[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 29 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.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #1 spot for value among game & interactive media design schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $30,979. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne Community College earned it the #2 place for game & interactive media design. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Hinds Community College one of the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $16,385. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in game & interactive media design will find it at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $10,864. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #5 place for game & interactive media design. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $30,466. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $12,651. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $16,909. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gwinnett Technical College earned the #8 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,524, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. Students borrow a median of $18,997 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Gwinnett Technical College earn a median of $32,851 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #9 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $13,414. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $32,153. Set against $13,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pitt Community College placed #10 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Located in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,871, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $19,741 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lanier Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,980 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $12,278. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $37,118. That is a strong return on a $12,278 median debt.
Western Kentucky University placed #12 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Delgado Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Delgado Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,279. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Delgado Community College earn a median of $36,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #14 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $21,513 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $29,146. That is a strong return on a $21,513 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $35,970. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University placed #16 among the best values for game & interactive media design. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $39,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Arkansas Tech University placed #17 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $28,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
Guilford Technical Community College came in at #18 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,696. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $15,250. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Guilford Technical Community College earn a median of $24,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College placed #19 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the suburb of Clarkston, Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,954. Students borrow a median of $15,716 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $42,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #20 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $22,859. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
William T Mcfatter Technical College earned the #21 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the suburb of Davie, William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of William T Mcfatter Technical College earn a median of $28,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Freed Hardeman University came in at #22 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Orange Technical College Winter Park Campus came in at #23 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, Orange Technical College Winter Park Campus is a mid-sized public university. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Orange Technical College Winter Park Campus generally make around $23,270.
Peace College earned the #24 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Peace College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,176. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $24,978 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Peace College earn a median of $33,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University New Orleans placed #25 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,440. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $26,606. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $48,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s game & interactive media design value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
