Video game development programs in the United States are some of the most prominent in the world. Given the number of esteemed programs in the US, international students will need to establish certain criteria to guide their school search. This article will help international students identify some of the top schools for video game development in the US and help them identify a school that will their needs.
It’s no secret that the popularity of video games has continued to climb, and from casual players to dedicated gamers, video games are now a household staple all across the United States. That being the case, it’s not surprising that many international students have decided to turn their passion for gaming into a career in video game development. The increasingly popular decision to study video game development in the US amongst international students is one that promises a rewarding career creating exciting new video games with training in state-of-the-art game development programs. Of the many reasons international students cite for their decision to study video game development in the US, chief among them are references to both the thriving video game industry in the United States, as well as the impressive number of world-renowned top schools for video game development located in the nation. This article will help international students identify some of the top schools for video game development, as well as provide some information about the institutions.
The top schools for video game development in the US are ranked high at the international level due to a number of factors, such as the quality and rigor of curriculum, the number of active and successful projects with which the department is involved, the job placement rate of graduates, and the impact of graduates on the industry. Studying at one of the top schools for video game development in the US will allow international students to pursue highly marketable degrees that will be valued in the workforce, whether in the United States, or abroad.
There are a number of institutions that have been given an honorable mention in surveys regarding the best schools to study video game development at within the US. Such popular and well-regarded institutions include some of the most prominent names in the field. Among these prominent institutions are the Georgia Institute of Technology, North Carolina State University, University of California Santa Cruz, and Drexel University.
The program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, focuses less on the production overview and team leadership aspects and more on technical programming and design skills.
Additionally, the Princeton Review annually ranks universities and their respective departments. These rankings are created to give students a rough guide and students should also look at other factors when choosing a school like the available hands on learning, the student to teacher ratio and graduate job placement. However, for students to have as a point of reference, here are the highest-ranking top schools for video game development in the United States according to the Princeton Review:
Best Undergraduate Schools for Video Game Development in the United States
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
- DigiPen Institute of Technology, Redmond, WA
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
- Champlain College, Burlington, VT
- Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
- Becker College, Worcester, MA
Best Graduate Schools for Video Game Development in the United States
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
- University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
- Southern Methodist University, Plano, TX
- Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
- Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
- DigiPen Institute of Technology, Redmond, WA
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Given the number of top schools for video game development, it is no surprise that the decision to pursue this opportunity-rich field of study has proven to be so popular amongst international students. The astounding number of well-funded and highly esteemed schools for video game development in the US provides an amazing set of opportunity and career potential for international students looking to make their lifelong passion for gaming into their occupation. Those international students who decide to study video game development in the US will need to investigate the particulars of some of the video game development programs offered at these institutions to become familiar with the particular approach and focus of any prospective school.
Video Game Development Programs
Visit the Study in the USA School search to find schools that offer programs of study in Video Game Development.
