Sometimes offered as a minor or concentration, there are several Christian colleges and universities around the country that offer programs in game design. These schools also provide students with unique spiritual growth opportunities and vary in size. Explore a few of the Christian colleges with game design programs.
School Comparison
The 4-year, Christian schools with game design programs include schools affiliated with the Catholic, Methodist and other denominations. Compare a few of the schools, their denominations, locations and undergraduate tuition rates below.
| School Name | Institution Type | Denomination | Location | Tuition (2021-2022)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Messiah College | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Interdenominational | Mechanicsburg, PA | $38,370 |
| Christian Brothers University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Roman Catholic | Memphis, TN | $34,820 |
| Liberty University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Evangelical Christian | Lynchburg, VA | $22,713 |
| Grand Canyon University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Interdenominational | Phoenix, AZ | $17,800 |
| Greenville University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Free Methodist | Greenville, IL | $29,810 |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Description of the Christian Colleges with Game Design Programs
Usually offered at the undergraduate level, Christian schools with game design programs provide students with ample hands-on experience in the field. Students considering these schools may also want to think about what size school they wish to attend and/or what they need to deepen their faith. Here we discuss these characteristics for some of the Christian schools with game design programs.
Messiah College
Messiah College in Pennsylvania had close to 2,495 undergraduate students in 2021, per the NCES. The school offers a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media with a concentration in Mobile Application and Game Design. Students in the program are trained in game design, computer programming and mobile application design and are prepared to work in careers like game designer, game tester, game producer or game artist. Students can grow in their faith by attending chapel, small groups/Bible studies and worship services, as well as participating in local service outreaches, national short-term mission trips or international service trips.
Christian Brothers University
Tennessee's Christian Brothers University offers a unique Video Game Design minor that is open to all students, but is nicely paired with some of their bachelor's degree programs in engineering. Students receive hands-on training with various codes and software that is common in the field, such as Unity 3D. In 2021, the NCES reported that the university had a little more than 1,321 undergraduates. Spiritual life on campus includes mass and weekly spiritual services, volunteer opportunities and student-led faith groups, like Catholic Student Association (CSA), First Love (Bible study) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Liberty University
Including online students, Liberty University had 47,696 undergraduate students in 2021, per the NCES. This university in Virginia helps students further develop their faith by providing students with multiple chapel and worship services, a range of community service opportunities, global mission trips and even online spiritual resources for their many online students. Students interested in game design can pursue the school's online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology- Game Design that is 100% online and has 8-week long courses. Students in the program learn about graphic design and computer programming and since 2018, the university provides undergraduate students with free, electronic textbooks.
Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Arizona offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with an emphasis in Game and Simulation Development that culminates in a capstone project. Students participate in hands-on labs and in addition to the necessary computer and design skills, receive training in business planning, technology communication ethics and information security. Students can deepen their faith with weekly chapel services, Bible studies (Life Groups), global and local outreach opportunities and weekly videos through GCU Hope that offers spiritual encouragement and direction. According to the NCES, the university had about 65,870 undergraduates, including online students, in 2021.
Greenville University
Greenville University is located in Illinois and had a little over 890 undergraduate students in 2021, per the NCES. The university offers a bachelor's degree program in digital media with a track in Game Design and Development. Students in the program participate in seminars and a practicum/internship experience, as well as continue to add work to their professional portfolio throughout the program. The university promotes spiritual development with chapel and vespers, world outreach missions, student leadership opportunities and online streaming resources.
