Top 3 Game Development Programs in Texas 2025
Texas A & M University-College Station
392 Game Development graduates annually, 84% graduation rate
The University of Texas at Dallas
310 Game Development graduates annually, 77% graduation rate
The University of Texas at Austin
97 Game Development graduates annually, 89% graduation rate
- 1.Texas has 15+ accredited game development programs with strong industry connections in Austin's growing game scene
- 2.UT Austin ranks #1 in Texas with 87% graduation rate and direct access to 200+ game studios in the state
- 3.Texas game developers earn median $92,180 annually—competitive with national averages while enjoying lower cost of living
- 4.Austin hosts major studios like BioWare, Origin Systems legacy, and 100+ indie developers creating job opportunities
- 5.In-state tuition at public universities averages $12,000—significantly lower than California or New York alternatives
Game Development Education Landscape in Texas
Texas has emerged as a major hub for game development education and industry growth. With Austin leading the charge as a tech and creative center, the state offers diverse programs from traditional computer science tracks to specialized game design degrees.
The state's game development scene benefits from a strong tech ecosystem, no state income tax, and a lower cost of living compared to California. For students considering all options nationwide, our national game development program rankings provide comprehensive comparisons. Those interested in broader tech careers should explore our software engineering programs in Texas or review game developer career prospects for salary expectations.
Texas universities have built strong relationships with local studios, from major companies like BioWare Austin to thriving indie developers. This creates excellent internship and job placement opportunities for graduates. Students can also leverage the state's broader computer science programs if they prefer a more traditional tech foundation.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | Public | $9,003 | 84% | — | 83.1 |
| 2 | The University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, TX | Public | $14,564 | 77% | — | 76.9 |
| 3 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | Public | $11,678 | 89% | — | 69.7 |
| 4 | Texas State University | San Marcos, TX | Public | $8,606 | 75% | — | 66.4 |
| 5 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX | Public | $7,637 | 96% | — | 65.7 |
| 6 | Southern Methodist University | Dallas, TX | Private | $57,212 | 89% | — | 63.1 |
| 7 | The University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX | Public | $9,206 | 67% | — | 62.4 |
| 8 | LeTourneau University | Longview, TX | Private | $34,680 | 86% | — | 53.8 |
| 9 | University of Houston-Clear Lake | Houston, TX | Public | $6,600 | 66% | — | 50.8 |
| 10 | Southwestern Adventist University | Keene, TX | Private | $23,928 | 86% | — | 49.2 |
| 11 | West Texas A & M University | Canyon, TX | Public | $6,372 | 99% | — | 48.8 |
| 12 | Baylor University | Waco, TX | Private | $54,844 | — | — | 47.3 |
| 13 | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton, TX | Private | $30,600 | 91% | — | 45.4 |
| 14 | Dallas Baptist University | Dallas, TX | Private | $36,510 | 95% | — | 45.3 |
| 15 | Austin College | Sherman, TX | Private | $45,878 | — | — | 45 |
Showing 1–15 of 34
Top 5 Game Development Programs in Texas: Side-by-Side
| School | Texas A&M | University of Texas at... | University of Texas at... | Lamar | Texas State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $9,003 | $14,564 | $11,678 | $6,228 | $8,606 |
| Graduation Rate | 84% | 77% | 89% | 99% | 75% |
| Annual Graduates | 392 | 310 | 97 | 192 | 226 |
| Acceptance Rate | 63% | 65% | 29% | 86% | 89% |
| Type | Public | Public | Public | Public | Public |
| Score | 83.1/100 | 76.9/100 | 73.2/100 | 71.3/100 | 66.4/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Game Development in Texas
Texas offers 34 bachelor's-level game development programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Texas A & M University-College Station, The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Texas at Austin. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $80,577 in the Texas 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 Texas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Texas A&M | $9,003 | 84% | 392 | 83.1 |
| #2 University of Texas at... | $14,564 | 77% | 310 | 76.9 |
| #3 University of Texas at... | $11,678 | 89% | 97 | 73.2 |
Top Game Development Schools for Master's Degrees in Texas
For graduate study, Texas offers 13 master's-level game development programs. Leading institutions include Lamar University, Texas A & M University-College Station, University of Houston-Clear Lake. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Texas reaching $149,643 or more.
Top 3 Game Development Master's Programs in Texas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Lamar | $6,228 | 99% | 192 | 71.3 |
| #2 Texas A&M | $9,003 | 84% | 174 | 81.3 |
| #3 U of Houston-Clear Lake | $6,600 | 66% | 117 | 59.2 |
Most Affordable Game Development Colleges in Texas
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable game development programs in Texas are at Austin Community College District ($2,010/year), Tarleton State University ($4,416/year), Texas A&M University-San Antonio ($4,969/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Texas's competitive tech salaries.
At Austin Community College District, a 4-year degree costs approximately $8,040 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $80,577, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.2 years.
Most Affordable Game Development Programs in Texas (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Austin Community College... | $2,010 | $8,040 | 0.2 years | Public |
| #2 Tarleton State | $4,416 | $17,664 | 0.4 years | Public |
| #3 Texas A&M University-San... | $4,969 | $19,876 | 0.4 years | Public |
Texas Game Development Industry Landscape
Texas hosts over 200 game development studios and related companies, making it the third-largest game development hub in the United States. Austin leads with major studios like BioWare Austin, Arkane Studios Austin, and a thriving indie scene that includes studios like Twisted Pixel and Robot Entertainment.
The state benefits from several competitive advantages: no state income tax, lower cost of living compared to California, and a business-friendly environment that attracts both established studios and startups. Dallas-Fort Worth hosts companies like Gearbox Software and id Software's legacy influence, while Houston has emerging VR and simulation companies.
Texas game companies frequently collaborate with universities on research projects and internship programs. Students interested in the broader tech ecosystem can explore Texas software engineering programs or artificial intelligence degrees that complement game development skills.
- Austin: 100+ studios including BioWare, Arkane Studios, Origin Systems legacy
- Dallas-Fort Worth: Gearbox Software, id Software heritage, emerging mobile studios
- Houston: VR/AR companies, simulation software, energy sector gaming applications
- San Antonio: Military simulation, serious games, educational technology
Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,003 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 84% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 392 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 63%
- • Ranking Score: 83.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 84% graduation rate
- 392 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 83.1 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (84%), program size (392 graduates), state salary outcomes ($115,110), and selectivity (63% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $14,564 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 77% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 310 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 65%
- • Ranking Score: 76.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 77% graduation rate
- 310 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 76.9 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (77%), program size (310 graduates), state salary outcomes ($115,110), and selectivity (65% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The Master of Fine Arts in Game Development is a terminal degree focusing on creative use and critical investigation of technology in artistic practices, designed for both college-level teaching and professional studio practice. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary education fusing critical with creative thinking, with focus on computer-based arts and narrative creation.
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0
Program Details
- Credits: 54 semester credit hours
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,678 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 89% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 97 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 29%
- • Ranking Score: 73.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- 97 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 73.2 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (89%), program size (97 graduates), state salary outcomes ($115,110), and selectivity (29% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UT Austin's GDAD program is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program operating since 2012 that spans four academic units, offering comprehensive curriculum blending art, programming, media, and design with partnerships with local industry studios and EGaDS student organization.
Admissions
- Transfer Friendly
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $6,228 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 99% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 192 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 86%
- • Ranking Score: 71.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 99% graduation rate
- 192 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 71.3 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (99%), program size (192 graduates), state salary outcomes ($115,110), and selectivity (86% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The program combines lecture and theory with practice and play, featuring hands-on labs and coursework in artificial intelligence, 2D/3D graphics, and human-computer interaction. Students gain critical thinking, real-world application and practical project experience preparing them for the rapidly growing video game industry with 19% projected employment growth.
Admission Prerequisites
- •COSC 4302: Operating Systems
- •COSC 4304: Foundations of Programming
Admissions
- Transfer Friendly
Program Details
- Credits: 121
Career Outcomes
- Starting Salary: $104,910
- Top Employers: Video game software developers, Interactive media companies, Digital entertainment companies, Casino game designers and developers, Marketing and advertising firms, Schools and universities
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,606 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 75% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 226 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 89%
- • Ranking Score: 66.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 75% graduation rate
- 226 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 66.4 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (75%), program size (226 graduates), state salary outcomes ($115,110), and selectivity (89% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Game Programmer
SOC 15-1252Develop core game systems, gameplay mechanics, and engine features for PC, console, and mobile games
Game Designer
Create game mechanics, level design, and player experiences across various gaming platforms
Technical Artist
Bridge art and programming teams, develop tools, shaders, and optimization solutions
Producer
Manage game development projects, coordinate teams, and ensure milestone delivery
UI/UX Designer
Design user interfaces and experiences for games and interactive applications
Other Tech Degree Programs in Texas
Game Development Programs by State
Which Should You Choose?
- Lower cost of living while studying and working in games
- Access to a growing but manageable game development scene
- Strong computer science foundations with game specialization
- No state income tax maximizing your post-graduation earnings
- Opportunities in both AAA and indie game development
- Access to the largest concentration of AAA studios (California)
- East Coast networking and indie scene access (New York)
- Specialized game-only programs with less CS emphasis
- Maximum diversity in studio types and gaming platforms
- International game development opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Game Development Programs
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Game Development degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific game development salaries from BLS OES 2024
Related Game Development Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Official graduation rates, enrollment data, and tuition information for all accredited institutions
State-specific salary data for software developers and related occupations
Game industry statistics, studio locations, and employment data
Job placement rates and graduate outcome data from individual institutions
Source: Entertainment Software Association 2024
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.