Best Game Design Schools Online [2025 Guide]
The world of video game design is highly complex. Behind the scenes of the world's most popular games--like Mario Kart, Call of Duty, or Fortnite--are vast amounts of technological training and insane creativity. These are crucial aspects of the game-making process.
Accessibility and comfort make online schooling an ideal route toward success in this field.
Students work on their schedules and at their own pace, and students with extraneous circumstances not conducive to the traditional college experience find these online programs very gratifying and convenient.
When pursuing an online bachelor's degree in game design, it is important to examine the different areas of design and decide which best suits your interests.
Popular Online Game Design Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Video game design has rapidly grown into a thriving industry, offering exciting career opportunities for creative minds.
As the field expands, many schools offer specialized programs to equip students with the skills to craft immersive digital experiences. These programs teach game creation's technical and artistic aspects, preparing graduates for diverse roles in this dynamic sector.
The job market for video game designers looks promising, with strong growth projected in the coming years. Graduates can explore various career paths, from digital design to animation and graphic design.
While a bachelor's degree is often sufficient for entry-level positions, some may choose to pursue advanced studies to level up their expertise and career prospects.
Key Points
- Video game design programs prepare students for careers in a fast-growing industry
- Job opportunities in digital design and related fields are expected to increase significantly
- A bachelor's degree in video game design typically provides the necessary skills for most entry-level positions
Rankings
EDsmart assesses online game design programs based on data that covers four main areas:
- Cost (average net price)
- Academic quality (graduation rate)
- Student satisfaction (retention rate)
- Student outcome (the median earnings of former students who received federal financial aid, 6 years after entering the school)
All data was gathered from College Scorecard and school websites.
This ranking aims to help students assess the affordability and value of top online game design schools to make informed decisions about which college to attend.
Best Game Design Schools Online [2025 Guide]
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Location: Atlanta, GA
Admission Rate: 17%
Average SAT Score: 1480
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,379
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $29,148
In-state Tuition and Fees: $11,764
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $32,876
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $21,672
Median Earnings (10 years): $102,772
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Cambridge, MA
Admission Rate: 4%
Average SAT Score: 1560
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,638
Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $77,020
In-state Tuition and Fees: $57,986
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $57,986
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $14,768
Median Earnings (10 years): $143,372
University of Utah
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Admission Rate: 89%
Average SAT Score: 1236
Undergraduate Enrollment: 25,392
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Average Cost of Attendance: $18,891
In-state Tuition and Fees: $9,315
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $29,837
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $19,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $67,170
University of Central Florida
Location: Orlando, FL
Admission Rate: 41%
Average SAT Score: 1281
Undergraduate Enrollment: 57,874
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $22,662
In-state Tuition and Fees: $6,368
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $22,467
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $18,190
Median Earnings (10 years): $58,308
Michigan State University
Location: East Lansing, MI
Admission Rate: 88%
Average SAT Score: 1273
Undergraduate Enrollment: 39,021
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $29,204
In-state Tuition and Fees: $15,372
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $41,958
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $23,250
Median Earnings (10 years): $67,253
Northeastern University
Location: Boston, MA
Admission Rate: 7%
Average SAT Score: 1505
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,172
Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $78,153
In-state Tuition and Fees: $60,192
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $60,192
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $24,250
Median Earnings (10 years): $92,538
University of Southern California
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Admission Rate: 12%
Average SAT Score: 1520
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,505
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $81,298
In-state Tuition and Fees: $64,726
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $64,726
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $18,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $92,498
Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Admission Rate: 11%
Average SAT Score: 1546
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,005
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $77,465
In-state Tuition and Fees: $61,344
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $61,344
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $21,750
Median Earnings (10 years): $114,862
New York University
Location: New York, NY
Admission Rate: 12%
Average SAT Score: 1527
Undergraduate Enrollment: 29,136
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $76,563
In-state Tuition and Fees: $58,168
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $58,168
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $20,500
Median Earnings (10 years): $82,509
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Location: Troy, NY
Admission Rate: 65%
Average SAT Score: 1457
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,886
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $77,763
In-state Tuition and Fees: $60,074
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $60,074
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $23,750
Median Earnings (10 years): $102,051
Rochester Institute of Technology
Location: Rochester, NY
Admission Rate: 67%
Average SAT Score: 1370
Undergraduate Enrollment: 13,152
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $68,666
In-state Tuition and Fees: $54,518
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $54,518
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $26,778
Median Earnings (10 years): $76,571
Drexel University
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Admission Rate: 80%
Average SAT Score: 1333
Undergraduate Enrollment: 13,933
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $72,427
In-state Tuition and Fees: $58,965
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $58,965
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $25,325
Median Earnings (10 years): $84,648
Lindenwood University
Location: Saint Charles, MO
Admission Rate: 74%
Average SAT Score: 1177
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,627
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $32,719
In-state Tuition and Fees: $19,300
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $19,300
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $26,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $53,278
Champlain College
Location: Burlington, VT
Admission Rate: 56%
Average SAT Score: 1259
Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,031
Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $61,248
In-state Tuition and Fees: $44,220
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $44,220
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $26,814
Median Earnings (10 years): $58,386
Savannah College of Art and Design
Location: Savannah, GA
Admission Rate: 82%
Average SAT Score: 1179
Undergraduate Enrollment: 13,352
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $58,970
In-state Tuition and Fees: $39,605
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $39,605
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $25,148
Median Earnings (10 years): $45,954
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Location: Redmond, WA
Admission Rate: 66%
Average SAT Score: 1301
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,058
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $48,239
In-state Tuition and Fees: $36,100
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $36,100
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $27,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $79,878
University of Advancing Technology
Location: Tempe, AZ
Admission Rate: 92%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 802
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $30,202
In-state Tuition and Fees: $18,794
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $18,794
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $28,812
Median Earnings (10 years): $50,719
Liberty University
Location: Lynchburg, VA
Admission Rate: 99%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 48,408
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $41,963
In-state Tuition and Fees: $22,511
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $22,511
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $24,500
Median Earnings (10 years): $44,813
Baker College
Location: Owosso, MI
Admission Rate: 37%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,230
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $22,902
In-state Tuition and Fees: $12,710
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $12,710
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $25,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $35,833
Full Sail University
Location: Winter Park, FL
Admission Rate: Data unavailable
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 25,526
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $37,873
In-state Tuition and Fees: $26,307
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $26,307
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $27,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,219
Southern New Hampshire University
Location: Manchester, NH
Admission Rate: 96%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 138,138
Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $36,121
In-state Tuition and Fees: $15,380
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $15,380
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $21,082
Median Earnings (10 years): $50,318
Academy of Art University
Location: San Francisco, CA
Admission Rate: Data unavailable
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,555
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $44,484
In-state Tuition and Fees: $28,024
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $28,024
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $31,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $39,008
Picking the Right School for Game Design
Narrow Down Your Area of Interest
Game design offers various paths for students to explore. Different degree types cater to specific aspects of the field. A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) centers on artistic skills, while a Bachelor of Science (BS) focuses more on technical elements. For a mix of both, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) provides general education along with major courses.
Students can also pick a specialty within game design:
- 3D art
- 2D art
- Sound design
- Production
- Writing
Think about your strengths and what parts of game design excite you most. This will help guide your choice.
Look Into Schools and Their Programs
After deciding on your focus, start looking at schools. Visit their websites to learn about:
- Course details
- Admission rules
- Teachers
- Hands-on learning chances
- Costs
Try to join campus tours or online info sessions. These events let you talk to current students and teachers.
Ask yourself:
- Does the program match my interests?
- What special topics can I study?
- Who will be teaching me?
- Can I get real work experience?
- How much will it cost?
- Is the school properly certified?
Make sure the school has the right certifications. This affects things like money for school and job options later.
Get Ready for Tests and Applications
Each school has its own rules for applying. If you're not sure about something, ask the school's office that handles new students.
For most game design programs, you'll need to send:
- Your filled-out form
- School records
- Letters from teachers or others who know you
- A list of things you've done (resume)
- A letter about yourself
- Test scores (like SAT or ACT)
Some schools, especially for art degrees, want to see your work. Check if you need to make a portfolio.
Pick Your Program
After looking at schools, decide how many you want to apply to. If the programs are hard to get into, you might want to try for several. But focus on the ones that fit what you want most.
If you get into more than one school, think back to what was most important to you when you started looking. This will help you choose the best fit.
Figure Out How to Pay
While looking at schools, find out about costs and help with money. You can usually find this on school websites or by talking to their money help office.
If you want to use government help to pay for school:
- Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Schools use this to see if you can get money based on what you need
Other ways to pay include:
- Scholarships from outside groups
- Money from work groups
- Help from religious or community groups
- Aid from non-profit groups
If you plan to work while in school, see if your job helps pay for classes.
| Type of Aid | Where to Look |
|---|---|
| Federal Aid | FAFSA |
| Scholarships | Outside groups, work, community |
| Work Benefits | Your employer |
Remember, picking the right game design program is key to starting your career off right. Take your time, do your research, and choose a school that fits your goals and needs.
What to Expect from Video Game Design Programs
Classes You Might Take in a Video Game Design Program
Video game design programs offer a mix of technical and creative courses. Here are some classes you might take:
- Game Design Basics
- 2D Art Workshop
- 3D Computer Animation
- Character Modeling
In Game Design Basics, you'll learn about different game types, how to make games fun to play, and how to come up with game ideas. You'll also study how to create game stories and characters.
The 2D Art Workshop teaches drawing skills for games, animations, and storytelling through art. You'll practice drawing techniques that are key for game design.
In 3D Computer Animation, you'll learn how to create moving 3D models on the computer. This class covers topics like:
- Making 3D shapes
- Adding movement to 3D models
- Lighting in 3D scenes
- Adding textures to 3D models
The Character Modeling class focuses on making game characters. You'll learn:
- How to design characters that look good
- Ways to build 3D character models
- Techniques to make characters move naturally
Many game design programs let students pick a focus area. Some options are:
- Game development
- 3D design
- 2D design
- Programming
- User interface design
Programs often include hands-on projects. You might work in teams to make small games. Some schools also help students get internships at game companies.
To graduate, you'll usually need to finish about 120 credits. This takes about four years of full-time study. The exact time can vary based on your school and schedule.
