| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DePaul University | Chicago |
| 2 | Bradley University | Peoria |
| 3 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago |
| 4 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale |
Our 2026 ranking of the top game design school programs in Illinois. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
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.
Bradley University (Bradley) provides multiple paths to study game design. Options include BA and BS degrees in Game Design and Game Art; an Interactive Media BA; Computer Science (CS) and Computer Information Systems (CIS) BS programs with a Computer Game Technology concentration; Game Design and Game Project Management minors; and the Game Development MS. Across programs, students benefit from collaborative projects; opportunities to gain real-world experience through partnerships with Rockstar New England, Everi, and OSF Jump Simulation Center, among others; the NBCUniversal Internship Program; participation in Game Jams; and the opportunity to show works at the annual FUSE Exhibit.
All students may participate in the Bradley University Hollywood Semester and study abroad programs in places such as Spain, Australia, and the UK. The Hollywood Semester highlights guest lectures; excursions to industry events; professional internships; courses led by industry professionals; and networking events. The programs new mentorship initiative also helps connect students with Bradley alumni in Los Angeles.
Programs culminate with the Game Design Capstone. Graduates have been hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Amazon Game Studios, Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Ubisoft, Insomniac Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Epic Games, Bungie, and Warner Bros. Games.
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.
The School of Media Arts (SoMA) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) houses a Media Arts BA program with a specialization in Animation and Game Design. An Animation and Game Design minor is also available. Led by industry professionals, course examples across programs include Introduction to Animation and Game Design; 3D Animation I-Modeling; Game Narratives; 3D Animation II-Animation and Visual EFX; Writing for Game Production; Digital Graphics Foundations; 3D Animation III-Production Studio; and Visual Effects in Post.
All students have 24/7 access to the New Media Center; Animation and Game Design Studio; Emerging Media Studios; Video/Audio Post-Production Studios; and Adobe Creative Suite. Other program highlights include a required minor in a related area; optional internships, externships, and co-ops in places such as Chicago, New York, LA, Nashville, and Atlanta; participation in student organizations such as Game Mechanics Research Studio (GaMeRS), the Strategic Games Society, and Tech Dawgs; and study abroad experiences in places such as Japan, the UK, Belgium, and France.
The Media Arts BA (Animation and Game Design) program culminates with a final project and portfolio. Graduates have been hired at places such as Amazon Game Studios, Titmouse, Warner Bros. Animation, Activate Games, Netflix, International Game Technology (IGT), ESPN, and Santa Monica Studio.
