Top 3 Game Development Programs in Louisiana 2025
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
147 game development graduates annually, 66% graduation rate
Southern University and A & M College
82 game development graduates annually, 75% graduation rate
Tulane University of Louisiana
52 game development graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Louisiana offers 20+ accredited game development programs across public and private universities
- 2.Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College leads with 66% graduation rate
- 3.Louisiana software developers earn median $88,760 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport
- 5.Cost of living index: 93.8% of US average (below average)
Game Development Education in Louisiana: Overview
Louisiana offers 20 accredited game development programs, producing approximately 653 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, with major employers including CenturyLink, Geocent, iSeatz.
With a median software developer salary of $88,760 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 93.8% compared to the US average, Louisiana offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top game development programs in the state are led by Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Southern University and A & M College, Tulane University of Louisiana, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Louisiana Game Development Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | Baton Rouge, LA | Public | $8,038 | 66% | 72.2 |
| 2 | Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | Public | $4,973 | 75% | 70.5 |
| 3 | Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | Private | $61,306 | — | 65.6 |
| 4 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette, LA | Public | $5,407 | 98% | 65 |
| 5 | Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA | Public | $6,401 | 85% | 63.2 |
| 6 | Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | Public | $5,140 | 99% | 61.3 |
| 7 | University of New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | Public | $6,090 | — | 57.3 |
| 8 | McNeese State University | Lake Charles, LA | Public | $5,147 | — | 47.7 |
| 9 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport | Shreveport, LA | Public | $5,656 | — | 46.3 |
| 10 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe, LA | Public | $5,788 | — | 43.2 |
| 11 | Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, LA | Public | $5,777 | — | 42.5 |
| 12 | Southern University at Shreveport | Shreveport, LA | Public | $2,618 | — | 39.7 |
| 13 | Xavier University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | Private | $24,836 | — | 38 |
| 14 | Academy of Interactive Entertainment | Lafayette, LA | Private | $24,600 | — | 36.8 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge Community College | Baton Rouge, LA | Public | $3,237 | — | 32.1 |
| 16 | Louisiana Christian University | Pineville, LA | Private | $19,590 | — | 32 |
| 17 | South Louisiana Community College | Lafayette, LA | Public | $3,335 | — | 29.2 |
| 18 | Bossier Parish Community College | Bossier City, LA | Public | $3,435 | — | 27.8 |
| 19 | Louisiana Delta Community College | Monroe, LA | Public | $3,214 | — | 27.8 |
| 20 | Herzing University-New Orleans | Metairie, LA | Private | $12,360 | 28% | 25.5 |
Top 5 Game Development Programs in Louisiana: Side-by-Side
| School | Louisiana State Universit... | Southern University and... | Tulane University of... | U of Louisiana at Lafayette | Louisiana Tech |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $8,038 | $4,973 | $61,306 | $5,407 | $6,401 |
| Graduation Rate | 66% | 75% | N/A% | 98% | 85% |
| Annual Graduates | 147 | 82 | 52 | 64 | 55 |
| Acceptance Rate | 74% | 50% | 15% | 89% | 73% |
| Type | Public | Public | Private | Public | Public |
| Score | 72.2/100 | 70.5/100 | 65.6/100 | 65.0/100 | 63.2/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Game Development in Louisiana
Louisiana offers 14 bachelor's-level game development programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Tulane University of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $62,132 in the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Louisiana State Universit... | $8,038 | 66% | 147 | 72.2 |
| #2 Tulane University of... | $61,306 | N/A% | 52 | 65.6 |
| #3 U of Louisiana at Lafayette | $5,407 | 98% | 64 | 65.0 |
Top Game Development Schools for Master's Degrees in Louisiana
For graduate study, Louisiana offers 6 master's-level game development programs. Leading institutions include Southern University and A & M College, Louisiana Tech University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Louisiana reaching $115,388 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best game development master's programs for more options beyond Louisiana.
Top 3 Game Development Master's Programs in Louisiana
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Southern University and... | $4,973 | 75% | 82 | 70.5 |
| #2 Louisiana Tech | $6,401 | 85% | 21 | 54.8 |
| #3 U of Louisiana at Lafayette | $5,407 | 98% | 15 | 52.3 |
Most Affordable Game Development Colleges in Louisiana
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable game development programs in Louisiana are at Southern University at Shreveport ($2,618/year), Louisiana Delta Community College ($3,214/year), Baton Rouge Community College ($3,237/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Louisiana's competitive tech salaries.
At Southern University at Shreveport, a 4-year degree costs approximately $10,472 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $62,132, 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 Louisiana (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Southern University at... | $2,618 | $10,472 | 0.4 years | Public |
| #2 Louisiana Delta Community... | $3,214 | $12,856 | 0.5 years | Public |
| #3 Baton Rouge Community... | $3,237 | $12,948 | 0.5 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Game Development Schools in Louisiana
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 game development programs in Louisiana, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,038 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 66% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 147 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 74%
- • Ranking Score: 72.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 66% graduation rate
- 147 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 72.2 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (66%), program size (147 graduates), state salary outcomes ($88,760), and selectivity (74% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Southern University and A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,973 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 75% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 82 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 50%
- • Ranking Score: 70.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 75% graduation rate
- 82 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 70.5 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (75%), program size (82 graduates), state salary outcomes ($88,760), and selectivity (50% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $61,306 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 52 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 15%
- • Ranking Score: 65.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 52 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 65.6 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (52 graduates), state salary outcomes ($88,760), and selectivity (15% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, LA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $5,407 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 98% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 64 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 89%
- • Ranking Score: 65.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 98% graduation rate
- 64 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 65.0 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (98%), program size (64 graduates), state salary outcomes ($88,760), and selectivity (89% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $6,401 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 85% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 55 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 73%
- • Ranking Score: 63.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 85% graduation rate
- 55 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 63.2 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (85%), program size (55 graduates), state salary outcomes ($88,760), and selectivity (73% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Louisiana with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in Louisiana with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in Louisiana with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in Louisiana with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in Louisiana 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 New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport
- You're seeking lower cost of living (93.8% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like CenturyLink or Geocent
- You prefer Louisiana's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Louisiana's 20)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Game Development in Louisiana FAQ
Based on 20 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)
Louisiana-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 - Louisiana 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.