Arizona’s Game Design and Development Degree Secures Top Rankings for Virtual and Augmented Reality

The University of Arizona has earned a top spot in Animation Career Review’s 2024 Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) College Rankings thanks to the College of Information Science’s Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development (BSGDD) and Master of Science in Information Science Human-Centered Computing Subplan. The university is ranked #21 nationally, #12 among public colleges and #4 in the Southwest, further establishing U of A’s reputation as a leader in immersive technology education.

The BSGDD prepares students to design, develop and innovate across the expanding fields of game design, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). In the on-campus undergraduate degree, students master cutting-edge skills and gain hands-on experience, including game and app conceptualization, market analysis, technical design and usability.

“Recognition as a top VR/AR university affirms the quality of our program and indicates to employers that our students graduate from a high-quality program,” says Lila Boz, an assistant professor and co-director of U of A’s Extended Reality and Games Lab. “A contributing factor to our high rankings is incorporating research into both graduate and undergraduate curricula. Through independent studies, capstone projects and directed research, students apply their knowledge in real-world settings, collaborating on challenges that prepare them for professional and academic success.”

In addition to research-informed curriculum, the top rankings reflects the program’s blend of dynamic coursework and engaged learning that immerses students in both the theory and application of interactive technologies. BSGDD courses expose students to industry-relevant tools and concepts such as game development engines, extended reality (XR) environments and collaborative design, all while offering opportunities for hands-on experience.

Criteria for the national rankings, now in their fourth year, include academic reputation, admission selectivity, employment data, depth and breadth of program faculty, value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness, graduation rate and student retention rate.

The high rankings also demonstrate the University of Arizona’s commitment to advancing immersive technology in the classroom and the industry. The faculty’s dedication to embedding research into coursework ensures that students leave with both the technical skills and the collaborative mindset necessary to excel in the fast-growing fields of XR and game development. For students seeking a career that bridges technology and creativity, the BSGDD program offers a dynamic and supportive environment where learning happens through doing—and where every class project or research assignment can serve as a stepping stone to future success.

“This recognition affirms our commitment to fostering an educational environment where students not only learn but actively create and innovate,” says College of Information Science Interim Dean Catherine Brooks. “Our goal is to equip students with the skills, experiences and confidence needed to lead in the fields of game design and immersive technology. We’re proud to see our program acknowledged as one of the nation’s best and look forward to continuing to empower the next generation of tech pioneers who will create interactive worlds that transcend devices and platforms.”
 

Explore the Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development and the Master of Science in Information Science, or learn more about the Extended Reality and Games Lab.