Since its founding in 2010, the University of Utah’s Division of Games—housed in the College of Architecture & Planning—has become one of the most celebrated academic programs in the world. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and Animation Career Review for its sustained excellence, Utah Games continues to lead the nation in innovation, research, and impact.
A Legacy of Leadership
From its beginnings as a pioneering collaboration between artists, engineers, and designers, the Division of Games has grown into one of the University of Utah’s signature programs—an international model for excellence in games education and research. The Division earned its first #1 ranking in 2016, and has since been recognized as the #1 Games Program by major evaluators in 2026, 2025, 2024, 2021, 2020, 2018, and 2016, while remaining among the top six programs worldwide since global rankings began in 2010. These consistent achievements reflect more than academic success—they demonstrate the Division’s long-standing influence on the global games industry and on the education of generations of creative leaders.
Recognized by the World’s Most Respected Rankings
The Division’s top-tier standing has been repeatedly affirmed by the most trusted names in higher education:
- U.S. News & World Report has recognized Utah Games as the #1 public university program in the United States for multiple years.
- The Princeton Review has ranked the University of Utah as the #1 overall Games Program, a distinction held across numerous years and categories.
- Animation Career Review consistently places Utah Games among the top five international programs, praising its faculty excellence, interdisciplinary curriculum, and outstanding student outcomes.
Together, these honors reflect the Division’s reputation as a global leader in both the creative and technical dimensions of games education—where design, engineering, storytelling, and innovation converge.
Excellence Measured in Impact
“We do not chase rankings… but we do chase impact,” says Michael Young, Chair of the Division of Games. “To the degree that these rankings reflect impact in our students’ success and in the advancement of the Division’s mission to change the lives of players for the better, we are honored to be included among the world’s top schools.”
For the Division, success is defined not by accolades alone, but by the work its graduates do to improve games and gaming communities worldwide.
Growth Driven by Talent and Demand
Today, the Division is experiencing unprecedented growth—a reflection of both student demand and institutional investment. With the Games major now ranking as the 8th largest undergraduate program on the University of Utah campus, enrollment has never been higher. At the same time, the Division is expanding its research and teaching capacity through the ambitious PRESS PLAY Initiative. This multi-year plan is bringing new faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and resources to Utah Games, strengthening its leadership in emerging areas such as AI, virtual production, human-computer interaction, and serious games.
A Tradition of Innovation and Purpose
Rooted in the College of Architecture & Planning, the Division of Games stands at the intersection of technology, design, and human experience. Faculty and students collaborate across disciplines to explore how games can educate, inspire, and transform—aligning creativity with research and purpose. This distinctive academic home fosters a culture where innovation thrives: blending storytelling and computation, art and engineering, and theory with application. The result is a Division that not only leads the rankings but continues to redefine what a university program in games can achieve.
Looking Ahead
As Utah Games moves into its next chapter—with new faculty, expanded programs, and record student interest—it remains guided by the same mission that earned its first #1 ranking: to change the lives of players for the better.
#1 Ranked Games Program: 2026, 2025, 2024, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2016
Top Six Worldwide since 2010