| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts |
| 2 | Stanford University | California |
| 3 | University of Southern California | California |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pennsylvania |
| 5 | New York University | New York |
| 6 | Rochester Institute of Technology | New York |
| 7 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 8 | Drexel University | Pennsylvania |
| 9 | Cornell University | New York |
| 10 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | New York |
| 11 | Duke University | North Carolina |
| 12 | Northwestern University | Illinois |
| 13 | University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| 14 | Northeastern University | Massachusetts |
| 15 | DePaul University | Illinois |
| 16 | Ringling College of Art and Design | Florida |
| 17 | Columbia College Chicago | Illinois |
| 18 | Full Sail University | Florida |
| 19 | Harvard University | Massachusetts |
| 20 | The New School Parsons School of Design | New York |
| 21 | University of Chicago | Illinois |
| 22 | California Institute of Technology | California |
| 23 | University of Rochester | New York |
| 24 | Southern Methodist University | Texas |
| 25 | New York Institute of Technology | New York |
Our 2025 rankings - our fifth annual- of the Top 25 private college AR/VR programs in the US. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is home to VR@MIT—a member of the Intercollegiate XR (ICXR) Hackathon Circuit. Along with MIT programs such as the Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) MS, and labs such as the Center for Advanced Virtuality and the MIT.nano Immersion Lab, VR@MIT supports AR/VR/MR education and research. Other AR/VR related programs include the CSE PhD; the Computer Science PhD; and the eight-week xPro certificate in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. MIT graduates go on to land positions at places such as Boeing, Microsoft, Google, Apple, IBM, General Motors (GM), Tesla, Amazon, Meta, Intel, the U.S. Armed Forces, and SpaceX.
Stanford University is home to the School of Engineering, which houses the Computer Science (CS) Department. Established in 1965, the department provides programs that allow students to design their own specialization. Several official specializations allow students to focus in AR/VR. Specific program options include the Computer Science BS (BSCS), MS (MSCS), and CS PhD. Across programs students have access to courses such as Intro to Virtual Reality and Avatars; How to Make VR: Introduction to Virtual Reality Design and Development; and Coding for Social Good. Students also have to the Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL), and the Virtual + Augmented Reality Design Lab (VR Design Lab), among others. Graduates of the CS Department are routinely hired at places such as such as Apple, Tesla, Microsoft, Google, Walt Disney World, Amazon, Meta, the U.S. Armed Forces, and Oracle.
The Frontiers of Computing initiative at University of Southern California (USC) is the single largest comprehensive academic initiative in the school’s history. Launched in 2023, Frontiers focuses on areas such as AR/VR, robotics, AI, and gaming. USE also houses the Mixed Reality Lab (MxR); the ICT Virtual Humans Group; and the Extended Reality Lab (XRLab). USC also recently launched the USC Working Group on Scholarly VR, AR, and 3D Modeling. Degree options include the Computer Science BS, MS, or PhD; the Interactive Media and Games MFA; the Arts, Technology, and the Business of Innovation BS; and the Integrated Design, Business, and Technology MS. Graduates of these programs are frequently recruited by the U.S. Armed Forces, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, DreamWorks Animation, Walt Disney, Google, Sony, Microsoft, Amazon, Discovery+, Tesla, United Airlines, Meta, and Disneyland Resorts.
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) houses the Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII)—home to the Augmented Design Capability Studio and the Augmented Perception Lab. Students in all AR/VR programs have access to the HCII. Program options include the nation’s very first bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence—the AI BS; BS degrees in HCI and AI; a Robotics Systems Development MS (MRSD); the Professional Master of HCI (MHCI); the HCI PhD; a Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA); the Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA); and a Bachelor of Engineering Studies and Arts (BESA). Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in AR/VR and related fields. Alumni have been hired at places such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Adobe, Pixar, Google, Amazon, Samsung, Meta, Riot Games, Apple, Cartoon Network, and NVIDIA.
New York University is home to Tandon School of Engineering. This Polytechnic Institute houses the research-intensive Integrated Design and Media (IDM) program, which provides IDM BS and MS programs and an Accelerated BS/MS program. All options provide opportunities to complete internships at places such as Google, Sony Music, and Apple, along with study abroad experiences at NYU Shanghai. Labs include the Future Reality Lab and NYC Media Lab, with partners such as Viacom, NBCUniversal, and Verizon. Tandon and IDM graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Microsoft, Apple, LG Electronics, Google, Intel, Amazon, Sony Music Entertainment, Meta, IBM, American Express, ABC, Verizon, Tesla, Qualcomm Technologies, EMI Music, Instagram, Simon & Schuster, and AECOM.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) was the first university to offer an undergraduate degree in software engineering. The school also delivered its first fully online program years before any other post-secondary institution entered the online arena. Today, RIT is among a growing number of schools that provide AR/VR-related programs and extensive labs to support them. Program options include the New Media Interactive Development BS, which focuses on adapting digital technologies for AR/VR, wearable devices, and touch interfaces; and the Computing and Information Sciences PhD, which allows students to select a research area such as AR/VR or customize their own. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in areas from game design to aerospace engineering. Potential job titles include AR/VR Developer, Technical Lead, Game Developer, UX Engineer, and Interactive Developer.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is home to the nation’s first degree dedicated to immersive reality. In addition to courses such as Virtual Reality for Motion Media and Immersive Revolution: Augmented to Virtual Reality, the STEM-designated Immersive Reality BFA program provides access to panels and presentations by gaming giants such as Ubisoft and EA Sports; AR/VR resources such as immersive reality labs and classrooms and a motion media lab; and Savannah Film Studios—a 10.9-acre facility that includes a next-generation XR stage for virtual productions. Graduates of SCAD’s Immersive Reality BFA program go on to land positions at places such as Epic Games, Microsoft, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, Autodesk, ZeniMax Online Studios, Meta, and Adobe.
The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University houses several labs and programs for students interested in studying AR/VR. These include the Immersive Research Lab (IRL); Animation Capture & Effects Lab (ACE-Lab); Digital Media and Virtual Production BS (formerly the Virtual Reality and Immersive Media (VRIM) program and one of the first accredited programs of its kind; and the VR and Immersive Media minor. Across options, students will participate in the Drexel University Co-op Program, which provides opportunities to work for companies such as YouTube VR and Franklin Institute Science Museum. Graduates have landed positions at places such as DreamWorks, Moving Picture Company, Pixar, Disney, and Digital Domain.
Cornell University (Cornell) houses a number of programs, labs, and initiatives dedicated to the education, research, and advancement of extended reality (XR). Program options include the Computer Science BS, MS, and PhD; Design Technology MS (MS DT); Master of Engineering in Computer Science (MEng CS); and the Connective Media MS (MS CM). Across programs, students have access to courses such as Virtual and Augmented Reality; Topics in Mixed Reality; Developing and Designing Interactive Devices; Mobile Human-Robot Interaction Design; and Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI). Labs include the XR Collaboratory (XRC) and Virtual Embodiment Lab (VEL). Graduates have been hired at places such as IBM, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Oracle, NBC, Amazon, Google, Apple, Meta, and the U.S. Navy.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI or Rensselaer) provides a number of paths to study AR/VR. Options include BS degrees in Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS), Electronic Arts (EA), and Information Technology and Web Science (ITWS); BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Computer Science (CS); a dual CS BS/MS; and an accelerated CS BS/PhD. All programs feature access to AR/VR coursework and activities supported by the Rensselaer Augmented and Virtual Environment (RAVE) Lab. ITWS students can select from more than 20 options to design a focus area or specialize in a formal area such as Machine Learning; GSAS; or Computer and Systems Engineering. Graduates typically land positions within six months of graduating at places such as Boeing, Epic Systems, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, IBM, and Amazon Robotics.
Duke University (Duke) is home to the Institute for Virtual and Augmented Reality for the Digital Humanities (VARDHI)—the first institute dedicated to AR/VR research conducted by humanities scholars. Other labs include Duke Immersive Virtual Environment (DiVE); Co-Lab Studio at the Technology Engagement Center (TEC); and Dig@Lab. Degree paths include the Computer Science BA, BS, MS, and PhD. Graduates of the Computer Science programs at Duke University are prepared to pursue careers in all industries that utilize AR/VR. They have been hired by companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Apple, and IBM.
Northwestern University (Northwestern) houses a number of labs and programs that focus on AR/VR education, projects, and research. Two of the largest labs include The Garage, and the Center for Human-Computer Interaction + Design. Others labs and initiatives include the Tangible Interaction Design and Learning (TIDAL) Lab; Artificial Intelligence Group; Computer Science + X (CS +X) Initiative; Interactive Audio Lab; NuLogiCS Group; Interactive Audio Lab; Swarm Robotics Lab; Cognition, Creativity, and Communication Lab (C3 Lab); IDEAS Lab; and Prescience Lab. Programs include the Computer Science BS/BA, MS, and PhD. Undergraduates may select a concentration such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Robotics, or Artificial Intelligence (AI). Graduates go on to become Computer Programmers, Software Developers, and Engineers at places such as Google, Microsoft, Intel, and IBM.
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn or Penn) houses the Annenberg Extended Reality Lab, which focuses on research, education, virtual events, and more. The school also houses an interdisciplinary Digital Media Design (DMD) program leading to Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) or a comprehensive minor. The DMD program was designed for students interested in AR/VR and other interactive technologies, games, animation, and computer graphics. Both the BSE and minor culminate with a semester-long capstone project. UPenn graduates are routinely hired at places such as Microsoft, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Pixar, DreamWorks, and Walt Disney Animation.
Northeastern University (Northeastern) houses several labs and programs designed to support AR/VR education and research. Labs include the Experiential Technologies Lab and User Testing Environment, and the Immersive Media Labs Suite. Programs include the Extended Realities MS (MS XR) and the interdisciplinary Immersive Media (IM) minor. Students in the MS XR may concentrate in Design (XR + Design), Media (XR + Media), or Games XR + Games. The comprehensive IM minor explores AR/VR/XR, human-computer interaction (HCI), and enhanced realities. Northeastern alumni, including MS XR and IM minor graduates, have been hired at places such as NASA, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Amazon, AMC Networks, Nickelodeon, the U.S. Armed Forces, Disney, NBC, Apple, Tesla, Google, Nokia, and ABC.
DePaul University houses AR/VR/XR labs such as the Jarvis Extended Reality (XR) studio space; the Virtual and Augmented Design (VAD) Lab; and the Virtual and Augmented Reality Communication (VARC) Lab. AR/VR-related programs include the Game Design BS; Communication and Technology BA; Computer Science BS (CS BS) with a concentration in Game Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), or Software Development; and MS degrees in Computer Science (CS MS) and Software Engineering. DePaul graduates are routinely hired at places such as Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Microsoft, Disney, Meta, Abbott, CDW, NBCUniversal, Argonne National Laboratory, Motorola, and Eclipse Gaming Systems.
Ringling College of Art and Design is home to the world’s first dedicated Virtual Reality Development program. Our facilities comprise two labs equipped with Meta Quest 3 and 3S headsets, 25 Apple Vision Pros, a Motion Simulation Platform, and StrikerVR Mavrik haptic blasters. We are members of IVRHA, XR Women, and LEXRA. Graduates have been hired at places such as Apple, Meta, General Motors (GM), ILMxLab, Index AR Solutions, and Immersive Health Group. Students have collaborated with Moffitt Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins, among many other VR for Good projects.
Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) houses a Game and Interactive Design BA that incorporates elements of immersive media, programming, and user experience (UX). Concentrations include Software Design; Game Programming; UX/UI; and Game Design. Immersive Media, Programming, Game Design, and User Experience are also offered as minors. Course examples across programs include Immersive Environments I-II; Wearable Interfaces; Programming I-II; and Code. Graduates enjoy a 90% employment rate. Across programs, alumni can be found at places such as Lockheed Martin, Riot Games, IBM, Google, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Rockstar Games, Sony, Deloitte, Walt Disney Imagineering, Microsoft, Electronic Arts (EA), Cartoon Network, Leo Burnett Worldwide, Zynga, Adobe, Epic Games, Nintendo, Unity, Marvel, BBDO, Gameloft, Deloitte, Blur Studio, Razorfish, and TIME Studios.
With partners such as Boeing, Epic Games and NASA, Full Sail University’s Institute of Emerging Technologies has been exploring AR/VR for more than 25 years. In 2021, the school also joined the Orlando/Central Florida Chapter of the VR/AR Association (VRARA). Current Full Sail labs include the AR/VR Lab, FabLab, Simulation Lab, Smart Lab, and UX Lab. Programs include the Simulation Engineering BS, and the Computer Science BS (CS BS) with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) concentration (CS BS/AI). Full Sail alumni have been hired at places such as NASA, Cirque du Soleil, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Universal Studios, NASCAR, Apple, Sony, Nickelodeon, Unity, Activision Blizzard, Google, BioWare, DreamWorks Animation, Rockstar Games, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide, ESPN, Digital Brew, Electronic Arts (EA), MTV, Disney, HBO, Meta, Bunim/Murray Productions, WWE, and Miramax.
Harvard University is a pioneer in AR/VR. From 1965 to 1968, Ivan Sutherland, an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Harvard, helped create the first virtual reality and augmented reality head-mounted display system known as The Sword of Damocles. Since then, Harvard has established several programs and labs that support AR/VR research, development, and education. This includes Harvard Innovation (Hi) Labs, which houses a state-of-the-art AR/VR Studio; the Bachelor of Arts (AB) in Computer Science (CS); an AB/Master of Science (AB/SM) or Master of Arts (AB/AM) in CS; and a CS PhD. Harvard technology alumni go on to land positions at places such as Microsoft, DreamWorks Animation, Pixar, Apple, Intel, Google, Amazon, Disney, Oracle, Meta, Adobe, Tesla, and IBM.
Parsons School of Design (Parsons) provides access to several labs and programs for students seeking careers in AR/VR. These include the XR Reality Lab; the STEM-designated BFA and MFA in Design and Technology (DT); and a comprehensive Immersive Storytelling minor that focuses on experiential and immersive storytelling in AR/VR, mixed reality (MR), 360 spherical film, data visualization, and interactive theater. The minor can be added to any Parsons major and DT students can focus in Game Design, Creative Technology, or custom area. Across programs, graduates have been hired at places such as Apple, Google, Nike, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Amazon, Intel, Nokia, Cisco, Oracle, Meta, and YouTube.
University of Chicago (UChicago) provides a number of labs and programs that support AR/VR education and research. These include Weston Game Lab (WGL); the Hack Arts Lab (HAL); Fourcast Lab; Slandercast Studio; the Research Computing Center (RCC); a Media Arts and Design BA (MADD BA); BS and MS degrees in Computer Science (CS); and a BA/MS or BS/MS (Bx/MS) in CS. All students have access to courses such as Introduction to Immersive Environments; Virtual Reality Production; Extended Reality with Unity; Augmented Reality Production; and Emergent Interface Technologies. Across programs, graduates are routinely recruited by the U.S. Armed Forces, Microsoft, IBM, Epic Systems, Amazon, Google, Oracle, Apple, Tencent Games, United Airlines, and World Wide Technology (WWT).
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) houses a Virtual Reality Lab (VRL) that provides opportunities to collaborate on AR/VR projects and research, experiment with online technologies and learning modalities, and participate in seminars, discussions, and group meetings. In addition to the lab, Caltech provides several pathways to study AR/VR. These include the Computer Science (CS) BS, MS, and comprehensive minor. Course examples include Making Data Visual (virtual/technological media); Computer Graphics (animation, human-computer interaction (HCI), and modeling); Experimental Robotics; Machine Learning; Digital Ventures Design; and Software Engineering. Caltech alumni can be found at places such as NASA, Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, Apple, and The Aerospace Corporation.
University of Rochester is home to one of the nation’s few AR/VR PhD programs. The school also provides the unique opportunity for students to build their own major. Undergraduates can build an AR/VR program or enroll in the BA or BS in Computer Science (CS) with a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Vision, or Natural Language Understanding track. Course examples across programs include AR/VR Interaction Design; Video Game Development; HCI; Machine Learning; Logical Foundations of AI; and Machine Vision. Graduates of the Rochester CS and AR/VR PhD programs are routinely hired by the U.S. Department of Defense, Apple, Microsoft, and Google.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) houses a number of facilities and programs that allow students to study AR/VR. These include the Digital/Hybrid Media Workshop; AT&T Center for Virtualization; the Center for VR Learning Innovation (CVRL)—home to the Mixed-Reality Simulation Lab and Olamaie Curtiss Graney VR Design Lab; Meadows Center of Creative Computation; SMU Guildhall—the graduate school for game design; the Computer Science (CS) BA, BS, MS and PhD; and the Creative Computation BA. The Guildhall features partnerships with companies such as Disney, Epic Games, and Ubisoft, and a final project sponsored by companies such as Microsoft, Nintendo, and Intel. Across programs, graduates are routinely hired by SMU partner and sponsor companies, as well as places such as Google, Samsung, Amazon, Electronic Arts (EA), Adobe, Nike, Dell, American Airlines, and KPMG.
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT or New York Tech) houses the Home of Innovation, Visualization, and Exploration (HIVE) Lab, which focuses on skills development and problem-solving in AR/VR, human-computer interaction (HCI), and game design. Within the HIVE are the virtual production and motion capture lab; UX/UI resources; a game design research lab; AI, machine learning, and computer vision technologies; and extended reality (VR) and HCI research labs. Ideal program options for students interested in studying AR/VR include the Digital Arts BFA; the UX/UI Design and Development MA; and MS degrees in Digital Product Design, and Architecture and Computational Technologies. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Boeing, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Google, Tesla, AT&T, and Motorola.
