Top 3 Game Development Programs in Arkansas 2025
University of Arkansas
93 game development graduates annually, 80% graduation rate
University of Arkansas Grantham
25 game development graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
Lyon College
14 game development graduates annually, 79% graduation rate
- 1.Arkansas offers 16+ accredited game development programs across public and private universities
- 2.University of Arkansas leads with 80% graduation rate
- 3.Arkansas software developers earn median $85,730 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Bentonville, Little Rock, Fayetteville
- 5.Cost of living index: 89% of US average (below average)
Game Development Education in Arkansas: Overview
Arkansas offers 16 accredited game development programs, producing approximately 281 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Bentonville, Little Rock, Fayetteville, with major employers including Walmart, Tyson Foods, JB Hunt.
With a median software developer salary of $85,730 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 89% compared to the US average, Arkansas offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top game development programs in the state are led by University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas Grantham, Lyon College, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Arkansas Game Development Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | Public | $7,666 | 80% | 74.7 |
| 2 | University of Arkansas Grantham | LIttle Rock, AR | Public | $7,080 | — | 51.8 |
| 3 | Lyon College | Batesville, AR | Private | $29,900 | 79% | 51.4 |
| 4 | Hendrix College | Conway, AR | Private | $36,300 | — | 48.1 |
| 5 | John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | Private | $29,488 | 86% | 47.5 |
| 6 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | Public | $4,512 | — | 46.9 |
| 7 | Philander Smith University | Little Rock, AR | Private | $11,804 | — | 45.9 |
| 8 | National Park College | Hot Springs, AR | Public | $3,600 | — | 44.2 |
| 9 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | Public | $7,200 | — | 43 |
| 10 | Harding University | Searcy, AR | Private | $24,240 | — | 42.8 |
| 11 | Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | Public | $5,995 | — | 40.7 |
| 12 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | Public | $6,600 | — | 40.5 |
| 13 | Arkansas State University-Beebe | Beebe, AR | Public | $2,736 | — | 39.2 |
| 14 | Shorter College | N Little Rock, AR | Private | $4,800 | — | 37.8 |
| 15 | Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | Private | $31,780 | — | 37.5 |
| 16 | University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | Public | $7,140 | — | 35.5 |
Top 5 Game Development Programs in Arkansas: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Arkansas | U of Arkansas Grantham | Lyon College | Hendrix College | John Brown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,666 | $7,080 | $29,900 | $36,300 | $29,488 |
| Graduation Rate | 80% | N/A% | 79% | N/A% | 86% |
| Annual Graduates | 93 | 25 | 14 | 17 | 5 |
| Acceptance Rate | 72% | N/A | 66% | 53% | 68% |
| Type | Public | Public | Private | Private | Private |
| Score | 74.7/100 | 51.8/100 | 51.4/100 | 48.1/100 | 47.5/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Game Development in Arkansas
Arkansas offers 11 bachelor's-level game development programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas Grantham, Lyon College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $60,011 in the Arkansas market.
A bachelor's in game development typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Game Development Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Game Development Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Arkansas | $7,666 | 80% | 93 | 74.7 |
| #2 U of Arkansas Grantham | $7,080 | N/A% | 25 | 51.8 |
| #3 Lyon College | $29,900 | 79% | 14 | 51.4 |
Top Game Development Schools for Master's Degrees in Arkansas
For graduate study, Arkansas offers 2 master's-level game development programs. Leading institutions include University of Arkansas, University of Central Arkansas. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Arkansas reaching $111,449 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best game development master's programs for more options beyond Arkansas.
Top 3 Game Development Master's Programs in Arkansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Arkansas | $7,666 | 80% | 10 | 48.4 |
| #2 U of Central Arkansas | $7,140 | N/A% | 7 | 35.5 |
Most Affordable Game Development Colleges in Arkansas
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable game development programs in Arkansas are at Arkansas State University-Beebe ($2,736/year), National Park College ($3,600/year), University of Arkansas-Fort Smith ($4,512/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Arkansas's competitive tech salaries.
At Arkansas State University-Beebe, a 4-year degree costs approximately $10,944 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $60,011, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.4 years. See our Most Affordable Game Development Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Game Development Programs in Arkansas (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Arkansas State University... | $2,736 | $10,944 | 0.4 years | Public |
| #2 National Park College | $3,600 | $14,400 | 0.6 years | Public |
| #3 U of Arkansas-Fort Smith | $4,512 | $18,048 | 0.7 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Game Development Schools in Arkansas
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 game development programs in Arkansas, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,666 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 80% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 93 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 72%
- • Ranking Score: 74.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- 80% graduation rate
- 93 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 74.7 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (80%), program size (93 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (72% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Arkansas Grantham
LIttle Rock, AR • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,080 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 25 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 51.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 25 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 51.8 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (25 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Lyon College
Batesville, AR • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $29,900 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 79% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 14 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 66%
- • Ranking Score: 51.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 79% graduation rate
- 14 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 51.4 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (79%), program size (14 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (66% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Hendrix College
Conway, AR • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $36,300 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 17 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 53%
- • Ranking Score: 48.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 17 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 48.1 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (17 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (53% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $29,488 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 86% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 5 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 68%
- • Ranking Score: 47.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 86% graduation rate
- 5 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 47.5 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (86%), program size (5 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (68% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Game Development Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Bentonville, Little Rock, Fayetteville
- You're seeking lower cost of living (89% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Walmart or Tyson Foods
- You prefer Arkansas's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Arkansas's 16)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Game Development in Arkansas FAQ
Based on 16 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Game Development degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Arkansas-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Arkansas salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.