Top 3 Game Development Programs in Indiana 2025
Purdue University-Main Campus
560 game development graduates annually, 83% graduation rate
Indiana University-Bloomington
242 game development graduates annually, 84% graduation rate
Purdue University Northwest
29 game development graduates annually, 92% graduation rate
- 1.Indiana offers 29+ accredited game development programs across public and private universities
- 2.Purdue University-Main Campus leads with 83% graduation rate
- 3.Indiana software developers earn median $103,570 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Indianapolis, Carmel, Fort Wayne
- 5.Cost of living index: 91.5% of US average (below average)
Game Development Education in Indiana: Overview
Indiana offers 29 accredited game development programs, producing approximately 1,356 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Indianapolis, Carmel, Fort Wayne, with major employers including Salesforce, Angie, Cummins.
With a median software developer salary of $103,570 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 91.5% compared to the US average, Indiana offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers compared to higher-cost coastal markets.
The top game development programs in the state are led by Purdue University-Main Campus, Indiana University-Bloomington, Purdue University Northwest, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Based on 25 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)
Indiana-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Indiana Game Development Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | Public | $9,718 | 83% | 83.9 |
| 2 | Indiana University-Bloomington | Bloomington, IN | Public | $10,312 | 84% | 65.3 |
| 3 | Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | Public | $7,259 | 92% | 50.9 |
| 4 | Indiana University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | Public | $9,241 | — | 47.6 |
| 5 | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | Private | $52,998 | — | 46 |
| 6 | DePauw University | Greencastle, IN | Private | $56,030 | — | 45.9 |
| 7 | Ball State University | Muncie, IN | Public | $8,688 | — | 45.3 |
| 8 | University of Evansville | Evansville, IN | Private | $41,400 | 96% | 44.6 |
| 9 | Taylor University | Upland, IN | Private | $38,140 | 80% | 44.3 |
| 10 | Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | Public | $8,049 | — | 43.7 |
| 11 | Anderson University | Anderson, IN | Private | $34,590 | — | 40.3 |
| 12 | Grace College and Theological Seminary | Winona Lake, IN | Private | $27,992 | 77% | 40.3 |
| 13 | Wabash College | Crawfordsville, IN | Private | $48,200 | — | 39 |
| 14 | Indiana Institute of Technology | Fort Wayne, IN | Private | $29,936 | — | 38.6 |
| 15 | University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | Private | $34,416 | — | 37.4 |
| 16 | Indiana University-Southeast | New Albany, IN | Public | $7,492 | — | 36.9 |
| 17 | Earlham College | Richmond, IN | Private | $50,970 | — | 35.5 |
| 18 | University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN | Public | $8,751 | — | 35.4 |
| 19 | Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN | Public | $9,712 | — | 34.9 |
| 20 | Indiana University-South Bend | South Bend, IN | Public | $7,492 | — | 34.6 |
| 21 | Indiana University-Kokomo | Kokomo, IN | Public | $7,492 | — | 34.1 |
| 22 | Franklin College | Franklin, IN | Private | $36,600 | — | 34 |
| 23 | Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN | Private | $45,136 | — | 33.8 |
| 24 | Hanover College | Hanover, IN | Private | $41,092 | — | 33.2 |
| 25 | University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | Private | $34,190 | — | 33 |
Top 5 Game Development Programs in Indiana: Side-by-Side
| School | Purdue | IU Bloomington | Purdue University Northwest | Indiana University-Indian... | Rose-Hulman Institute of... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $9,718 | $10,312 | $7,259 | $9,241 | $52,998 |
| Graduation Rate | 83% | 84% | 92% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 560 | 242 | 29 | 101 | 63 |
| Acceptance Rate | 50% | 80% | 71% | 81% | 73% |
| Type | Public | Public | Public | Public | Private |
| Score | 83.9/100 | 65.3/100 | 50.9/100 | 47.6/100 | 46.0/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Game Development in Indiana
Indiana offers 28 bachelor's-level game development programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Purdue University-Main Campus, Indiana University-Bloomington, Purdue University Northwest. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $72,499 in the Indiana 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 Indiana
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Purdue | $9,718 | 83% | 560 | 83.9 |
| #2 IU Bloomington | $10,312 | 84% | 210 | 63.6 |
| #3 Purdue University Northwest | $7,259 | 92% | 30 | 51.0 |
Top Game Development Schools for Master's Degrees in Indiana
For graduate study, Indiana offers 6 master's-level game development programs. Leading institutions include Indiana University-Bloomington, Purdue University-Main Campus, Purdue University Northwest. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Indiana reaching $134,641 or more.
Top 3 Game Development Master's Programs in Indiana
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 IU Bloomington | $10,312 | 84% | 242 | 65.3 |
| #2 Purdue | $9,718 | 83% | 123 | 73.4 |
| #3 Purdue University Northwest | $7,259 | 92% | 29 | 50.9 |
Most Affordable Game Development Colleges in Indiana
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable game development programs in Indiana are at Purdue University Northwest ($7,259/year), Indiana University-Southeast ($7,492/year), Indiana University-South Bend ($7,492/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Indiana's competitive tech salaries.
At Purdue University Northwest, a 4-year degree costs approximately $29,036 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $72,499, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.8 years. See our Most Affordable Game Development Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Game Development Programs in Indiana (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Purdue University Northwest | $7,259 | $29,036 | 0.8 years | Public |
| #2 Indiana University-Southeast | $7,492 | $29,968 | 0.8 years | Public |
| #3 Indiana University-South... | $7,492 | $29,968 | 0.8 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Game Development Schools in Indiana
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 game development programs in Indiana, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,718 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 83% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 560 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 50%
- • Ranking Score: 83.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 83% graduation rate
- 560 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 83.9 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (83%), program size (560 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,570), and selectivity (50% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Purdue's game development major combines creativity and technology through hands-on classes in visualization, rendering, animation and programming, preparing students to bring virtual worlds to life across industries like education, health care, research and training. Students learn from faculty who push the boundaries of gaming and build strong STEM foundations with courses in trigonometry, calculus and physics.
Admission Prerequisites
- •Math – 4 years
- •English – 4 years
- •Lab science – 3 years
- •Social studies – 3 years
- •World language – 2 years
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0
- Transfer Friendly
Career Outcomes
- Top Employers: Zynga, Volition Inc., Riot Games, Electronic Arts, Xbox
Indiana University-Bloomington
Bloomington, IN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $10,312 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 84% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 242 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 80%
- • Ranking Score: 65.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 84% graduation rate
- 242 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 65.3 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (84%), program size (242 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,570), and selectivity (80% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The program emphasizes both technical and creative aspects of game design with a three-semester capstone where students form teams and create games from start to finish. Students develop T-shaped expertise with broad knowledge across areas and deep specialization in game art, sound, programming, design, or management.
Career Outcomes
- Starting Salary: $60,000
- Top Employers: Bethesda, Blizzard, Disney, EA, Epic Games, High Voltage, iD, Insomniac, Maxis-Redwood City, Microsoft, Naughty Dog, Nintendo, Owlchemy, Psyonix, Raven, Respawn, Riot, Rockstar, Ubisoft, Hasbro
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,259 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 29 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 71%
- • Ranking Score: 50.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 29 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 50.9 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (29 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,570), and selectivity (71% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The program combines creativity and technology through hands-on classes in visualization, rendering, animation and programming, preparing students for careers across industries like education, health care, research and training beyond just entertainment.
Admission Prerequisites
- •Math – 4 years
- •English – 4 years
- •Lab science – 3 years
- •Social studies – 3 years
- •World language – 2 years
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0
- Transfer Friendly
Program Details
- Credits: 120 credits
Career Outcomes
- Top Employers: Zynga, Volition Inc., Riot Games, Electronic Arts, Xbox, Sony's PlayStation division
Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,241 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 101 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 81%
- • Ranking Score: 47.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 101 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 47.6 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (101 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,570), and selectivity (81% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
This program offers a customizable B.S. in Media Arts and Science with hands-on game development using industry-standard equipment in state-of-the-art facilities like MARLA. Students work in business-based teams to take games from concept to finished product, with faculty mentoring to produce published projects that can lead directly to professional game development careers.
Career Outcomes
- Starting Salary: $50K Median Annual Salary
- Top Employers: 4A Games (Sliema, Malta), Blizzard (Irvine, California), Bottom Line Performance (Indiana), Gearbox Software (Frisco, Texas), Half Full Nelsen (Indiana), HTC (Taipei, Taiwan), Owlchemy Labs (Austin, Texas), Pipeworks Studios (Eugene, Oregon), Plow Digital (Indiana), Rockstar Games (San Diego), Treyarch (Santa Monica, California), Vision3 Interactive (Indiana)
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $52,998 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 63 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 73%
- • Ranking Score: 46.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 63 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 46.0 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (63 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,570), and selectivity (73% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Rose-Hulman's Computer Science program offers hands-on experience in state-of-the-art labs with nearly 100% career placement and some of the highest alumni salaries. The program provides research opportunities from first year through senior thesis with mentorship from faculty who maintain active industrial consulting in various sectors.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Career Outcomes
- Starting Salary: $82,817
- Job Placement: 95% placement rate
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Indiana with strong job growth.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Data Scientist opportunities in Indiana with strong job growth.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1244DevOps Engineer opportunities in Indiana with strong job growth.
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1299AI/ML Engineer opportunities in Indiana with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Cybersecurity Analyst opportunities in Indiana with strong job growth.
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Indianapolis, Carmel, Fort Wayne
- You're seeking lower cost of living than coastal states (91.5% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Salesforce or Angie
- You prefer Indiana's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Indiana's 29)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration (consider SF, Seattle, NYC)
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Game Development Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Massachusetts
Game Development in Indiana FAQ
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 - Indiana salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
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