[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for game & interactive media design students.
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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.
Lehigh Carbon Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $14,450. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $27,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in game & interactive media design will find it at Albright College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,082. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $29,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at La Roche College earned it the #4 place for game & interactive media design. Located in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of La Roche College earn a median of $54,268 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in game & interactive media design will find it at Carnegie Mellon University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $93,581. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design placed #6 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,150. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $27,000. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design earn a median of $25,830 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University ranked #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
