Ohio University ranked among top AR/VR schools in the nation by Animation Career Review

Animation Career Review has ranked Ohio University among the Top 25 Public Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Schools in the U.S. This designation places it No. 21 among public institutions and No. 37 overall when including all higher education institutions nationwide.

“Ohio’s VRGD degree program continues to be among the best in the country,” said Chip Linscott, Director of the McClure School. “With world-class facilities, renowned faculty, and cutting-edge research projects, the future is very bright. We have marvelous students and look forward to welcoming new cohorts each year, ushering them into the burgeoning field of immersive technologies.”

Animation Career Review recognized Ohio University for its two distinct but connected pathways into AR/VR:

• The Virtual Reality and Game Development (VRGD) bachelor’s degree
• The Information and Telecommunication Systems (ITS) bachelor’s degree, which offers an AR/VR concentration

Both programs provide students with access to OHIO’s state-of-the-art Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) Lab and Esports Arena, where faculty and students collaborate on advanced research and real-world production of digital games and immersive experiences.

Graduates of these programs go on to careers with leading organizations such as Microsoft, Walt Disney Imagineering, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Google, and Ubisoft, among others, reflecting the university’s emphasis on practical, industry-relevant learning.

The VRGD program is a flexible, interdisciplinary major designed to help students shape their studies around their career goals. Core courses focus on virtual reality, game design, game art, programming, and immersive storytelling, while electives introduce students to information networking systems, and communication strategy through the McClure School. Students also complete one of  two minors,  usually in business or communication, to strengthen their leadership, management, and entrepreneurial skills.

The ITS program, meanwhile, prepares students for careers in information network technology, the backbone that powers digital communication. Students gain hands-on experience in network design, cybersecurity, and cloud-based systems, with opportunities to customize their coursework toward AR/VR and game development applications.

The AR/VR and game development fields continue to expand, influencing industries such as education, healthcare, entertainment, and communication. Ohio University’s programs are designed to help students develop technical proficiency alongside ethical and social awareness, preparing them to use immersive technologies for positive impact.

Students benefit from hands-on coursework, access to cutting-edge facilities, and mentorship from expert faculty. Many also enhance their studies with certificates in esports, entrepreneurship, or social media, adding even more versatility to their skill set.

Animation Career Review, a respected online resource for creative technology education, has published national rankings since 2012. The 2025 AR/VR rankings considered more than 80 colleges and universities, evaluating each program on:

• Academic reputation
• Employment data
• Admission selectivity
• Value related to tuition and student debt

Schools were also invited to provide program-specific information through surveys conducted earlier in the year. Additional data came from LinkedIn employment statistics, the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and university websites.

Ohio University’s AR/VR programs emphasize portfolio development and real-world projects, helping students graduate with professional-quality work and meaningful experience. Capstone courses challenge students to design and produce original immersive experiences that showcase their technical and creative abilities.

As immersive technologies and digital games continue to shape the future of communication and entertainment, choosing a school that combines technical rigor, creative exploration, and ethical impact will help students establish a bright future in AR/VR and games.

Take the next step toward a future in immersive technology with Ohio University’s AR/VR programs, where creativity meets innovation in one of the nation’s top-ranked schools for augmented and virtual reality education.