Presented by DigiPen Institute of Technology
April 11, 2025
• Chris Comair, Chief Operating Officer
• Marie Whalen, Director of Admissions
• Minjung Olfert, Assistant Vice President of International Affairs
• Student Panel
Christopher Comair
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
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
Christopher Comair
▪Changes at the Department of Education should not significantly impact international students or their aid
▪International students do not receive federal financial aid.
• 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
You are all welcome here!
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
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
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
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.
