Aside from being famous for the Rocky Mountains, Denver has also become a strong hub for studying game design. With a few, but reliable, game design schools, students will be well guided towards their desired career path in the gaming industry. The Mile High City is also fast-expanding, with indie studios like Dire Wolf Digital and The Wandering Band, providing real-world experiences for aspirants.
Our Criteria
To determine the top game design schools in Denver, Colorado, 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 Denver, Colorado (2026)
University of Colorado Denver
The University of Colorado Denver enables students take its minor in Game Art offered through its College of Arts & Media. Specifically, the curriculum’s required courses are Video Games, Story and Society, Game Design Fundamentals, Digital 3D Foundations / 3D Motion Design, and Introduction to Unreal Engine. These, along with other courses, allow students to study art, character design, environmental design, narrative, and virtual cinematography to create virtual worlds. Part of the program is understanding the ethics that must be observed when designing a game. Completion of this minor can help students find careers as game artists, game designers, and other relevant roles in the video gaming industry.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 260 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 106 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Denver: 1 of 9
- Control: Public
- Highest degree offered: Doctor’s degree
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Graduation rate: 47%
Tuition and fees at the University of Colorado Denver range from about $9,000 per year for in-state students to over $27,000 per year for out-of-state students.
University of Denver
The University of Denver focuses on providing students with a Bachelor of Arts in Game Development and a Bachelor of Science in Game Development degree programs. In detail, the BA option features courses such as 3D Modeling, Game Capstone I, and Game Programming I, while the BS alternative offers an Introductory Game Design course along with Game Capstone I and Game Programming I. Nonetheless, both programs ensure that students gain a strong creative and technical foundation essential in the field. Accordingly, these programs open doors for students to pursue jobs including game artist, game designer, game developer, and game programmer.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 518 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 161 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Denver: 2 of 9
- Control: Private not-for-profit
- Highest degree offered: Doctor’s degree
- Acceptance rate: 71%
- Graduation rate: 78%
Tuition and fees at the University of Denver are over $58,000 per year for in-state and out-of-state students.
Metropolitan State University of Denver
The Metropolitan State University of Denver has a game design program that is delivered in an online format. It is a video game design and development program that covers the creation of game assets, the use of game engines, the fundamentals of programming languages, and mathematical skills. This comprehensive course ensures that students will thrive in the game industry as game designers or game developers.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 2160 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 525 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Denver: 3 of 9
- Control: Public
- Highest degree offered: Master’s degree
- Acceptance rate: 99%
- Graduation rate: 30%
Tuition and fees at the Metropolitan State University of Denver range from about $8,000 per year for in-state students to over $27,000 per year for out-of-state students.
Honorable Mention: Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Why Study Game Design in Denver, Colorado?
With the game design schools and game studios, the city of Denver continues to grow as a game design center in Colorado. Its commitment to fostering game design talent also shows in the existence of programs that emphasize collaboration, project-based experience, and the development of portfolio work. On top of these, the broader Colorado economy boasts a booming video game industry, with hundreds of millions of dollars in contributions and over a thousand jobs supported, says the Entertainment Software Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Denver a good city for game design education?
A: Yes. Apart from having an emerging gaming industry, the area has game design schools that deliver high-quality education.
Q: What is the best game design program in the Mile High City?
A: Some of the top options are the BA and BS degrees in Game Development at the University of Denver.
Q: Does the city provide online programs to study game design?
A: Yes, an online game design program is available at the Metropolitan State University of Denver.
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.
