| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan State University | Michigan |
| 2 | DePaul University | Illinois |
| 3 | Purdue University | Indiana |
| 4 | The Ohio State University | Ohio |
| 5 | Indiana University Bloomington | Indiana |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin–Stout | Wisconsin |
| 7 | Miami University | Ohio |
| 8 | Bradley University | Illinois |
| 9 | Columbia College Chicago | Illinois |
| 10 | Indiana University Indianapolis | Indiana |
| 11 | Cleveland Institute of Art | Ohio |
| 12 | Kent State University | Ohio |
| 13 | Ferris State University | Michigan |
| 14 | Eastern Michigan University | Michigan |
| 15 | College for Creative Studies | Michigan |
| 16 | Columbus College of Art and Design | Ohio |
| 17 | Shawnee State University | Ohio |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin–Whitewater | Wisconsin |
| 19 | Case Western Reserve University | Ohio |
| 20 | Ohio University | Ohio |
Our 2025 rankings of the Top 20 game design schools and colleges in the Midwest. For reference, we define the Midwest as Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
Michigan State University (MSU) provides several paths to study game design. Options include the Games and Interactive Media BA with a focus in Game Design, Game Development, or Games Graphics and Animation; a Game Design and Development (GDD) minor; the Serious Games MA certificate; a STEM-approved Media and Information MA (MI MA) with a focus in Game Design; and BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Computer Science (CS). CS BS students can minor in GDD and/or concentrate in Multimedia and Graphics. MS and PhD students can enroll in the Serious Games certificate program.
All programs are 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 game design programs at MSU with a portfolio of their best work. Across programs, graduates 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.
Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University houses several programs for game designers. Options include BS degrees in Game Design, Computer Science + Animation (CS+ANI) with a Game Art Technical Director concentration, and Game Programming; a STEM-designated Animation BFA with a concentration in Game Art + the option to focus in Animation or Modeling and Rigging; the Game Design MFA; and a Game Programming MS. Across programs, students have access to DeFRAG (DePaul Fundamental Research in Academic Gaming); a game development studio known as DePaul Originals; the Deep Games Laboratory; and DePaul Esports Gaming Center. DeFRAG hosts week-long game jams, video game Jeopardy, and multi-play nights.
Other program highlights include access to gameplay, game development, playtest and usability, virtual reality, and research labs; participation in exhibitions; internships with local and national studios; the biennial Japan Study Abroad Program, culminating with a game/animation jam; and opportunities to gain hands-on experience at DePaul’s virtual production stage—the first of its kind in the Midwest—and the Indie Studio.
Students also benefit from courses taught by industry professionals from places such as Nickelodeon, WMS, and Disney; access to DePaul Cinespace Studios—a state-of-the-art 60,000 square feet production facility that houses animation studios and labs, six professional soundstages, stop motion and motion capture stages, mixing studios, and more; and participation in the LA Quarter Program at Sunset Las Palmas Studio.
Graduates of the Game programs at DePaul go on to secure positions at places such as Epic Games, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts (EA), Lockheed Martin, Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, Sony Pictures, Nickelodeon, LAIKA, WB Games, RTX, Zynga, Bethesda, Scientific Games, IBM, GitHub, and Meta.
Purdue University is home to Purdue Polytechnic Institute. Within the institute is the School of Applied and Creative Computing, which houses the STEM-designated Game Development BS; a Computer Graphics Technology MS (CGT MS) with a Games concentration; and the Technology PhD, with 30 credit hours of flexible electives selected across six schools and departments. Purdue’s School of Business and Information Technology also houses an Analytics BS with a concentration in Game Development.
All programs are hands-on with access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the CGT Computer Lab; the Games Innovation Laboratory; VR Lab; Experience Design Laboratory (ExLab); Visual Effects Lab; and IDEA Laboratory. Other program benefits include opportunities to work on real-world projects; small class sizes; and the opportunity to complete an internship or participate in the co-op program.
The culminating experience for the Game Development BS program is a professional portfolio. The Game Development concentration culminates with a final project. CGT MS students will compete a thesis to graduate. The Technology PhD program culminates with a dissertation. Graduates can be found at places such as Riot Games, Lockheed Martin, Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, Microsoft, Boeing, RTX, DreamWorks, HP, Amazon, Zynga, Google, PepsiCo, Apple, HP, Epic Systems, Delta Air Lines, Northrop Grumman, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Ford Motor Company, and Caterpillar.
The Ohio State University (OSU) provides multiple paths to study games. Programs are housed across the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering; the Department of Art and Department of Design in the College of Arts and Sciences. Options include the BS, MS, and PhD in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE); a BS in Computer and Information Science (BS CIS); an Art BA; the BFA in Studio Art; the Studio Art MFA; the MFA with tracks in Digital Animation and Interactive Media (DAIM) or Art and Technology; and the Game Studies minor.
Electives, tracks, and opportunities to customize an emphasis area allow students in all programs to focus in games. Other benefits across programs include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; professional internships; and study abroad experiences in places such as the UK, Italy, Spain, and France.
OSU graduates have been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Epic Games, Boeing, Pixar, Unity, Nickelodeon, Activision Blizzard, Disney, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, Lockheed Martin, Netflix, Microsoft, Starz, Titmouse, Google, NVIDIA, IBM, Amazon, Intel, Apple, Dell, ABC, Northrop Grumman, HP, Nike, Oracle, Meta, Texas Instruments (TI), RTX, Cisco Systems, Magic Leap, and Ohio Film Group.
Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington) provides multiple paths to study games. Options include the Game Design BS and minor; a Computer Science BS (CS BS) with a Game Development specialization; the flexible CS BA; a Media Arts and Science BS (MAS BS) with a specialization in Game Design and Development; and a Media BA with a Media Technologies, Games and Culture concentration.
All options provide access to GameDev@IU (GD@IU)—a student-run organization that hosts game jams, collaborative game design projects; and workshops. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; professional internships; portfolio development; and opportunities to complete a final project or prototype, demo, and publish an original game.
Graduates of all programs are prepared to pursue advanced roles across all areas of game design and development. Program alumni have secured positions at places such as Rockstar Games, Disney, Epic Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Nintendo, Ubisoft, Xbox Game Studios, Zynga, Insomniac Games, Bethesda, Naughty Dog, Gearbox Software, Owlchemy Labs, and Psyonix.
University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout) is home to the first and only Game Design and Development (GDD) BFA in the upper Midwest (Wisconsin-Iowa-Minnesota). UW-Stout also offers a GDD concentration for students in the Computer Science BS (CS BS) program, and a Design MFA with a GDD focus. The CS BS is a charter member of the Higher Education Video Game Alliance.
Highlights across programs include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; collaborative studios; faculty-led trips to Los Angeles and San Francisco; internships and paid co-op experiences; participation in game conferences, exhibitions, game competitions, and festivals; industry projects with The Jim Henson Company and the National Park Service; and hundreds of study abroad programs across more than 40 countries. Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates have been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts (EA), Lockheed Martin, Disney, Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco, Apple, HP, Raven Software, and Afterverse.
The College of Creative Arts at Miami University (Miami U) houses the Department of Emerging Technology in Business and Design (ETBD). Within the department are several paths to study games. Options include the Games and Simulation BS; an ETBD BA with Digital and Applied concentrations; and minors in Games and Simulation, and ETBD. All students have access to more than 50 games courses. ETBD BA students can add the Games and Simulation minor and/or customize a games focus through electives.
Across programs, students also benefit from mandatory internships; 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 Games and Simulation BS program culminates with an industry-ready game. ETBD BA students will complete a capstone project with a theme of their choice to graduate. 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 multiple paths to study game design. Options include BA and BS degrees in Game Design and Game Art; an Interactive Media BA; Computer Science (CS) and Computer Information Systems (CIS) BS programs with a Computer Game Technology concentration; Game Design and Game Project Management minors; and the Game Development MS. Across programs, students benefit from 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 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) provides a number of paths to study games. Options include a BA in Game and Interactive Media Design with concentrations in Game Design and Game Programming; an Animation and Computer Graphics BA with a concentration in Game Art; and minors in Game Design, Game Art, and Fashion for Game Art. All programs feature 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 Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) houses the Media Arts and Science BS (MAS BS) with a Game Design and Development (GDD) specialization, and a GDD minor. Both programs are hands-on with a focus on learning how to design and create an industry-ready original game. Other program highlights include team projects; professional internships; and the opportunity to travel to Greece for three weeks or Finland for two weeks. In Greece students will complete service learning projects such as 3D graphics of historic places or promotional videos.
In Finland, students collaborate with partners at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences and visit museums, historic sites, studios, and cultural events. All students also have access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the Emerging Technologies Lab, which houses virtual production, motion capture, and virtual reality technologies; VELa (Video Editing Lab), equipped with After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Millumin, and Lightroom; and MARLA (Media Arts Research and Learning Arcade). This game, animation, and simulations production space provides access to industry-standard technology and platforms such as Unreal Engine 4; Unity; Maya; ZBrush; UVLayout; and Cintiq creative pen displays.
The MAS BS program culminates with the Capstone Project Internship or Capstone Project—student’s choice. Capstone projects will be presented at the MAS Exhibition. Graduates can be found at places such as Rockstar Games, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Digital Domain, Gearbox Software, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Owlchemy Labs, Piperworks Studios, Vision3 Interactive, and 4A Games.
The Game Design Department at Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) houses a Game Design BFA program that provides access to a new Interactive Media Lab (IML). This 14,297 square feet space houses one of the few virtual production studios in Ohio, along with an in-house arcade for game testing; extended reality (XR) studio; rapid prototyping lab; image and data capture studio; and a multi-format screening room.
Other program highlights include internship opportunities; projects with partner clients such as NASA and The Hearst Foundations (HearstFDN); intensive training in game engines such as Unreal and Unity; and access to the Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears think[box]—a seven-story, 50,000 square feet innovation center and makerspace on the neighboring Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) campus.
In the final year of the program, students will complete the Serious Game Design and BFA Research and Preparation courses. The program culminates with the BFA Thesis and Exhibition. Graduates have been hired at places such as Epic Games, Disney, Electronic Arts (EA), Bethesda, American Greetings, MIM Software Inc., Round Table Learning, thatgamecompany, Fanatics Inc., and XRtistry.
The College of Applied and Technical Studies (CATS) at Kent State University (Kent State or KSU) has two paths to study games including the Animation Game BS (AGD BS) and Game Design minor. BS students can concentrate in Animation or Game Design. The AGD BS can be completed at the Kent, Tuscarawas, and Stark campuses. The College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Computer Science houses a Game Programming minor that complements the Computer Science BA, BS, MS, BS/MS, and PhD programs; the Computer Engineering BS; and the Digital Media Production BS.
Highlights across programs include opportunities to complete a professional internship; study abroad experiences; participation in workshops and seminars; and collaborative projects that take place in the classroom and state-of-the-art labs, studios, and production facilities. The culminating experience for the AGD BS is the Senior Capstone Project or Technical and Applied Studies Capstone—student’s choice. The CS BS with Game Programming culminates with the Computer Science Capstone.
Graduates have landed positions at places such as Riot Games, NASA, Electronic Arts (EA), Boeing, Epic Games, Ubisoft, Nintendo, Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks, Disney, Take-Two Interactive, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, PGA of America, IBM, Apple, Intel, Cleveland Cavaliers, ESPN, ABC, and R/GA.
Ferris State University (Ferris State or FSU) houses the College of Business—home to the School of Digital Media, and Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD). Within the School of Digital Media is a Digital Animation and Game Design BAS (DAGD BAS) with a mandatory internship and concentrations in Game Development (GMDV), 3D Animation (AN3D), and General (GDAG).
KCAD houses a flexible Digital Art and Design BFA (DIAD BFA) that allows students to customize a concentration through electives such as 3D Game Art I-II; Concept and Production Art; Interaction Design; Video; and 3D Character Design. Students also have the option to develop portfolios in one or more areas or games.
Other highlights across programs include courses, labs, and studios led by active industry professionals; seminars and immersive workshops; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities. The DAGD BAS program culminates with a capstone project consisting of a market-ready portfolio. The culminating experience for the DIAD BFA is the Digital Art and Design Thesis.
Graduates of the Games and other programs at KCAD have been hired at places such as Epic Games, Disney, Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Netflix, YouTube, and Deck Nine Games.
The School of Art and Design at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) houses the Simulation, Animation and Gaming (SAG) BS and 20 credit hour SAG minor. The multidisciplinary SAG BS is a STEM-designated program that highlights courses such as Vector Illustration for SAG; Introduction to Unity I-II; Story Development; Environment Design; Organic Modeling; Graphics for Simulation I-II; and SAG Movement.
Throughout the program, students will also complete several immersive production studios and the Senior Projects in SAG experience to graduate. SAG BS and other EMU alumni can be found at places such as Lockheed Martin, Google, ESPN, CBS, Amazon, Cisco Systems, and Ford Motor Company.
College for Creative Studies (CCS) recently launched two new initiatives—an in-house render farm, and a collection of student video games released on the world’s largest digital distribution service, Steam.
Selected games are from students in the school’s STEM-designated Game Design emphasis. Part of the Entertainment Arts (EA) BFA program, the emphasis highlights a Game Projects course that operates like a real game design studio. Students work in teams to pitch, develop, and execute games projects.
Also a Toom Boon Center of Excellence (COE ) program, the EA BFA features sponsored projects with studios such as Epic Games and Unity 3D; courses taught by Unreal Authorized Instructors (UAI); internships with local and regional studios; access to state-of-the-art facilities including gaming labs and editing suites; and study abroad experiences in places such as Paris, Italy, India, Spain, and Ireland.
The culminating experience for the CCS EA BFA program is the Game Senior Studio. Graduates go on to secure roles at places such as Epic Games, Disney, Paramount, Nickelodeon, and Pixomondo. To date, program alumni have also been credited on more than 15 Marvel movies; Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment); and many of the Batmobiles from the live-action Batman films.
Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) houses a Game Art and Design BFA program that highlights participation in game jams; the Origins Game Fair hosted by The Tabletop Game Association (GAMA); community game forums; and the Gaming and Expo Conference (GDEX). All students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and tools such as Mac and PC computer labs with the latest industry software; Makey and Arduino alternative controller kits; play-testing areas; sound rooms and editing suites; stand-alone AR/VR kits; and the Cloyd Family Animation Center's Stop Motion Lab.
Students also benefit from courses and projects led by expert faculty members; interactions with visiting artists and designers; participation in student-run organizations such as the Battle Game Alliance, Tabletop/Role Play Game Club, and Game Development Guild; professional internships; and the opportunity to have games featured on CCAD’s webpage Oh My GAD.
The CCAD Game Art and Design BFA program culminates with the Game Pipeline and Game Projects Capstone courses. Graduates can be found at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, LEGO, Insomniac Games, LAIKA, Pixar, Riot Games, BioWare, Disney, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros. Animation, Netflix, Google, Multivarious Games, Iron Galaxies Studios, and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Shawnee State University (SSU) provides several paths to study game design. Options include a Game and Simulation Arts BFA; Digital Simulation and Gaming Engineering Technology (Game Programming) BS; and a Gaming Arts minor. Across programs, students will work and learn in state-of-the-art classrooms, studios, and labs such as the Motion Capture Studio and the Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Lab. Students also have opportunities to participate in game jams, the Art and Technology Game Conference, and the varsity esports program.
The programs culminate with a joint senior project and professional portfolio. Graduates have landed positions at places such as Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Boeing, Insomniac Games, Disney, Nickelodeon, Ubisoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Amazon, Intel, and Take-Two Interactive.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-Whitewater) provides a number of programs for game designers. Options are housed across the College of Arts and Communication’s Department of Art and Design (DAD), and the Department of Computer Science (DCS) in the College of Letters and Sciences. DAD programs include the Media Arts and Game Development (MAGD) BA and BS. All MAGD majors can choose from three emphasis areas including Communication/Gaming; Gaming Technology; and Media Arts. Communication/Gaming, and Gaming Technology are offered as minors, and a Digital Game Artist certificate is also available.
DCS programs include the Computer Science (CS) BA, BS, and minor. A Game Development emphasis is open to all CS students, as well as 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.
All programs culminate with the Senior Capstone. 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.
The School of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU or Case) houses the Department of Computer and Data Science (CDS). Within the department is a Computer Gaming minor open to students in the Computer Science (CS) BA, BS, BA/MS, BS/MS and PhD programs. While required courses for the CS BA are housed in the CDS department, the College of Arts and Sciences awards the degree.
Students in the Computer Gaming minor at Case will take an Introduction to Game Development course in collaboration with students from the Game Design Department at Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). During this semester-long course, student teams will complete programming assignments and a four-week project that focuses on creating and publishing an original game on itch.io. Students will also exhibit projects at CWRU’s Arcade Day. Guest judges form major studios are invited to the event to evaluate projects.
Other program benefits include access to a seven-story, 50,000 square feet innovation center and makerspace known as Think[box] and the Kevin Kranzusch Gaming, Simulation and Visualization Lab; the Case Esports Club, which is open to casual and competitive gamers; and paid work experiences through the Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program at Case School of Engineering.
Graduates of the CS and Computer Gaming minor programs at Case can be found at places such as NASA, Riot Games, Boeing, Epic Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Lockheed Martin, Take-Two Interactive, Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Amazon, Google, IBM, Apple, Intel, Oracle, HP, Verizon, and Pinterest.
Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University is home to the J. Warren McClure School of Emerging Communication Technologies. Within the school is a Virtual Reality and Game Development (VRGD) BS program with a required minor in Business or Communication Studies. All students have access to The Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) Lab and CREATE space.
GRID is a research lab that explores serious and educational games, virtual reality, computer animation, and simulations. The lab also supports the development of creative and technical skills in digital game technology through collaborative projects and other activities. CREATE_space allows students from all programs to participate in hands-on projects and critiques.
The VRGD BS program culminates with a capstone project and portfolio. Graduates have secured positions at places such as Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Warner Bros., Bethesda, Unity, Sony, Bungie, Google, Apple, Meta, Esports Engine, DGN Games, and eFuse.
