by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation involves the study of Modeling, Virtual Environments And Simulation. A Program Focusing On The Principles Of Applied Visual Simulation Technology And The Application Of Quantitative Analyses To Human-Computer Interaction. Includes Instruction In Object-Oriented Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Communications And Networks, Computer Graphics, Virtual Worlds And Simulation Systems, Probability, Statistics, Stochastic Modeling, Data Analysis, Human-Performance Evaluation, And Human-Behavior Modeling. Read on to learn the important information every modeling, virtual environments & simulation student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering modeling, virtual environments & simulation programs.
Nationwide, modeling, virtual environments & simulation is a popular field of study, with 1,028 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation Schools ranking analyzes these 39 schools to determine the best overall colleges for modeling, virtual environments & simulation students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of modeling, virtual environments & simulation programs later in this article.
Studies in Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations modeling, virtual environments & simulation graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a modeling, virtual environments & simulation program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a modeling, virtual environments & simulation major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several modeling, virtual environments & simulation 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 | 46 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 51 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 684 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 244 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
People currently working in careers related to modeling, virtual environments & simulation tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 47.8% |
| Master’s degree | 26.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 19.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.4% |
| Some college courses | 1.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in modeling, virtual environments & simulation careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in modeling, virtual environments & simulation can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to modeling, virtual environments & simulation.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to modeling, virtual environments & simulation.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Computer Programmers | 666,800 | 11.7% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Data Scientists | 507,848 | 8.1% |
| Clinical Data Managers | 300,656 | -0.9% |
| Software Developers | 145,079 | 13.5% |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | 94,151 | 8.5% |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of modeling, virtual environments & simulation graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,963 |
| 4 years | $41,500 |
| 5 years | $47,394 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for modeling, virtual environments & simulation graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers modeling, virtual environments & simulation grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Computer Programmers | $109,892 |
| Data Scientists | $106,295 |
| Clinical Data Managers | $99,475 |
| Software Developers | $76,447 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $61,002 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $35,659 |
With 39 different modeling, virtual environments & simulation programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased modeling, virtual environments & simulation school rankings to help you.
Those considering modeling, virtual environments & simulation, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design | 5,236 |
| Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration | 4,139 |
| Computer Graphics | 3,312 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications, Other | 1,866 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
