Tomorrow’s leading video game developers are being built today at UCF.

The university’s graduate video gaming program, , and undergraduate program continue to develop a pipeline of talent to fuel Florida’s economy at a standard of excellence few can match, affirmed by The Princeton Review and PC Gamer’s Top Video Game Design Schools 2026 rankings.

The Princeton Review and PC Gamer has recognized FIEA as one of the top two programs of its kind in the world six of the past seven years.

GaIM improved two spots from last year to its highest ranking, rising to No. 3 in the world. Both programs continue to hold the title of No. 1 in the South.

Strategy for Success

Since their inception, FIEA and GaIM have modeled their classrooms as close to a real-world, studio-like environment as possible, led by faculty with industry experience. That real-world perspective shapes every course, every project and every student who graduates.

“Our program intentionally emulates a collaborative ecosystem with a range of diverse talent in artists, designers and programmers, which is crucial to developing products and intellectual property,” says Nicholas Zuccarello, a 3D art instructor at FIEA who has previously worked for Sony Online Entertainment and Electronic Arts Tiburon. “We even structure projects to emulate real-world development pipelines as closely as possible within an educational setting.”

Orlando: A Leading Tech Hub

With Electronic Arts (EA) and Iron Galaxy Studios located less than a mile from the programs’ home base in downtown’s , Orlando is the perfect setting to transition from college to career and now mentioned in the same breath alongside traditional tech-giant territories San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles.

Many alums go directly into the game industry including Epic, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony and more.

FIEA has graduated 1,160 students since its first class in 2006 — about 100 of whom worked on several of the most popular games sold in the U.S. in 2025, including EA SPORTS College Football 26, EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

But it’s not just the gaming companies that eagerly hire FIEA and GaIM graduates. The skills taught in the two programs align perfectly with some of Orlando’s top industries.

Graduates land roles in the modeling, simulation and training sector. Others find their footing in medical technology, where interactive systems and game-based design are transforming how clinicians train and how patients heal. Knights can be found at many of the region’s big-name employers, including Disney, EA, Lockheed Martin, and Universal Destinations & Experiences, among others.

“Our students don’t just make games, they develop the creative and technical fluency to work wherever those skills are needed.” — Associate Professor Peter Smith ’05MS ’12PhD

“Our students don’t just make games, they develop the creative and technical fluency to work wherever those skills are needed,” says Associate Professor Peter Smith ’05MS ’12PhD, who serves as the associate director of GaIM. “That’s what makes GaIM graduates competitive across industries. It is a true honor to see The Princeton Review recognizing this accomplishment of our students and faculty.”

Nitin Bakshi ’21, who joined FIEA’s faculty as a technical art instructor after graduating with his master’s in interactive entertainment, says the program takes great pride that many of our alumni continue to live and work in Florida, contributing directly to the local economy.

“These companies rely on artists, designers and programmers who understand real-time production,” he says. “That is exactly the kind of training our program is built around.”

Serious Business

Interest in the program has risen in the past year. FIEA recently drew its largest applicant pool with more than 200 applicants resulting in 90 new enrollees, the largest cohort to date.

For good reason.

The average starting salary for a FIEA graduate is $83,000, and 80% of graduates are in their desired fields at over 400 companies around the world.

The global market size for gaming, hardware and software sales is more than $189 billion (NewZoo’s 2025 Global Games Market Report), overshadowing music and movie industries combined.

“Adapting to the needs of the industry has always been one of our strengths,” Bakshi says. “Whether it is new real-time technologies, new platforms, or new ways of collaboration, we work hard to make sure the program grows along with the field. Seeing the program attract more talented students each year, while continuing to evolve with the industry, is what makes me most excited about the future and about the impact these programs will continue to have.”

Climbing the Leaderboard

UCF’s GaIM improved two spots from last year to its highest ranking, rising to No. 3 in the world and continues to hold the title of the No. 1 program in the South.

The bachelor’s in digital media with a track in game degree design blends theory and practice with a sharp focus on industry readiness. The program stands out as one of the few programs that combine a strong emphasis on both art and technology.

Students develop skills in programming, game design, game programming, as well as 2D and 3D art and visual effects.

The GaIM Maker Space lab, located on the UCF Downtown campus, reflects that commitment in concrete terms: nearly $500,000 in mixed-reality technology including augmented and virtual reality, motion capture, physical computing, 3D printing, and web and mobile development equipment, alongside dedicated research space for applied work.

The impact on the quality of the students’ education and training is undeniable.

“The tools the maker space provides are integrated deeply into virtually every class in GaIM,” Smith says. “Students in early classes are printing board games and 3D printing game pieces, seniors are recording audio and motion capture sequences that are integrated directly into their capstone projects.”

The Rankings’ Methodology

The Princeton Review and PC Gamer’s game design school rankings are based on more than 40 data points derived from the company’s survey of administrators at 150 schools offering game design courses and/or degrees. Most of the institutions are in the U.S., with two in Canada and four abroad. The 50-question survey covered four areas: academics, faculty, technology and career topics.

The approval signals the board’s confidence in a plan that promises to bring greater academic and professional opportunities to students and serve as a catalyst for development in downtown Orlando.

“Twenty-four years ago yesterday, I became UCF’s president. In all the years since, few moments have been as important as today,” UCF President John C. Hitt said. “Today, we can plant a seed in downtown Orlando that will benefit our students, community and state for decades to come.”

UCF has earned $16 million in community support to help fund construction of a new academic building that will be the centerpiece of the downtown campus, which will serve about 7,700 UCF and Valencia College students. ��AV intends to raise $20 million in community support to go along with $20 million from the state and $20 million in UCF resources.

The Board of Governors, which oversees Florida’s 12 public universities, approved the proposed campus during a meeting on UCF’s main campus. The board’s vote paves the way for the Legislature’s approval of the state’s $20 million share. Pending approvals, the campus will open in fall 2018.

“UCF has put forward a persuasive proposal, making the case that this project will create a pathway to success for our students and good return on investment for our state,” said Board of Governors Chair Tom Kuntz. “Our Board has asked good questions and done its due diligence, and UCF has responded to our concerns by making the project stronger.”

UCF Board of Trustees Chairman Marcos Marchena praised the campus’ impact on the quality of education through students’ proximity to internships and field-related work downtown, which he said gives them a “leg up” on job opportunities after graduation. He also lauded how the campus will bring higher education closer to students in a traditionally underserved area.

“I grow more convinced as I get older that education is one of the few real ways to change the life of an individual, of a family, and in fact of an entire community,” he said. “I believe this campus has the potential for creating that kind of change.”

Students will be able to take classes at Valencia College and UCF on the same campus, which can save them thousands of dollars compared with the cost of enrolling only at a state university.

“For me and many of my peers, every dollar matters – and this model is an exciting way to become a UCF Knight even more affordably, in a professionally focused environment. It’s a win-win,” said Student Government Association President Cait Zona, who also noted that many students already live, work and volunteer in downtown Orlando.

UCF Downtown will be built on a portion of the Creative Village, a 68-acre parcel in the Parramore community that was cleared for redevelopment when Orlando’s old NBA arena was torn down.

UCF Downtown will offer students an innovative learning environment within walking distance of a wide array of internship and job opportunities in fields such as digital media, communication, public service and health-related programs.

“This project best aligns academic offerings with industry needs and neighborhood synergies,” said UCF Provost and Executive Vice President Dale Whittaker. “And it provides our students with hands-on, high-impact learning experiences in a way that is just not possible on our main campus.”

During the past two months, several community partners have contributed to UCF Downtown.

On Tuesday, Dr. Phillips Charities announced a $3 million donation. The Orlando Magic, CFE Federal Credit Union and Florida Hospital each pledged $1.5 million. University leaders and board members have made personal contributions totaling more than $1 million. Orange County commissioners voted unanimously to contribute $3 million, and Valencia College will contribute $2 million.

Other contributors to the campus include Creative Village Development, Orlando philanthropist Alan Ginsburg, Orlando City Soccer Club, CNL Financial Group, Universal Orlando Foundation and Universal Orlando Resort, Dr. Bruce Douglas of Winter Park, and Coca-Cola.

Additionally, the value of in-kind contributions of land and infrastructure by the City of Orlando and the developers of Creative Village is approximately $75 million.

UCF will share the campus with Valencia College, which will offer programs in digital media, health information technology and culinary and hospitality, including workforce training and other certificates to increase access to education in the immediate downtown area.

“We believe we have the most powerful partnership in higher education here in Orlando,” Valencia President Sandy Shugart said of the relationship between UCF and Valencia. “This project is the next step in realizing that vision fully.”

The new academic building at UCF Downtown will complement a renovated Center for Emerging Media building where UCF’s nationally ranked graduate video gaming school, the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, is located.

The gifts will help fund construction of a new academic building that will be the centerpiece of the UCF Downtown campus serving about 7,700 UCF and Valencia College students.

The new contributions are:

These donations bring the total amount of community support to $13 million.

Today’s announcement comes just two days before university leaders will present plans for the campus on Wednesday in Orlando to the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System.

“Many of our community partners have responded generously to our request for $20 million in philanthropy supporting UCF Downtown,” UCF President John C. Hitt said. “We appreciate our community’s strong commitment as we look forward to making our case for a downtown campus to the Board of Governors.”

One-third of the new $60 million downtown academic building will be funded through community support. The university also is contributing $20 million from its resources and asking the state for an additional $20 million.

The Orlando Magic, CFE Federal Credit Union and Florida Hospital each pledged $1.5 million toward the construction of the new academic building that UCF would share with Valencia College. University leaders and board members have made personal contributions totaling more than $1 million. Orange County commissioners voted unanimously to contribute $3 million, and Valencia College will contribute $2 million.

Additionally, the value of in-kind contributions of land and infrastructure by the City of Orlando and the developers of Creative Village is approximately $75 million.

Pending approvals, the campus will open in fall 2018. UCF Downtown will offer students an innovative learning environment within walking distance of a wide array of internship and job opportunities in fields such as digital media, communication, public service and health-related programs.

UCF will share the campus with Valencia College, which will offer programs in digital media, health information technology and culinary and hospitality, including workforce training and other certificates to increase access to education in the immediate downtown area.

The new academic building at UCF Downtown will complement a renovated Center for Emerging Media building where UCF’s nationally ranked graduate video gaming school, the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, is located.

The new FIEA Ventures program will initially be available to academy alumni and will be housed at UCF’s Center For Emerging Media in downtown Orlando. It is expected that some of the first clients to come into FIEA Ventures will be working on video games, animated film, simulation and mobile and web products.

Scheduled to open this fall, the 5,000-square-foot space will provide office and meeting space, a 20-seat theater, mentorships, equipment, and access to technology and expertise. Tenants will also have access to the center’s audio, motion capture and film studios, collectively called Studio 500, all at 500 W. Livingston St.

“FIEA’s success in developing graduates for high-wage, local industries has increased entrepreneurship, and this new program will place our recent graduates in a perfect atmosphere to start a successful small business,” said FIEA executive director Ben Noel.

Companies and individuals will be picked using an application process in which clients will be asked to detail their concept, technology needs, potential staffing, market prospects and business plan. If accepted, the applicant can stay in FIEA Ventures for up to one year.

Clients will also have access to the center’s faculty and staff, who will help with development and access to industry partners.

“As the No.2 ranked graduate school for game development, FIEA is an anchor for the Creative Village,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Now, with the launch of FIEA Ventures, the Ů��AV is taking an innovative approach to ensure its talented alumni become Orlando’s next generation of successful tech entrepreneurs.”

FIEA Ventures is a part of UCF’s Office of Research and Commercialization, which supports economic growth by being a liaison between UCF and local and national economic-development partners.

Other partnerships include UCF’s Business Incubation Program, which has grown into one of the biggest and best in the world; the UCF Venture lab, where technology entrepreneurs transform ideas and intellectual property into business plans; The GrowFL program that serves second-stage companies, and the Blackstone LaunchPad, which focuses on student entrepreneurs.

“This innovative facility will boost both UCF’s presence downtown and Orlando’s vision of a Creative Village in the city’s core,” said Tom O’Neal, UCF’s associate vice president for Research and Commercialization and director of the UCF Business Incubation Program. “This partnership will be an incubator of ideas and commerce to benefit both the university and the community.”

This is the first time that The Princeton Review has ranked graduate-level video game development schools, placing UCF’s – or FIEA – behind only the University of Southern California.

“This ranking is another sign of the hard work done by our faculty and staff to prepare the next generation of game developers and interactive entrepreneurs,” said Ben Noel, executive director of FIEA.

Since opening its doors in 2005, FIEA has graduated 191 alumni working at 83 companies around the world, including Google, Electronic Arts, Zynga, Ubisoft, Disney, Bioware and Orlando-based company n-Space.

The average starting salary for FIEA graduates is $50,852.

FIEA graduates are working on some of today’s most popular games including Call of Duty World at War, Call of Duty Black Ops, Rock Band, Rock Band 2, James Bond: Quantum of Solace, Guitar Hero, Tiger Woods Golf, Madden NFL Football, NCAA Football, Hannah Montana, NBA Ballers and NHL.

The school is one of the foundations of downtown Orlando’s Creative Village concept and is designed to graduate talented and well-qualified professionals to work in Central Florida’s digital and simulation industries.

“We continue to work with the video game industry, local government and state leaders to ensure that Ů��AV provides the best-educated workforce for this growing industry,” Noel said.

The Princeton Review ranked schools based on a comprehensive survey it conducted in the 2010-2011 school year of administrators at 150 institutions offering video game design classes and/or degrees in the United States and Canada. Note that the FIEA tuition listed in the GamePro feature is for the total cost of the 16-month program and not annual tuition.

In addition to being published today on The Princeton Review and GamePro Media’s websites, the listing also will be featured in the April issue of GamePro magazine, on newsstands March 8.