Top 25 Private Game Design Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2026 College Rankings

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 includes BFA degrees in Game Development and Interactive Design, Game Art, and Themed Entertainment; the Computer Science (Games) BS, and Computer Science (Game Development) MS; the Interactive Media (Games and Health) MFA; the Cinematic Arts (Media Arts, Games, and Health) MA; and the Game Design and Development MS. 

Minors include Game Design; Game Studies; Game Audio; Game User Research; Themed Entertainment; Game Entrepreneurism; Computer Science; Technical Game Art; Video Game Production; and Video Game Programming. Many minors can also be taken as specializations. 

Across programs, students benefit from 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. 

Programs culminate with a final project, thesis, or 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) is home to the Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology Network (IDeATe), which houses a 45-unit Game Design minor (GDM) that complements a number of undergraduate programs. Although the minor is open to students from any major, popular combinations include the Electronic and Time Based Media (ETB) BFA/GDM; Art BFA/GDM; Computer Science (CS) BS/Computer Graphics concentration/GDM; Bachelor of CS and Arts (BCSA)/GDM; and Music and Technology BS/GDM. 

At the graduate level, the IDeATe houses a Master of Entertainment Technology (MET) that highlights an Immersion Semester, which features courses such as Building Virtual Worlds and Visual Story. At the end of this 14-week experience, students will have a completed marketable product or prototype. In addition, the CMU MET culminates with a final project with sponsors such as Electronic Arts (EA), NASA, MTV, Disney, Google, NVIDIA, and Microsoft.

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.

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) houses more art and design degrees and specializations than just about any other school of its kind. Programs for students interested in studying games include the Interactive Design and Game Development (IDGD) BA, BFA, MA, and MFA. Minors include Game UX, Game Development, and Concept Art for Games. All students benefit from internship opportunities;  individual and group projects; access to SCAD Film Studios; and state-of-the-art production facilities in the 60,000 square feet SCAD Digital Media Center (DMC) and Mongomery Hall. 

Students also have opportunities to interview and present their portfolios to reps from places such as Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts (EA), and Zynga during regularly scheduled meetings. 

Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. With a 99% success rate, SCAD IDGD graduates go on to land positions at places such as Riot Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, Epic Games, Apple, Nickelodeon, Gearbox Software, Adobe, Bethesda, and Zynga.

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.

Program options for game designers include BS and MS degrees in Comparative Media Studies (CMS) with a strong focus in games; BS and MS degrees in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE); the Brain and Cognitive Science BS; and the Business BS with a customized focus area developed in collaboration with the MIT Game Lab. Because all programs are interdisciplinary, 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. 

Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University houses several programs for game designers. Options include BS degrees in Game Design, Computer Science + Animation (CS+ANI) with a Game Art Technical Director concentration, and Game Programming; a STEM-designated Animation BFA with a concentration in Game Art + the option to focus in Animation or Modeling and Rigging; the Game Design MFA; and a Game Programming MS. Across programs, students have access to  DeFRAG (DePaul Fundamental Research in Academic Gaming); a game development studio known as DePaul Originals; the Deep Games Laboratory; and DePaul Esports Gaming Center. DeFRAG hosts week-long game jams, video game Jeopardy, and multi-play nights. 

Other program highlights include access to gameplay, game development, playtest and usability, virtual reality, and research labs; participation in exhibitions; internships with local and national studios; the biennial Japan Study Abroad Program, culminating with a game/animation jam; and opportunities to gain hands-on experience at DePaul’s virtual production stage—the first of its kind in the Midwest—and the Indie Studio.

Students also benefit from courses taught by industry professionals from places such as Nickelodeon, WMS, and Disney; access to DePaul Cinespace Studios—a state-of-the-art 60,000 square feet production facility that houses animation studios and labs, six professional soundstages, stop motion and motion capture stages, mixing studios, and more; and participation in the LA Quarter Program at Sunset Las Palmas Studio.

Graduates of the Game programs at DePaul go on to secure positions at places such as Epic Games, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts (EA), Lockheed Martin, Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, Sony Pictures, Nickelodeon, LAIKA, WB Games, RTX, Zynga, Bethesda, Scientific Games, IBM, GitHub, and Meta.

Gnomon is often called the MIT of Visual Effects. For students interested in studying games, the school houses a Digital Production BFA program with Game Art and Visual Effects Animation concentrations, and a Digital Production for Entertainment (DPE) certificate that focuses on the 3D production pipeline in games, visual effects, and film. Certificate students can also select from five concentrated areas including Games; Character and Creature Animation; Visual Effects Animation; Modeling and Texturing; and 3D Generalist. 

All programs provide hands-on experiences in a real studio environment, along with rigorous training in industry-standard software such as Houdini, Nuke, Maya, Unreal Engine, After Effects, ZBrush, V-Ray, Designer, Marmoset Toolbag, and Substance 3D Painter. 

The Digital Production BFA and DPE certificate culminate with the creation of a market-ready demo reel. To date, Gnomon has helped more than 900 graduates land roles at places such as Epic Games, MPC, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Electronic Arts (EA), DNEG, Reel FX, Blur Studio, Blizzard Entertainment, Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Weta FX, DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Amazon Game Studios, Riot Games, Digital Domain, BioWare, Framestore, and Naughty Dog. 

Northeastern University (Northeastern) provides several paths to study game design. At the undergraduate level, the school houses BFA degrees in Game Design, and Game Art and Animation; a Computer Science and Game Development BS; and minors in Game Art, and Game Design. Graduate level programs include a STEM-designated Game Science and Design MS—the only program of its kind in the U.S.); and certificates in Game Science and Game Experience Design. 

All programs are interdisciplinary, with opportunities 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. Across programs, students also have access to The Games Studio, where they can work on productions and be credited on up to four titles, and the Center for Design, which is a space for interdisciplinary design research and collaborative projects. 

Other program highlights include access to additional state-of-the-art labs, studios, and maker spaces; workshops; visiting artists and guest lecturers; and participation in exhibitions. Programs culminate 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. 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is home to the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDigi). Established in 2011, this education, entrepreneurship, and workforce development center features the Summer Innovation Program (SIP), which helps student teams complete, market, and prepare to launch an original game. Other MassDigi highlights include the Reverse Internship/Sabbatical featuring team projects; Live Code, which allows students to work on real games; the Virtual Production Laboratory; and the Education Working Group.

Degree programs for WPI students are part of the School of Arts and Sciences. Options include the project-based and highly collaborative Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD) BA, BS, MS, BS/MS, and minor; the Interactive Media and Game Design MFA; and an interdisciplinary Computational Media PhD that focuses on art and gameplay. Students in all programs have opportunities to complete a co-op experience or professional internship, and participate in game jams, the Game Developers Conference (GDC), and the annual PAX East Game Festival, among others.

Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates are often hired at places such as Riot Games, Lockheed Martin, Activision Blizzard, Rockstar Games, Xbox Game Studios, Epic Systems, Harmonix Music Systems, Bethesda, RTX, Twitch, Owlchemy Labs, Larian Studios, Amazon, and Google. 

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 seven programs including the Game Art BFA, and 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. Minors in Interactive Narrative, Game Sound Design, and 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.

Parsons School of Design (Parsons) is The New School’s largest academic unit. Within Parsons is a STEM-Designated Design and Technology (DT) program with BFA and MFA options. The BFA program has two pathways including Game Design and Creative Technology. The MFA provides opportunities to work on projects with external partners such as Sony PlayStation, IBM, and Samsung. Graduate students also benefit from the Cloud Salon webinar series, which features guest speakers from places such as Meta Reality Labs. 

Students in both programs have opportunities to visit or work on projects with Atari, Nickelodeon, Apple, and MTV, to name a few. Other DT program benefits include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; collaborative projects with students across all New School majors; professional internships; and study abroad experiences in places such as London, Florence, and Paris. 

The Parsons DT BFA and MFA programs culminate with a thesis project. Graduates are often hired at places such as Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Ubisoft, Twitch, Google, HBO, Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Amazon, Fjord, MTV, IDEO, Bose Corporation, Meta, Gensler, and Diller Scofidio + Renfro. 

The Game Design Initiative at Cornell University (GDIAC) was the first program of its kind at an Ivy League School. Established in 2001, the initiative is housed in Cornell Bowers College of Computing and Information Sciences’ (CIS) Department of Computer Science. This interdisciplinary program consists of a Game Design minor open to students across all majors at Cornell. However, the minor is ideal for students in the Computer Science BS (CS BS) program, which also consists of course such as Algorithmic Game Theory; Advanced Topics in Computer Game Architecture; Machine Learning; and Cloud Computing. 

Program highlights include project-based learning; curriculum that emphasizes gameplay design, software development, game analytics, and project management; the option to select courses from other departments—examples include Game Studies and Japan and History and Theory of Digital Art; and depending on the major, professional internships and participation in Cornell’s study abroad (SA) program, including locations such as China, India, Paris, Ghana, the UK, Denmark, and Madrid.

The GDIAC Game Design minor culminates with an individual or group project (console, mobile, PC, VR/AR). Final projects may be entered into the annual GDIAC Showcase. Cornell Games and CS graduates can be found at places such as Tencent Games, Nintendo, Riot Games, NASA, Apple, Microsoft, Electronic Arts (EA), Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, PlayStation, Valve Corporation, Bethesda, Naughty Dog, Zynga, Oracle, TikTok, Meta, IBM, Dell, Hulu, and Snapchat.

Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University (Duke) houses an industry-centered Master of Engineering in Game Development, Design and Innovation (MEng GDDI). Students in this program will begin designing and building prototypes in the very first year. Other program features include a mandatory industry internship; participation in hands-on projects with designers from places such as Epic Games; and additional interactions with studios such as Insomniac Games and Ubisoft. 

The MEng GDDI program at Duke culminates with an industry-ready game and portfolio. Graduates enjoy a 90% success rate within six months of graduation. Program alumni can be found at places such as Epic Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Insomniac Games, Ubisoft, Blizzard Entertainment, Apple, NVIDIA, Disney Interactive, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Amazon, Google, Cisco Systems, IBM, General Motors (GM), Northrup Grumman, American Airlines, Meta, Jellyvision, Studio Noori, Agate, Rush Street Interactive, Lanterns Studios, Demonware, and Rocket Studio. 

The School of Design at Columbia College Chicago (Columbia College) provides a number of paths to study games. Options include a BA in Game and Interactive Media Design with concentrations in Game Design and Game Programming; an Animation and Computer Graphics BA with a concentration in Game Art; and minors in Game Design, Game Art, and Fashion for Game Art. All programs feature collaborative projects; interdisciplinary coursework; immersive workshops; artist-in-residence initiatives; professional internships; and study abroad experiences.

All students also have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Examples include The Game Lab; The Equipment Cave (game consoles, etc.); The Motion Capture Studio; The Open Lab; Animation Production Spaces; and The Sound Studio. 

Programs culminate with a final project to be presented at major conferences, festivals, and other events. Examples include the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, California; Industry Night at Columbia College Chicago; South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas; and the Chicago Toy and Game Fair. 

Graduates of the Games programs at Columbia College Chicago can be found at places such as Nickelodeon, Weta FX, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Pixar, Warner Bros. Games, BioWare, Cartoon Network, Amazon, Netflix, Bungie, Jellyvision, High Voltage Software, and Iron Galaxy Studios.