12 Game Design Colleges (Worth Considering)

Game design colleges are institutions that attempt to prepare students for a career in game development. The 12 game design colleges mentioned below are renowned in the USA and worldwide. Game design colleges that are worth considering stand out based on their curricula, facilities, and industry connections. Core criteria for evaluating game design colleges include institutional reputation, breadth and depth of game design offerings, facilities, career-building, industry connectivity and proximity, and practical components. Practical components are crucial to look out for in any game design course, as they enable learners to gain the skills necessary through building games themselves, as well as to accumulate a robust portfolio.

This guide provides a launching pad for aspiring game designers seeking quality education by spotlighting schools renowned for their offerings and alumni outcomes. Texas and California are two states with significant studio presences and game design-related economies. The costs of game design schools also need to be weighed up against how useful or even necessary they are for finding an industry job. I hone in on Texas and California’s game design colleges, as well as discussing these overall factors of cost and benefit.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university that offers game design programs that are world-renowned for their focus on both the artistic and technical aspects. CMU’s curriculum has a strong emphasis on collaboration and problem-solving innovation. CMU’s major selling points are its facilitation of research on Human-Computer Interaction, ties with the game industry, and interdisciplinary game design-related curricula, offering multiple options when it comes to courses. CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) facilitates its undergraduate game design minors as well as its graduate programs in interactive entertainment.

The Integrative Design, Arts and Technology (IDeATe) course network offers undergraduate minors spanning 15 departments. IDeATe is available to all majors and has courses incorporating visual design, storytelling, development, and physical computing elements. CMU’s College of Fine Arts, in collaboration with Heinz College, offers a dual-city Master of Entertainment Industry Management (MEIM) program, with the second year taking place in Los Angeles. CMU’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII), with its Center for Transformational Play (CTP), offers courses and interdisciplinary research options to research and develop games to solve social, educational, and industrial challenges.

Carnegie Mellon University’s CTP and HCII provide specialised design facilities. The CTP supports research-driven, purpose-built games and is equipped with a multi-room User Studies Lab, digital and physical prototyping tools, and a game library. The HCII Labs contain maker-space workshops with fabrication tools, flexible and experimental labs, 3D printers, Extended Reality (XR) labs, depth cameras, and motion capture. CMU has many other labs facilitating research and development on AI and machine learning, XR, and Human-Computer Interaction/interactive experiences.

Carnegie Mellon University’s industry connections show in its past and current faculty, including Schnell Games founder Jesse Schnell, Heather Kelley, interactive media innovator and co-founder of Kokoromi, as well as others with titles that include the Warhammer Online games, Coup, Dungeon Keeper, and Dark Age of Camelot. CMU receives fellowship support from Schnell Games and has strong relationships with Activision Blizzard, Rockstar Games, and EA. Alumni with such names as Neil Druckmann, creative director at Naughty Dog, and Arnab Basu, contributor to the Tomb Raider titles, span AAA, indie, and experimental game design.

Our Game Design Fundamentals and Prototyping Bootcamp with Jeremiah Franczyk includes teachings by Carnegie Mellon University’s Stone Librande. Stone is a senior designer at Riot Games who previously worked as a creative director at EA and Maxis and helped design SimCity, Diablo 3, and Spore at Blizzard. The Game Design Fundamentals and Prototyping Bootcamp includes frameworks based on his own experience training junior designers at Riot Games.

2. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research institution with a game design curriculum that continues to rank among the best in North America and the world. USC’s industry ties include endowments from several tech and game industry-leading companies, courses that build career-ready projects, and several industry-leading game designers among its faculty. USC is ranked the #1 undergraduate school for game design by the Princeton Review in 2025 and for the majority of its reviewed years since the ranking began in 2009.

The USC Games’ top-ranked undergrad and graduate degrees incorporate both creative design and technical development, including game design, computer science, art, animation, audio, production, and user research. The undergraduate and graduate programs are a collaboration of the School of Cinematic Arts’ (SCA) Interactive Media & Games Division and the Viterbi School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science. The cross-disciplinary Advanced Game Projects (AGP) course emulates a real-world full-team project developing a market-ready game over an academic year. Games are often showcased at USC Games’ annual Expo.

The University of Southern California’s facilities include production labs, libraries, and archives from the SCA, Ganek Immersive Media Studio, Game Innovation Lab, and USC Games Studios. USC Games Studios features over 100 VR-equipped development systems, audio facilities, usability testing centres, a Console Development Laboratory, a motion capture Stage, an esports Lab, and an M.F.A. Thesis Lab. The Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) is a Department of Defense (DoD)- sponsored organization that researches and develops training, educational, and health therapies through immersive technologies. It supports student-veterans, active-duty students, and ROTC students.

The University of Southern California’s industry entry opportunities are available through USC Games Publishing, which enables students to bring their projects to platforms that include PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, with examples including award-winning titles such as Chambara and Night Journey. USC’s other industry connections include past and present faculty, with high-profile game designers including Tracy Fullerton, developer of Walden, A Game, and Michael Zyda, the founder of CS Games. USC has received donations from Electronic Arts (EA) and Microsoft, as well as support from Riot Games, Sony, and Activision Blizzard.

3. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech or GT) is a public academic institute that has achieved international renown for its cutting-edge research and computing and engineering. Georgia Tech’s multidisciplinary game design curriculum spans engineering, interactive design, and storytelling, with studio facilities designed for a fast, market-informed innovation-to-release game development cycle. The university’s close ties with the industry present real-world opportunities for graduates pursuing careers in game development, interactive storytelling, UI/UX, or animation, and it’s one of the top universities that Silicon Valley companies recruit from.

Georgia Institute of Technology’s B.S. Computational Media curriculum is comprehensive, covering courses in AI, game programming, media, narrative, graphics, and interactive design. The college even offers certificates in simulation & military games. Georgia Tech University has pushed industry innovations research, such as advancing games for social good and AI usage in games.  Computational Media B.S. graduates have secured internships and jobs with leading game studios, tech giants, and media corporations that include Google, Microsoft, Apple, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Amazon, Cartoon Network, and Roblox Corporation.

Georgia Institute of Technology’s Institute for People and Technology (IPaT) connects students, faculty, and departments to direct innovation towards societal impact. Georgia Tech’s Graphics, Visualization and Usability (GVU) Center’s focus areas span development, human-computer interaction, and interactive design. IPaT and the GVU further research into game development. The Georgia Tech Game Studio is a new facility for experienced game developers to research current market and design trends, and develop original games from a rapid prototype into a full, releasable game.

Georgia Institute of Technology’s industry connections are robust, providing students with career-developing opportunities through panels, showcases, and collaborative projects, and participating in the New Silicon Initiative. It maintains strong relationships with tech industry leaders such as Apple and OpenAI. Microsoft recruits from Georgia Tech, with close to 2000 Georgia Tech alumni working there in 2024.

4. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private research institute that stands out on the world stage for its game design programs, broad academic offerings, technical training, production-level laboratories, and career growth services. RIT’s game design program creates strong industry opportunities through co-ops, business events, and emphasis on real-world outcomes. RIT students’ games have won awards and accolades for game design at events, including winning the Independent Games Festival (IGF) Excellence in Audio and Excellence in Visual Art categories, and being a finalist in Excellence in Design.

Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Interactive Games & Media (IGM) offers degrees in Game Design and Development, including a B.S., M.S., and an accelerated B.S./M.S.. It includes B.F.A options and minors in 3D Digital Design for Game Arts, including courses in engines, programming, AI graphics, VR/AR, narrative, level design, and interactive narrative. RIT’s collaborative environment allows students from computing, art, and engineering to team up on assignments. Student work is showcased at the Media, Arts, Games, Interaction & Creativity (MAGIC) Center, Interactive Games and Media (IGM) galleries, and at competition events, including GameFest.

Rochester Institute of Technology’s industry-grade labs, MAGIC Center, and MAGIC Spell Studios provide real-world production environments, from a Magic Maker program where students compete in pitching digital media product ideas to gain funding, to studio sites and pitch locations, to sound stages, LED walls, motion capture, and Dolby Atmos theatres. Faculty from animation, film, games, design, and media create and instruct in a large variety of courses in the MAGIC Spell studios. RIT’s studio partners with students wanting to develop their projects further. Other facilities include labs containing consoles, as well as high-end workstations running animation software. RIT is also where I got my Computer Science degree.

Rochester Institute of Technology affords opportunities for work experience through co-ops, required for the majority of its undergraduate programs and encouraged in most graduate ones. Co-ops place students in real, paid industry roles to receive industry work experience, alternating with semesters of on-campus study. Magic Spell Studios offers its world-class facilities and hosts commercial events for game development, film production, and digital design to encourage industry interaction with students. Some companies that have hired RIT graduates include Google, Microsoft, EA, Sony, Epic Games, Cartoon Network, Bethesda, Insomniac, and Rockstar.

I was admitted into Rochester Institute of Technology’s honors program, but realized that the program’s requirements got in the way of developing the skills that I needed to craft the life I wanted. At the time, there were computer science and engineering internships, but no dedicated game dev programs, which was why my degree was in computer science, rather than game development. RIT’s curriculum alone wasn’t enough to get what I wanted. I left the CS program and focused on taking more specialised classes and getting real-world experience.

5. New York University

New York University is a top-ranked private research university that holds global respect in game design for its multidisciplinary academic curriculum, industry-immersive production environment, and deep ties with game development, software, and media companies. The university emphasizes an experiential approach to game development, providing mentorship and networking opportunities through its direct access to local gaming, tech, media, and cultural industries with global reach. The Princeton Review named NYU its 2025 top graduate school for game design, and in 2023 named it the top school for game design overall, with 150 institutions surveyed.

New York University’s academic offerings for game development include the Game Design B.F.A, M.F.A, and an undergraduate minor. These offerings all contain both creative scholarship and practical elements and are facilitated through the Tisch School of the Arts (Tisch). The B.F.A incorporates development, design, and game scholarship, with a final capstone project. Courses incorporate programming, art, theory, narrative, audio, and cultural critique. The Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) graduate-level program has a cross-disciplinary approach aimed at both artists and programmers, further instructing in creating art with advanced technology.

New York University’s game design programs are based around Tisch, incorporating the NYU Game Center, the Game Center Open Library, and various flexible studio and production spaces. The flexible spaces are available for different purposes, such as filming or as configurable sound booths. Tisch is a training ground for multiple creative industries in addition to game development, with a reputation for producing high-quality artists with industry-relevant skills. The Game Center forms Tisch’s game-design department, where students develop games and defend their capstone projects. The centre features VR labs, studios, prototyping tools, recording spaces, and a vast game library.

New York University holds multiple industry connections, with its Game Center faculty including world-renowned theorists, practitioners, and creatives. NYU’s career support includes a dedicated incubator to support graduates in launching commercial games. The Game Center is active in fostering industry relationships to create opportunities for networking through panels, playtesting opportunities, speaker events, workshops, conferences such as NYU’s annual PRACTICE: Game Design in Detail, and other networking events to connect students with professionals, whose companies include Riot Games, Disney, and Activision Blizzard.

6. University of Utah

The University of Utah (UU) is a public research institution with an academic reputation for being among the best game design universities worldwide. The university’s game design prestige is based on the breadth of both its undergrad and graduate programs. UU has a high admission selectivity regarding its interdisciplinary B.S. degree in Entertainment Arts and Engineering (B.S. in Games). UU focuses on research at scale, with industry-experienced faculty and significant funding, while remaining economical as relates to tuition. UU seeks to forward creative game-making, project-based learning, and computing research, and was ranked Animation Career Review’s #1 US public institution game design program in 2023.

The University of Utah’s Utah Division of Games (Utah Games, the former Entertainment Arts & Engineering Division)’s interdisciplinary B.S. in Games has programming, art, technical art, and design students sharing classes to hone specializations, and teaming up on final-year practical capstone projects. UU’s graduate program, Master of Entertainment Arts and Engineering (MEAE), specializes in either Game Design, Game Arts, Game Engineering, Technical Art, or Game Production, with game design, rapid prototyping, pre-production, elective modules, and real game building. and are among the top-ranked worldwide for.

The University of Utah has versatile lab offerings, including labs for game user research, games-dedicated class labs, and large flex lab areas for undergraduate research and project work. The university has numerous other venues, such as collaboration spaces, dedicated development and production workspaces, game streaming studios, and esports practice and competition venues. Its game design facilities include high-end Cintique tablets for game art, motion capture facilities, and AV/VR. UU also has fabrication tools, including a range of 3D printers, for level and character modelling, creating alternative controllers, and other physical elements of game design.

The University of Utah is influential in the games industry for its contributions, some of which have been made directly through Utah Games. Notable alumni include Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and creator of Pong, and Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America. Utah Games graduates’ games have generated over $2 billion in revenue, and their industry involvement has included work on top-grossing games such as “Hogwarts Legacy” and “Fortnite”. Graduates have gone on to work at prominent game companies, including EA, Sony, Riot Games, Epic Games, 2K, Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, and Insomniac Games.

7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research institute with a solid reputation for its research-focused environment, strong interdisciplinary curriculum, extensive lab facilities, and deep industry partnerships. MIT’s strong foundation in computer science and engineering, cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence, computer graphics, and networking contribute to its game design strengths. The university’s interdisciplinary and technical strengths form a collaborative space for academics, students, and industry professionals to work on innovative game development and research, including on games that address real-world challenges.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology doesn’t have a dedicated game design program, but allows a flexible game curriculum through its multidisciplinary approach. The MIT Game Lab assists students in customizing their curriculum to align with individual interests. Students craft study paths between the Comparative Media Studies (CMS) department, the Electrical Engineering & Computer Science department, the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences (BCS), the MIT Sloan School of Management, and the MIT Media Lab programs. MIT Students’ game design curricula option for combination include game theory, programming, digital media, AI, and storytelling.

MIT Game Lab advises specific courses in game design, game studies, and game analysis to supplement game design students’ core interests. MIT Game Lab also recommends that game design-interested students do a year-long research project or UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program) within the Game Lab or related CMS labs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology has multiple labs associated with game design teaching, game development, and research. The MIT Game Lab emphasizes both broad and deep prototype-driven innovation and community-centered testing. MIT Game Lab partners with internal and external stakeholders, including scholars, creators, and technologists, to facilitate research-driven game development. The MIT.nano Immersion Lab, in collaboration with NCSOFT, houses advanced hardware and software for AI, XR, and gaming research. The MIT Media Lab supports interdisciplinary experimentation in design, XR, and interactive media.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s game design has tight links to the industry. The MIT Game Lab facilitates collaboration with companies such as Tencent IEG on research and events, and hosts the Play Labs accelerator, which mentors XR and gamification startups with the backing of MIT-affiliated investors and industry experts. MIT.nano Immersion Lab facilitated a multi‑year partnership with NCSOFT, funding AR/VR and AI gaming research. MIT alumni are prominent in the game industry, with such names as Eran Egozy, co‑founder & CTO of Harmonix and a developer on the Guitar Hero games, and Damían Isla, AI lead on the Halo 2 and 3 games, and Moonshot Games co-founder.

8. Purdue University

Purdue University (Purdue) is a public research university that distinguishes itself in game design through providing a selective, well‑ranked program with a practical approach, a STEM focus emphasizing technical depth, direct industry paths, and a supportive campus ecosystem. Purdue’s overall goal is to make its graduates day one industry-ready by embedding technical education, an industry-emulating environment, and industry partnerships deep into its ethos. Its game design curriculum holds high regard thanks to this hands-on approach.

Purdue University offers a B.S. in Game Development and Design as part of its Computer Graphics Technology. The game development curriculum focuses on a methodology that is project-based and pushes technical breadth. Students begin crafting games from their freshman year, exploring roles across design, programming, art, and production. Courses include rendering, UX, VFX, animation, C++, Unity, and experiential use of STEM fundamentals, including calculus and physics. Purdue’s curriculum provides students with hands-on experience, industry connections, and opportunities to work on real-world projects.

Purdue University contains a Visual Effects lab, a VR lab, and a Design & Rapid Prototyping Lab with 3D printers. The Games Innovation Lab and Purdue Center for Serious Games and Learning in Virtual Environments (Serious Gaming Center) support the design, development, and implementation of serious and educational games and VR environments. Purdue’s faculty-led studio, Fledgling Games, provides immersive game development in an industry-ready environment, using AAA tools. Purdue’s IDEA Laboratory facilitates research into innovations in character modelling, animation, and interfaces to improve Human-Computer Interaction.

Purdue University has faculty who have worked on AAA titles such as Bioshock Infinite and Saints Row, and authored books that impart industry insights to students. Fledgling Games has been used to craft games and simulations for real-world training, including providing commercial project experience and simulations for first responders. Purdue game design graduates have been hired by EA, Riot Games, Sony PlayStation, Ubisoft, Microsoft, Disney, DreamWorks, and Industrial Light and Magic. Alumni include Uma Claire Teelock, now an associate producer at Wizards of the Coast, and Xingyu Lei, a senior technical artist for Sony.

9. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is a private research institute recognized throughout the United States for game design. RPI blends technical education, arts, and practical development, and utilizes advanced industry effects at its immersive production studios. The university focuses on active development and industry integration, hosting regular game development events and partnering with industry professionals to further student opportunities through sponsorships, career-launch events, and incubators. RPI’s interdisciplinary program combines both design and technical execution, integrating engineering, arts and media, cognitive science, and social sciences.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s B.S. in Games & Simulation Arts & Sciences (GSAS) game design program ranks among the top in the USA for its strong technical and engineering focus, involving students across disciplines teaming up on game creation. Computer Science, Electronic Arts, Cognitive Science, Writing, Music, and Management are the program’s concentration options. Students learn AI, HCI, and digital arts, including advanced VFX, procedural animation, and simulation training. The Master’s and Doctoral levels offer the Critical Game Design programs, involving a game development project alongside critical analysis of games and their impact.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s facilities include labs and studios for media production, equipped with motion capture, VAST visualization, and VR. RPI’s facilities also include fabrication, audio, and video suites. Venues include the Center of Excellence in Digital Game Development (CEDGD), Games and Simulation Project Space, the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) Media Studio, and the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC).  EMPAC is an arts center with 360° projection and VR/motion capture studios as well as a research facility, focused on experimental media and the intersection of digital technology and human experience.

The NYSTAR-funded GSAS is the primary link connecting Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to students, and it partners with firms such as Vicarious Visions for scholarship sponsorships, hiring of co-op students, guest speakerships, and supporting of game jams and incubators such as Level Upstate. GSAS hosts the GameFest annual symposium and game showcase, where students statewide submit games to be judged by industry professionals. The RPI Game Development Club hosts game jams and workshops every week, and the Rensselaer Game Showcase every year. RPI alumni have strong industry footholds, founding studios Dang!, Vicarious Visions, and Zachtronics.

10. University of California, Santa Cruz

The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) is a public research university esteemed for both game design and game development software, thanks to its structured interdisciplinary curriculum, impressive interactive media facilities, and robust industry collaboration. UCSC’s game design program ranks among the best public university programs in the United States, making the top 5 from 2022 to 2023. UCSC’s game design curriculum blends technical, artistic, and research-focused learning with real-world game development.

The University of California, Santa Cruz offers a B.S. in Computer Science: Computer Game Design (CSGD) and a B.A. in Art & Design: Games & Playable Media (AGPM). The CSGD deep-dives into the technical aspects of computer game engineering, with a broad background in the artistic, systemic, and production elements of game design and development. The AGPM focuses on game creation as a form of art and activism. Students of both the B.A. and B.S. degrees build real, playable games. UCSC’s theory-focused graduate degrees include the M.S. and Ph.D. in Computational Media, an M.S. in Games & Playable Media, and an M.F.A. in Digital Arts and New Media.

The University of California, Santa Cruz includes multiple centres with game‑development facilities, VR/AR gear, media studios, and research facilities. UCSC’s Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE) houses both the B.A. and M.S. in Games and Playable Media programs. The university’s Science & Engineering Library’s Video Game Lab offers gaming stations for research and leisure. UC Santa Cruz’s Digital Arts Research Center (DARC) houses the flexible Media Lab, including drawing and painting studios.

The University of California, Santa Cruz’s Center for Games and Playable Media (CGPM) and Silicon Valley Campus facilitate its game industry connections and career pipelines. The CGPM hosts over 50 game‑industry guest speakers each year, organizes studio tours, offers project evaluations by professionals, and houses several labs working with EA, Google, DARPA, the MacArthur Foundation, and the NSF. UCSC has networking events with alumni and industry connections, including the Game Developers Conference (GDC). UCSC graduates land frequent internships and roles at firms such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Riot Games, PlayStation, Nintendo, Google, Tencent, Zynga, and WB Games.

11. Cornell University

Cornell University (Cornell) is a private Ivy League research university that provides both academic and real-world pathways for students interested in game design, with its strong interdisciplinary computing programs, immersive project learning, and advanced facilities for both research and development. Cornell has respected industry and community partnerships, industry-like game design studios, and a supportive campus environment for both graduate students and undergraduates to collaborate.

Cornell University’s Game Design Initiative (GDIAC) offers a prestigious undergraduate minor in game design, alongside core computing majors such as Computer Science, Information Science, Art, Music, and New Media. The core curriculum features creative courses and semester-long collaborative team projects where interdisciplinary teams of artists, programmers, musicians, and writers build original games, emulating indie studio experiences. Students develop portfolios across multiple courses and independent studios. Grad students enroll in these courses and undertake game-related research, having frequent collaboration with undergraduates.

Cornell University’s facilities imitate real-world game development environments. Carpenter Hall and the Physical Sciences Building contain studio-style classrooms and maker spaces, showcasing end-of-semester projects to public audiences. The Esports Gaming Lounge offers high‑end Alienware PCs, as well as PS5 and Switch consoles. Cornell’s campus resources are broad-spectrum to support multidisciplinary game development projects. Other venues include the College of Architecture’s art and sound labs and its Milstein Hall, with design and physical rapid prototyping labs and 3D printing facilities.

Cornell University’s GDIAC maintains robust ties with major studios, including EA, Nintendo, Valve, Riot Games, Bethesda, Zynga, and Irrational Games. Students accumulate a portfolio of games during their coursework and participate in the annual public Game Design Showcase, attracting hundreds and offering feedback from game professionals and the public, as well as networking with potential employers. Alumni and industry collaborators of the university host recruitment events and participate in joint research projects and mentorship programs with students. Cornell’s industry networks form career pipelines for students to land internships and roles in the industry.

12. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public university offering graduate and undergraduate game design programs with consistent global top rankings. UCF’s courses, run by faculty with professional track records, focus on both creative and technical mastery through a layered, industry-maintained, and comprehensive approach to game design. UCF’s game design programs have a reputation for providing solid production quality, strong game industry connections, and a studio-like experience facilitated by XR hardware. The University’s location in Orlando’s entertainment ecosystem facilitates its strategic partnerships and provides networking opportunities to those pursuing careers in game design.

The University of Central Florida provides two flagship programs in game design, both incorporating practical game-making. The B.A. GaIM degree incorporates game design, programming, 2D/3D art, animation, and interactive media, utilizing studios and mixed-reality tech in UCF’s Maker Space. The Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) 16-month M.S. program has specialist tracks in production, design, programming, and art, with team-based game design, rapid prototyping, and full-cycle development. Both the B.A. GaIM and the M.S. FIEA are consistent in their global top ranking, with FIEA at No. 1 for four of the past five years, and GaIM at No. 5, as well as No. 1 in the South in 2025.

The University of Central Florida Downtown’s Center for Emerging Media offers production-scale environments with high-tech studio and classroom space. Its Studio 500 contains a 3,300 ft² motion‑capture stage and 3,500 ft² sound stage, both among the largest on the East Coast. GaIM Maker Space in the Nicholson School features cross-disciplinary peer collaboration zones and is equipped with high-performance PCs, AR/VR setups, OptiTrack motion‑capture, 3D printers, laser cutters, and recording studios. The venue also contains audio production spaces that support mixed reality, physical computing, and sound design.

The University of Central Florida offers strong industry ties via alumni with companies such as EA, Ubisoft, Microsoft, Riot Games, Iron Galaxy, Epic Games, and Universal, with EA’s on-campus EA SPORTS Innovation Lab offering internships and immersive collaboration. FIEA’s Industry Relations team organizes guest lectures, workshops, mock interviews, and internship placements, with over 400 companies hiring graduates and an 88% graduate placement rate. Orlando’s Creative Village’s digital media ecosystem and the Orlando Entertainment Hub facilitate direct career pipelines and local integration.

What are the best video game design colleges in Texas?

The best video game design colleges in Texas include Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Dallas, and others.  Texas’ top game design universities are set apart by their track record of equipping students with provable hands-on experience, their distinguishing strengths in particular focus areas, and the facilities they possess. Top schools also leverage local studio connections to keep curricula relevant to real work environments, and provide networking, mentoring, and career progression opportunities for students to give them an edge.

Texas has a significant local game industry, contributing $4.15 billion in output to its economy, and providing exposure for students at game design institutes as employment pipelines. Industry exposure comes in the form of game jams, internship programs, mentorships, and opportunities to work on real research projects alongside professional game developers, in studio-like environments. Project-based curricula further emulate industry work to prepare students for future employment. One example of Texas universities’ connections is the University of Texas at Austin (UT), leveraging the second-largest collection of game companies in the USA, a network whose annual economic contrubution is near $1 billion.

Southern Methodist University (SMU): SMU is a private college, with a consistent ranking in the Princeton Review’s top 10 graduate schools in Game Design for its prestigious Guildhall program. Guildhall offers a Master of Interactive Technology degree, providing specialization routes for the design, coding, art and production aspects of game making. SMU students work in teams to create their own games as part of their curricula, equipped by the university’s own frameworks, production-like GameLab and emulation of real-world game development. SMU hosts numerous career-building game jams, expos and social events, and has run training and professional mentorship programs with Valve, Sony, Square Enix, and Rockstar Games.

Texas A&M University (Texas A&M): Texas A&M is a public university providing  multi-disciplinary degree options that equip students for game design through project-based learning, creating real games during their curriculum. B.S., M.S. and M.F.A. degree options are available to students, consisting of various art, design and development courses. Texas A&M’s studios and labs have professional workstations, AR and VR tech, and tools for creating physical components for immersive experiences. Industry professionals such as Lucasfilm and Epic Games provide workshops, mentorship and collaboration at Chillenium, the largest student-organised game jam event in the world, which is hosted by the university.

University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin): UT Austin is a public institution whose curriculum lets students build real games. The Game Development and Design course teaches the narrative, programming, design and production aspects of game development across four departments. The university has numerous research and development resources, such as the Lab for Immersive Media, recording facilities, the Foundry fabrication space with 3D printers and other physical prototyping tools, and the Odeon Institute. UT Austin’s game development society is a staple at SXSW, allowing networking with Unity, EA Games and others. The Academy for Game Development, a summer program facilitated by UT Austin, is well-renowned.

University of Houston, Clear Lake (UHCL): UHCL is a public academic institution with a cross-discipline game development program that provides both a strong theoretical foundation and studio-emulating game creation. UHCL’s B.A. in Serious Games & Simulations delves into game writing, design, art, and development courses, and has students working on industry tools like Unreal, Maya, Unity, and the Adobe suite. Students have access to design resources across multiple platforms, including VR, console and PC setups at the university’s Innovation Lab. UHCL has had research funded by DARPA, and have partnered with companies like NASA, Tietronix, and Intuitive Machines on projects and internships.

University of North Texas (UNT): UNT is a public college offering both a Game Programming Certificate and a multidisciplinary degree in Game Studies & Design (B.S. GMSD). Students of UNT’s Game Programming Certificate learn game design physics, math, C++, graphics and coding. UNT’s B.S. GMSD provides courses in interactive storytelling, culture, game design, art  and game development, with student teams building games on tools like Unreal Engine. UNT’s resources include Discovery Park, the Laboratory for Recreational Computing, and UNT Media Library. UNT holds career events to connect students with local studios, and has alumni working at Paradigm Entertainment, Treyarch, and Terminal Reality.

University of Texas at Dallas (UTD): UTD is a public university that provides both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in game design, including hands-on game creation. UTD’s  Animation & Games B.A. teaches interactive storytelling, game design, and animation. Students of the Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication M.F.A. work on experimental and research-based game development. UTD houses a Games & Media Library, XR and motion capture technology, experimental and developmental labs, and render farms. The school showcases student games at DreamHack Dallas, organizes career fairs, and has guest lectures from studios like DreamWorks, with alumni working at Disney, Pixar, and Blizzard.

Abilene Christian University (ACU): ACU is a private research institution that offers small class sizes in its undergraduate game design program and focuses on the technical and creative aspects of game design. Enrollees of ACU’s Digital Entertainment Technology B.S. degree (B.S. DET) learn game level design, programming, and 3D animation. ACU’s B.S. DET curriculum includes developing real games using Unreal Engine. Students have access to the AT&T Learning Studio and Innovation Foundry, which contain recording equipment and XR facilities. Fabrication labs, containing laser cutters, 3D printers, and other tools, are available for physical prototyping. Alumni of ACU work at Gearbox, Activision, and Sony, among other studios.

St. Edward’s University (St. Edward’s): St. Edward’s is a private college with a comprehensive undergraduate degree in game development, covering the full cycle of the game design process. The B.A. in Video Game Development teaches the stages of initial conceptualizing, storytelling, art, game development, QA, and the release process. St Edward’s has facilities such as green screen equipment, voiceover studios, and animation studios containing PCs with Cintiq displays, in dedicated venues like the Digital Media Center. Student work is showcased at local events like Classic Game Fest, the Austin Game Conference, and Meet the Makers, which attract nearby studios such as Blizzard, EA, and others.

University of the Incarnate Word (UIW): UIW is a private university offering an undergraduate degree in 3D Animation and Game Design. UIW’s B.F.A allows specialization in 3D modelling, 3D animation, production management, and game design. Students gain a mix of practical and theoretical knowledge, utilizing technologies like motion capture, studying artistic techniques such as drawing anatomy, and learning the history of animation. UIW has a green room, motion capture and general production facilities, and multiple computer labs reserved for its game design and animation curriculum.  The university showcases student-created games, providing professional networking opportunities, and has alumni in game and entertainment studios.

What are the best game design schools in California?

The best game design schools in California are the University of Southern California, the University of California, Santa Cruz, the University of Silicon Valley, and others. Features that distinguish the top game design universities in California are the facilities they offer students, the practical skills they teach, the overall comprehensiveness of their curricula, and the options for specialization that they provide for students. Game design curricula often incorporate film, art, design, and tech modules, informed by the local entertainment and tech industries.  California’s tech and media studios grant students proximity to the industry, as top colleges leverage their connections to network students via student work showcase events and facilitated internships.

California contains some of the best colleges for film, tech, and game design in the USA and on a global scale, as well as being home to numerous multinational and industry-leading game studios, tech companies, and entertainment corporations. LA’s entertainment hub is accessible to schools like USC and NYFA-LA, while schools in the Bay Area benefit from Silicon Valley’s nearby tech hub. Networking opportunities with major studios, tech innovators, and investors plays a role in many students’ decisions to study at these institutions.

University of Southern California (USC): USC is a private university that pushes practical game-making in their game design degrees, which include B.S., B.F.A, M.F.A. and M.S. options. Students are taught the whole game design process, learning storywriting, design, prototyping, development, sound, art, serious games and immersive technologies, and building a game over the course of a year. Games are built in teams, emulating a studio experience. USC’s resources include development kits for consoles and PC, UX labs, motion capture and XR equipment, and USC Game Studios. USC has an Annual Expo Day, endowments from Microsoft and EA, faculty with AAA and indie experience and speakers from Riot Games, Epic Games, and Naughty Dog.

New York Film Academy, Los Angeles (NYFA-LA): NYFA-LA is a private institute that provides multiple game design qualifications, including B.F.A, A.F.A, M.F.A, and 1-year certificate options. Students learn programming in C# with Unity, how to design levels, game art, and the business side of game design, as well as developing their own games every semester. NYFA-LA’s facilities include labs for animation, VFX, and game development, and sets for filming. Faculty of NYFA-LA come from Riot Games, Activision Blizzard, and Marvel, with guest speakers having worked on games from the Call of Duty, Halo, and Pokémon franchises. NYFA-LA is near Universal Studios, and alumni are at Riot, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, EA, and Rockstar.

Los Angeles Film School (LAFS): LAFS is a private college that offers two degree options, a Game Production associate degree spanning 18 months and a Game Art-specialized B.S. degree in Animation, which both include comprehensive game design courses and building playable games as part of the curriculum. Students of either course learn storytelling, game design, game development, and 2D and 3D animation, and develop their games and interactive projects using industry-standard tools and equipment. LAFS has consoles and Alienware PCs, VFX and animation equipment, sound stages, and TeckKits for students to utilize. LAFS leverages its proximity to Hollywood for guest lectures and entertainment sector networking.

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): CalArts is a private institute offering an interdisciplinary Game Arts B.F.A degree. The Game Arts B.F.A consists of coursework, workshops, and studio projects. CalArts’ facilities include PC labs, XR and motion capture technology, and fabrication studios. CalArts’ faculty form part of its industry connections, with many active in the industry, such as Danny Bilson, writer of James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, and Tracy Fullerton, a game designer on Walden, A Game. CalArts hosts showcases of student work to attract game studios and entertainment companies, such as Disney, which has hired many graduates of its courses.

ArtCenter College of Design – Pasadena (ACCD, or ArtCenter): ArtCenter is a private school of art and design that allows specialization in Game Design within its B.S. in Entertainment Design degree. ArtCenter’s specialization course delves into storytelling, art and animation, game design, game development, and UX design, and has students teaming up to build real games. ArtCenter has XR facilities, labs for fabrication and media production, and the Creative Hub, housing specialized classrooms, studios, labs and exhibition spaces. Student submissions from ArtCenter have won the alt.ctrl.GDC Audience Awards for the past 3 years. ArtCenter has guest lecturers, mentors and faculty from Activision Blizzard, Riot Games, and Insomniac.

Gnomon School of Visual Effects – Hollywood (Gnomon): Gnomon is a private institute that provides a B.F.A in Digital Production which provides an optional Game Art specialization. The Game Art curriculum teaches students to use game development industry tools like the Unity and Unreal engines, and graphics tools like Maya, Houdini and Substance, while teaching techniques like 3D modelling, animation, and real-time rendering. Gnomon has XR and green screen facilities, galleries, studios for physical art, and nine labs running powerful PCs. Faculty at Gnomon work at studios like EA Games, Activision Blizzard, Industrial Light and Magic, and Naughty Dog, and the institute claims to have placed 95% of students in industry jobs last year.

University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC): UCSC is a public college offering B.S., B.A., M.S., M.F.A, and Ph.D. game design degrees. Both undergraduate degrees involve building real games, with courses in narrative, game design, development, and game art. The B.A. in Art & Design: Games and Playable Media focuses on games as activism and art. The B.S. in Computer Science: Computer Game Design concentrates on computer science. UCSC’s facilities include research, visualization and development labs, the interdepartmental Ludo Lab, and XR tech. UCSC holds student game showcase events, with faculty like Robin Hunicke, who worked on Journey at EA, and alumni at Google, Ubisoft, EA, Tencent and Activision Blizzard.

Chapman University – Orange County (CU): CU is a private university whose game design offerings include B.F.A and B.S. options and a minor available to all degrees. CU’s Game Development Programming minor was informed by industry professionals from studios such as Obsidian, Sony, and Blizzard, and teaches game design, art, and computer science topics, with hands-on practical components. Students have access to CU’s render farms, the Digital Media Arts Center, and production studios with XR and motion capture equipment, an LED wall, sound stages, and other facilities. CU’s career center has networks with multiple entertainment studios, and alumni have gone on to work at Disney, Blizzard, Sony, DreamWorks and Pixar.

Academy of Art University – San Francisco (ArtU or AAU): ArtU is a private college, providing B.F.A, A.A. and M.F.A. game design offerings. ArtU’s curricula delve into game art, design, development, and emerging tech. Students of ArtU’s game design courses have access to labs with XR technology, sound stages, Cintiq displays, and Alienware PCs. ArtU students have had mentoring from Blizzard and Stellantis, and collaborated through the university on joint projects with Stellantis and NASA. Graduates of CU have found work at Bizzard, Striking Distance Studios, Ubisoft, Riot, and Sony.

University of Silicon Valley (USV): USV is a private academic institution with B.A. and B.S. options for game design. The B.A. Game Design focuses on the creative aspects such as player experience, narrative and game mechanics, while the B.S. Game Engineering delves into the technical aspects of game development. Both courses involve C#, Unreal, Unity, ZBrush and Maya, with students working as a team to develop games for clients. USV’s resources include XR and motion capture equipment, PC labs running industry tools, workspaces and other facilities. USV has faculty from EA, Dreamworks, Activision, EA, Disney, and Ubisoft. Alumni have gone on to work at Epic Games, Sony, Bethesda, Rockstar Games, Blizzard, and EA.

Do game design colleges help you find a job after graduation?

Game design colleges don’t directly help you find a job after graduation, because studios will look primarily at your portfolio and skills when considering you for a particular position. Effective game design colleges help by teaching practical skills, facilitating portfolio development, and providing industry exposure opportunities. Industry exposure opportunities take the form of game showcase events, mentorships, facilitated internships, and other career services. Industry professionals’ and alumni reviews and third-party graduate employment statistics provide valuable insights about how much a particular college’s curriculum has helped graduates’ work prospects.

Strong game design colleges help students in the following ways.

• Structured learning: Structured learning from a formalised course in video game design is more effective for certain types of learners. Game design universities use structured learning to instill foundational knowledge.
• Industry mentorship: Industry mentorship directs students in both practical game development and industry processes. Strong colleges facilitate this through:
  • Course coordinators with AAA and indie experience
  • Partnerships with industry professionals for guest lectures and practical mentorships.
  • Partnerships with professional game studios on projects, giving valuable experience in real-world industry game development.
  • Career services often provide coaching to improve interviewing skills.

• Industry networking: Industry networking through university job fairs, game showcase events, game jams, alumni, and mixers connect students with companies.
• Practical skills and portfolio development: Practical skills and portfolio development within the curriculum indicate that it’s preparing students for the games industry. Industry-effective game design courses involve building full-cycle, industry-ready games.

I don’t have personal experience with how effective university career programs are at connecting students with game studios and recruiters, but internships are still valuable in building your career. I interned with Microsoft while I was at RIT, which I consider to have been a worthwhile experience; although the internship wasn’t in game development, given there were no dedicated game development courses available at the time.

A degree or other qualification reflects dedication and achievement of a high level of formal education; however, employment in the game industry isn’t guaranteed from passing a particular curriculum. Colleges highlight their industry connections, alumni success stories, and employment statistics to advertise their course outcomes; however, your success at becoming a game designer still depends on your portfolio, initiative, practical skill level, and whether you meet the requirements of the jobs you apply to.

How much do the best game design colleges cost?

The best game design colleges’ costs range from the cheapest, $25,796 per annum for UCF in-state undergraduate students, to the most expensive, $99,139 per year, for USC undergraduates. Tuition and fees alone for UCF cost $5,954, whereas USC’s cost $75,162. Cost of living at UCF costs $19,842, for both on and off-campus estimates, with USC’s equivalent being $23,977 for either on or off-campus living. Cost of living in these estimates includes housing, food, books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation. A comparison of UCF’s and USC’s 2025 to 2026 undergraduate costs and affecting factors is below.

Tuition cost factors: Tuition cost factors in the USA depend on whether the university is public or private, the level of the qualification, the prestige of a specific school’s qualifications, whether a private college is for-profit or nonprofit, and whether a public college is in the same state or district the student resides in, or lies outside of it. Financial aid options and repayment prospects should also be considered when evaluating the costs of a particular college.

Is it possible to get into the gaming industry without attending college?

It is possible to get into the gaming industry without attending college or obtaining a college degree, as a studio will look at your practical game design skills and portfolio when considering you for a job. A strong portfolio, industry experience, community engagement, and continuous learning are what you need to go into the video game industry.

• A strong portfolio: A strong portfolio is more important than a degree. A diverse project range will showcase your skills.
• Game jams and community engagement: Game jams and community engagement are useful for networking. Community events build industry relationships, facilitating mentorship, collaborations, and even job referrals. Community engagement also keeps you informed about industry trends, to better tailor your skillset.
•  Alternative education: Alternative education through online courses is flexible and affordable. Courses that teach practical game development skills are the ones you should focus on.
• Industry experience: Industry experience, through internships and tester roles, is an entry point to the games industry. Entry-level jobs allow you to learn the industry’s workflow and build connections that facilitate transitioning into a developer role.