Charlotte maintains a compact yet meaningful game design education ecosystem. Although it may not be as numerous as those in other cities in North Carolina, students can choose between a nationally ranked university and a community college that provides comprehensive programs. The game design schools in this city help students acquire skills and build a portfolio for careers in the gaming industry and interactive media.
Our Criteria
To determine the top game design schools in Charlotte, North Carolina, we reviewed publicly available information and program offerings, and we relied on EduRank to select the best options in the city. Our focus was on identifying schools that provide the strongest preparation for professional game design careers. This approach ensures a consistent evaluation while prioritizing choices that equip students with knowledge and practical skills for the evolving gaming industry.
How to Use Our Criteria
While our list is based on statistics and facts, we acknowledge that it is not absolute and is open to interpretation. We also recognize that each student has varying needs regarding program focus, campus culture, cost, lifestyle, and the like. With that said, our rankings are solely intended to provide guidance and highlight programs that can help students land a career in game design.
Top Game Design Schools in Charlotte, North Carolina (2026)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte mainly supports game design education through certificate programs in Game Design and Development. At the undergraduate level, students will take courses such as Introduction to Game Design and Development, Advanced Game Design and Development, Game Design and Development Studio, and Introduction to Computer Graphics. At the graduate level, the curriculum will introduce students to modern game design and development techniques to help them achieve an established level of competence in the field.
Meanwhile, students who are looking to pursue remote learning can opt for the university’s online Game Design Boot camp. In there, students will spend 48 weeks completing a curriculum divided into Game Design Essentials, Game Design Foundations I & II, and Game Design Capstone. The main objective of this part-time program is to help students design gameplay experiences.
Accordingly, these offerings can be used to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a Master’s degree in Computer Science, and industry careers, including game artist, game designer, level designer, and systems designer.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 570 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 176 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Charlotte: 1 of 4
- Control: Public
- Highest degree offered: Doctor’s degree
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
Tuition and fees at the Ohio State University range from about $3,000 per year for in-state students to over $19,000 per year for out-of-state students.
Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College boasts a myriad of pathways to break into the game industry. In detail, its Simulation and Game Development program offers associate degrees, specialized diplomas, and specialized certificates. Across the options, students have the choice to specialize in game design, game development, programming, or 3D modeling and animation. Likewise, the coursework will introduce them to artificial intelligence, audio and visual technology, conceptual planning, program debugging, and many more. Their training also exposes them to industry software and tools, such as the Adobe suite, Game Maker Studio, Unreal Engine, and others. Graduates can pursue roles in the game industry, including administrator, animator, concept artist, designer, tester, and more.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: N/A (not yet reported)
- Current ranking in the United States: N/A (not yet reported)
- Current ranking in Charlotte: N/A (not yet reported)
- Control: Public
- Highest degree offered: N/A (not yet reported)
- Acceptance rate: N/A (not yet reported)
- Graduation Rate: N/A (not yet reported)
Tuition and fees data for Central Piedmont Community College have not been published by the ranking and data provider (Edurank).
Why Study Game Design in Charlotte, North Carolina?
Charlotte leans on quality over quantity in terms of its game design education offerings. With quality, we mean a wide range of pathways tailored to various student goals — from bootcamp trainings to certificate programs to broader associate degrees. In line with this, North Carolina is home to a rich game design landscape providing multifarious career opportunities, with one studio in Charlotte, Future Proof Games, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Charlotte an ideal place for game design education?
A: Yes. Even though the universities offering game design programs in the city are limited, students still have some quality options to pursue game design studies.
Q: What is the city’s most popular dedicated game design program?
A: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s game design and development certificate options are the most directly focused game design programs in the area.
Q: Does it support online game design education?
A: Yes, students can apply for the online Game Design Boot camp at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte if they prefer remote learning.
Note: This article incorporates the latest available data and information at the time of writing. Please note that statistics can fluctuate over time due to updates and real-world changes.
