North Carolina Animation Schools: Most Expensive to Least Expensive

North Carolina is home to nearly 140 Title IV degree-granting institutions. These schools belong to a special group of Title IV institutions based on five strict requirements. Title IV schools (1) have been in business for at least 2 years, (2) have signed a participation agreement with the Department, (3) have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, (4) grant an associate's degree or higher, and (5) offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length. A Title IV school is eligible for Title IV federal financial-aid programs, making them more accessible to students with financial need.

Many Title IV North Carolina colleges have outstanding art and animation programs at an affordable price. This doesn’t mean the admissions process for these schools is any less competitive than schools that are more expensive. In fact, many of the state’s most affordable schools are on the list of top schools in the region. Just a few of the state’s most affordable schools for animators include Winston-Salem State University, Elizabeth City State University, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University.

If you’re ready to shop and compare North Carolina animation schools, take a look at the most to least expensive schools below and what you can expect to pay. Keep in mind that resident tuition is always lower than non-resident tuition.

Most Expensive North Carolina Animation Schools

Wake Forest University, Winston Salem – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate $41,100 for the 2011 – 2012 school year

Duke University, Durham – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate $40,665; graduate $30,810 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include graduate fees of $718 per year.

Elon University, Elon – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate $27,434 for the 2011 – 2012 school year

Brevard College, Brevard – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate $22,700 for the 2011 – 2012 school year

Chowan University, Murfreesboro – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate $21,600 for the 2011 – 2012 school year

Barton College, Wilson – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate $21,258 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $1,724 per year.

Least Expensive North Carolina Animation Schools

North Carolina State University, Raleigh - Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $5,153, nonresidents $17,988; graduate residents $5,958, nonresidents $18,006 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include undergraduate fees of $1,865 or graduate fees of $1,876 per year.

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $4,816, nonresidents $23,432 for the 2010 – 2011 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $1,850 per year.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $4,716, nonresidents $17,665 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $2,717 per year.

University of North Carolina, Asheville – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $3,494, nonresidents $17,126 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $1,899 per year.

University of North Carolina, Greensboro – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $3,454, nonresidents $15,979 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include undergraduate fees of $891 per year.

East Carolina University, Greenville – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $3,348, nonresidents $19,275; graduate residents $3,557, nonresidents $17,908 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $2,016 per year.

University of North Carolina, Charlotte – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $3,242, nonresidents $15,006 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $2,198 per year.

University of North Carolina, Wilmington – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $3,225, nonresidents $15,046 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $2,446 per year.

Appalachian State University, Boone – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $3,153, nonresidents $15,201 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include undergraduate fees of $2,595 per year.

Western Carolina University, Cullowhee – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $2,998, nonresidents $12,595 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include undergraduate fees of $3,369 per year.

North Carolina Central University, Durham – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $2,952, nonresidents $13,525 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $2,737 per year.

University of North Carolina, Pembroke – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $2,813, nonresidents $14,833 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $1,855 per year.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University, Greensboro – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $2,791, nonresidents $12,425 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include graduate fees of $1,876 per year.

Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $2,670, nonresidents $11,782 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $2,834 per year.

Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $2,427, nonresidents $13,039 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $2,032 per year.

Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City – Tuition Cost: Undergraduate residents $2,348, nonresidents $12,091 for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $1,466 per year.

More Animation related programs to consider:  

North Carolina Animation Scene

North Carolina is home to nearly 700 animators and multimedia artists, and literally hundreds of freelance artists. The population has increased at a steady pace since 2002, when the state was home to 460 animators. They work all over the state from Albemarle to Winston-Salem, but a large number of animators work in major cities such as Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro. Although not as large as these cities, the North Carolina Film Office says that artsy Asheville is also a great place for productions.

While most of North Carolina’s animators work in the film and video industry, some also work in advertising, web design, graphic design, technology, and gaming. Just a few companies and studios that may be looking for talented animators include EUE/Screen Gems (offices in North Carolina, Atlanta, and New York), Earl Ownesby Studios, Trailblazer Studios, The Goss Agency, Lewis Advertising, Mullen, and McKinney.

North Carolina gaming animators have a bright future ahead as well, thanks to a new tax incentive aimed at North Carolina video game companies. According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, roughly 1,200 people are employed by approximately 30 video game companies located near Durham and Raleigh. Epic Games, Electronic Arts, Insomniac Games, Red Storm Entertainment, Virtual Heroes, Inc., and Destineer are just a few of the largest gaming companies in the state.