[Game & Interactive Media Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/game-and-interactive-media-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 202 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value game & interactive media design schools.
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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.
For return on investment in game & interactive media design, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. 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.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #4 place for game & interactive media design. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $11,861. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $30,979 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the best values for game & interactive media design. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Hinds Community College earned the #6 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #7 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,795 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College landed the #9 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College earned the #10 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $9,205. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College landed the #11 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #12 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College earned the #13 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $30,466 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College came in at #14 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College earned the #15 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $13,414 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $32,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,414 median debt.
Muskegon Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, while out-of-state students pay about $16,010. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $48,267. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College earned the #17 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $9,007. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $12,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,007 median debt.
Montgomery College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #19 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College came in at #20 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College landed the #21 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $10,766. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $34,227. That is a strong return on a $10,766 median debt.
Lanier Technical College placed #22 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, while out-of-state students pay about $7,190. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Lanier Technical College earn a median of $37,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College placed #23 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Collin County Community College District earned the #24 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $6,900. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $33,456 early in their careers. Set against $6,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University landed the #25 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,057 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $31,888. Set against $14,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s game & interactive media design value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Game & Interactive Media Design rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 202 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
