Portland has an ideal climate for growing roses, which earned it the nickname, City of Roses. In much the same way, the state wherein the city is located hosts a massive video game industry, making Portland an appealing place to pursue game design. Alongside game companies, such as Beach Day Studios, ClutchPlay Games, and many more, there are a few game design schools in the city that offer game design programs and related coursework.
Our Criteria
To determine the top game design schools in Portland, Oregon, 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 Portland, Oregon (2026)
Pacific Northwest College of Art
The Pacific Northwest College of Art is part of Willamette University, and it supports game design education through a Bachelor of Fine Arts program with a Game Design minor. This 15-hour credit program includes courses like Scripting and Character Design in its curriculum. In addition, it aims to cultivate students’ understanding of game and interactive design mechanics, philosophies, and systems. Upon completion, graduates can pursue careers as character designers, game designers, and the like.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 6233 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 1648 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Portland: 9 of 15
- Control: Private not-for-profit
- Highest degree offered: Master’s degree
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- Graduation rate: 46%
Tuition and fees at Pacific Northwest College of Art range from about $41,000 to over $47,000 per year for in-state and out-of-state students.
University of Portland
The University of Portland is not exactly big on game design. Students who opt to study here will be limited to a Computer Game Design course within the Computer Science program. Nonetheless, this course will be covering significant areas, such as an introduction to game design. At the same time, learners can expect to explore the history, philosophy, and objectives connected to this field. Most importantly, it emphasizes practical application for hands-on learning. Accordingly, this course ensures that students have the basic foundation necessary for professional game design roles.
General Information:
- Current ranking in the world: 1782 of 14,131
- Current ranking in the United States: 431 of 2,496
- Current ranking in Portland: 5 of 15
- Control: Private not-for-profit
- Highest degree offered: Doctor’s degree
- Acceptance rate: 95%
- Graduation rate: 80%
Tuition and fees at the University of Portland range from about $26,000 to over $54,000 per year for in-state and out-of-state students.
Portland Community College
Portland Community College offers game design, game development, and multimedia training through a 500-hour online course. Leveraging an analytical and comprehensive approach, participants will study programming languages, PC game design, fundamentals of game creation, and beyond. Moreover, it is a self-paced program that helps in kick-starting careers in game design and game development.
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 Portland: 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 Portland Community College have not been published by the ranking and data provider (Edurank).
Honorable Mention: Portland State University
Why Study Game Design in Portland, Oregon?
While Portland does not have many specialized game design degree programs, there are reliable educational institutions in the city that deliver robust alternatives, such as a minor track, an online training course, and a computer science program. In connection, the ESA shows that Oregon’s video game industry contributes more than $1 billion to the economy, which further solidifies the outstanding game design scene in the area. In fact, Portland is home to the famous PIGSquad, an organization of game developers and enthusiasts encouraging experimentation and collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is game design education available in Portland?
A: Yes, the city houses universities that have game design programs.
Q: What would be the best game design program in the City of Roses?
A: Considering the limited options, the top game design program would be the Game Design minor at Pacific Northwest College of Art.
Q: Is there an online alternative to studying game design in the city?
A: Yes, learners can enroll in the online video game design and development course at Portland 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.
