Top Schools for Computer Games and Programming

Today's video game technology requires experienced computer graphic designers and computer software professionals. Some of the top schools in the nation offer degree programs that can applied to the working field of computer games and programming.

View 25 Popular Schools »

The days of Atari and Pong are long gone, replaced by extensive first-person action games that look increasingly like movies. As computer games become more and more advanced, the number of students working in or hoping to work in the field grows. Degree programs in Computer Games and Programming teaches students to design, test and maintain the detailed instructions that computers or other game systems use to run these programs. As graphics improve and story-lines become more complicated, students must undergo more training than ever before.

Few who want to enter the gaming field will actually major in computer games, perhaps to the surprise and disappointment to some. Most must enroll in computer programming and graphic design courses in order to acquire or improve their skills. While the educational requirements expected of a computer game programmer may vary, most must hold at least bachelor's degrees in computer science.

List of Computer Games and Programming Schools

1. Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University, a private institution, was first founded in 1937. In 2011, U.S. News and World Report's ranked this university as the 53rd best national university in the nation.

Pepperdine University's Seaver College offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in fine arts. These programs contain courses that pertain to graphic design and other artistic fields that pertain to the working field of computer games. Students can take on coursework involved in two and three-dimensional graphic design, as well as computer graphic design and computer animation. They will come into contact with software programs and digital production programs that will become useful in this field.

2. Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI

This university can be found in the state of Michigan and was founded in 1903. Western Michigan University's Department of Computer Science contains degree programs in the major. U.S. News and World Report ranked this university #179 on their list for national universities.

The Department of Computer Science offers a bachelor's, master's and Ph.D program in the computer science field of study. Students will be taught how to recognize computer programming language, GUI programming and software systems development. These classes and more are designed to prepare students for the type of work needed in the computer games field. There are other courses within this field major that are designed to improve future professional game designers hardware and software design skills.

3. Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village, NV

Sierra Nevada College was founded in 1969 and is known as a private university. This university was ranked in the 2nd Tier of U.S. News and World Report's list for best national liberal colleges.

This university offers a major degree program in computer science and a minor degree option in entertainment technology. Students will be taught how to utilize computer design programs and graphic design programs. Along with this curriculum, students will be taught about the specific tools needed to excel in the games design field by taking on the entertainment technology minor.

10 Schools with Good Computer Programming and Games Degrees

School Name	Distinction	Location
Pepperdine University	Fine arts division offers courses in 2D and 3D art design	Malibu, CA
Western Michigan University	Undergraduate and graduate degrees available in computer science	Kalamazoo, MI
Sierra Nevada College	Minor degree option given in entertainment technology	Incline Village, NV
Belmont Technical College	Associate's degree available in computer graphics	Saint Clairsville, Ohio
Coastal Carolina University	Bachelor's degree available in graphic design	Conway, South Carolina
CUNY Lehman College	Bachelor's and master's degree available in graphic design	Bronx, NY
Elizabeth City State University	Teacher certification available	Elizabeth City, NC
Fresno City College	Associate's degree and certificate program given in graphic design	Fresno, CA
Gloucester County College	Distance learning opportunities	Sewell, NJ
Lakeshore Technical College	Opportunities available to study abroad	Cleveland, WI