| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | California |
| 2 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pennsylvania |
| 3 | University of Utah | Utah |
| 4 | Rochester Institute of Technology | New York |
| 5 | University of California, Santa Cruz | California |
| 6 | DigiPen | Washington |
| 7 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts |
| 8 | Full Sail University | Florida |
| 9 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia |
| 10 | DePaul University | Illinois |
| 11 | Southern Methodist University | Texas |
| 12 | University of Texas at Austin | Texas |
| 13 | University of California, Irvine | California |
| 14 | Drexel University | Pennsylvania |
| 15 | Northeastern University | Massachusetts |
| 16 | Purdue University | Indiana |
| 17 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | New York |
| 18 | Texas A&M University | Texas |
| 19 | University of Washington | Washington |
| 20 | North Carolina State University | North Carolina |
| 21 | Champlain College | Vermont |
| 22 | Academy of Art University | California |
| 23 | Indiana University Bloomington | Indiana |
| 24 | ArtCenter College of Design | California |
| 25 | California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo | California |
Below are the Top 25 game design schools and colleges offering Bachelor of Science (BS) degree programs for 2026. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
The School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) and Viterbi School of Engineering at University of Southern California (USC) provide more than a dozen paths to study game design. Known as USC Games, this collaboration highlights degrees at all levels. This includes a Computer Science (Games) BS, with the option to add a minor such as Game Audio; Game User Research; Themed Entertainment; Game Entrepreneurism; Technical Game Art; Video Game Production; or Video Game Programming. Many minors can also be taken as specializations.
Other program benefits include integrated curriculums; access to state-of-the-art game development labs and other production facilities; professional internships; and possible participation in the USC Games Expo.
The Computer Science (Games) BS culminates with a final project (capstone). USC Games graduates are often recruited by places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Xbox Game Studios, DreamWorks, Activision Blizzard, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Ubisoft, Epic Games, Disney, NVIDIA, Riot Games, Google, Unity, Rockstar Games, Apple, Warner Bros. Games, CBS Interactive, Naughty Dog, ESPN, and Netflix.
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) houses the Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology Network (IDeATe), home to the 45-unit Game Design minor (GDM). While the minor is open to all majors, it is ideal for students in the Computer Science (CS) BS/Computer Graphics concentration/GD; the Bachelor of CS and Arts (BCSA)/GDM; and the Music and Technology BS/GDM.
Features across all programs include dedicated fabrication and physical computing labs; access to a soft technologies studio; workshops; collaborative classrooms with access to a black box studio; internship opportunities; and study abroad experiences in places such as Nantes, France.
The CMU IDeATe Game Design minor culminates with the production of an industry-ready video game. CMU IDeATe graduates are routinely hired at places such as Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, Xbox Game Studios, Apple, Riot Games, Pixar, Epic Systems, Nickelodeon, NVIDIA, Disney, Amazon, ESPN, Netflix, IBM, Meta, Oracle, and 2K Games.
The College of Architecture and Planning at University of Utah (The U) is home to the Utah Division of Games. Within the division is a Games BS (BSG) and Computer Science BS (CS BS) with an emphasis in Entertainment Arts and Engineering (CSEAE). In addition to the option to add the Games minor, these immersive, interdisciplinary programs provide opportunities to complete a professional internship at places such as Epic Games and Warner Bros. Games.
Students also have opportunities to join campus clubs such as Crimson Gaming, the 3D Art Club, or Gamecraft. Across clubs, students participate in workshops, attend industry events, and develop games for game jams. Other program benefits include courses taught by instructors with experience in all areas of game development; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; studio simulation project courses; and the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary teams to publish a game.
Programs culminate with a professional game portfolio. Utah Division of Games alumni can be found at places such as Nintendo, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Games, Disney, Rockstar Games, Zynga, Riot Games, BioWare, Amazon Game Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, the U.S. Air Force, Microsoft Games, Nickelodeon, Google, Adobe, ESPN, Bethesda, and Valve Corporation.
In 2016, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) became the world’s first university to publish a video game on the Xbox One gaming platform. The school is also home to Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences (GCCIS), which houses the School of Interactive Games and Media (IGM). BS programs include Game Design and Development (GDD), and an accelerated GDD BS/MS.
All students may participate in Creative Industry Day. This networking event welcomes reps from places such as Epic Games, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Students also have the opportunity to complete up to two paid blocks of cooperative education experiences with places such as Epic Games, Cartoon Network, Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), and Google.
Other program highlights include lectures, workshops, seminars, and demonstrations by industry professionals; access to state-of-the-art production facilities and the Digital Games Hub; independent study; and the opportunity to develop and commercialize student games at RIT’s MAGIC Spell Studios.
Programs culminate with a final project and capstone show. Graduates can be found at places such as Tencent Games, Disney, Lockheed Martin, Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Microsoft, Epic Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Riot Games, Apple, Electronic Arts (EA), Insomniac Games, and Nickelodeon.
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. Housed in the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE) and known as Games @ UC Santa Cruz, the program provides a BS in Computer Science BS (CS BS) (Computer Game) for students seeking a technical degree.
All students have 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. Other Games @ UC Santa Cruz highlights include 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 provides multiple paths to study game design. BS options include Computer Science (CS) and Game Design; CS in Real-Time Interactive Simulation; and the accelerated five-year CS in Real-Time Interactive Simulation/CS MS. Across programs, students have 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.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is home to MIT Game Lab. This research and development hub supports several formal interdisciplinary programs for students interested in studying game design. The lab also helps students create their own path of study, along with opportunities to collaborate, build games, and work with MIT partners such as Meta, the Singapore Government, ElevatePro, and MassDigi.
BS program options for game designers Comparative Media Studies (CMS) with a strong focus in games; Computer Science and Engineering (CSE); Brain and Cognitive Science; and the Business with a customized focus area developed in collaboration with the MIT Game Lab. Because all programs are interdisciplinary, all students will explore areas such as game design, virtual worlds, and interactive writing.
Course examples include Creating Videogames; Critical Worldbuilding; Game Studies; Interactive Narrative; Game Design Methods; Virtual Reality and Immersive Media Production; Design and Development of Games for Learning; Transmedia Storytelling - Modern Sci-Fi; Games and Culture; Imagination, Computation, and Expression Studio; Designing Interaction; and Digital Media in Japan and Korea. The culminating experience for undergraduates is a capstone project and presentation. Graduates will complete a master’s thesis.
Graduates of Game Design programs at MIT have been hired at places such as Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts (EA), Warner Bros. Discovery, Bungie, Microsoft, Amazon, Harmonix Music Systems, Toyz Electronics, Learning Games Network (LGN), and Spry Fox.
The game design programs at Full Sail University (Full Sail) follow an immersive, project-based model with accelerated, year-round schedules. BS programs include Game Art; Game Business and Esports; Simulation Engineering; Game Development; and an Interactive Technology completion program with a Game Design concentration.
Program features include opportunities to gain production experience in a real-world studio environment; internships at local studios; access to the state-of-the art Full Sail/Echelon Fit Fitness Technology Lab, the Full Sail/Wargaming.net UX Lab, and the nation’s largest collegiate esports arena; and the option to complete programs on campus or online.
Undergraduate programs culminate with the project and portfolio. To date, more than 350 Full Sail graduates have been credited on over 30 projects, along with nominations across 20 categories at the 2023 Game Awards. Full Sail alumni can be found at places such as NASA, Insomniac Games, Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), PBS, Disney, Google, BioWare, Apple, HBO, Nickelodeon, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony, MTV, Google, ESPN, Warner Bros., Unity Technologies, Miramax, Universal Studios, Oracle, Meta, and Bunim/Murray Productions.
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) houses a Computational Media BS (BSCM) program that launched in 2004 with just one student. With more than 300 students today, the BSCM is one of Georgia Tech’s fastest growing programs. The focus of the program is Media and Games. Students can also earn a dual BSCM/Digital Media MS.
Students in these studio-based, multidisciplinary programs benefit from professional internships; immersive workshops; access to the GVU Center Game Studio at Georgia Tech and the Institute for People and Technology (IPaT); and participation in student organizations such as VGDev, Design Club, Anime O-Tekku, and Competitive Programming@Tech.
Programs culminate with a final project, presentation, and portfolio. Georgia Tech Games graduates can be found at places such as Boeing, Electronic Arts (EA), NASA, Cartoon Network, Riot Games, Amazon, Disney, Epic Games, Microsoft, Adult Swim, Google, Unity, TNT, Apple, NBCUniversal, CNN, and Meta.
Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University provides BS degrees in Game Design, Computer Science + Animation (CS+ANI) with a Game Art Technical Director concentration, and Game Programming. Across programs, students have access to the DePaul Fundamental Research in Academic Gaming (DeFRAG); the game development studio 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.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is home to Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, and SMU Guildhall, which provides more than 100 advanced level courses. For students seeking a BS in Games, SMU has a Computer Science BS with a Creative Computing minor with access to courses across Lyle, Meadows, and the Guildhall.
Other program highlights include partnerships with more than 350 studios (examples include Riot Games, Disney Interactive, Epic Games, Unity, Blizzard Entertainment, Insomniac Games, Bethesda, Bungie, and Gameloft); mentorship programs; professional internships; immersive workshops; guest speakers; professional development coursework; portfolio review sessions; and career fairs.
All students also have the opportunity to create several industry ready games as the culminating experience for the program. Graduates have been hired at places such as Insomniac Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Ubisoft, Google, Obsidian Entertainment, Bungie, Sony, BioWare, Samsung, and Gearbox Software. Program alumni have worked on titles such as Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, League of Legends, Game of Thrones, Assassins Creed, Fortnite, Guitar Hero, Doom, God of War, and Diablo.
The University of Texas at Austin (UT) houses the UT Game Development and Design Program (GDAD), which provides a Computer Science BS (CS BS) with a Game Development concentration; an Arts and Entertainment Technologies (AET) BS with a Game Design focus; and a Five-Year CS BS/CS MS. Launched in 2020, the GDAD is a partnership between the Department of Computer Science (CS); the Department of Radio-Television-Film (RTF); the Department of Arts and Entertainment Technologies (AET); and the Texas Immersive Institute (TXI).
In addition to learning how to build games and immersive experiences, all students have the opportunity to work with industry studios and EGaDS!—UT’s game development student organization. Examples of industry partners include Gensler Digital Experience Design; Dell Experience Innovation Group; and ILMxLAB. Internship opportunities are also part of the program as well as independent study and the Game Development Capstone.
Graduates can be found at places such as Epic Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts (EA), Riot Games, NVIDIA, Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Microsoft, HP, BioWare, Apple, Disney, 2K Games, Aspyr Media, Google, IBM, Amazon, HP, Scientific Games, Zynga, and TikTok.
The Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS) at University of California, Irvine (UCI) is home to the Department of Informatics, which houses the Game Design and Interactive Media (GDIM) BS, and a Computer Science (CS) BS. The CS BS has games-related specializations in Algorithms (computer games, graphics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and information retrieval); Visual Computing (virtual reality, computer graphics, advanced 3D computer graphics); and general computer science (customized coursework with two project courses).
Other program highlights include courses taught by industry experts; partnerships with major studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Cartoon Network, Disney, Tencent Games, Blizzard Entertainment, and Riot Games; mentorships; and internship opportunities. The GDIM BS culminates with the Capstone Game Project. The CS BS culminates with the Capstone Project course—any focus area.
Graduates have been hired at places such as Boeing, Google, SAP, Blizzard Entertainment, Northrop Grumman, Bungie, Amazon, Microsoft, RTX, Adobe, and Meta.
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 a Game Design and Production BS; Game Design and Production BS/Digital Media MS; a Computer Science BS (BSCS) 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).
Programs are also 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.
Northeastern University (Northeastern) is home to the Computer Science and Game Development BS that provides the opportunity to complete a paid or unpaid co-op. Northeastern currently partners with more than 20,000 employers around the world. Examples include Greenbrier Games, Hasbro, Demiurge Studios, Harmonix Music Systems, and Splash Damage. This interdisciplinary program also provides access to The Games Studio, where students can work on productions and be credited on up to four titles.
Other program highlights include access to Center for Design—a space for interdisciplinary design research and collaborative projects; additional state-of-the-art labs, studios, and maker spaces; immersive workshops; visiting artists and guest lecturers; and participation in exhibitions.
The program culminates with a final project (game) or other related work. Graduates have landed positions at places such as Epic Games, Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Xbox Game Studios, Boeing, Riot Games, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Microsoft, Amazon, Zynga, Google, Cognizant, Harmonix Music Systems, Ubisoft, Adobe, Lucid Motors, Qualcomm, ESPN, Greenbrier Games, Demiurge Studios, Splash Damage, Arc Games, and Digital Eclipse.
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. Purdue’s School of Business and Information Technology also houses an Analytics BS with a concentration in Game Development. Both 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 is a professional portfolio. The Game Development concentration culminates with a final project. 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 School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) houses the Games and Experiential Media (GEM) Department. At the undergraduate level, GEM has a Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS) BS with six concentrations including Electronic Arts; Computer Science; Writing; Cognitive Science; Music; and Management.
As part of HASS, the BS is Houdini Certified, with access to The Center of Excellence in Digital Game Development. Funded by NYSTAR (Empire State Development Division of Science, Technology and Innovation), the center hosts the Game Developers Conference (GDC); STEAM educational programs; GameFest; lectures and technical workshops; a games incubator known as the Level Upstate Mentorship Program; game jams and hackathons; and research in fields such as game AI, virtual reality, wargaming, and historical simulations.
Other program highlights include interdisciplinary curriculums that allow students to explore areas such as 3D animation, music and audio for games, programming, experimental game design, software engineering, and digital arts; professional internships; research projects and game prototypes; and the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore (NTU Singapore).
GEM and other RPI alumni have been hired at places such as Activision Blizzard, Riot Games, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks Animation, Epic Games, Boeing, Disney, Hasbro, Apple, Gearbox Software, Lockheed Martin, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Adobe, Google, RTX, Amazon, IBM, Dell, HP, Red Hat, and Meta.
The College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts (PVFA) at Texas A&M University (TAMU) houses a Visualization BS (VIZ BS) with a Game Development emphasis. The program takes place in a studio environment with opportunities to collaborate on projects across emphasis areas; complete a paid internship; and participate in games-related organizations and events. Examples include Texas Aggie Game Developers (TAGD); Women in Animation; the VIZ Industry Fair (VIF); and the TAMU SIGGRAPH Student Chapter.
The Visualization BS culminates with the Capstone Studio course. To date, PVFA alumni have worked on over 400 films produced by more than 20 studios. Graduates can be found at places such as Epic Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), Riot Games, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Lucasfilm, Disney Animation, Microsoft, Sony, Pixar, Ubisoft, Reel FX, and Aspyr Media.
University of Washington (UW) is home to the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). Both provide paths to study games. STEM programs include a Game Design Certificate (GDC) that can be added to the Allen School’s ABET-accredited Computer Engineering (CE) and Computer Science (CS) BS and BS/MS programs. Students in these programs also have the option to specialize in Graphics, Vision, Games, and Animation.
Across programs, students have access to the Center for Game Science; the Animation Research Labs (ARL); UW Graphics and Imaging Lab (GRAIL); and UW Reality Lab; GRAIL provides opportunities to work with researchers from places such as Adobe, Google, Microsoft, and Intel. The multidisciplinary ARL provides opportunities to interact with artists from places such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Xbox Game Studios, and Bungie.
Other program benefits include internships, workshops, and study abroad experiences. Programs culminate with a capstone project and showcase. Graduates can be found at places such as Epic Games, Disney, Boeing, Nintendo, Xbox Game Studios, Amazon, Electronic Arts (EA), Adobe, The Pokémon Company International (TPCi), Bungie, Google, ArenaNet, Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta.
The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University (NC State) houses the Department of Computer Science (CSC). Within the department is a Computer Science BS (CSC BS) with a Game Development concentration. With 21 credit hours of games-focused courses, the concentration also allows students to select up to nine electives to create an additional focus area.
Other program highlights include access to the Games and Visual Narrative Suite, and the Digital Games Research center (DGRc); the opportunity to join the research community known as the Visual Narrative Initiative (VNI); and participation in the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and Games and Visual Narratives Showcase. Launched in May 2007, the DGRc is a collaborative space where students can work on projects with game developers and game studio teams. The DGRc also has partnerships and licensing agreements with game studios and game engine developers across the U.S.
The CSC BS culminates with the senior design team project, supported by the Senior Design Center and industry sponsors. Graduates have been hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, Riot Games, Disney, Epic Games, Microsoft, Insomniac Games, Apple, NVIDIA, Google, ESPN, and Spark Plug Games.
The Division of Communication and Creative Media (CCM) at Champlain College is home to the Game Studio Experience. An Unreal Academic partner and modeled after some of the nation’s top game studios, the Experience brings together a number of programs. Among them are BS degrees in Game Design; Game Business and Publishing; Game Production Management; Game Programming; Game Sound Design; and Interactive Narrative for Games and Digital Media. Depending on the program, BS students have the option to minor in Interactive Narrative, Game Sound Design, or Real-Time 3D Modeling are also available.
All students will begin building playable games with peers across programs on day one. Other program highlights include an Upside-Down Curriculum, which includes professional portfolio and resume building activities in the very first semester; immersive, interdisciplinary courses; internships at places such as Xbox Game Studios and Wired Magazine; and study abroad experiences through the Montreal Filmmaking Summer Program and faculty-led travel courses featuring locations such as China, the UK, South Africa, Italy, Argentina, and Brazil.
Programs culminate eight market-ready games to be presented at the annual the Game Studio Senior Show. Graduates go on to establish careers at places such as Riot Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Unity, Blizzard Entertainment, Insomniac Games, Sega, Ubisoft Montreal, ZeniMax Media, Sony PlayStation, to name just a few.
The STEM-certified School of Game Development at Academy of Art University (Academy of Art) houses a Game Programming BS (GP BS) that highlights hands-on learning in The Studio. Here, students can collaborate with peers across the Animation, Illustration, and Music programs. Other GP BS program highlights include internships with partner studios such as Riot Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), and Zynga; access to state-of-the-art facilities, labs, and The Game Lounge; and the study abroad experience in Florence, Italy.
The program culminates with a professional portfolio of the student’s best games. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as NASA, Epic Games, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Hasbro, Insomniac Games, DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Lucasfilm, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Nickelodeon, Disney, Google, Amazon, NBCUniversal, Illumination, DNEG, Xbox Game Studios, Digital Domain, Apple, Weta FX, Zynga, Naughty Dog, and Bungie.
Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington) houses a Game Design BS; Computer Science BS (CS BS) with a Game Development specialization; and a Media Arts and Science BS (MAS BS) with a specialization in Game Design and Development.
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.
Across programs, graduates 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.
The Entertainment Design BS program at ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) launched in 2018. Today, faculty from places such as Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Marvel, and Disney lead the program. With courses that emphasize immersion and hands-on experience with programming, the production process, and user experience, the BS offers three in-demand tracks including Game Design, Animation, and Concept Design. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the art production facilities; internship opportunities at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Mattel, Warner Bros., Apple, and Titmouse; and study abroad experiences at partner universities such as Tama Art University in Tokyo, Japan or ArtCenter Berlin.
Production facilities include the 31,000 square feet Creative Hub; specialized labs such as Bruce Heavin Media Production Studio; professional studios, galleries and additional exhibition spaces; and the 908 Shops.
During the last two terms of the Entertainment Design BS, students have the opportunity to complete an individual game project, an advanced game project, and the Portfolio and Career Preparation course. The program culminates with the Grad Show, highlighting students’ final digital portfolios.
Graduates have secured roles at places such as Riot Games, Marvel Studios, Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks, Pixar, Insomniac Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Disney, Xbox Game Studios, LEGO, Titmouse, Warner Bros., Naughty Dog, Mattel, Netflix, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, and Google.
The College of Engineering (CENG) at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) houses the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE). Within the department is a Game Development concentration for Computer Science (CS) BS and CS BS/MS students. The Computing for Interactive Arts (CIA) minor—jointly provided by the Department of Art and Design—is also open to CA BS and CS BS/MS students.
All degree and minor programs highlight hands-on learning in a collaborative, studio-like environment. Courses are project-based, with access to state-of-the-art production facilities and labs. Other program highlights include professional internships and co-op experiences; participation in weekend-long Hackathons; individual and group projects; and the chance to study abroad in one of over 75 countries.
Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates go on to land positions at places such Tencent Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Rockstar Games, Disney, DreamWorks, Apple, Naughty Dog, Take-Two Interactive, NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.
