The Best Training for
Game Design in 2021
Creative and passionate students tend to flourish in game design schools. Game designers work to create fluid gameplay and bring virtual characters to life. The gaming industry is huge and growing. If you want to become a video game designer or developer, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Game Design should be on your to-do list.
There are many ways to get into game design. This article will cover the best game design schools and programs in 2021. We’ve compiled a list of what we believe to be the top 10 game design programs in the United States. This guide will help you to hunt down the perfect school and program for you.
Rundown: The Top 10 Game Design Programs in 2021
To get an idea of what’s available, we’ve listed the best game design colleges, their relevant programs, and associated tuition costs in the table below. Some schools also offer additional certifications, which might be worth considering.
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The list is arranged in alphabetical order. The cost of each program was sourced from its host school’s website and refers to the estimated annual rate.
| School | State | Programs and Cost | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | PI | BS in Game Development Tuition: $57,560 |
None, but Carnegie Mellon offers micro skills-based courses (IDeATe Courses) |
| DigiPen Institute of Technology |
WA | BA in Game Design Tuition: $34,700 |
None |
| Drexel University | PA | BS in Game Design and Production Tuition: $54,766 |
None |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
MA | BS in Computer Science Tuition: $55,510 |
None, but MIT offers dozens of certificates through the edX platform |
| Michigan State University | MI | BA in Game and Interactive Design In-state tuition and fees: $14,524 Out-of-state tuition and fees: $39,830 |
Graduate certificates in Serious Game Design and Digital Media available |
| New York University | NY | BFA in Game Design Tuition: $57,604 |
None |
| Rochester Institute of Technology |
NY | BS in Game Design and Development Tuition: $52,030 |
XSeries Program in Video Game Design Certification |
| Savannah College of Art and Design |
GA | BA in Interactive Design and Game Development Tuition: $37,575 BFA in Interactive Design and Game Development Tuition: $37,575 |
None |
| University of Southern California |
CA | BS in Computer Science: Games Tuition: $60,446 BA in Interactive Entertainment Tuition: $60,446 |
None |
| University of Utah | UT | BS in Games In-state tuition and fees: $10,030 Out-of-state tuition and fees: $31,416 BS in Computer Science: Entertainment Arts and Engineering In-state tuition and fees: $10,030 Out-of-state tuition and fees: $31,416 |
None |
How to Pick the Best Game Design School for You
To help you pick the perfect program, we’ve listed the top three factors to consider. Keep these in mind as you sift through the details of each game design program.
Tuition
University tuition in the United States can be a huge investment. Make sure that your school of choice has rates that you can afford. You should also check up on financing deals and scholarships. Many schools offer an assortment of need-based and merit-based options.
Curriculum
It is important to choose a school that offers a perfect curriculum for you. Make sure you take the time to compare programs and their components. Programs tend to have the same core curriculum, but offer different electives. Some programs include modules that others don’t. It is useful to go over game design degree programs in detail to analyze what’s on offer.
Online Options
Some universities offer fully remote programs, which can be useful for busy students or working professionals. A game design program at an online college offers the same material as an on-campus program. By studying online, you will have the flexibility to study at your own pace.
The Best Game Design Schools of 2021
We’ve gathered some more detailed information about the best game design schools and their featured programs. This list should help you figure out which university is best suited for you.
Carnegie Mellon University
Programs
BS in Game Design
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Online Options
No
Carnegie Mellon University has a great computer science faculty. The BS in Game Design is project-based and covers a lot of ground. Throughout the four-year degree, you will be exposed to the latest technologies and mechanisms used in video game programming. The school has good lab facilities and great networking events for tech enthusiasts.
BS in Game Design Curriculum
Game systems and mechanic design
Interactive narrative
Game programming
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Programs
BA in Game Design
Accreditation
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Online Options
Yes
DigiPen is a specialized college that is all about gaming and computer science. The degree program offered by the school is project-based and interdisciplinary. Students cover technical server-side programming as well as client-side designing. This is a great program that offers a well-rounded education.
BA in Game Design Curriculum
Systems design
Level design
UX design
Narrative design
User research
Drexel University
Programs
BS in Game Design and Production
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Online Options
Yes
The game design program offered by Drexel University emphasizes problem-solving and teamwork. Throughout the four-year degree, you will learn how to operate within a team to create exciting virtual worlds.
The school is equipped with state-of-the-art labs and studios. For instance, the school has a new Animation Capture and Effects Lab (ACE-Lab) for all students.
BS in Game Design and Production Curriculum
Scripting
Storytelling
Computer programming fundamentals
Advanced computer programming
Motion capture
Animation
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Programs
BS in Computer Science
Accreditation
New England Commission on Higher Education
Online Options
No
MIT is the most prestigious tech school in the United States. Although MIT doesn’t offer a game design program, you can create your own program of study through MIT’s game lab. Studying computer science at MIT will always be research-based and interdisciplinary.
BS in Computer Science Curriculum
Comparative media studies
Electrical engineering and computer science
Psychology
Business
Michigan State University
Programs
BA in Game and Interactive Media Design
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
Online Options
No
Michigan State University has an array of media, arts, and communications programs. The BA in Game and Interactive Media Design allows students to opt for a game development specialization. The program is project-based. Throughout the four-year degree, students get to create their own projects. This is very useful to ramp up your portfolio.
BA in Game and Interactive Media Design Curriculum
Graphics and animation
Interactive media
Capstone project
New York University
Programs
BFA in Game Design
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Online Options
No
The BFA in Game Design offered by New York University is an academic program. Throughout the degree, you will learn about the challenges of gaming in the contemporary era. If you like critical thinking and problem-solving as much as gaming, this program could be for you.
BFA in Game Design Curriculum
Academic approaches to games
Production processes for creating games
2D and 3D animation
Computer programming
Game business
Audio design
Rochester Institute of Technology
Programs
BS in Game Design and Development
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Online Options
Yes
The Rochester Institute of Technology boasts an 85 percent graduation rate. The game design degree offered by the school emphasizes computing fundamentals.
The program will provide you with an in-depth education in raw computer science as well as new gaming technologies. The curriculum is filled with math, modeling, science, and audio design elements.
BS in Game Design and Development Curriculum
Introduction to interactive media
2D animation and asset production
Data structures and algorithms
Game design and development
General and advanced electives
Savannah College of Art and Design
Programs
BA in Interactive Design and Game Development, BFA in Interactive Design and Game Development
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Options
Yes, the school has an award-winning online program
The Savannah College of Art and Design has a very exciting game design department. The school organizes regular competitions with prestigious gaming and tech companies. These include Apple, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and more. The programs offered are project-based and emphasize creativity and innovation.
BA in Interactive Design and Game Development Curriculum
Visual culture in context
Color theory and application
Digital communication
General education elective
One concentration option
BFA in Game Design and Game Development Curriculum
Drawing form and space
Digital communication
3D form in space
One concentration option
University of Southern California
Programs
BS in Computer Science: Games, BA in Interactive Entertainment
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Online Options
No
USC is the perfect place to study game design. The school has many ties to Hollywood and the gaming industry. The school offers two robust degree programs in game design and development. Ambitious students who complete one of these programs are well prepared to enroll in a master’s degree program.
BS in Computer Science: Games Curriculum
Game production
Visual design
Game engine programming
BA in Interactive Entertainment Curriculum
Creative leadership
Animation fundamentals
Introduction to game development
Cinematic communication
Designing online multiplayer game environments
University of Utah
Programs
BS in Games, BS in Computer Science: Entertainment Arts and Engineering
Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Online Options
Yes
The University of Utah has a robust computer science faculty. The department focuses on interdisciplinarity and computational research. The two gaming-focused programs offered by the school are very exciting. Both programs are firmly grounded in math and programming.
BS in Games Curriculum
Ethics in games
Traditional game development
Two senior projects
BS in Computer Science: Entertainment Arts and Engineering Curriculum
Foundations of CS
Object oriented programming
Algorithms
Data structures
Traditional game development
How Much Can You Earn as a Game Designer?
Any of the schools on this list could lead to a high-paying game design career. There are many specialization options within game design, as it is a wide field.
According to PayScale, video game designers earn an average salary of $66,152 in the United States. The table below shows how salaries in the gaming industry vary from profession to profession.
The Highest-Paying Game Design Roles
Why You Should Be a Game Designer in 2021
The video game industry is constantly expanding. As of 2021, the gaming industry is bigger than the music and film industries combined. This means there is room for innovation and new ideas.
A degree in game design might be worth considering if you’ve always wanted to bring your gaming ideas to life. Many schools across the United States offer fantastic bachelor’s degree programs in computer science and game design. Whether you want to study on campus or remotely, you should be able to find the perfect program for you.
