RIT’s Game Design Programs Ranked Among the Best in the World
For aspiring game designers, selecting the right university is a crucial first step toward a successful career. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has emerged as a leading institution in this field, earning recognition for its exceptional game design and development programs.
RIT Ranks Fourth Globally for Game Design
According to the latest rankings from The Princeton Review, RIT’s game design and development program is ranked fourth at both the undergraduate and graduate levels globally. The Princeton Review rankings reflect a significant jump from the previous year, where RIT was ranked sixth and tenth, respectively. Within the Northeast region, RIT secured the second-best position.
School of Interactive Games and Media
RIT’s undergraduate and graduate programs in game design and development are housed within the School of Interactive Games and Media (IGM), which is part of the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. David Schwartz, director of IGM, emphasized the program’s ability to prepare students for all facets of the games and related industries. “Our graduates are equipped with technical expertise in 3D, real-time interactive design and development processes and technologies, and that helps students get jobs,” he said.
Diverse Academic Paths
RIT offers a range of academic paths for students interested in game design, including several bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and a combined accelerated BS/MS option. Students pursuing a Ph.D. In computing and information sciences can also specialize in games research.
High Job Placement Rate
The Princeton Review data indicates a strong employment rate for RIT’s game design graduates, with 88 percent of undergraduate students securing jobs in 2025. This job placement rate was the highest among the top 40 schools listed in the annual rankings.
Student Entrepreneurship and Industry Connections
RIT fosters a culture of entrepreneurship through MAGIC Spell Studios, which supports students and faculty in publishing and distributing games and interactive experiences. Students have published games on platforms such as Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, making RIT the first university to publish on the Xbox One platform. RIT students regularly showcase their work at major industry conferences, including the Game Developers Conference (GDC). GDC
Cooperative Education Program
A key component of RIT’s game design program is its cooperative education (co-op) program, which provides students with full-time, paid work experience in real-world industry settings. Graduates have secured careers at leading companies, including Blizzard Entertainment, WB Games Fresh York, Rockstar Games, Nvidia, and Microsoft.
Ranking Methodology
The Princeton Review’s 2026 ranking was based on a survey of administrators at over 150 institutions offering game design courses and degrees. The survey assessed four key areas: academics, faculty, technology, and career prospects.
The full rankings and school profiles are available on the Top Game Design Schools 2026 website and in the May issue of PC Gamer magazine.
More information about RIT’s game design programs can be found at RIT Games.
Preparing Students for Career Success
Johnny Fagerlin, a fourth-year game design and development student, highlighted the unique perspective provided by RIT’s School of Interactive Games and Media (IGM). “This uniqueness provides RIT’s IGM students with a huge edge in a highly competitive job market,” said Fagerlin, who is from Newton, N.J. He added that the program’s focus on computing, programmatic development, and problem-solving in codebases is highly valued by employers.
Fagerlin secured a co-op position with Gleason Works, a machining manufacturer in Rochester, and will begin a full-time software engineering role with the company after graduation in May.
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