The best game design schools, ranked by the Princeton Review 2024

26. University of Silicon Valley (#5 West) 

2023 Grads Hired: 20
Faculty: Evan Skolnick (Game Writer), Jason Loia (COO/Game Designer)
Graduates: Raymond Crook (Double Fine Games), Rosie Wrede (Sledgehammer, Twin Sun Games)
https://usv.edu/programs/game-design-development/

27. Howest University of Applied Sciences (#5 International) 

2023 Grads Hired: 80
Faculty: Alexander Delagrange (Airbornstudio, Guerrilla Games), Tristan Clarysse (Larian Studios, Bioware, Argonaut)
Graduates: Alena Dubrovina (Larian Studios), Leslie Van den Broeck (Gravity Well)
https://www.digitalartsandentertainment.be/

28. Miami University (#4 Midwest) 

2023 Grads Hired: 27
2023 Grads Mean Salary: $48,500
Faculty: Geoffrey Long, PhD (MIT, USC, Microsoft, Disney, Amazon, HBO), Ben Nicholson (Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Adidas, League of Legends)
Graduates: Sue Hoang (GIANTY), Michael Frazzini (Amazon Games)
https://www.miamioh.edu/cca/academics/departments/etbd/index.html

29. University of Wisconsin-Stout (#5 Midwest) 

2023 Grads Hired: 20
2023 Grads Mean Salary: $46,000
Faculty: Dave Beck, MFA (Paverson Games), Dr. Seth Berrier (computer graphics, photogrammetry, web interfaces)
Graduates: Margaret Rigotti (Dreamworks Animation), Jose Estrada (Riot Games)
https://www.uwstout.edu/animation-and-game-design-development-studio-lab

30. Purdue University (#6 Midwest) 

2023 Grads Hired: 76
2023 Grads Mean Salary: $63,979
Faculty: Robert Howard (Game Design), Tim McGraw (Game Programming)
Graduates: Dioselin Gonzalez (VR/AR/Metaverse, Microsoft), Tyler Kupferer (Disney)
https://polytechnic.purdue.edu/degrees/game-development-and-design

31. Abilene Christian University (#2 Southwest) 

2023 Grads Hired: 5
2023 Grads Mean Salary: $68,000
Faculty: Karen St. John, PhD (game engine scripting, 2D Game Dev), Arisoa Randrianasolo (Computer Science, AI, Game Programming)
Graduates: Camila Rodrigues-Valesquez (Raven Software), Michelle Brothers (Sony Bend)
https://acu.edu/academics/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-in-digital-entertainment-technology/

32. Marist College (#10 Northeast)

2023 Grads Hired: 60
2023 Grads Mean Salary: Not reported
Faculty: Dr. Karen Schrier (WHO, Nickelodeon), Dr. Ron Coleman (IBM)
Graduates: Darren Sugg (Fortnite), Grace Sin (Nickelodeon)
https://www.marist.edu/games-emerging-media

33. Academy of Art University (#6 West) 

Faculty: Patrick Kenney (3D Modeling), David Goodwine (Producer)
Graduates: Audrey White (Game Taco), Tala Furniss (Playtika)
https://www.academyart.edu/art-degree/game-development/

34. DePaul University (#7 Midwest) 

Faculty: Allen Turner (Disney Interactive Studios/Wideload Games, Council of Fools), Anna Anthropy (Dys4ia, Queers in Love at the End…, author of Rise of the Videogame Zinesters)
Graduates: Monica Fan (Pipeworks Studios), Mark Nauta (Firaxis Games)
https://www.cdm.depaul.edu/landing/gaming/index.html

35. University of Florida (#4 South)

2023 Grads Hired: 33
2023 Grads Mean Salary: $65,000
Faculty: Dr. Amelia Winger-Bearskin (AI and the Arts), Dr. Hyo Jeong Kang (Digital Arts & Sciences, UI/UX)
Graduates: Riley Knutson (Insomniac Games), Kendall Robertson (Microsoft)
https://digital-worlds-institute.itch.io/

36. Dakota State University (#8 Midwest)

2023 Grads Hired: 36
2023 Grads Mean Salary: $42,480
Faculty: Konrad Lightner (3D Art and Design), Erik Pederson (Business Development, Game Design, Product Management)
Graduates: Matt Engesser (Rockstar), Jimmy Chattin (Aristocrat Games)
https://dsu.edu/programs/computer-game-design-bs.html

37. ArtCenter College of Design (#7 West) 

2023 Grads Hired: 100
2023 Grads Mean Salary: Not reported
Faculty: Ross Berger (Writing), Tim FitzRandolph (Game Design)
Graduates: Zack Snyder (Blockbuster Filmmaker), Michael Bay (Blockbuster Movie Director and Producer)
http://www.artcenter.edu/admissions/beyond-game-design.html

38. University of Michigan-Dearborn (#9 Midwest) 

2023 Grads Hired: 30
2023 Grads Mean Salary: $80,000
Faculty: Prof. Bruce Maxim (Sweetspot Games), Prof. Jennifer Proctor (Film Studies)
Graduates: Camile Lagman (Unity), Shane Costello (Counterplay Games)
http://gamelab.cis.umd.umich.edu/

39. New York Film Academy (#8 West) 

2023 Grads Hired: 50
Faculty: Andrew Allen (Showrunner, AAA Game Writer, Feature Film Writer), John Zuur Platten (AAA game designer/writer, TV showrunner, screenwriter)
Graduates: Guillermo Quesada (Amazon Studios), Obinna Eze Ajoku (Microsoft)
https://www.nyfa.edu/game-design-school

40. Ringling College of Art and Design (#5 South)

2023 Grads Hired: 57
2023 Grads Mean Salary: $79,000
Faculty: Morgan Woolverton (Game Development), Cesar Rodriguez (Game Development)
Graduates: Bret Iwan (Lead Voice - Mickey Mouse), Jeff Fowler (Film Director, Film and Visual Effects)
https://www.ringling.edu/game-art/

41. Cleveland Institute of Art (#10 Midwest)

42. Ferris State University (#11 Midwest)

43. Stetson University (#6 South) 

44. Kent State University (#12 Midwest) 

45. Cornell University (#11 Northeast)

46. Indiana University Bloomington (#13 Midwest) 

47. University of Miami (#7 South) 

48. High Point University (#8 South) 

49. University of the Incarnate Word (#3 Southwest)

50. Arizona State University (#4 Southwest)