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���ϲ�����’s innovative Animation Game Design (AGD) program – offered through the College of Applied and Technical Studies at the Kent and Tuscarawas campuses – climbed three spots on The Princeton Review’s 2026 list of the Top 50 Undergraduate Schools for Game Design.

The AGD program now ranks 30th nationally. On the list of Midwest regional rankings, the program moved up one spot to the 7th-place position.

The Princeton Review's lists of top schools for game design are based on more than 40 data points derived from the company's annual survey of administrators at more than 150 institutions offering game design courses and/or degrees. The 50-question survey covers academics, faculty, technology and career topics.

���ϲ�����’s animation game design students create digital media works, such as cartoons, digital and non-digital games, motion graphics, 3D walkthroughs, simulations, as well as virtual reality environments while learning contemporary concepts in their respective program concentration. All students take core courses introducing them to the current state of the animation and game industries while building their skills with a variety of industry-standard technologies for 2D graphics, 3D models, digital sculpting and simple animation. The program is accredited by the prestigious National Association of Schools of Arts and Design (NASAD).

According to Chris Totten, AGD associate professor, ���ϲ�����’s program has several advantages that correlate with what the criteria – and the AGD industry as a whole – see as ingredients for successful transitions between college and careers.

“Among them is that we ask students to bring multiple creative projects to competition in team-based studio environments while they are in our program,” he explained. “Many schools just teach software skills on a class-by-class basis with no other context. …Our students use real project management techniques and tools that encourage the kind of critical thinking and problem-solving that they will need in the actual job."

Totten noted that this year’s survey sought information about in-class critiques and the types of feedback students receive from faculty and industry professionals. The survey also questioned students’ opportunities to participate in industry activities, networking opportunities, internships and portfolio reviews.

“These practices have been a core component of our program for years. Our faculty - practicing industry professionals themselves - work hard to make sure students have the opportunity of a lifetime here,” Totten said. “This ranking reflects the hard work and success of our students, faculty and staff.”

For the last several years, Totten and AGD students have attended the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, where they interact closely with industry leaders. At this year’s conference, Totten and two students were accepted to the GDC Conference Associate program. The AGD students also participate in local conferences in Columbus, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Aside from the Princeton Review’s recent rankings, the 2026 animation school rankings from the Animation Career Review placed ���ϲ�����’s program in the top 25 in the Midwest (21st) and nationally among schools offering a bachelor’s degree in animation (18th). The organization considered nearly 200 schools with animation programs from across the U.S. while preparing this year’s rankings.

Graduates of ���ϲ�����’s AGD program are prepared for and pursue careers in 2D and 3D digital graphics; architectural visualization; virtual and augmented reality; interactive training simulations; and the broadcast and entertainment industries. As a field where professionals routinely integrate the work of multiple visual and audio media, students are encouraged to work collaboratively across disciplines. 

To learn more about the ���ϲ����� College of Applied and Technical Studies’ Bachelor of Science degree in Animation Game Design, please visit  www.kent.edu/cats.