Outside of its historical recognition as the Automotive Capital of the World, Detroit is beginning to explore modern tech and creative industries, including modest activity in game design. Even if game design schools in the city are rare, the available ones are all solid pathways to game design.
Our Criteria
To determine the top game design schools in Detroit, Michigan, 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 Detroit, Michigan (2026)
Wayne State University
Wayne State University delivers a Fine Arts program with a concentration in digital arts. In particular, this track explores digital media production subjects, including video production, user experience art and design, game design, digital imaging, digital drawing and painting, animation, and 3D modeling. Aside from this, the university also offers a certificate program in Coding for Gaming and Gamification. It is an online course that trains students in the fundamentals of C++ and game programming. After completing the digital arts concentration, graduates can start their careers as character designers, game designers, motion graphics artists, and more. Likewise, completion of the certificate program can help kick off careers in game programming.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 210 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 92 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Detroit: 1 of 6
- Control: Public
- Highest degree offered: Doctor’s degree
- Acceptance rate: 82%
- Graduation rate: 57%
Tuition and fees at Wayne State University range from about $12,000 per year for in-state students to over $39,000 per year for out-of-state students.
College for Creative Studies
The College for Creative Studies provides a game design emphasis within its Bachelor of Fine Arts in Entertainment Arts degree program. The coverage encompasses the full game design pipeline. Students can also expect to design and create 2D/3D assets to make immersive experiences in games for various platforms. Additionally, some of the courses featured in the curriculum are Game Ideation, 2D Design Principles, Game: Concept and Technology, Game Art, Advanced Computer Generated Environments, Game Thesis Design & Management, and Game Senior Studio. To provide students with real-world experience, the school leverages sponsored projects with industry giants, such as Unity 3D and Epic Games. Accordingly, the possible career pathways for graduates are game artists, game designers, game developers, and many more.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 4692 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 1220 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Detroit: 3 of 6
- Control: Private not-for-profit
- Highest degree offered: Master’s degree
- Acceptance rate: 93%
- Graduation rate: 70%
Tuition and fees at the College for Creative Studies range from about $49,000 to over $52,000 per year for in-state and out-of-state students.
Why Study Game Design in Detroit, Michigan?
Game design students in Detroit benefit from programs that boast technical depth and creative exploration. This makes it a meaningful place to learn game design, despite the shortage of universities within the field. Meanwhile, data from the Entertainment Software Association also shows that there is no single game company or studio in Detroit, so graduates have no choice but to look somewhere else for jobs. Nonetheless, nearby cities in Michigan are home to several gaming companies, providing students access to a growing local scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the city of Detroit in Michigan a good place to get a formal education in game design?
A: Although the university options are rather scarce, Detroit remains a model city to earn a degree in game design.
Q: What school in the Motor City offers the strongest game design program?
A: One of the most game design-focused programs in the area is the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Entertainment Arts with a Game Design emphasis at the College for Creative Studies.
Q: Can I find online game design programs in Detroit?
A: Unfortunately, there are no listed online dedicated game design programs in the field as of this writing. What’s confirmed available is an online Coding for Gaming and Gamification certificate at Wayne State University.
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.
