ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Game & Interactive Media Design Associate’s Degree Schools

13 Colleges in the United States
$14,892 Avg Student Debt
$43,240 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Game & Interactive Media Design Associate's Degree Badge [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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 202 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value game & interactive media design schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/game-and-interactive-media-design/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/game-and-interactive-media-design/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/game-and-interactive-media-design/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/game-and-interactive-media-design/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/game-and-interactive-media-design/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/game-and-interactive-media-design/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/game-and-interactive-media-design/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 7
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 50.04), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Game Art & Design (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Game Art & Design (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Game Art & Development" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Game Art & Development" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Game Programming & Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Game Programming & Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Game Programming & Development" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "BS in Game Programming & Development" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts - Web Design" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts - Web Design" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 3
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

2026 Best Value Game & Interactive Media Design Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the game & interactive media design degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Game & Interactive Media Design Schools

1
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

For return on investment in game & interactive media design, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

San Diego Mesa College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #4 place for game & interactive media design. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $11,861. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $30,979 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the best values for game & interactive media design. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.

ADBLOCK #101
6

Hinds Community College earned the #6 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Pasadena City College placed #7 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,795 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Pima Community College landed the #9 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College earned the #10 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $9,205. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #115
11
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College landed the #11 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.

12

Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #12 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. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Miami Dade College earned the #13 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $30,466 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Mercer County Community College came in at #14 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Wake Technical Community College earned the #15 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $13,414 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $32,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,414 median debt.

ADBLOCK #145
16

Muskegon Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, while out-of-state students pay about $16,010. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $48,267. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt.

17

Cuny Hostos Community College earned the #17 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $9,007. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $12,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,007 median debt.

18
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value game & interactive media design schools. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.

19

Raritan Valley Community College earned the #19 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College came in at #20 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #150
21
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College landed the #21 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $10,766. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $34,227. That is a strong return on a $10,766 median debt.

22
Lanier Technical College crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA

Lanier Technical College placed #22 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, while out-of-state students pay about $7,190. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Lanier Technical College earn a median of $37,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Columbus State Community College placed #23 among the best values for game & interactive media design. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Collin County Community College District earned the #24 position for value in game & interactive media design this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $6,900. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $33,456 early in their careers. Set against $6,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Utah Valley University landed the #25 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,057 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $31,888. Set against $14,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Game & Interactive Media Design Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s game & interactive media design value ranking:

26
27
28
29
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Gwinnett Technical College crest
Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, GA
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other Game & Interactive Media Design Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Game & Interactive Media Design rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Game & Interactive Media Design
Bachelor's Degrees in Game & Interactive Media Design
Master's Degrees in Game & Interactive Media Design
ADBLOCK #173
View All Game & Interactive Media Design Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 202 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options