The 25 highest-scoring game design colleges, each with what stands out, the trade-off to weigh, and the figures behind the score. Completion, net price and earnings are school-wide; graduates a year is the program's own. The score is out of 100.
The rest of the 2027 ranking, from #26 down, with what each program offers.
26 Bachelor of Science in Game & Interactive Design
Alfred, NY · Public · Game design program
68.8 Alfred State's game and interactive design degree sits in the Digital Media and Animation Department and mixes game design with UX, app and web design and data visualization. Coursework includes 3D game design in a game engine, covering level design, mechanics and virtual reality, plus interface design. In-state tuition is $7,070, against $15,015 out of state. A strong value if you want design and UX skills alongside games, with a school-wide net price of $14,877 and 56% completion, though only three students graduate from the program each year.
- Completion
- 56%
- Net price
- $14,877
- Grads a year
- 3
View SUNY College of Technology at Alfred's Bachelor of Science in Game & Interactive Design
27 Bachelor of Science in Game Design
Harrisburg, PA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
68.7 Harrisburg's game design degree is built for designers rather than programmers, with courses in prototyping, game art and animation, level design and narrative design. It ends in two capstone Game Studio courses, and teamwork runs through the whole curriculum. The program is on campus, and published tuition is $23,900 a year. Best for aspiring designers who would rather prototype than code, and the school-wide net price of $14,882 is modest, but school-wide completion is just 35%, so ask about advising and retention.
- Completion
- 35%
- Net price
- $14,882
- Grads a year
- 20
View Harrisburg University of Science and Technology's Bachelor of Science in Game Design
T-28 Bachelor of Innovation in Game Design and Development
Colorado Springs, CO · Public · Simulation program
67.6 UCCS's Bachelor of Innovation is a 120-credit on-campus degree weighted toward programming and game design, with breadth in art and music. An innovation core and cross-discipline core sit alongside the game coursework, aimed at students who may start their own studio. Colorado residents pay $9,022 in published tuition; nonresidents pay $23,155. Suits students who lean toward programming and may want to launch a studio, with nine graduates a year in the program; school-wide completion is 48% and the net price is $16,816, so ask what support students get.
- Completion
- 48%
- Net price
- $16,816
- Grads a year
- 9
View University of Colorado Colorado Springs' Bachelor of Innovation in Game Design and Development
T-28 Bachelor of Science in Computer Simulation and Gaming
Tulsa, OK · Private nonprofit · Simulation program
67.6 Tulsa's Computer Simulation and Gaming B.S. covers game design and development, interactive media, 3D modeling, VR development, simulations, digital twins and animation. In one student project, funded by Chevron, the class is designing a city-building game for middle schools about the environmental impact of carbon emissions. A minor in the field is also available. Suits students interested in simulation and VR beyond entertainment, with a 72% school-wide completion rate, though sticker tuition is a steep $48,340.
- Completion
- 72%
- Net price
- $23,681
- Grads a year
- 9
View University of Tulsa's Bachelor of Science in Computer Simulation and Gaming
30 Bachelor of Science in Interactive Digital Design (Developer track)
Henderson, TN · Private nonprofit · Game design program
67.4 Freed-Hardeman's developer track pairs graphic design courses with programming, web development, human-computer interaction and mobile app development. The 39-hour major finishes with a senior design capstone and an internship, in small classes with faith integration. Students can customize their electives, and published tuition is $25,620 a year. Worth a look if you want a developer-leaning design degree in a small, faith-integrated setting, where school-wide completion is 59% and the net price of $18,267 sits well below the $25,620 tuition.
- Completion
- 59%
- Net price
- $18,267
- Grads a year
- 5
View Freed-Hardeman University's Bachelor of Science in Interactive Digital Design (Developer track)
31 Bachelor of Arts in Game & Interactive Media Design
Lawrenceville, NJ · Private nonprofit · Simulation program
64.0 Rider's Game & Interactive Media Design B.A. is one of the only game design bachelor's programs in New Jersey. Students build core design and creative storytelling skills and learn the writing, art, gameplay, audio, music and animation behind immersive games. The Lawrenceville campus has game design labs and sits between New York City and Philadelphia. Choose it if you want a rare game design bachelor's in New Jersey and the pull of both New York City and Philadelphia, though the $39,700 tuition is substantial.
- Completion
- 66%
- Net price
- $26,618
- Grads a year
- 16
View Rider University's Bachelor of Arts in Game & Interactive Media Design
32 Bachelor of Science in Game Programming
Tempe, AZ · Private for-profit · Game programming program
63.4 UAT's Game Programming B.S. begins with programming principles shared across disciplines and then narrows to game-specific techniques. Coursework stresses C++ and C# programming, scripting, data handling, gameplay interaction, artificial intelligence and networking, along with industry-standard middleware, game engines and APIs. Students target PC, console, mobile, online and virtual reality platforms. Best for programmers who want a code-first game degree at a modest price, though a 48% school-wide completion rate and a 98% admit rate suggest you should check support.
- Completion
- 48%
- Net price
- $21,148
- Grads a year
- 13
View University of Advancing Technology's Bachelor of Science in Game Programming
T-33 Bachelor of Science in Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences
Troy, NY · Private nonprofit · Game design program
63.3 Rensselaer's Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences B.S. explores the technical, creative, social and cultural sides of games, with six concentrations to choose from and a strong emphasis on collaborative, interdisciplinary work. RPI is also a designated New York State Center of Excellence in Digital Game Development, and students learn alongside industry professionals. Look here if you want six concentrations and a research-minded program, with 86% finishing school-wide, though the $62,500 tuition is among the highest.
- Completion
- 86%
- Net price
- $35,940
- Grads a year
- 37
View Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Bachelor of Science in Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences
T-33 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Game Design & Development
Brookville, NY · Private nonprofit · Game programming program
63.3 At LIU Post, the Digital Game Design and Development B.F.A. is project-based, with game design, computer programming and visual design taught through several solo and group projects. Students finish with a capstone thesis project that can double as a portfolio piece or an independent commercial project. The campus is near New York City's commercial and artistic communities. A match for students who want a portfolio-style capstone near New York City, but a 53% school-wide completion rate suggests asking about advising.
- Completion
- 53%
- Net price
- $22,620
- Grads a year
- 13
View Long Island University's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Game Design & Development
35 Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Game Development
Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit · Game design program
63.2 Drury's game development degree is built on its Computer Science B.S., which requires a 23-hour core, 15 more hours in hardware, systems, theory and software engineering, and 8 hours of math. Courses include Data Structures, Algorithms, Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence. Students are strongly encouraged to complete an internship, and the school-wide net price is $22,194. Ideal for students who want a traditional computer science degree with game courses, and the internship push helps, though the 60% school-wide completion rate means planning carefully.
- Completion
- 60%
- Net price
- $22,194
- Grads a year
- 6
View Drury University's Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Game Development
36 Bachelor of Science in Game Software Development
Owosso, MI · Private nonprofit · Game programming program
62.5 Baker's game software development degree is a 120-credit program taught through Baker Online, with Unreal and Unity programming courses, game design and analysis, and mobile development. It closes with a senior project in which students design and program a complete game, plus a 150-hour work experience course. Published tuition is $12,600. Best for students who need a fully online programming path with a work-experience component, but school-wide completion is only 26%, so ask how online students are supported through to graduation.
- Completion
- 26%
- Net price
- $14,743
- Grads a year
- 11
View Baker College's Bachelor of Science in Game Software Development
37 Bachelor's in Game and Simulation Development
Reading, PA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
61.5 Albright's Game and Simulation Development program blends programming, digital art, narrative design and user experience. Students take part in game jams every semester, judged by professionals from companies like Ubisoft and 2K Games, and show work in a Senior Exhibition. Majors collaborate with art and digital studio art students and build a capstone project. Fits students who like game jams judged by professionals and a Senior Exhibition, but the 53% school-wide completion rate deserves questions about retention.
- Completion
- 53%
- Net price
- $22,116
- Grads a year
- 8
View Albright College's Bachelor's in Game and Simulation Development
38 Bachelor of Science in Game & Simulation Programming
Williamsport, PA · Public · Simulation program
61.1 Penn College's Game & Simulation Programming B.S. is a code-first degree of 126.5 credits. The sequence runs from Introduction to Programming and Interactive 3D Modeling through Data Structures & Algorithms, Secure Database Development and Game Programming, with UNIX/Linux and networking along the way. A Game & Simulation Lab supports the work. It suits students who want to program games and simulations and are happy with a code-first load across 126.5 credits rather than an art-heavy portfolio.
- Completion
- 64%
- Net price
- $24,650
- Grads a year
- 6
View Pennsylvania College of Technology's Bachelor of Science in Game & Simulation Programming
39 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
Buffalo, NY · Private nonprofit · Game design program
61.0 Villa Maria's Game Design B.F.A. is the only game design program in Buffalo, with an 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students go through every phase of the process, from pre-production and development to modeling and texturing, learning by doing. The college is a small private nonprofit of 611 students that admits 87% of applicants. Best for students in Buffalo who want small classes with an 8 to 1 ratio, though only 43% finish school-wide, so ask about advising.
- Completion
- 43%
- Net price
- $15,687
- Grads a year
- 2
View Villa Maria College's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
40 Bachelor of Arts in Game and Interactive Media Design
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Game design program
60.9 At Columbia College Chicago, Game and Interactive Media Design B.A. students start building games in their first semester using industry-standard tools. Several concentrations let students focus on their interest, and a senior capstone has them collaborate on work for their portfolio. The curriculum mirrors the collaborative studio environment of the game industry. Pick it if you want to start building games in your first semester and choose a concentration, though the 56% school-wide completion rate is moderate.
- Completion
- 56%
- Net price
- $29,790
- Grads a year
- 47
View Columbia College Chicago's Bachelor of Arts in Game and Interactive Media Design
41 Bachelor's in Game Design
Des Moines, IA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
60.5 Grand View University offers its Game Design bachelor's on a city campus in Des Moines, Iowa. The private nonprofit enrolls 1,856 students, and 59% of entering students complete a degree within eight years school-wide. It admits 99% of applicants, and published tuition is $34,112, with a school-wide net price of $22,296. Works for students who want a small Des Moines campus that admits 99% of applicants, though it pays to ask the department which game courses run each term.
- Completion
- 59%
- Net price
- $22,296
- Grads a year
- 4
View Grand View University's Bachelor's in Game Design
42 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Game Design
San Antonio, TX · Private nonprofit · Game design program
60.3 At the University of the Incarnate Word, students in the 3D Animation and Game Design B.F.A. learn in person in classes that usually hold 14 or fewer. They pick a concentration in 3D Animation, Modeling, Game Programming or Production Management, and build a portfolio aimed at industry jobs. The four-year program is taught by faculty who still work with industry. Made for students who want small classes of 14 or fewer and a choice of four concentrations, though the 55% school-wide completion rate is worth checking.
- Completion
- 55%
- Net price
- $21,246
- Grads a year
- 4
View University of the Incarnate Word's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Game Design
43 Bachelor of Arts in Simulation and Game Design
Raleigh, NC · Private nonprofit · Game design program
60.1 William Peace's Simulation and Game Design B.A. teaches design, 3D modeling and programming for video games and for simulation training in military, healthcare, academic and industrial settings. The curriculum covers aesthetics, computer science, programming languages and audience analysis, and students use the SGD Lab in Raleigh. The program draws on computer science and aesthetics. Best for students interested in serious games and simulation training as well as entertainment, though only 46% finish school-wide, so ask about support.
- Completion
- 46%
- Net price
- $24,503
- Grads a year
- 20
View William Peace University's Bachelor of Arts in Simulation and Game Design
44 Bachelor of Arts in Games Design and Development
Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · Game design program
59.7 Webster's Game Design and Development B.A. is taught in a team-based studio environment covering the full development lifecycle, from mechanics and narrative design to virtual reality and the business of gamification. Webster is an Unreal Engine Academic Partner, and students work on video, mobile and analog games, collaborating with film, audio and animation majors. Aimed at students who want to work alongside film and audio majors and use Unreal Engine materials, though the 58% school-wide completion rate is middling.
- Completion
- 58%
- Net price
- $27,695
- Grads a year
- 17
View Webster University's Bachelor of Arts in Games Design and Development
45 Bachelor's in Video Game Production
Tiffin, OH · Private nonprofit · Game design program
59.5 Heidelberg's Video Game Production program covers computer programming, video game history, graphic design, game theory, storytelling, animation and the representation of gender and violence in games. Students complete their own 2D and 3D video games. The university's GEM Center for gaming, eSports and media adds hands-on production, writing and broadcast work. Suits students who want to build 2D and 3D games on a small Tiffin campus of 1,091 students, with a 58% school-wide completion rate to consider.
- Completion
- 58%
- Net price
- $19,620
- Grads a year
- 1
View Heidelberg University's Bachelor's in Video Game Production
T-46 Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Games
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Simulation program
59.1 USC's Computer Science Games B.S. pairs a solid computer science grounding with game production, visual design, computer animation, game engine programming and serious game development. The degree ends with two semester-long final game projects. Graduates are prepared both for the entertainment and serious game fields and for graduate study in game development or computer science. Best for programmers who want serious and entertainment games with a 93% school-wide completion rate, though the $69,904 tuition and a 10% admit rate make entry very competitive.
- Completion
- 93%
- Net price
- $41,496
- Grads a year
- 41
View University of Southern California's Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Games
T-46 Bachelor of Arts in Video Game Development
Austin, TX · Private nonprofit · Game design program
59.1 Saint Edward's B.A. in Video Game Development sits in the Visual Studies department and covers concept, prototyping, narrative design, asset creation, testing and release. Graduates are well versed in interactive storytelling and game audio. Students can volunteer and network at the Austin Game Conference and Classic Game Fest, and industry veterans visit through the Meet the Makers series. Choose it if you want game audio, narrative and Austin's game community, with a 62% school-wide completion rate, though $50,484 tuition is high.
- Completion
- 62%
- Net price
- $28,351
- Grads a year
- 13
View Saint Edward's University's Bachelor of Arts in Video Game Development
48 Bachelor of Science in Game Development
Kutztown, PA · Public · Game programming program
59.0 Kutztown's Game Development B.S. sits in the Computer Science and Information Technology department and mixes coding, graphics, music and writing. The major takes 120 credits and is taught in person, with a minor of 21 to 22 credits for students in other fields. An on-campus Esports Gaming Arena gives students a place to build and play. Look here if you want a mix of code and creative work at a low sticker price, though 57% finishing school-wide means it pays to use the department's advising early.
- Completion
- 57%
- Net price
- $21,856
- Grads a year
- 3
View Kutztown University of Pennsylvania's Bachelor of Science in Game Development
49 Bachelor of Science in Software & Game Development
Salt Lake City, UT · Private for-profit · Simulation program
58.8 Neumont's Software & Game Development B.S. is demanding and technical: students learn game development for PCs and handhelds, including programming, game engine systems, game design and project management. Courses cover Java, .NET, C# and C++, so graduates can work in software development outside games too. In the ninth quarter, students present a capstone project to professors and peers. A match for demanding technical students who want software skills that carry outside games, in a tiny school of 476 students where only 52% finish school-wide.
- Completion
- 52%
- Net price
- $28,592
- Grads a year
- 30
View Neumont College of Computer Science's Bachelor of Science in Software & Game Development
50 Bachelor of Arts in Game Design and Animation
Oklahoma City, OK · Private nonprofit · Game design program
57.6 Oklahoma City University's Game Design and Animation B.A. blends technology, artistry and art history, with graduates expected to be proficient in 3D animation, game audio and music composition, experimental game design, interactive narrative, game AI and virtual and augmented reality. Students work in Autodesk Maya and Blender and use a VICON motion capture lab. Programming is available through the Computer Science department. Best for students who want animation and motion capture training in a mid-sized city, though programming sits in a separate department, so plan the electives yourself.
- Completion
- 58%
- Net price
- $23,143
- Grads a year
- 3
View Oklahoma City University's Bachelor of Arts in Game Design and Animation
51 Bachelor of Science in Game Development and Emerging Media
Queens, NY · Private nonprofit · Game design program
57.3 St. John's Game Development and Emerging Media B.S. is an interdisciplinary 120-credit degree taught on the Queens campus, where students use the Media Art and Design Lab and the Advanced Graphics Lab. Project work spans serious games, simulations and interactive data visualizations, and graduates are expected to code for games, write narratives and produce digital assets. Ideal for students who want interdisciplinary work on serious games and data visualization in Queens, with a 70% school-wide completion rate, though $51,919 tuition is high.
- Completion
- 70%
- Net price
- $28,206
- Grads a year
- 4
View St. John's University-New York's Bachelor of Science in Game Development and Emerging Media
52 Bachelor of Science in Virtual Reality Design
Winchester, VA · Private nonprofit · Simulation program
57.2 Shenandoah's Virtual Reality Design B.S. focuses on the technical implementation of AR, VR and XR experiences, so students work in C#, Java, Python and C++ and become fluent in Unity and Unreal Engine. They implement core XR interactions and mechanics inside software engineering workflows. The skills carry over to game and simulation design, web and mobile development and project management. Fits programmers who want to specialize in VR and AR rather than traditional games, with a 68% school-wide completion rate and a $26,400 net price that lean favorable.
- Completion
- 68%
- Net price
- $26,400
- Grads a year
- 3
View Shenandoah University's Bachelor of Science in Virtual Reality Design
53 Bachelor of Arts in Game Design & Interactive Media
La Mirada, CA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
55.0 Biola's Game Design & Interactive Media B.A. is narrative-driven, built with input from game studio recruiters. Students craft multi-path stories, complex rule systems and immersive worlds, and every student spends at least 180 hours in a real studio. The degree takes 120 credits over four years, on campus, in the cinema and media arts school. Best for narrative-minded students who want real studio experience built in, though a 180-hour requirement and four years of private-school costs should be planned for early.
- Completion
- 69%
- Net price
- $30,510
- Grads a year
- 6
View Biola University's Bachelor of Arts in Game Design & Interactive Media
54 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art & Design
Burbank, CA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
54.7 Woodbury's Game Art & Design B.F.A. is a STEM program that combines art, animation, computer technology, sound design, story development and game design. Students take game courses together while developing their own specialty on a track for artists or one for designers. The program teaches students to conceptualize and develop video games from scratch. It fits students who want to pick an art or design track in a small setting of 849 students, though the 64% school-wide completion rate is worth asking about.
- Completion
- 64%
- Net price
- $31,257
- Grads a year
- 10
View Woodbury University's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art & Design
55 Bachelor's in Games and Interactive Media
Greensboro, NC · Private nonprofit · Game design program
54.5 Greensboro's games and interactive media major offers five tracks: game design and development, storytelling, marketing, design or performance. Coursework covers game studies, prototyping, esports and project management methods like Agile and Scrum, with internships and capstone projects building the portfolio. Published tuition is $20,900, and class sizes run from 10 to 30. Suits students who want to pair game design with storytelling, marketing or performance in small classes, though only three students graduate a year and school-wide completion is 37%.
- Completion
- 37%
- Net price
- $19,783
- Grads a year
- 3
View Greensboro College's Bachelor's in Games and Interactive Media
56 Bachelor of Arts in Game Design
San Jose, CA · Private for-profit · Game design program
54.4 The Game Design B.A. at the University of Silicon Valley blends storytelling, logic and technical design with practical experience in modern game engines. Students work in interdisciplinary teams, manage projects from concept to launch and graduate with a published portfolio. Course highlights include Game Prototyping and Narrative Design, covering branching dialogue, cutscenes and worldbuilding. Pick it if you want a flexible schedule and a published portfolio, as the program runs on campus or fully online, though only 52% finish school-wide.
- Completion
- 52%
- Net price
- $30,602
- Grads a year
- 22
View University of Silicon Valley's Bachelor of Arts in Game Design
57 Game Design and Development
Amherst, MA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
54.0 Hampshire students have wide freedom to design their own course of study, so many game design and development majors craft games of their own with peers and advisors. Project-based courses put students on interdisciplinary teams, covering playtesting, user testing, storytelling, game programming, 2D and 3D art, audio design and project management. The curriculum is meant to prepare students for work in games or outside them. Works for self-directed students who want to design their own course of study, though the 64% school-wide completion rate means you need your own structure.
- Completion
- 64%
- Net price
- $27,556
- Grads a year
- 3
View Hampshire College's Game Design and Development
58 Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development
Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit · Simulation program
53.7 RIT's Game Design and Development B.S. emphasizes game programming within a core computing education, with breadth in interactive media, animation, modeling, math and science. Two blocks of cooperative education give students full-time, paid experience in the games industry, and MAGIC Spell Studios lets them create and commercialize their own games. An accelerated bachelor's and master's route is available. Best for students who want paid co-op blocks and a programming core, with 71% finishing school-wide, though the $58,260 tuition is steep.
- Completion
- 71%
- Net price
- $39,753
- Grads a year
- 158
View Rochester Institute of Technology's Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development
59 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Video Game Design
Houston, TX · Private nonprofit · Game design program
52.9 Houston Christian's Video Game Design B.F.A. rests on fine arts, storytelling and technology, with coursework in animation, programming and game theory. Students design and produce actual games and graduate with a portfolio. The curriculum starts from a foundation in fine arts and design and is housed in the fine arts division. Made for students who want a fine-arts base under their game work and a portfolio, but the 48% school-wide completion rate means advising and retention deserve questions.
- Completion
- 48%
- Net price
- $20,530
- Grads a year
- 1
View Houston Christian University's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Video Game Design
60 Bachelor of Science in Game Design
Birmingham, AL · Private nonprofit · Game design program
52.8 Samford's Game Design B.S. is a technology-rich major blending art, programming and storytelling. Students create character-focused 3D animation, model and texture assets, practice digital sculpting and integrate everything into a live-rendered game engine. Coursework runs in a simulated professional environment with collaborative workflows, in suburban Birmingham. Aimed at students who want 3D art and animation work in a game engine, with 77% finishing school-wide, a strong sign for a suburban Birmingham school.
- Completion
- 77%
- Net price
- $32,176
- Grads a year
- 3
View Samford University's Bachelor of Science in Game Design
61 Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Game Programming
New Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
52.6 Loyola New Orleans offers game programming as a concentration inside its Computer Science B.S., so students take computer science core courses plus an eclectic set of electives such as Game as Art, Media Play, Making Games, Videogames and Literature, AI and Physics. An internship is part of the curriculum, and students work with local, regional and international game companies. Best for students who want a computer science base with game programming and an internship, but this is not an art degree, so artists should look elsewhere.
- Completion
- 63%
- Net price
- $26,150
- Grads a year
- 1
View Loyola University New Orleans' Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Game Programming
62 Bachelor's in Animation and Game Art
Lancaster, PA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
52.3 The Animation and Game Art bachelor's in Lancaster has a department student chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH, a computer graphics club. Students can also join tabletop games and esports clubs and get tutoring in digital art. Applicants submit a portfolio, and the college is a private nonprofit in a city setting. Suits artists who want a tiny city college of 414 students with clubs and tutoring, but a portfolio is required to apply.
- Completion
- 57%
- Net price
- $30,437
- Grads a year
- 9
View Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's Bachelor's in Animation and Game Art
63 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art & Design Degree
Columbus, OH · Private nonprofit · Game design program
52.1 CCAD's Game Art & Design B.F.A. runs from introductory coding to building playable prototypes. Students join the Game Development Guild, the Battle Game Alliance or the Tabletop/Role Play Game Club, and take part in game jams and regional events such as GDEX. Some projects have real-world impact, like Smokey's Scouts, a free mobile game made with the USDA Forest Service. Choose it if you enjoy game jams, clubs and real-world projects, and the 63% school-wide completion rate is solid, though $40,825 in tuition is steep for a small art college.
- Completion
- 63%
- Net price
- $30,900
- Grads a year
- 6
View Columbus College of Art & Design's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art & Design Degree
64 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
52.0 Northeastern's Game Design B.F.A. treats games as an aesthetic and expressive form, with students building a creative voice through critical analysis and reflective practice. Courses apply theory to making across media, genres and platforms, and graduates are oriented toward independent creative work. The degree is housed in the College of Arts, Media and Design in Boston. Look here if you want an expressive, art-driven game degree in Boston, with 91% finishing school-wide, though the $64,990 tuition is among the highest.
- Completion
- 91%
- Net price
- $34,770
- Grads a year
- 1
View Northeastern University's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
65 Bachelor of Science in Games and Emerging Media Degree
Poughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofit · Game design program
51.4 Marist's Games and Emerging Media B.S. prepares students to design, develop and publish interactive experiences across games, digital media and emerging technologies. Collaborative studio teams take projects from concept through design, programming, art, testing and production. The program belongs to the Computing Technology department in suburban Poughkeepsie, alongside computer science and cybersecurity. Best for students who want collaborative studio teams in Poughkeepsie and 80% finishing school-wide, though the $46,920 tuition is steep.
- Completion
- 80%
- Net price
- $40,106
- Grads a year
- 17
View Marist University's Bachelor of Science in Games and Emerging Media Degree
66 Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Media & Game Development
Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
51.0 WPI's Interactive Media and Game Development program describes itself as among the oldest games degrees in the nation. It blends visual and technical arts, programming, storytelling, music, writing, design, user experience and production management in one customizable program. Students work in project-based courses from day one, building everything from escape rooms to digital games. A match for students who want to build projects from day one in one of the oldest games degrees, with 88% finishing school-wide, though $59,700 tuition is high.
- Completion
- 88%
- Net price
- $47,799
- Grads a year
- 22
View Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Media & Game Development
67 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art
Lakewood, CO · Private for-profit · Game design program
50.7 This Game Art B.F.A. teaches students to turn concept art into production game-ready assets, characters and worlds. Students graduate with a portfolio focused on a specialty in either environment art or character art. Topics include 3D modeling, lighting, rigging, texture mapping and observational drawing, in small classes with direct access to faculty. Ideal for artists who want a specialty in environment or character art in small classes, but only 31% finish school-wide, so ask about retention.
- Completion
- 31%
- Net price
- $27,459
- Grads a year
- 23
View Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art
68 Bachelor's in Immersive Media
Coral Gables, FL · Private nonprofit · Game design program
50.4 Miami's Immersive Media B.S.C. has a designer track and a developer track, preparing students for VR, AR and immersive content creation. Courses include Intro to Creative Coding, which teaches programming fundamentals that transfer to other settings, and Immersive Storytelling. Students use labs and spaces across campus and apply design thinking to fields from education to entertainment. Best for students who want design or development in VR and AR with 82% finishing school-wide, though the $60,720 tuition is high.
- Completion
- 82%
- Net price
- $41,028
- Grads a year
- 15
View University of Miami's Bachelor's in Immersive Media
T-69 Bachelor of Science in Game Design Degree |
Burlington, VT · Private nonprofit · Game design program
50.0 Champlain's Game Design B.S. has students start building worlds on day one and a portfolio of collaborative work right away. Gameplay systems, narratives, programming, level design and world-building are all in the mix. Through the Game Studio Experience, majors team with peers from the college's other game majors to complete projects from start to finish, mirroring a professional studio. Fits students who want a studio experience with other game majors from day one, though the $47,400 tuition is high and 59% finish school-wide.
- Completion
- 59%
- Net price
- $36,846
- Grads a year
- 28
View Champlain College's Bachelor of Science in Game Design Degree |
T-69 Bachelor of Arts in Game Design and Development
Hamden, CT · Private nonprofit · Game design program
50.0 Quinnipiac's Game Design and Development B.A. is taught on campus within the College of Arts & Sciences. It pairs a foundation across entertainment technology with game labs, research projects and internships, and students regularly hear from guest speakers from Sony, Epic and indie game companies. The program also teaches students how to use AI to save time while keeping their critical thinking and creative process. It rewards students who want guest speakers, labs and internships, with 80% finishing school-wide, though the $52,670 tuition is high.
- Completion
- 80%
- Net price
- $39,632
- Grads a year
- 11
View Quinnipiac University's Bachelor of Arts in Game Design and Development
T-69 Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interactive and Game Design
Lakeland, FL · Private nonprofit · Game design program
50.0 Florida Southern's Interactive and Game Design degree comes as a B.A. or a B.F.A., both blending artistic practice with new media technology. Courses such as Design Fundamentals and Simulation VR teach students to conceptualize, prototype and build user-centered experiences across games, web and mobile. The four-year, in-person program requires a portfolio for admission. Pick it if you want to choose a B.A. or B.F.A. and have a portfolio ready for admission, with a 66% school-wide completion rate.
- Completion
- 66%
- Net price
- $30,462
- Grads a year
- 2
View Florida Southern College's Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interactive and Game Design
72 Bachelor of Science in Game Development and Simulation Programming
East Greenwich, RI · Private nonprofit · Game design program
48.2 NEIT's Game Development and Simulation Programming B.S. builds on an associate degree and moves into advanced development for phones, tablets, Nintendo and Xbox. Courses cover coding for VR and AR games and building backend servers for game player data. In the Senior Capstone, students team up to design and develop a game that three faculty members review. Best for students who already hold an associate degree and want advanced game development, though a 67% school-wide completion rate and $36,714 net price need checking.
- Completion
- 67%
- Net price
- $36,714
- Grads a year
- 10
View New England Institute of Technology's Bachelor of Science in Game Development and Simulation Programming
73 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofit · Game design program
47.6 This Game Design B.F.A. opens with game theory, covering metaphor, story, mechanics and chance, applied to both physical games and virtual worlds. Students can check out digital video, lighting and sound equipment and use a game design editing suite and a motion capture studio. An Interactive Media Lab with an extended reality studio and in-house arcade adds to the facilities. Works for students who want hands-on gear, a motion capture studio and a tiny campus of 545 students, though the 58% school-wide completion rate invites questions about retention.
- Completion
- 58%
- Net price
- $33,527
- Grads a year
- 7
View Cleveland Institute of Art's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
74 Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation
Redmond, WA · Private for-profit · Simulation program
47.3 DigiPen's Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation B.S. is its flagship program and is ABET accredited. The four-year degree builds from C, C++ and other lower-level languages to students building and optimizing their own game engines with a focus on computer graphics, working in teams. DigiPen is an Unreal Engine Academic Partner. Made for programmers who want to build their own engines and aim for hard technical roles, though 56% finishing school-wide shows how demanding the program can be.
- Completion
- 56%
- Net price
- $40,015
- Grads a year
- 92
View DigiPen Institute of Technology's Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation
75 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art & Development
Laguna Beach, CA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
44.7 Laguna College of Art and Design offers a four-year Game Art & Development B.F.A. in which students choose a Game Art track (environment design, character design, concept art, VFX) or a Game Design track (mechanics and systems, user experience, level design, technical scripting). Both tracks work in team settings and end in an individual capstone project. Best for students who want to choose between game art and game design and finish with a capstone, though the school-wide net price of $44,285 is high for a small campus.
- Completion
- 67%
- Net price
- $44,285
- Grads a year
- 33
View Laguna College of Art and Design's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art & Development
76 Bachelor of Arts in Game Design
High Point, NC · Private nonprofit · Game design program
44.0 High Point's Game Design B.A. totals 128 credits within its school of communication. The major core runs from Introduction to Game Design and AAA Game Development Tools through Theory and Criticism of Games to Game Publishing, Promotion, and Portfolio. A Game Development Club holds game jams each semester. Aimed at students who want a communication-school game degree with game jams, though the 71% school-wide completion rate is solid and the $39,714 tuition is not low.
- Completion
- 71%
- Net price
- $43,578
- Grads a year
- 21
View High Point University's Bachelor of Arts in Game Design
77 Bachelor of Science in Simulation Science, Games and Animation
Prescott, AZ · Private nonprofit · Simulation program
43.0 Embry-Riddle's Prescott campus pairs STEM coursework with art and design in this Simulation Science, Games and Animation B.S., housed in the College of Arts & Sciences. Project-based courses have students build virtual worlds and user experiences in teams, using industry-standard applications. The degree takes 127 credits and is taught in person. Suits students who want games grounded in engineering and simulation rather than pure art, though the catch is a $41,209 school-wide net price for first-years who receive aid.
- Completion
- 70%
- Net price
- $41,209
- Grads a year
- 9
View Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott's Bachelor of Science in Simulation Science, Games and Animation
78 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit · Game design program
42.1 MICA's Game Design B.F.A. treats games as an art form and teaches students to combine narrative, design, art, sound and code into a cohesive experience. Majors study in the JHU-MICA Film Centre alongside filmmakers and animators. Faculty mentors guide students through a studio-based program at a private art and design college. Choose it if you want to approach games as an art practice rather than an engineering exercise, though a school-wide 77% completion rate is worth weighing against the studio demands.
- Completion
- 77%
- Net price
- $43,066
- Grads a year
- 7
View Maryland Institute College of Art's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
79 Bachelor of Arts in Gaming & Interactive Media Design
West Palm Beach, FL · Private nonprofit · Game design program
41.6 Palm Beach Atlantic's Gaming and Interactive Media Design B.A. is a 120-credit degree that students can take on campus or online, with fall and spring starts. Coursework covers game prototyping in industry-standard software, level design, storytelling and user experience, and teams build an original game together. The program is taught from a Christian perspective. Worth a look if you need the flexibility of online study or want a faith-based setting, but school-wide only 56% of students finish within eight years, so ask about advising.
- Completion
- 56%
- Net price
- $31,103
- Grads a year
- 1
View Palm Beach Atlantic University's Bachelor of Arts in Gaming & Interactive Media Design
80 Bachelor of Science in Game Design & Development
Manchester, NH · Private nonprofit · Game design program
40.4 SNHU's game design and development degree is fully online, with eight-week terms and a studio-style structure. Students pick a concentration in game design, game art or game programming, and cross-functional team courses produce game prototypes for a portfolio. Cost is $354 per credit, and a Game Resource Hub maintained by faculty supports coursework. A good fit for working adults who need an online schedule and a choice of design, art or programming, but school-wide completion is 36%, so ask how much support online students get.
- Completion
- 36%
- Net price
- $33,163
- Grads a year
- 9
View Southern New Hampshire University's Bachelor of Science in Game Design & Development
81 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Game Design
Henniker, NH · Private nonprofit · Game design program
40.0 New England College's BFA centers on the artistic side of games and animation: 2D and 3D animation, digital assets, and visual and sound effects. Applicants submit a portfolio of 5 to 15 images through SlideRoom, which must be in before enrollment. The college sits in rural Henniker, and published tuition is $25,714. Best for artists with a portfolio ready to submit who want animation and game visuals over programming, but school-wide completion is 28%, so ask about advising in a rural setting.
- Completion
- 28%
- Net price
- $30,280
- Grads a year
- 7
View New England College's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Game Design
T-82 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
San Francisco, CA · Private for-profit · Simulation program
39.9 This B.F.A. leans toward the art side of production, with emphasis on 3D modeling, animation and lighting alongside game engine technology and production workflows. Core classes include Digital Drawing for Entertainment, Playing Games in Game Development and Introduction to Maya. Students can take the degree on campus or online, in a division devoted to game development. A match for artists who want a modeling and animation portfolio and the choice of studying online, but only 26% of entering students finish school-wide, so ask about advising and retention.
- Completion
- 26%
- Net price
- $36,591
- Grads a year
- 50
View Academy of Art University's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
T-82 Bachelor of Science in Game Development
Denver, CO · Private nonprofit · Game design program
39.9 Denver's Game Development B.S. gives students a technical foundation equivalent to the B.S. in computer science, with 52 credits of COMP courses, a mathematics minor and a second minor in art, emergent digital practices or another approved creative field. Introductory Game Design takes students from a design to a prototype to a final game. Ideal for students who want to be both programmers and collaborators with artists, with 75% finishing school-wide, though the $60,048 tuition is among the higher bills here.
- Completion
- 75%
- Net price
- $43,324
- Grads a year
- 6
View University of Denver's Bachelor of Science in Game Development
T-82 Video Game Design Major
Lindsborg, KS · Private nonprofit · Game design program
39.9 Bethany College houses its Video Game Design major in the Art and Digital Media department, where students build a portfolio in digital labs taught by working professional artists. Some faculty have credits on major motion pictures. The campus is in rural Lindsborg, Kansas, and the college enrolls only 615 students. Best for students who want a very small, close-knit campus and are happy in a rural town, but a school-wide completion rate of 40% is a reason to ask about advising and retention.
- Completion
- 40%
- Net price
- $29,571
- Grads a year
- 2
View Bethany College's Video Game Design Major
85 Bachelor of Science in Game Design & Development
Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofit · Game design program
39.6 Sacred Heart's B.S. in Game Design and Development covers Unity and Unreal, C# programming and Blender for 3D modeling, next to computer science courses in algorithms and game programming. The degree is ABET-accredited, and the university pays for the Unity certification exams. Students build a complete game from start to finish. Suits students who want a technical, computer-science-flavored route into games, with a school-wide completion rate of 71% that is solid for a private university.
- Completion
- 71%
- Net price
- $46,165
- Grads a year
- 8
View Sacred Heart University's Bachelor of Science in Game Design & Development
86 Bachelor of Science in Animation and Game Design
Fort Lauderdale, FL · Private nonprofit · Game design program
37.6 Keiser's animation and game design degree combines 3D modeling, character rigging, game engines and programming with art and design fundamentals. Lower-division courses in 3D texturing and modeling come before upper-division work, and the curriculum follows production workflows from pre-production to delivery. Class sizes are small, and published tuition is $23,856. Worth a look if you want a broad technical animation and game pipeline in small classes, though the school-wide net price of $33,865 and 37% completion are worth weighing against the program's six graduates a year.
- Completion
- 37%
- Net price
- $33,865
- Grads a year
- 6
View Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale's Bachelor of Science in Animation and Game Design
87 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Arts & Design
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
34.4 CCA's Game Arts & Design B.F.A. is a fine-arts program that treats games broadly, from video games and extended reality to tabletop and mixed-media play. Students build an artistic practice rather than just industry skills, and coursework includes projects like the board game made in the Animal Games course. The program is based in San Francisco. Fits students who see games as an art practice, not a job pipeline, though $59,376 in tuition means the 72% school-wide completion rate is worth pairing with a firm aid offer.
- Completion
- 72%
- Net price
- $49,945
- Grads a year
- 2
View California College of the Arts' Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Arts & Design
88 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
Burbank, CA · Private for-profit · Game design program
34.2 Students in NYFA's Game Design B.F.A. make a playable, portfolio-ready game every semester, working in Agile and Scrum under professional game designers. The curriculum spans playable system design, game writing, narrative design, original play mechanics, game analysis and 3D art. It is taught at the Los Angeles campus in Burbank. It suits students who learn by shipping a game every semester and want a portfolio fast, though the $50,504 school-wide net price is well above the listed tuition.
- Completion
- 65%
- Net price
- $50,504
- Grads a year
- 4
View New York Film Academy's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
89 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art
Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit · Game design program
31.0 Cornish's Game Art B.F.A. takes an art-centric approach to game making in Seattle. Students produce 2D and 3D visual art for digital and analog games, and also study art concepting, interactive narrative design, worldbuilding and creative writing. They experiment with game engines and collaborate with artists in other fields on game projects. Works for artists who want to treat games as cultural media in an arts college of 505 students, though only 54% finish school-wide.
- Completion
- 54%
- Net price
- $40,164
- Grads a year
- 2
View Cornish College of the Arts' Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art
Two things narrow it for some students. Private colleges with large endowments sometimes give enough aid to undercut a public school, and the only way to know is to run each school's net price calculator with your family's numbers. And public schools charge out-of-state students far more than the in-state net price shown here, so a public university in another state can cost as much as a private one.
Net price earns cost points on a sliding scale: all 40 at or below $14,400 a year, none at $43,600 or more, and evenly fewer in between. The table groups the 89 game design colleges by price and shows how many land in each bracket, how many of those are public, and the median completion rate inside the bracket. Read the completion column before you assume a higher price buys a better chance of finishing.
The bottom row is the one to notice. A college in it earns no cost points, so it can only reach the top of this list on completion and size. That's a strong penalty, and it's deliberate, because the college that costs you the most is the one most likely to leave you with the heaviest loans. Of the 89 colleges, 27 are public and 62 are private, and 2 of the top 25 are private.
Net price is an average for students who received aid. The sticker price for in-state undergraduates at the public colleges here has a median of $8,500, and the out-of-state median is $23,200. Four years at the public median net price adds up to about $65,100. Four years at the private median adds up to about $121,800. Your own number will differ, so use these as a starting point and not a quote.
The ranges overlap more than the medians suggest. 4 private colleges in this ranking have a net price below the public median, and 0 public colleges have one above the private median. That's why public or private shouldn't be your first filter for game design schools. Look at each card's net price and the actual college.
Add what the degree needs beyond tuition. A game design bachelor's usually means a capable computer, and some programs expect you to own software or hardware that others supply. Ask each program what it provides. If you'd rather cut cost by studying from home, the online game design degrees ranking compares programs that can be completed at a distance.
The median program in this ranking graduates about 11 students a year. The biggest are far larger: Rochester Institute of Technology (about 158 a year), University of Utah (about 151 a year), University of California-Santa Cruz (about 139 a year), DigiPen Institute of Technology (about 92 a year).
Size earns up to 20 points, with full marks at 50 graduates a year, because a big program can staff more electives, run more team projects in parallel and send more alumni into studios. A small program can still be the right one. You'll get more faculty time, and a capstone team of six can teach you as much as a team of sixty. Just ask a small program where its last few graduating classes went.
The size score runs on a log scale, so the first graduates count for the most. A program that graduates a handful of students a year earns real points, and the gain flattens as the program grows. 7 of the 89 colleges reach full marks, and 41 graduate fewer than 10 a year. Across all of them, the programs here graduate about 1863 students a year, and the four largest account for about 29% of that.
The public programs here have a median of about 22 graduates a year and the private ones about 9. The graduate counts are the program's own, averaged over 2022 to 2024, so one unusual class can move a small program's number.
A large game design program tends to offer more specialist courses and more teams to join. The cost is that you may compete for studio space, advisors and the best capstone slots. A small program usually offers closer faculty contact and fewer course choices. Neither is better, and the right question is what you'll actually use.
Completion is the factor people overlook. A cheap program you don't finish is the most expensive one there is. The five highest completion rates in this ranking belong to University of Southern California (93%), Northeastern University (91%), Worcester Polytechnic Institute (88%), University of California-Irvine (86%), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (86%). The median across all 89 colleges is 59%.
The completion rate is the whole school's, not the game program's. The federal government doesn't publish completion rates by major. A school-wide rate still tells you something real about advising, aid and support, which game design students use as much as anyone.
The figure comes from IPEDS Outcome Measures. It's the share of an entering class that earned an award from the same school within eight years. A student who transfers and finishes somewhere else isn't counted as finishing at the first school. That means the median of 59% leaves about 41% of students who didn't earn an award there, and some of them did finish elsewhere. Still, it's the best common measure for comparing colleges, and it covers part-time and transfer-in students as well as the traditional first-year class.
The spread is wide. The lowest rate in the ranking is 26% at Academy of Art University, and the highest is 93% at University of Southern California, a gap of 67 points. The median completion rate among the top 25 is 59%, compared with 59% across the whole list. The public colleges have a median of 59% and the private colleges 59%.
Completion and cost don't always move together, so it's worth looking for the colleges that do well on both. 17 colleges in this ranking have a net price under $16,000, and 6 of them also finish at least the median share of students. Across the full list, 47 colleges are at or above the median rate, and 14 of those are public. Read the completion figure on each card first, then the net price. Those are the programs where the numbers work for you on both counts.
A low completion rate doesn't mean a program is bad. It can reflect a school with many part-time students, a large transfer population or heavy first-year attrition from the whole university. Ask the program for its own retention numbers, and ask what happens to a student who falls behind in a sequence of design courses.
Game degrees come in three kinds. 63 schools in this ranking are here for a game design program, 10 for a game programming program and 16 for a simulation and virtual environments program. Each program card names its kind in the line under the school.
The kind isn't always in the program's name. University of California-Irvine's top-ranked program is a simulation program, and several schools known for game programming teach it under that label too. If you know you want the programming side, the best game development degrees ranking covers just the programming and simulation programs. If you're drawn to art and animation, the best animation schools ranking covers that field.
A game design bachelor's usually centers on design projects. Expect courses in game mechanics and systems, prototyping, level design, user testing, and a sequence of team projects that ends in a capstone. Most also teach enough scripting to build a working prototype, though how much varies a great deal.
A game programming bachelor's looks more like computer science with a game focus. Expect data structures, graphics, physics, engine work and a heavier math load. A simulation program covers virtual environments, interactive systems and real-time graphics, and it often serves training and visualization jobs as well as games.
Read the course list, not the degree title. Two programs with the same name can split their time between art, design and code very differently. Our game design vs. game development guide explains how the two paths differ in daily work.
The top 25 are spread across 17 states, and no state has more than 3 of them. If you want to stay close to home, game design schools by state lists every program in your state, ranked the same way.
Across all 89 colleges, 35 of the 51 jurisdictions have at least one, so 16 have none. 14 states have exactly one. The three states with the most programs hold 27% of the colleges between them. If you live in a state with few options, check the neighboring states before you assume the nearest school is the only one.
For the degree itself, less than you'd think. Game design is project work, and you can build a portfolio anywhere. Location matters in three practical ways. In-state public tuition is far lower than out-of-state tuition, as the sticker prices above show. Internships are easier to take when a studio is close to campus. And some programs sit in cities with a local game community, which gives you events, meetups and part-time work.
If you can't move, 13 of the colleges here report some online delivery for the program, and the online game design degrees ranking covers that route. Be sure to check whether the online option is the full program or only some courses.
A ranking narrows 89 game design colleges to a list you can read about in an evening. It can't tell you which program fits you, so use these steps to get from the list to three or four schools worth applying to.
Say you want a public college, a net price under $20,000 and a completion rate at or above the median of 59%. Applying those three conditions to the ranking leaves 10 of the 89 colleges. That's a list you can research in a weekend. Change any of the three conditions and the count changes, which is the reason to set your own conditions and check each card against the factors that matter to your family.
The answers will tell you more than the program's brochure. A program that answers specifically and shows you the work is usually one that knows its students. Our methodology page explains exactly how every figure above was built, so you can check this ranking against your own priorities.
BLS doesn't count game designers as an occupation of their own. Video game designers are counted with web and digital interface designers, whose national median was $104,000 in May 2025, with the lowest-paid 10% under $53,750. Game developers are counted as software developers, with a median of $135,980. Those are whole-occupation figures, not studio salaries. The video game designer salary page breaks them down by state, and the video game designer career guide covers the job itself.
A median hides the range. In the designer category the middle half of workers earn between $73,290 and $158,820, and the top 10% earn over $201,550. About 113,330 people hold these jobs nationally. The software developer group is larger at about 1,687,890 jobs, and its median is $32,000 higher than the designer median. Game testers are counted separately, with a national median of $104,300. The gap between those jobs is the main reason the course you choose matters, because a design degree and a programming degree open different doors.
The highest state median for designers is $136,110 in California. The three states with the most designer jobs, California, New York, Washington, hold about 49% of them. Pay and job counts both vary by state, so check the salary pages for the state you plan to work in.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of web and digital interface designers to grow 6% over 2025-35, against 3.5% for all jobs, with about 8,300 openings a year. For software developers the projection is 10.2%, with about 95,300 openings a year. Those are the broad occupations that count game jobs, and not game studios alone.
A school-wide earnings figure exists too, from the College Scorecard, and it's easy to misread. It's the median earnings ten years after entry for students at the whole school, across every major. The median of that figure across the 88 colleges here that report it is $54,657, and for the top 25 it's $55,486. It tells you about the school's students overall and nothing specific about game design graduates, so we show it on the program cards for context and leave it out of the score. For the jobs themselves, read the career guides, where each role is matched to the BLS occupation that counts it.
