| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quinnipiac University | Hamden |
| 2 | University of Connecticut | Storrs |
For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Quinnipiac University (QU) is an Unreal Academic Partner that provides two paths to study games: the Game Design and Development (GDD) BA and the GDD minor. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) the programs provide access to the Game Lab, where students have opportunities to work in multidisciplinary teams to create game prototypes. Activities begin in the student’s sophomore year, culminating in the senior year with the Senior Project and Seminar (capstone experience).
GDD students also have access to the Center for Game Development (CGD), which supports faculty and student games with financial and other resources; and other state-of-the-art production facilities and labs such as the eSports room in Rocky Top, the motion capture lab, and a new lab, lounge, and AR/VR space set to launch during the 2025-2026 academic year.
GDD BA students have the opportunity to participate in the QU in LA program, which consists of a semester-long internship in California interning at companies such as Electronic Arts (EA), Meta, and Blizzard Entertainment. Back at QU, GDD students may also collaborate with partners on unique projects such as educational games for public health workers; educational games about DNA replication; and cybersecurity games.
The GDD BA at Quinnipiac University is a 120-126 credit program that provides the opportunity to take courses in a related area such as Computer Science or Graphic and Interactive Design. Concentrations include Game Design, Spatial Technology, Programming, Art, Management/Production, Writing, and Performance. Students also have the option to add a minor or double major.
Courses for all focus areas include courses that align with the concentration. For example, students in the Performing concentration will take courses such as Acting and Directing for Games and Digital Music Composition, while Art concentration students will take courses such as Drawing for Games and Animation and Game Art Pipeline I-II. Students in all concentrations will take core courses such as Introduction to Game Design; Game Lab I-II; Creativity and Computation; Introduction to Visual Design for Games; Introduction to Game Development; and Professionalism Practice for Game Design.
Electives allow students in all concentrations to enhance the degree. Examples include History of Video Games; Game Design Tools and Process; Critical Game Studies; Interactive Storytelling; Game Lab III: Unreal; Board Game Design; Tabletop PRGs; VR/AR Development for Games; and Audio Narrative.
The GDD minor at Quinnipiac University is an 18 credit hour program that explores the game design for entertainment, serious games for education and training, and the social effects of games. Required courses include Introduction to Game Design; Creativity and Computation; and Introduction to Game Development. To reach 18 credits, students can select courses from minor elective options.
Examples include Drawing for Games and Animation; Board Game Design; Interactive Storytelling and Narrative; Games, Learning and Society; VR/AR Development for Games; Critical Game Studies Seminar; Game Design Tools and Processes; Game Art Pipeline I-II; and Game Lab: Team Projects (I-IV).
Graduates of the Game Design and Development programs at Quinnipiac University are prepared to pursue advance roles in all areas of game design and development, animation and film, digital advertising, and other related areas. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Sesame Street Workshop, Hi-Rez Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Black Rocket Productions, iD Tech, Grover Gaming, SphereGen Technologies, F84 Studios, XR Pediatrics at Yale, Cool Math Games, and Hellosaurus.
Founded in1929 as the Connecticut College of Commerce, Quinnipiac University serves approximately 9,425 enrolled in nearly 200 programs across eight professional schools and the College of Arts and Sciences. The school has three southern New England campuses: North Haven, Mount Carmel, and York Hill. Quinnipiac University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
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).
