Common questions about game design schools asked by our readers:
In addition to creating and developing characters, backgrounds, stories, and game play, video game designers often write code using a range of computer programming languages. When it comes to salaries, this group is most closely related to software developers, which is one of the fastest growing occupations in the world. In the U.S., employment change is an impressive 24% for the 2016-2026 decade, which is much faster than average for all occupations. Currently there are more than 1.25 million salaried software developers, earning an average of $105,590 per year. High performers average $166,960. Graduates of game design programs can expect similar earnings and job growth.
Most of the colleges and universities that offer game design programs are top-notch. However, a number of schools routinely rank high among the best of the best game design schools. Just a few include the University of Southern California, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Utah, New York University, Rochester Institute of Technology, DigiPen Institute of Technology, University of California, Santa Cruz, University of Central Florida + FIA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Southern Methodist University.
If you are searching for an affordable game design school, consider a community college or a public college or university. The tuition costs for a public institution are often less than tuition for private institutions, especially if you live in state. Some of the most affordable game design schools are Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia residents $10,106 for the 2017-2018 school year), Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (Indiana residents $8,141 for the 2016-2017 school year), Miami University Oxford (Ohio residents $11,673 for the 2016-2017 school year), University of Utah (Utah residents $7,202 for the 2016-2017 school year), and University of California – Santa Cruz (California residents $13,515 for the 2016-2017 school year). Some of the most affordable independent game design schools are Animation Mentor ($14,994 for the entire certificate program) and The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School (The DAVE School) ($33,500 for the entire digital production diploma program as of 2015).
Most schools that offer game design also offer other programs. However, a number of schools place a stronger focus on game design, animation, and similar areas. A few examples include the Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Animation Mentor, The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School (The DAVE School), University of Central Florida + Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), DigiPen Institute of Technology, Full Sail University, and Gnomon School of Visual Effects.
The U.S. Department of Education awards more than $120 billion a year in grants, work-study funds, and low-interest loans to more than 13 million students. Federal student aid covers such expenses as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid also can help pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care. Colleges may also offer their own loans, known as “institutional aid,” which may be funded by the college's resources, alumni, corporations, foundations, donors, and other sources. Scholarships are also available through the school, companies, organizations, studios, and more.
The following schools are routinely ranked among the best technical schools for game designers: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, DigiPen Institute of Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and University of Advancing Technology.
Most of the colleges and universities that offer game design programs are top-notch. However, a number of schools routinely rank high among the best of the best game design schools. Just a few include the University of Southern California, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Utah, New York University, Rochester Institute of Technology, DigiPen Institute of Technology, University of California, Santa Cruz, University of Central Florida + FIA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Southern Methodist University.
Most of the colleges and universities that offer game development programs are top ranked schools. However, a number of schools routinely rank among the best of the best schools for game developers. Examples include Viterbi School of Engineering at University of Southern California Los Angeles, the School of Computer Science-Computer Science Department and the College of Fine Arts-Integrative Design, Arts and Technology (IDeATe) at Carnegie Mellon University, NYU Game Center, Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, the College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University, and the College of Computer and Information Science (CCIS) - Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University, and the Game School at Full Sail University.
Most of the colleges and universities that offer game programming are top ranked schools. However, a number of schools routinely rank among the best of the best schools for game programmers. Examples include the School of Media Arts, Interactive Arts & Media Department at Columbia College Chicago, The Game School at Full Sail University, the School of Game Development at Academy of Art University, the School of Computer Science-Computer Science Department and the College of Fine Arts-Integrative Design, Arts and Technology (IDeATe) at Carnegie Mellon University, the Department of Computer Graphics at Purdue University – Purdue Polytechnic Institute, the Design Division at Becker College, the College of Arts and Communication at University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, The Division of Communication & Creative Media at Champlain College, and the University of Advancing Technology.
Most of the art schools that offer game art programs are top ranked schools. However, a number of schools routinely rank among the best of the best art schools for game artists. Examples include Laguna College of Art and Design, Savannah College of Art and Design, Ringling College of Art and Design, Academy of Art University, and Full Sail University (entertainment, media and arts school).
Scholarships for game design students are often awarded through companies, organizations, studios, and colleges and universities. While opportunities for game designers are plentiful, they are extremely competitive. Several types are available including scholarships specifically for game designers and scholarships for the broader groups—art and technology. Examples include Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition Awards, Worldstudio AIGA Scholarship, Twitch & Alienware Scholarships, Warner Bros. Reach Honorship Program, Sony GIRL Game Design Competition, Electronic Arts/William J. Byron Endowed Fund for Student Support, Scholarship for Gamers College Scholarship, Penny Arcade Video Game Scholarship, Mark Beaumont Scholarship Fund, Karrlin Field Memorial Scholarship (University of Advancing Technology), IndieCade Scholarship Program by the NYU Game Center, Adobe Design Achievement Awards, ESA Foundation Scholarships, and Evo College Scholarship Award by NYU Tisch School of Arts).
A typical game design program covers three areas: art and design, technology, and business. And math is used in every aspect of game development, including art. Students are often required to take technology courses such as computer programming, sound production, motion capture, and artificial intelligence; art and design classes such as 2D and 3D animation, level and character design, visual storytelling, storyboarding, and creative writing; and business classes include project management and marketing. This combination of courses, which is by no means easy, teaches students how to build a game from initial idea to launch. While the industry is extremely competitive, talent, along with the right education and training, will help graduates get their foot in the door.