| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DigiPen | Redmond |
| 2 | University of Washington | Seattle |
| 3 | Academy of Interactive Entertainment | Seattle |
For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
DigiPen launched the world’s first bachelor’s degree in Video Game Development. Today, this Houdini Certified school has multiple paths to study game design. Options include the Computer Science (CS) and Game Design BS; a BS in CS in Real-Time Interactive Simulation; the Game Design BA; a Computer Science MS; the accelerated five-year Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation BS/CS MS program; and a Digital Arts MFA with a customized specialization. Across programs, students have opportunities to work in multidisciplinary teams to develop several original video games, create software, complete a final project, and finalize a market-ready portfolio. All activities take place in a real studio environment.
To date, DigiPen graduates have been credited on more than 2,000 commercial video games. Program alumni can be found at 1,500+ companies across the U.S. and abroad. Examples include Epic Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Rockstar Games, Activision Blizzard, Walt Disney Imagineering, DreamWorks Interactive, Ubisoft Shanghai, Insomniac Games, Microsoft, Warner Bros. Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Nintendo, Amazon, Google, Bethesda, Intel, Autodesk, Larian Studios (Belgium), Zynga, NCSoft, Take-Two Interactive, Booz Allen, SpaceX, Sucker Punch Productions, and Bungie.
University of Washington (UW) is home to the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). Both provide paths to study games. STEM programs include an Interactive Media Design BA and the Game Design Certificate (GDC). Allen School options include the ABET-accredited Computer Engineering (CE) and Computer Science (CS) BS and BS/MS programs with the option to specialize in Graphics, Vision, Games, and Animation.
Across programs, students have access to the Center for Game Science; the Animation Research Labs (ARL); UW Graphics and Imaging Lab (GRAIL); and UW Reality Lab; GRAIL provides opportunities to work with researchers from places such as Adobe, Google, Microsoft, and Intel. The multidisciplinary ARL provides opportunities to interact with artists from places such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Xbox Game Studios, and Bungie.
Other program benefits include internships, workshops, and study abroad experiences. Programs culminate with a capstone project and showcase. Graduates can be found at places such as Epic Games, Disney, Boeing, Nintendo, Xbox Game Studios, Amazon, Electronic Arts (EA), Adobe, The Pokémon Company International (TPCi), Bungie, Google, ArenaNet, Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta.
Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) is the world’s first non-profit specialist games and VFX educator. Also a Houdini Certified School, AIE provides Advanced Diplomas in Game Programming; Game Art and Animation; and Game Design and Production. All programs are hands-on and industry focused, with the option to take courses at the Seattle or Lafayette, Louisiana campus. Program highlights include immersive courses that allow students to begin designing games on day one; a collaborative studio-environment; access to state-of-the-art production facilities equipped with the latest industry software and tools; participation in workshop days; internships with major and independent; and an active career center.
For the culminating experience, students will work in teams across AIE Games programs to create an original game. Students will graduate with an extensive portfolio of several playable games. Across AIE programs, graduates have been hired at places such as Riot Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Weta FX, Epic Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Ubisoft, Animal Logic, BioWare, Halfbrick Studios, Valve, and Bungie.
