Best Game Programming Colleges in Florida

I'm considering staying in Florida for college to study game programming. Does anyone know which colleges in Florida have great game programming programs? How do they prepare you for the industry?

There are several colleges in Florida that offer strong programs in game programming.

1. Full Sail University, located in Winter Park, offers a Bachelor of Science in Game Development that heavily focuses on programming with multiple languages including C++. This degree program offers a mix of course work that covers computer science, mathematics and physics. Full Sail also provides portfolio courses that give students the chance to develop games, providing a hands-on approach to learning, which can be beneficial in terms of real-world application and job preparation.

2. The University of Central Florida (UCF), located in Orlando, offers a Bachelor of Science in Game Design with an impressive balance between game design, development, and programming. The program also focuses on providing students with a broad understanding of other aspects of game development including storytelling, art, and management. What's unique about UCF is their Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), a graduate interactive entertainment program that works closely with industry partners and prepares its students for a professional environment with team-based project coursework.

3. University of Miami—while not known primarily for game programming—holds interactive media programs that includes game design. Students of this program have several opportunities to learn programming for games as part of their course.

While considering your choice of institution, beyond the curriculum, you might also want to look at factors such as internship opportunities, faculty with industry experience, alumni success in the gaming industry, and the technology and resources available to students. The gaming industry highly values hands-on experience, so opportunities to gain real-world exposure while in school can significantly enhance a program's effectiveness. Lastly, remember to see if there are opportunities to build a portfolio of developed games, as this can be critical during the job hunting process.