2023 Best Online Game Design Degrees
With technology continuously evolving, video games are becoming more creative and advanced. For video game lovers, an online bachelor’s in video game design can be a stepping stone to a lucrative career in the gaming industry. An online bachelor’s in video game design can provide students with communication, design, tech, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Examples of online bachelor’s courses in video game design include 3D Game Development, Digital Imaging, and Elements of Scripting. In some online programs, students must complete a capstone course, an internship, a portfolio, or a collaborative project. Students who graduate with an online bachelor’s in video game design may pursue careers like software developers, mobile game developers, and user experience designers.
View our methodology for more details about our list or learn more about OnlineU. If you want to investigate a similar degree to an online bachelor’s in video game design, check out our list of the most affordable online art design degrees.
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Online Video Game Design Bachelor's Degrees You May Be Interested In
Southern New Hampshire University Online
- Annual Tuition: $9,600
- Locations: Manchester (NH)
- Accreditation: NECHE
Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU Online) is a private, nonprofit institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Game Art & Development. Totaling 120 credit hours, this online degree typically takes full-time students around four years to complete. SNHU accepts 92% of applicants, with 36% graduating on average.
At SNHU, online students complete coursework delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats on D2L Brightspace. In this program, students gain learning experience with 3D and 2D graphics software. The program’s courses are Interactive Animation, Environment Design, and 3D Character Animation. In addition, students are required to complete a capstone course before graduation. Prospective careers include game designers, 3D artists, and computer programmers.
Liberty University
- Annual Tuition: $11,700
- Locations: Lynchburg (VA)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
At Liberty University (LU Online) — a private, nonprofit institution — prospective students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology - Gaming Design requiring 120 credit hours. On average, it can take up to 3.5 years to complete this program. LU Online’s acceptance rate is 99%, with a 36% graduation rate.
LU Online facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system Canvas. This software program helps students develop the technical skills to pursue a career in gaming design. Sample courses include Object-Oriented Programming, Interactive Game Development, and Digital Imaging. An internship is required for graduation. Potential career options include game testers, graphic designers, and systems designers.
Purdue Global
- Annual Tuition: $14,436
- Locations: Indianapolis (IN)
- Accreditation: HLC
Purdue Global is a public university that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology - Game Development equaling 180 credit hours. Full-time students can expect to complete this program in approximately four years. Purdue Global’s acceptance rate is 100%, with 27% of students who end up graduating.
At Purdue Global, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on D2L Brightspace. Students gain technical, critical thinking, and creativity skills in this game development program. Some of the courses are Game Design and Mechanics, Game Programming, and Game Art and Animation. Graduates often pursue careers like software developers, computer network architects, and computer and information systems managers.
DeVry University
- Annual Tuition: $17,488
- Locations: Multiple Locations
- Accreditation: HLC
DeVry University (DeVry) is a private, for-profit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems - Web Game Programming totaling 124 credit hours. Students may complete this program in 20 months or more. The university accepts 46% of applicants, and it has a 20% graduation rate.
At DeVry, online students use Canvas to complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously. The web game programming concentration, in particular, teaches game development, interactive web page scripting, and logic and design. Sample courses include Fundamentals of Cloud Computing, Programming with Objects, and Web Interface Design with Lab. Potential careers are website designers, back-end Java programmers, and mobile game programmers.
Full Sail University
- Annual Tuition: $25,687
- Locations: Winter Park (FL)
- Accreditation: ACCSC
At Full Sail University (Full Sail), a private for-profit institution that has two online bachelor’s in game design: a (1) Bachelor of Science in Game Art and a (2) Bachelor of Science in Interactive Technology - Game Design. With each degree totalling 120 credit hours, prospective students should plan to complete either one in at least four years if they maintain a full-time courseload. Full Sail’s acceptance rate is 100%, and it has a 70% graduation rate.
Full Sail facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning. These programs are designed to help students develop sought-after game design skills. Example courses are Game Characters, Environment Art, and Engine Development. Both programs require a portfolio, project, and career readiness course. Prospective careers include game programmers, CAD drafters, and level designers.
University of Cincinnati
- Annual Tuition: $27,932
- Locations: Cincinnati (OH) (and 1 other)
- Accreditation: HLC
The University of Cincinnati (UC) is a public university that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology - Game Development & Simulation, requiring 120 credit hours. Future students can expect to spend five years finishing this program. The university accepts 85% of students, with 68% graduating.
At UC, online students complete coursework that is delivered asynchronously on Canvas. The game development & simulation concentration explores the programming, development, and production of games. Sample courses include Game Design and Society, Implications of Information Technology, and System Analysis & Design. Prospective careers include game testers, 3D artists, and art directors.
Academy of Art University
- Annual Tuition: $25,424
- Locations: San Francisco (CA)
- Accreditation: WSCUC
The Academy of Art University (Academy) is a private, for-profit institution offering an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Development that requires 132 credit hours. It generally takes four years with a full-time schedule to complete this degree program. The Academy has an open admissions policy, which means all applicants are accepted. However, although it's easy to get in, only 28% graduate on average.
At Academy, online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats. The game development program emphasizes 3D modeling, animation, and lighting techniques in game design. The courses include 2D Tools for Game Development, Game Engines, and Elements of Scripting. In addition to the regular courseload, students must complete a portfolio, an internship, and a collaborative project throughout the program. Graduates may pursue careers like FX artists, AI programmers, and game designers.
Baker College Online
- Annual Tuition: $12,420
- Locations: Cadillac (MI) (and 8 others)
- Accreditation: HLC
Baker College Online (Baker Online) is a private, nonprofit institution with an online Bachelor of Science in Game Software Development totaling 120 credit hours. This program can take four years to complete at a full-time pace. Baker’s acceptance rate is 41%, and it has a 22% graduation rate.
Baker Online delivers virtual courses in asynchronous and synchronous formats through the platform Canvas. A bachelor’s in game software development prepares students to pursue game design or software development careers. Example courses are Database Management and Design, Artificial Intelligence, and Project Management. Potential career options for graduates are environment artists, gameplay animators, and game illustrators.
Lamar University
- Annual Tuition: $18,482
- Locations: Beaumont (TX)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
At Lamar University, a public institution, students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Computer Game Development, equaling 120 credit hours. It may take four years to complete this program with a full-time schedule. While Lamar University’s acceptance rate is 88%, it has a graduation rate of 41%.
Distance learners at Lamar University complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats on Blackboard. Throughout this program, students will create their own 3D animated game. The program’s courses are Computer Graphics, Artificial Intelligence, and Mobile Computer Game Development. Graduates may go on to careers like video game programmers, multimedia programmers, and user experience designers.
Davenport University
- Annual Tuition: $20,964
- Locations: Grand Rapids (MI)
- Accreditation: HLC
Davenport University (Davenport) is a private, nonprofit university offering an online Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Gaming and Simulation, which requires 120 credit hours in total. Prospective students can expect to spend four years completing this program. Davenport’s acceptance rate is 98%, with a 38% graduation rate.
At Davenport, online students complete coursework asynchronously on Blackboard. This online degree program includes computer science core courses, with a program sequence in gaming and simulation. Sample courses include 2D Game Development, Computer Vision, and Differential Equations with Modeling. Graduates may pursue careers like mobile developers, video game designers, and computer programmers.
List Of Accredited Online Video Game Design Schools
School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
---|---|---|
Southern New Hampshire University Online | ||
Liberty University | 34,799 | $11,700 |
Purdue Global | 32,313 | $14,436 |
DeVry University | 22,453 | $17,488 |
Full Sail University | 19,640 | $25,687 |
University of Cincinnati | 4,382 | $27,932 |
Academy of Art University | 2,894 | $25,424 |
Baker College Online | 2,657 | $12,420 |
Lamar University | 2,571 | $18,482 |
Davenport University | 1,662 | $20,964 |
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