Are there good game design programs in California?

I am a rising junior who loves video games and wants to make a career out of it. I'm curious if anybody has information on the best colleges for game design in California? Thanks in advance!

Absolutely, California is home to several colleges and universities that are known for their excellent game design programs!

University of Southern California (USC): USC's Interactive Media & Games Division is renowned for its game design program. It offers both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Interactive Entertainment. USC's program is interdisciplinary, meaning that you'll study not just game design, but also narrative design, visual design, and audio design.

University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC): UCSC offers an undergraduate major and minor in game design through its department of Computer Science. The major provides a solid grounding in computer science fundamentals and practical game development.

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): CalArts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Game Design. This is an excellent program for students interested in the artistic aspects of game design.

Chapman University: Chapman offers a minor in Game Development Programming and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Arts. Chapman's programs are designed to provide students with a foundation in the aesthetics, theory, design, and skills of gaming.

Moreover, Stanford University and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - although they don't specifically offer game design degrees - have highly reputable computer science programs, a field closely related to game design. These computer science degrees can provide a solid foundation if you're interested in coding aspects of game creation.

Remember, choosing a program is not just about rankings or reputation. It's about finding a program that aligns with your interests and career goals. Be sure to research each program thoroughly to determine which one is the best fit for you!