[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.
College Factual analyzed 25 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.
For return on investment in game & interactive media design, no school beat Mercer County Community College this year. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $12,250. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in game & interactive media design, landing the #2 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $9,668. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mohawk Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for game & interactive media design. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $9,534 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $21,012. That is a strong return on a $9,534 median debt.
Bergen Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in game & interactive media design, landing the #5 spot this year. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. Students from in state pay about $4,913 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $17,720 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $51,280. That is a strong return on a $17,720 median debt.
Montgomery College placed #6 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $11,230. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Lehigh Carbon Community College placed #7 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $27,896. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College landed the #8 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $12,651. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Delaware ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $26,000. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $42,585. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Finger Lakes Community College landed the #10 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Set in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,258, with out-of-state students paying around $8,442. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $16,736. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Finger Lakes Community College generally make around $40,467. That is a strong return on a $16,736 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $19,721. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,721 median debt. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Villa Maria College earned the #12 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,670. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $15,395 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Villa Maria College earn a median of $31,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,395 median debt. Villa Maria College admits about 87% of applicants.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earned the #13 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,400. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $28,375. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $35,098 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University earned the #14 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
La Roche College placed #15 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,052 in tuition and fees. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $27,078 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $54,268. Set against $27,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Roche College admits about 76% of applicants.
Albright College earned the #16 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,082. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Albright College earn a median of $29,793 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
St Johns University New York placed #17 among the best values for game & interactive media design. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $27,000. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $57,686. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $93,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #19 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $36,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design placed #21 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,150. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design generally make around $25,830. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Marist College landed the #22 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,620. Students borrow a median of $26,929 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Marist College generally make around $28,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
American University placed #23 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from American University generally make around $54,585. That is a strong return on a $24,139 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Maryland Institute College Of Art came in at #24 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Maryland Institute College Of Art earn a median of $48,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maryland Institute College Of Art admits about 77% of applicants.
Pratt Institute Main came in at #25 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,845. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $40,880. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
