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Illinois Game Design At a Glance
| Metric |
Detail |
| Median Game Design Salary |
$97,370 |
| Salary Outlook |
Illinois offers competitive wages for game design professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. |
| Primary Licensing Body |
Illinois Professional Licensing Board |
| Accreditation Required |
Institutional + Regional |
Earning an online game design degree in Illinois offers a flexible path into game design careers. Illinois offers competitive wages for game design professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Illinois students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.
Online Game Design Schools in Illinois
The following schools offer accredited online game design programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Illinois.
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
- Graduation rate 30%
- Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
- Average net price (lower is better) 20%
- Retention rate 15%
- Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Graduation rate
56%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$38,877
Avg net price
$2,254/yr
TuitionIn‑state$4,415
Out‑of‑state$14,301
Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
55%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$42,195
Avg net price
$26,598/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 65%
- Programs offered: 48
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Career Outlook and Salaries in Illinois
Game Design professionals in Illinois experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Illinois.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Salary (Illinois) |
| Software Developers |
$132,110 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators |
$81,180 |
| Graphic Designers |
$62,560 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers |
$85,710 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers |
$104,910 |
| Writers and Authors |
$68,220 |
| Computer Programmers |
$72,540 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers |
$171,730 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Why Pursue an Online Game Design Degree in Illinois?
Choosing a program in Illinois can provide several advantages:
- In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Illinois offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
- Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
- Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Illinois economy and job market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online game design programs in Illinois accredited?
The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.
How does Game Design pay in Illinois compare to other states?
Illinois offers competitive wages for game design professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Illinois a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.
What is the primary licensing board for game design in Illinois?
The Illinois Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Illinois. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.
Online Game Design Programs by City in Illinois
Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:
Addison ·
Algonquin ·
Alton ·
Arlington Heights ·
Aurora ·
Bartlett ·
Batavia ·
Belleville ·
Belvidere ·
Berwyn ·
Bloomingdale ·
Bloomington ·
Blue Island ·
Bolingbrook ·
Braidwood ·
Buffalo Grove ·
Burbank ·
Calumet City ·
Carbondale ·
Carol Stream ·
Carpentersville ·
Champaign ·
Charleston ·
Chicago ·
Chicago Heights ·
Cicero ·
Collinsville ·
Crest Hill ·
Crystal Lake ·
Danville ·
Darien ·
Decatur ·
DeKalb ·
Des Plaines ·
Dolton ·
Downers Grove ·
East Moline ·
East Peoria ·
East Saint Louis ·
Edwardsville ·
Elgin ·
Elk Grove Village ·
Elmhurst ·
Elmwood Park ·
Evanston ·
Freeport ·
Galesburg ·
Geneva ·
Glen Ellyn ·
Glendale Heights ·
Glenview ·
Granite City ·
Grayslake ·
Gurnee ·
Hanover Park ·
Harvey ·
Highland Park ·
Hoffman Estates ·
Homer Glen ·
Huntley ·
Jacksonville ·
Joliet ·
Kankakee ·
Lake in the Hills ·
Lansing ·
Libertyville ·
Lisle ·
Lockport ·
Lombard ·
Loves Park ·
Machesney Park ·
Maywood ·
McHenry ·
Melrose Park ·
Mokena ·
Moline ·
Morton Grove ·
Mount Prospect ·
Mundelein ·
Naperville ·
New Lenox ·
Niles ·
Normal ·
North Chicago ·
Northbrook ·
O ·
Oak Forest ·
Oak Lawn ·
Oak Park ·
Orland Park ·
Oswego ·
Ottawa ·
Palatine ·
Park Forest ·
Park Ridge ·
Pekin ·
Peoria ·
Peru ·
Plainfield ·
Quincy ·
Rock Island ·
Rockford ·
Rolling Meadows ·
Romeoville ·
Roselle ·
Round Lake Beach ·
Schaumburg ·
Skokie ·
South Elgin ·
South Holland ·
Springfield ·
Saint Charles ·
Sterling ·
Streamwood ·
Tinley Park ·
Urbana ·
Vernon Hills ·
Villa Park ·
Waukegan ·
West Chicago ·
Westmont ·
Wheaton ·
Wheeling ·
Wilmette ·
Woodridge ·
Woodstock ·
Zion
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