[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong game & interactive media design education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 76 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value game & interactive media design schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in game & interactive media design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in game & interactive media design in the United States. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $14,057. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $31,888. That is a strong return on a $14,057 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for game & interactive media design. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Arizona State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Louisiana Tech University earned it the #4 place for game & interactive media design. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $21,513. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $29,146. Set against $21,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in game & interactive media design will find it at Arkansas State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $35,970. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
California State University Chico came in at #6 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $19,047 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $27,573. That is a strong return on a $19,047 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Utah earned the #7 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,344 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
West Virginia University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $39,847. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Fitchburg State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $29,191. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #10 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $21,064 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $26,421 early in their careers. Set against $21,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon landed the #11 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $10,051 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $22,810. Set against $10,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #12 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,288 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. That is a strong return on a $22,288 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #13 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $20,875. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $49,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Arizona landed the #14 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $21,861. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #15 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $38,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware placed #16 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $42,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,721 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Set against $19,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #18 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $28,950 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $20,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earned the #19 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,400. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $28,375. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $35,098. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #20 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Villa Maria College earned the #21 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,670 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,395 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $31,909. Set against $15,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Villa Maria College admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #22 among the best values for game & interactive media design. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $22,859. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $49,826. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University placed #23 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $29,688. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Michigan State University came in at #24 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $28,175. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $36,784 early in their careers. Set against $28,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Lindenwood University placed #25 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in game & interactive media design:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Game & Interactive Media Design rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 76 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.
