Online Bachelor's Programs in Video Game Design
In this article, we'll be exploring the best online video game design Bachelor's degree programs available to students. To understand the Video Game Design Degree, however, it is first important to draw attention to the general nature of the evolving video game design industry and how these degree programs vary widely in general approach, curriculum, coursework, degree concentrations, and more.
While it is true that video game design programs adhere to universal principles and skill sets, it is also true that no two programs are exactly alike. Many of the programs on this list, for example, provide more generalized degree tracks like Bachelor of Arts in Animation, Bachelor of Arts in Game Design, or a Bachelor of Science in Game Programming. However, specialization is almost always offered either through degree concentrations, unique program objectives, or student success outcomes. In the case of undergraduate online video game design education, this pre-professional focus is crucial for the student to fully gain the expertise required by graduate programs and by the upper-level professions in the industry. In any case, predetermined career intentions are helpful if not mandatory–an ironic restriction in a field defined by creativity, games, and enjoyment.
Featured Online Schools
Similarly, professions as a video game designer can vary widely with responsibilities involving many skill sets, knowledge bases, and levels of specialization. For instance, professional game designers may specialize in developing 2D game apps for mobile devices or employ expert design skills for AAA game franchises. At another level, they may develop a particular skill set to the point of mastery in an area such as video graphics design through conceptual design or program coding (or both), game language translation, game level design, game software, game program mechanics, etc. The nuances of the industry–and the ensuing freedom that results in professional video game designers having countless career paths–is mirrored in degree programs that deliver unique curriculums with focused areas of study, clear teaching philosophies, and specialized degree options designed to provide students with a competitive edge in a particular field. Below you will find our ranking of the Best 5 Online Bachelor's of Video Game Design Programs, all of which provide strong, focused teaching philosophies designed to strengthen expertise and career intentions, making them ideal starting points for successful careers in video game design. For more general information regarding online learning visit our ranking of the top online colleges.
Rating and Ranking MethodologyTuition Points:
Under $30,000—1 point
Under $25,000—2 points
Under $20,000—3 points
Under $17,500—4 points
Under $15,000—5 points
Under $12,500—6 points
Under $10,000—7 points
US News and World Report Recognition as a Top Online Schools for Bachelor's in Video Game Design Programs:
Top 50 —5 points
Top 100 —4 points
Top 150 —3 points
Top 200—2 points
Top 364—1 points
Customization Options:
Format Customizations (e.g. Hybrid/Online, Full-time/Part-Time, Accelerated, Degree Completion, etc.)—1 Point Per Customization Option
Content Customizations (e.g. Minors, Concentrations, Specializations, etc.)—1 Point Per Customization Option (5-point cap)
Wow Factor:
1 point awarded for each unique feature or program that "wowed" us. Each school with a National Ranking received 1 additional Wow Factor point.
To compile this ranking, our editors began with an initial pool of approximately 25 online Bachelor's Degree in Video Game Design programs offered by colleges and universities across the US. We then narrowed the pool to include only those schools that offer 100% online programs. Finally, we applied the rating and ranking methodology above, and the result was the ranking you see below of the top 5 online programs for a BA/BS degree in Video Game Design (or related field). We used affordability to break any ties, listing the more affordable program higher in the ranking.
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