[Game & Interactive Media Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/game-and-interactive-media-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for game & interactive media design students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in game & interactive media design, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in game & interactive media design, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in game & interactive media design will find it at Yavapai College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the game & interactive media design program here. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in game & interactive media design will find it at Glendale Community College Glendale Az, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $15,996. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in game & interactive media design will find it at Mesa Community College, which ranked #4. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for game & interactive media design graduates is $13,750. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in game & interactive media design will find it at Paradise Valley Community College, which ranked #5. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, game & interactive media design degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arizona came in at #6 for value in game & interactive media design this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career game & interactive media design graduates make about $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Advancing Technology landed the #7 spot for game & interactive media design value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,800. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates carry a median of $27,895 in student loans. Game & Interactive Media Design graduates of University Of Advancing Technology earn a median of $30,640 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,895 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
More Game & Interactive Media Design Rankings
View All Game & Interactive Media Design Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
