part of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, this annual festival showcases independent games (on the Expo floor), with winners announced during the week-long GDC. All LCAD Game Design students will also participate in workshops led by artists and designers such as Animation and Film Artist Bill Perkins; Game Designer Chris Bateman; and former Blizzard Entertainment Art Director Justin Thavirat.

Specific program options include the Game Art BFA; the Game Art minor; and the Game Design MFA. Students in the Game Art minor will take courses such as Fundamentals of Game Art; 2D Development Studio; Level Design; Rigging and Animation for Games; and Development Team. The minor culminates with a final project. 

LCAD’s Game Art BFA requires 122 credit hours of study. Course examples include Drawing and Perspective for Games; Robots, Vehicles and Spaceships; Game Design; Advanced Real-Time VFX; Scripting for Games; 3D Character Design; Special Topics in Games; Visual Storytelling; Character Design for Games; Environment Design for Games; Prototyping; Game Industry 101; 2D Development Studio; Modeling for Games; Digital Painting; UI/UX for Games; 3D Environment Design; Advanced Technologies for Games; Digital Analytical Figure; Game Pipeline; Advanced Shaders and Materials; Professional Studies for Game Artist; Advanced Sound Design; Creatures and Characters; and Combat Design.

The Game Design MFA at Laguna College of Art and Design is a two-year, terminal degree program that requires 60 credit hours of study. Courses explore areas such as the game mechanics, game narrative, the game production cycle, game prototypes, game design processes, and the business of games. Course examples include Production Studio 1-2; Player Centric Design; Experimental Game Design; Prototyping; Specialized Programming; and Game Production. 

The culminating experience for the Game Design MFA is creation of a final, marketable game. This thesis project will be completed across two courses. 

Graduates of the Game Art and Game Design programs at Laguna College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue leadership roles across in the games and entertainment industries. Program alumni have been hired at major companies and studios in the U.S. and abroad. Examples include Sony Interactive Entertainment, Riot Games, Microsoft Studios, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Marvel, 20th Century Fox, Disney Animation Studios, The Jim Henson Company, Insomniac Games, and Obsidian Entertainment. 

Laguna College of Art and Design opened in 1961 as Laguna Beach School of Art (LBSA). This private art school serves approximately 770 students enrolled in 15 degree programs and nine minors. LCAD has a main campus in Laguna Beach, with educational affiliates around the world including Florence Academy of Arts (Italy), Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and Breda University of Applied Sciences (NHTV) in the Netherlands. 

Laguna College of Art and Design is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).