Top 25 Game Design Schools and Colleges on the East Coast – 2025 College Rankings

New York University (NYU) is home to Tisch School of the Arts (NYU Tisch). Founded in 1965 as the School of the Arts, the school was renamed in 1982 after receiving a gift from billionaire brothers and businessmen Laurence A. and Preston Robert Tisch. Today, NYU Tisch provides BA, BFA, MA, MFA, MPS, and PhD degrees in areas such as cinema studies, collaborative arts, film and television, game design, interactive media arts, performance studies, and recorded music. 

NYU Tisch also houses the Department of Game Design. Founded in 2008 and known as NYU Game Center, the department hosts workshops, academic seminars, playtests, tournaments, and other events such as NYU Game Center Lecture Series; No Quarter Exhibition (est. 2010); the annual Strategy Guide—Breaking into the Game Industry Workshop; and the professional game conference PRACTICE—Game Design in Detail. 

Other NYU Game Center highlights include access to the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music; the Game Center Open Library; hands-on experiences in the center’s development studios and play labs; internship opportunities at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, and Disney; and the opportunity to participate in study away programs at NYU’s other campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, and academic centers in London, Paris, Washington, D.C., Prague, Berlin, Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires, Sydney, Florence, and Madrid. 

NYU Game Center students may also participate in The Game Center Incubator. Launched in 2014, the incubator provides expertise, funding, and space for projects with commercial potential. Incubator leaders help select students see projects through to a public launch.

NYU Game Center programs include a BFA, MFA, and minor in Game Design. Single courses are also available for students enrolled in just about any NYU major. Examples include Game Design I-II; 3D Game Studio-Unity; Code Lab; and Game Development-Team Studio.

The NYU Game Center minor is a 16 credit hour program that explores design, production, and the study of games. All students will take Introduction to Game Design or Think Like a Game Designer and at least one of the following four courses: Games 101; Introduction to Programming for Games; Introduction to Games Development; and Introduction to Visual Communication. The remaining credits will come from any other Game Center courses. 

Upon completion of the NYU Game Center minor, students are prepared to work in the game industry. Some graduates also go on to become critics or scholars. 

The Game Design BFA is a 128 credit hour program with a strong foundation in the liberal arts. This means students will complete a significant amount of coursework in social sciences, humanities, explanatory writing, and hard sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.). BFA students will also explore different styles of creative production by taking a production course in another NYU Tisch department. 

The Game Design BFA curriculum consists of primary areas including game design, game development, and game studies, as well as production areas such as programming, visual design, game business, and audio design. Course examples for the program include Introduction to Game Design; Level Design Studio; 3D Development; Modern Tabletop Literacy; Pixel Prototype; The Immersive SIM; Programming for Games; 3D Modeling for Games; Art Direction for Games; XR Studio; Music and Gameplay; Games in Narrative; Shade Lab; Roleplaying on the Margins; 2D Animation for Games; and Business of Video Games. 

The Game Design BFA program at NYU culminates with the Senior Capstone. This final project can be a group or solo game, curated exhibition, or research paper—student’s choice. 

The NYU Game Center MFA is a two-year program that consists of coursework in game history, game design, game studies, game production, game studio, and play labs. Students will also select a number of electives that support their interests and goals. The first semester of the program is structured to include Game Design 1; Code Lab 0; Games 101; Game Studio 1; and Visual Lab 0. The second semester is more flexible, so students will take just two required courses—Game Studies 1 and Game Studio—along with their chosen electives. 

Examples include Intermediate Programming for Games; Prototype Studio; 3D Game Studio-Unity; Shader Lab; Tech Art Studio; Tackling Representation in Games; Horror Games; American Computer Games of the 1980s; UI/UX for Games; Mobile Game Studio; and Survival Skills. 

The Game Design MFA program at NYU culminates with a thesis, completed across two courses (12 credit hours). Thesis projects may be completed individually or in teams. Examples of possible projects include a series of small games, a sport, digital games, or card games. MFA projects will be presented at the NYU Game Center Spring Show.

NYU Game Center BFA and MFA graduates will enter the job market with a resume, several finished games or related works, and the assistance of NYU’s extensive Wasserman Career Center. As part of Tisch School of the Arts, NYU Game Center graduates also have access to the school’s own Office of Career Development, which helps alumni launch their creative careers. 

Across programs, graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of games. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Disney, Nickelodeon, ESPN, Amazon, Tencent Holdings, Avalanche Studios Group, Take-Two Interactive Software, Arkadium Games, and the International Game Developers Association Japan (IGDA Japan). 

Some NYU Game Center alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios, write books, organize festivals, and win awards. 

New York University is the largest private university in the U.S. Founded in 1831, the school serves more than 55,000 students across degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. With more than 19,000 employees, New York University is also one of the state’s largest employers. Students at NYU have access to more than 400 program options across 20+ colleges, schools, and institutes. New York University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). 

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has a long history of firsts. In 1983, RIT became the first university in the nation to provide a BS in Biotechnology. In 1990 the school became the first in the U.S. to launch an Imaging Science PhD program. And in 1996, RIT became America’s first university to house a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering. 

In 2016, Rochester Institute of Technology also became the first university in the world to publish a video game on the Xbox One gaming platform. Today, RIT houses the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences (GCCIS)—home to the School of Interactive Games and Media (IGM). Within the school are several paths to study game design including BS and MS degrees in Game Design and Development (GDD); an accelerated BS/MS that takes just five years to complete instead of six, and minors in Game Design and GDD.  

The College of Art and Design at RIT has an additional path to study games. Housed in the college’s School of Design, the 3D Digital Design BFA is a STEM-designated program with specializations in Game Arts and 3D Visualization.

Across programs, students benefit from up to two paid blocks of cooperative education experiences with places such as Epic Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Microsoft, Cartoon Network, and Google; access to game development and research studios; independent study opportunities; lectures, workshops, seminars, and demonstrations by industry professionals; Creative Industry Days; and access to the Digital Games Hub.

Creative Industry Days is a series of networking events with major companies and studios, where students can engage in panel discussions and portfolio reviews. Examples of past participating companies include Walt Disney, Epic Games, Adobe, Ogilvy, DraftKings, Iron Galaxy Studios, Enduring Games, NetherRealm Studios, Zash Global Media & Entertainment, MahiGaming, and CGI Digital. 

The Digital Games Hub provides mentoring and resources for students and independent developers to create new games, launch start-ups, and enter the games industry. 

RIT IGM GDD students also have the opportunity to develop and commercialize their own games at RIT’s MAGIC Spell Studios. With support from the Epic MegaGrants program, this state-of-the-art facility houses a 7,000-square-feet sound stage; several media labs; 32’ x 16’ LED wall, with technical support for motion capture, camera tracking, the virtual art department, and real-time in-camera visual effects;  a 4K Dolby Atmos theater; post-production sound mixing and color correction suites; a green room; hair/makeup/shower facilities; and production offices. 

The GDD degree programs at RIT explore game design and development, modeling, animation, interactive media, science, user interaction, and math. The BS consists of 121 credit hours; the MS requires 33 credits; and the BS/MS is 145 total credit hours. 

Students in the BS have opportunities to specialize in areas such as narrative, engines, audio, or graphics through electives across the entire university. Course examples for the program include Interaction, Immersion, and the Media Interface; Game Design and Development I-II; Introduction to Web Technology for Game Developers; and Data Structures and Algorithms for Games and Simulation I-II. 

RIT GDD BS students may also complete approximately 40 credit hours of open, advanced, and general education electives. Examples of advanced electives include Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) for Computing I-II; Games for Change; Level Design 1-2; IGM Production Studio; Artificial Intelligence for Game Environments; Digital Audio Production; Casual Game Development; Theory and Design of Role Play and Interactive Narrative; Game Graphics Programming I-II; and Game Development Processes. 

The GDD BS program culminates with a final project and presentation. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in industries such as game design and development, animation, film and television, aerospace, internet and software, defense, media and publishing, computer hardware, education, science, and health. 

The Game Design and Development MS is a cohort-based program designed for students seeking careers in the games industry, visualization, simulation, or edutainment. Course examples include Game Design; Gameplay and Prototyping; Game Development Process; Colloquium in Game Design and Development; and Game Industry Themes and Perspectives. 

Advanced elective examples include Console Development; Graduate Seminar in IGM; Global Illumination; Advanced Topics in Game Design; Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) for Computing – Graduate; Applied Perception in Graphics and Visualization; Game Design and Development for Casual and Mobile Platforms; and Research Methods: Human-Centered Research in Games; and Computer Animation: Algorithms and Techniques. 

The GDD MS program at Rochester Institute of Technology culminates with a capstone project completed across the 700-level Capstone Design and Capstone Development courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in game design and development, software engineering, computer hardware, aerospace, defense, systems design, graphics automation engineering, animation, film and television, internet and software, media and publishing, education, health, and science, among others. 

The Game Design and GDD minors at Rochester Institute of Technology require 15 credit hours. Students in both options will complete Game Design and Development I-II. Other course examples include New Media Interactive Design and Algorithmic Problem Solving I-II; 2D Animation and Asset Production; Data Structures for Games and Simulations I-II; and Interactive Media Development. 

Across all Game Design and Development programs, graduates have been hired at major companies and studios such as Rockstar Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, and Epic Games. 

The 3D Digital Design BFA at Rochester Institute of Technology requires 120 credit hours. Both the Game Arts and 3D Visualization specializations allow students to study games. Students in both programs will take courses such as Modeling and Motion Strategies; 2D, 3D and 4D Design; Layers and Effects; Anatomical Frameworks for 2D and 3D Applications; Layers and Effects; and Scripting.  

Game Art students will take other courses such as Digital Illustration; The History of Game Arts; Game Design and Development I-II; Contemporary Practices – Technology in Game Arts; and IGM Production Studio. Examples of Game Art-specific electives include Principles of Animation; Fantastic Illustration; Zoological and Botanical Illustration; 2D/3D Pre-Visual World Building; and Drawing for Animation. 

Visualization students also have access to programming electives such as Game Development and Algorithmic Problem Solving I; Software Development and Problem Solving; Computer Science I; Computational Problem Solving for Engineers; and Principles of Computing. 

All 3D Digital Design students have access to electives such as Simulating Natural Phenomena; Character Design and Rigging; Real Time Design; 3D Motion Graphics; Experimental Workshop; and Physical Interface Design. 

The 3D Digital Design program at Rochester Institute of Technology culminates with the Senior Capstone completed across two courses. Game Art students will also complete Contemporary Practices: Technology in Game Arts to graduate. All finished projects will be submitted to competitions, integrated into student portfolios, and presented at the Senior Capstone Show. 

Graduates of the 3D Digital Design BFA program at RIT are prepared to pursue titles such as Game Designer, Rigger, CG Artist, Character Designer, Game Developer, AR/VR Designer, Visualization Artist, Digital Asset Designer, Level Designer, Special Effects Artist, Lighting Technical Director, and Environment Designer. Program alumni have been hired by major game studios such as Sony Interactive Entertainment and Insomniac Games. 

Rochester Institute of Technology was founded in 1829 as the Rochester Athenaeum. With global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, this research university serves more than 20,000 students, making it one of the largest private universities in the U.S. RIT provides 200+ academic programs across 10 colleges and institutes, and the School of Individualized Study. Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Drexel University (Drexel) houses one of the nation’s largest cooperative education programs. Founded in 1919, the program was among the first of its kind. Student in Drexel’s mandatory co-op program can gain up to 18 months of work experience in their chosen field—all before graduation. Co-op experiences can be completed at local and national companies or overseas in places such as Greece, London, Ghana, Hong Kong, and Spain.

A leader in technology, in 1983, Drexel became the first university to require all entering students to have microcomputers, and in 2000 it became the first university to operate fully wireless campus—indoors and out. In addition, the school launched the first mobile Web portal service for students in 2002, and the first university portal app (DrexelOne Mobile) in 2011. DrexelOne was offered across all platforms. 

Drexel University is also home to one of the nation’s largest media arts and design colleges—the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), Westphal provides more than 50 undergraduate majors, graduate programs, minors, STEM-designated programs, and accelerated degree programs. Options span the entertainment, visual art, design, performing arts, and media disciplines. 

In addition to the co-op program, students in all Westphal Media Arts and Design programs benefit from an immersive studio-based curriculum; courses led by accomplished industry professionals; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studios. Examples include the 1200 square feet Animation Capture and Effects Lab (ACE-Lab); computer labs outfitted with advanced graphics workstations; the Immersive Research Lab (IRL) for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), immersive media projects; screening rooms; the URBN Center, which features an open floorplan, shared making spaces, and innovative labs and studios; and a theme-park quality motion simulation platform.

Westphal programs for game designers include the Game Design and Production BS; Digital Media MS; Digital Media PhD; Game Design and Production BS/Digital Media MS; Digital Media BS and Virtual BS/Digital Media MS; the undergraduate Virtual Reality and Immersive Media minor; and the graduate Digital Media minor.

All programs are hands-on and studio-based, with small class sizes that allow for individual instruction. Across all programs, students will also develop skills in computer programming; motion capture; computer graphics; scripting and storytelling; real-time visualization (virtual reality, augmented reality, and immersive media); and animation. 

The College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) at Drexel University has several additional options for designers seeking programs that combine the full computer science curriculum with game design studies. Options include a BA or BS in Computer Science (BAC, BSCS), or the 24-credit hour CS minor. The BA/BS programs provide an optional track in Game Programming and Development.  

Like all Westphal programs, College of Computing and Informatics programs provide a hands-on curriculum combined with valuable co-op experiences. Across programs, students have access to all of the labs, studios, and facilities mentioned earlier, as well as the Entrepreneurial Game Studio (EGS), and the Center for Games, Artificial Intelligence, and Media Systems (GAIMS Center). All programs culminate with a full-year capstone project.

Graduates of the Westphal and College of Computing Game Design programs are prepared to pursue advanced roles in PC game design, serious games, console game design, game art, mobile game design, and simulation and job training, among others. More than 80% of Drexel gaming graduates and nearly 90% of dual degree graduates are currently working in an area directly related to game design and development. 

Drexel Westphal and CCI alumni have been hired at places such as Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Gameloft, Pixar, Microsoft Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Disney Imagineering, Lockheed, Xbox Game Studios, Blizzard Entertainment, Digital Domain, Disney Interactive, Razorfish, NCSoft Corporation, Zynga, BioWare, and Comcast Corporation. 

Drexel University was founded in 1891 by philanthropist and financier Anthony J. Drexel. Known as Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, the school’s first graduating class was just 70 students. Today, Drexel University is an R1 Doctoral University that serves approximately 21,705 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools. 

Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The school’s academic programs in art, design, and media are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is home to the Houdini Certified School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS). The school houses the Departments of Communication and Media; Arts; Science and Technology Studies; Economics; Cognitive Science; and Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS). Across departments, HASS students have opportunities to enroll in a dual major and work with peers, accomplished faculty members, and professionals in engineering, business, science, architecture, and more. 

The GSAS Department at RPI houses the GSAS BS and Critical Game Design (CGDS) MS and PhD programs. The GSAS also leads the Center of Excellence in Digital Game Development. Funded by the Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR) in New York’s Empire State Development Department, the RPI Center of Excellence hosts trade shows and conferences such as the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco; the annual student games showcase and research symposium known as GameFest; and Ripcord, a joint blog-and-podcast series that focuses on games. 

The Center also hosts lectures and technical workshops; game jams and hackathons; STEAM educational programs; research in games-related fields such as game AI, wargaming, historical simulations, and virtual reality; an intensive, yearlong games incubator known as the Level Upstate Mentorship Program; and training activities for gaming startups. 

GSAS BS and CGDS graduate students have access to everything the Center of Excellence in Digital Game Development has to offer. All programs are interdisciplinary, allowing students to explore experimental game design; software engineering; 3D animation; programming; digital arts; and music and audio for games. 

The GSAS BS has six concentrations including Computer Science; Electronic Arts; Writing; Cognitive Science; Music; and Management. Students have the opportunity to build a number of professional games throughout the program and a professional internship. Graduate students will complete research projects and game prototypes. All students may participate in study away programs such as the semester abroad in Singapore at Nanyang Technological University. 

Graduates of the GSAS BS and CGDS programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are prepared to pursue careers in fields such as game design and development, artificial intelligence (AI), visualization, animation, software development, interactive simulation, and fine arts. CGDS graduates are also prepared to conduct research and teach at the university level or pursue leadership roles in the games industry as consultants, directors, producers, and entrepreneurs. 

RPI alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney, Hasbro, DreamWorks Animation, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Apple, Boeing, Adobe, Google, IBM, Amazon, Red Hat, LG, Pratt & Whitney, Dell, Meta, HP, Broadcom, Cruise, Tetra Tech, SAS Institute, and Boston Scientific.

Established in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the nation’s first technological research university. Serving approximately 6,970 students, RPI provides more than 145 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across five schools. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MCSHE) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). 

The Division of Communication and Creative Media (CCM) at Champlain College houses dozens of majors, concentrations, and minor options. All programs highlight experience-based learning through the Creative Studio Experience—CCM’s own in-house creative agency. This learning model mimics the real world, allowing students to create and collaborate across majors to complete portfolio pieces, projects, and class assignments.

CCM programs also feature immersive and interdisciplinary courses; professional portfolio and resume building in the very first semester through the divisions Upside-Down Curriculum; internships with local, regional, and national companies; opportunities to study and work abroad; and the Montreal Filmmaking Summer Program. 

Study abroad highlights include internships at the Montreal Game Summit and the Montreal International Game Developers Association. Faculty-led travel courses are also available as well as other study abroad experiences in places such as Italy, Scotland, Argentina, New Zealand, China, Brazil, South Africa, Portugal, Australia, France, and England. 

The Champlain College Division of Communication and Creative Media also houses the Game Studio (GS). An Unreal Academic Partner, the GS is a collection of seven majors that take place in an environment that functions like today’s professional game design studios. Majors also feature small class sizes; collaborative projects; 100% of courses taught by active game industry professionals; additional opportunities to intern at places such as Xbox Game Studios, the Digital Media Academy, and Wired Magazine; and the Game Senior Show. This annual event highlights the collaborative work of the GS graduating class. Work consists of eight publishable games. 

Game Studio majors include Game Design; Game Programming; Interactive Narrative for Games and Digital Media; Game Art; Game Production Management; Game Business and Publishing; and Game Sound Design. The Game Art major leads to a BFA. All other Game Studio majors lead to a BS. 

For students seeking a minor, the Game Studio has numerous options. Examples include Game Programming; Interactive Narrative; Game Sound Design; Computer Science; Real-Time 3D Modeling; UI Design and Implementation; Information technology; and Real-Time 3D Animation. 

Students in all Champlain Game Studio majors will develop games on interdisciplinary teams for three years in a row. Completed games can be presented to recruiters from major studios such as Activision Blizzard, Warner Bros., and Gameloft. BS students also have opportunities to network with representatives from other major studios such as Ubisoft, Rockstar Games, Sony, Insomniac, Crystal Dynamics, Survios, and ArenaNet. 

Game Studio graduates are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of game design and development.  Game Studio alumni are often hired by AAA companies and independent studios. Examples include Riot Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft Montreal, Insomniac Games, Sega, Zenimax Online, and Bend Studio.

The Division of Communication and Creative Media at Champlain College has an additional program option for game designers—the Creative Media BFA. This program features complementary focus areas such as Game Media-Design; Interactive Design; Sonic Arts; Visual Art and Design; and The Moving Image. Courses for the Game Media-Design area include Introduction to Game Development; Principles of Game Design; Level Design; Game Technology; Interactive Storytelling; Game Systems and Experience Design; Game History; and Advanced Seminar-Game Design. 

The Creative Media BFA program at Champlain College culminates with the Creative Media Capstone and Portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in the game design industry and fields such as product design, architecture, set design, and arts administration. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Micropup Games, Gabb Global, and the Louisiana Children’s Museum. 

Champlain College was established as a business school in 1878. With locations in Vermont, Canada, and Ireland, Champlain serves more than 3,200 on-campus and online students. The school provides more than 100 professional programs across six schools and divisions. Champlain College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). 

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) houses the Center for Human Modeling and Simulation (HMS) traces its roots back to 1975, when the Computer Graphics Research Lab of the Computer and Information Science (CIS) Department began conducting research on human body modeling and simulation. Funded by NASA, government entities such as  the Army and the Air Force, and industry grants, today’s Center for HMS focuses on rendering, animation, and computer graphics modeling research. 

The center also houses one of the few programs of its kind at a four-year research university. Launched in 2004, the Master of Engineering (MSE) in Computer Graphics and Game Technology (CGGT) is a multidisciplinary program designed for recent graduates and industry professionals seeking career advancement. Because the HMS is housed in the CIS Department, which is part the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, students will take at least four computer science, systems, and technology courses. 

Other requirements include one creative art and design course; one graphics elective; one business and entrepreneurship course; and one technical elective. Course examples for the program include Game Design and Development; Physically-Based Animation; Interactive Computer Graphics; Applied Machine Learning; Advanced Topics in Computer Graphics and Animation; Enabling Technologies; and Physically-Based Rendering. 

Other CGGT MSE program features access to the SIG Center for Computer Graphics, which features a state-of-the-art motion capture studio, high-performance NVidia GPU processors, ViDi Center for Digital Visualization Center, and AR/VR systems (Vive, Oculus, and HoloLens); opportunities to collaborate with students from other creative departments; and an accelerated one-year curriculum for students with a computer science or engineering degree. 

The UPenn CGGT MSE program culminates with the Game Design Practicum or Master’s Thesis—student’s choice. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the game design, entertainment, technology, design, and advertising industries, among others. Program alumni have been hired at major companies and studios such as Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, DreamWorks Animation, Zynga, and Crystal Dynamics.  

University of Pennsylvaniahas an additional option for students interested in an interdisciplinary program that explores games, animation, computer graphics, interactive technologies, and virtual reality environment design. Launched in 1998, and also housed in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Digital Media Design (DMD) major combines coursework from the CIS Department, UPenn School of Design, and Annenberg School and Fine Arts. A programming-intensive DMD minor is also available. 

Leading to a Bachelor’s in Engineering and Science (BSE), the DMD program consists of courses such as Interactive Computer Graphics; Advanced Rendering; Programming Languages and Techniques I-II; Automata, Computability, and Complexity; 3D Computer Modeling; Computer Animation; Advanced Computer Graphics; Introduction to Algorithms; and Mixed Media Animation. 

Graduates of the UPenn DMD BSE program are prepared to pursue roles in games, animation, virtual reality, computer graphics, interactive technology, and many other fields. Program alumni are frequently hired at major companies and studios such as Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks Microsoft, Google, and Disney Animation.

Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, University of Pennsylvania is the fifth oldest university in the U.S. With nearly 5,000 professors, the school serves approximately 28,710 students enrolled in more than 400 programs across 12 schools. UPenn also houses more than 170 research centers and institutes, along with nine business divisions. University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

American University (AU) is home to the Game Center. Housed in the Don Myers Technology and Innovation (DMTI) Building, this research center is a partnership between the School of Communication and the College of Arts and Sciences. Highlights include academic and experiential learning programs; access to 2,758 square feet of meeting, production, and teaching space; and The Game Studio, which provides workshops and opportunities for students to work on real-world game projects with local studios, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. 

For students seeking paths to study games, American University has multiple program options. The School of Communication houses a Game Design MA; Games and Interactive Media MFA; and a Certificate in Game Design. The College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Department of Computer Science houses a Computer Science MS with a Game and Computational Media specialization. The CAS also houses the Department of Literature’s MA in Literature, Culture and Technology with a Game Development track. 

Students in all programs have access to the AU Game Center; the Open Editing Lab with 24/7 access; and the Visual Illusions Lab. Other program benefits include internships and microinternships with Fortune 500 companies and emerging start-ups; opportunities to network at DC-area events such as the Global Game Jam, Games+, Indie Arcade at SAAM, and MAGfest; and access to other facilities and resources such as the Design and Build Lab (DaBL), the Institute for Immersive Designs, Experiences, Applications, and Stories (Institute for IDEAS), the AU Center for Innovation (AUCI), and the Library Makerspace. 

While the Game Design programs at American University have their own curriculums, all options provide access to courses such as Game Programming; Game Prototyping; Game Development I-II; Making Meaningful Games; Digital Art Tools and Techniques; Games, History, and Society; 3D Animation; The Design of Play; 3D Modeling for Games; Topics in Games and Interactive Media; Independent Study in Game Design; Game Research Methods; and Writing for Interactivity. 

Graduates of the Game Design programs at AU are prepared to pursue advanced roles in game design and development, entertainment, the broad technology industry, visualization and simulation, and many other fields. American University alumni have been hired at places such as Amazon Studios, IBM, Disney, Google, Adobe, Boeing, NBCUniversal, EPIC, United Technologies, FOX, Ogilvy, CNN, Lockheed Martin, ESPN, Foursquare, Zenith Media, BlueShark Digital, Meta, SBD Digital, ICANN, Acronym Media, 4media Group, and A+G Digital.  

American University was established on February 24, 1893. The school serves approximately 13,000 students enrolled in more than 170 programs across eight colleges and schools. Programs lead to a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. American University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and it is recognized by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church.

Game Design at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is a collection of tracks, concentrations, and graduate certificates provided in collaboration between the School of Art and Design in the J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier College of Architecture and Design (HCAD), and the Information Technology Division in the Ying Wu College of Computing (YWCC). 

This multidisciplinary initiative allows students to add the Game Design track to the Digital Design BA (BADD), MS (MSDD), and MFA (MFADD) programs; and the Game Programming and Game Production tracks to the BS degrees in Computer Science (BS CS) and Information Technology (BSIT). 

Within the Digital Design BA are two additional tracks including Entertainment and Interactive Media/Production. Both tracks require the History of Games and Digital Design Studio I-IV courses. The Ideal for game designers, the Entertainment track also consist of courses such as Game Architecture and Design; 2D Character Design; Game Modification Development; Simulated Environments; Imaginary Worlds-Architecture in Motion Pictures; 3D Character Development; Visual and Special Effects in Movies; Digital Sound and Music; Information Design Techniques; and Collaborative Design Studio. 

Both tracks culminate with projects that focus on the design, production, and post-production of motion sequences for games, digital advertising, animation, and other areas. 

The NJIT MSDD and MFADD allow students to design their own program through courses from three graduate certificate programs. This includes Game Design and Interactivity; Animation; and UI/UX. Game Design and Interactivity course examples include Physical Computing for Designers – Interaction Design; Visual Storytelling and Storyboarding; Environment Design; History of Game Play and Interactivity; and Digital Audio. 

All specializations and tracks culminate with the Extended Reality Design Studio and the Digital Design Independent Project Studio. The MFADD is a low-residency, terminal degree program. 

Like students in the Digital Design programs, CS BS and BSIT students have access to Game Design, Game Programming, and Game Production track courses such as 2D Game Programming; Game Artificial Intelligence (AI); 3D Game Programming; Advanced Game Production; Virtual Reality Design; Simulated Environments; Game Modification Programing; 3D Character Development; Game Architecture and Design; 3D Game Engine Programming; Game Artificial Intelligence (AI); Educational Game Design; and WebGL Programming. 

CS BS students will also take courses such as Programming Language Concepts; Intensive Programming in Linux; Advanced Data Structures and Algorithm Design; and Guided Design in Software Engineering. BSIT students will take courses such as Advanced Programming for Information Technology; Internet Applications; Computer Systems and Networks; and Information Design Techniques. The program culminates with the IT Capstone Project. The BS CS culminates with the team-based Senior Project.  

Graduates of the Game Design programs at New Jersey Institute of Technology are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of game design, development, and programming; animation and film; education, research, and consulting; serious games; storyboard art; architectural and environment visualization; artificial intelligence; simulations; web design; UI/UX design; human-computer interaction (HCI); digital advertising; and graphic design. 

Program alumni have been hired by companies and studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, Amazon, Riot Games, Nickelodeon, Verizon, Bungie, TIME, BioCentriq, MakerBot, Sumo Digital, Playground Games, Studio Gobo, and Double Eleven.  

New Jersey Institute of Technology was established in 1881 as Newark Technical School. This public, polytechnic university serves approximately 13,000 students enrolled in more than 125 degree programs across six specialized schools. New Jersey Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA); the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB); and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

The School of Fine Arts (SFA) at University of Connecticut (UConn) is one of approximately 328 schools accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Founded in 1944, the NASAD establishes national standards for degrees in art and design. Within the SFA is the Department of Digital Media Design (DMD), which serves more than 375 students enrolled in BA, BFA, and MFA DMD programs. 

All programs take place in a collaborative learning environment consisting of hands-on projects, workshops, and mentoring by visiting artists. Across programs students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studios such as the Cintiq Lab, Motion Capture Studio, and the VR/Gaming Studio; clubs such as the Gaming Club and the Game Development Club; and the internship program with opportunities to work at Disney, Pixar, HBO, Adobe, and ESPN. 

The DMD BA and BFA programs at UConn explore digital media and design applications. While the core for the programs are mostly the same, the BA is a liberal arts degree with opportunities to take courses in other disciplines from schools such as Engineering and Business. The also allows students to add a minor or double major. The DMD BFA is a professional arts degree with additional studio courses. This means around 65% of coursework is dedicated to the study and creation of art and design. 

The DMD MFA is a three-year terminal degree program that allows students to customize the curriculum. Students in this program have opportunities to apply for a DMD Departmental Teaching Assistantship or work as a Graduate Assistant with Greenhouse Studios. This interdisciplinary research unit is a collaboration between the University of Connecticut’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Library, and the SFA. 

Students in the DMD programs at University Connecticut may add a concentration. Examples include Game Design, Motion Design and Animation, and Digital Film/Video Production. The Game Design concentration explores game development for entertainment, science, education, and research. This may include digital games, carnival and amusement park experiences, geocaching, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), card games, board games, and casino games. 

Courses for the program are led by industry professionals. Course examples include Fundamentals of Programming for Game, Web, and Interactive Media Design; Interactive Storytelling; Game Systems Design; 3D Virtual World and Simulations; Game Production; Wearable Electronics and Interactive Objects; Disruptive Technologies; Advanced Game Scripting; and Multiplayer Game Development.  

The culminating experiences for BA and BFA students are the Portfolio and Professional Development courses, the Senior Project, and participation in the BFA Senior Exhibition. Graduate students will complete the MFA Thesis Project and participate in the MFA Exhibition in the Benton Museum of Art. DMD graduates are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of game design, as well as animation, film, television production, simulations, visualization, digital advertising, education, research, and consulting.   

Approximately 90% of University of Connecticut DMD graduates are employed in the industry within one year of graduation. Program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Disney, Epic Games, NBC Universal, Google, Viacom, Blur Studio, Sony Music Entertainment, Adobe, HBO, Verizon, ESPN, Owlchemy Labs, NBC Sports, Deck Nine Games, PreviewLabs, and Worldwalker Games. 

University of Connecticut is the state’s flagship university. Founded in 1881, the school opened with just three faculty members and 13 male students. Today, UConn is home to more than 18,000 faculty and staff that serve approximately 32,100 students across seven campuses, and 14 colleges and schools. Available programs include 245+ majors and minors, and more than 180 programs leading to a master’s, PhD, or graduate certificate. University of Connecticut is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

The College of Arts and Sciences at University at Buffalo (UB) houses the Department of Media Study (DMS), which explores experimental and independent media. DMD faculty consist of media artists with expertise in areas from art to robotics. Research areas run the gamut from electronic literature to games and virtual reality (VR). The DMD Department also houses the Amatryx Gaming Lab and Studio (AGLS). Dedicated to gaming, virtual reality, and storytelling, the AGLS conducts research and develops projects in analog, digital, and VR games. 

For students interested in a formal games program, the DMS provides a Media Study BA (with a Production concentration); a Media Study minor; and a certificate in Game Studies. Course examples for the BA include Game Design; Virtual Worlds; Game Programming; Interactive Storytelling; Game Development; Animation; Advanced Game Design; Experimental Moving Image; Games, Gender and Culture; Programming in the Digital Arts; Advanced Virtual Reality; and Production Management. 

The Media Study BA program at UB culminates with a final project that focuses on the student’s area of interest. This could be a game, animated film, software, or media object. 

The Media Study minor consists of 24 credit hours of study. Students may focus in games through production courses and the required 16 elective credits. All students will take courses such as Digital Arts; Media Analysis; and Film and Media History. 

The Game Studies certificate requires 31-36 credits. It is not a standalone certificate, so it can be added to the Media Study BA or many other programs at University at Buffalo. Core course examples include Programming in the Digital Arts; Designed Play; Advanced Game Design; and Games, Gender, and Culture. 

Electives (13-16 credits) allow students to focus in an area of interest. Elective examples include Science, Culture, and Emerging Media; Game and Animation Workshop; New Media; Game Programming; Machines, Codes and Cultures; Game Development; Designed Play; Virtual Worlds; Advanced Virtual Reality; Interactive Storytelling; New Narratives-Electronic Literature; and Computational Media.

The culminating experience for the Game Studies certificate is the Game Studies Capstone Project leading to the creation of an original game or research paper. 

All Game Studies students benefit from the program’s partnership with Buffalo Game Space (BGS). This non-profit organization provides training workshops, co-working spaces, and game jams. On-campus, Game Studies students may join the Strategists and Role Players Association, which hosts UBConn—the school's annual anime and gaming convention.

In addition to AGLS, all UB DMS programs connect students with the Departments of Computer Science, Architecture, Theatre, and English. Students also benefit from directed and independent study opportunities; participation in the UB DMS Student Showcase; and summer and semester-long internships with media companies, networks, and galleries—in the U.S. and abroad. DMS students have interned at places such as MTV, NYC-TV, TriCoast Studios, and Fireant Studio. 

Other DMS benefits include access to state-of-the-art computer labs, smart classrooms, a large production studio, and a 200-seat venue with hi-def projection and sound; and more than 700 study abroad options across seven continents. 

Graduates of the Media Study and Game Studies programs at University at Buffalo are prepared to pursue roles across the games industry, animation and film, digital advertising, television production, and many others. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Rockstar Games, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Zynga, NetherRealm Studios, and Pure Imagination Studios. 

Founded in 1846 as a private medical college, University at Buffalo is one of New York State’s flagship institutions. Serving approximately 30,560 students enrolled in more than 500 programs across 13 colleges and schools, UB is the largest campus in the SUNY system. University at Buffalo is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The school was also the first of the two public universities in New York to earn membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU). Just 59 research-intensive universities in the U.S. hold this distinction.

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is one of approximately 328 institutions accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). MICA is also home to the Game Lab, which houses the schools Game Design BFA and minor. As part of the Game Lab, students in both programs receive support with game projects and access to partners and resources such as MICA’s Center for Design Practice; the Computer Science Department at Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering; and the Institute of Play—a New York-based organization for the research and development of games as teaching tools. 

Game Lab students also benefit from partnerships with local game studios such as Big Huge Games and Firaxis Games, and the opportunity to participate in Come Out and Play—an annual international festival for innovative street games and play. Other Game Lab benefits include access to state-of-the-art labs and studios; visiting artists and lecturers; the option to complete an internship or undergraduate teaching assistantship (BFA); and semester and summer study abroad programs.

All MICA students will complete the First Year Experience (FYE), which provides a foundation in art and design. By the end of the experience, students will be prepared to begin upper-level study within MICA’s undergraduate studies (UGS) programs. FYE course examples include Contemporary Visual Languages; Color Design (2D); Ways of Writing; New Media (4D); Forum II: Independent Studio; Drawing (Fundamentals); and Modernisms. 

The Game Design BFA consists of 120 credit hours, including 30 FYE; 12 in Art History; 24 in Humanistic Studies; and 54 in the major. Examples of required courses include Game/Play; Introduction to Unity Engine-2D Game Design; Unity Engine 2: Advanced 2D Game Design; Advanced 3D Game Design; Level and Player Experience Design; and 3D Game Design. The program culminates with the Senior Thesis Visual Development course, worth six credits. 

Open to students in other majors, the Game Design (studio) minor requires 15 credit hours. Students will take Game/Play and Introduction to Unity Engine-2D Game Design. To reach 15 credits, students will select three courses from a list of eight. Examples include Narrative Design; Level and Player Experience Design; Installation Games; Sound for Games; and Advanced 3D Game Design. The program culminates with a final project.

Graduates of the Game Design BFA program at MICA are prepared to pursue positions in game design, animation and film, digital advertising, science and medicine, museums, education, architecture, research, and consulting. MICA alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Insomniac Games, Sega, Big Huge Games, Sparkypants Studios, Firaxis Games, and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum at the Andre Carnegie Mansion in Manhattan. 

For students seeking a degree that can prepare them for careers in games and other areas such as VR/AR, experience design, and robotics, MICA houses an Interactive Arts (IA) BFA. Course examples include Creative Coding; Interaction as Art; 3D Unity for Artists; Immersive Experience Lab; Sound Art; Robotics Arts Introduction; Synesthesia; the Soundscape; and Immersive/Interactive Studio. 

IA BFA Students will also gain professional experience through an internship at places such as Discovery Communications; Digital Harbor Foundation; and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). 

The culminating experience for the Interactive Arts BFA program at MICA is the Senior Thesis Visual Development course. Students may produce this final project through the Game Lab or the Animation or Illustration departments. Throughout the course, students will work individually and in teams; interact with visiting artists, critics, and lecturers; and take field trips to places of interest. Final projects will be reviewed in individual and group critiques. 

Graduates of the Interactive Arts BFA program at Maryland Institute College of Art are prepared to pursue careers in the games industry, interactive design, digital advertising, fine art, and graphic design, among others. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Pixar, Apple, DreamWorks Animation, Cartoon Network, Google, Firaxis Games, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and Big Huge Games.

Maryland Institute College of Art is the oldest independent, continuously degree-granting college of art and design in the U.S. Serving 2,090 students from 45 states and 53 foreign countries, MICA provides more than 20 different art and design programs leading to a BFA, MA, MFA, MBA, MPS degree, or post-baccalaureate certificate. In addition to NASAD-accreditation, Maryland Institute College of Art is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). 

Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) has several paths to study game design. Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences, houses the School of Art, home to the Film and Animation BA with a Video Game Animation concentration, and a 15 credit hour 3D Video Game Animation minor. At the graduate level, the school provides Animation MA and MFA programs with a Video Games concentration.

Also housed in the Maxwell Becton College is the School of the Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science (SMCS), home to the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. Within the school is a Computer Science BS with a Game Development concentration.

Lastly, FDU’s Gildart Haase School of Computer Sciences and Engineering houses an undergraduate Game Development certificate. This 18 credit hour program requires Computer Programming I-II and Computer Game Programming. For the remaining credits, students may choose from electives such as 3D Multimedia; Human Computer Interface; 3D Visualization; and Multimedia on the Internet. 

The hands-on Film and Animation BA allows students to switch concentrations while working their way through the curriculum or double concentrate by choosing two options from 3D Animation, 2D Animation, and Video Game Animation. Students can also work across all areas through anywhere from 12-18 elective credit hours, depending on the concentration. 

The Video Game Animation concentration is the ideal choice for game designers as highlights 30 credit hours in theory and production courses, plus 15-18 elective credit hours. Examples of required courses include Game Design; Low Poly 3D Modeling; 3D Game Creation Using Unreal; Character Animation Using CAT; 3D Game Creation Using Unity; ZBrush Digital Sculpting; and 3D Environment Modeling. The program culminates with the Thesis I-II courses. 

The 3D Video Game Animation minor at FDU is a 15 credit hour program that focuses on 3D graphics and animation for first-person and third-person games. Required courses include Creative Imagery with Photoshop; Low Poly 3D Modeling; and 3D Computer Animation. For the remaining credits, students will select from the following electives: Game Creation using Unity, Game Design, and Game Creation using Unreal. 

The Animation MA and MFA programs with a concentration in Video Games allow students to attend classes on campus, online, or a combination of the two. MA students will complete required courses totaling 18 credits and 18 in major electives. The MFA consists of required courses totaling 36 credits and 24 in major electives. While the MFA requires the Animation and Career Preparation (ANIM 7900) course, MA students can take it as an elective. 

Students in both programs will take Character Design; Game Creation; Digital 2D Animation; 3D Animation for Games; Digital Sculpting; and Advanced Game Creation. MFA students will also take Virtual Reality and Video Game Team Project. For MA students, both of these courses can be taken as electives.  Students in both programs have access to additional electives such as Animation with Houdini; Character Animation-Emotion and Personality; History of Video Games; Expressions and Scripting in After Effects; 3D Character Modeling; and Animation with Hair/Fur. 

The FDU Animation MA culminates with a final project, while the Animation MFA culminates with a thesis completed across three courses and presented at the Thesis Event. 

The Computer Science BS at Fairleigh Dickinson University is a flexible program that focuses on problem solving, teamwork and collaboration, software design, and professional development. Designed based on guidelines from the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), the Game Development concentration consists of four required courses and two electives selected from a list of seven options. 

Required courses include Introduction to Game Development; Human Computer Interaction; Advanced Game Development; and Artificial Intelligence. Elective options include Game Creation Using Unity; Environment Modeling; Game Creation Using Unreal; 3D Computer Animation; Game Design; ZBrush Digital Sculpting; and 3D Asset Creation Video Games. The program culminates with the Senior Project I-II courses or the Computer Science Internship, student’s choice. 

Across all Animation, Games, and CS programs, students may participate in the school’s internship program, which provides opportunities to work at major studios and networks such as DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, NBCUniversal, MTV, Viacom, and ABC. Graduates are often hired by many of these studios and networks.

Program alumni have also been hired at places such as Marvel Comics, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Verizon, Tribe Pictures, Pixel Light Digital Media, Whisper Films, Skyline Entertainment, and High 5 Games. 

Established in 1942, Fairleigh Dickinson University was the first comprehensive university in the world to require distance learning of its undergraduates. Serving more than 12,000 students across four campuses, FDU is also the largest private university in New Jersey. More than 100 degrees and disciplines are provided across two nine colleges and schools. 

In addition to the New Jersey campuses (Madison and Teaneck), the England campus, and the campus in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, FDU has extension sites across the state of New Jersey. Fairleigh Dickinson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Bloomfield College of Montclair State University is one of the 13 colleges and schools of Montclair State University. The college houses more than 50 degree programs, including a BS in Game Programing and a BA in Game Design. Across programs, students have access to a brand new state-of-the-art Center for Technology and Creativity; internships with local studios and media companies; and the opportunity to participate in the annual Global Game Jam where student contestants will produce a stand-alone game in just 48 hours. 

Other program benefits include collaborative team-based projects based on real-world game development; and participation in the Game Development Club, where students will work in groups to create two games every semester. 

Course examples for the Game Design program at Bloomfield College of Montclair State include Introduction to Game Design; Drawing I-II; Computer Imaging; Introduction to Game Programming; and Drawing for 2D Animation. The program culminates with the Game Development Capstone, completed across two courses. 

The Game Programming BS at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University consists of courses such as Programming I-II; Systems Analysis and Design; Game Programming Studio; Introduction to Game Programming; Data Structures; Digital Game Design; Group Game Project I-II; and Operating Systems. The program culminates with the Game Development Capstone, completed across two courses. 

Graduates of the Game Programming and Game Design and programs at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University are prepared to pursue titles such as Game Designer; Game Programmer; VFX Artist; Computer Programmer; Software Developer; and Information Systems Manager. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Psyonix (a member of the Epic Games family) and Santa Monica Studio (a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment). 

Montclair State University was founded in 1908 as the New Jersey State Normal School at Montclair. The school serves approximately 23,545 students enrolled in 300 majors, minors, concentrations, and certificate programs across 13 colleges and schools. On July 1, 2023 Bloomfield College merged with Montclair State, officially becoming Bloomfield College of Montclair State University. Montclair State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).