Game Design & Development Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Game Design & Development degree analysis for Syracuse, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$69K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$116K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Syracuse
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Game Design & Development in Syracuse, NY Overview
Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Game Design & Development programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Game Design & Development has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Unity and Unreal Engine skills. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $68,500, growing to $116,450 by mid-career.
Category
Arts & Technology
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$14,304/yr
Private Tuition
$57,750/yr
Room & Board
$19,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,141/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
62%
Game Design & Development Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Game Design & Development salary: $50,000 starting, $85,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Game Design & Development ROI Calculator for Syracuse
Estimate your return on investment for a Game Design & Development degree using local Syracuse tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750
Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$136,800
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,550
vs HS diploma in Syracuse
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Syracuse
$822,200
Lifetime earnings premium ($959,000) minus total education cost ($136,800)
Student Loan Payoff for Game Design & Development in Syracuse
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Syracuse for Game Design & Development
Syracuse University
private
$57,750/yr
$231,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Onondaga Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Game Design & Development in Syracuse
Syracuse offers opportunities in Game studios, Tech companies, Media companies for Game Design & Development graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Syracuse Hiring Sectors for Arts & Technology
Game studios
Tech companies
Media companies
Startups
Entertainment
Common Game Design & Development Job Titles
Game Design & Development in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$83K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$94K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$73K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$61K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$71K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$76K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$73K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Rochester, NY
$70K starting · COL 140
13 colleges
Game Design & Development Degree in Syracuse — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Game Design & Development ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Syracuse.