DigiPen Institute of Technology is a private, for-profit university founded in 1988 in Redmond, Washington — adjacent to Nintendo of America's corporate campus and at the center of the Pacific Northwest's thriving technology industry. The world's first college dedicated to game design and interactive media, DigiPen offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in computer science, game design, computer engineering, digital art and animation, music and sound design, and simulation and game design. The school's rigorous, studio-based curriculum builds professional-grade projects from the first semester, producing graduates who are immediately ready to contribute at the highest levels of game development, software engineering, and interactive media. DigiPen graduates command some of the highest 10-year earnings of any institution in the United States, with median 10-year earnings of $79,878 — reflecting the extraordinary premium the technology and gaming industries place on DigiPen's specialized technical talent. Notable employer connections include Nintendo, Microsoft, Valve, Xbox Game Studios, Bungie, and hundreds of game studios and tech companies across the Seattle corridor. The DigiPen Dragons, adopted as the school mascot in 2015, symbolize the creative strength and collaborative spirit of the DigiPen community. Approximately 13% of students are international, drawn from around the world by DigiPen's unmatched reputation in game development education. The school's selectivity, small class sizes, and direct industry connections make it the premier destination for students committed to careers in the interactive media and game development industries.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$38950
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $38,950
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
