Create your own video games with Unreal Engine or work on the next AAA title! Turn your passion for games into a career with CG Spectrum’s game design, programming and game art courses led by industry pros from major studios. Learn more.
What are the top Arizona game design programs?
| Ranking | School | City | Ranking by Region | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Arizona | Tucson | #1 in Southwest | #41 |
| #2 | University of Advancing Technology | Tempe | #2 in Southwest | Unranked |
| #3 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Prescott | Unranked | Unranked |
| #4 | Grand Canyon University | Phoenix | Unranked | Unranked |
Our 2026 ranking of the top game design school programs in Arizona.
The criteria we used for the animation rankings consists, in no particular order, of the following: Academic reputation, Employment data, Admission selectivity, Depth and breadth of the program, Value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness, Graduation rate, and Retention rate. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
The College of Information Science at University of Arizona (U of A or Arizona) houses a STEM-designated Game Design and Development BS and (BSGDD) and a Games and Behavior BA (BA GB). Both programs have minor options. The BSGDD can be completed on campus or online. Other program options include the Applied Humanities BA with a Game Studies emphasis, offered in the College of Humanities’ Department of Public and Applied Humanities, and an undergraduate Games and Simulation certificate.
Students in all degree programs benefit from collaborative learning with opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships with places such as Amazon and Intel. Degree-seeking students also have opportunities to take study abroad courses such as Visual Content Creation in the Information Age (Rome), and Digital Storytelling and Culture (Orvieto, Italy).
Students in all programs have access to state-of-the-art production facilities; courses taught by accomplished industry professionals; and opportunities to participate in the Global Game Jam (GGJ) and U of A Game Development Club. Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio.
Graduates of the Games programs at University of Arizona have been hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), IGN, Amazon, Deca Games, Heavy Iron Studios, Oracle, Comcast, Booz Allen, and CNN.
University of Arizona — Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to University of Arizona's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 game design school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Recognition by Academic Peers (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Low-mid Average Net Cost (Tier 2)
Student Indebtedness: Low Student Debt (Tier 2)
Graduation Rate: Fair Graduation Rate (Tier 4)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong Student Retention After 1 Year (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
2. University of Advancing Technology, Tempe, Arizona
University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is a 100% STEM-based post-secondary institution that houses one of the few fully accredited Game Design Programs (GDP) with degree options across the entire discipline. Launched in 1995, the UAT GDP includes BA degrees in Game Art and Animation (GAA BA), and Game Design (GD BA); a Game Programming BS; and the MS in Game Production and Management (GPM MS). All programs can be completed online, on campus, or a combination of the two (hybrid). A 15-week internship is mandatory for all on campus students.
Across programs, students have the opportunity to create original games in collaboration with game programmers, artists, and other designers. Students also benefit from courses taught by active industry professionals; a synchronic learning model; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities and labs.
Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Nickelodeon, Blizzard Entertainment, Bethesda, Intel, Gearbox Software, Microsoft, Scientific Games, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Google, U.S. Department of Defense, Twitch, and AGS.
University of Advancing Technology — Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to University of Advancing Technology's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 game design school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Recognition by Academic Peers (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Large Faculty (Tier 2)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Accessible (Tier 5)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Substantial Student Debt (Tier 5)
Graduation Rate: Low Graduation Rate (Tier 5)
First-Year Retention Rate: Moderate Student Retention After 1 Year (Tier 3)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
3. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Arizona
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Embry-Riddle) has a Simulation Science, Games and Animation (SSGA) BS program that explores game production, animation, virtual world development, storytelling, interactive digital environments, and systems design. Courses for the program are STEM-based and project-focused with opportunities to work in teams on games, animations, interactive experiences, and virtual worlds. Course examples include Game Systems; World Building; Game Engine Architecture; Interactive Media; Game Design Workshop; Digital Illustration; and Psychology of Gaming.
Other program highlights include courses taught by industry professionals; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and internship opportunities. The program culminates with a capstone project completed across two courses with labs. Embry-Riddle alumni have been hired at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Lockheed Martin, Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Boeing, Microsoft, Sony, RTX, Amazon Robotics, Meta, Super League, Garmin, ForgeFX Simulations, Collins Aerospace, Boston Dynamics, and the Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO).
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University — Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 game design school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Recognition by Academic Peers (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Fair Employment Outcomes (Tier 4)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Fair Graduation Rate (Tier 4)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong Student Retention After 1 Year (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
4. Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona
Grand Canyon University (GCU) houses the Game Design BA and Game Development BS programs. Both options can be completed on campus or entirely online. Other program highlights studio-based courses; collaborative, hands-on projects; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; industry partnerships; professional internships; immersive coding assignments; and participation in the study abroad program.
Programs culminate with a capstone project. GCU graduates can be found at places such as Summit Games, Autodesk, IBM, RTX Corporation, LT.Agency, iHeart, Openforce, and Canyon Creative.
Grand Canyon University — Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to Grand Canyon University's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 game design school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Recognition by Academic Peers (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Fair Employment Outcomes (Tier 4)
Admissions Selectivity: Moderately Selective (Tier 3)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Low Graduation Rate (Tier 5)
First-Year Retention Rate: Fair Student Retention After 1 Year (Tier 4)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.