| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DigiPen | Redmond |
| 2 | University of Washington | Seattle |
For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
DigiPen is a Houdini Certified School that launched the world’s first bachelor’s degree in Video Game Technology and Development. Since then, DigiPen has won 57 Independent Games Festival (IGF) awards. This is more than any other school in the world. DigiPen students have also won more than 300 awards for game projects and academic papers.
Today, DigiPen’s game program has expanded to include six options. This includes a BS in Computer Science (CS) and Game Design; a BS in CS in Real-Time Interactive Simulation; a Game Design BA; a Computer Science MS; an accelerated BS/MS program that can be completed in just five years; and a Digital Arts MFA.
Across programs, students have the opportunity to work in multidisciplinary teams in a studio environment to create software, several original video games, a final project, and market-ready portfolio.
The Computer Science and Game Design BS explores artificial intelligence (AI); system, level, and technical design; user interface design; programming languages; and game design. Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, the BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation covers 2D and 3D simulation; game engine software; programming languages; artificial intelligence (AI); software engineering; graphics rendering; and graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
The DigiPen Game Design BA is an interdisciplinary degree that explores design theory, interactive media, games, and applications. Students may select a concentration from six options including Level Design; Technical Design; Systems Design; Narrative Design; User Research; and UX Design.
The Computer Science MS at DigiPen explores game creation (game design, streaming media testing, project management, etc.); advanced computer science (game engine design, advanced animation and modeling, advanced rendering techniques, artificial intelligence, physically-based modeling algorithms, and ray tracing); and physis and mathematics (computational geometry, cryptography, fuzzy logic and sets, number theory, etc.).
The accelerated BS/MS program has two tracks: Thesis and Comprehensive Exam. Both options highlight courses such as Physically-Based Simulation; Graphics; Artificial Intelligence; and Image Processing. Students in both tracks will also complete the Advanced Game Project course. The accelerated BS/MS can be completed in just five years.
The Digital Art MFA at DigiPen allows students to customize a specialization from courses across all DigiPen programs. To specialize in games, MFA students can select courses such as Game Design, Development and Production; Character Rigging; Scripting for Games; Hair and Clothing Simulation; Lighting and Rendering; Organic and Hard Surface Modeling; Advanced Character Creation; and Storyboarding.
Graduates of the Games, Computer Science, and Digital Arts programs at DigiPen are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of games and animation. To date, DigiPen alumni have been credited on over 2,000 commercial video games and they have been hired at more than 1,500 companies.
Examples include Electronic Arts (EA), Insomniac Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Ubisoft Shanghai, Epic Games, Microsoft, Google, Activision Blizzard, Intel, Booz Allen Hamilton, Nintendo, DreamWorks Interactive, Amazon, Walt Disney Imagineering, SpaceX, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Zynga, ArenaNet, Take-Two Interactive, and Bungie.
DigiPen was established in 1988 as a computer simulation and animation company in Vancouver, British Columbia. Today, the school is a technology institute that serves over 1,000 students across campuses in Redmond, Washington; Singapore; and Bilbao, Spain. Programs include 10 undergraduate and graduate degrees in Computer Science; Digital Art and Animation; Engineering; Game Design and Development; and Music and Audio. DigiPen is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
University of Washington (UW) is home to the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). Within the school are several paths to study game design including the ABET-accredited Computer Engineering (CE) and Computer Science (CS) programs leading to a BS or BS/MS. Across programs students may specialize in one of nearly 20 areas. This includes Graphics, Vision, Games, and Animation.
Course examples include Special Topics in Computer Vision; Interaction Programming; Advanced Topics in Digital Animation; Computational Fabrication; Intermediate Programming Concepts and Tools; Software Design and Implementation; Programming Languages; Computer Programming; and Digital Design. Students in the Graphics, Vision, Games, and Animation have the opportunity to complete a game or other related project for the culminating experience.
University of Washington has an additional option for aspiring game designers with at least two years of college experience or working game designers seeking advancement opportunities in the industry. Developed in partnership with the UW Bothell Digital Future Lab, and approved by UW’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, the UW Game Design Certificate (GDC) is an intensive eight-month program that culminates with a game prototype that students can pitch to industry executives.
Courses for the program include Fundamentals of Game Design; Game Mechanics and Systems Design; and Game Studio Roles and Development. Throughout the program, students will conceptualize, create, and complete several other game design projects for their professional portfolios. In addition to a certificate, graduates of the program will earn a digital achievement badge along with separate badges for each of the three required courses. Digital badges can be shared on social media sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook.
The CS, CE, and certificate programs provide access to four main labs in the Allen School including the Center for Game Science; UW Reality Lab; UW Graphics and Imaging Lab (GRAIL); and the Animation Research Labs (ARL).
The Center for Game Science produces scientific discovery games, learning games, and academic games. Center research spans fields such as computer games, machine learning, computer graphics, self-adapting HCI, inductive logic programming, program synthesis, data science, intelligent tutors, and crowd-sourcing.
The UW Reality Lab was established in 2018. Lab participants have opportunities to work on research projects in areas such as character animation, lighting and rendering, 3D reconstruction, and computer vision. Other UW Reality Lab features include access to courses such as Virtual Reality Production for Storytelling; Computer Vision; Introduction to Computer Graphics; and Machine Learning; the mentorship program; lectures; the Idea Incubator; and ongoing programs such as The Reality Studio and The Reality Lab. The Reality Studio explores production and storytelling techniques for immersive environments through classes and productions.
GRAIL conducts research in areas such as games, animation, generative AI, computer graphics, virtual reality, computer vision, and computational photography. GRAIL participants have opportunities to work with researchers from Google, Intel, Microsoft, and Adobe.
The multidisciplinary Animation Research Labs is a collaboration between CSE, the Department of Architecture, and the Schools of Art, Music, Drama, and the Center for Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS). ARL participants have opportunities to interact with industry experts from Pixar, Xbox Game Studios, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney Animation Studios, and Bungie, among others.
Graduates of the Game Design certificate and Computer Science and Engineering degree programs at UW are prepared to pursue roles across all areas of game design and development, the broad technology industry, entertainment, and more.
Computer Science and Computer Engineering graduates are hired by hundreds of different employers each year. Examples include Epic Games, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Boeing, Oracle, Apple, Qualcomm, and Meta. GDC program alumni enjoy an 80% job placement rate. Top employers include Boeing, Microsoft, Bungie, Hi-Rex Studios, and Hourglass Escapes.
University of Washington encompasses more than 500 buildings, over 20 million gross square footage of space, and more than 26 university libraries. Founded in 1861, the school also serves approximately 62,765 students, making it the largest university in the state. With three campuses in Seattle (main), Bothell, and Tacoma, UW provides more than 480 programs leading to over 850 degrees. Programs are housed across 18 colleges and schools.
University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The school is also a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Engineering at UW is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
