Best Online Bachelor’s of Game Design Degree Programs for 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN GAME DESIGN
By Dr. Winston Ewert and Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in game design degree programs for students wanting to combine artistic creativity and technical skills in order to become game designers, art directors, and video game testers.

Top Online Game Design Bachelor's Degrees

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  1. University of Cincinnati
  2. Southern New Hampshire University
  3. Baker University
  4. Savannah College of Art and Design
  5. Lindenwood University
  6. Fisher College
  1. University of Cincinnati
  2. Southern New Hampshire University
  3. Baker University
  4. Savannah College of Art and Design
  5. Lindenwood University
  6. Fisher College
  1. Southern New Hampshire University 96%
  2. Baker University 92%
  3. University of Cincinnati 86%
  4. Savannah College of Art and Design 82%
  5. Lindenwood University 74%
  6. Fisher College 74%
  1. Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
  2. Savannah College of Art and Design 20 to 1
  3. University of Cincinnati 18 to 1
  4. Lindenwood University 13 to 1
  5. Baker University 13 to 1
  6. Fisher College 11 to 1
  1. Savannah College of Art and Design $39,605
  2. Fisher College $34,150
  3. Baker University $32,320
  4. Lindenwood University $19,300
  5. Southern New Hampshire University $15,380
  6. University of Cincinnati $10,656
  1. Savannah College of Art and Design $40,050
  2. Fisher College $27,090
  3. Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
  4. University of Cincinnati $13,224
  5. Baker University $11,466
  6. Lindenwood University $8,475
  1. Fisher College
  2. Lindenwood University
  3. Savannah College of Art and Design
  4. Baker University
  5. Southern New Hampshire University
  6. University of Cincinnati
  1. Fisher College
  2. Lindenwood University
  3. Savannah College of Art and Design
  4. Baker University
  5. Southern New Hampshire University
  6. University of Cincinnati
  1. Fisher College 74%
  2. Lindenwood University 74%
  3. Savannah College of Art and Design 82%
  4. University of Cincinnati 86%
  5. Baker University 92%
  6. Southern New Hampshire University 96%
  1. Fisher College 11 to 1
  2. Lindenwood University 13 to 1
  3. Baker University 13 to 1
  4. University of Cincinnati 18 to 1
  5. Savannah College of Art and Design 20 to 1
  6. Southern New Hampshire University 22 to 1
  1. University of Cincinnati $10,656
  2. Southern New Hampshire University $15,380
  3. Lindenwood University $19,300
  4. Baker University $32,320
  5. Fisher College $34,150
  6. Savannah College of Art and Design $39,605
  1. Lindenwood University $8,475
  2. Baker University $11,466
  3. University of Cincinnati $13,224
  4. Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
  5. Fisher College $27,090
  6. Savannah College of Art and Design $40,050

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or last ground for the 2025 school year.

While the University of Cincinnati and Southern New Hampshire University remained in the respective ranking positions, Baker University gained three positions. Savannah College of Art and Design, Lindenwood University, and Fisher College all lost one ranking position.

Key Takeaways

  • While other bachelor’s degrees, such as computer science, are also acceptable, the dedicated approach to video game design and development gives graduates a competitive edge.
  • Being a video game designer has its monetary and non-monetary rewards. Median annual salaries are high, and career advancement opportunities abound with professional development and work experience.
  • There are multiple degree tracks in game design, such as programming and development, art and animation, or even sound design.

Featured Programs

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Best Online Bachelor’s in Game Design Degree Programs 2025

  1. #1

    University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati , OH
    #10 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #2 Best Public Colleges in Ohio 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Ohio 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Ohio 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    48K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/26

    Career Outlook for Game Design degree at University of Cincinnati

    Cost of Degree: $12,906
    Expenses: $19,772
    Starting Salary: $34,208
    Salary after 4 years: $45,425
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Information Technology

    Concentrations

    • Networking and Systems
    • Software Application Development
    • Cybersecurity
    • Game Development and Simulation
    • Data Technologies
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Hybrid
    Compare school
  2. #2

    Southern New Hampshire University

    Manchester , NH
    #11 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    224K

    Career Outlook for Game Design degree at Southern New Hampshire University

    Cost of Degree: $16,450
    Expenses: $24,000
    Starting Salary: $32,141
    Salary after 4 years: $46,190
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Game Art And Development
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Hybrid
    BS in Game Programming And Development
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Hybrid
    Compare school
  4. #4

    Savannah College of Art and Design

    Savannah , GA
    #2 Best Online Master’s in Game Development & Design 2025 #2 Best Online Master's in Animation Illustration #6 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024 #6 Best Online Bachelor’s of Graphic Arts Degree Programs for 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1170/24

    Career Outlook for Game Design degree at Savannah College of Art and Design

    Cost of Degree: $40,595
    Expenses: $23,742
    Starting Salary: $26,507
    Salary after 4 years: $38,093
    Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Arts

    Concentrations

    • Interactive Design & Game Development
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Completion time: 48 months
    • Format: Hybrid
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  7. #6

    Fisher College

    Boston , MA
    #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Massachusetts 2025 #4 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Massachusetts #12 Best Online Associate in Psychology #13 Best Online MBA Programs in Massachusetts
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Game Design degree at Fisher College

    Cost of Degree: $35,013
    Expenses: $22,887
    Starting Salary: $25,355
    Salary after 4 years: $36,437
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Information Technology

    Concentrations

    • Cybersecurity
    • Game Development
    • Software Engineering
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 3 years 4 months
    • Format: Hybrid
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Career Outlook for Students with Game Design Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Game And Interactive Media Design

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $11,802
  • Avg. Expenses*: $18,634
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $35,497
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $47,137
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 12 years
  • Job Growth: 3.48%
  • Number of Jobs: 275,800
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Special Effects Artists and Animators4.23%$99,060
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary2.75%$80,360
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other3.21%$79,870
Artists and Related Workers, All Other2.99%$74,750
Designers, All Other2.96%$67,500

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Special Effects Artists and Animators$99,060
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$80,360
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$79,870
Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.
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Game Design: A Winning Online Degree and Career Choice

There’s no better time than now to look into online bachelor’s in game design degree programs! The video game industry is on a growth surge, thanks to the increase in social and casual gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, the enduring popularity of video games is attributed to their attractive entertainment value.

It should be noted that many schools offer two tracks to a bachelor’s degree in game design: game designers with technical skills, like programming and sound design, and game media artists and animators. It is typical for programmers to pursue a bachelor’s of science degree (BS) in game design, while media artists and animators usually pursue a bachelor of arts degree (BA).

Graduates of either degree track hold a crucial role in the game design development process.

No matter which degree track you choose, a bachelor’s in game design degree from the best online programs can be an excellent ticket to a well-paying game design and development job!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), game designers who pursue an art or animation track, earn a median annual salary of $78,790 (May 2021), nearly double the median annual wage for all occupations, with the highest earners getting $131,000+ per year.

The BLS reports that game design programmers earn about the same median annual salary, but the predicted job growth rate over the next decade is expected to be an astounding 23%, compared to just 5% for artists and animators.

Roles and Responsibilities Students Prepare For

Students in online bachelor’s in game design programs prepare for the exciting and challenging work of game design and game development. The extensive preparation starts with general education courses followed by advanced courses such as programming languages, computer graphics programming, digital illustration, sound design, interactive animation, and graphic design. Internships are common, too.

With their online education and hands-on training, professional game designers create the characters, stories, and settings as well as the game mechanics and rules for video games. The use of computer programming languages including writing code and testing early versions are also part of their job.

Game designers may also have the following responsibilities:

  • Promote new game ideas to company executives and third-party clients
  • Manage multiple game projects in progress and their teams
  • Keep up with good practices and trends in the gaming industry
  • Monitor cash flows and other aspects of game production
  • Perform quality control measures

Indeed, game design and development has its extreme challenges, from long hours at work to demanding clients! Game design students prepare for these challenges during their studies in these online programs.

Among their preparations are earning certifications in computer programming languages and building their portfolio of sample projects. Both can be achieved while in a bachelor’s in game design program, too. These aspects are embedded in the game design curriculum.

Aspiring video game designers can also strengthen their online learning by joining professional organizations. The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) are great examples.

Hard and Soft Skills Learned as Students

Aspiring professionals in game design and game development must engage in continuous skills development! The key hard skills that will be learned in an online bachelor’s in game design program are:

  • Programming languages like C++ and C#
  • Software development skills
  • Mathematical reasoning and analytical thinking skills

Video game designers and developers must also possess soft skills that make them more productive on the job including:

  • Collaboration skills: necessary because video game design and development requires working in teams
  • Communication skills: a must for successful collaborations between several professionals, from executives to clients
  • Creativity: a vital skill, since game designers should be excellent storytellers

Software Used in Game Design and Development

Effective game design requires the use of computers and their software, including but not limited to:

  • Game engine, such as Unreal Engine and Unity 3D
  • Google Office or Microsoft Office
  • Art software, such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
  • Scripting and programming languages and tools, such as C#, Python and Unreal Script
  • Jira and Bug tracking apps

The best online bachelor’s degree in game design program provides students with the software. Many even provide free laptops with embedded software or provide students with affordable payment plans.

Students can also choose from concentrations in game design. Game art, mobile game design, and animation are popular. Prospective students are usually required to present a portfolio of works.

Frequently Asked Questions About Game Design Degrees

With a bachelor’s degree in game design, you’ll get the chance to combine artistic creativity and technical skills.

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This undergraduate degree can be earned on campus or online and typically takes about four to five years to complete. In most cases, students will be required to complete a minimum of 120 credits.

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In addition to a comprehensive liberal arts course load, students will take degree-specific classes on programming, graphics and animation, user-centered design, and 3-D modeling. Though not required, having knowledge in Java, C#, linear algebra, and computer graphics is helpful.

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Upon graduation, degree holders often seek employment as game designers, art directors, and video game testers.

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Online Bachelor’s in Game Design: How We Came Up With our Top Picks

The best online bachelor’s degree in game design programs are often accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET). This programmatic accreditation is in addition to the regional accreditation granted to colleges and universities by the Higher Learning Commission, among other accrediting bodies. Students then have the guarantee that the bachelor’s degree in game design programs meet the rigorous academic standards of higher education.

These bachelor’s in game design online programs were also chosen because of their excellent student support services. Game design majors are provided with topnotch admission counseling and academic advising services, thus, contributing to their increased chances for graduation. Financial aid counselors also discuss tuition reduction options that best fit each student’s unique circumstances.

Students were also provided with one-on-one and group tutoring services, usually via online platforms. 24/7 access to digital libraries and IT help desk was also provided, thus, minimizing campus visits. Best of all, many of these programs ensured that students met the technical requirements for online learning, from computers to their software and learning management system.

We also looked into the graduate outcomes of these online bachelor’s in game design programs. With the majority of their students earning the online degree, it’s among the best indicators of success.

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