Best Online Master’s in Game Development & Design 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN GAME DEVELOPMENT-&-DESIGN

Find top-ranked online master’s in game development degree programs to help students advance in their current careers or take on new roles as computer network architects, multimedia animators, game developers, and graphic designers.

Key Takeaways

  • Earning an online master’s degree in game development and design allows graduates to make advances in their career that simply aren’t possible with a bachelor’s degree alone.
  • Online learning courses like game engine development, 3D graphics and rendering, or game production and design help to simultaneously strengthen their understanding of computer programming, fine arts, and engineering.
  • Completing an online master’s degree in game development and game design allows you to advance in your career, taking on roles such as multimedia animator, computer network architect, graphic designer, or game developer.

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 lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best online game development and design master’s degree programs saw a fair amount of movement. Lindenwood University gained a ranking position as the university now offers a flexible 30-credit-hour curriculum that can be completed in as little as 15-18 months, accommodating various learning preferences with on-campus, online, or blended formats. Students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies, including immersive reality tools and access to a new Esports arena, ensuring proficiency in industry-standard platforms like Unity and Unreal Engine.

The curriculum emphasizes project-based learning, allowing students to build a robust portfolio, and is taught by industry-experienced faculty who provide practical insights into game design and development.

Featured Programs

Best Online Master’s in Game Development / Design Degree Programs

  1. #1

    DePaul University

    Chicago , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $43K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/27

    Career Outlook for Game Development degree at DePaul University

    Cost of Degree: $22,525
    Expenses: $22,338
    Starting Salary: $91,901
    Salary after 4 years: $110,780
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Software Engineering

    Concentrations

    • Entrepreneurship And Technology Leadership
    • Real Time Game Systems
    • Software Architecture
    • Software Development
    • Required Credits: 52
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Game Programming
    • Required Credits: 52
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1170/24

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

    Cost of Degree: $41,585
    Expenses: $23,742
    Starting Salary: $63,201
    Salary after 4 years: $76,184
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MA in Arts

    Concentrations

    • Interactive Design & Game Development
    • Required Credits: 45
    • Completion time: 6 months
    • Format: Online
    MFA in Arts

    Concentrations

    • Interactive Design & Game Development
    • Required Credits: 90
    • Completion time: 12 months
    • Format: Online
  3. #3

    Lindenwood University

    Saint Charles , MO

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1126/24

    Career Outlook for Game Development degree at Lindenwood University

    Cost of Degree: $8,550
    Expenses: $15,100
    Starting Salary: $71,750
    Salary after 4 years: $86,489
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MA in Game Design
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. Online Degrees

    MS in Instructional Design and Technology

    Concentrations

    • Learning Experience Designer
    • Instructional Technology Specialist
    • eLearning Specialist Certificate
    • Instructional Game Design Certificate
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    6K

    Online Degrees

    MA in Interdisciplinary Studies

    Concentrations

    • Digital Gaming
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online

Career Outlook for Students with Game Development Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Computer Game Programming

Degree Level: Master's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Job Growth: 15.44%
  • Number of Jobs: 2,036,500

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Software Developers17.94%$132,270
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers11.80%$101,800
Computer Programmers-9.61%$99,700
Web and Digital Interface Designers7.93%$98,540
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary6.00%$96,430

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Software Developers$132,270
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$101,800
Computer Programmers$99,700

Whatever your reasons are, earning an online master’s degree in game design is a good move to help enhance your knowledge in the field. With this advanced degree, graduates will have the chance to advance in their career, leading to opportunities such as a video game project manager position.

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Why You Should Start a Career in Game Design

It is highly unusual for real-world jobs to be described as fun and exciting, but a game design career is one of the rare few. Aside from the sheer enjoyment of the daily aspects of being a game designer, these professionals also play an integral part in an ever-evolving industry that always presents new rewards and challenges.

Here are some advantages of why a career in game design is a wise choice.

You can use your analytical and creative skills.

Game designers are the ones who conceptualize the structure, themes, and rules of a video game. Some can even get their creative juices working through scriptwriting or level designing, while some focus on the game-play design and mechanics.

A lead game designer uses their creative and artistic skills alongside their technological knowledge. Being organized and highly analytical are important skills for drafting ways in which the many components of a video game work.

You work in a casual and fun environment.

As a game designer, keep in mind that the culture in this field is very different from the culture in other traditional business environments. Employees in game studios are all certainly living their passion for game creation.

In doing video game design, you will experience the satisfaction of creating a new product that you know others will love and enjoy.

You enjoy a stable career in a vibrant industry.

There isn’t a dull moment in the game development industry! It is always changing, which means you will have the chance to learn something new throughout your career. And since the video game field is already well established, you enjoy the security of a steady job.

It pays well.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for game and software developers is $109,020. However, the actual figures may greatly vary based on one’s specialization in game design programs, years of experience, location, and several other factors.

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Career Opportunities When You Complete An Online Master of Game Development and Design Degree Program

Video Game Project Managers

This job is multifaceted. These managers are usually producers but also shoulder a lot of coordination. They ensure that all project tasks are done, including the design and distribution of content.

This job is not only for professionals who are adept at making games from a technical and creative standpoint, but also for those with the leadership skills. Good communications and business skills are necessary to facilitate workflow, lead teams, and offer/exchange information on game development.

Video Game Producers

These professionals are adept in project management. They ensure a close coordination among teams that collaborate on activities and projects. Video game products ensure that projects are on-time and on schedule. Not only do they manage products, but they are also the ones responsible for the business end of the story.

Video Game Programmers

These are the ones who are responsible for the back-of-the-house operations of the game applications and sequences and all of the subsequent coding. Video game programmers fix bugs and other problems that emerge during and after testing.

Video game programmers have an advanced skill set that utilizes technical knowledge related to coding and program design.

Postsecondary Computer Science Educators

They are simply computer science teachers. It might surprise many people that there are so many interested computer geeks who go all the way in the field because they love to teach at the college level.

It’s nice to have the option to work within the industry as a programmer, a coder, or a designer while also teaching. This career is one of the best ways to secure a multifaceted career.

After all, many experts in the field are also the same people who are training the next generation of game design professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Game Development Degrees

How long does it take to get a master’s in game development?

In as few as two years, students can earn a master’s degree in game development online or on campus. Consisting of about 30-45 credits, this degree challenges students to mix innovation, technology, and theory.

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What will I learn while getting a master’s in game development?

Through courses like 3D graphics and renderings, game engine development, and game design workshops, students will be able to explore the creative elements of game design while also deepening their understanding of computer programming and engineering. Some programs may also require students to complete a portfolio or capstone project as a way to showcase their technical skills and creativity.

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What can I do with a master’s in game development?

Graduates from this program can advance in their current careers or take on new roles as computer network architects, multimedia animators, game developers, and graphic designers.

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Learn more about what you can do with a master’s in game design.

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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