With countless programs to filter through, it can be hard for those with a passion for gaming to find the best online game development bachelor’s degrees, which is why we’ve made this guide to help you become the best new developer at a top game studio like Nintendo or Ubisoft.
To help you with your school search, we have compiled a list of some of the best online game development bachelor’s degrees, detailing everything from credit requirements to tuition so you can pick the best program for you. Moreover, we’ll tell you what game development bachelor’s degree jobs you’ll be able to get after graduating from one of these online courses, as well as the salaries you can expect to earn.
Where Can I Get a Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Online?
You can get a game development bachelor’s degree online from many schools across the country, with some of the best schools being Southern New Hampshire University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Liberty University, Purdue University Global, and Baker College. Other great picks include Lamar University, Kennesaw University, Lindenwood University, and Walsh University.
What Schools Offer the Best Game Development Bachelor’s Degrees?
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Baker College
- Academy of Art University
- Liberty University
- Kennesaw State University
What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree?
The admission requirements for an online Bachelor’s Degree in Game Development will vary between each school, but there are common qualifications most online schools require. Prospective students will need to have completed high school and must also send their academic transcripts.
For their online applications, some universities require standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, though this is becoming increasingly unnecessary for admission. There is often an application fee as well, which can range between $25 to $100.
Admission to an online game development degree program also depends on the competitiveness of the school and program. Prestigious schools are very selective and have a low acceptance rate, so you can increase your chances of admission by preparing a strong creative portfolio.
Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements
- Complete an online application
- Send in high school or college transcripts
- Pay any application fees
- Submit standardized test scores if required
- Research possible scholarship and financial aid options
How to Get a Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Online
The best way to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Game Development online is by fulfilling all of your school’s graduation requirements. This typically involves completing a minimum of 120 credit hours across general education, elective, and major courses, taking 15 credit hours per semester for eight semesters.
If a school operates on quarter semesters instead of two main semesters a year, then you’ll likely take 180 credits, with 15 credits in each of your 12 quarter semesters. Some schools also require that seniors complete a capstone project, professional portfolio, or internship.
Game Development Degree Requirements
- 30 to 50 credits in general education requirements, such as English, history, art, math, and science
- 15 to 40 credits in elective courses
- 50 to 90 credits in your game development major
- Lower-level courses covering topics such as discrete math, basic programming, probabilities, and data analysis
- Upper-level courses covering topics such as artificial intelligence, software engineering, and scripting
Best Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview
| School | Program | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Academy of Art University | Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Game Development | Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) |
| Baker College | Bachelor of Science in Game Software Development | The Higher Learning Commission |
| Kennesaw State University | Bachelor of Science in Computer Game Design and Development | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
| Lamar University | Bachelor of Science in Computer Game Development | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
| Liberty University | BS in Information Technology—Gaming Design | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
| Lindenwood University | Bachelor of Arts in Game Design | The Higher Learning Commission |
| Purdue University Global | Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Game Development Concentration | Higher Learning Commission |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Interactive Design and Game Development BA in Digital Media | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Bachelor of Science (BS) in Game Programming and Development | New England Commission of Higher Education |
| Walsh University | Online BS in Game Development | The Higher Learning Commission |
Best Schools for Game Development: Top Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Programs
The top schools for online game development bachelor’s degrees are Lamar University, Baker College, and Walsh University. Getting an education from an accredited institution is becoming more accessible as schools continue to offer more online programs. This section below will go over the 10 best online game development bachelor’s degree programs and the universities that offer them.
What Is an Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree?
An online game development bachelor’s degree teaches students how to use conceptual art designs to program playable video games. It is a full-time, four-year program, much like its on-campus counterparts. Online, however, you’d be able to attend school from home either by participating in live lectures or studying at your own pace through pre-recorded lectures.
The gaming industry has entry-level careers available to fresh graduates of online degree programs. Graduates can pursue a wide range of jobs, such as those in game development, computer programming, and user interface design.
Online vs In-Person Game Development Degrees
The main difference between online and in-person Bachelor’s Degrees in Game Development is the location of the program and the flexibility of the class schedule. Depending on the school, you may also be able to have more access to advanced technology equipment, as some in-person game development programs allow students to use virtual reality headsets that most online students don’t have at home. However, in-person game development degrees cost more than online degrees, as you’d be paying for various on-campus amenities.
While online and in-person game development degrees are equally valuable from accredited universities, there are differences between the two learning styles. Each type has its own advantages, and it’s essential to review those so that you can make the most informed decision when committing to a university.
Top 5 Benefits of an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Game Development
- Learning flexibility. Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Game Development only require you to log into your computer to attend class, so you can take your laptop into whatever environment you best learn in, whether that be your living room or a neighborhood coffee shop.
- Cost. In-person degrees are often much more expensive than online degrees, as in-person students need to pay various campus-related fees for amenities, libraries, dining halls, parking, and transportation. Since they can learn anywhere, online students don’t need to worry about living in expensive apartments near college towns.
- Easier to accommodate work. Attending school full time on campus is time-consuming, which makes working full time, and even part time, difficult. With pre-recorded classes, online students learn around their work hours.
- More school options. Since you aren’t confined to one area, nor need to uproot your life to move near a campus, you’re free to attend schools across the country.
- Class variety. With the option to choose from schools across the country, you can also let interesting classes guide that decision. Many online programs easily allow for interdisciplinary studies, enabling you to have a diverse skillset upon graduation.
Top 5 Benefits of an In-Person Bachelor’s Degree in Game Development
- Networking opportunities. Being on campus allows students to more effortlessly form relationships with fellow students and professors, making it easier to collaborate and ask for assistance.
- College experience. In-person degrees encourage learners to explore student life outside of academics. They can pursue extracurriculars that match their interests and be part of a campus community.
- Culture. In-person degrees allow students to encounter people from various backgrounds and cultures, widening their knowledge and allowing them to practice their interpersonal skills.
- Increased concentration. A rigid academic setup enables students to focus more on their schoolwork and avoid the distractions that come with distance learning.
- Campus amenities. When pursuing a degree on campus, you’ll have access to perks such as in-person library sources, tutoring, career services, gyms, and events.
What Types of Online Bachelor’s Degrees Can You Get in Game Development?
The three main types of online Bachelor’s Degrees in Game Development include a Bachelor of Science degree purely in game development, while others offer Bachelor of Science degrees in adjacent programs such as information technology or computer science but with concentrations in game development.
Additionally, you can pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Development or a Bachelor of Arts that also includes game design programs.
Is it Better to Get a Bachelor of Science in Game Development or a Bachelor of Arts in Game Design?
It is better to get a Bachelor of Science in Game Development because even though most game design degrees also teach game development, designing is more creativity-focused. In a Bachelor of Arts (BA) game design degree program, you would primarily learn how to create characters, make concept art, establish stories, and animate, usually only taking foundational programming classes.
In a Bachelor of Science Degree in Game Development, by contrast, your studies would be less arts-focused and concentrated on the technological aspect of creating a game, like coding, programming, scripting, and developing software. While some developers have design skills, most developers in the field specialize in the skills taught in the BS programs, so that degree is more ideal.
How Much Does a Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Cost?
The average cost for a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Game Development ranges between $185 per credit-hour and $1,041 per credit-hour from Kennesaw State University and the Academy of Art University, respectively.
Typically, per the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a bachelor’s degree costs approximately $14,900 per year for public, in-state universities. By contrast, for private, for-profit universities, that cost is $24,746. Prices can skyrocket from there, with the average cost of attending a private, non-profit university being $42,163.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Online?
It takes four years to complete an online game development bachelor’s degree on average. The degree typically consists of 120 credit hours across eight semesters, with online students taking 15 credits per semester.
Game development bachelor’s degrees are broken up into 30 to 50 credits in general education courses, 10 to 40 credits in elective courses, and 40 to 90 credits within the game development major. Students will sometimes need to complete a professional portfolio, senior capstone project, or internship, though this is usually counted within the standard 120 credit hours of a degree.
Some colleges break up their school year into quarters instead of having fall and spring as their two main semesters. In those instances, students typically study in three out of the four quarters in a year, taking 15 credits across 12 quarter semesters for 180 credits total to complete the degree.
Are Online Game Development Degrees Respected?
Yes, online game development degrees are respected when they come from accredited universities. In terms of quality, the curriculum of an online degree is virtually identical to that of an in-person degree. Usually, schools don’t even differentiate on diplomas whether or not a student achieved the degree online or in person, so employers would never notice the difference.
Is Game Development Hard to Learn Online?
No, game development is not hard to learn online. Since game development students learn and do their schoolwork through a computer anyhow, completing your degree from home wouldn’t make much of a difference.
Additionally, schools will often offer students either asynchronous or synchronous classes depending on their coursework. Hence, some schools have their lectures streamed live, while others are pre-recorded to be watched at one’s convenience.
Game Development Bootcamp vs Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree: Which Is Better?
An online game development bachelor’s degree is better if you are interested in art and programming, as most degrees are interdisciplinary in teaching both design and development. Through a four-year program, you would learn a lot more than what you would have learned in a few months through a game development bootcamp. There are so many different processes required to build a game that it would be nearly impossible to become proficient in all of them quickly.
Bootcamps, though, are great for working professionals who can’t spare four years studying and need in-demand skills in a short period. Other great candidates for bootcamps are those that already have some professional background in the field and are looking to brush up on and learn new skills in this competitive field.
Despite gaming degrees generally being better than bootcamps, there are still advantages to getting an education through the latter. Below, we’ll go over five benefits of each type of learning.
Top 5 Benefits of an Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree
- Develop technical skills. Game development requires fluency with a wide variety of programs, coding languages, and software frameworks, which are implausible to master within just a few months of learning.
- Learn your specialty. Since you’ll be working with various game engines and other software frameworks through a bachelor’s degree, you can determine which you like best and choose to specialize in that program and look for jobs that use it.
- Build a portfolio. By studying through a four-year degree, you’ll either make a senior capstone project or create a strong portfolio, which can help immeasurably in landing a job right after graduation.
- Access network opportunities. Since you would be learning from various professionals within the field, your professors can offer connections to others in the industry that can help you launch your career after graduation.
- Get offered internships. Building interpersonal relationships with professors mean that they might bring you on for internships or refer you to other companies, enabling you to get hands-on experience in game development before you even graduate.
Top 5 Benefits of a Game Development Bootcamp
- Accessible. Bootcamps do not have a strict application process requiring minimum GPA, SAT, or ACT scores, taking away barriers to getting an education.
- Short timeframe: Whereas bachelor’s degrees typically take four years without prior credit transfers, bootcamps take less than a year to complete. This makes it easier for you to enter the workforce as soon as possible.
- Cost-efficient. With bootcamps taking just a few months, as opposed to four years like typical bachelor’s degrees, bootcamps usually cost much less than college degrees. The average cost of a coding bootcamp is $11,272, which you could spend in just a semester at some prestigious universities.
- In-demand skills. Bootcamps are workforce-oriented in their curriculum, as instructors want to teach students the sought-after skills employers seek in their applicants. Attending bootcamps will allow you to keep up to date on the latest developments in the field, brush up on old skills, or pick up new ones.
- Specific curriculum. A large portion of credit hours within a bachelor’s degree is devoted to general education requirements, such as English and history classes. Attending a bootcamp avoids the need to study classes that are not relevant to the field of game development.
Why You Should Get a Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Online
You should get a game development bachelor’s degree online because it is more flexible and convenient than an in-person degree. Getting an online degree from an accredited university offers the same quality of education as an in-person degree, so you wouldn’t need to worry about employability post-graduation with an online degree.
Since you’re getting the same quality education through both learning styles, pursuing an online degree is much more cost-effective. You wouldn’t need to pay for campus amenities, expensive housing near campus, or transportation.
Taking a degree online will intervene with your daily life a lot less. You wouldn’t need to worry about relocating close to your university, or changing jobs, as you can shape your education around your schedule. With the extra free time studying online offers, you’d also have more opportunities to grow samples for your portfolio, helping job prospects after graduation.
What Courses Do You Take in an Online Bachelor’s Degree Program in Game Development?
Bachelor’s Degree in Game Development courses immerse students in a wide variety of disciplines such as game development, information technology, and graphic design. This section provides an overview of courses you will take in an online game development bachelor’s degree program.
Digital Game Development
This class will build foundational skills in popular programming languages for games, such as C# and C++. For projects in your class, you’ll likely work on developing smaller games like those for mobile devices, teaching you how to work within the limits of small memories, processors, and displays.
Database Management
As good as your code can be, you wouldn’t be able to utilize it in a mismanaged system. Through this course, you’ll learn the architecture of a database and how to design your own, as well as tools to troubleshoot and optimize its functionality.
Scripting
This programming language is used to make code that causes automatic actions normally done by humans. Scripting is often used to create non-playable characters (NPCs) that human players can interact with in-game. If you’re excellent at online video games, you might have been accused of “scripting,” as it can involve the optimization of actions that are beyond human abilities.
Interactive Design
This class essentially involves learning how to make artwork within video games through drawing backdrop concepts, designing characters, and deciding on color palettes. Designers are responsible for the overall “feel” of a video game, created through their development of atmosphere, virtual environment, and story.
Artificial Intelligence
This course teaches students the basics of artificial intelligence and its use within game development, and they’ll eventually design their own intelligent agents for research. Students will learn how artificial intelligence agents solve, reason, make decisions, perceive their digital world, and take actions.
Continuing Education Paths for Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Graduates
The continuing education paths for online game development bachelor’s degree graduates include development-related bootcamps, master’s degrees, and PhD programs. Since professionals in game development are so in demand, you’ll likely be able to get a job right out of graduation. However, you can pursue a higher degree if you want to increase your chances of getting a job specializing in game development and earning a high annual salary.
Related Online Game Development Degrees
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What to Look For in the Best Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Programs
The factors to look for while choosing the best game development bachelor’s degree programs are the school’s accreditation, curriculum, tuition, flexibility, and graduation rate. Assessing these factors in each prospective university will help you find the degree that is the right fit for you.
Accreditation
While it’s great that more schools are beginning to offer online programs, that doesn’t mean that all degrees are equally worthwhile, which is why you need to research a university’s accreditation. To become accredited, a school must pass a third-party organization’s assessments into the value of the education it provides. Once you know what organizations to look for it will make weeding through programs much easier.
Degree Type
When looking into schools, see what type of game development degree they offer. If it is a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Development, the program will likely be more focused on arts and design courses. If it is a Bachelor of Science degree by contrast, it is more focused on programming and software development, which would likely suit you best in a traditional gaming development job.
Academic Curriculum
When looking for a Bachelor’s Degree in Game Development, you might have difficulty finding strictly online degrees with that title. If this is the case, see if there are programs in computer science, programming, or information technology, as they might have game development concentrations. Those concentrations are worthwhile as you would likely learn the same skills from those parent degrees as in a program strictly based on game development.
Tuition
Unfortunately, tuition fees are an important factor to consider when applying for schools. Still, there are great schools out there for students with varying budgets. For lower tuition fees, look into public universities, and stay away from expensive private, non-profit schools. If you find your dream school and it is out of your budget, there are financial aid and scholarship options you can apply for.
Accelerated Options
Bachelor’s degrees typically take four years to complete, but you might be able to finish the degree in a shorter period through an accelerated program, which might only take two to three years. Accelerated options will sometimes require students to have a prior associate degree to cut down on the number of required credits in general education courses.
What Is the Most Affordable Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree?
The most affordable online game development bachelor’s degree is offered by Kennesaw State University, which has a tuition of just $185 per credit for their Bachelor of Science in Computer Game Design and Development. If there is a school that seems financially out of reach, you can apply for federal financial aid options or see if that school offers scholarships.
Can I Get a Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Online for Free?
No, you cannot get a free online Bachelor’s Degree in Game Development because universities require tuition rates to be paid. However, some organizations and universities offer the option to audit courses for free or at reduced prices. This means that you can still access the lectures and coursework of the online program, but you wouldn’t be granted the credits or a degree upon completion.
Salary and Job Outlook for Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Graduates
Game development bachelor’s degrees cover interdisciplinary studies, so graduates from those programs can apply their new skillsets to various careers. For example, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that demand for software developers will be growing at a rate of 22 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than the national average rate of eight percent for other jobs
How Hard Is It to Get a Job With a Game Development Bachelor’s Degree?
It is not hard to get a job with a game development bachelor’s degree, as it teaches you skills widely applicable to a variety of different fields. With proficiencies in computer programming, software development, design, and data management, you’d be a highly sought-after employee at many companies across the country.
What’s the Average Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Salary?
The average salary for someone with an online Bachelor’s Degree in Game Development is $110,140 per year, according to the BLS. This industry will be growing at a rate of 22 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is almost three times that of the national average of eight percent for all other jobs.
What Jobs Can You Get With an Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree?
The jobs you can get with an online game development bachelor’s degree are those in digital design and software development. With this degree, you’d be able to work as part of a team within the gaming industry as a developer, texture or environmental artist, and level designer, to name a few.
More generally speaking, you’d be perfect as a computer programmer, data manager, web developer or designer, or user experience designer. With an online game development bachelor’s degree, you shouldn’t have any problems finding a great job post-graduation.
Game Development Degree Jobs
- Environment Artist
- User Experience Designer
- Game Developer
- Software Developer
- Game Designer
Potential Careers With an Online Game Development Degree
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How Much Money Can You Make With an Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree?
You can make between $77,200 to $159,010 with an online game development bachelor’s degree. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers have a median salary of $110,140 per year.
In general, the top jobs within game development pay roughly six figures, as graduates with a bachelor’s degree have a wide range of in-demand skillsets. In our list of the top online game development bachelor’s degree jobs, the lowest of the five salaries was $93,000, while the top was the aforementioned $110,140.
Highest-Paying Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview
| Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Information Technology Project Manager | $159,010 |
| Software Developer | $110,140 |
| Game Programmer | $93,000 |
| Video Game Designer | $78,790 |
| User Interface Designer | $77,200 |
Best Jobs for Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Grads
Best Jobs According to Your Major
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Is an Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?
Yes, an online game development bachelor’s degree is worth it. Graduates with a degree in game design or game development can land a high-paying job in the gaming industry, with some of the highest jobs paying around $100,000 yearly.
Employers respect both accredited online and in-person game development bachelor’s degrees as the two learning types provide the same quality education. Most universities don’t differentiate between diplomas and whether or not someone graduated with an online or in-person degree, making the difference between the two invisible to potential recruiters.
With the same career options as in-person degrees, taking an online degree has many advantages. Distance learning degrees are much more cost-effective regarding tuition and the additional costs that come with living in a college town, such as paying for transportation and for expensive apartments. In addition, online students can learn from the comfort of their own homes.
The skills taught within an online game development bachelor’s degree are in high demand both in the gaming industry and beyond. As a graduate with eclectic technical skills, you would have the freedom to pursue high-paying jobs in the field of your choosing.
Additional Reading About Game Development
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Online Game Development Bachelor’s Degree FAQ
The main difference between game designers and game developers is that the former is more arts-focused, whereas the latter is more programming-focused. As a game designer, you’d work to create the overall atmosphere of a video game like writing character development, thinking up storylines, and establishing a visual theme. Game developers, by contrast, take the ideas from game designers and craft them into an actual game by coding through software frameworks like game engines.
Yes, game development has a bright future. The BLS has estimated that between 2020 and 2030, the need for software developers will increase by 22 percent, which is a much higher outlook than the national average rate, which is only 8 percent. Additionally, game developers feel satisfied with their job, likely due to the great pay and job security going forward.
Yes, you’d need a bachelor’s degree to become a game developer. Since developing requires extensive knowledge in everything from designing to programming, those skills can’t be taught in-depth outside of a university setting. For those that don’t have the time to pursue a four-year degree, you can look into the best game development bootcamps, which are typically completed within a year.
No, learning to code for video games is not difficult, as it is simply an acquired skill that requires practice. While looking at zeros and ones on screen might be intimidating, coding is really just a matter of learning programming languages and will become familiar to you in no time when taking an online Bachelor’s Degree in Game Development.
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