I'm really passionate about game design and I want to pursue it in college. Can anyone recommend some colleges with strong game design programs? I'm open to any location, but it would be great if the school also has a strong computer science department.
It's fantastic that you're pursuing your passion for game design! There are several colleges with strong game design programs, often within their computer science or arts departments. Here are some recommendations spanning a variety of locations:
1. University of Southern California (USC) - USC is well-known for its game design program, which is offered through the USC Games division. This collaboration between the School of Cinematic Arts and the Viterbi School of Engineering allows students to gain crucial skills in both game design and computer science.
2. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) - CMU's Entertainment Technology Center offers a unique interdisciplinary program focusing on game design, virtual reality, and interactive media. CMU also boasts one of the top computer science departments in the country.
3. New York University (NYU) - NYU's Tisch School of the Arts includes the Game Center, which offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Game Design. The program focuses on both the artistic and technical aspects of designing games, and NYU's Courant Institute is known for excellent computer science programs.
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - While MIT does not have a specific game design degree, their Comparative Media Studies / Writing department offers a Games and Interactive Media track. MIT's world-renowned computer science department is undoubtedly a strong component of any game design-related studies.
5. University of Utah - The University of Utah offers an Entertainment Arts & Engineering program where students can pursue a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Games. Their computer science program is also quite strong and offers various game design courses.
These are just a handful of the many colleges offering game design programs in conjunction with strong computer science departments. Be sure to do further research and consider attending college fairs or visiting campuses to find the best fit for you. Good luck on your college search!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.