DigiPen Institute of Technology Navigating the Future International Info Session

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Navigating the Future: Education, Financial Aid, and Industry

Presented by DigiPen Institute of Technology

April 11, 2025

Presenters

• Chris Comair, Chief Operating Officer

• Marie Whalen, Director of Admissions

• Minjung Olfert, Assistant Vice President of International Affairs

• Student Panel

Navigating Industry

How does that compare?

DigiPen Graduates by the Numbers

Highest paid college graduates in WA

US Department of Education College Scorecard 1%

Top college education

ROI in the USA

Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce 0%

$91,870

Average starting salary of 2024 graduates

All degrees, includes masters and bachelors, Princeton Review 2024

Student loan default rate

US Department of Education

DIGIPEN GRADUATE TOP 10 EMPLOYERS

Where do our graduates go?

DIGIPEN GRADUATE TOP 10 EMPLOYERS

Where do our graduates go?

DIGIPEN GRADUATE TOP 10 EMPLOYERS

Where do our graduates go?

DigiPen is the most held degree at many places, including:

Companies @ DigiPen, Academic Year of 2024/25:

2k Games, 31st Union, AI Data Innovations, Amazon, Anduril Industries, Apple, Arenanet, Astral Bridge, Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems, Axon, Bethesda, BigBox, Bitforest, Blizzard, Booz Allen Hamilton, Broken Circle Studio, Bullet Farm, Bungie Inc., Chimera Box Lunch, Cliffhanger Games (Electronic Arts), Crystal Dynamics, CuberConnect2, Disbelief, Disruptive Games, DoorDash, Electronic Arts, Endeavor One, Epic Games, Escape Velocity Entertainment, FarBridge, FlowPlay, Funovus, Genun Games, Glitch Productions, Gorgeous Gorgon, Halo Studios, Hasbo Inc., Hydra, Isotrope, Kojima Productions, Liquid Development, Meta, Microsoft, Microsoft Gaming Studios & Content Division, Microsoft via Experis, Microsoft Xbox, Midwest Games, Mojang Studios, Niantic Labs, Netflix, Nintendo, Nintendo (NST), Nintendo (NTD), One More Game, Open 3D Foundation, Playcast.io, PlayEveryWare, The Pokémon Company International, PUBG Studios, Red Lens Games, Reflection Games, Respawn Entertainment, Riot, Roblox, Rockstar Games, Rogue Rooster, Schell Games, Second Dinner, Skydance, SNK, Spindlehorse Toons, Spry Fox, Toyota Motor Company, TMobile, Thatgamecompany, Thaumaworks, Turn 10 Studios, Turtle Rock Studios, Undead Labs, Unity, Valkyrie Entertainment, Very Very Spaceship, Visual Concepts Entertainment, Warner Brothers, WB Games, WEBTOON, Wizards of the Coast, Worlds Edge, Zenimax Online Studios

Navigating Education

Department of Education

▪Changes at the Department of Education should not significantly impact international students or their aid

▪International students do not receive federal financial aid.

Navigating Financial Aid

Scholarships still available

• All students are considered for Merit Scholarships upon acceptance

o No application required

• 83% of incoming undergraduate students received DigiPen gift aid in 2024-2025

• Dragon Opportunity Scholarship applications open until May 1st

Other Opportunities – Work on Campus!

International Students at DigiPen

You are all welcome here!

Top 10 Countries

Student Survey -

We have asked!

1. What are your 3 favorite things about DigiPen?

o Friendly and knowledgeable professors!

o Education entirely centered around game development

o Feeling of community and easily being able to find "your" people

o Great amenities including team space, café, and food

o Cultural diversity

o Events, special guests and on-campus job opportunities

Student Support Resources International Student Services Career Services Tutors at the Academic Support Lab

International Student Employment Rate

& Employers

Employment Success Rate: 83%

Annual Average Salary: $91,613/year

(Data from 2019 through Fall 2024)

Employers: More than 800 companies worldwide have hired our graduates.

Where DigiPen international students have been employed

Advanced

Micro Devices (AMD)

Where DigiPen international students have been employed

Rec Room

Red Storm Entertainment

Riot Games

Rockstar New England & San Diego

Run Games

Samsung Electronics America

Sriven Systems of TX

The Forge Interactive

TikTok Visual Concepts Entertainment

Qualcomm Technologies

Unity Technologies

YouTube

International Student Employment Options

On-Campus Employment: No USCIS

Authorization Required/No waiting period

F1 students are eligible to work on campus from day one CPT (aka Internship): No USCIS Authorization

Required/Required to study min. 1 year of full time study

Pre-Completion OPT (C.3.A): Work off-campus before graduation/Required a min. 1 year of full time study

Post-Completion OPT (C.3.B): Work off-campus after graduation/Required of graduation eligibility

STEM OPT (C.3.C): OPT extension for 24 months

All DigiPen degree programs (except for BA Music and Sound Design) eligible for STEM OPT Extension

F1 Visa Approval Rate (Trump's

1st Term)

Student Survey

2. What is your advice for future international students at DigiPen?

o Take a break and have fun!

o Attend as many social events and network with people/make new friends

o It will be tough, but you will make it!

o It's expensive, but you will learn a LOT of great things here!

o Every free time you have, use it to make portfolio! Don't get burn-out. Take time to relax!

o Don't leave assignments until the last day.

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