The Princeton Review ranks the University of Southern California No. 1 among video game design programs at U.S. colleges and universities. It is a minor program (meaning no majors are offered) that integrates cinema and information technology. Students learn level design, game-play control, user interface, game mechanics and storytelling. Students create a working demo of a video game.
University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts
University Park, SCA 465
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211
213-740-2804
cinema.usc.edu
The DigiPen Institute of Technology in the Seattle suburb of Redmond, Wash., is ranked No. 2 among game design schools. It offers a bachelor's degree in video game programming including real-time interactive simulation. It also offers degrees in computer engineering, game design and production animation.
DigiPen Institute of Technology
5001-150th Ave. NE
Redmond, WA 98052
425-558-0299 or 866-478-5236
digipen.edu
Drexel University in Philadelphia is ranked third on the Princeton Review list. The school's digital media program offers a game art and production major that focuses on design skills, art, programming, 3-D modeling, animation, audio and video production and the use of industry tools such as Maya.
Drexel University
University City Main Campus
3141 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-895-2000
drexel.edu
Becker College in Worcester, Mass., and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., are fourth and fifth on the Princeton Review list. Becker College's game design courses include History of Game Development and Introduction to Game Design and Storyboarding Animation. Courses in Rensselaer's Games and Simulation Arts Program include Visual and Aural Aspects of New Media in the Electronic Arts, Cognition and Artificial Intelligence in Cognitive Science, Digital Graphics and Software Development in Computer Science, and Experimental Game Design in Psychology.
Becker College
61 Sever St.
Worcester, MA 01609
508-791-9241
becker.edu
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 Eighth St.
Troy, NY 12180
518-276-6575
hass.rpi.edu
The Art Institute has locations across North America including Vancouver, British Columbia, which was ranked No. 6 by the Princeton Review. Course topics include image manipulation, creative storytelling, 3-D modeling and texture mapping.
The Art Institute of Vancouver
2665 Renfrew St.
Vancouver, BC V5M 0A7
800-661-1885
artinstitutes.edu/vancouver
Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass., is No. 7 on Princeton's list. Courses include Critical Studies of Interactive Media and Games, which introduces nontechnical studies of computer-based interactive media and games. Other courses include Philosophy and Ethics of Computer Games and The Art of Animation.
Interactive Media & Game Development
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609-2280
508-831-5947
imgd.wpi.edu
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge combines hands-on activities with theory. Alumni have gone on to jobs as game designers, producers and executives at game studios, including Electronic Arts, Activision and Midway. It is ranked eighth on Princeton's list.
Comparative Media Studies
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Ave., Bldg. E15-331
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
617-253-3599
cms.mit.edu
Westwood College is based in Denver and has 17 locations in six states. It offers a bachelor's that focuses on art and animation techniques. The emphasis is on 2-D artistry, 3-D modeling and animation, and how to apply critical thinking, logic, communications and problem-solving skills to game industry issues. Online courses also are available.
Westwood College-Denver North
7350 N. Broadway
Denver, CO 80221
800-281-2978
westwood.edu
800-281-2978
ITT Technical Institute has a Digital Entertainment and Game Design Program at its School of Drafting and Design. Course topics include gaming technology, game design process and animation. ITT has more than 100 locations nationwide as well as online programs.
ITT Technical Institute
itt-tech.edu/contact