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Gamer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a gamer. Gamers usually study business, general studies, or criminal justice. 40% of gamers hold a high school diploma, and 31% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 150 real gamer resumes to see exactly what gamer education sections show.

The most common colleges for gamers are the Washington College and the Washington College.

There are also many online gamer courses to help get the education required to be a gamer.

What education do you need to become a gamer?

What degree do you need to be a gamer?

The most common degree for gamers is high school diploma, with 40% of gamers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 31% and bachelor's degree degree at 23%.
  • High School Diploma, 40%
  • Bachelor's, 31%
  • Associate, 23%
  • Master's, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a gamer?

You should major in business to become a gamer. 28% of gamers major in business. Other common majors for a gamer include general studies and criminal justice.

Most common colleges for gamers

Gamers often get their degrees at Washington College, Spalding University, and South College. Here are the most common colleges for gamers in the US based on their resumes.
Gamer common collegePercentages
Washington College10.53%
Spalding University5.26%
South College5.26%
Manhattan College5.26%
University of Toledo5.26%

Best majors for gamers

Best colleges for gamers

The best colleges for gamers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

A gamer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for gamers. 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 gamers.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

5. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,620

Enrollment

27,730

6. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

7. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

9. University of Houston

Houston, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$8,913

Enrollment

37,291

10. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

20 best online courses for gamers

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1. Unity 2D Game Developer Course Farming RPG

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4. Game Writing: Storytelling through Video Game Design

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Write and design your own games; develop ideas, character and plot to create a compelling storyworld. (Made with Unity)...

5. Mathematics for Computer Games Development using Unity

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A Beginner's Guide to Essential Mathematics, Data Structures and Algorithms used in Game Programming applied in Unity...

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A comprehensive and easy to learn guide to crate a trading card game battle system with Unity 3D...

7. Unity Game Development: Make Professional 3D Games

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8. Unity Android Game Development: Build 10 2D & 3D Games

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Unity Game Development & Design, Learn Unity Android Game Development with C# & Unity ( Updated Unity 2023 )...

9. All About Gaming Industry Careers & Game Design Fundamentals

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16. Intro to Game Development using Unity - Part I

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18. Make an Assassins GO Board Game in Unity

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19. Make a fighting game in Unity

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Make a professional looking two player fighting game in Unity...

20. Learn the ART of Video Games

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Learn to create game environments. Draw concept art, create 3D models, texture in Substance Painter and build in Unity...

Top 10 most affordable universities for gamers

The most affordable schools for gamers are University of Florida, usf sarasota-manatee, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for gamers 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 gamers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

5. University of Houston - Victoria

Victoria, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$6,491

Cost of attendance

19,075

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. USF St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,821

Cost of attendance

19,849

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

10. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for gamers

The hardest universities for gamers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for gamers 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 gamers 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

Admissions rate

18%

SAT average

1,502

6. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,520

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for gamers

The easiest schools for gamers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, university of the incarnate word, and oklahoma wesleyan university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a gamer 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 gamers.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

4. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

5. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

8. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

9. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

10. Waynesburg University

Waynesburg, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,080

Average gamer salary by education level

Gamers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $48,668 annually. With a Doctorate degree, gamers earn a median annual income of $45,441 compared to $41,962 for gamers with an Bachelor's degree.
Gamer education levelGamer salary
Master's Degree$48,668
High School Diploma or Less$30,312
Bachelor's Degree$41,962
Doctorate Degree$45,441
Some College/ Associate Degree$30,284

Gamer education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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