Top 20 Schools with Game Design Bachelor's of Arts (BA) Degree Programs – 2023 College Rankings

University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz or UCSC) houses the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE), home to Games @ UC Santa Cruz.  This intensive program has an Art & Design: Games and Playable Media (BA AGPM) pathway that requires a minimum of five lower-division and 11 upper-division courses in residence. Course examples for the program include Video Games as Visual Culture, Game Design Studio I-III, Game AI, Interactive Storytelling, and Game Graphics and Real-Time Rendering.

BA AGPM students have access to Games @ UC Santa Cruz facilities and centers such as The Center for Computational Experience, Advanced Visualization and Interactive Systems, Ludo Lab, Critical Realities Studio, Software Introspection Laboratory, Expressive Intelligence Studio, ADL (Augmented Design Laboratory), Social Emotional Technology Lab, and The Other Lab.

Other program benefits include game design internships, frequent studio tours, and participation in the Annual Games Showcase. Undergraduates will complete a Capstone Project during the final year of the program.

Graduates of Games @ UC Santa Cruz are prepared to pursue positions such as Game Designer, Game Writer, Digital Artist, Board Game Designer, Producer, VR/AR Artist, and 2D/3D Artist. Program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Tic Toc Games, Method Studios, Ubisoft, Tencent, Amazon, Universal, Google, TopGolf, and Hi-Rez Studios.

The School of Digital Media at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has a number of pathways to study game design. This includes a Digital Media BA with both Game Development and Interactive Design Tracks. Across Tracks, students have opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships with local and national studios.

SCAD Game Development and Interactive Design students will also work individually and in teams to complete projects while utilizing state-of-the-art customized facilities at Montgomery Hall—a 130,000 square feet space consisting of studio classrooms, more than 800 computers, stop-motion sets, a green-screen stage, motion-capture technology, and AR/VR resources. The SCAD Digital Media Center in Atlanta provides an in-house theater, green screen lab, and a real-world studio environment.

Each quarter, SCAD Game Development and Interactive Design students have the opportunity to interview and present their portfolios to professionals in the industry. Past visitors have been affiliated with studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Zynga, and Activision Blizzard. Graduates of the Game Development and Interactive Design Programs at Savannah College of Art and Design are routinely hired by these and other studios such as Epic Games, Firaxis Games, and Sucker Punch Productions.

Michigan State University (MSU) houses the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci) and the College of Engineering. Both offer pathways to study game design.

Serving more than 3,500 students, the College of ComArtSci houses the Department of Media and Information (MI)—home to the Game Design and Development Program. Established in 2005, the program consists of a Games and Interactive Media BA and an 18 credit hour Game Design and Development Minor that can be added to the BA Program or any other major at MSU. A Media and Information MA with a Games Studies and Design Focus is also available. 

The MSU Games and Interactive Media BA is a project-based program that explores topics such as the game design process, emerging interactive media, and production. Focus areas include Game Design, Game Development, and Games Graphics and Animation. Course examples across focus areas include Building Virtual Worlds, Serious Game Design, Game Writing, Compositing and Special Effects, and Media Sketching and Graphics. Students will graduate from the MSU Games and Interactive Media BA Program with a professional portfolio of their best work.

The Michigan State University MI MA with Games Studies includes courses such as Foundations of Serious Games, Game and Film Design Studio I-II, Theories of Games and Interaction Design, Interaction Design, and Interactive Usability and Accessibility: Design and Evaluation. To graduate, students must complete two final courses: Master’s Thesis Research (4-6 credits) and the Master’s Project (4-6 credits). Graduates of the MI MA Program are prepared for careers in 3D Game Design, UI/UX, and 3D Technology, among others.

Michigan State University Games and MI alumni work for major studios such as Insomniac Games, Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, and Bungie.

The College of Engineering at Michigan State University houses the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, home to the Computer Science Program. Available pathways for game designers include BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Computer Science. All programs offer a Specialization in Media and Information Studies with the option to take games-related courses offered in other departments. Students in all programs will also take courses in Systems Design and Analysis, Theory and Algorithms, and Data Analysis and Applications.

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) is home to UCLA Game Lab and UCLA Extension. Supported by the School of the Arts and Architecture (UCLA Arts) and the School of Theater, Film and Television, UCLA Game Lab hosts visiting artists and researchers, guest speaker events, and workshops. The Lab is also supported by sponsors such as Unity, HP, Zbrush, Oculus, Nvidia, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

While UCLA Extension does not have a formal Game Design Program, it offers a number of game design courses such as Developing Video Game Narratives, Unity: 3D Game Design and Game Engines, Composing Music for Video Games, Producing Commercials for Games, and 3D Real-Time Animation.

Housed in the School of the Arts and Architecture at UCLA is the Department of Design Media Arts (DMA), which has a DMA BA that provides access to UCLA Game Lab and the course offerings at UCLA Extension. On its own, the DMA BA program explores everything from interactivity and motion to film/video and game design. Courses for the program are taught as studios of up to 22 students. Course examples for the program include 3D Modeling and Motion, Game Design, Tangible Media, Word + Image, and Video.

Graduates of the DMA and Game Design Programs at University of California Los Angeles work in all areas of game design and development at local, national, and global game design studios, software companies, production studios, and more.

The School of Arts and Sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is home to the Interactive Media & Game Development (IMGD) Program. One of the earliest gaming programs in the U.S. IMGD houses an IMGD BA with Concentrations in Animation, 3D Sculpting, Design, Writing, and Technical Artistry.

The program provides access to state-of-the-art facilities such a dedicated IMGD Lab equipped with industry-standard software and hardware tools, a Digital Art Studio, an Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Tutoring Lab, and a Sound Recording Studio. In addition, the IMGD Program blends art, technology, and real-world experience through a co-op or professional internship.

As part of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, IMGD graduates enjoy frequent on-campus recruiting events and a 92.7% success rate. Examples of companies that have hired WPI IMGD graduates include Kaon Interactive, NextGen Interactions, Zudy, and Centre Technology.

The College of Creative Arts at Miami University (Miami Oh or Miami) houses the College of Creative Arts, home to the Department of Emerging Technology in Business + Design (ETBD)—formerly AIMS. The ETBD has a Games + Simulation Minor that can be taken with the Emerging Technology in Business and Design BA (ET BA). This highly competitive program has four foundational pillars: Design, Technology, Collaboration & Making, and Business. Students will take courses such as Game Studies, Game Design, Game Programming, Art and Digital Tools, Interaction Design and Development, Interactive Business Communication, and Social Media Marketing and Online Community Management.

The cross-disciplinary Games + Simulation Minor consists of 19 total credit hours, with collaborative courses between The ETBD and the Art and Computer Science Departments. Electives within the program allow students to create a specialty area such as Game Development, Writing for Games, or 3D Art and Animation.  

To gain valuable work experience in the industry, all students at Miami University may complete an internship at a local or national company. There are more than 20 local game companies. Examples include SGM Games, Ganbaru Games, Green Door Games, Aertherbyte Studios, Wraith Games, Max Gaming Technologies, Few Remain, Funky Visions, Ganbaru Games, Multivarious Games, Green Door Games, and MouseMouse Media, Inc.

Graduates of the ETBD and Games + Simulation Programs at Miami University have continued on to graduate study or careers in Game Art, Game Design and Development, Writing for Games, Multimedia Design, AR/VR, 3D Modeling, and UI/UX, among others.

The Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science at University of Denver (DU) houses the Computer Science (CS) Department, which allows students to specialize in just about any area. Other department highlights include small class sizes, coursework in modern software engineering with classes taught by faculty members who are active in research, and access to student-run, synergetic clubs such as the DU Game Developers Society, DU Esports, Women in Technology, and DU Computer Science.

In addition to custom specializations, the Computer Science Department at University of Denver has BA degrees in both Applied Computing (AC) and Game Development. Both programs include a Game Capstone where students work in teams to conceptualize, design, test, and debug an industry-ready game. In addition to learning about the game design process from start to finish, University of Denver CS students will develop group collaboration and researching skills.

Both graduate and undergraduate CS students will have the chance to participate in experiential learning opportunities, DU’s study abroad and internship programs, and cooperative education. Recent University of Denver internship employers include The Walt Disney Company, Oracle, NBC Universal, Charter Communications, and Ball Aerospace.

Graduates of the Games Programs at University of Denver work in all 50 states and across 145 countries. Program alumni are Game Designers, Game Developers, Game Programmers, Software Engineers, Multimedia Artists, and Entrepreneurs.

Bradley University has a production-focused Game Design Program that provides degrees at all levels. The BA has both Game Design and Game Art options. Students in both options are mentored by faculty who have worked on the popular, team-based game League of Legends, Red Faction (developed by Volition), and Far Cry (published by Ubisoft). BA students also benefit from hands-on learning with industry software, participation in game jams, internship experiences, and opportunities to show their work at the annual FUSE exhibit.

Course examples across options include 2D for Game Art, Game Production, Critical Game Studies, Environment Art, and Survey of Games. The Game Capstone allows students in both programs to develop a polished game and portfolio.

Graduates of the Game Design and Game Art Programs at Bradley University have been hired at Blizzard Entertainment, Oculus VR, Warner Bros. Games, and NetherRealm Studios.

The School of Fine Arts at University of Connecticut (UConn) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD). Within the School is the Department of Digital Media Design (DMD). Serving more than 375 students across seven concentrations, the DMD emphasizes a collaborative learning environment, hands-on projects, and visiting experts who present workshops and mentor students. The Department also provides access to state-of-the-art production studios, gaming clubs, and more than 100 internships annually at companies in Connecticut and across the U.S. DMD students have interned at major studios and companies such as HBO, Pixar Animation Studios, Disney, Adobe, and ESPN.

For students seeking a Bachelor of Arts, UConn DMD has a Digital Media and Design BA that provides the opportunity to take the Generalist Path or Specialize in Game Design. Courses for the program are led by full-time instructors who are professionals in the industry and may include 3D Virtual World & Simulations, Digital Game Design, Game Scripting, History of Computer Graphics, Critical Perspectives on Digital Media, and Fundamentals of Programming for Game & Web. Digital Media and Design BA students will complete the Portfolio and Professional Development courses and a Senior Project to graduate.

Approximately 90% of University of Connecticut DMD alumni are employed in the industry within one year of graduation. UConn DMD graduates are prepared to pursue careers such as Game Designer, Video Game Artist, Producer, Serious Games Designer, Gameplay Programmer, and Esports Manager. UConn DMD alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Blur Studio, Epic Games, Disney, Adobe, The Game Agency, ESPN, HBO, Viacom, NBC Universal, Owlchemy Labs, NBC Sports, Deck Nine Games, and World Walker Games.

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) houses the School of the Arts and Communication, home to the Department of Design and Creative Technology, which has an Interactive Multimedia (IMM) BA Program with six focus areas. Options include Games and Playable Media, Creative Coding, Visual Storytelling and Animation, Culture and Technology, Music Technology, and Digital Fabrications. IMM BA students may select up to two focus areas, along with a minor or second major in Computer Science, Communications, Graphic Design, Business, or Art.

The most popular focus area for game designers is Games and Playable Media. Course examples for the area include Games I: Design & Architecture, Games II: Implementation and Project Management, Intro to Interactive Computing, Special Topics: Game Studies and Design or Delightful Little Games, and Independent Study in Game Design. Students often pair Creative Coding with Games and Playable Media. Creative Coding course examples include Introduction to Interactive Computing, Interactive Music Programming, Dynamic Web Applications, Physical Computing, Design Fundamentals for the Web, and Mobile Computing. 

Students in all Department of Design Programs at The College of New Jersey have opportunities to gain experience through the TCNJ Internship Program. Students have had the opportunity to intern at companies and studios such as DreamWorks, NFL Films, and Amazon.

Graduates of the IMM BA Program at The College of New Jersey have bene hired at places such as Nickelodeon, TIME, and MakerBot. Some program alumni have gone on to pursue graduate study at top schools such as Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), School of Visual Arts (SVA), and New York University (NYU).