Game Development Associate Degrees: Best Programs, Jobs, and Salaries

Game development is a specialized skill in programming and design that involves the creation of digital games. Game developer jobs are very high in demand worldwide. If game development is in your line of interest, getting a two-year associate degree can help get you an entry-level position and start your career in the gaming industry.

Below you will find a comprehensive guide on the best schools that offer associate degrees in game development and the jobs you can land with this degree. Finally, we take a look at the benefits of attending a coding bootcamp to learn this skill.

What Is Game Development?

Game development, video game development, or game dev is the art and process of creating a game. It involves conceptualizing the game mechanics and features as well as designing, building, testing, and preparing the product for its release in the market.

What Is a Game Development Associate Degree?

A game development associate degree is a two-year course on game programming and design offered by a community college or university. The program will introduce you to the basics of computer science and programming languages such as JavaScript and C++. To goal is to learn how to apply programming skills to video game creation.

A game development degree is math and programming-heavy. You will need to be comfortable with subjects such as calculus and physics. You will learn about data science, algorithms, graphics, and artificial intelligence. Toward the end of your degree, you will likely get hands-on experiences beta testing 2D and 3D games.

Game Development Associate Degree Requirements

Admission to an Associate Degree in Game Development requires a high school diploma, GED, or other recognized alternative to a high school diploma. Other degree requirements may include basic computer literacy and programming skills.

How Much Does a Game Development Associate Degree Cost?

The

total cost of earning an Associate Degree in Game Development

is $11,391, based on 2019-2020 data by the National Center for Education Statistics. This figure includes tuition, room and board, and other school fees.

Game Development Associate Degree Financing Options: How to Pay for Your Game Development Degree

Financing options for game development degrees include student loans, federal grants, local grants, and institutional grants. Some colleges and educational institutions offer affordable education through deferred payment options. You may also qualify for a scholarship so check if the school you are interested in offers any.

Best Game Development Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Game Development: Top Game Development Associate Degree Programs

Below you will find some of the best associate programs for game development and game design in the nation. All the institutions below are registered with the US Department of Education and are recognized by at least one regional accreditor.

Game Development-Programming | Northwest Vista College

Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, Texas, is a community college that offers an associate degree and certificate course on game development. In this course, students learn software development skills using C++, Python, and Java. They also learn about game design, level scripting, and game software testing.

Game Development | Academy of Art University

The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, is a private school that offers an Associate Degree in Game Development. Students are equipped with valuable digital skills in game construction and game engine technology. The course focuses on hands-on training, and students work together in teams to produce their video games.

AFA in Game Design | New York Film Academy

The New York Film Academy offers an Associate in Fine Arts in Game Design at its Los Angeles campus. It is a 16-month program focusing on the fundamentals of game design, playcentric design, programming, Agile development, and storytelling.

Computer Design, Animation, and Game Design | Kent State University

Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, offers a minor in computer design, animation, and game design. Students work on 2D and 3D games. They focus on game environment design, which means they learn about texturing, lighting, modeling, and sculpting game environments.

Hillsborough Community College in Hillsborough County, Florida, is a public community college offering more than 200 degrees in various technical and medical fields. The school’s Associate Degree in Game Design is a 60-credit-hour program that teaches computer game creation using animation, graphics, and programming languages.

Game Design and Development, AAS | Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois, is a public community college offering more than 180 courses. Its Associate of Applied Science in Game Design and Development teaches students skills and techniques in game creation using the Maya and Unreal engines. They learn to create animations and 3D models for their games.

Simulation and Game Development | Central Piedmont Community College

Central Piedmont Community College, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a public community college that offers a range of technical courses. Its Associate Degree in Simulation and Game Development teaches game simulation, programming, 3D modeling, graphic design tools, animation, and game ethics.

Digital Gaming and Interactive Media | Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Lake Washington Institute of Technology is a publicly operated technical institute located in Kirkland, Washington. It is the only educational facility in the Northwest area to offer an Associate Degree in Game Development.

Students are taught basic technical skills, including programming, animation, level design, 3D modeling, virtual reality, and building a user interface. Additionally, the school prepares students for a career in game design by covering marketing, advertising, and other key aspects of the game design industry.

Game Design and Interactive Media | Pratt Institute

Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, is a privately-owned university that offers an Associate Degree in Game Design and Interactive Media. The course covers programming, prototyping, aesthetics, and interactivity. By the end of the program, students will be competent with at least one programming language and design engine.

Video Game Design | Keiser University

Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a private university offering an Associate Degree in Video Game Design. The course is available on the Pembroke Pines campus. It is an immersive course focusing on the creative process of 3D modeling, game theory, animation, and game space construction.

Best Online Game Development Associate Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Game Development: Top Online Game Development Associate Degree Programs

Many people prefer to study for their degrees from home. Fortunately, there is no shortage of high-quality online game development associate degrees. Below you will find a list of schools that offer online or hybrid degrees that can give you a start in the game development industry.

Genesee Community College is a public community college in Batavia, New York. It offers a two-year digital art program that can be taken fully online. As an online student enrolled in this program, you will acquire essential skills in animation, graphics design, digital video creation, and web design.

Computer Programming | Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College offers an Associate in Applied Science in Computer Programming that can be completed online. Through hands-on training, this course will help you develop a solid foundation in computer programming using Java, C++, and Virtual Basic, which are all valuable skills in game development.

Graphic Design | Rasmussen College

Rasmussen College is a private university with various campuses across the US. It offers an 18-month fully online graphic design associate degree. This course does not focus exclusively on game development, but the student will learn essential skills for a career as a game developer. Adobe Creative Cloud, digital imaging, and web design are all part of the curriculum.

Game Development and Design | Ocean County College

Ocean County College is a public community college located in Ocean County, New Jersey. It has an Associate Degree in Game Development and Design. The curriculum has been modeled after that of the Association of Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society. During the course, the student learns to build problem-solving algorithms and studies the basics of game design.

Simulation and Game Development | Guilford Technical Community College

Guilford Technical Community College is a public institution located in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina. Its Associate of Applied Science in Simulation and Game Development is offered entirely online. The course provides essential technical skills in game development. The course also covers programming, management, modeling, digital design, and audio and video technology.

Computer Science with Emphasis on Video Gaming | Palomar College

Palomar College is a public community college located in San Diego County, California. It offers a fully online Associate in Science in Computer Science with an emphasis on video gaming. Students learn video game design and programming. The course also covers software and hardware computer systems and problem-solving skills.

Programming and Game Development Concentration | Vincennes University

Vincennes University is a public university in Vincennes, Indiana. Its Associate of Science in Programming and Game Development is fully online. The course teaches students to build and troubleshoot video game programs on different platforms. Students work with industry-standard tools such as Blender, 3ds Max, and GameMaker.

IST-Gaming and Mobile Applications Specialization | Danville Community College

Danville Community College is a public institution in Danville, Virginia. The school offers an Associate of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology with a specialization in gaming and mobile applications.

This four-semester course consists of a minimum of 65 credits. It focuses on creating and designing video games and apps for popular mobile devices. You will learn to write code, design levels, and build applications for Google Play.

Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution in the northwestern part of Iowa, with its main campus located in Sioux City. It has an Associate of Applied Science in Video Game Design.

The program is delivered entirely online and consists of 67 credits. It covers game design as well as the entire game development life cycle. Students also acquire skills in game engine development and artificial intelligence.

Video Game Design | New England Institute of Technology

New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island is a private technical university that offers courses in health, sciences, and information technology. Students can enroll in a game design associate degree online.

This program prepares the student to enter the exciting field of electronic entertainment and game simulation. Students learn coding basics, 2D and 3D animation, game design, and visual communication.

What’s the Average Game Developer with Associate Degree Salary?

According to Glassdoor, the

average annual salary for a game developer

is $71,295. Your experience level matters a great deal. An entry-level game developer makes, on average, $67,738 a year, while a senior professional with 10 years of experience has a median salary of $96,760. Your wage will vary significantly depending on your employer. Big companies like Amazon pay their game developers around $105,000 on average.

Top Game Development Associate Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview

Best Game Development Associate Degree Jobs Explained

Software Developer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $110,140
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  22%
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York

Software developers can work on games for mobile devices, gaming consoles, and PC. They write a game’s code based on the plans of a video game designer. Software developers work closely with programmers, who help them execute the game design. They design the various elements of an application and outline how they will fit and work together. They also do software maintenance, testing, and upgrades.

Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $110,140
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  22%
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York

Quality assurance analysts and testers create test plans, identify project risks, and implement software testing. The role of a game tester is to play games to test for bugs before they are released in the market. A game tester will have to go through every stage and level to check every feature, document errors in the code, and report glitches. They make sure that the game will run smoothly.

Computer Programmer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $89,190
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  -10%
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  185,700
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, District of Columbia, California

Programmers take the designs made by software developers and write code to execute the program. In game development, these professionals are responsible for writing the code needed to bring the game to life.

Special Effects Artist and Animator

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $77,700
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  16%
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  62,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Connecticut, California, New York

Special effects artists and animators create 2D and 3D images and visual effects for video games and other forms of media. Animators often work in teams, each having their own assignments concerning different aspects of game design, such as background, animated objects, or characters.

Digital Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $77,200
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  13%
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, Georgia

Digital designers are responsible for the usability, navigation, and functions of an interface, such as that of a website or video game. These professionals work closely with graphic designers to determine the layout, integrate graphics, and polish the overall look and usability of elements that will appear on different devices.

Game Level Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $77,200
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  13%
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  199,400
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, Georgia

Game level designers create the architecture and landscape for the different levels of a video game. They work with the game designer to determine the look of each level. They may also use their coding skills to insert different elements into the game.

Video Game Writer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $67,120
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  9%
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  143,200
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  District of Columbia, California, Connecticut

Video game writers do the creative job of writing scripts for video games. They give life to a storyline and pitch ideas to the design team. Video game writing is typically a freelancing job because they are only necessary during pre-production.

Video Editor

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $61,900
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  29%
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  63,300
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, New York, New Jersey

Video editors use editing software to manipulate images and video content. Video editors usually specialize in one or two specific video editing software such as Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro. They work closely with a director and follow a script to string together video sequences and images.

Graphic Designer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $53,380
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  3%
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  254,100
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  District of Columbia, Washington. Massachusetts

Graphic designers come up with a visual concept and present it through hand-drawn or digital mockups. They design layouts, suggest color palettes, and choose text fonts. These are highly creative professionals that need to come up with designs that captivate and inspire.

Sound Engineering Technician

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $50,000
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  21%
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  138,700
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  California, New York, Connecticut

Sound engineering technicians or sound designers add audio elements to a video game, including background music and sound effects. They play a big role in making the player feel immersed in the game. With the right selection of sound effects and music, these professionals can make the player feel exactly what the game designer and director intended.

*Figure taken from the BLS page for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers

**Figure taken from the BLS page for web developers and digital designers

Game Development Bootcamp vs. Game Development Associate Degree: Which Is Better?

An associate degree is far from being the only option for aspiring game developers. To

become a game developer

, you can also join a coding bootcamp. A coding bootcamp is a short but fast-paced training program that prepares the student for a specific career in tech.

Coding bootcamps have intensive curricula that focus on the technical and soft skills students will need in the workplace.

The best game development bootcamps

offer career services like one-on-one coaching and resume writing workshops to help students land a job as fast as possible.

Each option has its advantages, and your choice will ultimately depend on your career goals. Below we explore the benefits of associate degrees and coding bootcamps. Read on to learn what’s the best learning path for you.

Benefits of a Game Development Associate Degree

• 
  It prepares you for a bachelor’s degree.
  
  Once you finish your associate degree, it is easy to transfer credits to a four-year institution. This will allow you to finish your undergraduate studies faster.
• 
  It can land you a stable job.
  
  For many entry-level positions, an associate degree is enough. In the game development industry, you can land a stable and well-paying position with just an associate degree.
• 
  Broader curriculum.
  
  An associate degree will expose you to a wide range of subjects and areas of study. The curriculum is broader, so you will learn about animation, design, programming, and other key concepts.
• 
  Reputable credential.
  
  Earning an associate degree will give you a leg up over candidates that only have a high school diploma or a certificate.
• 
  Different payment options.
  
  You can finance your associate degree through different methods, including loans and deferred tuition schemes. You could even land a job with a game company that offers to pay for your education as part of a professional development program.

Benefits of a Game Development Bootcamp

• 
  Intensive learning.
  
  A game development bootcamp is ideal for those who want an intensive learning environment with hands-on training and mentorship.
• 
  Faster results.
  
  A bootcamp is the right option if you want to acquire the skills you need without sacrificing the quality of your learning. Most bootcamp programs last three to nine months.
• 
  Flexible learning.
  
  Bootcamp programs come in a variety of formats to fit everyone. You can find online, in-person, hybrid, part-time, full-time, self-paced, and instructor-led options.
• 
  Targeted curriculum.
  
  In a bootcamp program, you will learn only the skills you need to enter the game development industry.
• 
  High job placement rate.
  
  Between 74 and 90 percent of coding bootcamp students land a programming job within six months of graduation, according to a
  
  report from Career Karma
  
  .

Should You Get an Associate Degree in Game Development?

You should get an Associate Degree in Game Development if you want to have a long-term career and a stable job in the gaming industry. With an associate degree, you can land your first job in the video game industry. From there, you can build your skills and vie for more senior positions.

Moreover, an associate degree is ideal if you want to further your education and pursue a bachelor’s degree and even a master’s. This will give you access to more career opportunities and higher income. All in all, if you are considering a career in game development, a game development associate degree is an excellent option.

Game Development Degree FAQ