Top 3 Game Development Programs in Minnesota 2025
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
612 game development graduates annually, 92% graduation rate
Carleton College
80 game development graduates annually, 97% graduation rate
St Olaf College
33 game development graduates annually, 95% graduation rate
- 1.Minnesota offers 25+ accredited game development programs across public and private universities
- 2.University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads with 92% graduation rate
- 3.Minnesota software developers earn median $106,790 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington
- 5.Cost of living index: 98.8% of US average (below average)
Game Development Education in Minnesota: Overview
Minnesota offers 25 accredited game development programs, producing approximately 1,235 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, with major employers including Target, UnitedHealth, Best Buy.
With a median software developer salary of $106,790 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 98.8% compared to the US average, Minnesota 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 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Carleton College, St Olaf College, 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)
Minnesota-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Minnesota Game Development Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | Public | $14,496 | 92% | 81.2 |
| 2 | Carleton College | Northfield, MN | Private | $65,043 | 97% | 70.5 |
| 3 | St Olaf College | Northfield, MN | Private | $56,970 | 95% | 56.2 |
| 4 | Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN | Public | $8,571 | 75% | 51.3 |
| 5 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $50,788 | 89% | 49.4 |
| 6 | Southwest Minnesota State University | Marshall, MN | Public | $8,840 | 94% | 48.6 |
| 7 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minneapolis, MN | Private | $43,374 | 79% | 48.5 |
| 8 | Bethany Lutheran College | Mankato, MN | Private | $29,280 | 72% | 44.9 |
| 9 | University of Minnesota-Duluth | Duluth, MN | Public | $12,766 | — | 44.6 |
| 10 | Minnesota State University-Mankato | Mankato, MN | Public | $8,356 | 95% | 44.1 |
| 11 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead, MN | Public | $8,838 | — | 43.3 |
| 12 | Winona State University | Winona, MN | Public | $8,388 | — | 42.9 |
| 13 | North Central University | Minneapolis, MN | Private | $28,500 | 94% | 42.3 |
| 14 | Gustavus Adolphus College | Saint Peter, MN | Private | $53,570 | — | 41.7 |
| 15 | Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $25,000 | 66% | 41.5 |
| 16 | Augsburg University | Minneapolis, MN | Private | $43,142 | 63% | 41.3 |
| 17 | Concordia College at Moorhead | Moorhead, MN | Private | $29,400 | — | 40 |
| 18 | University of Minnesota-Morris | Morris, MN | Public | $12,932 | — | 39.5 |
| 19 | Bemidji State University | Bemidji, MN | Public | $8,994 | — | 37.4 |
| 20 | Saint Johns University | Collegeville, MN | Private | $52,700 | — | 36.4 |
| 21 | University of Northwestern-St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $35,970 | — | 34.4 |
| 22 | Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud, MN | Public | $8,811 | — | 34 |
| 23 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | Private | $42,500 | — | 34 |
| 24 | Hamline University | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $47,134 | — | 33.6 |
| 25 | College of Saint Benedict | Saint Joseph, MN | Private | $52,700 | — | 33.2 |
Top 5 Game Development Programs in Minnesota: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Minnesota | Carleton College | St Olaf College | Metropolitan State | U of St Thomas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $14,496 | $65,043 | $56,970 | $8,571 | $50,788 |
| Graduation Rate | 92% | 97% | 95% | 75% | 89% |
| Annual Graduates | 612 | 80 | 33 | 106 | 45 |
| Acceptance Rate | 77% | 22% | 52% | 96% | 85% |
| Type | Public | Private | Private | Public | Private |
| Score | 81.2/100 | 70.5/100 | 56.2/100 | 51.3/100 | 49.4/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Game Development in Minnesota
Minnesota offers 24 bachelor's-level game development programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Carleton College, St Olaf College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $74,753 in the Minnesota 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 Minnesota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Minnesota | $14,496 | 92% | 612 | 81.2 |
| #2 Carleton College | $65,043 | 97% | 80 | 70.5 |
| #3 St Olaf College | $56,970 | 95% | 33 | 56.2 |
Top Game Development Schools for Master's Degrees in Minnesota
For graduate study, Minnesota offers 5 master's-level game development programs. Leading institutions include University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Metropolitan State University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Minnesota reaching $138,827 or more.
Top 3 Game Development Master's Programs in Minnesota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Minnesota | $14,496 | 92% | 98 | 80.8 |
| #2 Minneapolis College of... | $43,374 | 79% | 7 | 48.5 |
| #3 Metropolitan State | $8,571 | 75% | 10 | 45.4 |
Most Affordable Game Development Colleges in Minnesota
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable game development programs in Minnesota are at Minnesota State University-Mankato ($8,356/year), Winona State University ($8,388/year), Metropolitan State University ($8,571/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Minnesota's competitive tech salaries.
At Minnesota State University-Mankato, a 4-year degree costs approximately $33,424 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $74,753, 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 Minnesota (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Minnesota State Universit... | $8,356 | $33,424 | 0.8 years | Public |
| #2 Winona State | $8,388 | $33,552 | 0.8 years | Public |
| #3 Metropolitan State | $8,571 | $34,284 | 0.9 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Game Development Schools in Minnesota
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 game development programs in Minnesota, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $14,496 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 612 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 77%
- • Ranking Score: 81.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 612 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 81.2 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (612 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (77% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Carleton College
Northfield, MN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $65,043 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 97% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 80 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 22%
- • Ranking Score: 70.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 80 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 70.5 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (97%), program size (80 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (22% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $56,970 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 33 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 52%
- • Ranking Score: 56.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 33 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 56.2 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (33 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (52% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,571 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 75% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 106 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 96%
- • Ranking Score: 51.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 75% graduation rate
- 106 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 51.3 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (75%), program size (106 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (96% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of St Thomas
Saint Paul, MN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $50,788 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 89% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 45 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 85%
- • Ranking Score: 49.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- 45 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 49.4 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (89%), program size (45 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (85% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Minnesota with strong job growth.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Data Scientist opportunities in Minnesota with strong job growth.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1244DevOps Engineer opportunities in Minnesota with strong job growth.
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1299AI/ML Engineer opportunities in Minnesota with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Cybersecurity Analyst opportunities in Minnesota with strong job growth.
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington
- You're seeking lower cost of living than coastal states (98.8% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Target or UnitedHealth
- You prefer Minnesota's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Minnesota's 25)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration (consider SF, Seattle, NYC)
Other Tech Degree Programs in Minnesota
Explore artificial intelligence programs in Minnesota
Explore machine learning programs in Minnesota
Explore data science programs in Minnesota
Explore data analytics programs in Minnesota
Explore cybersecurity programs in Minnesota
Explore information security programs in Minnesota
Explore software engineering programs in Minnesota
Explore computer science programs in Minnesota
Explore computer engineering programs in Minnesota
Game Development Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Massachusetts
Game Development in Minnesota 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 - Minnesota 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.