DigiPen Institute of Technology

About DigiPen Institute of Technology

DigiPen began in 1988 as a computer simulation and animation company and later developed educational programs for interactive software production. It moved to Redmond in 1998 and opened there as DigiPen Institute of Technology. The institution now operates its main US campus at 9931 Willows Road Northeast and offers degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Its institutional identity is unusually specialized. Rather than maintaining the breadth of a comprehensive university, DigiPen concentrates on computing, computer engineering, game development and design, digital art and animation, and music and sound design. This focus shapes the campus, curriculum, and student community. Production laboratories, art studios, classrooms, auditoriums, project spaces, a library, and a café support work that often combines technical and creative disciplines. DigiPen is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. Washington's regulator treats it as eligible for exemption from state degree-authorization requirements. The BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation has specialized accreditation from ABET's Computing Accreditation Commission; DigiPen also reports ABET accreditation for its computer engineering program. Students considering DigiPen should understand the distinction between its Redmond degree programs and offerings associated with its international campuses, online programs, partnerships, or DigiPen Academy. This profile concerns the degree-granting institution's Redmond campus. Its specialized scope can be an advantage for students with clear goals, but applicants seeking a wide selection of unrelated majors may find the academic range comparatively limited.

Undergraduate admission requires an online application, official academic transcripts, a $60 application fee unless a waiver applies, and any degree-specific materials. Requirements vary materially by program: applicants should use the page for their intended degree to determine whether an art portfolio, design portfolio, or other assignment is required. SAT and ACT scores are optional, with no stated minimum, and most programs treat the personal statement as optional. The BFA in Digital Art and Animation requires a personal statement within its portfolio. Applicants may submit up to two optional recommendations. International undergraduate applicants must also follow DigiPen's rules for academic records, demonstrate English proficiency when applicable, and submit the relevant Financial Responsibility Form. Graduate applicants follow separate program-specific procedures, so undergraduate requirements should not be carried over to the MS or MFA application. As of August 20, 2026, the final Fall 2026 application deadline of July 1 has passed. DigiPen is accepting applications for Spring 2027 in five undergraduate programs: BA in Game Design; BS in Computer Science; BS in Computer Science and Game Design; BS in Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence; and BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation. The published Spring 2027 deadline is November 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Spring entrants must enroll in the following summer term to complete second-semester coursework or face administrative withdrawal. Because available start terms and deadlines differ by program, applicants should confirm eligibility in the current application portal before preparing materials.

DigiPen's current academic portfolio is organized around five broad undergraduate areas: computer science, game design, engineering, digital art, and music and sound design. Its official academic listing identifies eight undergraduate programs. Examples include the BS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence, BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation, BA in Game Design, and BFA in Digital Art and Animation. Graduate study at the Redmond campus includes the MS in Computer Science and MFA in Digital Arts. DigiPen also advertises an online MS in Game Development, which should not be confused with an in-person Redmond program. Project work is central to the academic model. The campus includes open production laboratories intended to resemble collaborative software-development environments, along with art studios and team spaces. Depending on the degree, students may combine programming, mathematics, design, visual production, audio, or engineering coursework with multi-semester team projects. Applicants should inspect the curriculum for their particular degree because similarly named programs can differ significantly in technical depth, artistic requirements, and intended career direction. Students in selected computer science bachelor's programs may pursue an accelerated BS/MS schedule by taking graduate-level courses during their junior and senior years. The eligible undergraduate degrees listed by DigiPen are the BS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence, and BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation. Program-level accreditation also varies. The BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation is accredited by ABET's Computing Accreditation Commission, and DigiPen reports specialized ABET accreditation for computer engineering. Institutional accreditation applies to DigiPen as a whole, but applicants who need a particular professional or programmatic credential should verify the status of their exact degree.

Key Highlights

• Founded in 1988 and operating in Redmond since 1998
• Institutionally accredited by ACCSC
• Independent degree-granting institution recognized in Washington
• Specialized in computing, engineering, games, digital art, and sound

Student Life & Environment

Student life at DigiPen reflects a small, specialized campus where many students spend significant time in laboratories, studios, and team-production spaces. The institution supports clubs, registered student organizations, campus events, and recreational traditions such as a semiannual LAN party. Available support includes academic advising, scheduled and drop-in tutoring, counseling, disability services, career advising, a library, and student-affairs staff. DigiPen does not describe conventional residence halls on its Redmond campus. Its Housing and Residence Life program instead arranges furnished, shared accommodation through partnerships with nearby apartment communities. Locations can change by term, and an application does not automatically guarantee placement because capacity is limited. The 2026–27 housing process separately considers incoming and returning students, with professional residence-life support and transportation options available to participants. Campus facilities include computer and production laboratories, art studios, classrooms, auditoriums, meeting rooms, a café, and a specialized library collection. The Wing provides an open production area, lounge, art studio, meeting rooms, and the library. A free shuttle connects the campus with the Redmond Transit Center and off-campus housing facilities, while campus parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students should weigh the collaborative, production-intensive environment against their preferred pace and college experience. Housing, club availability, transportation schedules, and event calendars should all be checked for the intended term rather than assumed from prior years.

Location & Surroundings

DigiPen's main US campus is at 9931 Willows Road Northeast in Redmond, Washington. The institution places it approximately 15 miles east of Seattle and 25 miles north of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Redmond is part of the Seattle metropolitan area's Eastside technology corridor, and the campus is near the headquarters of Microsoft, Nintendo of America, and other technology companies. The campus occupies a commercial-park setting rather than a traditional residential quadrangle. Its main building and nearby Wing contain classrooms, laboratories, common areas, production space, food service, and the library. Nearby recreation and services include Willows Run Golf Course and other businesses along the Willows Road area, while central Redmond provides a wider selection of shopping, dining, and transit connections. Students without cars should investigate the practical details of commuting before enrolling. DigiPen operates a free shuttle serving the Redmond Transit Center and designated off-campus housing facilities, but routes and schedules may change. On-campus parking is first come, first served. Seattle is accessible from the Eastside, though traffic, tolls, and travel time can make it less convenient than the mileage alone suggests.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–27, full-time undergraduate tuition for US citizens and residents is $40,820 per academic year at the 15-or-more-credit flat rate; the corresponding non-US-resident rate is $45,500. Undergraduates taking fewer than 15 credits pay per credit. DigiPen's published US undergraduate cost-of-attendance budget is $69,920 for a student living off campus and $57,072 for a student living with parents. These totals include estimated indirect expenses and a one-time first-year laptop allowance, so they are not equivalent to the amount billed by DigiPen. Graduate tuition is program- and residency-specific. For 2026–27, the MS in Computer Science costs $1,560 per credit for US citizens and residents and $1,720 for non-US residents. MFA in Digital Arts rates are lower per credit and use a progression that includes summer study. Students should use the current cost page and net-price calculator, then compare grants and scholarships with loans and out-of-pocket costs. Partner-apartment housing is an additional planning consideration; published cost-of-attendance figures use a general off-campus living allowance rather than guaranteeing a particular rent. Career and Alumni Relations offers individual advising, résumé and cover-letter reviews, interview practice, workshops, employer visits, and Handshake access for Redmond students and alumni. Internships may be completed as monitored, credit-bearing work experiences. These services and DigiPen's proximity to technology and game companies can support networking, but they do not guarantee employment. Applicants should review program-level graduation and employment disclosures for their intended degree and reporting cohort before judging likely outcomes.