Michigan Animation Schools: Most to Least Expensive

Michigan is home to more than 100 Title IV degree-granting institutions. These schools are more accessible to students because they are eligible for Title IV federal financial-aid programs. To become a Title IV school, the college or university must have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, they must be in business for at least 2 years, they must sign a participation agreement with the Department, they must grant an associate's degree or higher, and they must offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length.

Many of Michigan’s accredited, Title IV schools have excellent art and design, communications, and film departments. What’s even better is, many are affordable, yet still competitive. Just a few of Michigan’s most affordable schools for animators include University of Michigan, Grand Valley State University, and Central Michigan University. 

If you’re ready compare the costs of Michigan animation schools to others across the state, take a look our list of most to least expensive schools and what you can expect to pay. Keep in mind that resident tuition is always lower than non-resident tuition, and grad students typically pay more than undergrads.

Most Expensive Michigan Animation Schools

College for Creative Studies, Detroit – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate $31,440; graduate $34,080 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $1,270 per year.

Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills - Tuition Cost: Graduate $26,970 for the 2010 – 2011 school year

Lawrence Technological University, Southfield – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate lower division $20,880, upper division $21,840 for the 2011 – 2012 school year

Siena Heights University, Adrian – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate $19,934 for the 2011 – 2012 school year

Least Expensive Michigan Animation Schools

Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, Grand Rapids – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate resident tuition $12,384; nonresidents $18,576 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include annual fees of $700 to $900.

Grand Valley State University, Allendale - Tuition Cost: Undergraduate resident tuition $9,716 for lower division students, $10,200 for upper division; nonresident lower division students $14,030, upper division $14,528 for the 2011 – 2012 school year

Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $9,688, nonresidents $22,092; graduate residents $10,944, nonresidents $18,384 for the 2010 – 2011 school year

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate resident tuition $8,762 for lower division students, $9,680 for upper division; nonresident lower division students $21,494, upper division $23,934 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Lower division students also pay fees of $1,400 per year, while upper division students pay fees of $1,020 per year.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor - Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents, lower division $6,220, upper division $7,023; nonresidents, lower division $18,794, upper division $20,121 for the 2011 – 2012 school year

More Animation related programs to consider:  

Michigan Animation Scene

Michigan is home to more than 44,000 salaried artists and nearly 500 are animators. They work for advertising agencies, graphic design firms, web design firms, television production studios, and secondary and post-secondary academic institutions. A large number of the state’s animators also work in production studios for animation and film productions.

The Great Lakes State is almost always on the list when a Hollywood production calls for a pristine and scenic backdrop, but thanks to the grittiness of Detroit, Hollywood often calls when the production requires a tough, urban backdrop. Just a few films made in Detroit include True Romance, Die Hard II, Hoffa, Dreamgirls, and the infamous Madonna Documentary Truth or Dare. The state’s grittiest city also attracts ad agencies, animation production studios, music video shoots, and more. This offers great variety (and security) for Michigan artists of all kinds, from animators and visual effects artists to producers and directors.