Digipen Institute of Technology

College Profiles
Written By Donna Mezey

Digipen Institut of Technology, Redmond, WA

  • First school to offer a degree in Video Game Programming

  • Top 5 in game design for 12 years per Princeton Review

  • Founded in 1988

  • Private 4 year college

  • For Profit

  • Areas of expertise:   Computer Science, Digital Art and Animation, Game Design and Development, Music and Sound Design

  • Average class size is 18

  • 10 Degree Programs

  • 1121 students

  • 87% domestic, 13% international

  • Campuses in Singapore and Spain also

  • Embrace the nerd culture

  • Students from over 50 countries around the world

  • Acceptance rate is around 50%

  • Must have pre-calculus before being considered

  • Portfolios required for several programs

  • Kids are into things like math club, poke man club, etc.

  • Computer science degrees - Bachelor of Science in computer science, BS in CS and Machine Learning, Master of Science in CS.

  • Game Design and Development Degrees:   BA in Game Design, BS in CS and Game Design, BS in CS and Real-Time Interactive Simulation

  • Digital Art and Animation:   BFA in Digital Arts and Animation, MFA in Digital Arts

  • Music and Audio Degrees:   BA in Music and Sound Design, BS in CS and Digital Audio

  • Lots of high levels of math and high levels of calculus for Machine Learning program

  • Students are directly admitted to their major.   

  • Classes are academically rigorous

  • For Profit - Programs are nationally accredited, moving toward regional accreditation

  • Started as a family business in Canada - Simulation and Animation company

  • Strict code of conduct

  • Very focused programs

  • Direct connection to the game industry

  • Employers want their graduates

  • Game industry is larger than the movie industry - huge need for students

  • Also have K - 12 programs - summer workshops, pre-college program, etc.

Donna Mezey
Previous

New College of Florida
Next

Occidental College