
What are the top game design schools for 2020?
ranking | School | Percentage of schools examined |
---|---|---|
1 | University of Southern California | top 1% |
2 | University of Central Florida | top 1% |
3 | New York University | top 2% |
4 | Digipen Institute of Technology | top 3% |
5 | University of Utah | top 4% |
6 | Carnegie University Future | top 4% |
7 | Rochester Institute of Technology | top 5% |
8 | UC Santa Cruz | top 6% |
9 | Southern Methodist University | top 6% |
10 | DePaul University | top 7% |
11 | UCLA | top 8% |
12 | Savannah College of Art and Design | top 9% |
13 | University of California, Irvine | top 9% |
14 | Georgia Institute of Technology | top 10% |
15 | WITH | top 15% |
16 | University of Washington | top 15% |
number 17 | Full Sail University | top 15% |
18 | University of Texas at Dallas | top 15% |
19 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | top 15% |
20 | Gnomont School of Visual Effects | top 15% |
21 | Drexel University | top 15% |
22 | Michigan State University | top 20% |
23 | University of the Arts | top 20% |
24 | The New School Parsons School of Design | top 20% |
25 | University of Pennsylvania | top 20% |
26 | Texas A&M College Station | top 20% |
27 | University of Texas at Austin | top 20% |
28 | Northeastern University | top 20% |
29 | Ringling College of Art and Design | top 25% |
30 | University of Florida | top 25% |
31 | Columbia College Chicago | top 25% |
32 | Cornell University | top 25% |
33 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | top 25% |
34 | North Carolina State University in Raleigh | top 25% |
35 | Laguna College of Art and Design | top 25% |
36 | Champlain College | top 30% |
37 | Indiana University Bloomington | top 30% |
38 | Becker College | top 30% |
39 | Ohio State University | top 30% |
40 | Purdue University | top 30% |
41 | Otis College of Art and Design | top 30% |
42 | Baylor University | top 30% |
43 | University of Miami | top 35% |
44 | Cogswell Institute of Technology | top 35% |
45 | George Mason University | top 35% |
46 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | top 35% |
47 | Faculty of Creative Studies | top 35% |
48 | University of Advanced Technology | top 35% |
49 | University of Wisconsin-Stout | top 35% |
50 | Ferris State University | top 40% |
Our 2020 ranking of the top 50 game design school programs in the US. Note on ranking criteria,Click here.
1. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (Top 1% of Schools)
The University of Southern California (USC) was founded in 1880 and serves 47,500 students in more than 200 undergraduate programs, 300 graduate programs, and 150 minors. The Department of Computer Science in the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Department of Interactive Media and Games in the Dornsife School of Letters, Arts and Sciences offer course options for aspiring game designers. Dornsife courses are offered in conjunction with the Academy of Cinematic Arts.
The Viterbi School of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Games), a Master of Science in Computer Science (Game Development) and a PhD in Computer Science in the fields of Game Design and Development or Virtual Reality Studies. A Minor in Computer Science and a Master of Science Program (MSP) are also offered.
The PDP allows outstanding undergraduate students to "begin graduate-level courses during their senior year and pursue fewer credits required for the master's degree." This "allows students to study for an extra semester or two to obtain the MSc in Computer Science." The PDP is available for the MSc in Computer Science (Game Development).
The Interactive Media and Gaming department offers a Bachelor of Interactive Entertainment, an Intensive Three-year Master of Interactive Media, a Master of Interactive Media (Games and Health) and a Master of Cinematic Arts (Media Arts, Games and Health). The department's broad minors include Game Design, Game Animation, Game Audio, Game Entrepreneurship, Game User Research, Game Studies, Documentary, Video Game Design and Management, Video Game Programming, 3D Computer Modeling and Graphics, Computer Science, Immersive Media and Thematic Entertainment .
In addition to providing a variety of program options to aspiring game designers, USC is also home to GamePipe Labs. Sponsored by Intel, Sony and other tech companies, the lab hosts "demo days" for students to showcase their work. The biannual event attracts game industry representatives, journalists, teachers, students and hundreds of spectators from across the country.
2. University of Central Florida + Florida Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Orlando, FL (top 1% of schools)
Founded in 1963 and serving approximately 68,571 students on four campuses, the University of Central Florida (UCF) is the second largest university in the United States and has the largest enrollment in the state of Florida. UCF is also one of the youngest universities in the United States, offering more than 220 degree programs in 13 colleges. One of the biggest subjects in school is game design.
UCF's College of Arts and Humanities, Department of Games and Interactive Media offers a degree in digital media with a focus on game design, which, the college says, "allows students to integrate the multiple fields of art, storytelling and technology" . In the course, students "learn the history, design cultural influences, and application of video games and video game technology." Students will complete courses that allow them to "build a range of prototypes, both casual and larger form of the game". club. "
Other highlights of the program include opportunities to participate in games and meetings, which offer networking opportunities and potential job opportunities.
UCF is home to the Florida Institute of Interactive Entertainment (FIEA). The graduate school for video game design opened its doors to "a select group of future game developers and creators" in August 2005. Today, FIEA offers dozens of students the 16-month MS in Interactive Entertainment, which includes three courses including Technical Art, Programming and Production.
MS offers "an immersive, project-based video game curriculum that is both active and interactive." Students in the program "will be part of a team of peers" who will work together as "producers, developers and artists to complete landmark and realistic projects under tight deadlines." The programs are overseen by "some of the best video game teachers in the world."
UCF also offers a master's degree in Digital Media - Visual Language and Interactive Media. Students in the program may choose a non-dissertation option, and portfolios may include artwork, software or games designed by students, articles written, and proposals or projects they create.
3. New York University, New York, New York (top 2% of schools reviewed)
Founded in 1831, New York University (NYU) serves more than 60,500 students and is the largest private university in the United States with the largest number of international students in the United States. The school has campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai in more than 25 There are 11 global academic centers and research programs in 3 countries. With more than 19,000 employees, NYU is one of New York's largest employers.
Founded in 1965, the Tisch School of the Arts is part of New York University and is home to the NYU Game Center and Department of Game Design. Also known as Tisch or TSOA, the school serves more than 3,000 students from 48 states and 39 countries. Tisch students are at the BA, BFA, MA, MFA, MPS, and PhD levels.
The Design Department of the NYU Game Center offers a variety of programs for aspiring game designers. Options include BFA, MFA, and a minor in Game Design. The BFA program is organized into three major areas, including Game Studies, Game Design, and Game Development, four production areas, including Programming, Visual Design, Sound Design, and Game Operations, and a major. Students can specialize in game programming, visual or audio design, or game development.
The Game Center MFA is a two-year degree that includes courses in game design, game production, game studies, and game history. Students will gain hands-on experience by attending studio classes and participating in game workshops, and electives will allow students to “explore everything from game journalism to games and gamers (courses on the psychology and emotions of games).
All Game Center Program classes and events take place on NYU Brooklyn's Media and Games Network (MAGNET). MAGNET also houses the Games Center Open Library, "the largest collection of games owned by any university in the world".
4. Digipen Institute of Technology, Redmond, WA (top 3% of schools)
Founded in 1988, DigiPen Institute of Technology was the first school in the world to offer a bachelor's degree in video game development. More than 550 companies have hired DigiPen graduates, and more than 400 interactive media companies are located near the school, making the region one of the largest video game hubs in the world. Serving approximately 1,100 students from all 50 US states and nearly 50 countries, the school has international campuses in Singapore and Spain and educational partnerships with Keimyung University in South Korea and Thammasat University in Thailand.
DigiPen offers ten postgraduate and undergraduate course options in art, design and computer science. The Game Software Design and Production Department offers courses for aspiring game designers. Pathways include BS in Game Design, BS in Computer Science and Game Design, BS in Computer Science in Real-time Interactive Simulation (RTIS), BS in Computer Science five-year RTIS/MS with a minor in Mathematics. The Department of Digital Arts also offers a Master of Arts in Digital Arts.
DigiPen says that while the RTIS degree program offers "extensive training in mathematics and physics," students in the program "also learn the fundamentals of game design, production, and programming both individually and collaboratively. In addition, they write design documents games and technical design documents, learn how to organize tools and techniques, and participate in the full production of many games."
The Master of Arts in Digital Arts is a terminal degree that allows students to build a foundation and "expand beyond traditional art," the school said. Students will "sharpen their digital media skills and increase proficiency in disciplines" such as character design, digital sculpting, digital painting and other specializations in the digital media industry.
The program culminates in a senior thesis project that allows students to develop and present original work that is both personal and reflects their strongest abilities as digital artists. In addition to the thesis project, students will work with peers on group projects, including games and films, as part of electives.
DigiPen Student Games has won 57 Independent Games Festival awards (more than any other school) and to date, more than 550 companies around the world have hired DigiPen graduates. DigiPen alumni have developed over 1,000 commercial games.
5. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah (top 4% of schools)
The University of Utah (The U) was founded in 1850 and serves nearly 33,000 students from across the United States and around the world. The school offers more than 100 undergraduate programs and more than 90 graduate programs in 17 colleges and schools and nearly 100 departments. The College of Engineering and the College of Fine Arts host the Entertainment Arts and Engineering Masters Games Studio (EAE: MGS).
The studio offers a Master of Entertainment Arts and Engineering (MEAE). Courses include game art, game engineering, game production, and technical art. According to the studio, "all students in each track have a range of common courses, including game design, rapid prototyping, pre-production and final projects." In addition, students will "develop and strengthen a professional games portfolio" and have the opportunity to complete an internship in the games industry.
EAE's interdisciplinary teaching program now offers a Bachelor of Games (BSG), "designed for students who aspire to pursue careers in the professional games industry or related fields such as simulation, education or visualization." The new program "offers math and computing skills, fundamental knowledge in designing and producing playable digital experiences, and specialization options that prepare students for technical supervision, tool development, and general game design." A small in toys is also available.
The David Eccles School of Business and Entertainment Arts and Engineering program also offers a dual degree program "designed to leverage complementary elements of the MBA and MEAE." The MBA/MEAE aims to bridge the "suit" gap from "development", which took three years to complete.
Other programs include a bachelor's degree, a five-year bachelor's/master's degree, a minor in computer science, and a bachelor's degree in film and media arts. The BS in Computer Science and BA in Film and Media Arts focus on entertainment arts and engineering (EAE). The BA is offered by the School of Informatics and the Department of Cinema and Media Arts and the BA is offered by the School of Informatics.
6. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (top 4 percent of schools)
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) was founded in 1900 and serves more than 14,500 students from more than 100 countries. The school has seven colleges and offers more than 100 courses. In partnership with the School of Computer Science - Department of Computer Science and the School of Fine Arts - Integrated Design, Art and Technology (IDeATE), CMU offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Art (BCSA) with a focus in Game Design. IDeATe collaborative studios include game engine programming from the Robotics Institute, game development research questions from Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), and Programming for Game Designers - Also from ETC.
Carnegie Mellon University's School of the Arts offers a broad-based Bachelor of Arts program with four major tracks that allow students to pursue media-based studies or combine areas of interest to create a hybrid or professional practice. Electronic and time-based media "explores the creative potential of emerging technologies and their critical impact on contemporary culture," the school said.
The course "implicitly encourages interdisciplinary study." As a result, "many students integrate interests in fine arts and computer science into the BFA curriculum or through the unique BCSA curriculum." Areas of focus include animation, game arts, computational and interactive arts, video and performance, tactical media, crafts and tangible media.
Students with a particular interest in the intersection of arts and technology can benefit from an expanded curriculum through the IDeATE program. The course focuses on game design, game design, prototyping and production, computer game programming, experimental game design, advanced game studio, character component production and understanding game engines.
Each year at the end of the spring semester, the Miller Institute of Contemporary Art (Miller ICA) hosts a final group exhibition showcasing the work of recent graduates of the BFA program.
Head over to CMU's ETC where you'll find two additional game design options. Founded in 1998, ETC offers a Minor in Game Design (in collaboration with IDeATE) and a Master of Entertainment Technology (MET). The MET is awarded jointly by the CMU School of Computer Science and the School of Fine Arts. The MET is currently considered a terminal degree.
7. Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York (top 5% of schools reviewed)
The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) was born from the institutional marriage of the Rochester Athenaeum (founded 1829), an influential cultural association, and the School of Engineering (founded 1885), a technical training school. The college changed its name to Rochester Institute of Technology in 1944 and awarded its first Bachelor of Science degree in 1955.
Today, RIT serves more than 19,000 students in fields ranging from art and design to urban community studies. The B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences (GCCIS) houses the Institute of Interactive Games and Media (IGM). Here, students can earn a bachelor's and master's degree in game design and development, or a degree in interactive development for new media. Minors in Game Design and Development (GAMEDD-MN) and Game Design (GAMED-MN) are also available.
The GCCIS IGM Game Design and Development program emphasizes game programming and co-op education. The co-op is a required full-time paid work experience that provides students with the opportunity to learn on the job in a real industry environment. Students must complete two full-time periods, i.e. work at least 35 hours per week during one term. Past partners include Microsoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sapient-Razorfish, Google, EA, Epic Games, Cartoon Network, Seagate, Hi-Rez Studios and more.
In addition to collaborative experiences, students in the BA in Interactive Development for New Media will occasionally explore gaming, physical computing, production, web, mobile and more. All GCCIS IGM students have the opportunity to take any minor or double major.
8. University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California (top 6 percent of schools)
The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) opened in 1965. The school serves more than 100 degree programs to 18,805 students in 10 schools. The Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE) has launched the first undergraduate gaming department in the UC system. Options offered by BSOE's Department of Computer Science (CS) and Computational Media (CMPM) include BS in Computer Science: MS in Computer Game Design, Playable Games and Multimedia, and MS in Computational Media or Computer Science with a PhD in Games focus.
The UCSC Department of Art houses an Art Department that offers an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Art and Design: Games and Playable Media (AGPM) and a Master of Arts in Digital Art and New Media (DANM), with a Playable Media Studies option. UCSC as wellCenter for Playable Games and Media (CGPM). Founded in 2010, CGPM houses five gaming-related research laboratories, including the Expressive Intelligence Studio - one of the largest gaming technical research groups in the world. CGPM partners include eBay, Google, Sony, EA, Microsoft Studios, MacArthur Foundation, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and more.
9. Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas (top 6 percent of schools)
Founded in 1911, Southern Methodist University (SMU) serves nearly 11,800 students in more than 200 programs through seven schools. Meadows College of the Arts offers a variety of programs for aspiring game designers, including a Bachelor of Fine Arts/Master of Interactive Technology (M.I.T) in Digital Game Development.
The BFA/M.I.T is supported by Guildhall - SMU's School of Video Game Development (founded in 2003). "Providing the breadth and rigor of a BFA degree, the program will develop skills that support an in-depth study of the fundamentals of digital game development through the MSc in Interactive Technologies," the school said.
BFA/M.I.T and M.I.T majors include art, design, production, or game programming. In addition to MIT's Digital Game Development, Guildhall offers a Professional Certificate in Digital Game Development "tailored for students who wish to actively participate in the game development industry as designers or artists." Specializations in the program include art creation, level design, production, and software development.
10. DePaul University, Chicago, IL (top 7 percent of schools)
Founded in 1898, DePaul University serves nearly 22,500 students from across the United States and approximately 70 countries. The school offers 300 degree programs in 10 colleges and schools and two campuses in Chicago. DePaul University was one of the first universities to offer smartphone game development courses, offering game design courses at all levels through the College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM).
CDM is divided into three faculties, including the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA), the School of Computing (SoC) and the School of Design (SoD). Degree options include a BA with minors in Game Design and Game Programming, a BA in Computer Science with a concentration in Game Systems, a BA in Animation with a focus on Game Art, a MSc in Game Programming, a Masters in Game Design, and a BA in Game Design. MSc in Software Engineering with a focus on real-time game systems. Minors are jointly offered by CDM SoD and SoC.
DePaul University also has a Summer Institute for Games, Film and Animation. The Summer Academy is a week-long program that includes "hands-on instruction using the latest equipment and technology." Participants can specialize in computer game development, 3D computer modeling and animation for games, and film or digital film production.
Students in all Game Design courses have access to Prototyping, Iteration, and Gamespaces as well as all CDM labs, including several labs that cross course-specifically, including the Game Development and Research, Game, Virtual Reality, and Game Testing room and Usability Experiments. ThePrototype, Iterate and Play Space is an interdisciplinary game design, research, development and evaluation lab at CDM focused on games that explore the human experience.
Recent graduates of the DePaul Games program have gone on to work at Disney Interactive Studios, NeatherRealm Studios, Owlchemy Labs, Firaxis, Wargaming, Phosphor Games, Carbine Studios, Scientific Games and more. Some graduates have started their own game companies, including Young Horses, whose indie titles are popularoctopusdeveloped at DePaul.
11. UCLA, Los Angeles, California (top 8 percent of schools)
Founded in 1919 as the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) South Campus, it serves nearly 45,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The school offers more than 125 undergraduate programs and more than 40 graduate programs in 109 academic departments.
The School of Art and Architecture houses the Department of Design Media Art (DMA), which offers Bachelor and Master of Arts in Design Media Design (BA DMA and MFA DMA) degrees. The UCLA Extended Program also offers a specialization in Game Design. The DMA program focuses on game design studies, interactivity and games, video and animation, visual communication, and more, while the game design major consists of four courses, including game user experience, AR/MR/VR for immersive content: experience , games and media , Introduction to Game Design and 3D Game Design and Game Engine: Unity.
DMA also houses the UCLA Games Lab, supported by the School of Theater, Film and Television. According to the school, the lab's primary function is to "provide research and production spaces for collaborative teams to focus on game projects." It supports the exploration of game aesthetics, game contexts, and game genres, while emphasizing "conceptual risk-taking and the development of new modes of expression and forms through games."
In addition to game creation and research, the lab also serves as a hub for developing public programs around key issues in gaming. Events include public lectures, workshops, exhibitions, a visiting artist program and the Hammer Museum's annual public festival.
12. Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia (top 9 percent of schools)
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) was founded in 1978. With campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, Hong Kong, and Lacoste, France, the school serves more than 14,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. SCAD offers more degree programs and specializations than any other art and design university, with a School of Digital Media offering a bachelor's degree in Interaction Design and a bachelor's, master's and master's degree in interaction design and game development (IDGD). Minors in Game Concept Art, Animation and Game Concept Design, Game User Experience, Interaction Design and Game Development, Mobile and Interaction Design are also available.
The Savannah, Atlanta eLearning campus offers a 180-credit degree program. The course requires 45 credits and includes courses in Digital Aesthetic Design, Fundamentals: Programming, Introduction to Game Design, Fundamentals: Interaction Design and Typography I: Anatomy, Form and Space.
The 180-credit BFA program is offered in Savannah, Atlanta, and Hong Kong. The program requires the major to complete 75 credits, including courses in Interaction Design and Game Development Studio I & II, Interaction Design and Game Development Post-Production, and Programming. Students in the BFA program will choose between two majors: Game Development, Interaction Design, and Computational Physics. Sample courses include Game Technology, Game Art, User Centered Design, and Visual Design for Interactive Media.
Offered at the Savannah and Hong Kong campuses, the graduate program consists of 45 credits, including courses in contemporary art, interactive web design, and collaboration. Students in this program will complete a final master's project in Interaction Design and Game Development.
The MFA program consists of 45 credits, including courses in game environments, character development, interaction scripts, and game design documentation. Students will also participate in Dissertation Studios I and II and complete a graduate placement. The MFA program is offered via e-learning at the Hong Kong and Savannah campuses.
At SCAD, professionals visit students quarterly for position interviews and portfolio review. Recent visitors include representatives from Zynga, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Crystal Dynamics and Activision Blizzard. Alumni have been recruited by Epic Games, Sucker Punch Productions, Firaxis Games and more.
13. University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA (top 9 percent of schools)
Founded in 1965, UC Irvine serves nearly 36,750 students and offers more than 200 programs through more than a dozen schools. The Donald Bren College of Information and Computer Science offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Game Science (CGS). According to the school, the program is "designed around a series of core courses that introduce the fundamentals of computer science (programming, data structures, graphics and artificial intelligence), mathematics (statistics, linear algebra and logic) and games (games and societies).' , game design, game engine and multiplayer)."
Nearly three dozen electives offer students the opportunity to specialize, "focusing on topics ranging from typical gaming topics such as modeling, world-building, and mobile games to more peripheral topics such as software design and social impact."
Throughout the program, CGS students "will gain hands-on experience creating a variety of digital games that can be used not only for programming languages, game platforms and hardware." Overall, the program has "a strong emphasis on the technical aspects of creating games and working in teams to design and implement them."
Graduates of the program go on to graduate school or often "find work in the industry, either at major publishers, small studios, or as freelancers. Many specialize in entertainment, others successfully transition their serious game design and development skills into a variety of fields , including health care and education'.
14. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia (top 10 percent of schools)
Georgia Tech was founded in 1885. The school opened on October 8, 1888, with just 129 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree. Today, Georgia Tech serves more than 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students in six colleges and 28 schools in more than 80 degree programs and more than 50 minors.
Degrees are offered by the School of Design, the School of Computing, the School of Engineering, the School of Science, the Scherer School of Business, and the Ivan Allen College of Letters. Georgia Tech's School of Computing offers programs for aspiring game designers.
Degree options include a Bachelor of Computational Media (BSCM) with an emphasis in Game Studies or Interaction, a Master of Digital Media (formerly known as Information Design and Technology), a Master of Digital Media - Human Computer Interaction (HCI), and a Ph.D. Digital media. BS/MS in Computational Media/Digital Media and 5-year accelerated BS/MS degrees are also offered. In addition to the School of Computing, the BSCM - Game Studies Emphasis is supported by the School of Literary Communication and Cultures of the Ivan Allen School of Letters.
These programs are calledGames@GT, is part of an institute-wide initiative to advance the gaming community through interdisciplinary research, funding opportunities, technology transfer and expanded industry collaboration.
allGames@GTStudents have access to resources from Georgia Tech's GVU Center and Institute for Humans and Technology, as well as international campuses in China (the world's largest game industry in terms of users and revenue) and France.
Graduates of Georgia Tech's game program are prepared to pursue careers in interactive game design and simulation, special effects, animation, 3D modeling, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, and web design.
15. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (top 15% of schools)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was founded in 1861. The school serves approximately 11,575 students through its five schools, including the School of Architecture and Design, the School of Engineering, the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS), the MIT Sloan School of Management and the School of Science. MIT is also home to the MIT Games Lab, the MIT Education Arcade, and the Singapore-MIT GAMBIT Games Lab.
Together, these workshops provide opportunities to research, design and develop games as a supplement to many curricula, so that anyone interested in games can create their own curriculum. Students can choose a BA or MA in Comparative Media Studies (CMS) with a Games and Interactive Media cluster. Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Computer Science and Engineering are also offered.
Electrical and Computer Science offers a broad computer science graduate program that allows students to "learn and participate in active research in areas of computer science that are critical to the creation of modern digital games, such as artificial intelligence, networking and computer graphics. CMS minors are also available, including games, interactive media, and computer science. CMS courses are available through the HASS Comparative Media Studies/Writing Department.
Other unique degree pathways include the BA in Brain and Cognitive Sciences for those interested in mental play and behavior change and the Business Bachelor. The BS in Brain and Cognitive Sciences is offered by the MIT Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and the BS in Business is offered by the MIT Sloan School of Management.
16. University of Washington, Seattle, WA (top 15% of schools)
The University of Washington (UW) was founded in 1861 and serves approximately 56,795 students on three campuses in Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma. The school offers more than 300 programs and more than 570 degree options across 16 colleges and schools. The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, combined BS/MS and PhD degrees, or a Professional Masters Program (PMP) in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). All courses offer opportunities to focus on graphics, vision, games and animation.
In the degree program, students can conduct research alongside faculty and graduate students, collaborate with industry partners, tackle complex design and implementation projects in capstone courses, and tailor their degree to meet their interests and goals. Sample courses include computer animation, computer graphics, advanced digital design, digital audio, data visualization, and artificial intelligence. In addition, students can earn a certificate in game design.
Students in all programs have access to the three main UW CSE labs. Both work in the fields of animation, computer game science, graphics, vision and visualization. Labs include the Graphics and Imaging Lab (GRAIL), the Game Science Center and the Animation Research Lab. According to data from the University of Washington,Holy GrailKnown for "groundbreaking" research in computational photography, science and educational games, 3D reconstruction, Internet photo collections, object recognition, human shape and motion analysis, information visualization and animation, the team's researchersGames Science CenterUse games to solve grand challenges, a host of human problem-solving tools to aid scientific discovery and increase student interest and achievement in mathematics.
ThisAnimation Research Labis an interdisciplinary effort that brings together faculty, staff, and students from UW CSE, the Department of Architecture, the School of Art, DXARTS, the School of Drama, and the School of Music. ARL is dedicated to advancing the latest technology in animation through teaching, research, and computer animation, working with experts from Disney Animation Studios, Bungie, Industrial Light & Magic, Microsoft Game Studios, Pixar, and many others. others.
In addition to computer science and engineering courses, the UW offers a BFA in Digital and Experimental Arts (BFA DXARTS) and a PhD in DXARTS. Students in both programs have the opportunity to specialize in specific areas of experimental art (computer animation, digital video, digital media arts, computer music and sound arts, computer design, mechatronics, etc.). Regardless of their chosen field, "Artists and scholars working at DXARTS engage in teaching, learning, and research in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment in centralized laboratories, studios, and classrooms."
Other courses include a certificate in game design and a nine-week course covering character and game studio development and game engineering and systems design.
17. Full Sail University, Winter Park, Fla. (top 15 percent of schools)
Founded in 1979, Full Sail University offers 15,000 students 78 bachelor's, master's and master's degree programs in entertainment, media and the arts. Postgraduate certificates are also offered. Full Sail Game School offers a variety of programs for aspiring game designers.
Undergraduate programs include degrees in game art, game design, game development, simulation and visualization, and mobile development. Postgraduate degrees include Masters in Game Design or Mobile Games (online). In the BA in Game Art, students will create 3D content and "take traditional principles of art and animation and apply them to models with artistic appearance, movement and expression," the school said. Program highlights include game animation, motion capture and level assembly and lighting.
The BA in Game Design is designed to enhance students' ability to work in a game studio environment. The program "consists of advanced game design and production courses that lead" students "through the game development process." The program covers key industry concepts that influence system and level design, preparing students for prototyping and evaluating their games. Course foci include game mechanics, game balance, and prototyping.
The BA in Game Development guides students through the entire game development cycle from pre-production to final product. Course foci include artificial intelligence, engine development, and data structures and algorithms. Graduates will be able to create program code for 3D graphics displays, multiplayer games, artificial intelligence opponents, and real-time virtual environments.
The BA in Simulation and Visualization provides students with the programming and critical thinking skills needed to research and design virtual systems. Course foci include virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence and computer graphics. Through hands-on experience, students will develop a "technical know-how to keep pace with an ever-evolving industry."
The MA in Game Design focuses on research, production and user experience design. Course foci include methodology and user experience, prototyping and content creation, and game usability and testing. The program allows students to choose a track that allows them to specialize in their chosen area of expertise, culminating in a capstone gaming experience.
The Mobile Gaming MS includes graduate-level mobile gaming research, emerging technologies, and the application of theoretical concepts to game design and development. Course focuses include computer science for engineers, game development frameworks, and the business of mobile gaming. The end result of the program is a thesis that allows students to complete a fully playable mobile game of their own design.
The BA in Game Art and Game Design is available on campus and online, while the MS in Mobile Games is offered entirely online.
18. University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas (top 15 percent of schools)
The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) was founded in 1969 and is a member of the University of Texas system. The school serves more than 130 academic programs to 28,755 students in seven faculties. The College of Arts, Technology and Emerging Communications (ATEC) was established in 2015. It combines two long-standing programs at UT Dallas: the Arts and Technology Program and the Emerging Media and Communications Program. ATEC serves more than 1,500 students, including 100 graduate and postgraduate students and 40 Ph.D.
Programs include the Bachelor of Arts, Technology and Emerging Communications (BA ATEC), the ATEC Masters, the ATEC Postgraduate Diploma in Game Studies and the ATEC Doctorate. Undergraduates can choose from a variety of pathways, such as game design or animation. BA ATEC students can also choose electives from various fields. Examples include UX design for games, game design, interaction design, level design, modeling and texturing, virtual environments, rigging, game production workshop, game pipeline methods, serious games, game production workshop, interactive storytelling and education game.
Areas of study for all graduate students include game studies, game development, interaction design, computer animation, and more. The program is an excellent pathway whether students are interested in teaching art and technology courses at colleges and universities or working in professional studios or design practices. Graduate students may choose to pursue additional research opportunities.
19. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York (top 15 percent of schools)
Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the oldest technical research university in the United States. The school has nearly 8,000 students enrolled in more than 145 programs in five schools of Architecture, Engineering, Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS), the Larry School of Management, and the School of Science. HASS offers programs for aspiring designers, including the Bachelor of Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (BS GSAS) and the Bachelor of Electronic Media, Arts and Communication (EMAC).
BS GSAS students can choose a major or double major from the following options: Art (Electronic Arts), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, Management/Entrepreneurship, Cognitive Science, or Game Writing.
Established in 1996, the EMAC Bachelor's degree program is an interdisciplinary program that includes Communication Studies as well as courses in Digital Art and Animation, Video, Electronic Music and Graphic Design, and is supported by RPI's strong technology infrastructure. EMAC courses focus on digital storytelling (animation, video, game design), graphic design, interaction design, communications and marketing design, sound design and popular culture.
RPI also offers several advanced degree programs for game designers. Graduate programs include Electronic Arts (EART) master's and doctoral degrees. Both degree programs are offered through the Department of Arts, allowing students to explore fields ranging from games and animation to communication technologies.
Students can enhance their education with minors, dual degrees, study abroad, internships, and even joint terminal graduate programs.
20. Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Hollywood, CA (top 15% of schools)
Gnomon Academy of Visual Effects was founded in 1997. The campus is located at Television Center Studios in Hollywood, California. According to the school, "classrooms are designed to encourage creativity and learning by mimicking the environment of a real production studio." Two canopies, special sculpture workshops, a painting studio, lecture halls, student lounges, a student shop and the Gnomon Gallery. "
With more than 600 graduates to date, Gnomon offers a three- or four-year BFA in Digital Production and a two-year Certificate in Digital Production. The BFA program "covers all aspects of 3D general skills, providing in-depth knowledge of 3D production processes, visual arts, and general education studies." games, modeling and texturing, visual effects or character and creature animation."
Gnomon also offers individual courses such as game creation, game design, game anatomy, game animation, game character creation, creature design, game texturing and shading, digital sculpting, game visual effects, game props and weapons, hard surface modeling, for Introduction in Photoshop and Maya 3D for digital production. Students can combine courses to meet their career goals, and some courses are offered 100% online.
Gnomon alumni have worked at Blizzard Entertainment, Digital Domain, Disney Interactive Media Group, Electronic Arts, ILM, PlayStation, ZeniMax Online Studios and more.
21. Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (top 15 percent of schools)
Drexel University was founded in 1891. The University serves nearly 29,000 students in more than 200 degree programs in 15 colleges and schools. The School of Computing and Information offers a variety of programs for aspiring game designers, including a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BACS). Both programs offer a Game Programming and Development (GMPD) specialization, and the school lists Game Development and Design and Artificial Intelligence majors. A minor in interactive digital media is also available.
Westphal Academy of Media Arts and Design also offers a variety of programs for aspiring game designers. Programs include BA in Game Art and Production and Game Design and Production, as well as MA and PhD in Digital Media. This two-year MS program includes comprehensive studies in the history, theory and methods of games and digital media, 3D modelling, interactivity and animation.
The last option is for students interested in teaching game design. The College of Education offers a Postgraduate Certificate in Game-Based Learning. All students have access to Drexel's game design labs and RePlay. DGD and RePlay are the result of a collaboration between the Digital Media Program (Westphal School of Media Arts and Design) and the Department of Computer Science (School of Informatics and Informatics).
22. Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (top 20 percent of schools)
Michigan State University (MSU) was founded in 1855 and serves approximately 50,350 students from 142 countries, every state in the United States and every county in Michigan. MSU students can choose from more than 200 programs in 17 degree-granting colleges. The College of Communication Arts and Sciences houses the Department of Media and Information (MI), which also houses the Game Design and Development program.
Established in 2005, the program offers a BA and BA in Media and Information with a concentration in Game and Interactive Media Design, a BA in Computer Science with a concentration in Game Design and Development, and a BA or BA in Studio Arts with a concentration in Design and Game Development. Developing expertise. The major "also applies to other majors, particularly those in the Honors College, as appropriate." An interdisciplinary Minor in Game Design and Development is also offered.
According to the school, "The minor concentrates students in media and information, computer science, and studio arts. For most majors outside of MI, the minor usually nearly meets the relevant requirements." College of Engineering, Arts and The minor is jointly administered by the School of Letters and the School of Communication Arts and Sciences. The School of Communication Arts and Sciences is the main administrative unit.
Master's degree programs in games include Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with a focus on Media and Information MA + Certificate in Serious Games Design and Research and a PhD in Information and Media. The PhD program offers a range of research areas including human-computer interaction (HCI), games and meaningful games, game design and development, human-centered technology design, computational communications, media innovation and design and entrepreneurship, among others.
In addition to offering a variety of courses for game designers, the College of Communication Arts and Sciences also houses the Games for Play and Learning (GEL) Lab. According to the academy, GEL Lab's mission is "to design innovative prototypes, technologies, and integrated entertainment and learning games, and to advance cutting-edge knowledge about the social and personal impact of digital games."
23. University of the Arts, San Francisco, CA (top 20 percent of schools)
The University of the Arts was founded in 1929. The school offers dozens of art, design, fashion and architecture programs to more than 7,200 students from 112 countries. Degrees are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with many courses offered entirely online.
The Game Development Academy offers a variety of study programs for aspiring game designers. Options include AA, BFA, MA, and MFA degrees in game development and a BA in game programming. According to the school, these interdisciplinary programs provide "a well-rounded artistic education with an emphasis on understanding and applying techniques such as 3D modeling, animation, and lighting to video game production."
These courses (AA, BFA, MA and MFA) cover techniques such as game design, game programming, concept art, 3D modeling and animation. Course highlights include History of Comics: International and Alternative Comics, 3D Character Artists, 3D Environment Modeling, Environmental Concepts, Game/Level Design, UX/UI, and The Power of Symbols: Semiotics and Visual Arts. These programs include internships, co-op projects and game portfolio preparation.
The interdisciplinary MFA program provides "a well-rounded artistic education with an emphasis on understanding and applying techniques such as 3D modeling, animation, and lighting to video game production." Students in the program will complete a dissertation as well as directed research.
The school says the BA in Game Programming teaches "specialized aspects of design such as monetization, unique types of control, rapid development through iteration, and teamwork production methods." vectors, matrices and transformations, web programming, mobile game programming, artificial intelligence, systems design, and indie game programming.
Students graduate with a firm grasp of the fundamentals of game art, including game engine technology and knowledge of pre-production and production environments.
The School of Art's game development program prepares students for careers as game designers, 3D modelers, concept artists, UI/UX designers, and more.
24. New School's Parsons School of Design, New York (top 20 percent of schools)
The New School was founded in 1896 by the American impressionist painter William Merritt Chase. At the time, the school was known as the Chase School, which was later renamed the New York Academy of Fine and Applied Arts. Today, the school of art and design, known as the New School Parsons School of Design, has nearly 5,500 students studying 130 degrees and diplomas in five schools, including the School of Art and Design History and Theory and the School of Art Media and Technology courses , School of Built Environment, School of Design Strategies and School of Fashion.
The College of Art, Media, and Technology (AMT) offers programs for aspiring game designers, including BFA and MFA degrees in Design and Technology (DT). Featuring game design and creative technology pathways, the BFA DT course teaches students to code and "develop a sustainable process to research, experiment, design, prototype, iterate and produce projects that keep pace with evolving technology," the school says. Program highlights include tours of the university's extensive libraries, galleries and state-of-the-art facilities, as well as visits to industry leaders such as MTV, Nickelodeon and Curious Pictures. Other industry partners include Apple, Atari, Human Rights Watch, MTV, Siemens and UNESCO.
The MFA DT is a studio-based program consisting of a collaborative studio and a dissertation studio. According to the school, “In collaborative studio courses, students work on real-world projects with industry companies and nonprofits. Past partnerships include Red Bull, Intel, Apple, Eyebeam, gameLab, Human Rights Watch, Mozilla, NASA, The Red Cross, Samsung, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
Students also have the opportunity to study relevant subjects with their peers, including communication design, photography, fine art and illustration, and have a range of electives to develop their own 'coherent' plan of study. Areas of practice include interaction design, physical computing, game design, new media art, digital fabrication, data visualization, and critical design.
Parsons Paris offers an Associate Degree in Arts, Media and Technology. This interdisciplinary program explores design, art, media and technology, preparing graduates for careers in animation, game design, interactive and social media, motion graphics and more.
Parsons School of Design's game program graduates with the skills needed for careers in game design, virtual reality and immersive experience design, motion graphics, animation, film, advertising, software design, hardware engineering and graphic arts.
25. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (top 20 percent of schools)
The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) was founded in 1740 and is one of the oldest universities in the United States. The school serves more than 400 programs to 25,860 students in 16 schools. Programs for aspiring game designers The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is home to the Center for Human Modeling and Simulation (HMS), which offers Computer Graphics and Game Technology (CGGT) courses leading to a CGGT postgraduate diploma.
The HMS Center established the CGGT program in 2004 to expose recent graduates and industry returnees to state-of-the-art graphics and animation techniques, as well as interactive media design principles, product development methodologies and engineering entrepreneurship.
The CGGT program prepares students for positions that require interdisciplinary skills, such as game developer, designer, technical animator and technical director. Students in the CGGT program use equipment and resources provided by the SIG Computer Graphics Center. Specialization opportunities are available in the key areas of human-computer interface and production management, creative design, animation and simulation technology, art and animation.
Graduates of the CGGT program have worked at major game, film and video companies including Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts, Acclaim and Crystal Dynamics.
The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences also has a Digital Media Design program leading to the Bachelor of Engineering and Science (BSE) and the Digital Media Design Specialization (DMD). The interdisciplinary BSE DMD program was created in 1998 for students interested in computer graphics, animation, games and the design of virtual reality environments and interactive technologies. Minors are also available in Digital Media Design (DMD) and a PhD in Human Modeling and Simulation (HMS PhD).
BSE DMD graduates go on to work at major studios such as Walt Disney Animation, DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Pixar and Zynga Games. These are the largest employers of Penn DMD graduates.
26. Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (top 20 percent of schools)
Texas A&M University (TAMU) is the state's premier public institution of higher education. Founded in 1876, the school serves 69,465 students in nearly 400 degree programs in 16 colleges and schools. The School of Architecture established the Visualization Project in 1989. The program includes game-oriented study options in the MS and MFA degrees, as well as an intensive game design course at the undergraduate level. Degree options include BSc, MSc and MA in Optical Chemistry. A minor in game design and development is also available.
According to the school, the undergraduate visualization course "integrates elements of fine art, 3D design, scientific research and digital technology to provide a broad educational experience. At the heart of the program is a studio experience, through a variety of exercises using traditional and electronic media ." and projects to explore the relationship between theory and practice."
Another highlight of the program is the required semester break during the junior year, followed by a capstone and studio proposal during the senior year. "A wide range of targeted electives allows students to gain knowledge in specialized areas." Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in user interface and web design, the entertainment industry (game design and development, animation and visual effects), as well as modeling and simulation, data analysis and employment in other fields such as visualization. It helps in understanding.
Graduates can also "enter graduate programs that emphasize digital media in computer science or art/design."
The MS in Visualization "is designed to prepare students for a range of long-term careers in visualization. The program helps students develop the focused expertise and broad foundational knowledge required in this rapidly evolving field." The program's core curriculum will enable students to "have a fundamental understanding of the artistic, scientific, cognitive and technical foundations of the industry. In addition to extensive training, the program requires students to develop a strong focus area of advanced expertise and to complete a research dissertation in this focus area.
The Visual MFA is the only program of its kind in Texas and one of only a few in the United States. The program is designed for "students seeking a terminal degree in visual arts that incorporates computer technology applied to employment in digital media." field, works as a contemporary artist and teaches in a post-secondary digital art program. "This non-thesis degree requires candidates to complete 60 hours of coursework with satisfactory presentation of the thesis." A written paper addressing issues related to the final research is also required. "
All visualization students have access to the Visualization Department's Interactive Visualization Experience Learning Lab. Founded in 2014, the lab "provides graduate and undergraduate students a space to create game prototypes while learning about game theory, the art and science of visual imaging, and the history of games. At the lab, through research and a rigorous scientific process, students Collaborate with experts in visualization, educational psychology, computer science, and engineering to create innovative interactive software."
Graduates of the visualization program work as creative talent at leading animation and special effects studios in Hollywood, including Pixar, Blue Sky, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Industrial Light & Magic, DreamWorks Animation, Rhythm & Hues Studios, and Reel FX.
27. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas (top 20 percent of schools)
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) was founded in 1883 and serves nearly 52,000 students in 18 colleges and schools in more than 300 academic programs. Through the College of Fine Arts (CoFA), the Department of Computer Science (CS), the Department of Radio and Television Film (RTF) and the Center for Entertainment Arts and Technology (CAET).
Formerly known as the Games and Mobile Media Applications (GAMMA) program, the UT Austin game development and design program allows participating students to "develop the relevant skills individually in their respective degree programs and then collaborate to develop 2D and 3D together The highlight of the experience program is the capstone course, which includes games for AR/VR, mobile, web and desktop platforms.
Gaming students also have the opportunity to "collaborate with organizations like UT's EGaDS!" and IGDA Austin” and collaborate with local game and mobile studios and industry professionals.
Students can earn certificates in CS Game Development, CS Mobile Computing, CoFA Digital Art Production, CoFA Digital Audio Composition and Production, CoFA Digital World Designer, or RTF Visual Effects and Animation. Certificates are awarded in addition to undergraduate degrees in any given program except game development and design programs.
Other programs include a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BS CS) with a concentration in Game Development, a Master of Science in Computer Science (MS CS), and a five-year combined BS/MS in Computer Science. The game development major culminates in a course of interest that includes a 2D game development studio and a 3D game development studio. All CS programs offer opportunities for internships and permanent employment in game development and interactive entertainment.
Graduates of all UT Austin game programs "are poised to design, develop and lead an explosion of AR/VR, games, mobile apps and creative agencies and media studios in Texas and around the world."
28. Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (top 20 percent of schools)
Northeastern University was founded in 1898. The school serves nearly 37,000 students in more than 150 undergraduate majors and majors and more than 125 graduate programs in nine colleges and schools. The Game Designer program is offered by the College of Art, Media and Design (CAMD) and the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CCIS) - Khoury School of Computer Science, serving nearly 6,000 students.
Pathway undergraduate programs include BA in Game Art and Animation, BA in Games, BA in Computer Science and Game Development, BA in Game Design and Music, and minors in Game Art, Game Design, Experience Design, and Interaction Design. Postgraduate options include a Master of Science in Games, offered jointly by CAMD and CCIS - Khoury, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Game Design and Game Analysis.
The Game Design Certificate consists of five 12-week courses and the Game Analysis Certificate requires 20 hours of learning. The interdisciplinary MS requires 34 credit hours and offers three specializations: Game Analysis, Game User Research, and Game Design and Development. The program emphasizes a paid fellowship, research opportunities at the school's more than 30 federally funded research centers, and case studies and classroom exercises. The MS can be completed in two years.
The 130-credit BFA in Game Art and Animation allows students to work in interdisciplinary teams with a BFA in Computer Science and Game Development and a BFA in Games. Students in the program will also gain hands-on and technical experiential training through a Northeastern University co-op program. Each student will participate in at least two co-op projects. The BA in Game Art and Animation culminates in an advanced two-semester capstone course.
The Bachelor of Games degree requires 128-129 credits covering courses in Art and Design, History of Art, Games, Entrepreneurship, Critical Creation, Creative Creation and Games. While the program doesn't require co-op, the school says students are "exposed to a wide variety of genres and backgrounds and different ways of thinking about game content, platforms and production." Students will take "at least four games courses, in which During the course they will interact and collaborate with BA students in computer science and game development." The highlight of the program is the pinnacle of game design.
The Bachelor of Computer Science and Game Development focuses on "Creating and developing games and play media experiences" along with "Computer Science and Professional Game Technology and Design Courses". Interdisciplinary courses allow students to develop their creativity and business skills and build a strong portfolio of game titles. "The program requires 133 credits to graduate.
The 138-credit BA in Game Design and Music with a Concentration in Music Technology is a unique program that "focuses on the creative application of digital audio technologies for a wide range of artistic, social and industrial purposes, including experimental composition, film, video, theatre, game design, mobile apps, sound design for urban environments and more."
In addition to numerous co-op opportunities, the program offers a variety of courses ranging from programming fundamentals and game interface design to hip-hop and interactive music programming for the music industry. Students in this program will complete the Music Technology Capstone/Senior Recital or Game Design Capstone.
29. Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, Fla. (top 25 percent of schools)
Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) was founded in 1931 by circus magnate, art collector and real estate developer John Ringling. RCAD is a member of the only global association (Cumulus) dedicated to the study of art and design education, starting with 75 students and offering 111 courses. Today, the school has more than 1,600 students enrolled in 13 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree programs and nine minors. Computer animation, film, art games, illustration and virtual reality development are just a few degree options.
The RCAD program offers a rigorous curriculum that combines studio and liberal arts with client projects, meaningful internships, and national competitions. Course options for aspiring game designers are part of the Computer Animation Department, which serves about 20% of students. In addition to the three open labs, the department also has eight state-of-the-art IT labs. Students in the department also experiment with VR technology using the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
The BFA Game Art specialization is one of the few programs that focuses exclusively on the visual art of computer games. Students in the program will learn "the fundamentals of game design mechanics, meaningful gameplay, interaction, and options for creating and enhancing game content," the school said. Technical aspects of 3D animation software and game engines will also be explored.
Other highlights of the program include access to artists at major game studios like Blizzard Entertainment, Epic Games, and Riot Games, as well as internships at those studios and other studios like Electronic Arts, Insomniac Games, and Sony Online Entertainment. RCAD graduates have worked at Activision, Blizzard, Cartoon Network Game Studios, Disney Interactive Studios, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Gameloft, Hasbro, Intel Corporation, LucasArts, Microsoft Game Studios, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Riot Games Companies such as Sony, Imageworks Interactive , Zynga and many others enjoy high professional employment rates.
30. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (top 25 percent of schools)
Founded in 1858 as Gainesville Academy, the University of Florida (UF) offers 30 certificate programs, 100 undergraduate degrees, and 200 graduate programs to more than 56,000 students in more than a dozen service colleges and schools. The School of Arts houses the Digital Worlds Institute, offering a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Digital Arts (BADAS) and a Master of Arts and Sciences in Digital Arts and Sciences (MiDAS). The BADAS program crosses the traditional collegiate boundaries between arts, communication and technology," the school said. "Students will be immersed in every aspect of the emerging digital landscape - from digital imaging to 3D animation, from programming to video game design." "
Sample courses in the program include Game Design Practice, Game Development, Digital Storytelling, Interactive Writing Media, Mobile and Mobile Applications, Design Production Studio, and 3D Digital Motion. Entrepreneurship in new media, undergraduate research forums and senior projects are also part of the programme.
Other highlights of BADAS include the opportunity to gain experience working on group projects, access to high-tech facilities such as a multi-modal Immersive Classroom Theater (PICT) and Virtual Production Studio (VPS) with 5 screens and cohort experiences. The experience allows a select group of students to "join a community of learners and study a range of courses together." Students will connect and build relationships with classmates, work one-on-one with faculty, and participate in discussions.
The MiDAS program "equips students with the technical, design and professional skills needed to enter and thrive in today's interactive media industry." Students will work in a collaborative environment and receive individual attention from faculty members and content area experts. Areas covered include technical skills, game engines and development (eg Unity 3D), software and hardware integration, design and interaction, visual design tools/techniques, VR/AR 3D, UI-UX, audio, digital compositing, digital storytelling, Professional skills, project proposals, production processes, project management and critical thinking and analysis.
The MiDAS program is "designed for individuals from diverse backgrounds seeking to advance their career goals at the intersection of interactive media, innovation, and emerging technologies." Students will create "industry standard projects that provide the basis for their professional portfolio, Prepare for a career after graduation".
Graduates of UF's Digital Arts and Sciences program have gone on to work for companies such as DreamWorks and Microsoft and have created successful startups of their own.
31. Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL (top 25 percent of schools)
Founded in 1890, Columbia College serves nearly 7,000 students from nearly every state and more than 60 countries. The school offers more than 100 academic majors or programs in several colleges and more than 20 departments. The schools include the School of Media Arts, the School of Fine and Performing Arts, and the School of Arts and Sciences.
The School of Media Arts' Department of Interactive Arts and Media (IAM) offers programs for aspiring game designers. Options include a Bachelor of Game Art, a Bachelor of Game Design (with a concentration in game development and Game Sound Design) and a Bachelor of Programming and a Bachelor of Programming (with a concentration in game programming). A Music Technology degree is also offered along with minors in Game Art and Game Design.
Game design students will have the opportunity to create games right away in their first semester and create more games while studying at Columbia. The software tools used in the classroom are the same tools students use as professional game artists. "The curriculum reflects the collaborative environment of the games industry," the school said. Students will work in collaborative teams comprised of upperclassmen in game art, game design, game programming, and game audio.
Advanced capstone courses offer the opportunity to develop games in small (indie game studios) or large (large game studio teams). Students will also have the opportunity to showcase their creations at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, the Chicago Toy and Game Show, South by Southwest (SXSW), and Columbia College's Industry Night.
Students in all programs have access to the Game Lab. According to the faculty, "this student-led gaming research center includes computer and game console hardware, including current-generation consoles as well as archive collections, a high-definition AV system, and a library containing hundreds of video games."
Graduates of Columbia College's games program have found work at Pixar, Weta Digital, NetherRealm Studios, Raw Thrills, Iron Galaxy, Raven Software, Sony, Incredible Technologies, HighVoltage Software and more.
32. Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. (top 25 percent of schools)
Founded in 1865, Cornell University offers student services in more than 80 majors, 70 minors and dozens of graduate programs to 23,600 students in 15 colleges and schools. This program is offered to aspiring game designers through the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering, Department of Computing and Information Sciences (Cornell University CIS).
Founded in 2001, the program is known as the Cornell Game Design Initiative (GDIAC). GDIAC offers a Minor in Game Design and informal support to graduate students and faculty interested in pursuing game-related research. GDIAC works like this: students choose a major in a core area (eg computer science, information science, art, music, writing, etc.). They can take as many gaming courses as possible and build a gaming portfolio through independent study. Course focuses include Computer Game Development, Advanced Project in Computer Game Development, and Analysis Driven Game Design.
GDIAC students form interdisciplinary teams of four to six to create games. Students can present their work at the annual GDIAC exhibition, which is open to the public. According to the faculty, "any undergraduate student in any of Cornell's colleges can minor in Game Design and add it to their transcript."
33. Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA (top 25 percent of schools)
Founded in 1865, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) serves nearly 6,500 students from more than 60 countries and 45 states. WPI's 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the sciences, engineering, technology, business, social sciences, humanities, and arts, leading to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
The Department of Arts and Sciences offers many pathways for aspiring game designers. Undergraduate programs include BA and BSc in Interactive Media and Games Development (BA IMGD and BS IMGD) and BSc in Computer Science. Minors in IMGD and Computer Science are also available. Postgraduate programs include an IMGD postgraduate diploma as well as a PhD and postgraduate certificate in computer science.
WPI's IMGD program is one of the first gaming programs in the United States that "integrates the artistic and technical aspects of game development and interactive media," the school said. Students will explore various topics such as game writing, game audio, artificial intelligence, digital painting, virtual reality and 3D modeling. As part of WPI's project-based learning model, each student will complete a Professional Qualification Project (MQP). This culminating experience "gives students the opportunity to synthesize their learning and address real-world problems in their field of study."
MQP offers IMGD students the opportunity to "showcase their talents and immerse themselves in creating something they are passionate about." The project "also adds another impressive piece to a student's portfolio and, in some cases, provides students with their first game credits."
Some students build game prototypes, while others create game development tools, interactive art exhibits, and other forms of media.
Graduates of the WPI IMGD program are prepared to work in the game industry and apply their technical and creative skills to fields such as education, health care, the arts, and the social sciences.
34. North Carolina State University at Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C. (top 25 percent of schools)
North Carolina State University (NC State) was founded in 1887. The school serves 34,340 students in more than 300 degree programs in 12 colleges and 65 academic departments. The Department of Computer Science of the Polytechnic School is responsible for the game program. Degree options include a Bachelor of Computer Science with a concentration in Game Development (CSC) and an Accelerated Bachelor/Master (ABM).
According to the school, the BA program "enables students to understand the scientific and technical principles associated with the design and development of computer and console games for entertainment and serious applications." Students will take all courses required for the CSC, including game design and development, artificial intelligence (AI), creating AI for games, computer models for interactive storytelling, human-computer interaction, and computer graphics.
Students are also required to take an Advanced Graphics Project and an Advanced Game Development Project. Internship and study abroad opportunities are also available, with electives covering everything from game studies and fantasy writing to fantasy, film and science fiction.
The ABM program allows students to complete bachelor's and master's requirements without a thesis in the same field within 18 months of completing a degree.
Students in all subjects will benefit from the Digital Games Research Center (DGRc). The center was established in May 2007 to "carry out ambitious research, education and outreach activities in the field of games and game technology".
"The center is based in the Department of Computer Science and its faculty, which includes colleagues from the Schools of Education, Engineering, Design, Management, and Humanities and Social Sciences, collaborate on a broad-based research and education program focused on new ways of entertainment and interaction in the digital world. in the world."
35. Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, CA (top 25 percent of schools)
Founded in 1961 as Laguna Beach College of Art, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) serves five BFA and two MFA programs to 670 students. With 168 students, the Game Art department is LCAD's second largest program. Degree options include a BFA in Game Art and an MFA in Game Design.
The project-based BFA program emphasizes a collaborative environment, partnerships with the USC Graduate Program (GamePipe) and others, and exclusive access to faculty and mentors from Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Online Entertainment, Appy Entertainment, Double Helix, Obsidian Entertainment , NCsoft Cabin Studios, Insomniac and Highmoon.
Students can choose to further develop and refine their skills by applying theory to real industry placements, the school says. Additionally, the Games Art Program hosts workshops with inspirational giants such as Steven Huston and Nathan Fowkes.
The MFA in Game Design is an online two-year terminal degree that explores game design and development as a creative practice. According to the school, "the program offers a unique interdisciplinary approach that bridges the gap between game design theory and practice."
Course focuses include game storytelling, professional programming, game audio, game production, engineering-based game analysis, management psychology, and prototyping. The program also includes a major summer play session worth six credits.
Applicants selected for the MFA program "will create a post-graduate game development environment that replicates an environment that reflects current industry models, developing advanced skills in design, research and development, leadership and marketing in the creative arts of game design."
36. Champlain College, Burlington, VT (top 30 percent of schools)
Founded in 1878, Champlain College serves approximately 2,130 students from 44 states and 18 countries. The school offers more than 150 subject areas, including undergraduate degrees, minors and majors, as well as online and on-campus graduate programs and certificates. Champlain University has four academic departments, including the Department of Communication and Creative Media, the Robert Stiller School of Business, the Department of Education and Humanities (EHS), and the Department of Information Technology and Science.
The Department of Communication and Creative Media offers degrees in Game and Animation Design, Game Design (with an optional Audio Arts concentration), Game Production Management and Game Programming. A Creative Media degree with a minor in game programming is also offered. The BFA has specializations in Game Media and Interaction Design, and students can choose a major and two minors to enhance their degree.
Through the Game Program's "Upside Down Course," students will take relevant courses during their first year at Champlain University, including Game History and Development and Introduction to Game Design. This gives them the advantage of gaining practical knowledge about the profession from the start. Students will have the opportunity to create their portfolios using state-of-the-art technical resources in the school's new state-of-the-art multimedia, 3D art and game creation labs.
Another important aspect of game projects is the collaborative environment of school game studios. Here, game programming students work with peers in game art and animation, game design, and game production management to create games from start to finish. The Game Studio replicates a professional game development environment, allowing students to see firsthand how creative teams work together to develop individual game elements and coordinate them into a functional product.
All students have the opportunity to study abroad in Montreal, Canada and have internship opportunities at the Montreal Game Summit and the Montreal International Game Developers Association. Recent internships (outside of Canada) include Microsoft Game Studios and Wired Magazine.
Students can also participate in the Game Development Senior Show, where they will present the games they have created with a group of game studios including Square Enix/Eidos, Gameloft, Warner Bros./Turbine, Behavior and Activision/Alternative Vision. Networking opportunities are also part of the program. With the help of game studio career coaches, these opportunities allow students to meet with top recruiting partners from companies such as Ubisoft, ArenaNet, Crystal Dynamics, Activision, Survios, Insomniac, Rockstar and Sony.
37. Indiana University, Bloomington, Bloomington, IN (top 30% of schools reviewed)
Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington) was founded in 1820 as a "State Seminary." The seminary was renamed Indiana College in 1828 and Indiana University in 1838. Today, IU is IU's largest and oldest campus, serving nearly 42,950 students (out of 91,515 students in the system) serving 577,209 units. The school has 16 colleges and degree-granting schools, as well as the Hutton Honors College, with more than 550 academic programs.
The College of Arts and Sciences is home to the School of Media. Here, students can earn a degree in Game Design with a concentration in Game Art, Game Audio or Game Production; a Media degree with a concentration in Interactive and Digital Media: specialization in Game Art, Game Audio or Game Production; or a concentration in Design and a master's degree in production. Certificates in New Media and Interactive Storytelling are also offered.
All major game companies will learn aspects of programming, art, sound, design and project management. The curriculum includes practical production sessions and seminars on theoretical foundations. Emphasis is placed on game theory and systems strategy, as well as the production and release of final games developed as part of a team. This prototype game will be produced through three workshops over three semesters: Prototype, Demo and Release.
All students will also have the opportunity to choose 15 electives to further enhance their career path. In addition, students can also take human-computer interaction courses at the School of Information and Computing and study abroad to study game development: programming and practice, game rhetoric, game development workshop in Copenhagen, Denmark, and other courses.
38. Becker Academy, Worcester, Massachusetts (top 30% of schools reviewed)
John Hancock and Samuel Adams sign the founding charter of Baker College. Notable alumni and students include Eli Whitney (1788), William Morton (1836), and Elliott P. Joslin. Founded in 1784, Baker College is one of the 25 oldest institutions in the United States. The school enrolls nearly 1,700 students from across the country and around the world, offering 29 fields of study in six academic departments, including animal studies, business, criminal justice and legal studies, design, education and psychology, nursing and health sciences.
The Design Department has an Interactive Multimedia Design program offering a degree in Interactive Media Design with a focus on Game Art, Game Development and Programming, Game Production and Management, Game Design and Game Audio. Also offered is a rigorous 60-credit MFA in Interactive Media, a Bachelor of Interactive Media Design/MFA Fine Arts 4+1 (Games+) program, and a Bachelor of Applied Computer Science (Games Programming Concentration). A minor in Interactive Media Management is also available.
The Becker Interactive Media Program was founded in 2006 with just 12 students. Today, the program has approximately 600 students, expanding academic offerings and resources such as an MFA in Interactive Media and the $7.3 million Colleen C. Barrett Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which provides game studios and augmented reality for students Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Lab.
In addition to a variety of gaming programs and resources, Becker College houses the Massachusetts Digital Gaming Institute (MassDiGI). MassDiGI was founded in 2011, "MassDiGI is the result of a creative collaboration between academia, industry and government to promote the development of the gaming industry and the innovation economy." It is a federally designated "statewide center designed to foster entrepreneurship, academic collaboration and economic development in the Massachusetts digital and video game ecosystem."
Students work in the real-world game industry, government simulation projects, and educational and serious games that the school says are "changing lives." Students participate in internships and externships and gain opportunities to network with industry professionals and debut games they've created at conferences such as the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and PAX East in Boston.
Becker's students have built digital technology applications for John Hancock, Meditech, UMass Medical School, Oracle, the IRS and the US Army, among others.
39. Ohio University, Columbus, Ohio (top 30 percent of schools)
Founded in 1870 as the Ohio Agricultural and Engineering College, The Ohio State University (OSU) serves 68,100 students in more than 200 majors, minors and programs through hundreds of departments, colleges, schools and campuses. The school's Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in computer science with a focus on computer graphics and game design. The Ohio State University also launched an interdisciplinary degree in Motion Picture Production in fall 2017.
OSU's Department of Art offers a Bachelor of Arts and Technology degree that allows students to "focus on the creative use, misuse, and research of technology in the practice of artistic creation," the school said. Students in the program "will develop and interact with interactive installations, electronic objects and interfaces, moving images, 3D modeling and animation, art games, tactical media, bio-art, performance, digital imaging, rapid prototyping, holography, art on the Internet, Sound and Emerging Forms'.
The Department of Design offers a Master of Arts degree with a focus in Digital Animation and Interactive Media (DAIM). The program requires 60 credits, consisting of core design courses (18 credits), thesis work and writing development (15 credits) and open electives in studio/laboratory (12 credits), history/theory/criticism (9 credits) and Collaborative/Interdisciplinary Studio (6 credits). "Students work closely with a three-member thesis committee to formulate their thesis topic and the tools best suited to their development." Most students complete the program in six semesters.
Course highlights include Digital Image Processing, Podcasting, Web Art, 3D Modeling, Holography I and Holography II, Moving Image Art, New Media Art, Computer Animation, Video Art I and Video Art II.
Students in all programs make use of state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and interdisciplinary expertise in the school's many outstanding laboratories, including the world-class Advanced Computing Center for Art and Design (ACCAD).
40. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana (top 30 percent of schools)
Founded in 1869, Purdue University serves more than 43,400 students from all 50 states and nearly 130 countries. One of Purdue University's 10 academic colleges,Purdue Polytechnic Institute was founded in 1964 as the Purdue University Institute of Technology. About 12 percent of Purdue's students are enrolled in the Polytechnic Institute, which has 6 academic departments and schools and offers 70 academic options in 6 subject areas. The Department of Computer Graphics Technology (CGT) offers game design programs at all degree levels.
Undergraduate programs include a CGT degree in Game Development and Design. The CGT program offers STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and play. Studies include trigonometry, calculus and physics, as well as courses in video game design and development, animation, visualization, rendering and programming. Students will also have the opportunity to complete a unique research project.
Programs open to undergraduates focus on using games for sustainable energy, therapy and medicine, entertainment, information visualization and more.
Postgraduate programs include the CGT postgraduate diploma and the Doctor of Technology degree offered by the Department of Information Technology and Information Technology (CIT). The MS offers many areas of focus, including game studies, virtual and augmented reality, computer graphics programming, and computational art. The PhD program offers CGT specializations covering game studies, human-centered design and development, virtual product integration, animation and web programming and design.
Students can also earn a BS CGT/MS technical degree with a CGT specialization, which, if studied separately, can take as little as five years to complete instead of six or more. Graduates of Purdue Tech's game design program have gone on to work at EA Games, Riot Games, Volition, Zynga, and many others.
41. Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles, California (top 30 percent of schools)
The Otis Institute of Art and Design (OTIS) was founded in 1918 by General Harrison Gray Otis, founder and publisher of the Los Angeles Times. The school offers 11 BFA degree programs to approximately 1,100 full-time students, ranging from digital media (animation, game and entertainment design, motion design) to game design and more. The school also offers graduate degrees in fine art, graphic design, public practice, and writing, as well as a variety of minors and certificate programs.
Programs for aspiring game designers include a Bachelor of Digital Media with a major in Game and Entertainment Design and a minor in Digital Media. Offered by the Department of Digital Media, the BA program consists of unique courses such as Connecting Through Color, Fundamentals of 3D for Storytelling, Fundamentals of Games and Entertainment, Visual Languages for Film, Games and Design, CG and Creative Motion Work for the classroom Digital Artists. Students also take a number of studio electives, practicals and seminars and complete a senior project and capstone.
Through the course, game and entertainment design students "will learn to create visual elements for games, apps, movies and other platforms," the school said. Students will also acquire "game, environment, narrative and plot and character design" skills. Using state-of-the-art CGI techniques, students will master the techniques to create stunning visual effects for film, commercials and video. “Students will have access to nine state-of-the-art laboratories and shops to complete their projects.
Otis graduates have found positions at major studios such as Pixar, Disney, DreamWorks, ILM and Nickelodeon.
42. Baylor University, Waco, Texas (top 30 percent of schools)
Founded in 1845, Baylor University serves more than 18,000 students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 89 countries. The school offers a wide range of study programs (over 250) in 12 nationally recognized academic departments. The College of Engineering and Computer Science houses the Department of Computer Science, which offers specialization in Game Development within the Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Science (BSCS) programs.
The school says the program is designed to provide students with an understanding of the development and application of interactive digital media technologies. In collaboration with the Department of Film and Digital Media Communication Studies, the program combines multimedia courses with technical content to produce graduates with skills beyond design and implementation.
With a computer science core, the program includes a three-course game development sequence and a four-course multimedia production sequence, taught in the Department of Film and Digital Media. A specialization at BSCS, the program features the breadth of an undergraduate computer science degree with specialization in key areas of the game development industry. Graduates of the program obtain a fully accredited computer science degree and all associated career and postgraduate education opportunities.
43. Miami University, Oxford, Ohio (top 35 percent of schools)
Miami University was founded in 1809. With one main campus (Oxford, Ohio), three regional campuses in Hamilton, Middletown, and West Chester, Ohio, and the European Center in Luxembourg, the school serves approximately 24,600 students. Miami offers degrees in more than 120 fields of study, and graduate students can choose from more than 70 master's and doctoral degree programs. Some associate's degrees and bachelor's degrees are available through study in remote areas.
The school consists of seven schools, including the School of Creative Arts, which houses the Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media Studies (AIMS). According to the faculty, the interdisciplinary faculty “collaborates with University of Miami students and faculty to offer undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs that explore the intersection of technology, the business of design, and how digital technologies are transforming traditional fields of inquiry. Aspiring programs available to game designers include a Bachelor of Games + Simulation, a Bachelor of Interactive Media Studies (IMS) and a Bachelor of Games.
The BA in Games + Simulation offers three specializations: Game Art, Game Development and Game Studies. The program "provides students with an interdisciplinary curriculum that covers all aspects of game creation and interpretation. The Games + Simulation BA focuses on production and practice, preparing students for a career in game design, development, 3D modeling, creative development, writing or prepares students for careers or postgraduate studies in gaming in design, esports and other disciplines, while encouraging students to take creative risks, make things and think critically about audience, storytelling and aesthetics".
IMS's interdisciplinary degree sits "at the intersection of design, technology and business." The program "exposes students to these three core areas, providing a foundation for students to tailor advanced courses and focus their experience in specific areas of interactive media."
The program requires 124 credits to graduate, including 64 credits from the IMS major. The course focuses on game programming, game research, game development, game usability and human factors, game business, game research methods, game engine scripting, indie game development and game prototyping, pipeline and the production. Students will also complete an advanced degree project and an internship.
The internship component of both programs allows students to gain hands-on experience at a local game design studio or other company. The University of Miami is ideally located with access to studios such as Wraith Games, SGM Games, Max Gaming Technologies, Green Door Games and more.
44. Cogswell Institute of Technology, San Jose, California (top 35 percent of schools)
Founded in 1887, Cogswell Institute of Technology serves approximately 527 undergraduate students in gaming, technology, animation, audio, and business. The school has a Department of Game Design and Development that offers a Bachelor of Arts in Games. The school says the program focuses on environments, characters, stories and more, and teaches students "how to create elements that bring the gaming experience to life." There are two major companies to choose from, including Game Art and Game Writing.
The main Game Art section focuses on topics such as level design, storytelling, and team-oriented project creation for multiple platforms. Students in this field will "create visually compelling 3D art and learn how to integrate that art into a game engine." Course highlights include an introduction to 3D modeling, environment art, and level design.
The game writing theme focuses on "providing students with the specialized skills needed to conceive, develop, and realize powerful stories in video games." Students will study "game and level design while gaining insight into the narrative aspects of game development." Course focuses in this area include Game Writing I, Introduction to Game Narrative, and Narrative Design and Leadership.
Students from both majors will work with students from other majors to "bring ideas from game design and development to life."
Graduates of Cogswell Institute of Technology's gaming program have been hired by companies such as Atari, EA, Activision Blizzard, Zynga, 2K Games and more.
45. George Mason University, Fairfax, Va. (top 35 percent of schools)
Founded in 1949 as a division of the University of Virginia, George Mason University (GMU) serves nearly 37,700 students and is the largest public university in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The school offers 200 degree programs through 11 colleges and schools, including the School of Visual and Performing Arts, which houses the Computer Games Design program. Degree options include BFA or MA.
The 36-credit master's program "includes core courses in interaction design, creative writing for games, game business, game design and production, as well as courses from CVPA or other graduate programs at Mason," the school says. They combine academically rigorous technical programs with an understanding of the artistic and creative elements of evolving media demands."
Graduates of the program are prepared for employment in computer game design and development, including the business, entertainment, serious gaming and federal sectors.
The 120-credit BFA program "allows students to focus on the artistic side of computer game design while equipping them with the necessary technical skills in the field." As a founding member of the Higher Education Video Game Consortium, the BFA program is interdisciplinary and allows students to "learn the language of many fields" while concentrating in one field.
Students will attend combined courses as well as pre-internship seminars and complete an internship and a course of study. "Students can also network with employers at the Senior Expo and those looking to start their own businesses can learn Game Entrepreneurship."
BFA and MA students also have access to the Virginia Academy of Serious Games, located on the George Mason University Technology Campus. The institute provides hands-on training, certification, research and development assistance to Virginia schools, businesses and universities through a combination of toy company incubation and rapid prototyping.
The only institution of its kind on the East Coast and one of only four affiliated institutions worldwide, the primary purpose of the Virginia Institute for Serious Games is to support early entrepreneurs entering the simulation and game design industry.
46. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C. (top 35 percent of schools)
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) opened on September 23, 1946, as an evening center for returning veterans. When it opened, the school had only 278 students. Today, UNC Charlotte offers enrollment in 139 majors in 75 bachelor's, 65 master's, and 24 doctoral programs for 29,615 students in seven professional colleges. The School of Computing and Information houses the Department of Computer Science, which offers a range of programs for aspiring game designers.
Options include a BS and BA in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Gaming, an MS in Computer Science with an optional specialization in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Gaming, and a PhD in Computer Science and Information Systems with a concentration in Computer Science. Highlights of the undergraduate program include artificial intelligence for computer games, game design and development, advanced 3D computer graphics, interactive computer graphics, intelligent robotics, machine learning and visualization and visual communication.
Program interest requirements emphasize Game Design and Development Studio or Intelligent and Interactive Systems Studio.
Students in the graduate program must study the core of gaming, which includes computer vision, computer graphics, and intelligent systems. The major consists of nine modules, with course options such as Game Engine Construction, Game Design and Development Studio, Real-time Rendering Engines, Virtual and Augmented Reality and Natural Language Processing. The program requires 30 credits for graduation.
The department also offers certificates and minors for game designers. Options include undergraduate and graduate certificates in Game Design (GDD) and a minor in Software and Information Systems. Examples of courses for these non-degree programs include game engine construction, audio processing for entertainment computing, and artificial intelligence for computer games.
47. Institute for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan (top 35 percent of schools)
Founded in 1906 as the Detroit Arts and Crafts Society, the School of Creative Studies serves more than 1,400 students in more than 12 degree programs in 14 academic departments. The Department of Performing Arts is the school's largest department, serving 329 students. The department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Entertainment with a focus on games, animation, concept design or digital film.
The game teaches students how to create 2D and 3D graphics and concepts for video games. To complement this program, students may choose courses in other areas or minors in Animation and Digital Media, Illustration, Fine Arts, or Visual Culture. All BFA students will take 126 credits, of which 84 credits are studio courses and 42 credits are general studies courses.
In addition to courses in their chosen major, first-year students take courses in the foundation department, where they study design, color theory and basic design, the school said. Students of all majors also take a liberal arts course that the school says is designed to give them an understanding of the larger social and cultural context in which they live.
Graduates of the program are prepared to find positions as character artists, environment and vehicle designers, technical and VFX artists, creative directors and AR/VR developers.
48. University of Advanced Technology, Tempe, AZ (top 35% of schools reviewed)
The University of Advanced Technology (UAT) was established in 1983 as the CAD Academy where students were trained in computer aided design and engineering. Today, UAT offers 20 undergraduate technical degrees and five graduate degrees to more than 1,000 students in advanced technical disciplines such as artificial life programming, game design, robotics and embedded systems, digital video, advanced computer science and cyber security.
UAT Game Design (founded 1995) "is the only fully accredited game design program associated with a full range of game development degrees, including: Game Design, Game Art and Animation, Game Programming and Serious Game Simulation," the school said . Specific options include a bachelor's degree in game design, game art and animation, and virtual reality, a bachelor's degree in game programming, and a bachelor's degree in game production and management. Students also have the opportunity to start with a major in game design and then earn double degrees in games from the school's "productive games" curriculum.
All major game companies" are exposed to all industry tools, as well as programming and asset creation video game design skills. Courses emphasize design skills such as strong initial concepts, design documentation, game balancing and testing, interactive storytelling, and Design interface. Students will also take a 'critical approach' to the study of gameplay, player interaction, role-playing and community dynamics, as well as the unique characteristics of the many gaming platforms on the market."
Game students will work with video game design artists and developers to create innovative projects through teamwork and "develop leadership skills to take video game design projects from initial design concept to publisher-ready final product."
Other highlights of the program include access to Arizona's largest game incubator lab, access to UAT Game Studios (a game production pipeline that facilitates game development and game industry connections), access to UAT's Gamers Group (supported by the networking event Games Job Fair), and gain access to the UAT Favor Committee, where gaming projects will compete for UAT sponsorship at GDC. The committee awarded the winning team the additional resources needed to ensure competition readiness and honor the students' innovative work.
Thanks to the flexible year-round schedule, students can expect to complete the undergraduate program in eight semesters and the non-dissertation master's program in just six semesters.
49. University of Wisconsin - Stott, Menomonie, Wisconsin (top 35% of schools surveyed)
Founded in 1891 as Stout Hand Training School, the University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout) is a technical university serving nearly 8,750 students from the United States and 47 countries. The school offers more than 45 undergraduate majors and more than 20 graduate programs through three colleges and six colleges. The College of Arts, Communication, Humanities and Social Sciences (CACHSS) houses the School of Art and Design, serving more than 1,000 students.
The programs offered here include the BA in Game Design and Development and Entertainment Design as well as the MA in Design.
The BFA is the first and only BFA design game in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, the school said. Students in the program acquire essential art and design skills such as drawing, 3D modeling and animation. Program highlights include working with computer science students, courses covering 2D and 3D models, animation and visual effects for video games, television, film, and the use of three lab monitors, HD and 3D projectors, and virtual reality headsets.
The interdisciplinary MFA program includes studies in entertainment design, studio art, game design, interactive media, graphic design, and more. The program's courses are delivered in a variety of ways, including on-site courses, online courses, evening courses, weekend courses, and summer intensives. Graduates of the program will be prepared to seek positions in academia as well as design professionals and leaders.
The Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management (CSTEMM) offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Game Design and Development (GDD) and Mobile Applications (MA) and a minor in Computer Science with nine hours of electives.
A founding member of the Video Games for Higher Education Consortium, the Game Design and Development department prepares students to design and develop software programs that use digital imagery and physics to create games, simulations, or other applications. The schools say the projects can improve health care delivery, transform education, strengthen national security, shape public policy and continue to build social networks.
Graduates of the UW-Stott game program have found positions at Big John Games, Finn Daniels Architects, Design Ready Controls, Wink Frozen Desserts, Find-It-Faster Online, Len Busch Roses, Pixel Spill Games and more.
50. Ferris State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan (top 40 percent of schools)
Ferris State University was founded in 1884 as the Grand Rapids Industrial School. To celebrate its 135th anniversary, the school announced in fall 2019 an enrollment of 14,472 students across all campuses, including 9,175 students at the main Grand Rapids campus. Ferris offers more than 190 degree programs through the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education and Human Service, College of Engineering Technology, College of Health Professions, College of Pharmacy, Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) and Michigan College of Optometry.
The College of Education and Human Services' School of Digital Media and the Kendall College of Art and Design offer programs for aspiring game designers. Digital Media Academy programs include a Bachelor of Digital Media Software Engineering (DMSE) and a Bachelor of Digital Animation and Game Design (DAGD). Digital Media AS is also available. According to the school, the DMSE degree is designed as an engineering degree that focuses on the techniques, processes and methods involved in the software development process. The program offers students the opportunity to compete aggressively in many growing industries, including video game development, information technology, and entertainment.
Students in the BAS DAGD program will learn how to create and manipulate 2D textures and images, models, components, lights, animate and render 3D characters and scenes, create content in leading game engines, write interactive applications and games, and design and create 3D game level mods. In addition to game design and asset creation, the program prepares students for careers in medical visualization, legal simulations, film, and more.
The AS program combines existing courses from the DAGD, DMSE and Television and Digital Media Production (TDMP) programs into an introductory and exploratory degree within the Faculty. Allows students to complete general education requirements while enrolled in the entire digital media curriculum.
Founded in 1928 and located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kendall College of Art and Design offers approximately 24 BFA, BS, MA, MFA and certificate programs to more than 1,000 students. KCAD offers a bachelor's degree in Digital Art and Design. The program allows students to work in one of two focus areas, including entertainment arts (visual development for animation, digital 3D, games and animation and series arts such as comics and interaction design), Internet of Things, design animation video and motion).
Students in the program will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through high-tech campus equipment and facilities, such as the Cintiq Studio and a wide range of cameras, microphones and lighting, as well as access to the Dow Central FlexLab and KCAD libraries. Graduates leave the program with the skills and experience needed to pursue career paths in areas such as 2D animation, 3D game art, visual development, interaction design and motion design.
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FAQs
Top 50 Game Design Schools and Colleges in USA - 2020 Ranking? ›
Most video game designers have a bachelor's degree in graphic design, multimedia design or a related field. Some universities offer a degree specifically for video game design. Coursework usually includes software engineering , 2D and 3D animation, programming languages and computer design.
What college has the best game design program? ›- Karnavati University, Gandhi Nagar. ...
- Vels University, Chennai. ...
- UPES Dehradun, Dehradun. ...
- RIMT University, Gobindgarh. ...
- Shoolini University, Solan. ...
- Chitkara University, Patiala. ...
- Presidency University, Bangalore. ...
- Rishihood University, Sonepat.
Most video game designers have a bachelor's degree in graphic design, multimedia design or a related field. Some universities offer a degree specifically for video game design. Coursework usually includes software engineering , 2D and 3D animation, programming languages and computer design.
Is going to college for game design worth it? ›Pursuing a degree in game design offers a unique opportunity to enter this exciting field, combining passion with practical skills. So, is it worth it to get a degree in game design? Getting a degree in game design is worth the investment and can help pave the way for a rewarding and fulfilling career.
Is game design in high demand? ›Career Outlook for Video Game Designers
BLS projects an increase in demand for software developers from 2020-2030. The video game industry might reflect similar trends. Market researchers project the global video game industry to grow by 73.8% from 2020-2027.
Number of Credits and GPA
The Bachelor of Arts in Game Design requires completion of at least 129 semester credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. The program usually spans eight semesters of fifteen weeks each, or four academic years.
Getting into the video game industry as a game designer is easier said than done. You'll need industry experience, an excellent professional portfolio, and strong interpersonal and professional skills. However, breaking into the industry is achievable and rewarding.
What state pays the most for game designers? ›The average game designer salary ranges between $60,000 and $127,000 in the US. Game designers' hourly rates in the US typically range between $28 and $61 an hour. Game designers earn the highest salaries in Nevada (105,036), Rhode Island (103,903), and Washington (102,106).
Where do game designers make the most money? ›- TinyCo: $169,323.
- Microsoft: $166,602.
- Amazon: $161,032.
- MZ: $152,723.
- Zynga: $150,551.
Does game design require coding? ›
To begin with the game development process, one need not necessarily write codes. Artists can build and design assets, while a developer can concentrate on the programming aspect, and a tester can get involved to ensure that the game works as expected.
How many years of college do you need to be a videogame designer? ›Many video game companies like to hire designers with a bachelor's degree in video game design, video game development, computer science, or a related field. Completing a bachelor's degree usually takes about four years. Gain Internship or Entry-Level Job Experience.
Does game design require math? ›Game Developer
As a game developer, you will need strong mathematical skills. You must be familiar with linear algebra, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, etc.
Overall, being a game designer can be a rewarding career for those with a passion for gaming and creativity, but it is important to consider the potential downsides, such as long hours, high-pressure environments, and job instability.
Is game design a stressful job? ›Designing games is one of the most rewarding and exciting careers. Yet, the big rewards go with increased responsibility and stress. There are certainly some challenging aspects that make it not a dream job, as many youngsters believe.
Can you get a job in game design without a degree? ›“Should I get a game design or development degree from a university?” To answer this simply: If you have a portfolio without a degree, you'll can still get hired depending on the quality of your portfolio.
Is game design hard in college? ›Becoming a game designer is just as hard as getting into any other career, but with added competition and the need to be constantly fresh and relevant. However, by applying yourself and keeping your long-term goals in mind, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling career as easy to progress through as anything.
What is the best state to be a game designer in? ›Rank | State | Average Salary |
---|---|---|
1 | Washington | $102,106 |
2 | Rhode Island | $103,903 |
3 | Nevada | $105,036 |
4 | Maine | $98,477 |
Competition for opportunities within the video game industry can often be tough. This occurs both as increased competition when applying for video game design jobs, and competition in the video game market for your game when you release it.
What state is the best for video game design? ›Best states for a game developer
Our research found that California is the best state for game developers, while California and Nevada are ranked highest in terms of median salary. California has a median salary of $113,669 and California has the highest median salary among all 50 states for game developers.