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The Best Bachelor's in Computer Science: Game Design Degrees

Jake Akins

Updated September 3, 2024

This is a ranking of the best bachelor's in Computer Science - Game Design degrees.

Our research is designed for bachelor's students to be informed of college and degree options for studying Game Design within a Computer Science program.

The Best Computer Science Game Design Bachelor's Degrees — Download This Badge

Computer Science degrees have many specializations, such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and among them is Game Design.

This degree is a practical option for students who want a degree in Computer Science, and yet want to learn Game Design as well.

There are different degrees available when studying Game Design, and different capacities to work in the Game Design career field.

Computer Science is an attractive option for students who want to learn the technical side of game design, such as game development, which involves learning the tenets of computer science, such as programming languages, software development, and artificial intelligence.

For clarity, Computer Science degrees with Game Development, Game Programming, and other Game specializations are all included in this list. Game Design is used in this article as a category that includes different game specializations within Computer Science programs.

These Computer Science programs are available on-campus and/or online.

Featured Colleges:

The Best Bachelor's Degrees in Computer Science: Game Design

The Best Bachelor's in Computer Science: Game Design Degrees
Rank	School	Location
1	University of Southern California	Los Angeles, California
2	University of Wisconsin-Stout	Menomonie, Wisconsin
3	Southern New Hampshire University	Manchester, New Hampshire
4	University of California-Santa Cruz	Santa Cruz, California
5	DigiPen Institute of Technology	Redmond, Washington
6	Grand Canyon University	Phoenix, Arizona
7	Liberty University	Lynchburg, Virginia
8	Northeastern University	Boston, Massachusetts
9	Fitchburg State University	Fitchburg, Massachusetts
10	Drury University	Springfield, Missouri

Ranking Methodology:

This ranking made developed using the academic influence of these universities in Computer Science, and then looking at the quality and variety of programs, labs and facilities, and internship opportunities, and data from the National Center for Education Statistics. For more on our ranking methodology, see our College Ranking Page.

University of Southern California

Viterbi School of Engineering, Department of Computer Science

Los Angeles, California

The Department of Computer Science at the Viterbi School of Engineering offers the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Games degree.

This cross-disciplinary program is a computer science degree with a focus on game development. Students learn game development in these domains:

Game production
Game hardware architectures
Serious game development
Computer animation
Game engine programming
Visual design for games and interactives
Introductory and intermediate game design
Video game programming

Graduates will be able to engineer games and simulations for entertainment and serious games fields. Students also participate in two game projects.

Computer Science core courses include:

Fundamentals of Computation
Principles of Software Development
Data Structures and Object Oriented Design
Introduction to Programming
Discrete Methods in Computer Science

Game Design core courses include:

Video Game Programming
Introduction to Interactive Entertainment
Game Design Workshop
Intermediate Game Design Workshop
Intermediate Game Development

University of Wisconsin-Stout

College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Menomonie, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Stout offers the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Game Design and Development degree.

The Game Design and Development concentration can teach students how to create games, but also create simulations, and create software programs which can have applications relevant to other fields such as education, national security, and healthcare. In the scope of game design and development, students learn how to develop software programs that implement physics and digital imagery.

Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. ABET is a STEM field accreditation, providing accreditation to 846 universities & colleges 41 countries, which includes 4,307 programs.

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire

SNHU offers the online and campus Bachelor of Science in Game Programming and Development. Students taking the online program learn the same material and instruction as on-campus students.

Students learn industry skills in game programming, such as game AI, coding, programming languages, and game physics. For students who want to learn design aspects, this program includes instruction in interface design and 2D & 3D graphics.

Classes include:

Gameplay Systems Development
Artificial Intelligence
Foundation in Application Development
Design of Virtual Game Environments

Students learn how to use professional game engines and tools to create games for PCs, mobile devices, consoles, and on the web.

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University of California-Santa Cruz

Computational Media Department

Santa Cruz, California

The University of California, Santa Cruz offers the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Computer Game Design degree. Students may also pursue a Master's and PhD in the Computer Science: Computer Game Design program.

This CS with Game Design degree teaches students how to create the narrative, technical, and artistic foundations of games. In the last year of the program students can actually create their own games. Topics of study include:

game engines
human-computer interaction
procedural audio
procedural content generation
artificial intelligence for games
computer graphics
interactive narrative

DigiPen Institute of Technology

Redmond, Washington

DigiPen offers the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Game Design degree. This program teaches students how to be a software developer to create games, which includes learning the mechanics of games, and creating the levels of games. Graduates will be both trained in game designing, programming, and software engineering.

Students will learn these competencies within these domains of computer science and game design:

Computer Science:

Data structures
Mathematics
Newtonian dynamics
Programming languages: C and C++
Artificial intelligence
Algorithm analysis
Calculus
Linear algebra
Physics

Game Collaboration:

Project management
Year-long, team-based projects
Communications

Game Design:

2D and 3D level design
Game design theory
UI/UX design
Play-testing
Game systems and mechanics

Grand Canyon University

College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University offers the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Game and Simulation Development degree.

This Computer Science program focuses on the conceptual framework, algorithms, theory and science behind computer games and the simulation of scientific phenomena. Students learn such valuable skills as storyboarding, level design, and even mobile gaming.

Students are taught proficiencies in these subjects:

human-computer interaction
object-oriented programming
artificial intelligence
graphic visualization
2D and 3D graphics
virtual reality
operating systems
machine learning
information security

Courses include:

Game Design and Game Play
Compiler Design
Operating Systems
Digital Logic and Design
Computer Graphics Lecture
Information Security

Students will complete two capstones to show proficiency in game design and simulation within Computer Science.

Accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Liberty University

School of Business

Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University is one of the largest online colleges in the U.S. in terms of number of online students. Liberty has online education down to a science.

Liberty offers the unique online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology: Gaming Design degree.

Students learn the fundamentals of Business, Information Technology, and Game Design.

Courses include:

Object Oriented Programming
Business Data Communication Systems
Digital Imaging
Introduction to 3D Graphics
Intro to Human-Computer Interaction
Information Literacy Elective

This program takes three and a half years to complete, and is 120 credit hours. Courses are 8 weeks long.

Liberty accepts up to 75% of the entire degree in transfer credits.

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Northeastern University

Khoury College of Computer Sciences

Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University offers the Bachelor of Science in Game Development and Computer Science degree as a combined major.

Students complete computer science courses and learn game technology; learning to design, build and develop games.

Students have an opportunity to intern at the following:

Global training software developer co-op at Bose Corporation
Engineering intern at Demiurge Studios
Engineering intern at Disruptor Beam

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Fitchburg State University offers the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Game Programming Concentration degree.

Students will take four Computer Science Game Programming courses, and two Game Design courses. The Game Programming Concentration teaches students to developing games using computer science, which includes mobile game programming.

Courses include:

Data Modeling and Database Design
Introduction to Game Art
Systems Programming
Algorithms and Data Structures
Ethical Issues in Computer Science
Game Programming

Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

10.

Drury University

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Springfield, Missouri

Drury University offers the Computer Science: Game Development degree, which requires 58 credit hours. 23 hours are required in the core courses, which are in Computer Science.

15 hours are required in game development. Additional requirements include 11 hours of mathematics, and 12 hours of media arts.

Courses include:

Advanced Game Development
Computer Animation
Artificial Intelligence
Data Structures
Application Development
Application Development II
Foundations of Game Development
Introduction to Computer Science
Introduction to Machine Learning

More resources:

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Computer Science used in Game Design?

Computer Science is the aspect of Game Design that deals with the fundamentals of how the game is programmed. It's the base level of how the game is instantiated in the computer. What is involved in Game Design is at bottom programming languages and software development. It is this coding that creates the game at the most fundamental level, such as the graphics, the levels, the mathematics, and architecture of the games. Computer Science also implements artificial intelligence into games, creating more reactive games.

Can a computer science degree get you a job in game development?

If a game company requires a bachelor's degree for employment, then a Computer Science degree is a relevant degree for Game Development and Game Programming positions. Generally speaking the answer would be yes given the above caveats. Computer Science is a relevant degree to Game Development, given that game developers use programming languages, software, and in some cases artificial intelligence, which are all within the purview of Computer Science.

Is Computer Science a good major for Game Development?

Yes, Computer Science is a good major for Game Development. Game Development involves Computer Science skills, such as using programming languages, developing software, and using artificial intelligence. A Game Development or Game Design specialization within a Computer Science degree is the optimal degree type for learning Computer Science and Game Development and Design. Students learn the fundamentals of Computer Science and how to use them in Game Development in particular.

Can a Computer Science student become a Game Developer?

Yes, a Computer Science student can become a game developer. Game developers use computer science skills, such as software development, artificial intelligence, and programming languages in developing games, for consoles and mobile game development. Computer Science students already learn these relevant technical skills that are involved in game development.

Do Game Designers need to code?

Game Designers do not necessarily need to know how to code, although it is a helpful skill. Game design involves more than the programming and software side of creating games. Game programmers will need to learn how to code and write in the appropriate programming languages. There are game engines that can create games without coding, such as Amazon Lumberyard, Unreal, and Unity.