by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 152 U.S. colleges awarded 2,975 degrees and certificates in Game & Interactive Media Design. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 39% of graduates. College Factual ranks 71 schools in its 2027 Best Game & Interactive Media Design Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $32,258 one year after completing, rising to $50,151 after four years.
A major in Game & Interactive Media Design explores Game And Interactive Media Design. A Program That Focuses On The Design, Development, And Programming Of Interactive Media Entertainment, Including Computer And Video Games, Virtual Environments, Internet Applications, And Other Interactive Media. Includes Instruction In Theory Of Games, Turn-Based Games, Real-Time Games, Visual And Interactive Design, Story Development, Animation, Simulation, And Programming. Examples: [Game Design], [Game Development].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., game & interactive media design is a widely-pursued major, with 2,975 degrees awarded annually. 152 colleges award game & interactive media design degrees, an average of 20 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 445.
By level, the 2,975 awards include 143 certificates, 578 associate degrees, 1,082 bachelor’s degrees, 1,166 master’s degrees and 1 doctorates.
Women earned 28% of game & interactive media design degrees and certificates in the latest year (847 of 2,975). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,547) and Hispanic or Latino (511), and international students earned 135.
College Factual ranks 71 schools in its 2027 Best Game & Interactive Media Design Schools ranking, including 20 for associate degrees, 36 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks game & interactive media design schools within 25 states. In all, 152 colleges offer game & interactive media design programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Game & Interactive Media Design Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common game & interactive media design credential is the master’s degree: 1,166 of the 2,975 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to game & interactive media design call most for Active Listening, Reading Comprehension and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, English Language and Design, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Visualization.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a game & interactive media design degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 143 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 578 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,082 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,166 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to game & interactive media design, at 52.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 52.8% |
| Some college courses | 39.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| Master’s degree | 0.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Game & Interactive Media Design, with an average median salary of $63,402; the strongest outlook belongs to Special Effects Artists and Animators, at 6.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include College Instructor, Lecturer, Faculty Member and Associate Professor.
The occupation related to game & interactive media design with the most projected jobs is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, at 964,215.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
Game & Interactive Media Design graduates earn a median $32,258 one year after completing their program, $50,151 after four years and $47,460 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,258 |
| 4 years | $50,151 |
| 5 years | $47,460 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to game & interactive media design, with a median salary of $68,967.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
Game & Interactive Media Design has 9 similar majors in the Visual & Performing Arts field, which together award 36,931 degrees a year; the largest are Graphic Design (10,828), Design and Visual Communications, General (6,817) and Interior Design (5,801). Browse all Visual & Performing Arts majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 10,828 |
| Design and Visual Communications, General | 6,817 |
| Interior Design | 5,801 |
| Fashion/Apparel Design | 3,254 |
| Illustration | 3,183 |
| Commercial and Advertising Art | 3,106 |
| Design and Applied Arts, Other | 1,743 |
| Industrial and Product Design | 1,433 |
| Commercial Photography | 766 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
