Indianapolis has yet to rival other cities in Indiana that have established themselves as game design hubs. Even so, it currently offers reliable academic paths through a few game design schools for students eyeing education in the field.
Our Criteria
To determine the top game design schools in Indianapolis, Indiana, 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 Indianapolis, Indiana (2026)
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indiana University Indianapolis allows students to choose between a Bachelor of Science in Media Arts and Science degree program with a specialization in Game Design & Development or a Game Design & Development minor that can be taken with other majors. In both options, Introduction to Game Design and Development and Intermediate Game Design and Development are core courses in the curriculum. In contrast, courses including Introduction to Gameplay Scripting, Introduction to 3D, Game Testing and Evaluation, and Advanced Game Design and Development are electives in the minor but required in the specialization track. Upon graduation, students can find jobs, including augmented reality designer, augmented reality developer, game production artist, technical designer, game developer, game designer, game producer, and more.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: N/A (not yet reported post-2024 restructuring)
- Current ranking in the United States: N/A (not yet reported post-2024 restructuring)
- Current ranking in Indianapolis: N/A (not yet reported post-2024 restructuring)
- Control: Public
- Highest degree offered: N/A (not yet reported post-2024 restructuring)
- Acceptance rate: N/A (not yet reported post-2024 restructuring)
- Graduation rate: N/A (not yet reported post-2024 restructuring)
Tuition and fees data for Indiana University Indianapolis have not been published by the ranking and data provider (Edurank).
Butler University
Butler University delivers a computer science program with a game design track. It introduces students to the whole process of game development. This includes the phase of establishing game requirements, all the way to the quality assurance stage. The track includes courses like Artificial Intelligence, Computer Graphics, and Game Mechanics & Narrative Design. More concretely, the Game Mechanics & Narrative Design course teaches learners how to design a narrative and a ruleset to make games engaging, fun, and robust. Accordingly, the game design track can help graduates pursue roles in game design, while the overall computer science program equips them with the skills necessary to land jobs as application developers, computer vision engineers, software engineers, and many more.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 1716 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 415 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Indianapolis: 3 of 9
- Control: Private not-for-profit
- Highest degree offered: Doctor’s degree
- Acceptance rate: 86%
- Graduation rate: 80%
Tuition and fees at Butler University range from about $14,000 to over $44,000 per year for in-state and out-of-state students.
Marian University
Marian University offers an online video game design and development program. Like most online courses of this kind, the focus will be on mathematical skills, real-time game engines, programming languages, and game asset creation. At the same time, students will be required to create multiple games. Furthermore, this offering enables completers to establish careers in game design and game development or pursue an independent path in the field.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 3477 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 902 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Indianapolis: 4 of 9
- Control: Private not-for-profit
- Highest degree offered: Doctor’s degree
- Acceptance rate: 95%
- Graduation rate: 61%
Tuition and fees at Marian University range from about $20,000 to over $39,000 per year for in-state and out-of-state students.
Why Study Game Design in Indianapolis, Indiana?
Indianapolis stands out for its localized pathways into game design. While it trails other Indiana cities in this field, its diverse offerings, such as degree majors, minors, certificates, and related coursework, are all built to let students acquire industry skill sets. Career opportunities also exist through companies like Blockade Labs and Playtap Games, LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I study game design in Indianapolis?
A: Yes, you can learn game design in the city through the game design schools present in the area.
Q: What is the best game design path in the city?
A: One of the strongest game design programs in the city is the Game Design & Development specialization at Indiana University, Indianapolis.
Q: Is there an online program in game design in Indianapolis?
A: Yes. Marian University hosts an online game design course.
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.
