| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Central Florida | Florida |
| 2 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 3 | University of California, Santa Cruz | California |
| 4 | DigiPen | Washington |
| 5 | Michigan State University | Michigan |
| 6 | University of California Los Angeles | California |
| 7 | Drexel University | Pennsylvania |
| 8 | University of Florida | Florida |
| 9 | University of Texas at Dallas | Texas |
| 10 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Massachusetts |
| 11 | Miami University | Ohio |
| 12 | Bradley University | Illinois |
| 13 | Columbia College Chicago | Illinois |
| 14 | University of Denver | Colorado |
| 15 | University of Advancing Technology | Arizona |
| 16 | Quinnipiac University | Connecticut |
| 17 | University of Connecticut | Connecticut |
| 18 | University of Silicon Valley | California |
| 19 | Stevens Institute of Technology | New Jersey |
| 20 | University of Wisconsin – Whitewater | Wisconsin |
For our undergraduate degree rankings, we have evaluated game design schools and programs with the best Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and Bachelor of Science (BS) options. To determine which degree matches your career goals, it is important to understand how each qualification differs.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is the principal liberal arts degree. Most BA programs require 30-some or 40-some credits, which leaves plenty of flexibility in the form of free electives. BA students can use the free electives to sample widely from other course offerings or to earn an additional credential (a second major, a minor, or some combination of additional credentials).
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is offered in areas such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Psychology, Statistics, and each of the natural sciences. The BS is best suited to the student who wants to focus more on courses in the major and on 'collateral' courses (like chemistry or mathematics for a major in Geological Sciences) and is willing to give up some of the flexibility of the BA in return for the greater focus.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is considered the most prestigious bachelor's degree that you can receive in the visual arts. This option is for students who wish to gain as much experience and skill in the arts as possible.
Below are the Top 20 Schools and Colleges with Game Design BA Programs for 2026.
University of Central Florida (UCF) is home to Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM) houses a Digital Media BA with tracks in Game Design, and Web and Interactive Media. Activities for the program take place in the Communication and Media Building, which houses state-of-the-art studio and classroom space across 112,000 square feet of space. This includes one of the largest soundstages and motion capture studios on the east coast—Studio 500.
Other program highlights include internships at major studios; study abroad opportunities; participation in Esports at UCF; and student clubs such as Game Development Knights, Women’s Gaming Alliance, and Gaming Knights. Students also have the opportunity to complete the Game Design (GD) or Digital Venture (DV) Practicum. The GD Practicum is an internship (full-time job). The DV Practicum gives students the opportunity to build a start-up.
The program culminates with a Game Capstone. Graduates have been hired at places such as Disney, Epic Games, Lockheed Martin, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Rockstar Games, Microsoft, Cartoon Network, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, Marvel, Nintendo, Electronic Arts (EA), Warner Bros. Games, Apple, Unity Technologies, Zynga, Sony, Universal, Iron Galaxy Studios, Gameloft, and Blur Studio.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) houses more art and design degrees and specializations than just about any other school of its kind. This includes the Interactive Design and Game Development (IDGD) BA program. Students have the option to add a minor such as Game UX or Concept Art for Games. Other program highlights include internships; individual and group projects; access to SCAD Film Studios; and state-of-the-art production facilities in the 60,000 square feet SCAD Digital Media Center (DMC) and Mongomery Hall.
Students also have opportunities to interview and present their portfolios to reps from places such as Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts (EA), and Zynga during regularly scheduled meetings.
The program culminates with a final project and presentation. With a 99% success rate, SCAD IDGD graduates go on to land positions at places such as Riot Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, Epic Games, Apple, Nickelodeon, Gearbox Software, Adobe, Bethesda, and Zynga.
University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz) is the first institution in the UC system to launch an undergraduate game major. Today, the school provides multiple paths to study games. Among them is the Art and Design-Games and Playable Media BA (BA AGPM). Housed in the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE) and part of Games @ UC Santa Cruz, the program can be completed at the main Santa Cruz campus or the Silicon Valley (SVC) location.
Other program highlights include access to state-of-the-art production facilities and centers such as the Advanced Visualization and Interactive Systems Lab, Critical Realities Studio, The Other Lab, Expressive Intelligence Studio, Augmented Design Laboratory (ADL), Ludo Lab, the Center for Computational Experience, and the Critical Realities Studio; guest speakers from the game design industry; networking events; game design internships; participation in the Annual Games Showcase; frequent studio tours; and project evaluations by industry professionals.
The program culminates with a final project (capstone). Games @ UC Santa Cruz alumni have been hired at places such as Riot Games, Ubisoft, Tencent Games, Universal Studios Japan, Amazon, Electronic Arts (EA), Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, Warner Bros. Games, Apple, Zynga, Intel, NCSoft, Topgolf, NetEase Games, and Hi-Rez Studios.
DigiPen launched the world’s first bachelor’s degree in Video Game Development. Today, this Houdini Certified school has multiple paths to study game design. This includes a Game Design BA that provides opportunities to work in multidisciplinary teams to develop several original video games, create software, complete a final project, and finalize a market-ready portfolio. All activities take place in a real studio environment.
To date, DigiPen graduates have been credited on more than 2,000 commercial video games. Program alumni can be found at 1,500+ companies across the U.S. and abroad. Examples include Epic Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Rockstar Games, Activision Blizzard, Walt Disney Imagineering, DreamWorks Interactive, Ubisoft Shanghai, Insomniac Games, Microsoft, Warner Bros. Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Nintendo, Amazon, Google, Bethesda, Intel, Autodesk, Larian Studios (Belgium), Zynga, NCSoft, Take-Two Interactive, Booz Allen, SpaceX, Sucker Punch Productions, and Bungie.
Michigan State University (MSU) houses a Games and Interactive Media BA with a focus in Game Design, Game Development, or Games Graphics and Animation. The program is hands-on, with opportunities to work on real-world projects with partners such as Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), and Ubisoft. Other program highlights include internships with places such as Apple, Insomniac Games, and ABC; visiting artist talks; and access to state-of-the-art facilities such as Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab (GEL Lab), the Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab, and virtual reality (VR) labs.
Students will graduate from the Games and Interactive Media BA program with a portfolio of their best work. Program alumni have landed positions at places such as Boeing, Rockstar Games, Disney, Amazon, Electronic Arts (EA), Blizzard Entertainment, Apple, Ubisoft, Insomniac Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Microsoft, Epic Systems, Google, IBM, and Ford Motor Company.
The Departments of Design Media Arts (DMA) at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) houses a multidisciplinary, studio-based DMA BA that enrolls approximately 22 students per course. Examples include Game Design; Worldbuilding; Game Engine; 3D Modeling and Motion; Collaborative Game Lab; and Interactive Animation. DMA BA students also have the option to take additional courses through UCLA extension. Examples include Intro to Game Development with Godot 4; Developing Video Game Narratives; Composing Music for Video Games; Unity I: 3D Game Design and Game Engines; Immersive Experience Design; Drawing from Videogame Styles; and Blender Foundations for Spatial Media.
All DMA BA students may participate in the UCLA Game Lab. Supported by the School of the Arts and Architecture (UCLA Arts), and the School of Theater, Film and Television, the UCLA Game Lab hosts workshops, guest speaker events, and visiting artists. Examples of Game Lab sponsors include National Endowment for the Arts, NVIDIA, ZBrush, HP, Unity, and HTC.
Graduates of the DMA BA program at UCLA can be found at places such as Activision Blizzard, Riot Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), DreamWorks, Mattel, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros. Games, Ubisoft, Google, Pixar, Microsoft, Walt Disney Imagineering, Cisco Systems, Amazon, Apple, NBCUniversal, Zynga, Mattel, and Oracle.
Drexel University (Drexel) is home to the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design (Westphal). One of the nation’s largest media arts and design colleges, Westphal highlights immersive studio-based curriculums; courses led by industry professionals; and access to state-of-the-art facilities. Examples include the 1200 square feet Animation Capture and Effects Lab (ACE-Lab); the URBN Center, which features shared making spaces, innovative labs, and studios; the Immersive Research Lab (IRL) for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), immersive media projects; screening rooms; and a theme-park caliber motion simulation platform.
Westphal and Drexel’s College for Computing and Informatics (CCI) provide multiple paths to study game design. Among them is a BA in Computer Science (BAC) with optional tracks in Game Development and Design; Artificial Intelligence; and Numeric and Symbolic Computation. All tracks explore games, including topics that cover 2D and 3D Games (Game Development and Design); Creating Virtual Worlds (Numeric and Symbolic Computation); and Game Playing and Logic Programming (Artificial Intelligence).
The BA program is hands-on, with mandatory co-op experiences that provide the opportunity to gain up to 18 months of real work experience in the games industry. Co-op experiences can be completed in the U.S. or overseas in places such as Hong Kong, London, Ghana, Spain, and Greece. All students also have access to additional facilities such as the Entrepreneurial Game Studio (EGS), and the Center for Games, Artificial Intelligence, and Media Systems (GAIMS Center).
Westphal and CCI games programs culminate with a full-year capstone project. Graduates can be found at places such as Lockheed Martin, Disney Interactive, Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), Gameloft, NCSoft Corporation, Xbox Game Studios, DreamWorks, Insomniac Games, Microsoft, Digital Domain, Nickelodeon, Zynga, NBCUniversal, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Obsidian Entertainment, Gearbox Software, NetherRealm Studios, and BioWare.
The College of the Arts (COTA) at University of Florida (UF) is home to the Digital Worlds Institute (DW), which houses a Digital Arts and Sciences (DAS) BA (BADAS) that can be completed on campus or entirely online. All DW programs provides access to state-of-the-art labs and facilities such as the ORC Lab; The GYM Production and Collaboration HUB; the Virtual Production Studio (VPS); the Reality Lab – the Immersive Technology and Research Lab (Reality Lab); and the Polymodal Immersive Classroom Theater (PICT).
Other DW benefits include professional internships; study abroad experiences; visiting artists and lecturers; and workshops, recruitment events, and open houses through the Agency at UF. The BADAS program culminates with a final project and portfolio. Graduates go on to establish careers at places such as Insomniac Games, DreamWorks, Google, Disney, Microsoft, Bungie, Adobe, Gearbox Software, Apple, Oracle, ESPN, Vu Technologies, and The NFL.
The Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology at University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas or UTD) is a Houdini Certified School that houses the Animation and Games BA, and Media Arts and Design (MAD) BA programs. The MAD BA has an optional concentration in Emerging Media Arts (EMA).
Across programs, students have access to one of the nation’s largest project design studios—the Jonsson School facility. Other labs and studios include the Game Lab; Animation Lab; Render Farm; 3D Studio; CG Animation Lab; The Studio for Mediating Play; Games and Media Library; Mixed Media Lab; experimenta.l.; Games Research Lab; Escape Pod Studio; VAST Lab; Motion Capture Studio; Narrative Systems Research Lab; Surround Studio; and MoGraph Lab. Students also have opportunities to compete an internship, study abroad experience, or other experiential learning activities.
Programs culminate with a final project (capstone). UT Dallas Games and MAD graduates are routinely hired at places such as Epic Games, Disney, Pixar, BioWare, Lockheed Martin, Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Unity, Gearbox Software, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Google, Amazon, RTX, Microsoft, Apple, Reel FX, and id Software.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is home to the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDigi). Established in 2011, this education, entrepreneurship, and workforce development center features the Summer Innovation Program (SIP), which helps student teams complete, market, and prepare to launch an original game. Other MassDigi highlights include the Reverse Internship/Sabbatical featuring team projects; Live Code, which allows students to work on real games; the Virtual Production Laboratory; and the Education Working Group.
Degree programs for WPI students are part of the School of Arts and Sciences. For students seeking a BA in games, the school houses a project-based and highly collaborative Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD) BA. Program highlights include opportunities to complete a co-op experience or professional internship; the Game Developers Conference (GDC); and participation in the annual PAX East Game Festival, among others.
The program culminates with a final project and portfolio. Graduates are often hired at places such as Riot Games, Lockheed Martin, Activision Blizzard, Rockstar Games, Xbox Game Studios, Epic Systems, Harmonix Music Systems, Bethesda, RTX, Twitch, Owlchemy Labs, Larian Studios, Amazon, and Google.
The College of Creative Arts at Miami University (Miami U) houses the Department of Emerging Technology in Business and Design (ETBD). Within the department is an ETBD BA program with Digital and Applied concentrations. In addition to a minor in Games and Simulation, students can create customize their own games focus through more than 50 additional games courses.
Other program highlights include a mandatory internship; access to state-of-the-art production facilities and labs such as the John Smale Interactive Visualization Lab and Center, Esports Lounge and Arena, and Huge Immersive Virtual Environment (HIVE); close proximity to more than 20 local game studios, such as SGM Games, Multivarious Games, and Wraith Games; and opportunities to study abroad at Miami University Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) or in places such as Japan, Morocco, the UK, Spain, and South Korea.
The ETBD BA program culminates with a capstone project with a student-selected theme. The Games and Simulation minor culminates with an independent game development project.
Miami University Games graduates can be found at places such as Rockstar Games, Activision Blizzard, Lucasfilm Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Xbox Game Studios, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nintendo, Amazon Games, Ubisoft, Google, ZeniMax Media, Gearbox Software, Apple, Intel, Zynga, and Meta.
Bradley University (Bradley) provides BA degrees in Game Design; Game Art; and Interactive Media. A Game Project Management minor is open to all students. Other program highlights include collaborative projects; opportunities to gain real-world experience through partnerships with Rockstar New England, Everi, and OSF Jump Simulation Center, among others; the NBCUniversal Internship Program; participation in Game Jams; and the opportunity to show works at the annual FUSE Exhibit.
All students may also participate in the Bradley University Hollywood Semester and study abroad programs in places such as Spain, Australia, and the UK. The Hollywood Semester highlights guest lectures; excursions to industry events; professional internships; courses led by industry professionals; and networking events. The programs new mentorship initiative also helps connect students with Bradley alumni in Los Angeles.
Programs culminate with the Game Design Capstone. Graduates have been hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Amazon Game Studios, Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Ubisoft, Insomniac Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Epic Games, Bungie, and Warner Bros. Games.
The School of Design at Columbia College Chicago (Columbia College) is home to a Game and Interactive Media Design BA with concentrations in Game Design and Game Programming; and the Animation and Computer Graphics BA with a concentration in Game Art. Interactive Media Design students can add the Game Art minor to enhance the degree, while students in both programs can add the Fashion for Game Art minor. Other program features include collaborative projects; interdisciplinary coursework; immersive workshops; artist-in-residence initiatives; professional internships; and study abroad experiences.
All students also have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Examples include The Game Lab; The Equipment Cave (game consoles, etc.); The Motion Capture Studio; The Open Lab; Animation Production Spaces; and The Sound Studio.
Programs culminate with a final project to be presented at major conferences, festivals, and other events. Examples include the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, California; Industry Night at Columbia College Chicago; South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas; and the Chicago Toy and Game Fair.
Graduates of the Games programs at Columbia College Chicago can be found at places such as Nickelodeon, Weta FX, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Pixar, Warner Bros. Games, BioWare, Cartoon Network, Amazon, Netflix, Bungie, Jellyvision, High Voltage Software, and Iron Galaxy Studios.
The Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science (Ritchie School) at University of Denver (DU) houses the Game Development, Computer Science, and Applied Computing BA programs. A Game Capstone course is open to all students. During this 10-week experience, students will design, build, test, and finalize a fully working game.
Students in all pathways can participate in DU’s study abroad program, highlighting more than 120 options across 20+ countries. Internships and co-op experiences at places such as Disney and NBCUniversal are also part of the programs.
Graduates can be found at places such as Riot Games, IBM, Nickelodeon, Tencent Games, Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Lockheed Martin, ESPN, Take-Two Interactive, Avalanche Studios Group, RTX, Ball Aerospace, Arkadium Games, Microsoft, Oracle, Google, the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Japan, and Charter Communications.
University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is a 100% STEM-based post-secondary institution that houses one of the few fully accredited Game Design Programs (GDP) with degree options across the entire discipline. Launched in 1995, the UAT GDP includes BA degrees in Game Art and Animation (GAA BA), and Game Design (GD BA), among others. Programs can be completed online, on campus, or a combination of the two (hybrid). A 15-week internship is mandatory for all on campus students.
Across programs, students have the opportunity to create original games in collaboration with game programmers, artists, and other designers. Students also benefit from courses taught by active industry professionals; a synchronic learning model; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities and labs.
Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Nickelodeon, Blizzard Entertainment, Bethesda, Intel, Gearbox Software, Microsoft, Scientific Games, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Google, U.S. Department of Defense, Twitch, and AGS.
Quinnipiac University (QU) is recognized as an Unreal Academic Partner. The school houses a Game Design and Development (GDD) BA that allows students to choose from seven concentrations, add any minor, and/or create their own double major. Concentration examples include Game Design; Management/Production; Programming; and Spatial Technology. All students may also participate in the QU in LA program, which consists of a semester-long internship in California. Past participating studios include Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts (EA), and Meta.
Other program benefits include access to the state-of-the-art facilities such as the Center for Game Development (CGD), motion capture lab, eSports room at Rocky Top, and the new AR/VR space, lab, and lounge; the option to take courses in related areas such as Computer Science or Graphic and Interactive Design; and the culminating Senior Project and Seminar (capstone experience).
QU GDD graduates can be found at places such as Tencent Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Disney, Rockstar Games, Nickelodeon, Take-Two Interactive, Amazon, ESPN, Avalanche Studios Group, Sesame Street Workshop, Hi-Rez Studios, Bethesda, Floor 84 Studio (F84), and Cool Math Games.
The School of Fine Arts (SFA) at University of Connecticut (UConn) houses the Department of Digital Media Design (DMD). Within the department is a liberal arts DMD BA program that allows students to take courses from other departments and focus areas; add a minor; complete a double major; or customize a dual degree. Formal concentrations for the program include Digital Culture and Digital Media Business Strategies. Both concentrations consist of courses such as Introduction to Digital Game Design; Motion and Design Animation; Game Design; 3D Animation; Web/Interactive Media Design; and Film and Video Editing.
Other program highlights include collaborative, hands-on projects; access to state-of-the-art production facilities such as the VR/Gaming Studio, Cintiq Lab, and Motion Capture Studio; co-ops and internships at places such as Pixar, Adobe, HBO, Disney, and ESPN; mentoring by visiting artists; and participation in the Gaming and Game Development Clubs.
The program culminates with the Senior Thesis, worth six credits. Graduates of the UConn DMD department have been hired at places such as Epic Games, LEGO, Pixar, Google, NBCUniversal, HBO, Adobe, Owlchemy Labs, Deck Nine Games, ESPN, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Madison Square Garden, Bit Fry Game Studios, IBM, Worldwalker Games, NBC Sports, PreviewLabs, and Verizon.
The Department of Game Design and Development at University of Silicon Valley (USV) houses BA degrees in Game Art and Game Design. With both online and on-campus delivery options, the programs feature a Game Studio class where students have the opportunity to spend two semesters working on projects for real client projects. This immersive class takes place in an environment designed to operate like today’s professional game studios.
Other program highlights include the Game Writing track led by industry veteran Evan Skolnick (Activision, Marvel, Lucasfilm); access to state-of-the-art production facilities; visiting artists; studio internships; workshops; and study abroad experiences.
Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates can be found at places such as Epic Games, Activision Blizzard, Rockstar Games, Atari SA, Bethesda, DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Disney, Cartoon Network, Pixar, 2K Games, Crystal Dynamics, Pixelberry Studios, Double Fine Productions, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Halo Studios, and Magic Tavern.
The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Stevens Institute of Technology (Stevens) houses a Visual Arts and Technology BA (VAT BA) program with concentrations in Game Design; Moving Image; Creative Computation; and Design. All options emphasize hands-on projects in a studio environment and immersive coursework in games. Other VAT BA program highlights include internships at places such as NBCUniversal and IBM; immersive workshops; participation in the Stevens Game Development Club; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities such as the Visual Arts Studio, MakerCenter, and Virtual Arts Lab.
The VAT BA program at Stevens culminates with a capstone project and presentation at the annual student-cultivated exhibition held at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City. Graduates of the VAT and other technology programs at Stevens can be found at places such as Epic Games, Lockheed Martin, Nintendo, Disney, Adobe, Google, Microsoft, Apple, NBCUniversal, Amazon, Warner Bros. Discovery, RTX, Samsung, Meta, L3Harris Technologies, PepsiCo, Mastercard, Capital One, BMW, and Audible.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-Whitewater) houses the College of Arts and Communication (CAC) and the College of Letters and Sciences (CLS). Within the CAS is the Department of Art and Design (DAD)—home to the Media Arts and Game Development (MAGD) BA program. Students can choose from three emphasis areas including Communication/Gaming; Gaming Technology; and Media Arts. A Digital Game Artist certificate is also available for BA students.
The CLS houses the Department of Computer Science (DCS), home to the Computer Science (CS) BA. Students can add a Game Development emphasis or the MAGD Communication/Gaming minor.
Across all programs, students have opportunities to participate in regional game design expos and competitions such as the MAGD Expo and M-Dev. Held annually at UW-Whitewater, the MAGD Expo hosts industry leaders who have developed games such as Madden NFL, God of War, Assassin’s Creed, and Transformers.
Other program highlights include participation in weekend-long game jams; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; internships at local studios or in the UW-Whitewater Digital Media Lab; team-based projects; study abroad experiences that allows students to collaborate virtually with students at HAN University of Applied Sciences, then travel to Holland to complete the game; and participation in student organizations such as GAMED (Game and Media Entertainment Developers), the Gaming Group of Whitewater, Super Smash Bros Club, and the Animation Club.
Programs culminate with the Senior Capstone course. Graduates have been hired at places such as Amazon, Warner Bros. Interactive, Bethesda, Google, Obsidian Entertainment, IBM, Epic Systems, Infosys, High Voltage Software, PerBlue, Filament Games, Raven Software, Image 360, Blue Yonder, and Kohler Co.
