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Leveling Up: Clark, WPI among top-ranked game design schools

Princeton Review places both schools among the best for 2025

Clark's gaming programs ranked high in Princeton Review's annual "best of" list (photo credit: Clark University)

WORCESTER—Sometimes parental units need a reminder: for kids who log in hours glued to a screen, gaming isn’t just a pastime—it can be a career. And for those looking to turn their passion into a profession, two of the best places to study game design are right here in Worcester.

Clark University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) have once again been recognized among the top schools for game design in The Princeton Review’s 2025 rankings. Clark’s undergraduate program ranks No. 3 nationwide, while its Master of Fine Arts program is No. 5. WPI also earned high marks, ranking No. 12 for undergraduate game design and No. 13 for graduate programs.

Both schools’ programs, offered through the Becker School of Design & Technology, are ranked No. 2 in the Northeast. The Princeton Review’s rankings consider factors such as faculty credentials, lab facilities, career outcomes, and academic offerings in game design.

WPI's hands-on approach helped make it one of the best gaming schools in the country (photo credit: WPI)
WPI’s hands-on approach helped make it one of the best gaming schools in the country (photo credit: WPI)

According to The Princeton Review, WPI’s hands-on approach gives students “a lot of necessary tools” to succeed, with real-world projects and a strong emphasis on research, internships, and global learning opportunities.

With the gaming industry booming, students don’t just have to play the games—they can design them. And in Worcester, they have two top-ranked programs to help them do just that.

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