Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Video game programmer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a video game programmer. Video game programmers usually study computer science, communication, or medical technician. 69% of video game programmers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 52 real video game programmer resumes to see exactly what video game programmer education sections show.
The most common colleges for video game programmers are the San Jose State University and the San Jose State University.
There are also many online video game programmer courses to help get the education required to be a video game programmer.
What education do you need to become a video game programmer?
What degree do you need to be a video game programmer?
- Bachelor's, 69%
- Associate, 16%
- Master's, 13%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a video game programmer?
- Computer Science, 19%
- Communication, 11%
- Education, 5%
- Other Majors, 57%
Most common colleges for video game programmers
| Video game programmer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| San Jose State University | 8.70% |
| University of Washington | 8.70% |
| Shaw University | 8.70% |
| Central Washington University | 4.35% |
| George Washington University, The | 4.35% |
Best majors for video game programmers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 18.9% |
| 2 | Communication | 10.8% |
| 3 | Medical Technician | 8.1% |
| 4 | Education | 5.4% |
| 5 | Journalism | 5.4% |
Best colleges for video game programmers
The best colleges for video game programmers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
A video game programmer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for video game programmers. 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 video game programmers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
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. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
9. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
10. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,926
Enrollment
9,835
20 best online courses for video game programmers
Advertising disclosure
1. Unreal Engine 5 C++ Developer: Learn C++ & Make Video Games
Created in collaboration with Epic Games. Learn C++ from basics while making your first 5 video games in Unreal...
2. YouTube Creator Course: Audio & Video Production for Youtube
Make Professional Youtube Videos at home - Video Production, Audio Production, OBS Screencasting, Premiere Pro + Editing...
3. Complete C# Unity Game Developer 2D
Learn Unity in C# & Code Your First Five 2D Video Games for Web, Mac & PC. The Tutorials Cover Tilemap...
4. DSLR Video Production & Videography: Better Video Today
Learn how to shoot beautiful video with your DSLR camera. This is the perfect video course for beginners and hobbyists...
5. Unity C# Scripting: Complete C# For Unity Game Development
Learn C# Scripting for Unity Game Development from Basics, Create your own 3D & 2D Games With Unity & C#. (2023 Updated)...
6. Learn C++ for Game Development
Learn the basics of C++ to prepare you for game development programming!...
7. Unity 2D RPG: Complete Combat System
Code your own top-down RPG game combat system in Unity using C#...
8. Math For Video Games: The Fastest Way To Get Smarter At Math
Learn Math for Video Game Design & Coding through Solving fun Video Game Problems...
9. Learn Advanced C# Scripting in Unity 5 for Games
Learn advanced and powerful C# scripting techniques for building professional-grade games in Unity...
10. Complete C# Unity Game Developer 3D
Design & Develop Video Games. Learn C# in Unity Engine. Code Your first 3D Unity games for web, Mac & PC...
11. RPG Core Combat Creator: Learn Intermediate Unity C# Coding
Build Combat for Role Playing Game (RPG) in Unity. Tutorials Cover Code Architecture & Video Game Design...
12. Video Production Bootcamp: Videography, Cinematography+
Make better videos with the ultimate course on videography: video production, cinematography, editing & distribution...
13. Orchestral Music Composition & Music Theory for Video Games
Learn orchestral video game music composition & game composer music theory secrets to compose music for any video game!...
14. Learn Assembly Language by Making Games for the Atari 2600
Programming games for the Atari 2600 platform using 6502 Assembly Language...
15. RPG Shops & Abilities: Intermediate C# Game Coding
Implement Shop Systems, Special Abilities, distributable Trait Points and polish your finished RPG!...
16. Game Writing: Storytelling through Video Game Design
Write and design your own games; develop ideas, character and plot to create a compelling storyworld. (Made with Unity)...
17. Video Production Masterclass: Beginner to Pro Video Creation
Create Stunning Videos as a Youtuber, Filmmaker, Vlogger, Journalist or Cinematographer. Learn Sound, Lighting & More!...
18. PowerDirector 15 - Video Editing for PC Users
Learn how to edit professional videos on a Windows PC with this Cyberlink Power Director video tutorial course...
19. Unity C# Mobile Game Development: Make 3 Games From Scratch
Make and publish mobile games & apps for Android Play Store & i OS App Store using Unity and C#...
20. The Complete Talking Head Video Production Masterclass
Video Production - Building Confidence on Camera for Video Marketing - Filmmaking - Videography - Cinematography...
Top 10 most affordable universities for video game programmers
The most affordable schools for video game programmers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for video game programmers 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 video game programmers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
6. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
7. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
9. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
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 video game programmers
The hardest universities for video game programmers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for video game programmers 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 video game programmers 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
9. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for video game programmers
The easiest schools for video game programmers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a video game programmer 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 video game programmers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
Altoona, PA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,094
4. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
5. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
6. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
7. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
8. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
9. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
10. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
Average video game programmer salary by education level
| Video game programmer education level | Video game programmer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $84,476 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $80,895 |
| Doctorate Degree | $86,740 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $70,794 |
Video game programmer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for video game programmer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025