USA | 2024 TOP game schools
2024 US game schools ranking: which are the best?
How do you choose the right school to pursue your dreams of becoming a video game creator, game designer, game programmer, game artist, sound designer, or producer?
GAMEducation has created a ranking system for the best video game schools in the US, a first-of-its-kind approach incorporating the professional placement of recent alumni.
We consider graduate placement in game studios the cornerstone of game school success. GAMEducation’s rankings derive from a careful examination of thousands of young graduates who have entered the game industry between 2018 and today.
Other important criteria to note are the quality of student game projects and the rigor of degree programs.
Game Developers Conference (GDC 2019)
GAMEducation brings together professionals from the video game industry and data specialists based in America, Asia, and Europe. We inaugurate a new type of school ranking based on the career placement of young graduates over the last five years, while paying particular attention to the quality of these positions.
Another important criterion is the quality of the student's video game projects completed during their studies.
This ranking thus highlights the schools that best enable students to acquire the necessary skills for a successful career in the gaming industry.
Our rankings are based on data from more than 300 studios and 5,000 alumni in the United States
The US ranking requires a diligent examination of more than 5,000 alumni profiles from 100 US schools.
This information results in a precise overview of alumni positioning in over 300 video game studios across the US, and provides an in-depth look at the universities and institutes as well as the preparation they offer.
We completed two rankings in the United States, analyzing data:
VIDEO GAME SCHOOLS: Where did graduates complete their studies before accepting quality positions in the US video game industry?
VIDEO GAME STUDIOS: Which studios have recruited the most graduates, and for which positions?
☆ TOP 5 US Game Schools ☆
Mentioning a school ranked beyond the 5th place is a service we offer
TOP 5 US STUDIOs
for hiring young talent
☆ 2024 top 5 US game schools ☆
#1 the University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
34,464 students (2021)
Public Research University
Tuition and fees (2022-23): In-state $10,287, Out-of-state $33,045
#2 DigiPen Institute of Technology
Redmond, Washington
1,124 students (2022)
Private university
Tuition & fees (2023-2024): $37,200 (U.S. citizens and residents), $41,380 (non-U.S. residents)
#3 SCAD - SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART and DESIGN
Savannah, Georgia
About 15,000 students from 110 countries.
Private art school founded in 1978.
Tuition & fees (2023-24) for full-time students for one academic year: Undergraduate: $39,105, Graduate: $40,050
Savannah College of Art and Design, or SCAD, is the school in this ranking with the most art oriented video game degrees. Students acquire not only artistic skills, but also technical skills, such as programming languages.
ACADEMICS:
Bachelor of Art in Interactive Design & Game Development
Bachelor of Fine Art in Interactive Design & Game Development
Master of Art in Interactive Design & Game Development
Master of Fine Art in Interactive Design & Game Development
STUDENT PROJECTS:
StarGazers (2023). Shape-shifting interactive nature experience in a magical forest. A VR game of soothing beauty.
Varial (2023). Single player skateboarding-action game set in a cartoon-style urban environment.
The main companies who have hired SCAD graduates in games since 2019 are:
Epic Games
Blizzard Entertainment
High Moon Studios
Lost Boys Interactive
Bungie
Electronic Arts (EA)
Turn 10 Studios
Sucker Punch Productions (WA)
Treyarch
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The distribution of SCAD alumni who graduated since 2019 in the video game industry indicates a strong presence in artistic roles (73%), with 3D Artist (18%) and Visual Effects Artist (12%) being the most common.
Among schools known for game industry education, SCAD stands out for producing a significant number of Tech Artists and one of the highest percentage of graduates in Audio Designers roles (13%).
#4 USC - UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles, CA
48,500 students. Video game department: 47% Bachelor's and 57% Master's graduates.
Private (not-for-profit) with very high research activity.
2020 Tuition: $59,260 (non U.S. resident)
The University of Southern California created its first video game program in 2002 with the MFA in Interactive Media. Its most popular degree programs today were created in 2006.
USC enjoys an exceptional location in California. Located in Los Angeles and relatively close to Silicon Valley, USC students benefit from the strong connections the school has developed over many years with the region's largest companies.
ACADEMICS:
The video game program is based on two scientific fields:
Bachelor in Computer Science in Games
Master in Computer Science in Game Development
B.A. in Interactive Entertainment
M.F.A. in Interactive Media
M.F.A. in Interactive Media (Games and Health)
M.A. in Cinematic Arts (Media Arts, Games and Health)
GAMES PROJECTS:
Manas (2023) Advanced Games Project. Action-adventure game set in medieval Central Asia, exploring nomadic culture with beautifully realistic combat scenes..
Cervus Blade (2023) MFA project. Enchanting third-person action-adventure game set in a medieval fantasy world, featuring beautifully crafted high-octane combat scenes.
The main companies who have hired University of Southern California graduates in games since 2019 are:
Blizzard Entertainment
Riot Games [a division of Tencent Holdings] (CA)
Rockstar Games
Electronic Arts (EA)
HoYoverse
Treyarch [a division of Activision Blizzard] (CA)
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Since 2019, USC graduates entering the video game industry have occupied a wide range of roles, reflecting the generalist nature of the training offered. The distribution of positions is relatively balanced across design (29%), technical (28%), and artistic (22%) domains.
Compared to other schools, there is a higher proportion of Game Producers and Audio Designers among these graduates.
#5 SMU guildhall
Dallas, Texas
604 students.
Graduate School established in 2003.
Tuition & fees (2023): Master of Interactive Technology in Game Development and Certificate in Digital Game Development cost a flat rate of $16,694 per semester.
SMU Guildhall was one of the first graduate video game development programs in the United States in 2003.
The school has developed a unique and comprehensive program of high quality based on the four pillars of game development: game design, programming, video game art, and production. Guided by industry veterans, students collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to produce games.
The school selects students who can demonstrate a strong educational background and high motivation.
ACADEMICS:
The school offers two 2-year programs providing comprehensive and solid training. The Master's program stands out with a practical Master's thesis artifact:
Master of Interactive Technology (MIT) in Digital Game Development
Professional Certificate in Digital Game Development. (Mirrors the MIT program, minus the thesis)
CAPSTONE PROJECTS:
Light of Alariya (2023) Open-world, third-person, exploration puzzle game set in ancient alien temples.
SeaFeud (2023). An underwater arcade racing game where players ride on a variety of fast fish.
Top studios recruiting SMU Guildhall graduates since 2019:
Gearbox Entertainment
Airship Syndicate (TX)
ZeniMax Online Studios (MD)
id Software (TX)
Stray Kite Studios
Enduring Games (TX)
Blizzard Entertainment
miHoYo (China)
Steel Wool Studios (CA)
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TSMU Guildhall graduates who have entered the video game industry since 2019 equally hold artistic and design roles. Technicians make up 16%.
Among the artists, the most common positions are 3D Artist (11%) and Visual Effects Artist (5%).
