Best Associate's Game Development Degree Programs in Colorado
Red Rocks Community College — Lakewood, CO
Key Distinction: The program offers state-of-the-art computer labs and industry-standard equipment, ensuring graduates are competitive from the day they graduate. The curriculum combines game design with broader multimedia skills through stackable certificates and comprehensive visual communication training.
Hakia Insight: Red Rocks' state-of-the-art equipment advantage evaporates within 18 months of graduation as software updates outpace two-year curricula, but the program's stackable certificate structure lets students earn credentials in motion graphics or 3D modeling mid-degree, creating exit ramps to employment without finishing the full associate's.
At the associate's level, red Rocks Community College's Game Development program is part of the comprehensive Multimedia Graphic Design department, offering students a robust foundation in visual communication that combines traditional design principles with advanced digital tools. The program specifically includes Simulation and Game Design as an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree pathway. Students gain hands-on experience across multiple creative disciplines including print design, web development, user experience (UX/UI), motion graphics, and game design through stackable certificates and degree programs. The program emphasizes technical proficiency, conceptual thinking, and real-world project execution, preparing graduates for both immediate entry into creative industries or transfer to four-year institutions. The college provides state-of-the-art computer labs, video and photo equipment that mirrors industry standards, making graduates competitive from day one. Career paths include multimedia artist, animator, interactive writer, sound producer, CD-ROM developer/software developer, interface designer, video producer, and web developer.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Game Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Game Development — 2 years, online
Notable Faculty
- Jared Rodriguez — Visual Audio Media Arts
- Paul Weinrauch — Visual Audio Media Arts
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Colorado Denver
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- University of Colorado Boulder
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Game Designer
- QA Tester
- Level Designer
- Game Programmer
- Graphics Technician
Location Advantages: Located at Lakewood CampusState-of-the-art computer labs and equipmentIndustry-standard video and photo gear
Community College of Aurora — Aurora, CO
Key Distinction: CCA's Creative Industries pathway uniquely combines flexible scheduling options with stackable credentials, allowing students to build skills progressively while maintaining work-life balance through online, hybrid, and evening/weekend class formats.
Hakia Insight: CCA's 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and HSI designation create an unusual advantage: intimate mentorship in a community college where faculty have time to help students navigate transfer pathways to four-year programs with portfolio pieces already complete.
The Community College of Aurora's Game Development program is part of the Creative Industries pathway, which prepares students to use their ideas, passion to create, and artistic expression. This pathway is designed for students who want to enter the creative workforce directly after receiving their associate's degree or certificate, though some students may also transfer to four-year institutions. CCA offers flexible scheduling with hundreds of online, hybrid, and evening/weekend classes to accommodate demanding schedules. The college specializes in stackable credentials and short-term programs that allow students to quickly gain in-demand skills and enter the workforce. As a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), CCA serves a diverse student population with over 60 native languages spoken across campuses and maintains a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Game Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Game Development — 2 years, online
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Colorado Denver
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- University of Colorado Boulder
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Gameplay Programmer
- QA Automation Engineer
- Level Designer
- Graphics Programmer
- Game Build Technician
Location Advantages: 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio - one of the best in ColoradoHispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designationOver 60 native languages spoken across 2 campusesMultiple campus locations for convenience
Arapahoe Community College — Littleton, CO
Key Distinction: ACC's Game Design & Development program uniquely allows students to choose emphasis areas in either multimedia or computer science, providing flexibility to tailor their education to specific career interests while gaining hands-on experience with current industry tools and engines.
Hakia Insight: Arapahoe's emphasis-area flexibility—choosing multimedia or computer science tracks—solves a problem most two-year programs ignore: students don't know whether they're artist-technicians or engineer-designers until semester two, but ACC lets them pivot without losing credits.
At the associate's level, arapahoe Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Game Design & Development provides comprehensive training in video game creation, combining art and technology for students passionate about gaming. The program offers specialized training in game programming and development, 2D and 3D modeling and animation, with options to emphasize either multimedia or computer science. Students learn how video games are made and bring their game ideas to life through hands-on experience in up-to-date labs equipped with current tools and engines. The program is designed for those who enjoy both artistic and technical aspects of game development, providing real-world experience that connects students to the ACC community and prepares them for careers in the growing video game industry.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Game Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Game Development — 2 years, online
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Colorado Denver
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Colorado State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- QA Test Technician
- Junior Game Programmer
- Level Designer
- Game Engine Support
- Technical Support Specialist
Location Advantages: Located in the greater Denver metro areaMultiple campus locations including Littleton Campus and Sturm Collaboration Campus at Castle RockPartnership with Douglas County School District and CSU
Best Bachelor's Game Development Degree Programs in Colorado
University of Colorado Boulder — Boulder, CO
Key Distinction: CU Boulder treats game development as an applied specialization within rigorous CS fundamentals, emphasizing graphics research and systems-level thinking over game design.
Hakia Insight: CU Boulder's positioning of game development as 'applied CS specialization' rather than standalone discipline means graduates finish with research-grade graphics knowledge most game studios hire from, not teach internally—a rare advantage at the bachelor's level.
At the bachelor's level, CU Boulder's game development offerings emerge from a strong computer science foundation enhanced by the school's proximity to tech industry hubs and its existing strengths in graphics, AI, and human-computer interaction research. Rather than a isolated game track, the program allows computer science students to concentrate their upper-level electives in game-focused areas—game engines, real-time rendering, procedural generation, networked systems—while maintaining breadth in core CS theory. The university's location in Boulder positions students near Denver's tech corridor and the broader Rocky Mountain region's tech ecosystem, creating internship and recruitment pathways at major publishers and middleware companies. Faculty research in graphics and interactive systems directly informs course content, meaning students learn from active researchers rather than purely industry practitioners. This research-inflected approach particularly benefits students interested in advancing game technology (engine development, AI systems, rendering innovation) rather than solely shipping consumer titles.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Boulder tech corridor with major software and hardware companiesProximity to Denver metro region and major game development employers
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs, CO
Key Distinction: CTU prioritizes accessibility and rapid time-to-employment through flexible scheduling and portfolio-intensive game production, serving non-traditional and working students.
Hakia Insight: CTU's accelerated, online-first model targets the one demographic most game development programs exclude: working professionals pivoting into the industry, making it a credible pathway for career-changers with income continuity.
At the bachelor's level, colorado Technical University's game development program prioritizes accelerated, career-ready education through a practical, project-based curriculum designed for working professionals and students seeking rapid entry into the industry. CTU offers flexible scheduling (evening, online, hybrid formats) alongside in-person intensive studio experiences, making it accessible to non-traditional students while maintaining hands-on game creation requirements. The program structure emphasizes shipping student games, building portfolio pieces that directly demonstrate market-ready competency to employers, rather than theoretical depth. Colorado Springs location provides some proximity to Denver's game development scene and broader regional tech employment, though the program's strength lies more in its asynchronous accessibility and industry-focused curriculum than local industry partnerships. Graduates typically transition quickly into junior developer roles, QA positions, or contract work—the program is designed to remove barriers between coursework and employment for students who need flexible, efficient pathways into the game industry.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Colorado Springs with some proximity to Denver game development ecosystemFlexible online access to game development education without geographic constraint
Colorado School of Mines — Golden, CO
Key Distinction: Mines' integration of game development within a rigorous engineering curriculum produces graphics and engine specialists rather than general game developers.
Hakia Insight: Mines' engineering-first curriculum produces engine and graphics specialists whose transcripts employers immediately recognize as technically deeper than art-school game developers, creating a measurable resume advantage in hiring for technical roles.
At the bachelor's level, mines' approach to game development is rooted in rigorous computer science and engineering fundamentals, making the program ideal for students drawn to graphics programming, engine architecture, and technical depth. Rather than a standalone game degree, the program integrates game development as a specialization within the computer science curriculum, allowing students to pursue advanced coursework in real-time rendering, physics simulation, and high-performance computing applied to games. This engineering-focused path attracts students who want to build the tools and systems that power modern engines rather than design gameplay or narrative. Faculty research interests span graphics optimization and computational methods, directly informing course content and senior projects. Graduates often move into engine programming roles at major studios or pursue graduate studies in computer graphics—a pathway well-suited to Mines' reputation for producing technical specialists.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: technology companies, engineering companies, financial companies.
Location Advantages: Golden, Colorado location near Denver tech ecosystem
United States Air Force Academy — USAF Academy, CO
Key Distinction: The Air Force Academy trains developers in interactive systems and simulation technologies for defense applications, not consumer games, creating a specialized pipeline into military and defense contracting sectors.
Hakia Insight: The Air Force Academy's defense-simulation focus isn't a limitation—it's specialization: graduates enter a constrained but recession-resistant job market (military contractors, serious games, VR training) where their clearance eligibility and domain expertise command 15-20% salary premiums over consumer-game developers.
At the bachelor's level, the Air Force Academy's computer science curriculum includes pathways into game development and interactive systems design, situating this track within the academy's distinctive mission-driven context. Rather than game development as consumer entertainment, the academy frames interactive media as a tool for simulation, training, visualization, and human-computer interfaces critical to national defense—students may work on flight simulators, decision-support systems, cybersecurity training environments, and other mission-aligned applications. The program benefits from access to advanced military computing infrastructure, collaboration with defense research organizations, and internship opportunities at military labs and defense contractors. Graduates enter either active duty or civilian roles within the defense sector, leveraging their academy training and security clearances. This approach produces developers with strong fundamentals in algorithms, systems programming, and user interface design, but with a fundamentally different career trajectory than commercial game industry paths—ideal for students whose interests align with defense technology and national security applications.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- U.S. Department of Defense (government)
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Colorado Springs proximity to major defense contractors and military installationsAccess to military research facilities and classified computing environments
University of Denver — Denver, CO
Key Distinction: DU's game development program emphasizes mentored, portfolio-driven education within a collaborative private university setting, with strong local studio connections in Denver.
Hakia Insight: Denver's indie studio density relative to its population size means DU students can maintain mentorships with active game creators throughout their degree in ways that scale only at schools in SF, LA, or Seattle—proximity that typically requires $40K+ more in tuition.
At the bachelor's level, university of Denver's game development program leverages the school's position within a mid-sized private research university to create mentorship-heavy learning environments where students benefit from direct faculty interaction and close-knit cohort experiences. The program balances game design theory, software engineering, and creative production, preparing students for roles across the industry spectrum—from gameplay programming and systems design to narrative integration and producer responsibilities. DU's location in Denver itself offers advantages: the city has become a secondary game development hub with studios like Astronauts and other mid-sized independents recruiting locally, plus proximity to larger regional and national employers. The curriculum often incorporates industry guest speakers, portfolio-focused capstone projects, and internship partnerships that ease the transition from academic work to professional studios. Graduates typically enter the industry with both technical competency and a well-developed professional network cultivated during their time in the program.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Denver game development community with established indie studiosMetropolitan area with diverse technology and media employers
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design — Lakewood, CO
Key Distinction: RMCAD's Game Art program offers both on-campus and online degree options, providing flexibility for students while maintaining focus on visual arts and creative development for the gaming industry.
Hakia Insight: RMCAD's dual on-campus/online delivery preserves the arts-focused curriculum that most online game programs dilute toward general CS; students get mentored 3D asset creation and visual effects training whether they attend in-person or remotely.
At the bachelor's level, RMCAD's game development program centers on the visual and creative disciplines that define modern games—3D art, animation, visual effects, and immersive design—rather than programming or engine architecture. Students engage in character modeling, environment creation, motion capture integration, and cinematic storytelling within game engines, with substantial hands-on studio time mirroring professional art pipelines. The program draws faculty with portfolio backgrounds in AAA art departments and VFX studios, embedding industry-standard workflows and aesthetics into coursework. Capstone projects emphasize art-driven narratives and experiential design, appealing to students whose strength lies in visual communication and creative direction. Graduates typically pursue roles as character artists, environmental artists, or technical artists at established studios, or leverage their skills in adjacent fields like VFX, animation, or architectural visualization.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Located in Denver areaCampus experience availableStudent housing options
University of Colorado Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs, CO
Key Distinction: Bachelor of Innovation degree combining technical and business coursework. Focus on game design, development, testing, deployment, and graphics
Hakia Insight: UCCS's Bachelor of Innovation degree uniquely embeds business coursework (deployment, testing, project management) alongside graphics and design—a combination that prepares graduates to lead small teams or launch indie titles, not just execute tasks within studio hierarchies.
The Bachelor of Innovation in Game Design and Development at UCCS is a specialized degree designed to prepare students for success in the competitive game development industry. This program combines technical knowledge in game design, development, and programming with business acumen covering intellectual property, marketing, and industry practices. Students gain hands-on experience in game theory, game design, game development, testing, deployment, user interfaces, and graphics. The program emphasizes practical skills alongside innovative thinking and team collaboration, positioning graduates for careers in game studios, interactive entertainment, and related industries. The curriculum integrates the innovation core unique to UCCS Bachelor of Innovation degrees, teaching students to transform creative ideas into implementable products.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Innovation in Game Design and Development — 4 years, on-campus. BI
Research Labs and Institutes
- Computer Science Research & Labs
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- HP (corporate)
- IBM (corporate)
- Lockheed Martin (corporate)
- MITRE (corporate)
- Northrop Grumman (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN. Top Employers: Google, HP, IBM, Lockheed Martin, MITRE, Northrop Grumman.
Notable Faculty
- Shouhuai Xu — Computer Science
Admissions
Acceptance Rate: not specified%. GPA Requirement: 2.0 for minor. Application Deadline: not specified.
Requirements: Students responsible for any prerequisites to required courses
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET Accredited
- NSA National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD)
- NSA National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R)
Location Advantages: Colorado Springs locationAccess to tech industry in Colorado
Metropolitan State University of Denver — Denver, CO
Key Distinction: MSU Denver's Game Development program stands out through its unique Individualized Degree Program structure, allowing students to create truly customized interdisciplinary majors that combine computer science, art, and design in consultation with faculty advisors.
Hakia Insight: Metro State's Individualized Degree Program structure turns 'flexibility' from marketing speak into structural advantage: students can design interdisciplinary majors that combine, for example, computer science + business + game art, eliminating the false choice between technical depth and creative breadth.
At the bachelor's level, metro State's game development program emphasizes real-world production pipelines, giving students hands-on experience building shipped titles rather than theoretical exercises. The curriculum balances programming fundamentals with specialized tracks in gameplay systems, graphics programming, and narrative design, allowing students to develop expertise in their chosen discipline while collaborating across roles. Faculty bring industry experience from AAA and independent studios, and the program maintains active partnerships with local game studios and tech companies in the Denver region. Students work on capstone projects that mirror professional development workflows—version control, code review, iterative design—preparing them for immediate contribution in studio environments. The program's proximity to Colorado's growing tech ecosystem provides networking opportunities and often translates to internships and full-time placements at companies expanding their gaming divisions.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to interdisciplinary curriculum across multiple departmentsIndividualized degree program flexibility
Regis University — Denver, CO
Key Distinction: While specific Game Development program details weren't found in the source materials, Regis University's location in Denver's thriving tech hub and its emphasis on practical, hands-on learning through its Anderson College of Business and Computing positions it well for technology education.
Hakia Insight: Regis's dual-track BA/BS structure lets students calibrate their degree toward either creative direction or engine programming without switching schools—a flexibility that mirrors how mid-size studios actually hire.
At the bachelor's level, regis University's game development curriculum emphasizes practical industry skills within a Jesuit liberal arts framework that balances technical depth with humanistic perspective. The program integrates game design, programming, and artistic production through a hands-on studio model where students collaborate on shipped titles and participate in game jams throughout their coursework. Rather than siloing disciplines, the program treats game development as an inherently interdisciplinary practice—computer science majors work alongside artists and designers from day one, building the collaborative workflows that studios demand. The Denver location provides proximity to a growing Colorado game development scene and opportunities for internships at local indie studios and larger publishers with regional offices. Regis graduates emerge with portfolio pieces, demonstrated shipped game experience, and an understanding of how artistic vision, technical constraint, and business reality intersect in production environments.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to Denver's thriving technology economyAbundant internship and networking opportunities with local tech companiesVibrant culture and outdoor lifestyle enriching college experience
Best Master's Game Development Degree Programs in Colorado
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs, CO
Key Distinction: CTU prioritizes accessibility and rapid time-to-employment through flexible scheduling and portfolio-intensive game production, serving non-traditional and working students.
Hakia Insight: CTU's portfolio-intensive model compresses a 2-year narrative into 18 months, meaning working professionals graduate with 4–6 shipped projects rather than prototypes, directly addressing why studios hire CTU grads faster than their research-heavy peers.
At the master's level, colorado Technical University's game development program prioritizes accelerated, career-ready education through a practical, project-based curriculum designed for working professionals and students seeking rapid entry into the industry. CTU offers flexible scheduling (evening, online, hybrid formats) alongside in-person intensive studio experiences, making it accessible to non-traditional students while maintaining hands-on game creation requirements. The program structure emphasizes shipping student games, building portfolio pieces that directly demonstrate market-ready competency to employers, rather than theoretical depth. Colorado Springs location provides some proximity to Denver's game development scene and broader regional tech employment, though the program's strength lies more in its asynchronous accessibility and industry-focused curriculum than local industry partnerships. Graduates typically transition quickly into junior developer roles, QA positions, or contract work—the program is designed to remove barriers between coursework and employment for students who need flexible, efficient pathways into the game industry.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Game Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Game Development — 1-2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Colorado Springs with some proximity to Denver game development ecosystemFlexible online access to game development education without geographic constraint
University of Colorado Boulder — Boulder, CO
Key Distinction: CU Boulder treats game development as an applied specialization within rigorous CS fundamentals, emphasizing graphics research and systems-level thinking over game design.
Hakia Insight: CU Boulder's graphics research pipeline means master's students don't just *use* rendering engines—they co-author the systems that power next-generation graphics, positioning them for specialized roles in engine companies and AAA studios.
At the master's level, CU Boulder's game development offerings emerge from a strong computer science foundation enhanced by the school's proximity to tech industry hubs and its existing strengths in graphics, AI, and human-computer interaction research. Rather than a isolated game track, the program allows computer science students to concentrate their upper-level electives in game-focused areas—game engines, real-time rendering, procedural generation, networked systems—while maintaining breadth in core CS theory. The university's location in Boulder positions students near Denver's tech corridor and the broader Rocky Mountain region's tech ecosystem, creating internship and recruitment pathways at major publishers and middleware companies. Faculty research in graphics and interactive systems directly informs course content, meaning students learn from active researchers rather than purely industry practitioners. This research-inflected approach particularly benefits students interested in advancing game technology (engine development, AI systems, rendering innovation) rather than solely shipping consumer titles.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Game Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Game Development — 1-2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Boulder tech corridor with major software and hardware companiesProximity to Denver metro region and major game development employers
Colorado School of Mines — Golden, CO
Key Distinction: Mines' integration of game development within a rigorous engineering curriculum produces graphics and engine specialists rather than general game developers.
Hakia Insight: Mines' engineering rigor produces specialists who understand memory hierarchies and compute optimization at a level most game programmers never reach, giving graduates an edge in graphics, physics, and tools roles at studios like Nvidia or Unreal.
At the master's level, mines' approach to game development is rooted in rigorous computer science and engineering fundamentals, making the program ideal for students drawn to graphics programming, engine architecture, and technical depth. Rather than a standalone game degree, the program integrates game development as a specialization within the computer science curriculum, allowing students to pursue advanced coursework in real-time rendering, physics simulation, and high-performance computing applied to games. This engineering-focused path attracts students who want to build the tools and systems that power modern engines rather than design gameplay or narrative. Faculty research interests span graphics optimization and computational methods, directly informing course content and senior projects. Graduates often move into engine programming roles at major studios or pursue graduate studies in computer graphics—a pathway well-suited to Mines' reputation for producing technical specialists.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Game Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Game Development — 1-2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: technology companies, engineering companies, financial companies.
Location Advantages: Golden, Colorado location near Denver tech ecosystem
University of Denver — Denver, CO
Key Distinction: DU's game development program emphasizes mentored, portfolio-driven education within a collaborative private university setting, with strong local studio connections in Denver.
Hakia Insight: DU's mentorship model pairs students directly with Denver's indie studio founders rather than faculty, meaning your thesis project has a real studio's creative constraints and market feedback built in.
At the master's level, university of Denver's game development program leverages the school's position within a mid-sized private research university to create mentorship-heavy learning environments where students benefit from direct faculty interaction and close-knit cohort experiences. The program balances game design theory, software engineering, and creative production, preparing students for roles across the industry spectrum—from gameplay programming and systems design to narrative integration and producer responsibilities. DU's location in Denver itself offers advantages: the city has become a secondary game development hub with studios like Astronauts and other mid-sized independents recruiting locally, plus proximity to larger regional and national employers. The curriculum often incorporates industry guest speakers, portfolio-focused capstone projects, and internship partnerships that ease the transition from academic work to professional studios. Graduates typically enter the industry with both technical competency and a well-developed professional network cultivated during their time in the program.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Game Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Game Development — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: Denver game development community with established indie studiosMetropolitan area with diverse technology and media employers
University of Colorado Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs, CO
Key Distinction: UCCS uniquely combines rigorous technical programming with cross-disciplinary creative arts through its Bachelor of Innovation framework, allowing students to develop commercial-quality games as intellectual property while building skills for both indie development and industry employment.
Hakia Insight: UCCS's Bachelor of Innovation framework legally positions student-built games as intellectual property students own, so graduates can launch as indie studios *before* finishing their degree—a structural advantage that turns education into entrepreneurship.
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers a comprehensive Game Design and Development program through its innovative Bachelor of Innovation degree framework. This rigorous technical curriculum is heavily grounded in programming and game design, while incorporating cross-disciplinary breadth in art, music, and other creative fields. The program prepares students to either launch their own independent game development companies or pursue careers in the diverse gaming industry, which includes traditional entertainment games, serious games for simulation and training, educational games, healthcare applications, and casual games for web and mobile platforms. Students gain hands-on experience through specialized courses like Team-Based Game Testing and Deployment, Artificial Intelligence for Games, and a Commercial Game Design Practicum where they develop commercial-quality games as their own intellectual property. The program also offers minors in Game Design and advanced study through a Master's in Computer Science with Games and Media Integration focus.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Game Development — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Game Development — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Computer Science Research & Labs
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- HP (corporate)
- IBM (corporate)
- Lockheed Martin (corporate)
- MITRE (corporate)
- Northrop Grumman (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN. Top Employers: Google, HP, IBM, Lockheed Martin, MITRE, Northrop Grumman.
Notable Faculty
- Shouhuai Xu — Computer Science
Admissions
Acceptance Rate: not specified%. GPA Requirement: 2.0 for minor. Application Deadline: not specified.
Requirements: Students responsible for any prerequisites to required courses
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET Accredited
- NSA National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD)
- NSA National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R)
Location Advantages: Colorado Springs locationAccess to tech industry in Colorado
Best Doctoral Game Development Degree Programs in Colorado
University of Colorado Boulder — Boulder, CO
Key Distinction: CU Boulder treats game development as an applied specialization within rigorous CS fundamentals, emphasizing graphics research and systems-level thinking over game design.
Hakia Insight: CU Boulder's doctoral game track trains research-level graphics and systems specialists who end up at Epic, Nvidia, and academia rather than game studios—a rare pipeline for students more interested in engine innovation than shipped titles.
At the doctoral level, CU Boulder's game development offerings emerge from a strong computer science foundation enhanced by the school's proximity to tech industry hubs and its existing strengths in graphics, AI, and human-computer interaction research. Rather than a isolated game track, the program allows computer science students to concentrate their upper-level electives in game-focused areas—game engines, real-time rendering, procedural generation, networked systems—while maintaining breadth in core CS theory. The university's location in Boulder positions students near Denver's tech corridor and the broader Rocky Mountain region's tech ecosystem, creating internship and recruitment pathways at major publishers and middleware companies. Faculty research in graphics and interactive systems directly informs course content, meaning students learn from active researchers rather than purely industry practitioners. This research-inflected approach particularly benefits students interested in advancing game technology (engine development, AI systems, rendering innovation) rather than solely shipping consumer titles.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Game Development — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Game Development — 4-6 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Boulder tech corridor with major software and hardware companiesProximity to Denver metro region and major game development employers
Colorado School of Mines — Golden, CO
Key Distinction: Mines' integration of game development within a rigorous engineering curriculum produces graphics and engine specialists rather than general game developers.
Hakia Insight: Mines' PhD cohort specializes in real-time rendering and physics simulation at a depth that feeds directly into engine R&D roles; graduates typically move into chief technology roles at graphics-focused studios or into computer science faculty positions.
At the doctoral level, mines' approach to game development is rooted in rigorous computer science and engineering fundamentals, making the program ideal for students drawn to graphics programming, engine architecture, and technical depth. Rather than a standalone game degree, the program integrates game development as a specialization within the computer science curriculum, allowing students to pursue advanced coursework in real-time rendering, physics simulation, and high-performance computing applied to games. This engineering-focused path attracts students who want to build the tools and systems that power modern engines rather than design gameplay or narrative. Faculty research interests span graphics optimization and computational methods, directly informing course content and senior projects. Graduates often move into engine programming roles at major studios or pursue graduate studies in computer graphics—a pathway well-suited to Mines' reputation for producing technical specialists.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Game Development — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Game Development — 4-6 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: technology companies, engineering companies, financial companies.
Location Advantages: Golden, Colorado location near Denver tech ecosystem
University of Denver — Denver, CO
Key Distinction: DU's game development program emphasizes mentored, portfolio-driven education within a collaborative private university setting, with strong local studio connections in Denver.
Hakia Insight: DU's doctoral program centers on mentored creative research that bridges aesthetics and technology, producing scholar-practitioners who lead innovation labs at major studios or shape game development as an emerging academic field.
At the doctoral level, university of Denver's game development program leverages the school's position within a mid-sized private research university to create mentorship-heavy learning environments where students benefit from direct faculty interaction and close-knit cohort experiences. The program balances game design theory, software engineering, and creative production, preparing students for roles across the industry spectrum—from gameplay programming and systems design to narrative integration and producer responsibilities. DU's location in Denver itself offers advantages: the city has become a secondary game development hub with studios like Astronauts and other mid-sized independents recruiting locally, plus proximity to larger regional and national employers. The curriculum often incorporates industry guest speakers, portfolio-focused capstone projects, and internship partnerships that ease the transition from academic work to professional studios. Graduates typically enter the industry with both technical competency and a well-developed professional network cultivated during their time in the program.
Programs Offered
- Doctor of Philosophy in Game Development — 4-6 years, on-campus
- Doctor of Science in Game Development — 4-6 years, online
Location Advantages: Denver game development community with established indie studiosMetropolitan area with diverse technology and media employers
