Best institutions to study Game and Interactive Media Design
A program that focuses on the design, development, and programming of interactive media entertainment, including computer and video games, virtual environments, Internet applications, and other interactive media.
152 U.S. institutions graduated 2,954 Game and Interactive Media Design students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0411, a specialization of Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04), and leads most directly to the Special Effects Artists and Animators occupation (BLS SOC 27-1014).
About Game and Interactive Media Design programs
A program that focuses on the design, development, and programming of interactive media entertainment, including computer and video games, virtual environments, Internet applications, and other interactive media. Includes instruction in theory of games, turn-based games, real-time games, visual and interactive design, story development, animation, simulation, and programming.
See also: 11.0804 - Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation., 11.0204 - Computer Game Programming.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Game and Interactive Media Design program, part of the Design and Applied Arts field, focuses on the design, development, and programming of interactive media entertainment. This program is ideal for students interested in creating engaging experiences through computer and video games, virtual environments, and other interactive media formats.
Students will gain core skills in visual and interactive design, story development, animation, and programming. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and knowledge of computers and electronics, preparing graduates for the dynamic field of game design and development.
Credentials awarded
What Game and Interactive Media Design graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,082 graduates / yr · 43 institutions37%
- Bachelor's degree1,061 graduates / yr · 72 institutions36%
- Associate's degree578 graduates / yr · 53 institutions20%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years94 graduates / yr · 11 institutions3.2%
- Master's degree62 graduates / yr · 8 institutions2.1%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years49 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.7%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate22 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.7%
- Award of less than 12 weeks5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Game and Interactive Media Design completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,586 |
| 2013 | 1,929 |
| 2014 | 1,966 |
| 2015 | 2,742 |
| 2016 | 2,450 |
| 2017 | 2,596 |
| 2018 | 2,902 |
| 2019 | 2,755 |
| 2020 | 2,949 |
| 2021 | 2,676 |
| 2022 | 2,337 |
| 2023 | 2,422 |
| 2024 | 2,964 |
| 2025 | 2,954 |
Top 50 institutions for Game and Interactive Media Design, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 445 | 33% | — | $32,153 |
| 2 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 304 | 31% | — | $30,979 |
| 3 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 96 | 81% | — | $36,784 |
| 4 | California State University - Chico Chico, CAPublicBachelor's | 70 | 63% | — | $27,573 |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 66 | 90% | — | $49,780 |
| 6 | William T McFatter Technical College Davie, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 65 | 66% | — | — |
| 7 | Wayne Community College Goldsboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 56 | 49% | — | — |
| 8 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 56 | 20% | — | $33,456 |
| 9 | Moorpark College Moorpark, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 49 | 44% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor's | 49 | 55% | — | $40,615 |
| 11 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 46 | 84% | $28,900 | $36,191 |
| 12 | Champlain College Burlington, VTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 45 | 65% | $32,531 | $38,264 |
| 13 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicBachelor's | 44 | 45% | — | $31,888 |
| 14 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 42 | 92% | $26,873 | $64,846 |
| 15 | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich, RIPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 40 | 60% | $36,659 | $26,282 |
| 16 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 35 | 52% | $28,087 | $29,630 |
| 17 | Laguna College of Art and Design Laguna Beach, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 34 | 52% | $41,341 | $27,785 |
| 18 | Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 34 | 24% | — | — |
| 19 | University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 34 | 51% | $21,745 | $27,986 |
| 20 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 33 | 49% | $17,436 | — |
| 21 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 33 | 35% | $21,175 | $30,640 |
| 22 | CUNY Hostos Community College Bronx, NYPublicAssociate's | 32 | 16% | — | $12,863 |
| 23 | Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 32 | 31% | — | $24,827 |
| 24 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 68% | — | — |
| 25 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 30 | 90% | $32,926 | — |
| 26 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 30 | 43% | — | — |
| 27 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 29 | 32% | — | $32,851 |
| 28 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAssociate's | 27 | 46% | — | $30,466 |
| 29 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 26 | 65% | — | $39,847 |
| 30 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood, COPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 32% | $28,500 | $29,829 |
| 31 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicBachelor's | 25 | 46% | — | $38,443 |
| 32 | Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, MAPublicBachelor's | 24 | 55% | — | $29,191 |
| 33 | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OHPublicAssociate's | 23 | 28% | — | — |
| 34 | Gnomon North Hollywood, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 23 | 100% | $44,138 | $80,221 |
| 35 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 22 | 49% | — | $20,285 |
| 36 | Marist University Poughkeepsie, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 80% | $33,867 | $28,336 |
| 37 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Harrisburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 34% | $14,140 | — |
| 38 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 21 | 48% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 20 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 40 | University of Silicon Valley San Jose, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 29% | $30,599 | $22,656 |
| 41 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 37% | — | — |
| 42 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 76% | $36,137 | $35,884 |
| 43 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor's | 18 | 80% | — | $26,421 |
| 44 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 54% | $9,377 | $9,509 |
| 45 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 16% | — | — |
| 46 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 17 | 81% | — | $42,585 |
| 47 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 43% | $34,565 | $35,878 |
| 48 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 66% | $27,359 | — |
| 49 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 16 | 50% | — | — |
| 50 | Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 56% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Design and Applied Arts field (CIP 50.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 42 states & territories
Where Game and Interactive Media Design graduates come from. Each state links to all Design and Applied Arts programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1014, Special Effects Artists and Animators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Game and Interactive Media Design program can pursue careers as Special Effects Artists and Animators, among other roles. The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 5,000 annual openings and a median wage of $99,800, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0411
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Special Effects Artists and Animatorsprimary SOC 27-1014 | $102,030 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~5,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other SOC 25-1199 | $77,640 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~13,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Game and Interactive Media Design programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
- Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
- Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
- Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
- Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
- Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
Tools and technology used
Other Design and Applied Arts specializations
The 9 other 6-digit CIP codes under Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04).
- Graphic DesignCIP 50.040910,754 graduates / yr580 institutions
- Design and Visual CommunicationsCIP 50.04016,709 graduates / yr249 institutions
- Interior DesignCIP 50.04085,774 graduates / yr231 institutions
- Fashion/CIP 50.0407
Apparel Design 3,243 graduates / yr119 institutions - IllustrationCIP 50.04103,166 graduates / yr68 institutions
- Commercial and Advertising ArtCIP 50.04023,097 graduates / yr161 institutions
- Design and Applied ArtsCIP 50.04991,720 graduates / yr77 institutions
- Industrial and Product DesignCIP 50.04041,432 graduates / yr64 institutions
- Commercial PhotographyCIP 50.0406766 graduates / yr60 institutions
Common questions
What types of degrees are offered in this program?+
Degrees include Bachelor's, Associate's, and shorter awards of less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and design, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Special Effects Artist, Animator, or in various roles in game design.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with 5,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Game and Interactive Media Design?+
Game and Interactive Media Design is CIP 50.0411 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the design, development, and programming of interactive media entertainment, including computer and video games, virtual environments, Internet applications, and other interactive media. Includes instruction in theory of games, turn-based games, real-time games, visual and interactive design, story development, animation, simulation, and programming.
How many institutions offer Game and Interactive Media Design programs?+
152 U.S. institutions reported Game and Interactive Media Design graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 42 states & territories, awarding 2,954 credentials in the year. That is 7.5% of all Design and Applied Arts graduates.
How much do Game and Interactive Media Design graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Special Effects Artists and Animators occupation, which Game and Interactive Media Design most directly leads to, pays a median of $102,030 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Design and Applied Arts field report median earnings of $29,829 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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