Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Computer Programmers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at DigiPen, University of Washington Bothell, Cascadia, and Bellevue College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Gonzaga, University of Washington - Tacoma, University of Washington Bothell, and DigiPen.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Bates, Heritage, Highline Community College, and South Seattle Community College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Clover Park Technical College, City University of Seattle, Peninsula College, and Centralia.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of University of Puget Sound, DigiPen, Walla Walla University, and Gonzaga.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Walla Walla University, University of Puget Sound, Saint Martin's University, and Whitworth University.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at University of Puget Sound, University of Washington Seattle, DigiPen, and Gonzaga.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at DigiPen and Whitworth University.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at University of Puget Sound, Walla Walla University, Gonzaga, and Saint Martin's University.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Pierce College • Puyallup, WA
Studying Computer Programming (completion in 2003)
"I liked my school and learned the basics of programming. Today I earn a living because of their teachings."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Great school. would recommend it. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | It does not have either a good or bad reputation. |
| Instruction | More than 5 years ago | |
| How Difficult | 8 | C++ classes were extremely challenging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The school required an internship which put into practice the book experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Because I had a job I had to take night classes and weekend classes. I graduated around my job schedule. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The school had the most updated equipment. Library was very nice and the classrooms big. |
| Social Life | 2 | I never encountered any "spirit" on campus or heard of athletics. |
| Placement Services | 9 | The school connected you with internship sites and if you did good you would be hired by them. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | There is no support you are on your own. |
DigiPen Institute Of Technology • Redmond, WA
Studying Real-Time Interactive Simulation (completion in 2009)
• 9/15/2011
"The school got me into the career field I wanted. Great school and I learned everything I needed to for the workforce."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It's a hell of a trip going through that school, but it's doable, and if you really want to get into the game field it's the best bet. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | DigiPen is the best college in the world if you want to be a top notch game programmer. |
| Program Quality | 9 | DigiPen is a great school, the teachers are very knowledgeable in the subject area, but it is very, very specific, no matter what they say otherwise. |
| Instruction | 9 | DigiPen is great as long as you know what you're getting in to. Quality is top notch. |
| How Difficult | 10 | Lots and lots and lots of work - I was doing 70+ hours of homework alone some weeks. You really have to love it to survive. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Very hands-on and project based. The actual programming classes are extremely hands-on as well. Books are really just for reference. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 2 | Very inflexible. You had better not fail a class or you will be a 5 year student. Classes are usually offered only once a year. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | DigiPen has the latest in most technologies, making it very easy for students to get interesting new projects into development at school. |
| Social Life | 3 | Not much time for that sort of stuff while you're at DigiPen. The annual LAN party is fun, though. |
| Placement Services | 10 | Most of the staff are old industry workers. DigiPen has industry reps coming in all the time. As long as you make some friends, you'll get a job no problem. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | The alumni network is pretty much non-existent as it relates to the school, but meeting people from the college in the work place is quite common. DigiPen alumni are well respected in the industry. |
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