Students who complete an online game design degree program will gain the skills necessary to design video games. With this degree, graduates can engage in the game design field, work for someone else, or design and release their own indie games. Students who become game designers on behalf of someone else can expect to earn an average salary of $99,060 per year.
Most online game design programs are designed to be completed within four years by full-time students, and accelerated programs are available that allow students to complete all the required coursework in less time. According to U.S. News & World Report, students can expect to pay between $38,000 and $77,000 in total tuition.
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How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Game Design degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
Best 6 Accredited Online Game Design Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Savannah College of Art and Design
Intelligent Score: 96.69In-state: $37,575
Out-of-state: $37,575
In-state: $38,475
Out-of-state: $38,475
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$914
Online, On-Campus
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
120
Southern New Hampshire University
Intelligent Score: 96.19In-state: $9,600
Out-of-state: $9,600
In-state: $18,810
Out-of-state: $18,810
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$330
Online, On-Campus
New England Commission of Higher Education
120
Liberty University
Intelligent Score: 93.7In-state: $14,791
Out-of-state: $14,791
In-state: $7,935
Out-of-state: $7,935
SAT: 1040-1250
ACT: 21-29
$390
Online, On-Campus
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
120
George Mason University
Intelligent Score: 93.41In-state: $9,510
Out-of-state: $32,970
In-state: $12,594
Out-of-state: $12,594
SAT: 1100-1300
ACT: 24-30
Resident: $546
Non-Resident: $1,523
Online, On-Campus
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
120.0
Lindenwood University
Intelligent Score: 92.04In-state: $18,000
Out-of-state: $18,000
In-state: $9,450
Out-of-state: $9,450
SAT: 990-1180
ACT: 19-25
$495
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
120
Franklin University
Intelligent Score: 90.92In-state: $9,552
Out-of-state: $9,552
In-state: $16,080
Out-of-state: $16,080
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$398
Online
Higher Learning Commission
120
Choose your area of study
Most online game design degree programs do not offer specialized areas of study. Instead, the degree is broken into a combination of separate but related skills, including game design, programming, web design, and digital communication.
With that being said, most of these programs offer various electives that students can choose from to customize their degrees. Along with selecting a good school, customizing their education in such a way is an excellent method for students to eventually present themselves as competitive applicants in game design. If you already know what you would like to do after you graduate, look for programs that closely match these career goals.
Research schools and programs
You should only apply to institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
You should also review the cost of each program. While finances should not necessarily be the most important factor, choosing a school that is realistically within budget can help the student save money and avoid debt.
Finally, if students have any favorite game designers, it may be worth applying to online programs offered by the same schools that these admired designers attended.
To learn more about any schools that you’re interested in, you can visit the school’s website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.
Prepare for tests and applications
Most online game design degree programs will require students to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application process. You should contact the university’s admissions department to verify the minimum test scores, among other questions about qualification for the desired program. Sometimes, it may be worth taking these standardized tests again to get a higher score.
Application requirements vary by school and program, so students should verify if any other documents are needed. Such documents typically include transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Select your program
Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Do you want your program to be as online as possible, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a fair amount of in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Speak to financial aid counselors at the schools you’re interested in for the most accurate and specific information about program cost. To help fund your education, be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year — this will determine your eligibility for federal grants and loans. You should also look for scholarships offered by private organizations, and those who already work in the field should see if their employer offers tuition assistance benefits as well.
What Can You Expect from an Online Game Design Program?
In an online program to earn a degree in game design, students can expect to learn all of the skills necessary to design a game from start to finish.
This includes graphic design (useful for bringing characters to life), web design (necessary to market a game), and programming (which is what turns all of the student’s different ideas into an interactive experience). Students who already have skills in one or more of these areas may find this program easier, but it is designed to provide even someone completely unfamiliar with these areas with the skills they will need to succeed in the game design industry.
If students can attend full-time, they can expect to complete a game design degree in four years (accelerated programs may allow full-time students to complete everything in three years or less). In most cases, these online programs are entirely remote and will not require students to spend any time on campus.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online game design degree program
- Introduction to Scripting: Scripting is one of the most important aspects of game design, and this course helps students learn more about the scripts and scripting principles necessary to create an interactive game. Students will start by building simple scripts, and the class serves as an introduction to many of the programming principles necessary for success in this program.
- Digital Game Development: In this course, students will build upon some of the programming skills they already have to develop new games. Coursework involves utilizing different programming languages and different game design editors. Once students complete the class, they will know much more about animation, audio, sprites, and many more aspects of a completed video game.
- Graphics Game Engine: Graphics are a major part of any video game, and this course helps students learn more about developing a new graphics engine for a game from start to finish. That includes learning about lighting, shaders, skeletal animations, ray tracing, and much more. While this course will reinforce older lessons, the most successful students will enter the class with a solid foundation in linear algebra.
- Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence is a more popular and prominent topic than ever, and this course helps students learn more about how AI can be utilized for various web commerce applications. In addition to learning more about one of the hottest fields in web design, the principles taught in this class may help students eventually market their own games.
What Can I Do With an Online Game Design Degree?
Career outlook
Students can apply the skills acquired in an online game design degree across various industries, including graphic design, marketing, and web development.
Students graduate with a thorough understanding of game development, programming, and project management, opening the door to diverse career paths. In addition to game design, graduates can pursue roles such as web developer, marketing specialist, and animator.
An online game design degree qualifies graduates for most entry-level or mid-level positions and provides them with the skills and knowledge to start a self-employed venture.
- Web developer and digital designer — Create and maintain websites, including applications, interfaces, and graphics. Ensure the website functions correctly and monitor traffic and analytics.
- Median annual salary: $92,750
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 16%
- New jobs projected: 19,000 per year
- Special effects artist and animator — Create two- and three-dimensional animations for movies, television, video games, advertisements, and other media.
- Median annual salary: $99,060
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 8%
- New jobs projected: 9,400 per year
- Graphic designer — Also called graphic artists, graphic designers combine art and technology to make visuals for print and digital media in many industries.
- Median annual salary: $58,910
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 3%
- New jobs projected: 22,800 per year
Online Game Design Degree Program Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online game design degree program?
To apply to an online game design degree program, students must find and navigate to the university’s website. That site will provide a link to either a direct application or an application portal students may use. Either way, the application webpage should specify any extra documentation required for the application, including test scores, cover letters, admissions essays, and letters of recommendation.
Students with questions or concerns should contact the admissions counselors for any schools they are interested in. These counselors can answer students’ questions and confirm that the submitted application is complete.
How much does an online game design degree program cost?
According to U.S. News & World Report, students can expect to pay between $38,000 and $77,000 in total tuition for an online game design degree.
There are many reasons for the extreme price range, including the fact that private schools are typically much more expensive than public schools. Additionally, the number of credit hours required and the time it takes a student to complete the degree may add to the cost.
How long does it take to earn an online game design degree?
Most online game design degree programs are meant to be completed in four years by full-time students. Select schools may have accelerated programs available that can be finished in less time. If a student can only attend part-time, that’s fine: most online programs offer plenty of flexibility for remote learners, which is useful when a person has to juggle several different responsibilities. However, this may lengthen the time it takes to complete the degree.
Whatever you choose to do, by finding a program that offers all the flexibility you need, you can better position yourself for both academic success and post-graduation vocational success.
Is an online game design degree worth it?
Graduates of an online game design degree program have increased earning potential and advanced skills that are attractive to employers. As technology advances, there is a further need for individuals with the skills and experience acquired in this degree.
However, there are other ways to enter this field than an online game design degree. Students can pursue certifications and singular courses that advance their skills to help them in this career path. Employers in this career path often look for those with a strong portfolio, technical skills, and experience.
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