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Top Online Game Art Design Degree Programs Ranked For 2025

We've compiled the most up-to-date information on these fully or mostly online Online Game Art Design degree programs across the U.S. This data is accurate as of March 21, 2025. We carefully reviewed quality, affordability, and student outcomes to bring you the best options. Explore our updated rankings below to find the program that's right for you.

#1

Southern New Hampshire University

Bachelor of Arts in Game Art and Development

$330 per credit
Online

Key Highlights

["Develop creativity, critical thinking and technical skills", "Use industry-standard 3D and 2D graphic software, like Adobe Creative Suite and 3ds Max", "Graduate with a portfolio demonstrating design and game art skills", "Learn skills applicable to web, console, PC and mobile game platforms"]

Program Description

SNHU's Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Game Art and Development program focuses on building rich virtual worlds and designing compelling characters. This online degree program develops creativity, critical thinking, and technical skills needed to succeed in the video game art and design industry. Students learn digital game and interactive media element design, design strategy recommendations, application of industry tools, creative and collaborative problem solving, and design optimization for various digital platforms. The curriculum covers game art principles and tools, fundamental skills, and advanced techniques used by game artists, designers, and animators. Graduates develop an eye-catching portfolio of assets to showcase to potential employers.

Program Features

  • Concentrations: null
  • Transfer Credits: Not Accepted

Skills You'll Gain

["Digital game and interactive media element design", "Design strategy recommendations", "Application of industry tools", "Creative and collaborative problem solving", "Design optimization for various digital platforms", "3D modeling and sculpting", "Lighting, shading and texturing", "Illustration and digital painting", "Rigging and character animation"]

Tuition & Costs

  • Cost Per Credit: $330
Visit Program Website
$335 per credit
100% Online

Key Highlights

["Cutting-edge program designed for shaping the future of the gaming industry.", "Offers a unique combination of art, design, technology, and business knowledge.", "Covers Rapid Prototyping design techniques, systemic architecture considerations, and character development.", "Prepares graduates for careers in game art, systems design, and gameplay programming."]

Program Description

The online Bachelor of Science in Interactive Game Design is a cutting-edge program designed for those who want to shape the future of the gaming industry. This comprehensive degree offers a unique combination of art, design, technology, and business knowledge tailored to the modern game designer. Many of the courses in this program cover Rapid Prototyping design techniques, systemic architecture considerations, character development, and how narrative arcs drive gameplay through different levels. Graduates of the BS in Interactive Game Design program will be prepared for exciting careers in game art, systems design, and gameplay programming.

Program Features

  • Concentrations: null
  • Transfer Credits: Accepted

Skills You'll Gain

["Game design principles", "Rapid prototyping", "3D modeling", "Level design", "Systems design", "Game narrative development", "Interactive storytelling", "Portfolio development"]

Tuition & Costs

  • Cost Per Credit: $335
Visit Program Website
#3

Lindenwood University

Game Design, BA

$495 per credit
3 years
100% Online

Key Highlights

["Ranked No. 1 by The Best Schools as the Best Online Bachelor\u2019s in Game Design Program", "Diversified education to take a gaming concept all the way through to the user experience.", "Flexible online learning format.", "Blends aspects of game development and design."]

Program Description

At Lindenwood University, you can build out the technical and creative skill and expertise you need within game design and development through our online game design degree. This bachelor’s-level game design online degree program offers the diversified education you need to take a gaming concept all the way through to the user experience. Earning your game design degree online is a way to get the education you need flexibly. This program blends aspects of both development and design, exploring concepts and skills within the game development lifecycle as well as conceptualizing the world of a game. Students will master the game design life cycle and gain expertise through coursework in topics such as Introduction to Game Design, 3D Graphics, History of Games and Critical Theory, and Level Design.

Program Features

  • Concentrations: ["Game Art", "General"]
  • Transfer Credits: Accepted
  • Prerequisites: Online application, Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended (If you have fewer than 24 college credits, you will need to submit your official high school transcript. If cumulative college GPA is below a 2.0, the following will also be required: Résumé and Letter of intent/personal statement.

Skills You'll Gain

["Analytical Thinking", "Collaborative Approach", "Project Management Skills", "Technology Aptitude"]

Tuition & Costs

  • Cost Per Credit: $495
Visit Program Website
$390 per credit
100% Online

Key Highlights

["100% online, 8-week courses", "Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total", "Ranked #1 by Bestcolleges.com as one of the best online programs in video game design", "Electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no cost", "Opportunity to complete an internship"]

Program Description

Liberty University's BS in Information Technology – Gaming Design program is designed to equip students with the programming and design skills needed to succeed in the evolving game design industry. The program provides a foundation in information technology and experience in current software programs and languages used in the industry. Students will develop both technical and creative skills, learning how to program video games and create stunning content through graphic design and animation. The curriculum includes courses in information technology, graphic design, and game development. An optional internship is available to gain practical experience before graduation. With a dual emphasis on programming and design, graduates will be prepared for various careers in the video game industry.

Program Features

  • Concentrations: null
  • Transfer Credits: Accepted
  • Prerequisites: Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor. Send official high school transcripts or official GED test scores. Send official college transcripts.

Skills You'll Gain

["Programming", "Software Management", "Graphic Design", "Animation", "Game Development"]

Tuition & Costs

  • Cost Per Credit: $390
  • Additional Cost Information:
    A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee
Visit Program Website
$19,900 in-state tuition per year
Online

Key Highlights

["Master courses in drawing, concept design, and 3D animation, essential for any aspiring game artist.", "Engage with immersive reality technologies, integrating art and virtual reality, to create fully immersive game experiences.", "Learn from industry veterans and mentors who bridge theory with real-world practice, preparing you for a dynamic career in game art."]

Program Description

The Bachelor of Arts in Game Design with an Art Emphasis at Lindenwood University is designed to blend artistic skill with game development. The curriculum is formulated to launch students into a future where art and technology merge, creating games that captivate and inspire. This program is tailored for individuals with a creative flair and a passion for visual storytelling within the gaming context. It emphasizes mastering the creation of visually compelling and immersive game environments. The program offers a project-based, hands-on learning experience, focusing on essential artistic skill development.

Program Features

  • Concentrations: ["Game Art"]
  • Transfer Credits: Not Accepted

Skills You'll Gain

null

Tuition & Costs

  • In-State Tuition: $19,900/year
  • Out-of-State Tuition: $19,900/year
Visit Program Website
#6

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design

Online Game Art Degree

Contact school for tuition information
Online

Key Highlights

null

Program Description

As a student in RMCAD’s Online Game Art Degree Program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of taking concept art to production ready assets, characters and worlds. Online game art courses are taught by instructors who are practicing industry professionals and will teach you the essential technical skills to bring your creations to life. You’ll graduate with a professional portfolio, ready to take on the exciting gaming industry with confidence and have the ability to deliver exceptional visual narratives that will set you apart from other game artists.

Program Features

  • Concentrations: null
  • Transfer Credits: Not Accepted
  • Prerequisites: Complete your artist meeting with an admissions representative. Submit an admissions application. Create and submit your portfolio, to be considered for a scholarship. Submit official high school and college transcripts (for transfer students). Submit the current year’s FAFSA and other financial aid documentation.

Skills You'll Gain

["3D Modeling", "Visual Storytelling", "3D Environment Art", "Lighting", "Rigging", "Texture Mapping", "3D Character Art", "Observational Drawing"]

Tuition & Costs

    Visit Program Website
    $4,477 in-state tuition per year
    Online

    Key Highlights

    ["Same caliber of education as traditional campus students", "State-of-the-art classrooms with multi-stream video-conferencing", "Integrated into campus environments promoting project-based active learning", "Flexible academic options with elite faculty and rigor", "Graduates earn the same elite degree as on-campus students"]

    Program Description

    The online BADAS degree crosses traditional college boundaries between arts, communications, and technology. The emergent field of Digital Arts & Sciences is ideal for students whose intellectual and creative energies are not confined by traditional academic disciplines. BADAS students will immerse themselves in every aspect of the new and developing digital landscape – from design and production to animation, from programming to game design. The BADAS degree provides graduates with applicable technical, creative, and critical-thinking skills that are highly prized by employers in the entertainment, communications, and technology sectors, and are central to the Digital Worlds Institute BADAS curriculum. Students will gain experience working in project-based classes in team-oriented environments, reflecting the dynamic of many industry settings.

    Program Features

    • Concentrations: null
    • Transfer Credits: Accepted
    • Prerequisites: Upper division applicants (students with 60 or more college credits earned) should have at least a 2.0 overall GPA and have completed the below 12 credits with at least a 2.5 GPA: ARH2000 – Art Appreciation ARH2050 – Art History 1 ARH2051 – Art History 2 MAC1140 – Precalculus Algebra

    Skills You'll Gain

    ["Technical skills", "Creative skills", "Critical-thinking skills", "Design", "Production", "Animation", "Programming", "Game design"]

    Tuition & Costs

    • In-State Tuition: $4,477/year
    • Out-of-State Tuition: $25,694/year
    Visit Program Website

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