Degrees for Video Game Design: Your Creative Potential
The video game industry is anticipated to experience significant growth, creating a demand for numerous video game designers who possess degrees in video game design. The salary of a videogame designer can vary based on their location and employer, but on average, they can expect to earn around $65,000 per year, with the potential for higher earnings as they gain more experience in the field.
To prepare students pursuing a computer game design degree for entry into this expanding workforce, many colleges now offer a major and program specifically focused on video game design. A video game design degree typically requires coursework in computer science, with a specific emphasis on computer graphics. The following colleges are renowned for providing excellent part-time and full-time four-year gaming degree programs, making them ideal options for aspiring game designers. These colleges were selected based on the program’s rigor, graduates’ employment history, rankings in the Princeton Review, and other exceptional features that distinguish their programs. Continue reading to discover more about these exceptional video game design colleges.
Top Degrees
- The University of Southern California offers the top-ranked game design program in the United States. It provides two bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degree programs that equip students with the necessary skills for a career in game design. The Interactive Media and Game Design program is offered through the School of Cinematic Arts, while the Computer Science program with a concentration in games is available through the School of Engineering, emphasizing technical aspects. Furthermore, USC offers several minors that complement video game design. Notably, USC’s program stands out due to its recognition as one of the best game design programs in North America by the Princeton Review. It offers hands-on experience and the opportunity to learn from esteemed faculty members such as Tracy Fullerton, a recipient of the Games for Change “Game Changer” Award and Time Magazine’s Best of the Web award;
- The University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City, is highly regarded by the Princeton Review. Their bachelor’s degree in games provides students with valuable internship experiences that expose them to the artistic and technical skills required in this field. Students can also choose to minor in games or pursue a Master of Entertainment Arts & Engineering. The University of Utah’s application process is selective, and the admissions committee conducts interviews with each candidate to gain a personal understanding of their interests. Additionally, this top video game degree program boasts a diverse student body, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a multicultural environment.
Rochester Institute of Technology
It offers a range of game design and development degrees, including a B.S. and M.S. in Game Design and Development and a B.S. in New Media Interactive Development. The School of Interactive Games and Media also offers various minor options. The school provides well-equipped labs that are accessible seven days a week, ensuring students have the necessary resources to complete assignments and independent projects. Notably, RIT stands out with its co-op program, which allows students to gain valuable career skills and hands-on experience in the gaming industry. Graduates from this top game design school boast a 97% graduation rate and receive a median first-year salary of $70,000.
The New School
Students can pursue a BFA in Design and Technology, with the option to specialize in either Game Design or Creative Technology. The program is part of the School of Art, Media, and Technology, focusing heavily on design rather than technical aspects compared to some other schools on the list. The New School’s prime location in New York City offers students the advantage of being part of a thriving video game development community. Moreover, The New School serves as the host school for the Northeast chapter of the Independent Game Developers Association.
Georgia Tech
It offers a B.S. in Computational Media, as well as an M.S. and Ph.D. in Digital Media. The university provides various labs and studios for students, including the Augmented Reality Game Studio, Entertainment Intelligence Lab, Adam Lab, and Experimental Game Lab. Georgia Tech researchers are actively engaged in cutting-edge research and have been utilizing big data algorithms to customize video game difficulty, potentially revolutionizing the industry. The B.S. degree program is a collaboration between the College of Computing and the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
It offers a prestigious undergraduate degree in Comparative Media Studies with a concentration in Games and Interactive Media. Students enrolled in this program take courses in video game theory, game design methods, design interactions, as well as other studio and design courses and electives. The program has consistently received high rankings from the Princeton Review. Students also have the opportunity to engage in research through the MIT Game Lab, which focuses on developing innovative games and enhancing players’ experiences.
NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts features a BFA program in game design that considers game design as a creative art form. The curriculum begins with foundational courses like Games 101, which explores the history of video games and the industry. As students progress, they have the freedom to choose courses aligned with their specific interests within the field. All students are required to complete a senior project, which may involve creating a game, writing a research paper, or curating an exhibition. In addition to the standard application and fee, applying for a video game design degree at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts requires the submission of a creative portfolio. The portfolio should include a personal statement, a creative project (such as a game, video, website, or other creative endeavor), and a one-page critical analysis.
The game design major in Interactive Arts and Media at Columbia College in Chicago provides students with the opportunity to specialize in various concentrations, including game art, development, and sound. One notable aspect of this program is the senior capstone project, which involves collaborative teamwork in the creation of a working game, offering students firsthand experience in the game production process.
Prior to focusing on game studies, students at Columbia College in Chicago complete core courses in Interactive Arts and Media. The curriculum encompasses subjects such as Digital Image Design and Game Culture. The option to concentrate in sound design sets this program apart, making it a unique choice for those interested in that specific niche within game design.
- Hampshire College’s game design and development major distinguishes itself by providing students with the freedom to design their own study plans, emphasizing the development of a strong portfolio alongside their degree programs. The college offers two dedicated labs, namely the Game Lab and Game Library, as well as the Hampshire College Cluster Computing Facility. The Game Lab is equipped with modern and older gaming consoles, including an Atari 2600 and development consoles like Oculus Rift with dev kit 2. Hampshire College’s location in Amherst, Massachusetts, adds to its appeal, as the town has been recognized as one of the best college towns in independent surveys;
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts offers a B.S. program in Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD) and a master’s program. Students also have the option to major in another subject while minoring in interactive media and game development. WPI was among the first colleges in the country to offer a gaming program. Notably, the BS/MS option allows students to pursue both degrees simultaneously, completing the program in five years.
WPI
Students at WPI can choose to focus on either the technical or artistic aspects of game design and tailor their coursework accordingly. The institute places a strong emphasis on project-based learning, enabling students to apply their skills to solve real-world problems.
Champlain College’s game design major features a unique “upside-down” curriculum, enabling students to take relevant courses such as Game History and Development and Introduction to Game Design within their first year. This allows students to begin working on their portfolios and internships at an early stage. In addition to game design, students can specialize in game art and animation, game programming, game production management, or pursue a sonic arts specialization, focusing on the technical aspects of the field. Champlain College is recognized for having a top video game design program in the US. The collaborative game studio provides a space for students to work on their projects, and selected students and faculty have the opportunity to attend the world’s largest game developers conference in San Francisco, California.
Cleveland Institute of Art
At the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) in Ohio, game design students gain valuable experience by collaborating with external partners, preparing them for the real world upon graduation. The program offers courses such as 3D Texture Mapping, Digital Lighting, game media production, game testing and level design, Intro to 3D Modeling, and Serious Game Design: Theory and Applications. Faculty members possess industry experience, including adjunct professor Michael Wu, who has worked in various roles within the gaming industry. The requirements for video game designers at CIA include transcripts, application forms, and a portfolio.
- Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, provides two bachelor’s degrees in game design. What sets these programs apart is the year-round study option, allowing students to take classes on a monthly basis and complete their degrees at an accelerated pace compared to traditional B.S. programs. The on-campus program can be completed in 20 months, while the online program takes 32 months;
- Students at Full Sail University engage in courses covering topics like discrete mathematics, design and development analysis, game design production, game balancing, prototyping, and game systems integration. For aspiring video game designers seeking a top-notch education, Full Sail University is an excellent choice.
Michigan State University
It provides a minor in game design and development exclusively for students majoring in computer science, studio art, and media and information. This prestigious Michigan university offers an interdisciplinary education that covers relevant subjects in game design, allowing students to develop a comprehensive skill set and create a compelling portfolio. Completing this minor typically takes two years in addition to fulfilling major requirements. Depending on their chosen major, students will need to meet specific prerequisites before applying for the game design minor. Required courses for the video game designer degree include game design studio and collaborative game design.
Additional Options
While Cornell University doesn’t offer a bachelor’s degree in game design, it houses the Game Design Initiative at Cornell (GDIAC) under the Department of Computer Science. This renowned university in New York provides a minor in game design, which has proven to be instrumental in helping students secure positions in the industry. The minor curriculum covers technical aspects such as software development, technical game design, game analytics, and project management.
Students at Cornell benefit from the exceptional education offered by this prestigious Ivy League institution and also have the opportunity to showcase their projects at the Game Design Initiative showcase, further enhancing their visibility within the field.