DigiPen Institute of Technology has earned a No. 3 ranking on The Princeton Review’s just-released list of the top 50 undergraduate schools for game design for 2018. DigiPen is also ranked No. 9 on the Princeton Review’s 2018 top 25 graduate schools for game design list.
The Princeton Review chose the schools based on its survey of 150 institutions in the U.S., Canada, and abroad offering game design degree programs or courses. The 40-question survey gathered data on everything from the schools’ game design academic offerings and lab facilities to their graduates’ starting salaries and career achievements. More than 40 data points in four areas (academics, faculty, technology, and career) were analyzed to tally the lists.
Game design and development has always been a central component of DigiPen’s academic curricula. Students in each degree program have the opportunity to work on original game projects as an application of their coursework in art, music, computer science, and design. By working alongside their peers from other disciplines, students gain the experience of collaborating in an industry-like environment. Students also benefit by learning directly from faculty members, many of whom are game industry veterans.
“For 30 years, DigiPen’s academic rigor and team-based approach to learning has created innovative leaders in the video game industry,” said Dr. Erik Mohrmann, Dean of Faculty at DigiPen. “Our graduates have learned not only how to apply complicated academic concepts, but also how to work with other people.”
“It has long been our mission to help students find — and get into — the best programs for their needs and interests,” said Robert Franek, Editor-in-Chief for The Princeton Review. “For students aspiring to work in the exciting field of game design, we strongly recommend DigiPen and each of the other top schools that made our 2018 lists. These schools offer extraordinary opportunities to launch a career in this industry. They have outstanding faculties and great facilities which will give students the skills and experience they need to pursue a career in this dynamic and burgeoning field.”
The Princeton Review’s full report on this project also features a companion list of “Top 50 Undergraduate Schools for Game Design.” It includes profiles of the schools with application information and links to the school sites.
The Princeton Review developed its “Top Game Design Schools” project in 2009 with assistance from a national advisory board that helped design the survey instrument and methodology. Board members included administrators and faculty from respected game design programs, and professionals from some of the top gaming companies. DigiPen has been ranked in the top five of the Princeton Review’s “Top Game Design Schools” since the list was developed.
The Princeton Review is also known for its annual rankings of colleges, business schools, and law schools in dozens of categories it reports on its site and in its books including The Best 382 Colleges and Colleges That Pay You Back. The company is not affiliated with Princeton University.