Best Master’s in Game and Media Design Programs

Game and media designers create digital content for video games and other electronic media. They may also work in fields such as animation, mobile app development, and user interface design. A master’s in game and media design can give you the skills to enter high-level positions in this rapidly growing industry.

Total costs for art and media programs vary widely, but the National Center for Education Statistics reports that graduate students in all fields paid an average of $19,792 in tuition and fees for the 2019-20 school year. Most master’s programs last about two years. Some online programs may offer flexible part-time enrollment options.

Graduate school can be an expensive investment, with many candidates needing to take on significant student debt to earn their degree. Many game design students pursue the degree to follow their passion, but the industry also features competitive salaries for skilled designers. Payscale June 2022 data reports that game designers earn an average annual salary of $67,230, while top-paid designers can earn six-figure salaries.

Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Each year, the BestColleges Ranking Team evaluates hundreds of programs to produce our annual Best Master’s in Game and Media Design Programs ranking. In 2022, the team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 13 schools that qualify for our ranking list based on the following criteria.

To ensure the accuracy and quality of our final ranked list, the ranking team reviewed each qualifying school to ensure it met the criteria for our ranking, and then applied our proprietary ranking methodology to identify the best schools offering this program in the nation. Each school is ranked based on a formula measuring academic factors (60%) and affordability (40%).

The BestColleges Ranking Team is made up of contributors from our data science and product management teams. These contributors operate independently from the editorial team. All BestColleges school rankings are produced by the ranking team and are free of editorial influence. Read our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more.

Given the price, time commitment, and academic rigor of graduate school, it’s understandable to wonder if a master’s in game and media design is the right choice. A master’s degree can lead to increased job opportunities and salary potential, making the degree a practical choice for those willing to commit the time and money.

If work or other obligations prevent you from relocating for school, an online program can

give you the flexibility to pursue a degree without sacrificing work or family responsibilities. These programs often cater to working students, offering more flexible course scheduling and part-time enrollment options.

A master’s in game and media design prepares you for careers in the video game industry and other digital media professions. Graduates often pursue careers related to mobile application development, user interface design, and digital animation. The skills gained in a media design program can apply to a variety of industries, including entertainment, filmmaking, and advertising.

If you’re specifically interested in video game design, many programs offer specific concentrations for various careers in the field. Game-focused programs can prepare you for jobs such as game programmer, level designer, and production supervisor. These programs often include internship opportunities to help you build professional experience and connections.

The video game industry thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, growing 23% in 2020, according to research from Newzoo. While this level of growth is likely to slow over time, total revenue for the gaming industry is projected to reach about $219 billion in 2024, greatly eclipsing the film industry. This sustained growth likely means sustained demand for skilled game designers in the coming years.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects strong growth for many jobs associated with game and media design. The BLS projects special effects artists and animators to grow 16% from 2020-2030, a rate much higher than the national average of 8%. The BLS projects jobs for web developers and digital designers to grow 13% in the same time period.

Salaries for game designers vary widely depending on factors such as location, experience, and employer. As of June 2022, Payscale reports that video game designers of all types earn an average annual salary of over $67,000.

Master’s in game and media design graduates can pursue many other career paths related to game design. Per the BLS, web developers and digital designers earned an annual median salary of $77,200 in May 2020. Special effects artists and animators earned an annual median salary of $78,790 in May 2021.

Many of the top-paid positions in the game and media design field are senior management positions. The BLS reports art directors earned an annual median salary of $100,890 in 2021. The top 10% of these workers made over $194,130 per year. In general, professional experience, including work on successful game releases, can help increase salary.

Outside of management, computer programmers also command high pay. The BLS reports these professionals earned a median annual salary of $93,000 in 2021.

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