Animation Schools in Texas

With a population of more than 25 million, the hearty state of Texas is the second largest state in the U.S. The Lone Star State also has one of the largest collections of colleges in the country, the flags of six different nations fly over it, and it is home to some of the largest ranches in the world. In fact, the King Ranch (located in Kingsville) is larger than the state of Rhode Island!

Texas has so many fun facts, you’ll lose count, but several might be of greater interest to aspiring animators. First, the state has an active film commission that has been helping filmmakers and animated artists of all kinds since 1971. Next, a large number of multimillion-dollar series such as the Spy Kids and productions such as Ant Bully, and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron are just a few projects produced in Texas. Finally, the Texas Film Commission has managed to attract major Hollywood film productions for more than 40 years thanks to its incredibly hospitable nature, hundreds of support service companies, one of the lowest tax burdens in the U.S., and access to top talent in major cities such as Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio.

This is great news for aspiring film animators, and there’s even better news for animators interested in the advertising, graphic design, technology, or web design industries. The state is home to thousands of technology companies and hundreds of creative firms. Animators interested in education will find a staggering 252 accredited colleges and universities here, as well as hundreds of community colleges, specialty schools, learning centers, and more.

While opportunities for animators can be found in multiple industries and most cities, some of the best opportunities can be found in principal cities such as Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, and Plano.

Texas Animation Schools

The loss and gain of accreditation is a common occurrence in the world of education. This causes the number of accredited U.S. colleges to fluctuate annually. Sometimes the fluctuation is positive, and other times it’s negative. Fortunately, the state of Texas experienced a positive increase in just the last year. In 2011, the state was home to 240 accredited colleges and universities. Today, it’s home to 252. This is nearly three times the national average of 88. Keep in mind that this figure does not include community colleges and colleges that are not accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved agency.

Of Texas’s 252 colleges and universities, more than half offer art and design programs. Several standouts offer top-tier animation programs. Take a look at the list below to review Texas’s best options for aspiring animator’s and what they have to offer.

Dallas
University of Texas at Dallas - Degrees Offered: B. A. Arts and Technology with Animation, Computer Game Development, Design or Design and Digital Arts Track; Emerging Media and Communication; M. A., M. F. A. Arts and Technology with Animation, Computer Game Development, Design or Design and Digital Arts Track, M. A. Emerging Media and Communication; Ph.D. Arts and Technology with Animation, Computer Game Development, Design or Design and Digital Arts Track.

Huntsville
Sam Houston State University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Specialization in Advertising and Graphic Design or Computer Animation
Texas Animation Schools – Other Options

Texas is home to a number of community colleges that offer animation programs. Just a few of the best include Houston Community College, which offers a certificate in multimedia/video & animation, Collin College (McKinney), which offers a certificate and an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) in animation, and Richland College (Dallas), which offers a certificate and an Associate degree in animation.

More Animation related programs to consider:  

Employment and Salary Trends for Texas Animators

According to the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (March 27, 2012), Texas is home to 1,790 multimedia artists and animators. They average $57,160 per year. Although the state lost around 1,200 salaried animators over the last 10+ years, salaries are on the rise. In 2002, the average salary was $42,560 and in 2008, it was $52,740. In addition, Texas still has one of the nations largest populations of salaried animators.

The mean annual wage for animators nationwide was $62,810 in 2009 and $63,440 in 2010. As of March 27, 2012, the average salary was $68,060. The lowest paid animators average $34,800 and the highest paid animators average $109,370.