Top 3 Game Development Programs in New Jersey 2025
Stevens Institute of Technology
728 game development graduates annually, 74% graduation rate
Princeton University
201 game development graduates annually, 96% graduation rate
Rowan University
117 game development graduates annually, 97% graduation rate
- 1.New Jersey offers 13+ accredited game development programs across public and private universities
- 2.Stevens Institute of Technology leads with 74% graduation rate
- 3.New Jersey software developers earn median $122,800 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Jersey City, Newark, Princeton
- 5.Cost of living index: 114.5% of US average (above average)
Game Development Education in New Jersey: Overview
New Jersey offers 13 accredited game development programs, producing approximately 1,214 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Jersey City, Newark, Princeton, with major employers including Johnson & Johnson, Prudential, Merck.
With a median software developer salary of $122,800 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 114.5% compared to the US average, New Jersey offers competitive salaries that offset the higher cost of living.
The top game development programs in the state are led by Stevens Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Rowan University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Based on 13 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)
New Jersey-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
New Jersey Game Development Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | Private | $58,680 | 74% | 85.9 |
| 2 | Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | Private | $59,710 | 96% | 82.3 |
| 3 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | Public | $11,250 | 97% | 62.5 |
| 4 | Drew University | Madison, NJ | Private | $44,260 | 92% | 51.4 |
| 5 | Georgian Court University | Lakewood, NJ | Private | $35,360 | 96% | 50.6 |
| 6 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | Newark, NJ | Public | $15,616 | 66% | 43.3 |
| 7 | Felician University | Lodi, NJ | Private | $35,180 | 88% | 43.2 |
| 8 | Caldwell University | Caldwell, NJ | Private | $37,352 | — | 41 |
| 9 | Rider University | Lawrenceville, NJ | Private | $37,700 | — | 40.9 |
| 10 | Stockton University | Galloway, NJ | Public | $12,996 | — | 40.4 |
| 11 | Bloomfield College | Bloomfield, NJ | Private | $30,680 | — | 39.4 |
| 12 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus | Madison, NJ | Private | $37,346 | — | 35.7 |
| 13 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | Teaneck, NJ | Private | $36,526 | — | 35 |
Top 5 Game Development Programs in New Jersey: Side-by-Side
| School | Stevens Institute of... | Princeton | Rowan | Drew | Georgian Court |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $58,680 | $59,710 | $11,250 | $44,260 | $35,360 |
| Graduation Rate | 74% | 96% | 97% | 92% | 96% |
| Annual Graduates | 728 | 201 | 117 | 18 | 10 |
| Acceptance Rate | 43% | 4% | 78% | 69% | 71% |
| Type | Private | Private | Public | Private | Private |
| Score | 85.9/100 | 82.3/100 | 62.5/100 | 51.4/100 | 50.6/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Game Development in New Jersey
New Jersey offers 11 bachelor's-level game development programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Princeton University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Rowan University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $85,960 in the New Jersey 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 New Jersey
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Princeton | $59,710 | 96% | 201 | 82.3 |
| #2 Stevens Institute of... | $58,680 | 74% | 156 | 81.5 |
| #3 Rowan | $11,250 | 97% | 117 | 62.5 |
Top Game Development Schools for Master's Degrees in New Jersey
For graduate study, New Jersey offers 7 master's-level game development programs. Leading institutions include Stevens Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Rowan University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in New Jersey reaching $159,640 or more.
Top 3 Game Development Master's Programs in New Jersey
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Stevens Institute of... | $58,680 | 74% | 728 | 85.9 |
| #2 Princeton | $59,710 | 96% | 54 | 73.0 |
| #3 Rowan | $11,250 | 97% | 62 | 58.4 |
Most Affordable Game Development Colleges in New Jersey
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable game development programs in New Jersey are at Rowan University ($11,250/year), Stockton University ($12,996/year), New Jersey Institute of Technology ($15,616/year). These programs offer strong ROI given New Jersey's competitive tech salaries.
At Rowan University, a 4-year degree costs approximately $45,000 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $85,960, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.9 years. See our Most Affordable Game Development Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Game Development Programs in New Jersey (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Rowan | $11,250 | $45,000 | 0.9 years | Public |
| #2 Stockton | $12,996 | $51,984 | 1 years | Public |
| #3 New Jersey Institute of... | $15,616 | $62,464 | 1.2 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Game Development Schools in New Jersey
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 game development programs in New Jersey, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $58,680 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 74% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 728 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 43%
- • Ranking Score: 85.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 74% graduation rate
- 728 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 85.9 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (74%), program size (728 graduates), state salary outcomes ($122,800), and selectivity (43% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Stevens' visual arts and technology program emphasizes interdisciplinary exploration and project-based learning with four specialized concentrations including game design. The program's location in Hoboken provides exceptional access to internships and professional opportunities in New York City.
Career Outcomes
- Top Employers: Brother Corporation, Health Recovery Solutions, Intelligent Artefacts, Inc., Michael Kors, Saturday Night Live, NBC Universal, Stamford Health, Trimble Inc., Warner Bros. Discovery, Anthropologie, IBM, Kate Spade, Tuff City Records
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $59,710 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 201 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 4%
- • Ranking Score: 82.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 201 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 82.3 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (201 graduates), state salary outcomes ($122,800), and selectivity (4% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,250 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 97% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 117 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 78%
- • Ranking Score: 62.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 117 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 62.5 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (97%), program size (117 graduates), state salary outcomes ($122,800), and selectivity (78% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Rowan offers one of only 20 undergraduate esports degrees in the country with three specialized tracks (communication, business, computing) and partnerships with industry leaders like Nerd Street. The Biomedical Visualization program uniquely combines rigorous science coursework with cutting-edge technologies including VR, AR, and generative AI tools.
Career Outcomes
- Top Employers: FreeFly Systems
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Drew University
Madison, NJ • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $44,260 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 18 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 69%
- • Ranking Score: 51.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 18 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 51.4 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (18 graduates), state salary outcomes ($122,800), and selectivity (69% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Georgian Court University
Lakewood, NJ • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $35,360 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 10 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 71%
- • Ranking Score: 50.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 10 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 50.6 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (10 graduates), state salary outcomes ($122,800), and selectivity (71% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Jersey with strong job growth.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Data Scientist opportunities in Jersey with strong job growth.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1244DevOps Engineer opportunities in Jersey with strong job growth.
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1299AI/ML Engineer opportunities in Jersey with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Cybersecurity Analyst opportunities in Jersey with strong job growth.
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Jersey City, Newark, Princeton
- You're seeking competitive salaries ($122,800 median)
- You want to work at companies like Johnson & Johnson or Prudential
- You prefer New Jersey's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs New Jersey's 13)
- You're looking for lower cost of living (consider TX, NC, GA)
Other Tech Degree Programs in New Jersey
Explore other technology degree programs available in New Jersey:
- Best Computer Science Programs in New Jersey
- Best Artificial Intelligence Programs in New Jersey
- Best Machine Learning Programs in New Jersey
- Best Data Science Programs in New Jersey
- Best Data Analytics Programs in New Jersey
- Best Cybersecurity Programs in New Jersey
- Best Information Security Programs in New Jersey
- Best Software Engineering Programs in New Jersey
- Best Computer Engineering Programs in New Jersey
- Best Information Technology Programs in New Jersey
Game Development Programs in Other States
Compare game development programs across different states:
- Best Game Development Programs in Arizona
- Best Game Dev Programs in California
- Best Game Development Programs in Colorado
- Best Game Dev Programs in Florida
- Best Game Development Programs in Georgia
- Best Game Development Programs in Illinois
- Best Game Development Programs in Massachusetts
- Best Game Development Programs in Michigan
- Best Game Dev Programs in New York
- Best Game Development Programs in North Carolina
Game Development in New Jersey 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 - New Jersey 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.