A study was performed ranking the top schools that offer video game design programs and out of 150 schools, USC was ranked the highest. The study included questions that covered a range of topics from academics to career accomplishments. The study factored in data about scholarships, financial aid and career opportunities offered by the school. These are the highest ranked graduate and undergraduate video game design programs offered in the USA.
1. University of Southern California – Interactive Media Division and Computer Science Masters
Graduate Program is located in Los Angeles, CA it has around 40 students enrolled in the Interactive Media Division and about 90 students enrolled in the Computer Science Program. Their student faculty ratio in Interactive Media Division is 2 to 1. The student faculty ratio in the Computer Science Program is 23 to 1. The annual tuition in the Interactive Media Division is around $26,000 and annual tuition in the Computer Science Program is about $20,000.
The University of Southern California – Interactive Media Division and Computer Science Masters Undergraduate Program is located in Los Angeles, CA and has about 16,500 students enrolled in Interactive Media Division and around 16,500 students enrolled in Computer Science Program. The student faculty ratio in Interactive Media Division and the Computer Science Program is 9 to 1. The annual tuition in Interactive Media Division and Computer Science is around $40,000.
2. University of Central Florida – Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy Graduate Program
Located in Orlando, FL and has about 60 students enrolled. The student faculty ratio is 8 to 1. Their annual tuition is about $33,000 for in state students and around $55,000 for out of state students. The University of Utah – Entertainment Arts and Engineering Undergraduate Program is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and they have around 22,000 students enrolled and the student faculty ratio is about 15 to 1. The annual tuition is about $5,500 for in state students and $19,000 for out of state students.
3. Southern Methodist University – The Guildhall at SMU Graduate Program
Located in Dallas, TX it has a little over 100 students enrolled. The student faculty ratio is 7 to 1, and $31,000 is the estimated annual tuition. The DigiPen Institute of Technology Undergraduate Program is located in Redmond, WA they have around 900 students enrolled. Their student faculty ratio is 12 to 1 and annual tuition is about $500 per credit.
4. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Game Design & Development Graduate Program
Located in Rochester, NY with around 20 students enrolled, their student faculty ratio is 2 to 1, and they have an annual tuition of around $33,000. Michigan State University – Specialization in Game Design and Development Undergraduate Program is located in East Lansing, MI with about 36,000 students enrolled, they have a student faculty ratio of 17 to 1. Their annual tuition is around $12,000 for in state students and $30,000 for out of state students.
5. Drexel University – Drexel Game Design Graduate Program
Located in Philadelphia, PA it has around 25 students enrolled in Game Design. The student faculty ratio is 4 to 1.Their annual tuition is about $24,000 the first year and $22,000 the second year. Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Interactive Media and Game Development
Undergraduate Program is located in Worcester, Mass it has around 3,000 students enrolled and has a student faculty ratio of 14 to 1.The annual tuition is about $38,000.
The University of Southern California offers one of the best Video Game Design programs in the USA. The Interactive Media Division of the School of Cinematic Arts and the Game Pipe program in Department of Computer Science are involved in the university’s video game design program. Around 30 new games are put out by USC each year. The USC Game Pipe program is a leader in education and professional game development. Using individual expression and teamwork along with an energetic community of making and playing gives their program an extra boost.
This program combines computer science with cinematic arts in a brilliant partnership. Reflection is a game released by Konami and designed by USC students, from computer science to cinematic arts majors. In 2009 it won the Independent Games Festival’s Next Great Mobile Game Award. USC has been awarded top prizes for being the best video game design school.
