The University of Wisconsin-Stout’s game design programs have received top rankings from Princeton Review for 2024. Their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design and Development-Art and Master of Fine Arts in Design with a focus on Game Design are recognized as the best in Wisconsin and Minnesota, among the top five in the Midwest, and within the top 10 nationwide for public colleges.
Dave Beck, Director of the School of Art and Design, praised the rankings as a reflection of the university’s commitment to diverse creative disciplines, skilled faculty, and hands-on facilities.
UW-Stout’s game design programs have been leading state and national rankings for over a decade, thanks to their practical, lab-based learning approach. The School of Art and Design, the largest in the Upper Midwest with about 1,300 students, is known for its strong game design focus.
The Princeton Review’s 15th annual rankings evaluate over 150 schools based on academics, faculty, technology, and career prospects. Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief, highlighted the excellence of these programs, noting their superb faculties, state-of-the-art facilities, and successful alumni.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in game design earn an average starting salary of $64,065, while those with a master’s degree earn $73,947. Nearly all undergraduates and graduate students develop a functional game before graduation.
The video game industry, worth $56.6 billion annually in the U.S. and the largest entertainment sector worldwide, is expected to grow by nearly 9% in the next three years.
UW-Stout’s bachelor’s program in game design is ranked:
- No. 1 in Wisconsin and Minnesota
- No. 4 in the Midwest among public colleges
- No. 7 in the U.S. among public colleges
- No. 29 in the U.S. overall (up one place from 2023)
Associate Professor Kim Loken noted that the rankings reflect the program’s growth and students’ achievements in the industry.
The university also offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in game design and development. The Master of Fine Arts in Design is ranked:
- No. 1 in Wisconsin and Minnesota
- No. 2 in the Midwest
- No. 5 in the U.S. among public colleges
- No. 19 in the U.S. overall (up four places from 2023)
Professor Erik Evensen praised the M.F.A. program’s continued national and international success.
Animation Career Review ranked UW-Stout’s game design programs:
- No. 1 in Wisconsin
- No. 7 in the Midwest
- No. 21 in the U.S. among public colleges (No. 45 overall)
In animation, UW-Stout’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Digital Media is ranked:
- No. 1 in Wisconsin
- No. 6 in the Midwest
- No. 32 in the U.S.
College Factual also ranked UW-Stout’s bachelor’s in game design as No. 1 in the U.S. for best value and No. 5 overall.
UW-Stout’s game design and animation labs include a top-notch Vicon Motion Capture Studio and various other labs and studios. The semiannual Stout Game Expo (SGX) is the largest of its kind in the Upper Midwest. Starting this fall, the School of Art and Design will also offer a new Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Illustration, adding to its lineup of creative degrees.