Top colleges for video game design careers?

I'm passionate about video games and want to design them for a living. Which colleges are known to have the best programs for video game design?

There are several colleges known for strong video game design programs that could set you on the path to your dream career.

1. University of Southern California (USC): USC's game design program is consistently ranked the best in the country. The Interactive Media & Games Division of the USC School of Cinematic Arts offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students benefit from an interdisciplinary curriculum that covers a broad range of topics related to video game design.

2. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT): The RIT offers a Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development where students can learn not only game design but also how software is used in game creation.

3. Carnegie Mellon University: Their Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology (IDeATe) program offers a concentration in Game Design where students are bound to learn in an interdisciplinary environment.

4. University of Utah: They offer a strong program in Entertainment Arts & Engineering, where students can major or minor in video game design.

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): MIT's Game Lab brings together many fields of study, including computer science, humanities, and arts. It's a research-oriented lab that allows students to dive into the academic and theoretical aspects of game design.

6. New York University (NYU): Their Game Center provides students with a range of degrees in game design. It's part of the Tisch School of the Arts, which means that it approaches game design from both a computer science and an artistic perspective.

Remember, it's also important to consider what you want to do in the video game industry – design, coding, art, animation, etc. – as different programs may specialize more in certain areas. Look for a program that lines up with your specific interests and career goals within this field.