Florida Animation Schools

Florida has a lot to offer animators. Where else can you find a giant water screen that pumps 2,400 gallons of water into the air per minute—all for Disney-MGM’s animated productions? While the population of animators here has declined since 2002, animation studios, both big and small, are still popping up everywhere. One of the newest, Digital  Domain, plans to build a $40 million, 120,000 square foot studio in Port St. Lucie.

Thanks to animation studios such as these, historic ones such as Universal Studios, and many others, Florida is still a major player in the world of animation. For animation students, the possibilities are endless. The state is home to the Dave School—one of the top animation schools in the U.S. as well as New World School of Arts, and Ringling College of Art and Design. Students can select from a variety of majors from animation to visual effects.

Florida Animation Schools

From Boca Raton to Winter Park, Florida is home to a number of excellent animation schools offering degrees in everything from computer animation to studio art. Some programs are offered at traditional colleges and universities while others are offered at art schools or schools that offer online programs. Scroll through the list below to review Florida’s best animation schools and what they have to offer.

Boca Raton
Digital Media Arts College – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Computer Animation (Game Art concentration available), Graphic Design (Advertising Design concentration available); M. F. A. Visual Effects Animation, Graphic Design
Florida Atlantic University – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design; M. F. A. Visual Art: Graphic Design and Media, Technology and Entertainment

Gainesville
University of Florida – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Digital Media, Graphic Design; M. A. Digital Arts and Sciences, M. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Digital Media, Graphic Design

Miami
Florida International University – Degrees Offered: B. A. Art and B. F. A. Art, both with Concentration in Electronic Art and Digital Media; M. F. A. Art with Concentration in Electronic Art and Digital Media
New World School of the Arts – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Visual Arts with Concentration in Electronic Intermedia or Graphic Design

Orlando
The Digital Animation and Visual Effects School (DAVE School) – Degrees Offered: One-year intensive program resulting in an Accredited Diploma in Digital Animation and Visual Effects.

Sarasota
Ringling College of Art and Design – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Computer Animation, Game Art and Design, Graphic and Interactive Communication, Illustration, Motion Design

Tallahassee
Florida State University – Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. Design with Concentration in Print Design, Interactive Design or Animation and Visual Effects; M. F. A. Art with Concentration in Design or Electronic Media

Tampa
University of South Florida - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Graphic Design or Electronic and Digital Media

Winter Park
Full Sail University - Degrees Offered:  A. S. Graphic Design; B. S. Computer Animation, Digital Arts and Design, Game Art, Game Design (online only), Game Development (traditional only), Graphic Design (online only), Web Design and Development; M. F. A. Media Design (online only); M. S. Game Design (traditional only)

More Florida Schools with Animation related programs: 

Employment and Salary Trends for Florida Animators

Florida is home to more than 650 animators and multi-media artists, down from more than 1,300 in 2002. However, because the state is home to famous animation schools such as the Dave School and Ringling College of Art and Design as well as Universal Studios (home of Dave School) and many others, aspiring animators still flock to Florida in hopes of becoming a part of the scene.  Fortunately for these hopefuls, salaries for Florida animators are on the rise.

In 2002, Florida animators earned an average of $42,470. As of May 2009, they earned a mean salary of $54,820 per year. Nationwide, as of May 2009, the mean annual wage for animators overall was $62,810 per year. The lowest paid animators earned $32,360 per year and the highest paid animators earned $99,130 per year.