1. Liberty University
Liberty University offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology — Gaming Design. The online bachelor’s in video game design is designed to give students the programming and design skills they need to join the exciting and evolving game design industry. Designed to be completed in under four years, the program allows students to continue to work while going to college. The curriculum focuses on current tools and best practices, ensuring that students are at the forefront of new technology and trends. Students will learn technical skills in programming and design that are critical for a future in game design. On top of developing technical skills, students can also take advantage of an online community of future game designers, allowing them to grow their networks and open the door to future career opportunities.
- Tuition: $11,700
- Graduation rate: 34%
2. Franklin University
Franklin University offers a Bachelor of Science in Interactive Media Design. The project-based curriculum allows students to showcase actual client work when creating a professional portfolio. Students get hands-on experience with popular programming languages and software. From gaming to mobile apps to websites, the online bachelor’s in video game design can open up a variety of technical, artistic, and management career paths. From needs analysis to deployment, from technical and non-technical, this degree-completion program equips students to deliver interactive solutions throughout the development lifecycle.
- Tuition: $12,024
- Graduation rate: 33%
3. Lindenwood University
At Lindenwood University, students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Game Design. The program is designed to prepare students for working in a game studio environment. The online bachelor’s in video game design curriculum includes advanced game design and production courses, allowing students to move from conception to application, covering key industry concepts ranging from aesthetics and immersion to usability and game economics. Students will also study foundational topics like storytelling and character development. Project and portfolio courses are threaded throughout the curriculum and are dedicated to providing a relevant and comprehensive curriculum. Experienced faculty members have the educational background and real-world, professional skills that allow them to understand the changing landscape of the industry.
- Tuition: $18,000
- Graduation rate: 58%
4. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
The online bachelor’s in video game design at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design merges artistic and technical courses. The aim is to teach the true mechanics and analysis of game design while making sure students are also introduced to everything from the graphics of game art to creative and technical writing. A proprietary online learning management system gives students a structured yet flexible learning environment. Students receive continuous collaboration and consistent communication from the online faculty, who are also practicing industry professionals. Program highlights include 3D modeling, lighting and texture, visual storytelling, character rigging and animation, level design, and business ethics and copyrights.
- Tuition: $16,320
- Graduation rate: 38%
5. University of Advancing Technology
The University of Advancing Technology offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Game Design. Students in the degree program develop a broad skill set and are comfortable with many languages and platforms. Students learn to develop games designed for the web, PC, console, and mobile devices. Graduates with an online bachelor’s in video game design master the programming techniques and principles in all video game programming disciplines. They also learn scripting, C++ programming, DirectX/Open GL development, data handling, gameplay interaction, artificial intelligence, game engine architecture, networking, and the use of middleware and industry APIs.
- Tuition: $13,000
- Graduation rate: 30%
6. The Art Institute of San Antonio
The Art Institute of San Antonio offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art and Design. The online degree program teaches students how to take games from concept to market-ready. Students hone their skills and passion for gaming as they prepare for careers as key players and virtual storytellers. Highlights of the program include digital imaging, 2D animation, texture mapping, and life drawing.
- Tuition: $24,075
- Graduation rate: 39%
7. Middle Georgia State University
The School of Computing at Middle Georgia State University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology. The degree is available in nine concentrations, including Integrated Digital Media and Game Design. The program provides students with knowledge in the core information technologies and builds on that knowledge to create professionals who meet the business and economic needs of Central Georgia. The core knowledge in the Bachelor of Science degree includes programming, web design, systems analysis and design, human-computer interaction, database principles, project management, legal and ethical issues in information technology, and information assurance. In the Senior Capstone course, students work in teams to analyze, design, develop, implement, and assess an information system based on their accumulated knowledge throughout the program.
- Tuition: $4,742
- Graduation rate: 18%
8. Baker College
Baker College offers an online bachelor’s in video game design. Before graduation, students will go through a complete game development process so they have the hands-on experience they need to see a game through to completion. The Bachelor of Science in Game Software Development teaches students the skills they need to develop, design, and test games across a wide number of formats and platforms, from computers to major video game consoles and everything in between. Designed with experts in the industry, the program will teach students the entire game development process, from conception to design to final publication. In addition to the game development expertise, the program provides a solid foundation in computer science through courses in various programming languages, data structures and algorithms, and artificial intelligence. Graduates will have a strong foundation in computer science and computer programming and can continue their education with a Master of Science in Information Systems degree.
- Tuition: $12,750
- Graduation rate: 18%
9. Full Sail University
Full Sail University offers a range of online undergraduate gaming degree programs including Game Art, Game Design, and Game Development. They also offer Simulation and Visualization as an online degree program. The Game Art degree focuses on the fundamentals of interactive graphics development, including character creation, environment and prop creation, the game production pipeline, in-game effects, and animation. Students of Game Design learn production processes used by today’s studios to design and produce games while studying the building blocks of narrative design. In the Game Development program, students master the technology and tools necessary to develop and program single and multiplayer video games for gaming consoles, personal computers, and networks. The Simulation and Visualization degree familiarizes students with the technical and critical thinking skills needed to study, architect, develop, and test simulation and visualization systems. Across all degree programs, every step of the teaching process is designed to emulate the development studio experience and arm students with a knowledge base as vast and varied as the industry itself.
- Tuition: $22,000
- Graduation rate: 36%
10. The Art Institute of Austin
The online bachelor’s in video game design at The Art Institute of Austin prepares students for a career where they can feed their passion for gaming and turn the skills they’ve honed into the ability to do what they love for a living. In the Game Art and Design degree program, students can learn what they need to become key players in the game creation process. Using the same kinds of technology professionals use, students will explore what it takes to get games into the production pipeline and to get themselves into a dynamic industry.
- Tuition: $24,075
- Graduation rate: 26%
11. Savannah College of Art and Design
Students at Savannah College of Art and Design can pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interactive Design and Game Development. The online degree bridges art and technology with interactive design and game development to transform digital media. Students have access to superpowered tech including AR/VR labs, win prestigious gaming competitions like E3 College Game Competition and Intel University Games Showcase, and move the needle at companies like Apple, Adobe, Electronic Arts, and Microsoft. From participation in professional conferences to collaborations with digital media giants, students capitalize on their passion for interactive design.
- Tuition: $37,575
- Graduation rate: 66%
12. The Art Institute of Tampa
Students pursuing an online bachelor’s in video game design at The Art Institute of Tampa will be surrounded and inspired by other talented, creatively driven students. Students will be pushed, challenged, and supported by experienced faculty. The program is designed to put students’ talent and commitment to the test and to put them in a position to succeed. Students take classes in subjects including game modeling, material and lighting, and game production pipeline.
- Tuition: $24,075
- Graduation rate: 22%
13. The Art Institute of Dallas
The Art Institute of Dallas offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art and Design. In the competitive game industry, companies are looking for creative people who are passionate about the craft of taking a game from concept to market-ready. The curriculum for Game Art and Design will help students prepare to do just that. Students study digital storytelling, character and object design, 3D modeling, and designing interior spaces and worlds.
- Tuition: $24,075
- Graduation rate: 21%
14. Davenport University
Davenport University offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Students can customize their computer science degree to their future career plans by choosing one of three cutting-edge specialties in Artificial Intelligence, Computer theory and Algorithms, and Gaming and Simulation. Small class sizes mean students will develop mentoring relationships with industry-experienced and internationally respected faculty. Most courses can be taken 100% online through Davenport’s Global Campus, though the gaming specialty requires some hands-on learning in the university’s state-of-the-art gaming lab.
- Tuition: $24,450
- Graduation rate: 21%
15. The Art Institute of Atlanta
The online bachelor’s in video game design at The Art Institute of Atlanta is built on a core creative foundation. The program features a rigorous curriculum including courses in game art and design, drawing and anatomy, and 3D animation. Students receive the mentoring and real-world experience they need to prevail, including support from faculty who’ve worked in the field and internship possibilities at successful businesses. Students are encouraged and expected to be bold, to take risks, and to push themselves and the people around them.
- Tuition: $24,075
- Graduation rate: 16%
16. Academy of Art University
The main goal of the Academy of Art University’s online game development school is to help students earn practical knowledge and technical skills that will prove valuable in the real-world industry. Students wishing to pursue an online bachelor’s in video game design can choose from a Bachelor of Fine Arts Game Design or a Bachelor of Science in Game Programming. Coursework includes beautifully produced videos, narrated slideshows, digital documents, interviews with experts, and livestreams. All online students get the same quality education as their on-campus counterparts, including the same instructors.
- Tuition: $26,728
- Graduation rate: 44%
Still looking for the best fit degree in video game design? Our Degree Finder tool can help.
Our Ranking Methodology
To determine how to rank each college, we researched and evaluated each video game design school’s estimated annual cost of tuition and on-time graduation rate. We used in-state and online tuition rates where available. We took annual tuition rates directly from each school’s website and graduation data from Google. We sorted each school first by the cost of tuition (lower is better) and then by graduation rate (higher is better), letting each value make up equal portions (50%) of the final rankings. Where schools were tied in the rankings, we gave additional weight to the cost of tuition.
If you work for one of the schools we ranked and you notice an error in the information we used to rank you, please feel free to contact us and let us know so we can make a correction.
