For-Profit Private
Accredited · Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Redmond, Washington
68% Acceptance Rate
DigiPen Institute of Technology — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
68%Acceptance Rate
1295Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$51,366Annual Cost
$79,878Grad Salary
22.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
68%
Avg SAT
1295
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Accredited By
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1170–1390
ACT Middle 50%
28–32
Need-Based Aid
22.4% receive Pell
DigiPen Institute of Technology, founded in 1988 in Redmond, Washington, is a private college specializing in game design, computer science, and digital arts. Consistently ranked among the top schools for game design by The Princeton Review, DigiPen offers rigorous, project-based programs with industry ties to companies like Nintendo and Valve. Its campus features cutting-edge labs, motion-capture studios, and a student-run game development studio.
DigiPen's curriculum emphasizes teamwork and real-world experience, with students often releasing commercial games before graduation. The institute's location in the Seattle metro area provides access to tech giants and indie studios for internships and jobs. DigiPen also offers programs in computer engineering and digital audio, fostering innovation in interactive media. Its alumni have worked on major titles like *Portal* and *Halo*, cementing its reputation in the gaming industry.
DigiPen Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate
At 68%, admission to DigiPen Institute of Technology is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What DIT Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 68% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
DigiPen Institute of Technology Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for DigiPen Institute of Technology is November 9 for Spring Admission applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 91 days left — Spring Admission
Spring Admission
November 9
Early Action
November 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at DIT
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on DigiPen Institute of Technology's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
DigiPen Institute of Technology (DIT) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if DIT is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into DIT Without SAT or ACT?
DIT considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
DigiPen Institute of Technology Average SAT Score: 1295
The average SAT score of admitted students at DigiPen Institute of Technology is 1295 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1295 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1390 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? DigiPen Institute of Technology allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1170, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at DIT. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 635 | 580 | 690 |
| SAT Reading | 645 | 590 | 700 |
| SAT Composite | 1295 | 1170 | 1390 |
Below 1170, you're behind most admitted students; at 1390 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into DigiPen Institute of Technology (DIT) with a 1400 SAT?
A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of DIT's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
DigiPen Institute of Technology (DIT) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at DIT is 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
An average of 30 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 28 | 26 | 30 |
| ACT English | 30 | 26 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 28 | 32 |
Can I get into DigiPen Institute of Technology with a 32 ACT?
A 32 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of DIT's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at DIT.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for DIT
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into DIT isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Treat the BFA portfolio as a strict checklist, not a showcase
The BFA in Digital Art and Animation requires specific "Prescribed Drawings" done from real-life observation - not photos - including the same object (like a pair of shoes) drawn from two different angles, in graphite or charcoal. Skip these exact exercises and the portfolio is incomplete no matter how strong your other art is.
Know which term makes the personal statement mandatory
For BS programs like Computer Science and game programming, the personal statement is optional for Fall applicants but required for Spring applicants - confirm your target term before deciding whether to skip it.
Avoid fan art and stylized imitations in your BFA submission
DigiPen explicitly screens out artwork imitating existing characters or IP. They're evaluating raw observational drawing skill, so original life-drawing and imaginative work land better than polished fan pieces.
Apply ahead of priority deadlines for scholarship money
Scholarships like the Dragon Opportunity Scholarship are awarded first-come, first-served to completed applications submitted by the priority deadlines (mid-fall for spring terms, roughly February for fall) - submitting early matters more here than at most schools.
Expert Insight:
BFA applicants sometimes submit a strong general art portfolio but skip the personal statement, not realizing it's mandatory for this specific program rather than optional as it is for the BS tracks - this alone can stall an otherwise strong file.
DIT Profile
Full Name
DigiPen Institute of Technology (DIT)
City
Redmond
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98052
Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Is a DIT Degree Worth It?
At $51,366/year against a $79,878 median graduate salary, DIT is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $70,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.38%.
How much does a degree from DIT Cost?
The sticker price is $51,366/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
22.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 44.1% take federal loans at DIT. File your FAFSA early and list DIT as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a DIT Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $79,878. That's about 97% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than DigiPen Institute of Technology. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as DigiPen Institute of Technology. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than DigiPen Institute of Technology. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at DIT
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About DIT Admissions
Median graduate earnings at DigiPen Institute of Technology run about $79,878 a year.
At about $51,366 a year, DigiPen Institute of Technology's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
DigiPen Institute of Technology's Pell Grant rate of 22.4% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 68%, DigiPen Institute of Technology's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
A strong SAT score matters at DigiPen Institute of Technology — aim above 1295, ideally within the 1170–1390 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for DigiPen Institute of Technology is November 9 for Spring Admission applicants.
The application fee is 60. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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