Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are Computer-Generated Imagery that incorporates the real environment (Augmented Reality) or is completely self-contained (Virtual Reality). AR applications enable you to navigate your surroundings in the real world, but you must stay in the same place since you can’t see your surroundings in Virtual Reality.
Are you interested in a career in AR/VR? Read on to discover the top 21 Augmented Reality in the US.
Table of Contents
Is AR VR a Good Career?
Although AR VR became global with gaming technologies, it has since evolved. Its progression has created many options for AR/VR developers who want the chance to be in charge of the most ground-breaking technological developments.
The fast pace of AR/VR development is only going to pick up, especially with the transition from Facebook to Meta platforms. This transition to the metaverse costs billions, and other enormous corporations like Google, Roblox, and Microsoft are joining the fray. As a result, VR’s already endless potential has suddenly become almost infinite.
Who is Leading in AR Technology?
Founded in 1989, its headquarters is located in McKinney, TX. ScienceSoft Inc. is a multiple award-winning provider that offers specialized software development services, IT outsourcing, and IT consulting services.
With more than 33 years of experience in IT, ScienceSoft has amassed competence and a track record of excellence across a wide range of fields, including:
- ERP
- DATA ANALYTICS
- WEB PORTALS
iTechArt was established over 15 years ago and has grown into a globally accredited operation. It is located at Lexington Avenue, New York. The services provided by iTechArt includes:
- Custom AR development
- Advanced VR software
- 3D rendering
- Mixed reality experience
Niantic, Inc. was initially called Niantic labs when it was founded as a Google internal venture in 2010. In October 2015, when Google reorganized under Alphabet Inc., it became a legally independent corporation.
Some of the products by Niantic, Inc. are:
- Pokemon Go.
- Ingress Prime.
- Truffel
What Should I Major In for Virtual Reality?
Regrettably, Virtual Reality focused degree programs are still quite uncommon. Since there aren’t many programs available that are explicitly focused on virtual reality, students must major in a similar field.
The following courses instruct students on various facets of Virtual Reality technology.
1. Electrical Engineering
Students interested in creating the innovative Virtual Reality devices of tomorrow should consider this degree. Students who major in this field will learn the fundamentals of electric theory, mechanics, and circuits.
2. Animation
Students who earn a degree in animation will be given the information and abilities necessary to make lifelike 3D animated characters and virtual environments for video games.
Animations will be needed because Virtual Reality will almost definitely be used extensively in the future in the medical, forensics, and educational fields.
3. Neuroscience or Bioengineering
In the coming years, Virtual Reality will improve rapidly to the point where it could one day directly communicate with the brain. With this future in mind, getting a degree in bioengineering could be very useful since producers might need to develop biological components to get the most out of virtual reality products.
Neuroscience encompasses the entire neurological system, with the brain as its main emphasis. Understanding how virtual reality interacts with the human brain and how using VR affects the brain will be aided by having a background in neuroscience as the technology advances and becomes more closely linked to the brain.
4. Computer Science
An exceptional option for entering the burgeoning career of Virtual Reality is to have a degree in CS since immersive reality software is operated on computers. It’s a vast field that covers a variety of uses for computers, including the performance of numerous tasks such as the creation of algorithms, the creation of software and hardware, and the development of artificial intelligence.
TOP 21 Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Colleges in the USA
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a renowned private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded on April 10, 1861, MIT provides over 100 programs through its seven colleges and schools.
MIT’s academic divisions, centers, departments, and labs offer a wide range of initiatives aimed at advancing education, innovation, research, and projects in the field of Augmented and Virtual Reality.
MIT offers an 8-week online Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality course (with certification!) called MIT xPro to provide students with a fundamental grasp of AR/VR.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has several labs and centers, including the MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality, MIT Media Lab, and MIT.nano Immersion Lab.
The MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality:
The MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality, also known as MIT Virtuality, is a pioneer in creating innovative experiences using virtuality technologies such as XR, VR, AR, MR, and computing systems that overlay imaginative experiences on top of our physical world.
The lab supports both creative projects and research studies, and it has four main components.
The studio facilitates collaborations between faculty and professionals to develop new genres, aesthetics, and conventions for using virtuality technologies.
The laboratory conducts research on the design and effects of these technologies, focusing on learning, simulation, and cognition.
The salon organizes events that promote MIT’s intellectual and creative capacity to work with these technologies.
The hub brings together students, experts, and resources focused on virtuality technologies across MIT.
MIT Media Lab:
The MIT Media Lab was established in 1985 as a place for creative exploration and academic research.
Further more MIT Media Lab brings together professionals, students, and resources in a studio/laboratory setting to facilitate research and creative endeavors in digital gaming, social media, and virtual Reality
The Lab offers a graduate degree program in Media Arts and Sciences (MAS).
The Lab is housed in a building designed by the architectural firm of Maki and Associates, which spans across six floors and about 163,000 square feet of laboratory, office, and meeting space.
MIT Nano Immersion Lab:
The MIT Nano Immersion Lab focuses on projects including creating novel hardware and software ideas for immersive experiences, prototyping cutting-edge technologies for AR/VR, and visualizing data.
Located on the third floor of MIT.nano (12-3207), the lab is an open-access research space. Professors, students, and researchers from any department may use the tools to pursue their interests.
Additionally, the lab hosts a seminar series called IMMERSED, which features talks, demos, and tutorials on the topic of immersive technology and its impact on art, science, and engineering.
Among the top companies hiring MIT graduates are Boeing, IBM, Aurora Flight Sciences, and Microsoft.
Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Hostel Facilities Available: Some of the hostel facilities available at MIT and their various locations on the campus are as follows:
- East Campus: Buildings 62 & 64, 3 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02139.
- MacGregor House: Building W61, 450 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139.
- New Vassar: Building W46, 189 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139.
- McCormick Hall: Building W4, 320 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139.
- Simmons Hall: Building W79, 229-243, Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139.
- Random Hall: Building NW61, 290 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139.
Nearest Airport: The closest airport to MIT is Boston Logan International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: The Kendall subway station in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the closest railway station.
Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California (USC) is one of California’s first private research colleges. The School of Cinematics Arts at USC is one of its most well-known institutions.
USC’s interactive media and games division offers three programs for people interested in AR VR. These programs are the Interactive Entertainment BA, the Immersive Media Minor, and the Interactive Media MFA.
Immersive Media Minor is open to all undergraduate students at USC. This interdisciplinary minor provides the opportunity to gain knowledge about the virtual reality industry and how to create content effectively.
The Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Entertainment is granted through the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the School of Cinematic Arts. Students study within a framework, which combines a broad liberal arts background with specialization in a profession.
The Interactive Media Division offers a Master of Fine Arts in Interactive Media as well as a number of courses in computer-based entertainment for non-majors. The fundamental philosophy of the division is coherent with that of the programs of the school, stressing creativity of expression, experimentation and excellence in execution.
The MFA in Interactive Media is a three-year intensive program that requires 50 units of which 26 are requirements and 24 are electives chosen from a number of core area groupings.
The MxR lab collaborates with the Interactive Media and Games Division on projects including Human-Computer interaction (HCI), immersive systems for training simulations, and AR/VR education.
Graduates of USC programs have found employment in businesses and institutions like Sony, Yahoo, Amazon, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Discovery+, VIZIO, Google, etc.
Address: University Park Campus, Waite Phillips Hall, 3470 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089.
Hostel Facilities Available: Some USC hostel facilities are:
- Cowlings and Ilium Residential College: 3131 S. Hoover Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- McClintock Apartments: 1076 and 1082 W. 30th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- Nemirovsky and Bohnett Residential College: 3201 S. Hoover Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- McMorrow Residential College: 835 W. Jefferson BLVD, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Nearest Airport: The nearest airport to USC is Los Angeles International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: The nearest railway station is Expo Park light rail station in Los Angeles, California.
Stanford University, more formally known as Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research institution in Stanford established in 1885. Stanford has a computer program in the School of Engineering.
Various Augmented and Virtual Reality courses are available to all Computer Science (CS) students, and additionally, nine pre-established specialization areas are available in graduate Computer Science (CS) programs. Some examples are human-computer interaction, real-world computing, and artificial intelligence.
CS students interested in AR/VR have opportunities to collaborate on projects and enhance their skills through three centers and labs as well. Options include the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) Virtual + Augmented Reality Design Lab, Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL) and Incubator for Medical Mixed and Extended Reality at Stanford lab IMMERS lab
Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA)
Located in the Reality Room at Stanford’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA), the Stanford VR Design Lab conducts research in the artful design of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR, AR, XR) for human expression and creativity.
Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL)
Since its founding in 2003, researchers at the Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL) have sought to better understand the psychological and behavioral effects of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR).
There are many AR VR projects been undertaken by this lab like
- Psychology of Augmented Reality
- Integrating VR into Classrooms and Curricula
- Virtual Becomes Reality – Immersion and Presence
- Medical Virtual Reality
- Environmental Education
Incubator for Medical Mixed and Extended Reality at Stanford lab (IMMERS)
Stanford Medical Mixed Reality (SMMR) is dedicated to building community across Stanford Medicine together with global industry leaders and academia focusing on medical virtual and augmented reality technology. Founded by the Incubator for Medical Mixed and Extended Reality at Stanford (IMMERS) Lab`
At the Stanford Medical Mixed Reality Center bring together researchers, clinicians and global industry leaders to transform healthcare through augmented and virtual reality.
Stanford School of Engineering graduates are qualified for roles in numerous prestigious businesses and institutions. Stanford alumni are frequently sought after by top companies like Walt Disney World, Oracle, LinkedIn, the US Navy and Army, Apple, and Amazon.
Address: 450 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305-2004.
Hostel Facilities Available: Some Stanford University hostel facilities are:
- Wilbur Hall: 658 Escondido Road, Stanford, CA 94305.
- Stern Hall: 618 Escondido Road, Stanford, CA 94305.
- Crothers Hall: 609 Escondido Mall, Stanford, CA 94305.
- Toyon Hall: 455 Arguello Way, Stanford, CA 94305.
Nearest Airport: The nearest airport is San Jose Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: The nearest railway station is the Palo Alto train station.
New York University (NYU) is located in the metropolis of New York City. NYU was created by a group of New Yorkers under the direction of the then Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin and was officially established by the New York State Legislature in 1831.
The New York University (NYU) professional certificate programs have five segments: Extended Reality (XR), 3D math and Unity development, High-resolution Extended Reality (XR), and the creation of virtual environments. Students in this program study a different subject every week, including Raycasting & Quaternions, XR design principle, AR development featuring object tracking, VR prototyping in Unity, and Surface tracking, among others.
At NYU students are provided with internship opportunities at Apple, Google, and Sony Music. Additionally, students have the opportunity to explore a wide range of projects, such as utilizing motion capture technology to redefine theatrical performances or creating innovative applications of virtual/augmented reality for the improvement of health and wellbeing. These projects are facilitated by the NYU Future Reality Lab and NYU Media Lab.
The NYU Future Reality initiative explores the ways in which individuals will utilize future mixed reality technologies to enhance their communication and interaction with one another when occupying the same physical space.
The primary objective of the NYC Media Lab is to stimulate innovation and create employment opportunities in the fields of media and technology. This is achieved via the facilitation of partnerships and cooperation between colleges and corporations in New York City.
NYC Media Lab is a partnership of schools and universities, namely NYU, Columbia University, The New School, CUNY, School of Visual Arts, Manhattan College, and Pratt Institute.
Top organizations like Verizon, Amazon, the New York Stock Exchange, American Express, and Major League Gaming have all hired graduates from NYU programs.
Address: 50 West 4th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan.
Hostel Facilities Available: Some of the hostel facilities available at NYU and their various locations on the campus are as follows:
- Brittany Hall: 55 East 10th Street, New York, NY 10003.
- Coral Tower: 129 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10003.
- Lipton Hall: 33 Washington Square Street, New York, NY 10011.
- Carlyle Court: 25 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003.
- Greenwich Hall: 636 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10014.
Nearest Airport: New York Skyports Seaplane Base Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: 8 Street Subway Station.
Founded in 1868, the University of California-Berkeley is a public institution named after 18th-century philosopher George Berkley.
The UC Berkeley Labs and Centers educate aspiring engineers in all facets of AR/VR and advance the field through action plans and cutting-edge research.
XR Lab@Berkeley
In response to the emergent fields of spatial computing and immersive environments, the XR Lab was created by Luisa Caldas in 2017, at the UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design. Our goal is to develop innovative, impactful research and applications in VR/AR/MR by establishing collaborations with industry partners and academia.
All EECS and CS students have access to the XR Lab@Berkeley—a Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality Laboratory (VR/AR/MR)
The XR lab is currently active in the fields of architecture and urban planning, healthcare, sustainability and climate change, ADA research, human-computer interfaces, UI/UX, new media and narrative/storytelling research.
There are many AR VR projects been undertaken by the students in this lab like
Graduates of UC Berkeley work in a range of industries, including computer vision and robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning (ML), computer systems design, aerospace, healthcare, and engineering, among others.
Some of UC Berkeley graduates’ top employers are Tesla, Apple, Google, and Meta.
Address: 2200 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA, United States.
Hostel Facilities Available: Some hostel facilities at UC-Berkeley are:
- Blackwell Hall: 2401 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
- Wada Apartments: 2650 Haste Street, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
- Martinez Commons: 2520 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Nearest Airport: The closest airport is Oakland International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: The nearest railway is the downtown Berkeley subway station.
Also known as Georgia Tech, the Georgia Institute of Technology is a public university and institute of education located in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1888.
The GVU Center at Georgia Tech, which fosters research in wearable computing, robotics, augmented reality, and human-computer interaction, is available to students in all of the university’s disciplines.
The Augmented Environments Lab (AEL):
The Augmented Environments Lab (AEL) a group of researchers in the GVU Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology, spanning multiple schools and disciplines, and have been working in the area of Augmented Reality since 1998
The Augmented Environments Lab of the GVU Center specializes in creating interactive computing environments that directly enhance users’ senses with digital content.
Lab activities focus on understanding how to build interactive computing environments that directly augment a user’s senses with computer-generated material. Researchers are interested in augmenting the user’s perception, and place particular emphasis on the interaction between the users and their environment.
There are many AR VR projects been undertaken by the students in this lab like
An Ecology of Transmedia Storytelling
AR recycling education – RecyclAR
Auburn Avenue: Augmented Reality for Cultural Heritage
WebXR: Experiences in AR and VR for the Web
The prototyping eNarrative Lab is another facility of the GVU Center. The Lab focuses on cutting-edge mediums, including AR/VR, experimental television, and the fusion of simulation and game design.
The Prototyping eNarrative Lab (PeN Lab) applies digital information design and interaction design principles to digital storytelling to create more complex and expressive narratives, focusing on emerging platforms like experimental television, virtual reality, and augmented reality, and on the intersection of storytelling with game design and simulation design.
There are many AR VR projects been undertaken by the students in this lab like
Graduates of Georgia Tech have executive roles in various industries, including law, healthcare, engineering, etc.
Address: North Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30332.
Hostel Facilities Available: Some of their hostel facilities are:
- Armstrong Hall: 498 Eighth Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.
- Brown: 625 Techwood Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.
- Caldwell: 521 Turner Place, NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.
Nearest Airport: The nearest airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: The nearest station is the Marta Station North Avenue.
One of the oldest institutions on the West Coast, the University of Washington, is a public research university established in 1861.
Students interested in Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality can enroll in a number of Computer Science Majors at the school.
The UW Reality Lab offers students enrolled in all programs the chance to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of academics and peers. Along with contributing to the advancement of AR/VR research, participants in the Lab will focus on projects related to graphics, object recognition, game science and education, 3D computer vision and perception, stream processing, and databases and computer architecture.
Graduates of UW’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering go on to pursue professions in some of the world’s top businesses, production studios, and institutions.
Address: 1410 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98195
Hostel Facilities Available: They are as follows:
- Alder Hall: 1315 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98195
- Radford Court: 6301 65th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98115
- Hansee Hall: 4340 Little Canoe Channel NE, Seattle, WA 98195
Nearest Airport: Nearest Airport is the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: The nearest station is the University of Washington light rail station located on the university campus in Seattle.
Established in 1829, the Rochester Institute of Technology is a private university located in the metropolitan area of Rochester, New York.
RIT’s School of Interactive Games and Media offers a BS in New Media Interactive Development and a Ph.D. in Computing and Information Sciences.
The Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Lab and Frameless Lab at RIT are accessible to both BS and Ph.D. students.
The VR/AR Lab is intended for testing and studying Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality technologies, gear, and platforms, while the Frameless Lab enables collaboration among the XR community.
Frameless Labs facilitates the expansion of existing businesses and fosters the development of novel initiatives and technology. Frameless Labs, located at the RIT MAGIC Center, aims to highlight the research, innovation, and artistic endeavors related to virtual and augmented reality at RIT.
The objective is to increase public awareness of the advancements being made in the domains of AR and VR.
There are many AR VR projects undertaken by the students in RIT, like
A multimodal system for data visualization
Color and Material Appearance in AR
Digital preservation and reconstruction of aural heritage
Other Girl
Graduates from RIT are well-prepared for professions across a wide range of sectors, such as aerospace, entertainment, and AR/VR development.
Address: 1 Lomb Memorial Dr, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA.
Hostel Facilities Available: They include:
- Carlton Gibson Hall: 5000 Nathaniel Rochester Hall, Rochester, NY, 14623.
- Frances Baker Hall: 5000 Nathaniel Rochester Hall, Rochester, NY, 14623.
- Eugene Colby Hall: 5000 Nathaniel Rochester Hall, Rochester, NY, 14623.
Nearest Airport: Greater Rochester International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: Rochester Train Station.
The state’s first public university, Texas A&M University (TAMU), was established in 1876. Students interested in Augmented Reality Virtual Reality can pursue BS, MFA, and MS degrees in visualization as well as a Minor in Game Development and Design.
1. HCI@Viz lab
HCI@Viz lab located in the Department of Visualization at Texas A&M University, consisting of five research groups TEILab, The StoryLab, McNamara Lab, INDIE Lab, and the Soft Interaction Lab. The five groups cover a wide range of topics including embodied interaction, virtual and augmented reality, data visualization, child-computer interaction, soft materials interaction, and interactive storytelling, among others.
AR/VR students may be attracted to the INDIE Lab and the Soft Interaction Lab, among other options.
The INDIE (INteractive Data and Immersive Environments)
The INDIE group, also known as the INteractive Data and Immersive Environments group, is a research laboratory located in the Department of Visualization at Texas A&M University. The INDIE group does human-centered research on interactive visualizations. The research fields encompass information visualization, virtual reality, 3D interaction, visual analytics, and instructional games.
Soft Interaction Lab (SIL)
Soft Interaction Lab (SIL) integrates physical and digital experiences, experimenting with soft/organic materials and embodied interaction techniques The main objective is to involve a wide range of audiences who could gain from emboided and immersive interaction through research and creative endeavors. The primary research area in SIL is
Interactive + Mixed Reality Arts
Interactive Performance
Immersive / Interaction Learning in Medical and Nursing Education
Immersive Design for Good
2. The M2AESTRO Lab
The primary goal of the M2AESTRO Lab is to create innovative aerospace materials and structural concepts that exhibit multiphysical and multifunctional responses.
The M2AESTRO Lab is the host of the MAESTRO VR Studio. The Immersive Mechanics Visualization Lab is exclusively devoted to the objectives and activities of the Immersive and Intuitive Data Environments project.
Students and professors actively devise techniques to engage with computational and experimental data in many physical fields through the utilization of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and three-dimensional displays.
Graduates of TAMU’s visualization programs are equipped for jobs like UI/UX development, environment modeling, Game asset development, etc.
Address: 400 Bizzell Street, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Hostel Facilities Available: They include:
- Spence Hall: 605 Military Mall, College Station, TX 77840
- Kiest Hall: 606 Military Mall, College Station, TX 77840.
- Briggs Hall: 635 Military Mall, College Station, TX 77840.
Nearest Airport: Easterwood Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: The St. Paul Station.
The University of Maryland (UMD), established in 1856, is a public institution located in College Park, Maryland.
Students seeking an Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality degree can pursue a BS or BA in Immersive Media Design, as well as BS/MS and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science with a specialization in AR and VR.
1. The Graphics and Visual Informatics Laboratory (GVIL)
The Graphics and Visual Informatics Laboratory (GVIL) at the University of Maryland was founded in 2000 by the Department of Computer Science and the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies. Its purpose is to advance research and education in the fields of computer graphics, scientific visualization, and virtual environments.
GVIL promotes research and education in the areas of computer graphics, scientific visualization, and virtual environments. It enhances the effectiveness and user-friendliness of visual computer applications in the fields of science, engineering, and medicine.
GVIL focuses on many research topics including as
Social Street View: Blending Immersive Street Views with Geo-Tagged Social Media
Saliency-Assisted Navigation of Very Large Landscape Images
Vertex-Transformation Streams
Differential Point Rendering
Fine Gesture Recognition
2. Mixed/Augmented/Virtual/Reality Community (MAVRIC)
The Mixed/Augmented/Virtual/Reality Community (MAVRIC) initiative supports scholarship, interdisciplinary research, and transformational applications of immersive media at the University of Maryland
MAVRIC facilitates and promotes for activities and projects that foster collaboration among members of the XR community at the University of Maryland. This is achieved by facilitating connections between researchers, entrepreneurs, developers, and users through various events, workshops, and programs.
MAVRIC collaborates closely with the Immersive Media Design program, which is the sole undergraduate program in the US that combines art and computer science to create immersive media.
Students in all programs can access the Mixed Reality/Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Innovation Center (MAVRIC) and Graphics and Visual Informatics Laboratory (GVIL).
They are available to students in all programs to develop and explore MR, VR/AR, and other visual computing applications and tools based on immersive technologies.
Students who have completed studies in IMD, CS, and other fields have pursued employment in the medical field, academics, law, and other professions.
Address: College Park, MD 20742, USA.
Hostel Facilities Available: They include:
- Baltimore Hall: 7497 Calvert Service Ln, College Park, MD 20742.
- Calvert Hall: College Park, MD 20740.
- Allegany Hall: 4299 Lehigh Rd, College Park, MD 20742.
Nearest Airport: Baltimore Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: College Park Train Station.
The University of North Carolina (UNC), located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is regarded as a public ivy, or a public institution that provides an educational experience akin to that of an Ivy League university.
Founded in 1789, it is the only public university to have granted degrees in the US in the 18th century.
UNC offers a range of courses to help students pursue careers in AR/VR.
All students may participate in the Carolina Augmented and Virtual Reality Club (CARVR) student organization, promoting student exploration and development of extended reality technologies.
Within CARVR, students can explore various XR technologies, gain conceptual understanding of the development pipeline, and learn XR development to create projects for real-world applications with personal and client use
Students interested in AR/VR at UNC-Chapel Hill also have access to the Graphics, Imaging, and Robotics Lab and the Graphics and 3D Vision Laboratory. The Graphics, Imaging, and Robotics Lab is a 3,500 sq. ft. space located in J. Carlyle Sitterson Hall.
A large portion of the laboratory space is dedicated to the group’s work in effective virtual environments. The remaining area, which houses a variety of robots, focuses on robotics research
Housed in the Frederick P. Brooks Jr. Computer Science Building and Sitterson Hall, the new Graphics and 3D Vision Laboratory is situated in a noise-controlled, 2,500 sq. ft. space divided into three research zones by floor-to-ceiling blackout curtains for light and sound suppression. All of the spaces have a Unistrut® grid below the ceiling for mounting equipment (projectors, cameras and lighting) with power and data connections.
Zones include Projective Display Research, Computer Vision and Optical Tracking Research, and Physical Simulation and Audio Synthesis Research with a focus on GPU processing.
Covering a wide range of facilities in UNC, successful projects include the Animation Group project, and the Ultrasound/Medical Augmented Reality Group.
Alumni of the UNC Computer Science programs hold a range of jobs in businesses, from small start-ups to government labs and sizable Research & Development firms.
Address: 134 E Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
Hostel Facilities Available: They are:
- Alderman: Alderman Hall Residence, 101 Raleigh Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
- Alexander: Alexander Hall Residence, 207 Raleigh Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
- Cobb: Cobb Residence Hall, 110 Country Club Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
Nearest Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: Durham Train Station.
Established on June 10, 1963, the University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university with its main campus situated in Orange County, Florida. A BS in Computer Science encompasses courses such as Software Engineering, Advanced AI, Robot Vision, etc. Graduates of this curriculum are equipped for professions in various fields, including Computer Architecture, Media Convergence, AR/VR, and so much more.
Students can choose to focus on a particular field of research with the UCF MS in Computer Science. Some of the courses under this are Mixed and VR Mobile Computing, Machine Learning, and Modeling and Simulation.
The Department of Computer Science at University of Central Florida houses several labs that allow students to create, collaborate, and conduct research related to AR/VR.
SREAL, the Synthetic Reality Lab, is located in the Partnership III Building of Central Florida Research Park. The lab serves as a hub for researchers, interactors (digital puppeteers), software developers, modelers/animators, PhD students, and faculty members. With over 7,000 square feet, the lab comprises a range of experimental and office spaces. The lab is divided into sections for human surrogate research, robotics research, mixed reality experience development, interactive training using digital avatar technology, and cultural heritage and STEM experience development.
The Interactive Systems and User Experience Lab mission is to develop innovative techniques, tools, and applications that improve the overall experience between humans and machines.
The lab have a large three screen projection system, HTC Vive, Oculus Quest 2 and Pimax VR systems. Also, Hololens 1 and 2, Kinects, hand tracking devices, in-VR and tabletop Eye Tracking systems. Other equipment includes 3D televisions, tablet PCs, force-feedback devices, and sundry items used in our research.
Graduates of UCF work in various fields, including AR/VR, aerospace, software development, and Cyber/Information security. Amazon, Cisco, and Accenture regularly hire UCF CS graduates.
Address: 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
Hostel Facilities Available: They include:
- Nike Hall: Building 103, 3724 Libra Dr, Orlando, FL 32826, United States.
- Apollo Hall: Osceola Hall, 4108 Pyxis Ln, Orlando, FL 32816, United States.
- Lake Claire: 12580 Gemini Boulevard N, Orlando, FL 32826, United States.
Nearest Airport: Orlando Sanford Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: Winter Park Station.
Ithaca, New York-based Cornell University is a private Ivy League research institution with statutory land grants established in 1865 by Andrew Dickson White and Ezra Cornell.
Established in 2016, the Virtual Embodiment Lab (VEL)in the Cornell Communication Department studies embodiment and presence in virtual environments. The Lab is accessible to students in all programs.
The lab’s research focuses on how mediated experiences change people’s perceptions, especially in immersive media. Research areas include the clinical applications of virtual reality and how nonverbal behavior, as rendered in virtual environments, affects collaboration and teamwork.
There are many AR VR projects been undertaken in VEL like
NSF: EAGER: A Training Tool to Help Teachers Recognize and Reduce Bias in Their Classroom Behaviors and Increase Interpersonal Competence
NSF HCC: Improving collaboration in remote teams through tools to promote mutual understanding of nonverbal behavior.
ONR LBAA Close-Range Collaboration in Diver-Agent Teams Using Diver Nonverbal Behavior as Cues for Safe Human-Agent Communication in Multiple Modalitie
The XR Collaboratory at Cornell accelerates education and research in augmented and virtual reality through course offerings, projects, and cross-campus collaborations
The main focus of XRC lies in the field of 3D user interfaces and interaction design for head-mounted displays. It build high-fidelity prototypes with students through projects and coursework, and collaborate with Cornell faculty on exploratory AR/VR-related research across disciplines such as computer vision, computer graphics, and human-computer interaction.
There are many AR VR projects been undertaken in XRC like
Designing Extended Reality Guidance for Physical Caregiving Tasks
Stay Positive: Non-Negative Image Synthesis for Augmented Reality
Residual Aligned: Gradient Optimization for Non-Negative Image Synthesis
Graduates from Cornell University’s Computer Science and other disciplines have achieved success in a variety of industries, including the military, medicine, communication, and engineering.
A few employers for CU’s alumni include NBC, Lockheed Martin, and Amazon.
Address: 616 Thurston Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Hostel Facilities Available: They are:
- Clara Dickson Hall: 21 North Cross Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
- Balch Hall: Balch Hall, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
- Jameson Hall: Jameson Hall, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
Nearest Airport: Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: The 68 St-Hunter College Station.
Established in 1867 in the Illinois twin cities of Urbana-Champaign, the University of Illinois (UIUC) is a public land-grant research university and serves as the system’s flagship institution. Six credit hours of advanced CS and up to 18 hours of technical electives are available to students pursuing a BS in Computer Science. This enables them to concentrate on a particular area of interest.
Students also get access to the VR@Illinois Labs.
VR@Illinois is a collaborative initiative to support virtual, augmented, and extended reality teaching, research, and exploration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
VR@illinois provides a variety of support for faculty and students working in virtual and mixed realities, including:
- Mobile virtual reality classrooms
- Loanable headsets and cameras for viewing and capturing 360 media
- Consultations on implementing VR in the classroom
- Studio spaces for VR creation and exploration
- Expertise and support for VR research projects
The VR@illinois lab (VR Lab) supported by the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) and University Library’s IDEA Lab and Media Commons, functions as a research and experimentation facility for faculty and students who wish to explore the educational potential of established VR experiences or create and assess their own VR content.
Located in the Lab are loanable headgear, the Virtual Reality club, spaces for the creation and exploration of Virtual Reality, and cameras for capturing and viewing 360-degree material.
Some of the top corporations in the world regularly hire graduates from UIUC’s Computer Science and related disciplines. Corporations like Tesla, Google, and Amazon.
Address: 601 E John Street, Champaign, IL 61820.
Hostel Facilities Available: They are:
- Leonard Hall: 1003 S. Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801.
- Sheldan Hall: 1005 S. Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801.
- Wardall Hall: 918 W. Illinois Street, Urbana, IL, 61801
Nearest Airport:The University of Illinois Willard Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: Champaign-Urbana Transit Station.
The University of Michigan (U-M, UMich), established in 1817, is a public research university and the oldest institution in Michigan. The BS and MS in Computer Science are available for students interested in Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality. A graduate certificate in extended reality (XR) is also offered at the school of information.
Computer game design and development, Human- Centred software design, programming languages, machine learning, and autonomous robotics are just a few of the course features common to all programs.
The XR Initiative, founded in September 2019, actively engages the University of Michigan community with knowledge and content through immersive technology. The XR Initiative actively works with all 19 schools and colleges to fund new projects and provide consultation. This initiative will formally ask us to consider how we can leverage emerging XR technologies to strengthen the quality of a Michigan education, cultivate an interdisciplinary scholarly community of practice at Michigan, and enhance a nationwide network for academic innovation
There are many AR VR XR projects been undertaken in XR Initiative like
Comparison of Student Learning of Head and Neck Anatomy and Diagnosis of Pathology Using XR
Cross-platform XR Tools for Supporting Student Creativity in Immersive Audio Design
Transforming Nursing Education with VR Platforms
The DC Visualization Studio provides campus-wide accessibility to augmented/virtual reality development workstations and equipment, as well as a dedicated area for interactive engagement with these resources. The space is multidisciplinary, engaging a diverse range of students and establishing collaborations with many schools and colleges across campus, spanning from Engineering to Art and design.
The Duderstadt Center accommodates the Virtual Reality “M.I.D.E.N” (Michigan Immersive Digital Experience Nexus). The M.I.D.E.N utilizes stereoscopic projections as a basis for its effect, but the system takes the concept much further. The M.I.D.E.N. system tracks the user’s location inside a given area and adjusts the simulation to align with the user’s anticipated visual experience.
Alumni of UMich are qualified for employment in a variety of fields, including Simulation Engineering, Digital Arts, Software Engineering, AR/VR, and Applications Development.
Address: 500 S Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Hostel Facilities Available: They are:
- Fletcher Hall: 915 Sybil Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3229.
- Betsy Barbour: 420 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
- Henderson House: 1330 Hill Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3194.
Nearest Airport: Detroit Metropolitan International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: Ann Arbor Transit Station.
Iowa State University (ISU) is a public research institute established in 1858 in Ames, Iowa, as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm.
Students interested in AR/VR can choose from a number of programs offered by ISU. An MS in Human-Computer Interaction, as well as other MS and Ph.D. degrees, are available. Topics like Design & Evaluation of Virtual Worlds and Applications, Visual Design, Geometric Modelling & Computer Graphics, Artificial Intelligence, and Design of Human-Computer Interaction will be treated by all students.
The HCI program at ISU is headed by the Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC), which is open to students across all programs.
Alumni of ISU’s HCI programs are equipped for positions in both the public and private sectors.
Address: 2433 Union Dr. Ames, IA 50011-2011.
Hostel Facilities Available: They include:
- Barton Hall: 285 Richardson Court, Ames, IA 50013-0023
- Buchanan Hall: 2160 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50013-0043
- Frederiksen Court Apartments: 2129 Hawthorn Court Drive, Ames, IA 50010.
Nearest Airport: Des Moines International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: Burlington Train Station.
The main campus of Drexel University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It’s a private institution that was established in 1891.
Aspiring AR/VR professionals will be interested in the Virtual Reality and Immersive Media BS program, which features 3D modeling, animation, design, virtual production, and the use of interactive gaming engines.
Students will get the chance to become proficient in the most recent gear and technology for AR/VR, motion capture, immersive projection, and other technologies driving the expansion of the immersive media business.
An alumnus of Drexel University is employed in various fields, like entertainment, education, animation software development, and other professions requiring expertise in AR/VR and animation.
Companies like Dreamworks, Pixar, and Disney, have employed Drexel graduates.
Address: 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Hostel Facilities Available: They are:
- Caroline Bentley Hall: 3301 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
- Caneris Hall: 115 N. 32nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
- Millenium Hall: 223 N. 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Nearest Airport: Philadelphia International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: 34th Street Subway Station.
The roots of VR/AR /MR and their associated fields may be found at Harvard University. “The Sword of Damocles” was developed between 1965 and 1968 with assistance from Harvard Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering Ivan Sutherland. This head-mounted display system was the first AR VR introduction.
The AR/VR studio at Harvard Innovation Labs is available to full-time students at Harvard University, along with a number of degree programs that can help prepare anyone for careers in AR/VR. Examples of courses across the curriculum include computer graphics, advanced computer vision, and computer science.
Nearly every field has produced successful alumni from Harvard University. They go on to work at Goldman Sachs, Intel Corporation, Google, etc.
Address: 86 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Hostel Facilities Available: They include:
- Kirkland Court: 37-41 Kirkland Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.
- Peabody Terrace: Peabody Terrace, Cambridge, MA 02138.
- Garden Street: 29 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Nearest Airport: Boston Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: Harvard Transit Station.
Serving as the Utah system of higher education’s flagship university, the University of Utah (U of U) is a public research institution founded in 1850.
The BS and MS in Computer Science are two options for students interested in AR/VR. Some of the specialties offered are artificial intelligence, visual computing, and programming languages/Software engineering.
In addition, both programs offer their students access to XR Utah, the Quantitative Experience Design lab, and the cutting-edge XR classroom.
Alums of the University of Utah go on to work in industries like technology, game design, marketing, engineering, and education.
Address: 201 Presidents’ Cir, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Hostel Facilities Available: They include:
- U of U On The Draw: 2120 S 1300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84106.
- Kahlert Village: 265 South 1850 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112.
- Lassonde Studios: 1701 Student Life Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84112.
Nearest Airport: Salt Lake City Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: Fort Douglas Light Rail Station.
California Institute of Technology (CALTECH) was originally established as Throop University in 1891. It is a research and engineering institute that runs the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA.
The Virtual Reality lab at Caltech is open to students in all CS disciplines, giving them a chance to work on projects, conduct research, and cooperate with their colleagues. The Lab also includes Virtech, an experimental online learning platform.
Graduates of Caltech go on to succeed in various fields, including business, science, aerospace, and technology. Among other organizations, they have been employed by SpaceX, Meta, and the National Science Foundation.
Address: 1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
Hostel Facilities Available: They include:
- Avery House: Avery House, East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125.
- Bechtel Residence: Bechtel Residence, East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125.
- Blacker House: Blacker House, East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125.
Nearest Airport: Burbank Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: Lake Light Rail Station.
One of the oldest universities in the US, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), was established in Philadelphia in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin. The multidisciplinary BSE in DMD program merges several coursework together. This program is intended for students who are curious about the design, mathematics, and computer programming work required to create virtual reality environments, computer graphics, games, interactive technologies, and animations. Examples of the courses include Computability & Complexity, Advanced Rendering, Automata, and Animations.
Some of the largest businesses and studios in the world, including Electronic Arts, Pixar, Dreamworks Animation, Microsoft, and Google, have hired graduates of UPenn DMD programs.
Address: 3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Hostel Facilities Available: Some of Upenn’s hostel facilities include:
- Fisher Hassenfeld College House: 3700 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6025.
- Hill College House: 3333 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6193.
- Kings Court English House: 3565 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6185.
Nearest Airport: The Philadelphia International Airport.
Nearest Railway Station: 36th Street Light Rail Station.
Conclusion
Due to the current shortage of direct AR/VR courses, it is necessary to major in programs with relevant curricula. The institutions listed above offer the best programs that provide the knowledge you’ll need to embark on your AR/VR career.
You should take advantage of this chance!
It’s now or never if you want to pursue a career in AR/VR.
