by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Computer Game Programming covers A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply The Knowledge And Skills Of Design And Computer Programming To The Development Of Computer Games. Includes Training In Character And Story Development, Computer Programming, Computer Graphics, Game Design, Game Physics, Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Centered Design, And Usability. Read on to learn the essential details every computer game programming major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering computer game programming programs.
In the U.S., computer game programming is a popular field of study, with 492 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Computer Game Programming Schools ranking analyzes these 28 schools to determine the best overall colleges for computer game programming students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computer game programming programs later in this article.
Coursework for Computer Game Programming build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations computer game programming graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a computer game programming program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a computer game programming major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several computer game programming degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 14 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 40 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 414 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 24 |
People currently working in careers related to computer game programming tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 77.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 13.3% |
| Some college courses | 3.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
| Master’s degree | 1.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in computer game programming careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in computer game programming prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to computer game programming.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computer game programming.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Programmers | 666,800 | 11.7% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 273,210 | -1.7% |
| Software Developers | 145,079 | 13.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of computer game programming graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,537 |
| 4 years | $60,237 |
| 5 years | $68,349 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for computer game programming graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers computer game programming grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Programmers | $109,892 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $80,062 |
| Software Developers | $76,447 |
With 28 different computer game programming programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased computer game programming school rankings to help you.
Students interested in computer game programming, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Programming/Programmer, General | 11,341 |
| Computer Programming, Specific Applications | 2,813 |
| Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification | 420 |
| Computer Programming, Other | 229 |
| Computer Programming, Specific Platforms | 41 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
