RIT ranked among top game design schools in the United States

Rochester Institute of Technology has been recognized as one of the top game design universities in the nation. RIT was named No. 6 on the Animation Career Review list of Top 50 Game Design Schools and Colleges in the U.S. and No. 2 in New York state.

The 2024 rankings considered more than 150 colleges with game design programs. The annual rankings were created by Animation Career Review, an online resource for aspiring animation, game design and development, graphic design, and digital art professionals. The list also named RIT the No. 4 game design master’s degree program, No. 4 bachelor’s degree program, No. 4 private school in the nation, and No. 3 game design school on the East Coast.

“We have a growing portfolio of games and games-related programs that encompass RIT’s expansive connections at the intersection of technology, the arts, and design,” said David Schwartz, director of RIT’s School of Interactive Games and Media (IGM). “Our programs prepare students for the game industry and career opportunities that leverage game technologies—including digital twins, AI, simulation, modeling, education, and more.”

Animation Career Review noted that RIT offers several paths for aspiring game designers, including several bachelor’s degrees, a master’s in game design and development, and an accelerated BS/MS option.

RIT students can also develop and commodify games with the university’s MAGIC Center. RIT’s MAGIC Spell Studios focuses on nurturing and growing new companies and publishing and distributing their projects. Many students and alumni go on to publish their games. For example, one team is publishing the game That Damn Goat on Nintendo Switch this year.

The ranking also highlights RIT’s emphasis on cooperative education—full-time paid work experiences that provide students with an opportunity to learn on the job in real-world industry settings. With help from the co-op program, graduates of RIT’s game design and development programs have started careers at companies including Epic Games, Electronic Arts, Cartoon Network, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Google, and Microsoft.

“Our intent is that these rankings serve as a starting point for students to discover the schools that are the best fit for them,” Animation Career Review posted its website.

The Animation Career Review 2024 Game Design Rankings website lists the complete game design school rankings. The ranking looked at academic reputation, employment data, admission selectivity, depth and breadth of programs, value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness, graduation rate, and retention rate.

Learn more about RIT’s offerings in Game Design, Development, and Arts.