15 Best Colleges with Digital Media Majors in 2024

colleges with digital media majors

Digital media is a rapidly growing, and the demand for qualified professionals is rising. If you are interested in a career in digital media, you must choose a college that offers a strong program.

There are many great colleges with digital media majors, and they have been generously explained in this article.

This article will bring all the information about the majors and minors offered by these best colleges for digital media. It is quite elaborate, and we advise you to read to the end.

What Are Digital Media Majors?

Digital media majors are interdisciplinary programs that combine aspects of art, design, computer science, and business. They focus on creating, producing, and distributing digital media content.

Digital media majors typically include courses in:

  • Art and design: Students learn about the principles of visual communication and how to use art and design to create effective digital media.
  • Computer science: Students learn about the underlying principles of computer programming and how to use these principles to create interactive digital media.
  • Business: Students learn about the business side of digital media, such as marketing, copyright, and intellectual property.

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What is the career path of a graduate of Digital media?

Digital media majors can lead to a variety of careers in the digital media industry, such as:

  • Web designer: Web designers create and maintain websites.
  • Graphic designer: Graphic designers create visual elements for print and digital media.
  • Animator: Animators create animated films, television shows, and video games.
  • Game designer: Game designers create video games.
  • Digital marketer: Digital marketers develop and execute marketing campaigns for digital media.

15 Best Colleges with Digital Media Majors in 2024

In this session, we have eliminated all preamble, and have gone straight to explaining the programs. Here are 15 of the best colleges with digital media majors in 2024:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 

MIT is the best on this list of colleges with digital media majors.

MIT offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Media Arts and Sciences (MAS) with a concentration in Digital Media. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in the digital media industry.

The curriculum in the digital media concentration includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Information visualization
  • Programming
  • Systems

MIT’s digital media program faculty are experienced artists, designers, and computer scientists. They are committed to providing students with a rigorous and challenging education that will prepare them for successful careers in digital media.

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Stanford University in Stanford, California

Stanford offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Film and Media Studies with a concentration in Digital Media. 

This is one of the best colleges with digital media majors.

The curriculum in digital media concentration includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Film studies
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Information visualization
  • Programming
  • Video production

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California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 

Caltech offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computing + Mathematical Sciences (CMS) with a concentration in Information and Data Sciences (IDS). 

The digital media program is offered as CMS.

The curriculum in the IDS concentration includes courses in:

  • Computer science
  • Data Science
  • Information visualization
  • Machine learning
  • Natural language processing
  • Programming

The faculty in Caltech’s IDS program are experienced computer scientists and data scientists. 

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New York University (NYU) in New York City.

NYU offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Interactive Media Arts (IMA) at the Tisch School of Arts. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in the digital media industry.

The curriculum in the IMA program includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Film studies
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Information visualization
  • Programming
  • Video production

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ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California.

ArtCenter is in Pasadena, California. Pasadena is a vibrant city with a rich cultural history. It is also home to several other universities, making it a great place to network with other artists and technologists.

ArtCenter offers the digital media course as a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Media Design Practices. Both programs are designed to prepare students for careers in the digital media industry.

The curriculum in the BFA in Graphic Design program includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Typography
  • Illustration
  • Motion graphics
  • Web design
  • Brand identity

The curriculum in the MFA in Media Design Practices program includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Information visualization
  • Programming
  • Systems
  • Experimental making

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Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, Rhode Island.

RISD is in Providence, Rhode Island. Providence is also home to several other universities, making it a great place to network with other artists and technologists.

RISD offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Digital + Media. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in the digital media industry. It is one of the world’s best colleges for digital media majors.

The curriculum in the BFA in Digital + Media program includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Information visualization
  • Programming
  • Systems
  • Experimental making

The faculty in RISD’s Digital + Media program are experienced artists, designers, and computer scientists. 

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Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia.

SCAD offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Digital Media. The faculty in SCAD’s Digital Media program are experienced artists, designers, and computer scientists. They provide students with a challenging education that will prepare them for successful careers in digital media.

The curriculum in the BFA in Digital Media program includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Information visualization
  • Programming
  • Systems
  • Experimental making

SCAD also offers a few minors and certificate programs in digital media, including:

  • Minor in Digital Media: This minor allows students to explore a specific area of digital media, such as animation, motion graphics, or web design.
  • Certificate in Digital Media: This certificate program is designed for students who want to gain specialized skills in digital media.

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Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Another school on our list of best colleges for digital media majors worldwide is Northwestern University. 

Northwestern offers a Media Arts and Game Design (MAGD) module within the School of Communication. The module is designed to prepare students for careers in the digital media industry.

The curriculum in the MAGD module includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Information visualization
  • Programming
  • Video production
  • Game design

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University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, California.

USC offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Interactive Entertainment and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science with an emphasis in Games. Both programs are designed to prepare students for careers in the digital media industry.

The curriculum in the BA in Interactive Entertainment program includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Game design
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Programming
  • Video production

The curriculum in the BS in Computer Science with an emphasis on Games program includes courses in:

  • Computer science
  • Game design
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Programming
  • Software engineering
  • Mathematics

One of USC’s perks is its location in Los Angeles, California. 

Los Angeles is a major media market and a global center for the entertainment industry. This allows students to network with industry professionals and work on projects with some of the biggest names in digital media.

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University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Los Angeles, California.

UCLA offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Design Media Arts (DMA). 

The curriculum in the DMA program includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Information visualization
  • Programming
  • Video production
  • Experimental making

Additionally, UCLA also offers a minor in Digital Media.

This minor allows students to explore a specific area of digital media, such as animation, motion graphics, or web design.

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University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in La Jolla, California.

This is another college with digital media majors. UCSD is in La Jolla, California, a beautiful coastal city near San Diego. Students can enjoy the beautiful weather and the many outdoor activities that the area has to offer.

UCSD offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Digital Arts and Sciences (DAS). The program is designed to prepare students for careers in the digital media industry.

The curriculum in the DAS program includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Information visualization
  • Programming
  • Video production
  • Experimental making

Additionally, UCSD also offers a minor in Digital Arts and Technologies:

This minor allows students to explore a specific area of digital media, such as animation, motion graphics, or web design.

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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Urbana, Illinois.

UIUC is in Urbana, Illinois, a midwestern city with a vibrant campus life. This environment allows students to enjoy the many cultural and recreational activities the area offers.

UIUC offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in New Media and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science with a concentration in Digital Media. Both programs are designed to prepare students for careers in the digital media industry.

The curriculum in the BA in New Media program includes courses in:

  • Art and design
  • Computer science
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Information visualization
  • Programming
  • Video production
  • Experimental making

The curriculum in the BS in Computer Science with a concentration in Digital Media program includes courses in:

  • Computer science
  • Digital media
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Information visualization
  • Programming
  • Software engineering

UIUC is a highly respected university with a strong digital media program. 

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Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M University in College Station offers two digital media majors:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Telecommunication Media Studies (TCMS): This degree is designed to prepare students for careers in the digital media industry. The curriculum includes courses in art and design, computer science, human-computer interaction, information visualization, programming, and video production.

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Telecommunication Media Studies (TCMS): This degree focuses more on the quantitative aspects of digital media. The curriculum includes courses in statistics, research methods, and data analysis.

Both programs are offered through the Department of Communication & Journalism at Texas A&M University. The department has a strong faculty with experience in the digital media industry. Students in the program can participate in research projects, internships, and student organizations.

The cost of tuition and fees at Texas A&M University is relatively affordable. 

Texas A&M University is a great option for students interested in a career in digital media. The school offers two strong programs with experienced faculty and affordable tuition.

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Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania offers several digital media majors, including:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Film and Visual Media: This degree is designed to prepare students for careers in the film and television industry. The curriculum includes courses in art and design, film history, screenwriting, and production.

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science with a concentration in Entertainment Technology: This degree focuses more on the technical aspects of digital media. The curriculum includes courses in computer science, human-computer interaction, and game design.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Entertainment Technology: This degree is designed for students who want to pursue careers as artists, designers, or technologists in the digital media industry. The curriculum includes courses in art and design, computer science, and human-computer interaction.

CMU’s digital media programs are offered through the School of Computer Science. The school has a strong faculty with experience in the digital media industry. Students in the program can participate in research projects, internships, and student organizations.

The tuition and fees at Carnegie Mellon University is somewhat high for the average student. 

One of the perks of Carnegie Mellon University is its location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a city with a vibrant technology scene. This will allow students to collaborate with industry professionals and to work on cutting-edge projects.

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Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University is another college on our list of best schools for digital media majors. Drexel University is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a city known for its advanced technology. This allows students to collaborate with industry professionals and to work on cutting-edge projects.

It offers the following programs in digital media.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Digital Media & Virtual Production: This degree is designed to prepare students for careers in the design and production of immersive media. The curriculum includes 3D modeling and animation courses, game design, and interactive media.

Master of Science (MS) in Digital Media: This degree is designed for students who want to pursue careers in the digital media industry as artists, designers, or technologists. The curriculum includes courses in art and design, computer science, and human-computer interaction.

Drexel’s digital media programs are offered through the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. The school has a strong faculty with experience in the digital media industry. Students in the program can participate in research projects, internships, and student organizations.

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FAQS on 15 Best Colleges with Digital Media Majors in 2024

What are the factors that colleges consider when evaluating digital media applicants?

GPA: 
SAT or ACT scores: 
Recommendations: 
Essays: 
Portfolio: 
Experience

What are some of the best colleges with digital media majors in 2024?

Northwestern University
New York University
University of Southern California
Georgia Institute of Technology
University of California, Los Angeles

Can I combine a digital media major with another field of study like marketing or journalism?

Yes! Many colleges allow students to double major or minor in related fields to complement their studies in digital media.

Conclusion

Colleges with digital media majors offer students a unique opportunity to explore and develop their creativity and technical skills in a rapidly evolving field. With access to state-of-the-art equipment and experienced faculty members, students can gain valuable hands-on experience that prepares them for careers in various industries.

The above-named colleges offer various digital media programs, including animation, game design, web design, and interactive media.

They also have strong faculties and alumni networks, which can be helpful for students after graduation. Read the article to find the 15 Best colleges with digital media majors in 2024.

References

  • Niche – colleges with digital media majors 2024
  • Zippa – colleges with digital media majors 2024
  • Prepler – colleges with digital media majors 2024

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