#United States #New York #USC #NYU #Game Design

The Princeton Review's 2025 Rankings for Game Design Schools

The Princeton Review, a well-established firm known for its educational insights, has published its annual rankings of top Game Design schools for 2025. This year marks the 16th edition of these important educational rankings, which assess both undergraduate and graduate programs across the country and beyond.

Top Institutions for Game Design

This year's rankings showcase the University of Southern California (USC) as the premier choice for undergraduate game design studies, climbing from its previous position at number two in 2024. For graduate studies, New York University (NYU) has claimed the top spot, also rising from its number two ranking last year. The complete list includes 50 undergraduate and 25 graduate schools recognized for their exceptional game design programs.

Regional Insights

In addition to national rankings, The Princeton Review has broken down the top schools by region, identifying seven distinct areas: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, South, Southwest, West, and International. While most of the selected schools are located within the United States, the lists also feature two Canadian institutions and several others scattered across the globe, highlighting the growing importance of game design education worldwide.

Methodology of Rankings

The Princeton Review's rankings stem from a comprehensive survey conducted in 2024, which gathered insights from administrators at 150 institutions that offer game design programs. The 50-question survey focused on four main areas: academic rigor, faculty quality, technological resources, and career opportunities related to the field. A total of more than 40 data points were analyzed to determine the final rankings, ensuring that only the most qualified institutions are recognized.

Featured Schools

The top ten undergraduate schools for game design in 2025 are:
1. University of Southern California (Los Angeles)
2. New York University (New York, NY)
3. Clark University (Worcester, MA)
4. University of Utah (Salt Lake City)
5. University of Central Florida (Orlando)
6. Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY)
7. Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)
8. Abertay University (Dundee, Scotland)
9. Champlain College (Burlington, VT)
10. Michigan State University (East Lansing)

The graduate program rankings are as follows:
1. New York University (New York, NY)
2. University of Central Florida (Orlando)
3. University of Southern California (Los Angeles)
4. University of Utah (Salt Lake City)
5. Clark University (Worcester, MA)
6. Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX)
7. Abertay University (Dundee, Scotland)
8. Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)
9. Michigan State University (East Lansing)
10. Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY)

Regional Winners

For each region, the top schools include:

• - Mid-Atlantic: Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)
• - Midwest: Michigan State University (East Lansing)
• - Northeast: New York University (New York, NY)
• - South: University of Central Florida (Orlando)
• - Southwest: Abilene Christian University (Abilene, TX)
• - West: University of Southern California (Los Angeles)
• - International: Abertay University (Dundee, Scotland)

The Future of Game Design Education

As the demand for skilled game designers continues to increase, the programs at these esteemed institutions are gaining attention. Franek, the Editor-in-Chief at The Princeton Review, remarked on the outstanding educational opportunities available: “The schools selected for our 2025 lists offer remarkable game design programs, with exceptional faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and strong connections to the video game industry.”

Career Opportunities

Statistics from the 2024 survey illustrate the practical benefits of these programs. At undergraduate schools, 66% of students participated in producing a shipped game, while 93% crafted actionable plans to develop playable games post-graduation. Graduates with bachelor's degrees in game design earned an average starting salary nearing $63,000. In graduate programs, 80% of students worked on completed games, and the average starting salary for master's degree holders approached $74,000.

In conjunction with their annual rankings for game design, The Princeton Review also assesses schools specializing in entrepreneurial studies, law, and MBA programs, ensuring students have access to comprehensive resources for their educational and career pursuits.

As the landscape of game education continues to evolve, The Princeton Review's rankings serve as a vital guide for students aiming for successful careers in the dynamic and rewarding field of game design.