| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan State University | East Lansing |
| 2 | College for Creative Studies | Detroit |
| 3 | Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti |
| 4 | Ferris State University | Big Rapids and Grand Rapids |
| 5 | Lawrence Technological University | Southfield |
Our 2025 ranking of the top game design school programs in Michigan. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Michigan State University (MSU) is home to the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci) and the College of Engineering. Serving more than 4,500 students across five departments, the College of ComArtSci provides BA, BS, MA, PhD, minor, and certificate programs in the arts and sciences of communication.
The MSU College of Engineering employs 297 faculty that serve more than 7,100 students. With 12 undergraduate degree programs and 11 graduate degree programs, the college is one of MSU’s founding disciplines and one of the school’s largest academic units. Engineering consists of 10 academic departments from Applied Engineering Sciences to Technology Engineering.
Across colleges, aspiring game designers may select from seven different programs leading to a degree, certificate, or minor. All programs provide access to state-of-the-art labs, facilities, and centers. This includes the Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab; the GEL Lab; virtual reality (VR) labs; the Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab; Quello Center for Media and Information Policy; and the Rural Computing Consortium.
The Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab and the GEL Lab house state-of-the-art technology for designing prototypes, learning new techniques, and to advance research on the individual and social impacts of digital games.
Across programs, students also have the opportunity to participate in game development and testing projects; complete an internship; participate in group research projects; and engage with industry professionals through visiting artist talks. Students have interned at places such as Insomniac games, Apple, ABC Studios, Will Winn Games, Fabrik Entertainment in LA, The Daily Show, BrainSurf Informatics, Gray Television, DaySmart Software, Re-Source Partners, and MOSAIC Unity Center.
The College of Communication Arts and Sciences houses the Department of Media and Information (MI). Within the department is the Game Design and Development program (GDD). Established in 2005, the program consists of the Games and Interactive Media BA; GDD minor; and the Serious Games MA certificate. Related programs include the Media and Information MA (MI MA).
All degree-seeking students have additional opportunities to gain hands-on experience with businesses and non-profit organizations in areas such as video game design, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), information technology, and human-computer interaction (HCI).
The MSU Games and Interactive Media BA is a collaborative, project-based program with three focus areas including Game Design; Game Development; and Games Graphics and Animation. All areas explore video game production, board games, emerging interactive media, AR/VR, special effects, artistry, the design process, and management. Examples of required courses include Games and Interactivity; Media and Sketching Graphics; Games and Society; Methods for Understanding Users; and Bringing Media to Market.
Students in the Game Design focus area will take additional courses such as Game Level Design; Serious Game Design Studio; Building Virtual Worlds; Game Design and Development I-II; and Game Interface Design. Course examples for Games Graphics and Animation include Concept Design for Games, Film, and TV; Advanced 3D Modeling; Advanced Three-Dimensional Computer Animation; and Compositing and Special Effects.
Game Development students will take courses such as Game and Interactive Media Development; Introduction to Programming I-II; Matrix Algebra with Computational Applications; and Building Innovative Interfaces. Across all focus areas, students have opportunities to work on real-world projects with partners such as Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, Blizzard Entertainment, Insomniac Games, Bungie, and Rockstar Games.
Students will graduate from the MSU Games and Interactive Media BA program with a professional portfolio of projects across a wide variety of works. Program alumni are prepared to pursue titles such as Game Designer, 2D Artist, Game Scenario Writer, Interaction Designer, Game Developer, Technical Artist, Game Programmer, Producer, Level Designer, Usability Engineer, Technical Designer, Project Manager, UI/UX Designer, and Quality Assurance Specialist.
The MSU ComArtSci GDD minor requires 15 credit hours. To enter the program, students must complete Games and Interactivity as a prerequisite along with two courses selected from a set list of options. Examples include Introduction to Programming II; Concept Design for Games, Film, and TV; Game and Interactive Media Development; and Fundamentals of Comic Art and Graphic Novels. For minor requirements students will take 12 credit hours including Game Design and Development I-II; Collaborative Design; and Game Design Studio.
For the remaining credits students will select courses from close to 30 options. Examples include Building Virtual Worlds; Interaction Design; Software Engineering; Advanced Game Development; Interactive Environments and Digital Fabrication; Computer Graphics; and Advanced 3D Modeling.
The GDD minor at Michigan State University is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in the Computer Science BS; the Studio Art BA or BFA; or the Graphic Design BFA.
The Serious Games MA certificate attracts CS students, MSU MI graduate students, Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) students, and doctoral students from other universities. Open to all MSU graduate students as a stand-alone program, the certificate requires the following courses: Theories of Games and Interaction Design; Foundations of Serious Games; and Understanding Users. The Serious Games MA certificate is transcriptable, and it can be completed either on-campus/hybrid or 100% online.
The Media and Information MA at Michigan State University is a STEM-approved program that explores the design, the use of communication technologies and information, and management. The program is immersive, hands-on, and customizable, with opportunities to engage in real world experiences. As of 2025, MI MA students also have the option to focus in Game Studies and Design; Human-Computer Interaction/and User Experience Design (HCI/UX); or Media Policy. Students may also build their own focus area from all available courses.
In addition to specific focus area courses, all MI MA students will take courses such as Foundations of Serious Games; Interactive Usability and Accessibility-Design and Evaluation; Theories of Games and Interaction Design; Global Media and Communications; Interaction Design; and Game and Project Design Studio I-II. The culminating experience for the MI MA is the Master’s Project, completed across two courses.
Graduates of the MI MA program at Michigan State University are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as game design and development, 3D technology, serious games, digital media, game programming, web design and development, user experience (UX), simulation and visualization, and information studies.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Insomniac Games, Bungie, Ubisoft, Publicis Sapient, BuzzFeed, and ESPN.
The College of Engineering at Michigan State University houses the Department of Computer Science and Engineering—home to the Computer Science (CS) program. Available pathways include the BS, MS, and PhD. CS BS students can add the GDD minor and/or concentrate in Multimedia and Graphics, while MS and PhD students can add the Serious Games certificate.
Course examples for the Multimedia and Graphics concentration include Game Design and Development I-II; Electronic Art; Game and Interactive Media Development; Computer Graphics; Game Design Studio; Building Virtual Worlds; Experiments in Digital Video; Introduction to Film; and Advanced 3D Modeling.
Across programs, students will take courses such as Collaborative Design; Introduction to Programming II; Computer Systems; Theory and Algorithms; Machine Learning; Software Engineering; Systems Design and Analysis; Advanced Software Engineering; Web Application Architecture and Development
Deep Learning; Translation of Programming Languages; Design and Theory of Algorithms; Computer Vision; Introduction to Artificial Intelligence; Parallel Computing; and Evolutionary Computing.
Graduates of the Computer Science programs at Michigan State University are prepared to pursue roles in all areas of game design, development, and programming; the broader software engineering industry; mobile application development; web design and development; and UX design, among others.
MSU Computer Science alumni have been hired at game design studios and other places such as Amazon, Epic Systems, Boeing, Microsoft, Compuware, General Motors, IBM, and Ford Motor Company.
Founded in 1855, Michigan State University began as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan. On the first day of classes on May 14, 1857, the College welcomed five faculty members and 63 students into three buildings: College Hall, Saints’ Rest, and a brick horse barn. When it opened, the school became the first institution of higher learning in the U.S. to teach scientific agriculture.
Today, MSU is one of the nation’s premier land-grant research universities. The school serves approximately 52,090 students enrolled in more than 200 programs across 17 degree-granting colleges. Michigan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
College for Creative Studies (CCS) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Founded in 1944, this prestigious organization accredits less than 330 institutions nationwide. In addition to NASAD-accreditation, CCS houses a STEM-designated Entertainment Arts (EA) program that has Game Design, Animation, and Concept Design majors.
A Toon Boom Center for Excellence and Authorized Unreal Instructor, the Entertainment Arts program at CCS also features sponsored projects with major companies and studios such as Epic Games, GM, and Unity 3D; courses taught by Hollywood insiders and Unreal Authorized Instructors (UAI); access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment including PC and MAC equipment, gaming labs, editing suites, and full VR capabilities with Vive goggles and sensors; and internship opportunities with local and regional studios.
Students may also participate in the study abroad program, which features faculty-led and independent experiences in places such as India, Paris, Ireland, Sweden, London, Spain, and Italy.
Leading to a BFA, the Entertainment Arts program begins with the First Year Experience (FYE) consisting of courses such as Digital Techniques; Animation I; Process and Making; Drawing I-Rapid Concept; 2D Design Principles; and Drawing II-Style and Skill.
Game Design majors will complete a total of 120-121 credits, with courses that explore environment design for game, animation, and film; 2D and 3D; traditional drawing and CGI tools; augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR); mobile platforms; and immersive gameplay.
Course examples for the program include Intro to 3D Computer Graphics; History of Video Games; Game Art I-II; Process and Making; Game Ideation; Modeling and Texturing; Game Trends; Advanced Computer Generated Environments; Game Professional Futures; Lighting and Rendering; Game-Concept and Technology I-II; Computer Character Animation; Digital Techniques; and Visual Narration-Asia.
Students can explore other areas of interest or even create their own specialization through electives. Examples include Animation I; Advanced Creature Creation; 2D Digital Animation; Stop Motion I-II; Experimental Animation; Sound Design; Anatomical Figure Illustration; and Concept Design.
The culminating experience for the EA Game Design BFA program at College for Creative Studies is the Game Senior Studio, complete across two courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in the game design industry, animation production, digital advertising, and other related areas. EA Game Design alumni have worked on more than 15 Marvel movies; created game environments for Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft; and designed one third of the six Batmobiles.
CCS Game Design graduates have been hired at major companies and studios such as Epic Games, Nickelodeon, Disney Animation Studios, Paramount, Pixomondo (PXO), General Motors (GM), Ustwo Games, Funcom, Certain Affinity, Turn 10 Studios, Outloud Media, Wedoo, and Monomi Park.
College for Creative Studies was established in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts. Today, this private, nonprofit institution serves more than 1,400 students enrolled in 23 different art and design programs leading to a BFA, MA, or MFA degree. In addition to NASAD accreditation, College for Creative Studies is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The College of Arts and Sciences at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) serves approximately 4,430 students enrolled in more than 140 degree programs across eighteen departments and schools. This makes Arts and Sciences EMU’s largest academic unit. The college is also home to the School of Art and Design. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the school houses five undergraduate majors, three minors, and three graduate programs.
For students interested in pursuing a career in the game design industry, the EMU School of Art and Design provides a Simulation, Animation and Gaming (SAG) BS with approximately 140 students enrolled. A 20 credit-hour SAG minor is also available. Courses for the minor include Introduction to Game Design; Graphics for Simulation I-II; Environment Design; Studio I Simulation; Web Publishing Technology; and Digital Photo Technology.
The multidisciplinary SAG BS is a STEM-designated program that combines traditional art disciplines, story development, and creative writing, with courses and projects that focus on games, animation, lighting, rigging, illustration, modeling, lighting, and camerawork in 3D. Course examples for the 81 credit hour major include Introduction to Game Design; Story Development; Environment Design; Introduction to Unity I-II; Vector Illustration for SAG; Texturing and Mapping; Introduction to Simulation, Animation and Gaming; Organic Modeling; Studio I-II; SAG Movement; and Graphics for Simulation I-II.
In addition to Unity, EMU SAG students will use software and development tools such as Adobe Animate, Maya, Illustrator, and 3ds Max to create several projects throughout the program. Students will also complete several studios and Senior Projects in SAG as the culminating experience for the program.
Graduates of the SAG BS program at Eastern Michigan University are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as game design, computer animation, visual effects (VFX), game art, interactive design, storyboarding, simulation, concept art, visualization, character design and development, modeling, digital advertising, and graphic design.
Founded in 1849 as the Michigan State Normal School, Eastern Michigan University is the state’s second oldest public university and America’s first teacher-training institution west of the Alleghenies. The school serves approximately 12,665 students enrolled in more than 350 majors and programs across five colleges, the Graduate School, and the Honors College. Eastern Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Ferris State University (Ferris State or FSU) houses the College of Business—home to the School of Digital Media, and Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD). Within the School of Digital Media is a Digital Animation and Game Design BAS (DAGD BAS). KCAD houses a flexible Digital Art and Design BFA (DIAD BFA). Across programs, students will study and create in classrooms, studios, and labs led by expert faculty.
The DAGD BAS in the School of Digital Media is a highly technical program that explores game design, 3D animation, programming, and business. Students in this program will complete communication and collaboration competency courses such as Scriptwriting; Small Group Decision Making; Interaction Design; Argumentation and Debate; and Advanced Technical Writing.
The major consists of 81 credit hours and an 18 credit hour concentration in Game Development (GMDV); General (GDAG); or 3D Animation (AN3D). Across all concentrations, students will take courses such as Introduction to Game Design and Development; 3D Modeling-Animation 1-2; Introduction to Coding for Games; Agile Project Management; Digital Imaging for 3D; Field Production; Multimedia Design; Animation Foundation; Seminar; and Applied Internship.
The Game Development concentration requires Game Programming I-II. Students will select the remaining four courses from the following options: Level Design; Procedural Animation Technique; Multiplayer game Program; Applied Digital Simulation; and Multimedia 2. Students in the General concentration have the option to take any or all of these courses (minus one), select from nine other courses, or choose a combination of the 15 available GDAG courses. Examples include Digital FX; Advanced Mod-Anim-Vehicle-Structure; Contemporary Tools/Techniques; and Advanced 3D Character.
The final course for the DAGD BAS program at Ferris State University is the Capstone. During this culminating experience, students will create a commercially marketable project portfolio and engage in job seeking activities.
The KCAD DIAD BFA program allows students customize a specialization and develop portfolios in one or more areas such as 3D Game Art; Interaction Design; 2D Animation; Motion Design; or Visual Development. All students will take supportive studio, art history, and major studio courses such as Digital Imaging I-II; Animation Processes; Digital Character Drawing; Global Art; and Professional Studio I-II. Electives examples include 3D Game Art I-II; 2D Character Design; Concept and Production Art; Motion Design; Applied Music and Sound; 3D Character Design; Storyboard Art; and Interaction Design.
The program culminates with the Digital Art and Design Thesis (completed across two courses) and the Professional Practices course, which provides the opportunity for students to create a self-promotional digital campaign that targets job-seeking and freelancing opportunities.
Graduates of Ferris State’s Digital Art and Design BFA and Digital Animation and Game Design BAS programs are prepared to pursue graduate studies or positions in areas such as game design, game art, animation, television production, digital advertising, visualization, simulation, interactive design, and education.
KCAD alumni have been hired at places such as Epic Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation, R/GA New York, YouTube, Caterpillar, and Tek Systems. KCAD BFA alumni have also been accepted into graduate programs at places such as School of Visual Arts, New York (SVA NY), Vancouver Film School (VFS), Michigan State University (MSU), Academy of Art University, Andrews University, Grand Valley State University (GVSU), and Indiana University (IU).
Ferris State University was established in 1884. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the school serves approximately 9,950 students enrolled in more than 190 programs across eight colleges. This includes Kendall College of Art and Design. Founded in 1928 and located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, KCAD serves 565 students enrolled in more than a dozen degree and certificate programs.
As part of Ferris State University, KCAD is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Lawrence Technological University (LTU) provides paths to study games in the College of Architecture and Design’s Department of Design, and the Department of Math and Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Department of Design houses the BFA and minor in Game Design, while the Math and Computer Science Department houses the Computer Science BS with a Game Software Development concentration, and an undergraduate Game Software Development certificate.
The Game Design BFA is a 120 credit hour, project-focused program with three optional concentrations including Digital Environments, Digital Interface, and Digital Objects. All options explore game assembly, level design, and game system design. Course examples include Introduction to Game Systems; Digital Drawing and Painting; Scripting for Game Design; Visual Culture; User Interface and User Experience Design (UI/UX); Level Design; Integrated Game Studio; Design Leadership; and History of Game Design.
In addition to taking several game studios throughout the program, all students may participate in the Game Design Unreal Incubator/CoAD. This full-immersion development program allows Game Design BFA students to develop and publish an Unreal Engine-powered game. Students will gain will first-hand experience working through the entire game development pipeline alongside professional designers in the industry. Game Design BFA students also have the opportunity to complete a professional internship.
The Game Design minor is a 24 credit hour program that explores scripting, game systems, level design, and History of Game Design. Course examples include Introduction to Game Systems; Visual Communication; Scripting; Level Design; and History of Game Design. The program culminates with a final project.
The Computer Science BS at Lawrence Technological University requires 129 credit hours of study. Course examples include Game Genre Development; Software Engineering 1-2; Computer Networks; Scripting for Interactive Technologies; University Physics Lab; Integrated Game Studio 1-2; Computer Architecture and Assembly; Computer Graphics Programming; and Data Structures.
Electives may be selected from a list of 10 options. Examples include Game Audio and Sound Design; 3D Environment Modeling; Special Topics in Game Design; and Principles of Computer Animation. The program culminates with the following courses: Senior Project, Senior Project 2, and Pathways Capstone Lab.
The undergraduate Game Software Development certificate at LTU requires 13 credit hours of study. Courses include Introduction to Game Development (three credits); Game Genre Development (three credits); Game Design (three credits); and Computer Science 1 (four credits). Students will work in interdisciplinary teams to create original games and a final project.
Across all Games programs at Lawrence Technological University, students have opportunities to participate in events such as LTUX—the annual campus-wide expo that highlights student game showcases, costume play (cosplay) workshops, gaming tournaments, vendors, panels, and more; travel to the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco; and participation in student clubs such as Infinite Machine (IM), and Mobius Inventors (MI). Both provide opportunities for students to meet up and play games, organize fundraisers, work on projects, and watch films.
Graduates of the Games programs at LTU are prepared to pursue positions in game design and development, game writing, 3D modeling, game programming, software development, app development, animation production, digital advertising, art direction, and UI/UX.
LTU Games alumni have been recruited by a variety of companies and studios such as Ford, Dead Art Games, Jackbox Games, Quicken Loans, Flyover Games, seventyseven, Mackevision, Dreaming Door Studios, Pixo, FanLabel, Chimera Labs Video Game Development Studio, 3DExcite, and Pluto Studios.
Lawrence Technological University was established in 1932 as Lawrence Institute of Technology. With a focus on STEM and Design education, LTU serves approximately 3,000 students enrolled in more than 100 degree programs across four colleges. The school also offers programs with partner universities in Asia, Mexico, Europe, and the Middle East. Lawrence Technological University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
