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Game artist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a game artist. Game artists usually study graphic design, animation, or fine arts. 79% of game artists hold a bachelor's degree, and 9% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 443 real game artist resumes to see exactly what game artist education sections show.
The most common colleges for game artists are the Academy of Art University and the Academy of Art University.
There are also many online game artist courses to help get the education required to be a game artist.
What education do you need to become a game artist?
What degree do you need to be a game artist?
- Bachelor's, 79%
- Associate, 9%
- Master's, 6%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a game artist?
- Graphic Design, 32%
- Animation, 16%
- Fine Arts, 13%
- Other Majors, 31%
Most common colleges for game artists
| Game artist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Academy of Art University | 18.45% |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 11.65% |
| Full Sail University | 8.74% |
| San Jose State University | 7.77% |
| University of Oregon | 4.85% |
Best majors for game artists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graphic Design | 32.2% |
| 2 | Animation | 16.3% |
| 3 | Fine Arts | 12.5% |
| 4 | Design And Visual Communication | 8.0% |
| 5 | Computer Science | 7.6% |
Best colleges for game artists
The best colleges for game artists are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
A game artist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for game artists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become game artists.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
4. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
8. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
20 best online courses for game artists
Advertising disclosure
1. Pixel Art for Video Games
This course is aimed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to start creating simple art for video games made in the Unity game engine. Through the aesthetic of pixel art we will explore artistic principals like shape language, color theory, and composition as well as show you a step by step workflow for creating assets that you can use to make your own games. The course is broken into 4 main modules, props, environments, characters, and animation. Each of these courses will have a series...
2. Low Poly Art For Video Games
This course is aimed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to start creating simple 3D art for video games made in the Unity game engine. Through the aesthetic of pixel art we will explore artistic principals like shape language, color theory, and composition as well as show you a step by step workflow for creating assets that you can use to make your own games. The course is broken into 4 main modules, props, environments, characters, and animation. Each of these courses will have a...
3. Learn the ART of Video Games
Learn to create game environments. Draw concept art, create 3D models, texture in Substance Painter and build in Unity...
4. Learn Professional 2D Game Asset Graphic Design in Photoshop
Become an exquisite game designer and start creating game art today!...
5. Art for Games
In this beginner focused specialization we will show you the essentials of 2d and 3d game art production as well as concept art for games and current gen game art workflow. While each of the four courses will build your knowledge of the practice of game art, each module is a self contained unit designed to teach a specific area.\n\nBy the end of the Specialization, you will have a thorough knowledge of the creation of high-quality game art assets. Through these courses, you will be using Maya,...
6. Pixel Art Fundamentals: Introduction to 2D Game Pixel Art
Make 2D Art for Video Games Using Libresprite / Aseprite. Create icons, images, HUD, simple animations and game scenes...
7. Learn Pixel Art for Games
Understand creating Pixel Art for use in Games...
8. Learn the Hand-Painted texturing style for video games
How to texture weapons and assets for your game props in the classic hand-painted texturing style!...
9. Adobe Illustrator for Mobile Game Art - A Beginners Guide
Create mobile game art in Adobe illustrator just by using basic concepts, essential tools and proven workflows...
10. Create your own 2D game assets with Inkscape for free!
Design vector 2D game assets: animations, platforms, characters, backgrounds, buttons! 2D game design for beginners!...
11. Pixel art for Video games
The essential course for creating stunning pixel art graphics for video-games or stylish illustrations and designs...
12. 2D Adventure Game Creation: Art, Music, Programming and More
Learn to create a 2D point and click Adventure Game with hand-painted graphics, original music and voice acting!...
13. Learn Professional 2D Game Graphic Design in Photoshop
Learn how you can create your own professional game graphics quickly in Photoshop!...
14. Pixel Art Mastery: The #1 course on retro video game art
The most comprehensive, all-in-1 course to help you become a talented & efficient pixel artist for games and animation!...
15. Unity Android Game Development: Build 10 2D & 3D Games
Unity Game Development & Design, Learn Unity Android Game Development with C# & Unity ( Updated Unity 2023 )...
16. Game Asset Crash Course - 3D Modeling in Blender and 3D-Coat
Learn 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering with Blender and 3D-Coat by creating AAA ready game assets...
17. Game Asset Creation With Houdini
3D Modelling in Houdini...
18. Game Development/Art - Create a 2D Action Game with Unity/C#
Game development & Game art/animation. Create a 2D top down shooter using Unity 2018, C# and Ps/Gimp...
19. Become a Game Designer the Complete Series Coding to Design
Master Unity, 3D game design, 2D game design, coding, C#, game development, 3D animation, programming, level design.....
20. Unity Tech Art: Realistic Lighting For Game Development
Learn AAA cinematic tech art techniques in the Unity game engine (Global Illumination and Shader Graph)...
Top 10 most affordable universities for game artists
The most affordable schools for game artists are University of Florida, fashion institute of technology, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for game artists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for game artists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
7. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
8. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
9. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
10. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for game artists
The hardest universities for game artists to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for game artists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for game artists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for game artists
The easiest schools for game artists to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, university of the incarnate word, and grand view university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a game artist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for game artists.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
3. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
4. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
7. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
8. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
9. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
10. Marymount University
Arlington, VA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,065
Average game artist salary by education level
| Game artist education level | Game artist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $100,609 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $75,140 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $97,973 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $82,645 |
Game artist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025