[Game & Interactive Media Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/game-and-interactive-media-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for game & interactive media design students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the game & interactive media design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Moorpark College tops our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Canada College one of the best values for game & interactive media design. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $15,000. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in game & interactive media design will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in game & interactive media design will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in game & interactive media design, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Norco College earned the #6 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #7 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Foothill College earned the #10 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Diablo Valley College earned the #11 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Mt Hood Community College landed the #12 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Mt Hood Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gresham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $9,819. Students borrow a median of $18,767 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Mt Hood Community College generally make around $53,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles City College placed #13 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $10,763 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern College Chula Vista earned the #14 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,344 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $11,205. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $49,358. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.
California State University Chico ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $19,047 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $27,573. Set against $19,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #16 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Southern California placed #17 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $18,262. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $64,846 early in their careers. Set against $18,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Biola University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Biola University earn a median of $45,003 early in their careers. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Cogswell Polytechnical College landed the #19 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, Cogswell Polytechnical College is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,480 in tuition and fees. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $22,656. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Cogswell Polytechnical College admits about 51% of applicants.
Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Seattle landed the #20 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Seattle is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $25,800 in tuition and fees. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $24,750. Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Seattle admits about 42% of applicants.
Academy Of Art University came in at #21 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,736 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $33,312. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Academy Of Art University generally make around $28,555. Set against $33,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laguna College Of Art And Design landed the #22 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Set in the rural area of Laguna Beach, Laguna College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,500. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $27,785. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Gnomon School Of Visual Effects ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Set in the city of North Hollywood, Gnomon School Of Visual Effects is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,635. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $38,000. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $80,221. Set against $38,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gnomon School Of Visual Effects admits about 42% of applicants.
California College Of The Arts landed the #24 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,226. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $28,673. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. California College Of The Arts admits about 91% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
