| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia |
| 2 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | North Carolina |
| 4 | University of Central Florida | Florida |
| 5 | Duke University | North Carolina |
| 6 | University of Florida | Florida |
| 7 | Ringling College of Art and Design | Florida |
| 8 | North Carolina State University | North Carolina |
| 9 | Full Sail University | Florida |
| 10 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | Alabama |
Our 2025 rankings -our fifth annual- of the Top 10 AR/VR School Programs in the South. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) recently became a member of the Virtual Reality Augmented Reality Association (VRARA) in an effort to help advance education, research, and development in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). The school also provides several paths to study AR/VR including the Computational Media BS (BSCM); and BS, MS and PhD degrees in Computer Science. All students have the opportunity to work and learn in the GVU Center, which focuses on areas such as AR/VR, wearable computing, gaming, human-computer interaction (HCI), and AI. Labs include the Augmented Environments Lab, and the Prototyping eNarrative Lab (PeN Lab), which focuses on emerging platforms such as AR/VR; simulation and game design; storytelling; and experimental television. Graduates go on to land advanced roles at places such as Boeing, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Cisco, Intel, Tesla, IBM, and Disney.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is home to the nation’s first degree dedicated to immersive reality. In addition to courses such as Virtual Reality for Motion Media and Immersive Revolution: Augmented to Virtual Reality, the STEM-designated Immersive Reality BFA program provides access to panels and presentations by gaming giants such as Ubisoft and EA Sports; AR/VR resources such as immersive reality labs and classrooms and a motion media lab; and Savannah Film Studios—a 10.9-acre facility that includes a next-generation XR stage for virtual productions. Graduates of SCAD’s Immersive Reality BFA program go on to land positions at places such as Epic Games, Microsoft, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, Autodesk, ZeniMax Online Studios, Meta, and Adobe.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) houses the Graphics, Imaging, and Robotics Lab; Graphics and Virtual Reality Group; VisuaLab; and the student organization—Carolina AR/VR (CARVR). Each supports education and research in AR/VR. Formal degree options include the Computer Science BS, MS, and PhD. Potential focus areas include Computer Graphics; Human-Computer Interaction (HCI); Virtual Environments; Animation and Simulation; and Visualization. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as AR/VR, game design, software development, AI, and HCI. UNC-Chapel Hill alumni have been hired at places such as Microsoft, Cisco, Google, Amazon, and IBM.
University of Central Florida (UCF) houses several labs and programs that focus on collaboration, AR/VR systems and applications creation, and AR/VR research. Labs include the Synthetic Reality Lab (SREAL), and the Interactive Systems and User Experience Lab. Program options include the Computer Science (CS) BS; an accelerated BS/MS in CS; MS and PhD degrees in Modeling and Simulation; and the Mixed Reality Engineering graduate certificate. A 10-week XR Development with Unity course is also available. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers across the technology sector. UCF technology alumni are routinely hired by NASA, Oracle, Google, Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Siemens, IBM, Apple, and Intel.
Duke University (Duke) is home to the Institute for Virtual and Augmented Reality for the Digital Humanities (VARDHI)—the first institute dedicated to AR/VR research conducted by humanities scholars. Other labs include Duke Immersive Virtual Environment (DiVE); Co-Lab Studio at the Technology Engagement Center (TEC); and Dig@Lab. Degree paths include the Computer Science BA, BS, MS, and PhD. Graduates of the Computer Science programs at Duke University are prepared to pursue careers in all industries that utilize AR/VR. They have been hired by companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Apple, and IBM.
The Digital Worlds Institute at University of Florida (UF) houses the UF Reality Lab, which promotes education and research in AR/VR. Within the institute is a one-year, accelerated Master’s in Digital Arts and Sciences (MiDAS) that focuses on areas such as visual design tools, technology, and 3D for AR/VR, game engines and development, hardware and software integration, and digital storytelling. Other program features include high-tech classrooms; opportunities to work on real-world projects with industry partners; and portfolio development. MiDAS graduates have been hired at places such as Walt Disney, Boeing, the U.S. Department of Defense, ESPN, Glaxo Smith Klein, Spirit Airlines, Cox Media Group, the U.S. Navy, and Aramark.
Ringling College of Art and Design is home to the world’s first dedicated Virtual Reality Development program. Our facilities comprise two labs equipped with Meta Quest 3 and 3S headsets, 25 Apple Vision Pros, a Motion Simulation Platform, and StrikerVR Mavrik haptic blasters. We are members of IVRHA, XR Women, and LEXRA. Graduates have been hired at places such as Apple, Meta, General Motors (GM), ILMxLab, Index AR Solutions, and Immersive Health Group. Students have collaborated with Moffitt Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins, among many other VR for Good projects.
North Carolina State University (NC State) is home to the Experience Design (IX) Lab and Mixed Reality (MxR) Lab; Virtual and Augmented Reality Lab (VARL); and the Gaming and VR Studio. Students enrolled in programs in the school’s Department of Media Arts, Design and Technology (MADTech) have full access to all labs and studios. Program options for students interested in AR/VR include the Art and Design BA and MA (M.A.D.) degrees, and a comprehensive Art and Design minor with a customizable curriculum. Final projects for the programs may explore AR/VR, VFX, and interactive narratives, among others. Graduates are routinely hired by major companies and organizations such as the U.S. Armed Forces, Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, Google, Cisco, Apple, General Electric (GE), Dell, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lenovo, RTX, Tesla, Intel, Meta, AT&T, Volvo, John Deere, SAS Institute, and Caterpillar.
With partners such as Boeing, Epic Games and NASA, Full Sail University’s Institute of Emerging Technologies has been exploring AR/VR for more than 25 years. In 2021, the school also joined the Orlando/Central Florida Chapter of the VR/AR Association (VRARA). Current Full Sail labs include the AR/VR Lab, FabLab, Simulation Lab, Smart Lab, and UX Lab. Programs include the Simulation Engineering BS, and the Computer Science BS (CS BS) with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) concentration (CS BS/AI). Full Sail alumni have been hired at places such as NASA, Cirque du Soleil, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Universal Studios, NASCAR, Apple, Sony, Nickelodeon, Unity, Activision Blizzard, Google, BioWare, DreamWorks Animation, Rockstar Games, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide, ESPN, Digital Brew, Electronic Arts (EA), MTV, Disney, HBO, Meta, Bunim/Murray Productions, WWE, and Miramax.
University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) houses the Commercial Arts and Technology (CAT) Lab, which allows students to work on projects for industry partners in areas such as virtual engineering, serious game development, and UI/UX design. Ideal programs for students interested in studying AR/VR include the Computer Science BS (CS BS) with a concentration in Entertainment Computing; the CS and Software Engineering MS degrees; and the CS PhD. In 2026, UAH plans to launch an interdisciplinary Game Design BS that will include hands-on projects and AR/VR-related courses. Across programs, graduates are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as AR/VR, modeling and simulation, game design and development, and serious games. Some top UAH hiring organizations include NASA, Boeing, HP, Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Army, Mercedes-Benz, Northrop Grumman, Hexagon, and MITRE.
