Kansas City is popularly recognized for having more than 200 fountains, the most for a city besides Rome. However, it does not mirror the same abundance when it comes to game design schools. In fact, the limitation does not only refer to universities themselves, but it also refers to the number of standalone programs and game studios in the field. Nonetheless, students are not totally hopeless. There are legitimate training courses, concentrations, and certificate programs that can still help them gain skills in game design. Graduates can also turn to Dancing Dragon Games, a game studio in the city that can serve as a starting point for their careers.
Our Criteria
To determine the top game design schools in Kansas City, Missouri, 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 Kansas City, Missouri (2026)
University of Missouri – Kansas City
The University of Missouri at Kansas City’s Talen Link hosts an online game design course. It guides students in learning game engine architectures using an analytical approach. At the same time, the training program focuses on various areas, such as game development techniques, game asset creation, and programming languages. Overall, it enables aspiring game designers to be better in the game creation pipeline. As expected, completers will be able to pursue careers in game design and game development.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 560 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 173 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Kansas City: 1 of 11
- Control: Public
- Highest degree offered: Doctor’s degree
- Acceptance rate: 75%
- Graduation rate: 56%
Tuition and fees at the University of Missouri – Kansas City range from about $10,000 per year for in-state students to over $29,000 per year for out-of-state students.
Avila University
Avila University directs students interested in game design towards a similar online video game design and development training program. They will also explore game engines, game asset creation, game development techniques, and programming. Aside from this, the online course ensures that students learn a fresh approach to game design and game development. Simultaneously, the university offers a Computer Science program that includes an App & Development concentration, which covers app and gaming concept design. These options allow students to use their gained expertise to kick off professional careers in the gaming industry, such as game designer, game developer, software engineer, and application developer.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 4731 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 1231 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Kansas City: 4 of 11
- Control: Private not-for-profit
- Highest degree offered: Post-master’s certificate
- Acceptance rate: 60%
- Graduation rate: 43%
Tuition and fees at Avila University range from about $10,000 to over $38,000 per year for in-state and out-of-state students.
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas City Kansas Community College also offers two pathways to learn game design. In detail, it is home to an identical online training course offered at the first two universities on the list. On the other hand, the school houses a Multimedia/Video Production certificate, which features an Introduction to Game Design course. It tackles digital game design basics and integrates multiple genres and design styles in the process. Both offerings help completers become game designers for studios.
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 Kansas City: 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 Kansas City Kansas Community College have not been published by the ranking and data provider (Edurank).
Why Study Game Design in Kansas City, Missouri?
Colleges on the list, such as the University of Missouri – Kansas City, Avila University, and Kansas City Kansas Community College, provide alternatives like online courses, concentrations, and certificate programs. This compensates for the lack of dedicated game design degree offerings. So, students in the city do not necessarily have to move elsewhere to study. Likewise, the selection features relatively cheap tuition and fees, making them compelling places to gain game design education. The state of Missouri is also an emerging game hub, so students can definitely start their careers here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Kansas City host game design programs for students?
A: Yes, it supports game design education through relevant pathways, since there are no formal degrees in the field within the city.
Q: What program in the City of Fountains has the most game-aligned coursework?
A: All three picks provide game-aligned coursework, with the difference being in learning formats.
Q: Do online game design pathways exist in the city?
A: Yes, online game design training courses can be found at the University of Missouri – Kansas City, Avila University, and Kansas City Kansas Community College.
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.
