DigiPen Institute of Technology

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.